Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:52 am on April 28, 2017 Permalink  

  We Are The Lucky Ones 

  We are so lucky that we did not get the snow that my cousin Mark did in the far north portion of the state.  It may not have been a huge amount, just enough to be an aggravation.

  After I had sat down for a bit in the early part of the evening, I got my second wind. With the right ingredients brought home from the market, I began making a batch of Crab Salad.  It is one of our favorites for a noon snack.  With an equal amount of celery, onions, imitation crab meat and a bit less of the green peppers, I was a dicing and chopping fanatic.  With shredded cheese added before the mayo I had a pretty good sized bowl going with a fair amount of pepper to top it off.  Dennis did sample some and he gave it the thumbs up.

  As I was making such good use of the new groceries, I have no idea where from the far reaches of my memories I began reminiscing to myself.  We had settled into Watonwan County with a job transfer for Orlin with the Moorman’s Feed Company.  The transfer had not meant a parallel move for the family income as we now had a home mortgage that far exceeded what we had gained from the Renville County home.  Nothing to do but dig deep and apply for food stamps.  Carrie and Kevin realized the circumstances.  We made it a family trip to Mankato to one of the large grocery stores.  Coming home with groceries abound it was fun packing the groceries away and making plans for the fresh produce that could be carefully stretched into the weeks ahead. 

  We remained on food stamps for some time always shopping carefully.  As we had moved from the initial house in Madelia to a second one and then to a farm site, we did then have a garden and we were raising chickens for the freezer.  When I applied and received a part-time job at the Watonwan County Assessor’s Office, I was thrilled to talk with Barb Bloom and our Human Service case worked to allow her to know we no longer needed the help with food stamps.  Happy days!

  Coming back into the present day and time: I put the crab salad into the refrigerator.  I felt like the most fortunate person in the world.  Yes, this morning we were lucky to have missed the late season snow, but back in time Orlin and I were determined to not want to settle and we changed the course for our family.  We are the lucky ones.  We did what many families may not be able to do. 

  I have no idea what may trigger my memories.  I am very thankful they come to me.  It cements into me that there is never a time when I can sit back and stay static.  Perhaps that is why now I am bucking northwest winds for my walks in this cold spring weather to prove to myself that while I am fortunate to have a good life, I can work to make that good life just a bit better and perhaps have it last a bit longer.  I really enjoy my life and loving family . . . there is no more to say.

   
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  Noreen 4:54 am on April 27, 2017 Permalink  

  This morning when I got out of bed I had decided that with the temp at 34, feeling like 22 with a 24 mph northwest wind, it was too nasty to walk my two miles. I piddled around picking up the house, made beds and did a quick check of items to put on a grocery list. Before I realized it, I had the mittens out, my walking shoes were on and I was suited up with a slathering of face lotion to protect from the wind. It may be true that it takes six weeks for an action to become a habit. I like it. I like it a lot.

  A trip to the big town and I am pooped. JoAnn Fabrics is the worst place to get service. A massive store with less than enough help to move merchandise. “Yes, I want 3.5 yards of batting” and “No, I am not willing to splice 2.3 yards to 1.2 yards to make the 3.5 yards.” Clerk: “We are instructed to use each roll up as it is sold off.” My reply, “I may not need any at all.” I did get my 3.5 yards in one cut. Now, in the quiet of my sewing studio, I can cut the yardage in half to do the last two peachy quilts. UGH!

  Our pantry has our “often used” products on the shelves in the basement pantry. We did have a late lunch at Culver’s and we have agreed that supper is not needed nor warranted. Our road date was successful. We are the happy content ones on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 3:32 am on April 26, 2017 Permalink  

  I Feel Good 

  It may be raining outside right now, but indoors, who cares.  I did get going on my walk before the clouds threatened to break open.  Yesterday I could barely stay upright from the strong winds of the south.  This morning the northwest wind was wild and it was downright cold.  I had gloves on but I can tell you a good pair of mittens over them will be what will be used for tomorrow the way the forecast predicts.

  Dennis ran errands for us today as well as made a trip to our friendly dentist for a check up on a wire on the partial that had made an owie in his mouth.  Right on target.  I had two prescriptions that needed refilling and a total of $4.00 and a few cents and I am in high cotton for the next 90 days.  I feel so fortunate that I am able to enjoy the health that I do with such a small amount of meds to keep me on track. 

  When the rain began I took coffee and put myself to work in the sewing studio.  With the radio on the stitches seem to fly.  I have two of the four peachy quilts done that are for the great granddaughters.  It’s a great feeling to be making headway and I feel good about what use can be made of fabrics that would otherwise sit on a shelf.  I think Dennis will like the news I am about to give him.  I need quilt batting.  I have fused together all that I had and now a trip to town is warranted.  We have not had a road date since the week before Easter.  He asked just as late as yesterday morning if I thought we needed anything.  I know I will also put together some grocery items and he will get to choose where we will fine dine at.  I have an idea it will be Culver’s and that would be fine with me.  The meat in their hamburgers is perfection.  But . . . in the mean time I need to get upstairs and pull some supper together minding the fact that Dennis has a sore mouth.  He did mention that it felt worse after the dentist was done digging around in his mouth.  They just love to pick around while they have you in a vulnerable spot.

   
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  Noreen 4:00 am on April 25, 2017 Permalink  

  I have come to enjoy my walking experience. At the onset each day it feels like I have a tube of wet sand strapped to my lower back from side to side. After several blocks the ole body realizes I am not going to give in and it relaxes and decides to enjoy the time. Arthritis needs to be exercised or it will become nestled into the joints much like the calcium that can accumulate around water faucets until the original faucet isn’t even recognizable.

  Many decades ago small children might have had a pull toy made with the likeness of an animal printed on lightweight wood. It had a circular wheels that had multiple pairs of feet printed on the wheels. As the child pulled the toy the wheels went around and around making it appear that the feet were in constant movement forward to keep up with the child that was towing the toy. As I get my stride going, traveling the county road during my walk, I feel much like that toy. An inner strength is thrusting me forward and my feet just keep going and going. Hey . . . ya gotta do whatever it takes to stay motivated.

  At a point on my return to home, once I can see through the backyards and the bathroom window on the east side of our home I seem to be able to pick up a bit of steam as I round the corner of the county road onto our street. I know that there is hot coffee waiting to enjoy while I cool down. Yup, it was a good 40 minutes spent. Megan was right, Grammie can do it.

   
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  Noreen 4:30 am on April 24, 2017 Permalink  

  Though we had our outdoor work done as of yesterday, it was hard not to find something to be outside for today. A day of sun with little breeze. Ya, you got it. Perfect to sit on the back patio reading for a bit, watching birds fly by and an occasional squirrel giving the cats a fit. At five this afternoon, the sun went down and it cooled off indicating that tomorrow may be a day of getting rain. That would prove to be a good time to get back into the sewing studio and continue making strides with projects under way. If our week remains as calm as the calendar looks today . . . sweet.

   
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  Noreen 4:29 am on April 23, 2017 Permalink  

  Spring Has Arrived 

  

  The tulips that once were as a Valentine potted treasure is gracing one of several spots around our home for us to enjoy year after year. They are very delicate compared to the garden tulips from bulbs planted years ago.  These blooms inspired Dennis and me to get the acre mowed, trimmed and tidied today. What a great workout. The first time the mowers, trimmer and rakes are used is always the challenge as you need to get all the branches picked up before the mower hits them. Sharp blades are important. Having two batteries to swap out in the trimmer helped me follow Dennis on the rider mower. Tidy, tidy. I can assure you we are off the clock for the remainder of the day.  It was just a great sunny day as we took time out to have several breaks in the work sitting on the patio sharing a can of pop.  Life is sweet on Stauffer Avenue. 

   
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  Noreen 3:49 am on April 22, 2017 Permalink  

  Tomorrow has been set as the day that the lawnmowers will be humming here on Stauffer Avenue. Dennis had all three of them running in the driveway this morning. My part of the plan is the front yard, Stauffer’s boulevard and around the house. The bagger is on the push mower and I know dang well I will not be able to take a full swath. It is green. It is thick. It will be seen if I still have what it takes to restart the mower after each time the bagger is emptied. I don’t trust myself to do it any other way. I have had a sideways pull on the cord that has worked in seasons prior. Time will tell.

   
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  Noreen 4:07 am on April 21, 2017 Permalink  

  The rain has not stopped construction here in town. As I headed east on the county road for my walk it was misting. Misting enough that the gravel trucks had their wipers on as they pulled into the city lot with a mixture of gravel, rocks and perhaps asphalt.

  I was not the only one on a mission this morning. Snuggles, the sneaky quiet cat had found a rabbit’s nest. Being patient enough, and more to the point fast enough, that he snared a baby rabbit and wham . . . had it into the patio porch before Dennis realized what was going on. Of course, the rabbit was fair game for playing with it just always several steps ahead of Dennis. Now the real question . . . where in the garage did Snuggles leave it? Will there be a squeak or a smell in time to come?

  Rest assured there is no shortage of what the cat’s can get into. It reminded both Dennis and me as to what happened to the key chain that had hung from the motorcycle in the garage. It’s on a green and black fob. We were very lucky to have had a spare that was locked away. One of these days us older ones here on Stauffer will have to get down and low . . . way low and look under cabinets. In reflecting, Harriet would be the one that would have played with it, watching it swing from side to side until it had enough momentum to fall off onto the floor. We have seen her in action with some of the toys in the porch. It’s in her mouth and away she goes with her treasure. Dang kids!

   
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  Noreen 3:29 am on April 20, 2017 Permalink  

  Duck Weather 

  Rain and clouds are a part of spring.  With our city being torn up in multiple directions for three mini round-a-bouts to be installed, I am sure this is the last thing needed.  In addition there is a huge infrastructure repair that is taking in six blocks south of Main Street running parallel with all the work.  Needless to say the traffic includes a lot of frustration.  That frustration of drivers within town is my reason for doing my walk east out of town on the county road.  The shoulders are wide and my choice of time to walk coincides with people already having entered town for employment and the quiet before the noon hour.  It was 47 degrees when I left home but it was cooler when I returned and now with thunder boomers it may very well even be cooler.

  I have made huge inroads in the sewing studio.  My sister-in-law, JoAnn, does a lot of quilting and we compare notes once in awhile.  Jo is never concerned about the backs of the quilts in regard to it being a match of fabric colors and prints.  With that being said the stack of peach is gone.  Of course I didn’t go crazy with odd choices for each.  I did honor the shade of peach that was represented in each of the quilt tops.  If I didn’t have challenges in my day-to-day life, it wouldn’t be my life.  I have been able to take each day as it comes.  Some have had tears, some have had surprises, but even with that mix each day is just a down right blessing.  

   
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  Noreen 4:13 am on April 19, 2017 Permalink  

  Strong Winds 

  When I realized this morning that the noise I heard was the evergreen right outside the house being whipped around with rain, I closed my eyes for a bit longer.  Nope, eight in the a.m. is my limit.  Until I knew the rains were over with, I decided to boil eggs for some egg salad, take out some frozen dinner rolls for tonight’s supper and take the meatloaf out of the refrigerator that had been in the freezer.  Supper was planned.

  I did head out for my walk and as soon as I was five minutes out, I realized I should have put bricks in my pants.  I remembered that the winds at Redwood Falls were deemed to be 40 – 45 mph, but our back door is sheltered enough that I was caught off guard.  Nonetheless, I headed east on the county road.  By and large I was doing steps going forward but every once in awhile I was caught off guard and took a side step to counter balance the wind gusts.

  I started walking in seriousness the 18th of March.  After a full month, I look forward to putting on the walking shoes and heading out with the intent of pushing a bit farther from time to time.  If I think I can’t make it home, I know anyone heading west into town would take pity on a white-haired senior citizen if I stepped out into the lane of traffic with at least 50 feet for them to see me.  Na, most likely I would call Dennis and have him come for me.   As strong willed as I am, neither of those options are in my plans.  As Megan had always said, “Grammie, I know you can do it.”

  The sewing studio had a good workout this afternoon.  The four peach, peachy pink and orangie-peach blankets are getting closer to fruition.  Each measures 52 x 72.  Perfect size to be drug around from place to place as needed by the little ones.  Today I decided to put their names on them as they are all similar, but still different.  I pieced together batting enough for two of them.  Dang it, I will have to purchase some batting for the remaining two.  It felt good to use up some leftovers.  Tomorrow I will hit the remaining stash in that wonderful color pallet and begin piecing the backs of the blankets.  I am not in a rush, just making good use of time, talent and . . . stashes.