Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:27 pm on July 4, 2025 Permalink  

  July 4th,2025 

  It is a very warm 4th of July.

  Decades ago, we would be hosting a huge family gathering on the west lawn, under shade trees at our Boon Lake farm.  

  Orlin’s family with his mother, Ester, enjoying every moment of it.  My family, both the Riebe family and the Wendlandt family.  The invites were given and those that could make it rounded out a rather huge group.  On one 4th, Kevin had just gotten over the chicken pox, thus no long contagious.  Orlin’s nephew Frank, aka: Butch, gave the little ones rides around the circle drive with our lawnmower and trailer.  Lots of food.  No one went hungry.  Orlin’s mother always had her harmonica with her.  My uncle, Norman Riebe, had brought along one of his concertinas.  Both played by ear.  The tunes that those two entertained us with were amazing.  Even the hammock between two Oak trees gave great fun as the kids would take turns being pushed forth and back.

  If I remember correctly, 1974, was the last time we had a July 4th celebration.  At that time we lived at rural Buffalo Lake.  The two story brick school house was soon to be our home.  We resided in a 14′ x 80′ mobile home during the interim.  That 4th of July gathering included the same families as other years, plus we had neighbors that joined in.  Across the road Bill and Ester Mueller walked over.  With no family of their own, they truly enjoyed the hub-bub.

  For me, these events were as if yesterday.  I have a tendency to harbor memories.  Sweet.  Not to worry, I absolutely live in the present.

  Yesterday we took a road trip.  I could not believe how good the crops looked.  There were many working in the heat as the road-side hay was either being cut, side-raked or baled.  There were round bales, huge rectangle bales.  Both must be extremely heavy.  One farm was still baling the size of bales that I remember hefting, mostly between 80 and 100 lbs.  The arthritis can attest to that.

  Speaking of arthritis: I got a follow-up call from my primary on this Wednesday.  I was concerned if one of the implant screws that I have in both feet, had shifted causing some discomfort, the redness and swelling of my toes on my right foot.  Nope.  It’s just the all invading arthritis.  It was relief.

  This evening we are having sauteed peeled and deveined shrimp and steamed veggies.  It doesn’t take long to toss the defrosted shrimp after totally drying them in paper towels with butter in an open skillet.  When they turn from a hue of gray to pink, in short order, they are done.

  BY THE WAY:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SON, KEVIN!

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on July 2, 2025 Permalink  

  The Wasp – Part Two 

  Late yesterday afternoon, I paid attention whenever I would catch a glimpse of the nasty huge back wasp.  It never seemed to take a break and land somewhere.  As I was making supper, I saw it swoop down and land under the dining room table.  With my fly swatter in hand, praying my titian knees would let me swat that far down, I literally lunged at it.  It took a second hit before it stopped wiggling.  With a wet paper towel for surface traction, I scooped him up and flushed him down the toilet.  Whew.

  I knew I could rest easy.  What came to mind were the wasp type of insects that we had when we lived in Riesel, Texas.  Within a short amount of time they could get into your home and find a quiet spot to make a nest.  They called them “mud daubers.”  Their saliva wove the nests.  Makes me shiver to think of the day I found a nest in one of our open closets.  I have no idea if they stung when they were irritated.  It was my own personal irritation that carried with it a feeling of an unclean home.  Yuck.

  This forenoon Jan from across the picket fence came down into the studio to see what I was doing.  She had had no idea what crappy tee-shirts could be used for.  I encouraged her to take a good look-see as there would never be another one on my church tables.  About two, the studio went dark and I will pick up the pinning of the layers sometime this weekend.

  With a fresh batch of steamed veggies, we are having leftovers from last night’s stew and potatoes for supper.  As a treat Dennis will get some orange juice.  There is just so darn much sugar for it to be a daily thing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on July 1, 2025 Permalink  

  A Wasp 

  We have a huge black wasp that has gotten into the house either via a door as it was closing or riding in on clothing.  Ishi.  I have a fly-swatter close at hand.  Of course he is nowhere to be seen right now.

  I did look at the radiology reports of my x-rays of the bone density and also my feet.  I will rely on my primary to channel the next course of action, if one is needed.  There were no fractures noted.  Charts of indication of osteo arthritis as to yesterday compared to two years ago.

  I have voluntarily cut back on my coffee intake.  No longer does the coffeemaker perk out 12 cups of liquid.  I have it set for six.  Dennis has always taken what amounts to two cups in his thermos cup and I had been drinking the remainder over the course of the day.  I remember Orlin was a heavy coffee drinker during the work week.  We didn’t make coffee over the weekends.  Invariably, by Sunday he would have a headache.  Maybe from the withdrawal, maybe not.  I feel comfortable giving the cut-back a try.  I have one additional prescription added daily.  It is a 2.9 blood-pressure pill.  I already have an appointment in two weeks to have an RN check my blood-pressure.  The objective is no undue pressure on the heart.  I will make sure to do my part.  Upon that visit, I have an appointment in three months with my primary.  More to come on the x-rays.

  I had a stint in the studio this forenoon . . . until 1:30.  The two equal rectangles of tee-shirt blocks are now sandwiched with Mountain Mist batting.  Kersten had found several additional measuring matts for me.  They are 36″ x 70″.  Coupling them with the one previous, I used thumbtacks to get the ball rolling.  Slowly I managed to square everything up.  The next step will be the wonderful wonder of the easy to manage safety pins that Amazon delivered via Kevin.  They have been put to use several successful times.  That may well take more than one session in the studio.

  Supper is going to be beef stew over instant mashed potatoes with a side of steamed vegetables.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:55 pm on June 30, 2025 Permalink  

  What a Day 

  Dennis’ daughter took Dennis to his appointments today.  His new shoes were ready at the Limb Lab.  His eye injection was at three.  I was thrilled that Denise took care of that.

  I had a follow-up with my primary doctor here in town this afternoon.  Yes, the blood work was great.  Nope, my blood pressure readings were high.  Consistently high after four different times.

  I also had the bone density x-rays to see what the wear and tear of arthritis has brought about.  I also had my right foot x-rayed.  The foot, mainly the big toe, has been consistently red and a bit swollen.  No . . . the screw would not rust but it was x-rayed to make sure the screw has not moved over the course of the last thirty years.

  All the results of the x-rays I can see by tomorrow via the Mayo portal.  The blood pressure can perhaps be helped by me reducing my intake of caffeinated coffee.  Starting tomorrow, I will adjust the amount and the strength.

  With all of that, I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on June 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Thunder Rolled 

  In the early morning hours, three-thirty, the lightning was striking, followed shortly thereafter by roll after roll of thunder and rain.  I kind of think, we have caught up with any shortfall of rain that may have been noted.

  Here we are, June 29th, after having materials brought on site for re-facing the garage on the 21st of June.  The garage work is completely done and my oh my, what a great job has been done.

  Brian and Carlos left our home at noon.  There is no sign of any debris to be found.  The keys for the new service door have yet to find a key ring.  The service door that was taken off, dang near came off in pieces.  The multi-paneled door had been held together with glue.  When standing inside, looking out, daylight could be seen in between the panels. 

  It was our pleasure to pay Brian and Carlos when they left.  Dennis was on hand to give each fellow a $2.00 bill reflecting the good luck that comes with the $2.00 bill.  Brian told Dennis he still had his bill from the time that we got to know Brian when he was doing work across from Stauffer Avenue three years ago.  We would give Brian a recommendation anytime.

  There were some extra materials that needed to go back to Truman Lumber.  Brian had scored a job in Truman as he was invoiced our materials and Brian offered to return them for us.  Fantastic.  I know that Vaughn from the lumberyard, had checked our deck out after it was done and had no problem recommending Brian and Carlos.  Vaughn had said carpenters were hard to come by.  

  Our job jar, we had not even thought of this project a month ago, is indeed empty.  There are always items to repair when you own property, but for some time the garage will be zero maintenance.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on June 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Garage Work 

  The two fellows came back at noon after the rain had stopped for the day.  In tow was the new service door that had come into the Truman lumberyard for this morning’s pick-up.  I greeted them and left them to what they know best.

  My morning project was Dennis’ bedroom, complete with getting the bedding into the laundry.  I began putting the bed back together this afternoon and I could only imagine what being outside would feel like . . . humid.

  Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time surfing the Mayo website for the Mankato site. As I will need a new interventional cardiologist by the late fall, I began searching and reading.  A cardiologist takes care of me after the main event.  The interventional cardiologist may prevent me having a main event.  I am now on Dr. Singh’s list of patients at Mayo in Mankato.  I see no reason that if the doctor is not in Rochester, they would not be a wise choice.  I feel very comfortable going forward.  Advocating for one’s self when possible brings that feeling of comfort.

  When there is activity in the garage from strangers, the kitties flee.  Snuggles saunters back after the fact.  Harriet had been gone for four days and three nights.  Dennis had to check one more time last night after he had locked up.  I could hear her crying when Dennis opened the back door.  She wanted to beat him into the safety of the garage.  After the garage work today, it will be interesting what nightfall brings.

  The Subway hit the spot last night for supper.  This evening we will be having a hot supper.  Dennis can go without a hot supper, but not for a very long time.  I don’t get that.  Oh well.

  I watched for the mail today . . . no quilt batting.  That allows my arms and shoulders a bit more rest. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:18 pm on June 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Good Grief 

  It is unbelievable what some believe in.  I think it is called holistic medicine.  Essential oils are right up there with the hype.

  Dennis came home from Silver Bay with what he thought would be a great comfort for me.  Hmm.  It was a grounding bedsheet.  Sold to him from the granddaughter that is big into essential oils.  It is to be plugged only into the grounding port of an electrical plug in.  It is then plugged into the organic grounding bedsheet.  It is to tap into the wealth of free electrons from the earth’s mobile electrons via the ground wire benefits.  A cure all to promote blood circulation, anti-aging, removes stress and arthritis.

  Give me a break.

  The only thing that kept me from laughing in Dennis’s face was the simple fact that the electrical plug-in behind my bed did not happen to be an electrical plug-in with a ground wire.  I gently told him that I felt that running an extension board/cord equipped with a ground option would be too dangerous as I use a step-up and step-down when I get in and out of bed with the fear of tripping and falling.  Whew, he bought it. 

  Medicine men are still alive and well, they just no longer use covered wagons to roam for patsies.

  On a lighter note, I am in the waiting room, awaiting my quilt batting to be delivered from Amazon.  It may be tomorrow or Monday.  A good time for doing some cleaning in the studio from snips and wayward threads.

  Subway is on the docket for supper. 

  Many small town celebrations for this weekend.  I hope all works in the favor of those that participate or help in the planning.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on June 26, 2025 Permalink  

  The Rain 

  The rain has been coming and going in between a few sun beams.  KNUJ radio thought it would amount to 1.5 inches in total accumulation.

  The rain has stalled the garage work.  It might also be that the service door has not yet come in to the Truman Lumberyard.  One or the other . . . or both.

  Today needed proof.  That proof was that each of the two sewn tee-shirt quilt blocks had finished out in close proximity of one to the other.  Measure once, measure twice and . . . mission completion.  Spot on, making it more hopeful that I can pull off having a reversible project.
  
  

  My church tables are consumed.  There is one more border, black, that will be finished tomorrow.  Maybe.  In the foreground I included my set of the “Tape Maker Set.”  By cutting fabric of choice into strips, bias tape can become as wide and in any color that is needed.  I chose one inch wide fabric.  Inserting the end of the fabric and guiding it through a narrow two inch channel of the desired size, it won’t take long and the raw edge presents itself out the other end. That fabric end is pinned down into the covering of the ironing board.  Using a hot steam-iron, the mechanism with the fabric pulled through it is slowly backed up allowing the steam-iron to follow and hot press the now newly folded fabric into a tape with no raw edges.  I used a decorative stitch that zig-zagged, sewing the tape down from edge to edge onto the center of the seam of the sewn together blocks.  The process for this project took about 23 yards of Grammie manufactured tape.  It sure dressed up some god-awful looking tee-shirt designs. 

  It is gray out with a looming of a few more rain showers.  I am done for the day and without any help, I could sit here in the cherry red chair and perhaps nod off for a bit.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on June 25, 2025 Permalink  

  Not Much 

  Much to-do about a lot of nothing in regard to the rain that was to overwhelm us.  The air is very heavy.

  The next phase of the tee-shirt quilt is underway.  Putting a three inch border around the perimeter of the two individually pieced twelve inch block tops, helps to stabilize the raw edges.  The secret is to cut the border fabric on the length of the fabric, the weft, as there is minimal stretch compared to the width of yardage.  The rotary cutting of enough border material for what was needed for the two was quite a bit of arm, shoulder and hand pressure.  After sewing said border onto one out of the two pieced tops and steam pressing . . . did it for me.  The studio is dark.

  I did order the Mountain Mist Quilt Batting.  It is an old time favorite and not giving a huge amount of loft.  $29.00 with no shipping, it should and could be here by the 30th or the first of July.  Yup . . . it is getting real.

  The studio is just about as dark as the skies are.  The weather map has all sorts of blurbs indicating rain that might fall.

  An economic wake-up call has hit the ole beloved cowboy.  Dennis needed a belt for his wranglers.  Fleet/Farm look out.  The choice was slim to none.  Off course the only brand they carry is Red Wing.  The belt was $64.00 and some odd cents.  Mission accomplished.  It could have been worse.  He didn’t need new wranglers.  I had several pair washed and tucked away for the day he was weary of pants with an elastic waist.  Too funny. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on June 24, 2025 Permalink  

  A Good Day 

  Actually, this was beyond a good day . . . downright wonderful.

  I had blood work this morning.  Before I closed down the studio for the day, I opened my patient portal and printed out the information:

  Triglycerides  95  150 is normal range

  Cholesterol, Total 151  200 is normal range

  LDL Cholesterol 55  100 is normal range

  HDL Cholesterol 79  130 is normal range

  All of the items in the Basic Metabolic Panel were in the normal range

  Next week I have the actual doctor visit.  I need to ask her how I go about finding an Interventional Cardiologist.  I got a letter on June 12th that Dr. Sarraf is no longer with Mayo.  I can view profiles on the Mayo web site.  I plan on doing that before my appointment on the 30th.

  The carpenters have the west, driveway side, left.  I am partial, but the job is really good with the Gutter-Helmets in place, there is now a vinyl soffit enclosing the ends of the roof boards.  The doorway trim of the pickup garage opening is of black metal bent and molded.  Class job all the way around.

  The bad news is that great grand Addison was going to make some extra money scraping and painting the garage.

  Last night when Dennis was going to close down the patio porch, it took a while for Snuggles and Harriet to get in.  I have no plans on telling Dennis that for the week he was gone, I had always left the east screen popped open about eight inches.  They came and went on their own.  No way am I going to sit until dark for two cats to saunter in.  I knew they were in at one time or another via the food, eater and litter box that I took care of.  I actually hadn’t laid eyes on them in days.  What the ole cowboy doesn’t know in regard to the livestock can’t hurt him. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥