Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:19 am on July 25, 2014 Permalink  

  To Pitch or to Save 

  To pitch or to save . . . that is the question?  The cleaning and organization of the sewing and craft area has continued and it has slowed down considerably as there are some tough decisions that need to be made.

  

  Aunt Florence’s Tri-Chem oil fabric paints

  As mother-in-law Esther Schafer did fabric painting, so also did my Aunt Florence from my mother’s side of the family. When Aunt Florence and Uncle Norman (the Reibe Uncle that played the concertina) visited, it was always a show and tell from Florence as she was quite crafty.  Norman was my Christian sponsor and we kept in fairly close contact while Orlin and I were farming.  Their daughter Judy came and spent time during a summer so I could help her with garment sewing projects. Carrie and Kevin were quite young and easily entertained while Judy and I sewed.

  In time to come after Norman had passed, Florence lived in an apartment in Litchfield and her fabric painting was a hobby that she spent a great deal of time on.  Many years ago on a cold New Year’s Day, Mom and I called on Florence for an afternoon coffee.  It never crossed my mind that when we left I would be leaving with all of her fabric painting supplies.  Florence could no longer enjoy the hobby and she passed it to me.  I had no idea if I would take up the painting but I excepted the gift that brought her so much joy.

  Here I am years later and the fabric oil paints have become one of the last items to be dealt with in the organization of my haven.  I went online and the company is still in existence that markets the fabric paints.  In reading about them online it is known that the oil paint remains in good stead, but the ball point tips may be dried out from nonuse or not being cleaned at the last time of use.  I dug into the supply of repair items and sure enough, if the tips are replaced, the paint is very use able.

  I had dabbled with fabric paints in the 1960s.  As late as this last spring a Tri-Chem painted quilt top I had done from that era was finished into a very lovely quilt, ready to be enjoyed.  The Sun Bonnet Sue painted top had been in storage long enough.  It needed to be finished so it could be enjoyed in time to come by someone that needed a bright quilt.

  So I have decided that I will spend the time getting the paint tubes ready for use by installing new tips, and who knows what will be produced from them?  Esther did dish towels with paints rather than embroidering everything.  Florence produced a variety of table linens and place mats and I have a finished quilt – all via the oil paints.  It is, for a sure, a “save.”

  My fall and winter calendar is going to need scheduling in order for me to split my time with oil paints, piecing quilts, quilted wall hanging, counted cross stitch, crocheting bookmarks and afghans and knitting dish rags.  Maybe I can con Dennis into helping out either with the sewing room or the domestic side of Stauffer Avenue.  Dennis already takes over the kitchen after our meals are finished and I don’t want to burn him out.  We will have to see.  Needless to say, I will not have a problem staying busy, and it will bring out the peace that passes all understanding.

  In life, please remember to give and have no memory of it, or take and remember it always.

   
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  Noreen 3:37 am on July 24, 2014 Permalink  

  Today we took a trip to New Ulm, MN to look up the “Disabled American Veterans” drop off site for gently used clothing items. We were amazed at the volunteers that were working at the site. The green “DAV” bins are apparently at various locations within the area as evident of several bins that were ready to be unloaded from volunteer, privately-owned pickups. In the past we have favored the pick up that the Epileptic does through the city every several months. We are thinking that we will try and do right by both that work hard to make use of items for distribution to those that are in need.

  We couldn’t help but marvel at the healthy fields of corn and soybeans along the way. It was a good day.

   
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  Noreen 4:45 am on July 23, 2014 Permalink  

  I worked with oil paints today in regard to a craft project. Whew! I forgot how strong paint fumes can be. I need to get this done while I can be out in the garage porch. It was perfect conditions today with breezes and the humidity dropping by the hour. God bless good screens for the patio doors. Those biting bugs could look but they couldn’t touch.

   
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  Noreen 3:54 am on July 22, 2014 Permalink  

  The heat, humidity, gnats, biting black flies and mosquitoes are all just a bit much for our long awaited summer months. I did a half trot, half run to the east garden to check on my tomatoes. I almost put my arms out of joint by swatting the bugs that swarmed. The initial bite and the welt it brings is nothing compared to the long lasting itching. I am thankful for my sewing room as a respite. Dennis may have to put the florescent grow bulbs that I have used to start garden plants into the light fixtures down there. The energy from the blue and red rays of the grow bulbs might bring a bit of benefit while being forced to stay indoors.

   
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  Noreen 4:44 am on July 21, 2014 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  Having coffee on the patio this morning before the humidity and heat geared up, the sound of Morning Doves was welcomed.  The cooing brought separate but similar memories to Dennis and me.  The memories stemmed from days of early morning farming times.  Getting dairy cows into the barn for milking went hand in hand with the soothing coos of the doves. Sharing the farming memories with each other this morning, speaks to the essence of our souls . . . peaceful, simpler times.

   
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  Noreen 5:36 am on July 20, 2014 Permalink  

  What a day! It was 16 first cousins together for the first time in more years than I can remember. It was a Riebe Reunion (My Mom’s side of the family) at the Forest City Thresher’s site. Cousins, spouses, children and grandchildren made up a group of 70 plus people catching up, reminiscing and exchanging emails . . . and you can’t forget the recipe exchange. The chatter was ongoing as was the feast of “pot luck.” How wonderful to get together for an occasion other than for a funeral. This evening is time for some quiet time as Dennis and I are already in our jammies.

   
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  Noreen 5:34 am on July 19, 2014 Permalink  

  Night, Night – Sleep Tight 

  

  In 1992 My mom Lena embroidered a set of pillow cases for me. It was one of her favorite patterns to embroider. At that time I crocheted the edging and today was the day when the two came together. Finding treasurers is awesome . . . finishing them is priceless. In times past these wonderful bed linens were usual and customary when the head was laid on the pillow. In times past needlework was customary. On Stauffer Avenue it’s making a comeback.

   
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  Noreen 4:49 am on July 18, 2014 Permalink  

  It was an errand day. Well deserved haircuts sure feel good. I had a list and my pilot, Dennis, was in charge of plotting the route. Mankato is 45 miles from us and it takes the better part of a day to complete the lists. As Dennis and I get older our needs are minimum, but when a certain product is needed that we can’t purchase locally, it does call for an errand day . . . or as Dennis calls calls it a “Road Date.” I will confess that after everything was checked off the list we stopped at Perkins. I so enjoy the “55 and over” (yes that is 55 years old and over) menu of potato pancakes. Yum. I would never make them at home as grating all the ingredients is timely. Before I dig in I always give my Dad a barely visible salute with my fork before I dig in as they were one of his all-time favorites. It always feels so good when we arrive at home safe and sound.

   
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  Noreen 4:35 am on July 17, 2014 Permalink  

  Priceless Treasures – Part 2 

  I am at the point in the sewing and craft area that I have a mental plan as to the projects I want to tackle with the supplies I have on hand during the cooler temps of winter.  If these darn mosquitoes don’t knock it off I may be driven to those projects sooner than later.  With all the dusting and sorting that has taken place it will feel like an entirely new room.  It’s in the same rationale as driving a newly cleaned and polished car makes the ride seem smoother.

  Today a brick wall was hit.  While work on supplies at hand was completed it was pretty much black and white.  Either it needed to live another day in my stashes or it was put in the waste bin.   Purposely I had left one of the larger totes to the last.  That tote contained items that have been completed by my Mom, my mother-in-law Esther Schafer, and my paternal grandmother Laura Wendlandt.  Without question it all remains worthy of being cherished during my days and on into perpetuity.  These items represent who we are in today’s world.  Each stitch within these embroidered, crocheted, or quilted items represents the strength of the women in my past.   Do I need to have something tangible to continue to relate to my heritage? Most likely not.  I just marvel at the creativity that is most certainly going to be lost due to the fast pace of living.  Taking time for one-of-a-kind pieces of art and history is on the decline.  I enjoyed labeling the items as I found suitable storage.

  As I posted in the past, I am working my way through yarns and threads to the best of my ability.  Will they be revered as I revere the items that I worked with today?  That’s not for me to be concerned with.   I do not press my crafts to impress anyone, but only for my own personal enjoyment and the challenge they bring.

   
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  Noreen 2:36 am on July 16, 2014 Permalink  

  Just Hanging Out 

  Two wonderful days of mild temps brought bliss here on Stauffer Avenue.  I attended a picnic meeting yesterday and missed out on the time at home.  Dennis made good use of a cool 65-degree day by getting the backyards mowed.  I tend to do a “one note” day. If the majority of the day has been spent away from home, I don’t get into huge projects during the late day here at home.

  This morning it was just tipping  the temps at 60 degrees and the strong breeze made it feel like October.  I had my garden shoes on by 9:30, ready to do my share of mowing grass.  Dennis headed out after he had the push mower running and away we went.  We were done by the stroke of twelve noon and ready to hang out on the patio with some coffee.

  

  The napping kitten found just the right spot for balancing
  itself for a nap. Mama Cat was just a bit off to the side.

  Obviously, we weren’t the only ones ready to kick back.  Sitting on the patio Dennis motioned to me, and when I followed to where he was pointing, the yellow mama cat was sprawled out on a Lilac limb.  I checked the area around her and each of the two kittens had also found a crook in the branches to take a snooze.  It’s really hard sneaking up on them for a photo op.  They truly are their mom’s babies.  You can look, but no touching – yet.  I did manage a photo of one of them.  During a time when the patio is empty, a glance out of the bathroom window tells an entire different story of the two shy kittens.  They are romping on the patio chairs, chasing each other through the blooming yellow lilies, and of course toughing it up with each other to where it seems it is just one ball of yellow rolling around.

  

  Cuddle time and it seemed like one of the
  kittens was elected to keep watch. They are the
  real deal when it comes to tree hugging.

  After a bit I noticed the leaves were rustling and I noticed the chilly breeze was meant for cuddling as both kittens shared one nap area.  I will admit that I am putting out a saucer of milk once a day as mama cat is still letting them suckle.  Mama cat is quite small and she seems to be taking to motherhood with a lot of grace so it seems only natural that we need to give her our vote of confidence.  Whether they stay in our area or not, Dennis and I know that we are helping them off to a good start.  Surprisingly, one out of the four original kittens was black.  Keeping two out of four is perhaps pretty good odds for stray cats.  There is a black Tom cat that comes and has some Meow Mix and the kittens frolic around him and he seems to take it in stride.  This may be a family in the making or those in the wild know when to hold it and when to fold it.

  Oh yes, life of Stauffer is sweet – and it’s a great place to just hang out.