What a transition day. All that is left for outside work is to fertilize the grass of our acre. We are experiencing rain right now and one of our landscape friends advised us to hold off as long as possible on the fertilizing as rain followed by warm temps could fool the grass to revitalize rather than rest. We may yet experience what is known as Indian Summer. That being said we decided to dust off our pool pass to the Super 8 and spend some great time getting back to our exercise program and then a good long soak in the hot tub. There is nothing more rewarding than being physically spent from the water and not from ladder climbing or yard work. As the Super 8 does not experience a high level of activity during the mid part of the day, 99% of the time it’s our private space to enjoy. It couldn’t get any better than that. I love low maintenance luxury. Catch you later.
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Noreen
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Noreen
Autumn Joy
The Perennial – Autumn Joy
This 13th day of October literally is autumn joy. There is 61 degrees with full sunshine and no wind to speak of. During the last two days anything and everything that could blow away is now in the next county to our southeast. I did spend some time cutting down perennials in the gardens. They have given their all and now it’s time for them to hunker down and take care of the roots that make them what they will in a season yet to come.
Of course no one is going to bother me when I have garden shears in my hands and it’s a whack and stack type of work. It gave me a lot of time to do a little reflecting on my own roots. Just like my beloved perennials my roots are fairly hardy. Outside influences can damage my garden plants but my roots are my core being and I am here to tell you nothing is going to damage who I am. Brushing off the negatives just as a summer rain washes off garden plants is what perseverance is all about. I will continue giving my all and looking forward to each season that I have been given to flourish and enjoy. Today’s gardens were put to rest and though the work made me weary, it gave me a rush knowing how much I have to look forward to in this next season. Life is just sweet.
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Noreen
Not many words this evening. Dennis and I heard the forecast for next week and we made it a busy but great day. With the temps in the low 40’s over night I was ready to tip out flower pots and get a few flower beds tidied up. Growing up Saturdays in the fall season of any year was busy from morning till night. It was all about working smarter rather than harder as the climate-controlled clock was ticking. Then as now the blessing is that by seven in the evening it is starting to get dark and the temps cool down fast. That being said Dennis and I are off the clock for the day. Catch ya later.
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Noreen
Then and Now
Early May “Please Grow”
It seems like only yesterday that my priority was to get the 13 pot planter potted after the last of the killing frosts in May. Now Dennis and I wonder how long we will be able to enjoy the flowers as we sit on the patio. The first killing frost of the fall always leaves behind the sad foliage that has to be dealt with. These begonias never fail to give a show of constant blooms. The tickets on the pack of annuals states they are for part shade but these lovelies thrive under clouds or full sun. They are also very forgiving when the potting soil tends to be screaming for water.
Thanks for the Great Show
Today the winds were gusting at 35-40 miles per hour from the northwest with intermittent sprinkles and this may have been our last nice day. Nice if you wore bricks in your knickers to hold you down. Where the heck did the summer go? As much enjoyment as we have had this summer I know the fall season has a few wonderful items in its store.
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Noreen
A Great Day for Catching Up
Noreen and Sue During Working Times
I have mentioned before that relationships either grow or they die and today the growth went forward. I have known Sue Wiltse since the mid 1970s. Sue worked in the Faribault County Assessor’s Office at the time I came on board in Watonwan County. There have been lots of mandatory meetings to keep pace with legislation pertaining to rules and regulations of assessment of real estate that turned over into real estate tax dollars.
Men dominated the profession at that time so it was natural to check out the meeting rooms and gravitate to a kindred soul. Sue and I soon realized we had husbands and kids in common and that was all it took for the ground work of a good relationship. Sue and I are now both retired but make time for lunch and to meet in Fairmont. You just can’t beat Perkins for good food and they are very gracious if a bit more time is spent visiting. Over time we have shared tales of woes and many more tales of happiness. This was a great day.
It turned out to be a really good thing for her husband Dan and my Dennis. We left Perkins with caramel apple dessert for them. Priceless.
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Noreen
A great day to be outside. Our acre looks as if it has had a manicure. Hopefully this will be the last time the yards will be mowed. I must say with the recent rains the grass is lush and soft. I hope everyone was able to spend some time outside today. Catch ya later.
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Noreen
So, What’s up with a Blog?
So, what’s up with a blog? For me it’s all about sharing my life’s day-to-day living. My goal is to put forth a story once a month that takes in times gone by, but still are so fresh in my memory. Those stories eventually find a home in the navigation bar under “Stories.” It would have been such a treasure if the memories of my Mom and Dad could have been put down for a read today and for many tomorrows. I believe memories have a place in today’s fast-paced world as no one takes the time to get together for the pure enjoyment of sharing. Shame, shame.
After this morning I know I will continue sharing my ramblings for my family and friends — old and new — while it comes as easily as it does. For some reason the track record has been that every seven years I have issues with tears in one or the other of my Retinas. I was scheduled to see a specialist this morning as yet another tear had been discovered when I went in for my yearly eye exam. The first such tear was in 1999, the second in 2006 and now in 2013. If not caught early they can cause lose of vision. So far I have been extremely fortunate and each eye is sporting the laser treatment to repair what I refer to as crappy luck. Often a blow to the head or a hard jarring fall can be the cause, but not so for me. Like I said, crappy luck.
Last week I shared how my friend Judy is fighting for her eyesight and here today I said a prayer of thanks for my own eyesight. So, what’s up with a blog? I would be very sad if I had missed an opportunity to put down thoughts, dreams and memories that my family may enjoy in time to come. Whether we like to admit it or not those in our lives that have gone before us play such a huge part in who we are today and perhaps my stories and posts may shed some light on questions or puzzles. My son Kevin set the blog up for me and he keeps his thumb on my pulse, but the surprising thing is that my husband Dennis confesses that he finds a few things out about me that he never knew before. Priceless.
Listen with all your heart when an older family member may share their times that have gone by. I guarantee it, it will enrich your day.
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Noreen
The End
The End of a Great Run of Projects
The sun is out with temps back in the 70s and all is right with the world. I have been going on and on about work here on Stauffer Avenue but I can say that today was “the end.” I realize that if the weather remains with great fall conditions we may come across a task or two, but by and large Dennis and I are as happy as two peas in a pod. A pod that has very nicely been spruced up and updated.
The neighbor’s fire ring gave the last rites to a pallet that brought materials and also extra scrap lumber. We didn’t have marshmallows or hot dogs to roast for a celebration but the satisfaction of the last two weeks will last a lot longer than an outdoor fall roast.
Hmm — I will need to change gears from outdoors to indoors. If I remember I do have an incomplete quilting project that will cause me to give myself a refresher course. I hope I remember where I parked my quilting needle. Catch ya later.
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Noreen
The Notorious Potting Shed
The Notorious Potting Shed
This is our notorious potting shed. When we had a carpenter build our shed in 1994, it was just to be one more spot to store an extra vehicle. The total cost of it including labor was $2,000. 12 x 24 seemed reasonable for the pickup that Dennis had. Years come and go and our needs have changed. The current pickup garage is complete with garage door and opener and connected to the garage porch with just one step down. Dennis can be out and about and mobile in a heart beat. Opening barn doors is just way too confining for someone that needs to keep his finger on the pulse of the community.
The Cavern Within
As I began to enjoy gardening the gardening tools began to collect and what’s a garden without embellishments? When we have traveled I have picked up a piece of garden art here and there. Once the fall season is here it all needs to be stored as nothing is sadder than to see my collections torn asunder by strong winter winds and then buried under snow. As others decorate their homes I tend to favor the gardens as no weekly dusting is required. Everything has a place and as I store them each season it evokes memories of where the items were obtained from. Priceless. New shingles were put on the potting shed last week and after this rainy season passes the barn doors are on the schedule to get scrapped, primed and painted for a fresh look. Hmm . . . the bottom of our job jar never seems to see the light of day. It does keep Dennis and me on our toes.
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Noreen
Dennis and I are giving thanks today for…
Dennis and I are giving thanks today for the 1/2 inch of rain we got last night. Even more thankful it was not the six plus inches that some received in the south east part of the state. I do believe the high for the day will be the 50 degrees we have this afternoon. Far too cool to paint on our garage project.
It did present the perfect opportunity to put the last of the lawn and garden art away. As we were winding down we both realized that we were sniffing from having cold noses. Dennis is always wise and has a pair of gloves on – me not so much. I have never become accustomed to handling items with gloves on and consequently my hands enjoyed holding a cup of hot coffee when we finished up.
Enjoy the weekend and all it brings. Life is good here on Stauffer.