Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 6:53 am on August 12, 2013 Permalink  

  Wonderful Rain Fall 

  At first when I woke up this morning I thought the day would literally be a wash.  The 1.2 inches was a Godsend.  Though it’s nice to get a break from mowing the yards, eventually the brown grass doesn’t have much eye appeal.

  The sun broke through the clouds about the time Kevin and Kersten came for a visit with Bell and Sophie.  It’s so hard on the grand pups and their noises to try and follow all the new smells when they come to visit.  The best part for them was running head long into the long mud puddles on Stauffer.

  No way I could resist having a bit of a fix-it list as extra hands are available.  O.K. I admit it.  Dennis and I don’t know how to go about fixing some items and it comes second nature to Kevin, and Kersten knows just which tools to hand off to him.  I don’t take his skills lightly as I know he has had to work hard time and time again to acquire and then hone those skills.  Kevin and Kersten’s property and vehicles benefit tremendously from not having labor amounts added to materials and parts.

  Dennis hosted brats on the patio for a great meal after all was repaired and tidied.  Bell and Sophie were not left out of the picture by any means.  Rocking chairs do wonders to settle a full stomach as the conversations that ensued touched all bases.  We didn’t find any answers or solutions to world issues but we did visit long enough that the pups were lolled into naps at our feet.  When the Ford pickup headed back to Fairfax the mud puddles all had had time to have soaked into the hungry dirt and gravel.  As the pickup headed out two faces peeked through the pickup topper and I know that the tails were doing double time.  It was a great day right here on Stauffer.  The sun setting on green grass and the air smelling fresh just makes one want to smile and stay quiet for a bit.

   
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  Noreen 7:34 am on August 11, 2013 Permalink  

  Funeral days seem to encompass the entire space between my ears. My daughter said it is easier to move forward than wait. I like that idea. Thanks Carrie.

   
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  Noreen 3:27 am on August 10, 2013 Permalink  

  In Real Estate It's About What Feels Right 

  Over the forty plus years of working in the real estate assessment profession the challenge was always put forth as to the real worth of a parcel or a building in regard to it’s taxable value.  It had bearing on the age, the condition and the style.  In the end it was all about how comfortable the property felt to its occupant.

  

  The Wren House Designed by Dr. Seuss

  In our small community one would be hard pressed to find the perfect property that is so often portrayed in the media.  The train runs the length of the town many times during the day and night.  One mile on either side of the tracks and you are out of town.  Several food processing plants emit the smell of bacon bits that are being processed.  In the fall of the year we have pink corn chaff floating every which way via the breeze and winds as they change direction.  No one thinks twice about any of those things as it becomes the familiar essence of normal.  Normal brings with it tranquility and contentment.

  I can tell you that this afternoon our tenant in the backyard couldn’t express enough how content she was in her home.  So much so that I thought any moment she would become hoarse and the chatter would stop.  Mrs. Wren loves her Dr. Seuss home.  It is bulging at the seams with life much like our home.  Size doesn’t seem to deter her as generally there are bits of twigs hanging out the front door as she is re-arranging the traffic pattern within her home.  Mrs. Wren drove home the point that home is where the contented heart is.  I must so agree with her.  It would take something quite spectacular for Dennis and I to consider leaving our world of contentment here on Stauffer Ave.

   
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  Noreen 4:00 am on August 9, 2013 Permalink  

  Whew – Can We Stop Now? 

  It sure has been a good day though it seems to be lasting forever.  Dennis and I were in sync today and we got a lot of items sorted and moved and even managed to give a few things away.

  It’s not as if we are short of storage space as we have more square footage in garages and a potting shed than in total of the first floor of our home, the basement and the walk up attic.  It’s just a matter of the moon being in the right phase and multiple pots of coffee.  I admit I have my stuff and so I honor Dennis’ stuff.  I just wanted Dennis’ stuff to be all in one location rather than having it dribble over an expanse of — everywhere.  The back two and a half stall garage just seemed to be the perfect place to have it all safe and sound under lock and key.  The basement is where me and my stuff hang out on a pretty regular basis.  The seven hundred and twenty square feet of our home really can’t support more than the normal coming and going of an average day from sun up to nightfall.  The size of our home is “if you don’t mind, it don’t matter.”  The secret is to keep it tidy with no extra clutter.

  We are calling it a day, a successful day.  For some reason when we start out the day at the Super 8 swimming pool the burst of energy just keeps us going.  As I am looking at Dennis and reading to him what I am typing he is shaking his head in the negative and pointing to me.  O.K. I own it.  The work out at the pool keeps me going and going and going.  Catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 3:27 am on August 8, 2013 Permalink  

  Pizza by Kersten's Kitchen 

  Pepperoni at it’s Finest

  

  Pepperoni – Kersten’s Favorite

  •  One can of crescent rolls

  •  Mozzarella cheese sticks

  •  Pepperoni slices (4-5) according to taste

  •  Garlic Powder

  Use a piece of foil on cookie sheet

  One third to one half of cheese stick

  Roll the crescent roll

  Sprinkle with garlic powder

  Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes

  Canadian Bacon may also be used

   
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  Noreen 3:25 am on August 7, 2013 Permalink  

  A Very Good Thing 

  We are stewards of what we have been given on this great earth.  I feel that this earth can always use another great tree.  My Dad had a love for Black Walnut Trees.  I don’t think it was all about the fact that the walnuts could be harvested and used in Mom’s kitchen, he just liked them.  In 1988 when I first happened upon my home here on Stauffer Avenue, within the first year my dad brought me a Black Walnut seedling.  After my Dad passed in 1992 my brother Michael brought me one more of the trees that Dad had started in a five gallon pail.  Both trees are doing well and I am sure they measure well over fifty feet in height.  It’s a good thing that we realize we need trees and their leaves to filter our air.

  

  Squirrel’s Addition of a Black Walnut Tree

  Over time I have planted a Northern Red Oak tree and also an Ornamental Crab Apple tree.  The Mountain Ash tree made it only twenty years and I have since realized that they do have a hard time in Minnesota.  As we added a variety of blooming shrubs in the backyard it became a quest to see which blooming shrub should be the next to be added.  I think the biggest success story needs to go out to a friendly squirrel.  In the far backyard is the most beautiful Black Walnut that I have nurtured since it was just visible above the grass.  This tree has been so successful I found another little fledgling just this week that is a now being sheltered from the ever aggressive lawn mower.

  It is very rewarding to see additions to the yard come into their own.  Mother Nature at her finest is a very good thing.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 am on August 6, 2013 Permalink  

  Chocolate Chip Bars 

  

  Chocolate Chip Bars

   

  Quick Bars from Cake Mix

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  •  1 box of dry yellow cake mix

  •  Add two eggs that have  been beaten with a fork

  •  1 stick of melted butter

  •  2 cups of chocolate chips

  Spray 9″ x 13″ cake pan

  Mix the four ingredients until blended

  Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when stuck in the center of pan

   
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  Noreen 3:03 am on August 5, 2013 Permalink  

  A Sure Sign of Fall 

  

  Tiger’s Eye Sumac Seed Pod

  Not only does the air feel like fall with a mild temp and low humidity, but the farmer’s market is going full bore with yummies.  My cucumber plant has blossoms that are setting, but the tomato — not so much.  One — one little tomato the size of a marble with no other blossoms evident.  The farmer’s market is in the town square three times a week and it is amazing the following that the three vendors have.  During this first of the season tomatoes I am treating myself to toasted tomato sandwiches on a regular basis for breakfast.  I can get back to my Greek Yogurt and frozen blueberries anytime but getting those wonderful fresh tomatoes is in real time.

  Dennis has been watering the gardens using water from the Koi pond.  The watering can is filled by a good dip and then each individual plant gets a good dose.  All of the great fertilizer can’t hurt.  Several years ago I noticed that the larger green houses sold condensed liquid fish fertilizer at a premium.  As I was toddling behind Dennis and checking out the backyards I couldn’t believe how the tiger’s eye sumac had sprouted their seed pods.  This is the first year I have noticed them.  Again, another sure sign of fall.  The lime green with the contrast of red is very eye catching. Take care and catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 3:34 am on August 4, 2013 Permalink  

  Like Father Like Son 

  Oh my gosh.  Sometimes events take place and I am tele-ported back in time.  Forty nine years back in fact.  In 1964 Orlin and I lived in a rental home in Riesel Texas.  It was single-wall build and built on grade.  We had mud daubers (harmless, but looking like wasps) that would build nests in our closets when we were not looking.  Scorpions would hide in our bath towels and we wouldn’t see them until you were soaking wet and ready to come out of the shower reaching for that selfsame towel.  The back porch was infested with termites but —  it was our first home.

  Orlin was so proud of finding a used riding mower at a great price that he couldn’t wait to use it in the backyard.  He didn’t score the mower until late in the day but the head lights of the 1956 Buick Hearse lit the way for him to get that yard in shape.

  Fast forward to 2013 in downtown Fairfax as son Kevin and his wife Kersten are making their mark in real estate.  Everyone needs a weed whip to take care of less than desirable greenery.  When the weed whip is acquired late in the day, why not use the headlights of a Ford pickup to light the way?  Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 7:28 am on August 3, 2013 Permalink  

  Today was a day of catch up around the yards and house. There doesn’t seem to be a chance of any rain so Dennis and I did some tag team on watering the gardens. The smell of the wet dirt was great even if it was artificially induced. The plants looked great after the leaves had been washed off. Catch ya later.