Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from Noreen Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 2:37 pm on June 20, 2025 Permalink  

  Small Glitch 

  Small glitch in letting Brian pick up garage materials on this Saturday.  Vaughn thought they had a thirty inch service door . . . not to be.  It needs to be ordered.  As the concrete foundation blocks have allowed for a thirty inch door, so goes the new door.  It doesn’t really matter if it is this week or next week for the garage start, as long as it is known that it will be done.

  This morning I knew I was hungry for cold tuna sandwiches.  I boiled two eggs for the tuna mixture, Lena’s recipe.  I diced up the half of Vedalia onion I had double bagged in the refrigerator.  I opened two small cans of the Albacore tuna.  After eating the white Albacore tuna packed in water, any other tuna, just seems slimy.  Personal preference.  All mixed together to chill and let the flavors co-mingle.

  I have the studio work going in such a fashion that I don’t need to overdue any one aspect of it.  I can machine stitch for a while, then stand at the ironing board for a while and let the rotary cutter have a crack as well.  It’s all about planning.

  This week, I achieved my objective of getting the finished quilts from the basement that I have done from A-Z, four, into the cabinet in the living room.  Also one of grandma Lena’s that she had finished for grandma Ester.  Ester had pieced the top out of grandpa Art’s shirts.  A lot of small prints found in dress shirts of the times.  Grandma Lena completed it by hand stitching the full sized quilt.  Sweet.

  My next project, about to boggle my mind, that the cabinet holds is a very lot of photos.  Eenie, meeny, miny, mow.  Somehow sorting through them and then handing them off in a very neat Segway.  I haven’t gotten past that point yet.

  The humidity at 72% , the dewpoint at 74%, not a good feeling outside.  I do take care of the livestock chores, but even the critters are not very active.

  No news from the north country.  No news is good news.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:54 pm on June 19, 2025 Permalink  

  Hungry Deer 

  Just a few days ago, I marveled at the one Hasta that was about four feet across.  The rains had done it proud.  This morning, I looked out the bathroom window and I saw stalks of what was left of the proud broad Hosta.  When I went out and checked, there were quite a few that had been munched on.  The greenery next to the Hosta, aka: weeds, were untouched.  We are a short distance from a creek that leads into good coverage for wildlife.  Discriminating tastes.  Oh well.  

  Dennis called last night from Silver Bay.  The three great grands are keeping him and his son Kenny busy and entertained.  Good for them.

  While I was at the church tables in the studio making plans for cutting some one inch strips, I got a phone call from my carpenter, Brian.  He had his list of materials that the lumberyard would be getting ready for him.  The yard will have it inventoried and ready to be picked up Saturday morning.  His question was about the new service entrance door that will be going in.  If I wanted it plain or with primer on it.  I opted for the primer so to have it hung and with time to get paint for it.  Any special finish would make it an order to be picked up later and he assured me, it would add to the cost.  He also mentioned it would be good to put the materials inside.  I assured him, the little red pickup would be put on the concrete drive while he and his partner worked on the project.

  Brian’s Hispanic English is good if not a bit broken.  Not so much broken as hesitant to make sure for the understanding coming and going.  He can make his sketches and measurements very easy to understand. I make sure to speak slower.  I know Dennis and I are very comfortable with Brian on board doing a good job.  It’s still going to be an old garage made up and out of wood pallets . . . just with less maintenance on the outside.

  It is heating up quite nicely outside.  It was forecast, so no surprise there.

  With that I will take  my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:26 pm on June 18, 2025 Permalink  

  Heavy Air 

  The day is not only gray and gloomy, but the air feels heavy . . . and my bones feel it.

  One of the very first things I do . . . even before getting a cup of coffee, is to do my PT exercises.  Are they a cure?  No.  But, they help to maintain and that is a whole bunch to be thankful for.

  While I was in the studio, I had a knock on the door.  Two weeks ago, Dennis and I had a conference over the state of our garage.  In 2020, I was on the ladder painting the gable of the garage.  My, My.  This year has the paint looking a bit weary.  Could we find someone to come to scrape and scrape and then buy Behr paint at close to $60.00 a gallon?  That afternoon, we called Brian.  Brian did a bang-up job on our front deck.

  Brian came this morning.  I believe by Saturday night-fall, we might have the components for the project in the little red pickup garage for permanent siding.  The siding will match as close to what is on the house.  The east gable’s siding will be replaced, not so much the wall.  That wall has durable 4’x10′ siding that looks as if it were put on yesterday.  Brian is going to rebuild the service door opening to allow for a regular sized door.  The old bathroom wooden door that has been on that opening for eons is going to be retired.

  After Brian and his helper left, I called over to Truman Lumber yard, 15 miles south on HWY #15, to talk to my friend Vaughn.  Vaughn worked with Brian at the time that materials were needed for the front deck.  Brian will be picking up the materials in Truman sometime Saturday.

  As we were not enthused to pay Schmidt Siding from Mankato to come and remove the gutter-helmet that is on the garage and, yes, there is a charge to put it back on again so the warranty can remain, Brian said he would put on a flashing to begin with the siding process.

  When Brian was here today and he was done making his notes, he shared with me, that I was the first person to hire him after he had moved here from New York to help a family member.  People saw him here working on the deck and the jobs started in and have not let up.  Sweet.

  Things can sometimes fall into place smoothly.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:41 pm on June 17, 2025 Permalink  

  Shh! 

  It’s just me and the kitties home.  Monday morning, Dennis’ son picked up Dennis and they headed to Silver Bay.  I didn’t ask for how long.  It mattered not.

  It has been different in a nice way.  Yes, I was alone when Dennis had the hip replacement going on.  It was being on call for anything from extra hankies that were needed, or his Facebook wasn’t working.

  My schedule has not changed here on Stauffer Avenue.  I slept like a rock and got up by 8:30.  The studio time is about three to four hours with breaks to retrieve hot coffee.  By two, the lights go off.  Head-ways is being made on tee-shirts.  While fiddling with tee-shirts, I have KNUJ radio on.  I am learning a lot about trap shooting, clay pigeon shooting and skeet shooting.  Young people by the 1,000’s are at Alexander for this yearly event.

  I had a prescription to pick up at Lewis Drug.  I got change back from a five dollar bill.   On my way home, I did do a drive through the acre yard.  About a week and a half ago, Spring Touch did a weed spray.  They used fifteen gals of their solution.  The spray is working and is very evident.  Grass is beginning to stool out since much brush has been cleared off.

  So . . . what does Grammie eat when alone?  Last night I had scrambled eggs with bacon bits and buttered toast.  This morning I had peanut butter and jelly bread.  Lots of peanut butter.  Tonight, it is going to be oatmeal with ground flax and milk.  I can assure you, I will not go hungry.  After all, I am only five minutes away from the grocery store.

  The home is quiet.  I took care of the kitties last night and I am sure that they wondered why the television had not been on all day in the patio porch.  The television remote here in the house may get some lint and dust on it.  When in the house, Dennis spends a lot of time on his lap-top.  He has figured out how to get country music on in bits and pieces in between the solitaire games, that while the television is on to a “48 Hour” cop show.  I do tap the volume button when I walk by.  This is Dennis’ home and he likes it, he likes it a lot.  I can easily adapt.  May I reach that age and point in my life that I too will have a volume on that needs tapping.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:56 pm on June 16, 2025 Permalink  

  Times Change 

  There is no certainty in our lives, nor has there ever been.  Ironically, we pull up our boot-straps, we acknowledge the changes and adapt.  No family, no business, no community is immune.

  Oh my gosh, if I get Dennis going, the litany knows no bounds.  Our community is the county seat for our Watonwan County.  A certain pride goes with that. 

  We have many empty storefronts.  We have an empty lumber yard that had been a multiple location family-owned business for decades.  Our family restaurant on main street is listed as “For Sale.”  The family bakery that is in its fifth generation is listed as “For Sale.”

  The saddest listing came last week was the College.  Karen has as close to a general mercantile as not.  She fought when covid tried to close her down as “not essential.”  Karen won that fight.  Her business is for sale and she will continue as if nothing has changed.  It is a viable business for sale for someone to walk in and call it theirs.  What has changed is the hours that her doors will be open allowing for the fact that she can pretty well tell when it pays to keeps the lights on.  I’ve known Karen for decades, as she was the clerk for the City of Lewisville.  A very fine person.

  Our community is service orientated with a Mayo hospital/clinic, a Veterans’ Clinic, a Lewis Drug, a dentist, an eye clinic, an active Fleet-Farm store, one large grocery store, several attorney offices, and, of course . . . the courthouse. 

  Surprisingly, a new laundromat and car wash broke ground this last week.  It will be located to the south across from the Fleet-Farm.

  From Stauffer Avenue’s perspective, we have everything we need for our wellbeing.  We are very grateful.  There just isn’t much to entice new families or new business ventures.

  Well, that’s about all the trivia that was running through my mind today.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:14 pm on June 15, 2025 Permalink  

  It’s a Sunday 

  It’s a day when all fathers and father-types that go over and above taking care of their families get some TLC.  Unfortunately there was no sunshine to shine bright on them.

  Dennis had an early celebration last night at Sadie’s party.  Dennis’ entire family, less one granddaughter, was together for the event.  I couldn’t have been happier for my ole cowboy.  Denise had him home by eight.  He was tuckered but happy.  Dennis slept until nine this morning.  Sweet.

  My studio time today paid off big time.  All has been prepared for the sewing machine to begin assisting in making this project get real.  While in the studio, I listened to KNUJ church service from Grace Lutheran Church in Gaylord.  A great send off to the week coming tomorrow.

  Dennis’ request for a supper meal of French Toast, sausage and orange juice, that is so doable.

  I checked in with Aunt Janet from Brownton last night while I was home alone.  We always have plenty to chit-chat about.  Other than my brother Calvin, she is my only and oldest remaining from my father’s family.  Janet is ninety three and enjoying her own home.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:38 pm on June 14, 2025 Permalink  

  A Saturday the 14th 

  This was a look-forward-to appointment today.  It was time for haircuts and pedicure.  Marie allocates  Dennis and me two hours every four weeks.  The best time spent ever.  We both come away feeling renewed.  Coming home we had a light snack as a lunch.

  As for the studio today . . . it remains dark.  I have thought through plans for Sadie’s thirty-six tee-shirt menagerie.  I will use eighteen shirts sewn together color to color.  No sashing in between the twelve inch blocks.  Eighteen on the front and eighteen on the back.  I will use a lightweight batting.  It may end up fifty by sixty, as she said she didn’t want a full sized quilt, but a throw.  I am not up to doing two individual projects with the batting, the backings and the binding. 

  This afternoon, Denise just picked up her dad.  Denise, Tom and Dennis are traveling to the community center in Eagle River, right north of Mankato.  Sadie is having a bash for her retirement of 25 years in the military as well as her 40th birthday.  Sadie entered the Minnesota National Guards in between her junior and senior years of high-school.  Good grief, she looked and acted young.  There will be people fifteen feet deep from military to friends and family.  The event is slated to begin at six.

  To my awareness of self, I do not do well in huge crowds with a lot of noise and commotion.  I don’t feel or stay centered.  Dennis knew immediately, that I would be staying home. I will be here welcoming him with open arms.  I was very thankful that Dennis had acquiesced to ride with Denise rather than he and his little red pickup heading out on their own.

  I am on stitching and watching traffic duty this afternoon.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:32 pm on June 13, 2025 Permalink  

  Busy Day 

  Having a good night’s rest helps to get through morning routines, aka: local effort

  I have been eying the wall hanging in the kitchen since the first months of 2025.  Down it came.  I had done a really sweet wall hanging several years ago for the summer time.  Hey!  It’s summer.  Most of the blocks incorporated the embroidery module.  Two of my favorites were the fruit jars that had fire-flies captured within them behind clear mylar.  The pitcher of lemonade has lemon slices behind mylar.  The empty pop bottles, a perfect spot for pinwheels behind clear mylar.  The red pickup is of red venal.  As luck would have it, it fit perfectly in the spot by the back door.  It was a fun challenge.  I had bought the kit at the Bernina Shop in Bird Island.  I have not forgotten that I also have a kit for a wall hanging in the Halloween motifs.  I have not done many wall hangings of late as to . . . what will become of them?  I couldn’t get a good angle for the photo.  My bad.

  

  The next item was to put out a tray of Rode’s frozen cinnamon rolls on parchment paper.  It takes about three to four hours for them to be ready to put in a 350-degree oven.  The bag of a dozen rolls does come with two small pouches of icing to put on after they have cooled.  The secret is to use a light spray of Pam on one side of clear plastic wrap to cover the tray.  The yeast heat helps them come out perfectly.

  

  With that being done, I headed to the studio to steam press the last of the nasty curled up tee-shirt fronts.  I counted and I have thirty-four 12″ squares.  Hmm.  Now comes the pondering as to what to make out of them.  Too many for one quilt as it would be king sized.  Two small ones!  I dug out from my stashes.  I have a good selection of various fabrics of stars printed on them in a good selection of colors.  Too much for one day.  I shut the studio down.  I will take pencil to paper to see what comes next.

  We had a gully washing of a rain shower just a bit ago, just like we did during last night.  I have had a busy great day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:37 pm on June 12, 2025 Permalink  

  Trivia 

  Our supper last night with the refrigerated Smokehouse Burnt Pork Ends was delicious.  It had just the right amount of the bar-b-q sauce on it and in three minutes, it was table ready.  The tray that held the pouch that had a one inch slit cut through the top allowed even heating.  I am not sure what the wattage of our small microwave is, so I always use the digital thermomotor to make sure the 162-165 temp has been reached.  I cut one end open with a scissors and slid the fair into the serving tray.

  How can any supper not be good when there are sautéed onions in the mix with the fried potatoes.  The Vidalia onions are just the best for flavor and they don’t seem to play havoc with the eyes watering.

  The stint in the studio went well.  Slow but sure, I am making a dent getting the stabilizer steam pressed onto the back of each 12″cut-out.  If I focus on one step at a time, the project is not overwhelming. 

  Dennis’ son was in the patio porch when we got up this morning.  He stayed until noon.  It doesn’t interfere with my day.  This afternoon, Dennis went to have coffee with his life-long friend, Lyle Grove.  Lyle lives in one of the city-owned apartment complexes.  Lyle gets lonely and he had called last night asking Dennis to come over.  Dennis has commented that sometimes, it feels good to be alone with just him and the cats in the patio porch. 

  I will touch base with Dennis when he comes home and we will discuss his day while I make us some supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:28 pm on June 11, 2025 Permalink  

  Last Straw 

  I have been limping along with my Motorola cell phone for quite some time.  Yesterday was not a good day.  The last straw broke my resolve in putting up with the aging cell phone.  As I was going to sleep last night, I had made a decision.

  This morning, with my cell phone in my pocket, I headed off to Radio Shack five blocks up the street to the west.  Dennis was asleep in his recliner.  I left the garage door open so he would know I was off in our car in case he awoke before I got home.

  I had two very helpful young people to help me.  My request: I needed a new phone and a payment plan.  No more purchasing time and knowing I needed to purchase only when the phone went dead.  A notification when I received a text message was high on the list.  That was very lacking on the old phone. 

  I now have a Samsung phone.  The plan I have is $45.00 per month with auto payment every month on the the 11th.  Unlimited phone and text with a reasonable amount of internet use.  I very seldom use the internet on the phone as my lap tops take care of that.  I will receive an email telling me that that amount has been put on the credit card every month.  All the data from the old phone was transferred to the new one.  I have an info sheet with all my information, such as my user name, my password, etc.  All was checked before I left Radio Shack.

  Dennis had just gotten out to the patio porch when I got home before noon.  Transferring all the data took quite some time.

  I have sported a rare slight headache for most of the day.  Nothing serious, just annoying. It may be from the angst of the phone business or the heavy air as it is deciding if it is going to rain or not.  No studio time today, just several loads of laundry.

  I already have an onion diced that I will sauté and then add the half bag of Simply Potatoes in the fry pan.  That plus the Burnt Pork Ends that is fully cooked that needs to go into the microwave for a bit.  I have had the Beef tips from the same Smokehouse products from the grocer.  Coleslaw, pickles and bread rounds out supper. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥