Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:13 pm on February 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Local Effort 

  I often refer to local effort.  That was the evaluation the Minnesota Department of Revenue did on a yearly basis when I worked.  It was my job to keep pace with values for taxation based on sale trends on all classification of taxable properties in Watonwan County.  If I did not do it fairly and equitably, the state did a blanket state raise with no recourse.  It did keep one on their toes.

  Since I retired in 1999, local effort is alive and well on Stauffer Avenue.  It is no longer a yearly review, it is a daily one.  No matter how small our home, there is always something to do to keep it on track.  One day there is something that was seen but overlooked until sometime later or another day.  One day turns to two, to a week, to a month.  Multiple items; multiple days can easily take our home down a rabbit hole.  Then . . . where to begin?

  Dennis says I am a task master.  I am kind of proud about that title.  Dennis doesn’t realize it, but over our decades together, I happily share that title with him.

  Yesterday he noticed there was something on the little red pickup’s garage floor that resembled “wet.”  When he came in for afternoon coffee yesterday he commented when he came home from getting a pack of cigarettes, the red brake light in the dash of the little red pickup was on.

  Dennis called Rod Rushing right away.  As luck would have it, Rod Rushing had had a cancelation for this morning and if Dennis could have the little red pickup out to his shop by seven, he would take a look at it.  We got up early and I followed Dennis and picked him up, leaving Rod to his work.

  On this sunny bright day, it is mid afternoon and the little red pickup is back in its garage.  The problem with the red brake light was that the left rear cylinder needed replacing.  Rod called us at noon. I gave Dennis a ride, the bill got paid and all is well.

  Local effort on Stauffer Avenue is alive and well.

  My day was equally productive as I went through some items in the closet seeking a better solution for extra bedding.  I found it.  No . . . I have not found that easy way of folding fitted sheets.  What I can do is make that process as tidy as my arms will work.  Mission completion.

  The city is sweeping the gutters past our house.  Talk about a dust fest.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 26, 2025 Permalink  

  Hello! 

  It’s me . . . !

  I am the one perched on my cherry red chair taking in the sunshine and feeling the sun’s power through the windows.

  When I came up from the studio at two this afternoon, I admit, my fingers were a bit chilly.  No amount of jacking up the thermostat could make enough of a difference in the studio air.  I have a small ceramic heater that oscillates warm air.  I just don’t stay in one place for very long.

  Late yesterday I decided to bite the bullet.  I opened all the letters I had been collecting for doing our 2024 income tax.  Dennis was out and about and I knew that starting the process was a good thing.

  Amazingly, using the Tax Act program, the entire process went well.  Of course, our filing is such that I input what monies we had coming in and the revenue department takes what it needs.  We do not have itemized deductions.  That eliminates a huge amount of record keeping.  I did do the electronic filing.  The federal filing was free and the state’s was $39.00 and some cents.  We enjoyed our crockpot supper feeling a relief for having the tax filing over with.  We always have to contribute more to the federal as our social security benefits in part are taxable . . . 50%.  Wonder of wonders if  taxing social security in the state of Minnesota ever goes away.  There will be a small stiffen coming back to us from the state.  I doubt if we could fill up both of our vehicles at the gas pumps with that amount.  Oh well.   

  This morning when I sat down in front of the HP and checked on things, both the state and federal had accepted our returns. 

  We are having leftovers for supper.  It will resemble beef commercials less the bread.  The bread is always an option at the supper table.

  I did read a Facebook post this morning from the poet’s corner; “Love yourself with your whole being, as you will be spending a lot of time with yourself.”

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:40 pm on February 25, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  When I opened my eyes this morning, the sun bid me a good day coming.

  The programmable coffee pot had not been set last night.  When I pushed the pot to begin brewing, I set the crockpot up so it could welcome a beef arm roast complete with some extras for flavor.  A few buttons were pushed on the washing machine.  A cookie sheet was hauled out of storage to welcome some frozen cinnamon rolls.

  I then poured myself a cup of fresh coffee and toddled to my bedroom porch to check out what the HP had to say for itself.

  By 10:30 I was in the studio with KNUJ blaring in the background.  I did have a few things laid out, ready to stitch.  That went about three inches and the sewing machine needle dropped out of its housing, looking as if it was going to drop where no needles should dare to go.  If I tighten the needle housing too tight, I need a needle nose plier to help.  With this latest lesson, I think I will go for using the plier rather than having the sewing machine needing servicing.  I can’t imagine where rouge needles could cause all sorts of problems.  All went went well with a new needle in tow.

  Dennis’ help was enlisted with swapping out the laundry and after the cinnamon rolls had been out of the oven for one hour, there was a scant amount of frosting to spread over them.

  I continued into the studio and Dennis decided, with his little red pickup, to head southeast out of town to visit his cousin Sam and Marie.  Sam is wheelchair bound and Maria has Parkinson’s.

  I told Dennis I would see him about five for supper.

  As I sit and let my thoughts dribble out to the keyboard, I can’t help but notice looking out the windows that our lawns look totally freeze-dried.  No chance of winter mold.

  I have had a very good day with my objective having been met:  nothing stole my joy from me today.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on February 24, 2025 Permalink  

  All is Well 

  No matter where I look, I see no snow.  I see the city streets wet but that may be due to the warm temps in the 50s making them sweat.

  I am maintaining a schedule spending time in the studio, but not over-doing it.  I need to do a balancing act.  If I over-stay my welcome, it might become such that I don’t get to visit at all.  I have lived within this body for over 80 years.  I know enough to listen to it when it gives me signals.  The most important thing is that I am happy with what my days hold for me.  I am content knowing what my limits are.

  There is only one thing that I need to police myself on.  I am a duty bound care-giver and that aspect could get away from me.  What I have implemented is tough-love.  I am a firm believer in trying.  I am a firm believer in thinking things through with logic and seeking solutions.  If both elements come back in a zero, then we will talk.

  The only grocery item that surprised me last week when I was in our grocery store in regard to price was Bisquick.  It was $7.49 for a not very large box.  I use Bisquick in the concoction I make when coating chicken or Tilapia for pan frying.  I always use it for making pancakes.  Grant it, a box kept in the refrigerator does last a long time. 

  That being said, that is what I am preparing for supper.  I can’t remember the last time.  The reason being, I have a hard time getting the wrist to accomplish a good flip of the pancakes.

  We had Subway last night and it was refreshing and tasty.  Splitting a 12″ does us just fine.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:55 pm on February 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Happy Sunday 

  Hard to believe how far the mercury on the thermometer has climbed since last week at this time.

  I had no idea what plans Dennis had for the day, so I played it by ear.  I was in the studio when a reflection in one of the studio’s window caught my eye.

  Grandson AJ from Mankato was here checking on his grandpa.  Sweet.

  I stayed in the studio and let the fellows solve all the issues of the world.

  When the back door opened and AJ called down to see if there was anything I needed help with, I took a pause.  Then I remembered.

  Our pull-chain lamp over the dining room table had called it quits some time ago.  We had a new one waiting in the wings and here was a tall fellow to help us out.  The only thing I wanted to save was the little Hummingbird that was affixed to the end of the chain and had been a gift.  It took all of five minutes and the new hanging lamp and its cord on the ceiling hooks . . . ready to use.  This lamp even has a dimmer aspect to it.  We are back in business.

  I have been muddling around in the studio.  I do want to use up a bit more of the cork fabric from Amanda in Bird Island.  I do have zippers that now have the zipper pulls on them.  My solution: forget about putting a lining in the box end pouches.  That is a bit more of a struggle than I need.  Dennis has some great grandchildren, one boy and seven girls that I could make some zippered boxed pouches for.  Main-streaming the design, I could make them look like pencil cases.  I have a plan going for another day.

  With all my muddling and piddling around in the studio, I am brave enough to fail at trying something new.  Isn’t that what life is all about!

  By the way the crab salad is a winner.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 22, 2025 Permalink  

  A Thawing Day 

  Wherever snow was hiding, it is getting a run for its money.  Say hello to mud.

  Today I have laundry going and Dennis is in charge of changing it out as the cycles finish.

  . . . Hmm . . . Dennis just pulled into Stauffer Avenue.  He doesn’t fool me, he gets around A-OK.  Oh well.

  An ample bowl of crab salad is co-mingling in the refrigerator and I have chicken tenderloins sliced into chicken strips for supper.  

  

  One more time there is determination to take care of Dennis’ recliner.  We have done the patching of the look-a-like leather.  We have done the fabric cover.  Today, I came up from the studio with my next fix.  Years ago we had room-darkening shades when Dennis was an over-the-road hauler.  Shade rollers can go bad.  I did not do away with the flannel backed vinal shades themselves.  Never underestimate my stashes.  With a strip of the Gorilla Duct Tape holding the covering to the top of the chair and doing a tuck, tuck here and there time will tell.  I can tell you, just getting that tape off of the roll is a work-out.  

  Actually at noon Dennis had thought we would be taking a road trip tomorrow.  When he saw me in action with his chair, he let on that he thought it was time for him to check out Slumberland in Mankato for a new chair.  All of the components of his electric recliner work just fine.  It’s the dodgy covering that is crap-o-la.  There was ample amount of the shade so that when Dennis sat in the chair, everything pretty much stayed in place.  Again, time will tell.

  Let’s hear it for farm-girl logic!

  With that will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:23 pm on February 21, 2025 Permalink  

  Friday the 21st 

  I don’t know about anyone else, but I had a great day to wind up this week.

  The studio was mine until one this afternoon.  I knew that at 1:30, I had an appointment to get my glasses straightened at Dr. Pinke’s.

  I have completed my first lined box pouch with cork fabric.  Wow oh wow!  What a learning curve.  There is no way, the lessons I learned through this project will be forgotten in the near future.  I took it one step at a time and always had the tutorial playing on my HP.  Good thing those tutorials can be re-wound till the cows come home.  I put in one of the zippers I had worked on last week.  I missed one step and thus the one inch handle on one of the ends had to go by the way-side.  Perhaps next time.  Will there be a next time.  I would hate for the hands-on lessons to be lost.  I will say, that my hands and shoulders are do for some quiet time.  No muscles or tendons were harmed with this experiment.  Tee Hee.

  

  

  The grocery store was the last on today’s list.  We are set for quite some time going forward.

  No . . . I have no idea what we are doing or having for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on February 20, 2025 Permalink  

  You Bet 

  It was above zero at ten this morning and . . . you bet . . . I was in the studio.  KNUJ was turned on with all the overhead lights.  Grant it, it had been some time, and there was some re-acquainting to get done to familiarize where I had left off.  The studio is my happy place.  It matters not how long it takes me to get some things done.  Zipper placement took many, many pins and multiple checks and balances.

  Once the zipper was sewn in place and the top stitching was accomplished, I was satisfied.  I shut the sewing machine down and opened up the tutorial on YouTube to check out what tomorrow would bring.  I do not want to hurry through the project as cork fabric does not take kindly to having to tear out stitches.  It did seem that this cork was heavier than I had used in the past.  Nope.  Same weight.  My hands and arms are different than in times past.

  I came up to have a cup of mid-afternoon coffee and soak up the sun’s rays in my bedroom porch.  A bit of hand stitching to round out the afternoon.  From somewhere there is enough snow to cause dripping off of the awnings.  It’s just a sight for sore eyes.  I am hoping this is not a false positive in the world of Minnesota’s weather.

  Last night we had pan-fried Tilapia with steamed carrots and Dennis’ famous instant potatoes.  I also threw in the last six shrimp in the pan.  I have enjoyed having them once in awhile.  Sam’s Club has the huge de-veined shrimp.  So easy to fix, once they are totally thawed.  Toss them in a frypan with a bit of Olive oil and give them a toss.  When the gray color turns to a pink, they are ready to enjoy.

  This evening the remaining of the potatoes will be warmed in the frypan to give them a sear.  Pre-cooked cut-up sausages tossed in and make sure they are heated through.  Add eggs that have been shaken in a fruit jar.  The eggs don’t take long and we have a skillet meal.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on February 19, 2025 Permalink  

  Bad Day 

  Even Snuggles can have a bad day.  Dennis relayed that Snuggles got on his lap this morning and meowed in the lowest slowest meow he had ever heard coming from a cat.  It had sounded more like a cry than not. Though the garage never gets colder than 40 degrees, even kitties can get cabin fever.

  Though I have quarantined myself to the first floor of our home until our temperatures are over zero outside,  I do commiserate with anyone that is feeling hemmed in.  Thankfully, neither Dennis nor I feel the need to be out and about.  Yesterday’s outing to the clinic did us just fine. 

  Dennis’ grandson, Ryan, stopped in this morning for a minute.  Ryan is a huge ice-fisherman.  The ice on our lake outside of town is about 15-18 inches thick.  Burr!  As we left the clinic yesterday, we did do a whip around town.  By the huge number of fishhouses on the northwest portion of the lake, it seems that fish are biting, or . . . its a place for fellows to retreat to.

  I can report that I am having a day, one after another, that they for sure are not bad days.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:27 pm on February 18, 2025 Permalink  

  I Choose the Sun 

  I am choosing the bright sun with lots of power rather than checking on how cold it is.  I can’t do anything about either one of those, but the sun shinning makes me feel there is better days coming.

  Dennis gave me a ride out to the clinic this morning for the lab work I was scheduled for.  The lab work was for metabolic levels in my blood.   I just checked the Mayo Portal to see my results.  All levels were either at the mid-point or a tad bit on either side.  The GFR level is always one that I for sure want to be mid-point.  The filtration that the kidneys do can be impacted by various medications.  The chloride was a bit to the right of the mid-point.  I am a heavy coffee drinker and that can effect that level.  That can be off-set by drinking as much water during the day as I do coffee.  Always, there is room for improvement.

  Dennis is on his way to Lewis Drug this afternoon.  Last Thursday, I noticed two of Dennis’ scripts needed renewals.  Lewis Drug is more than happy to fax the clinic with such a request.  Here we were on a Tuesday forenoon and we stopped at Lewis Drug and still nothing.  I called our clinic, just as I had called them yesterday to allow them to know I was concerned.  I had gotten the lingo about some doctors being out . . . yada, yada, yada.  Lewis Drug called us that at 11:45 they had the renewal from the medical clinic.

  Our clinic is in serious trouble with a lack of sufficient doctors to cover the patient load.    

  Dennis was also going to stop and get Seafoam to put into the gas tank of the little red pickup.  

  Nothing serious or drastic going on, just hunkered down taking it one day at a time.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥