Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from April, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:09 pm on April 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Rain 

  It must have begun raining in the early hours as there were puddles already when my feet hit the floor.

  It is now mid-afternoon and rain drops are still making whirlpools in the now enlarged puddles.

  No walking on Stauffer Avenue for me today.  I spent three hours on my feet in the studio.  Half of that time stepping it off around the church tables and half standing still in-place bent over the church tables.

  My miniature train case holds all the safety pins of various sizes.  The only ones I was after today were the plastic encased heads of the large ones.  In actuality, those pins could well be called diaper pins as they cannot for safety reasons, spring open to injure.  They are easy on my hands and fingers to penetrate the layers of the quilt and close them.  Just as easily I can get them open when they have done their job.  All these years of pinning quilts into their sandwiches; tops, batting and backing, had I given them a thought.  I was taken a-back when I got the package from Amazon via the Fairfax team.

  No, I did not get the entire quilt pinned.  I do have a solid 12″ around the perimeter pinned. every six inches or less, so I can take out the thumb tacks that were holding everything in place.  That will allow me to move the quilt from side to side or length to length to get to the middle for the pinning, saving my back from reaching too far for comfort.  After all . . . comfort feels good.  Using my hand weights positioned to make a small rectangle of quilt area, will keep too much sliding at bay as I keep pinning.  My objective is in view for another day.  That objective being that the quilting process under the needle can take place with everything tidy, tidy.  Fussy is as fussy does.

  Looking out my bedroom porch windows, the birds are having a hay-day plucking worms and bugs out of the sodden grass.

  We had canned beef, instant potatoes and cauliflower for supper last night.  There was enough of left-overs for me to make two t.v. type dinners for us for this evening.  I love it when a plan comes together.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on April 18, 2025 Permalink  

  Good Friday 

  It is a great day for this Good Friday.

  This was a great day for a 12:15 PT appointment.  Does the level of discomfort after PT shed light on the one giving the discomfort?  Mike is doing a good job.  I had my afternoon arranged ahead of time, so I could take it a bit easy. 

  I made sure to call Aunt Janet in Brownton this afternoon to wish her a Happy Easter.  My cousin Dan is having church services in the Penn church tomorrow evening.  Janet is looking forward to seeing many that she has not seen since the Christmas service he had.  A minister from Winthrop is more than happy to do the services.  I think it is wonderful.

  We had rain in the late afternoon yesterday.  It continued to thunder and lightning up to the time I went to bed.  At the six news, we will find out just how much rain we got.  I know Iowa in the Spirit Lake area had a tornado.  Dennis’ grandson Adam could contact his family here in St. James today with a cell phone as there is no electricity in the town as yet.

  Let’s hear it for Subway for supper.  I gave Dennis a choice of Oatmeal or Subway.  Subway won out hands down.

  From my bedroom porch and a cup of coffee, I am doing some stitching and watching of traffic.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:40 pm on April 15, 2025 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 15th 

  We are persevering as each day a few things are tackled for the weekend.  Carrie’s are coming on Saturday and today we found out Dennis’ daughter Sandy, the nurse, will be coming on Sunday.

  I like doing a bit at a time in prep.  I don’t get wore out that way.

  While there was bacon baking out in the 325 degree oven on two cookie sheets lined with Reynold’s Wrap, I tackled our refractory table top.  The table is used every day with many different drops of liquid here and there.  If needed, it can seat eight comfortably when the ends are pulled out.   All remaining soft chairs can be easily pushed to a side.  I will add a side-note on the bacon.  Black Label thick cut yields 12 slices per pound.  The baking process needs the thick cut in order to end up with a respectable slice of bacon.  I bake it about 50% to finish, so when it is needed, a quick stint in the microwave takes it to completion.  Dennis said he could smell the wonderful aroma when he came in at noon.  Had the bacon been out of the oven by that time, he would have needed a sample.

  In between time today, I wrote out several bills.  One being our real-estate taxes.  I like to pay the entire amount rather than splitting it into two separate payments.  Get it over with!

  When I moved into St. James, I bought this property for $8,500.00.  I had no credit rating, the bank would not touch me.  The owner wrote up a contract for deed, allowing a monthly payment to him directly.  The rather humorous thing is that the county now has it valued at $98,000.00.  The home has not been added onto and the garage would still be listing to the south if not for my dad stringing support cables and then Kevin giving us a steel beam to cement in about 12′ from the garage with another cable.  Ah yes, life is interesting.

  Supper will be a bowl of soup and a bacon sandwich.

  With that I will take my leave.♥

   
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  Noreen 1:50 pm on April 14, 2025 Permalink  

  Cold Fingers 

  This morning at 10:30, I had cold fingers, cold hands and a cold nose.  When I heard the howling wind as I awoke from a night’s rest, I knew I had an agenda.  Our little flag at the end of the front steps was standing straight out to the south as the north wind was merciless. 

  I bundled up and out the front door I went.  My little black six inch rake was waiting for me.  Our Russian Sage cuttings that were left after we had cleaned up from last week were nestled to the south side of our drive caught by the grass.  It looked really less than good.  I propped my cane onto the stop sign at the end of Stauffer so it couldn’t fall to the ground.  With a bit of a twist from my body I scoped up the cuttings off of the cement and the boulevard and sent them flying down Stauffer Avenue.  As the amount grew it had rolled itself into an elongated roll from the wind.  All I needed to do then was nudge the elongated roll down Stauffer to the East until it was even with the garbage bin.  I picked up the entire roll and it was said and done for tomorrow’s pick-up of garbage.  I made my way back to the stop sign to retrieve my cane.  The rake had been a huge support for me.

  When I came in, I could not believe how cold 45 degrees had felt with that howling wind from the north.  I was soon feeling better with a cup of hot coffee.

  During the remainder of the day, I chased a few dust bunnies around.  We are getting company on Saturday, the 19th.  Any dust bunnies that want to find their way onto the first floor of our home between now and Saturday . . . make yourselves to home as you apparently need a resting spot more than I need the satisfaction of having done the prep.

  Dennis has been doing due diligence in his patio porch in prep for Saturday.  Megan and Nicholas always end up spending quite a bit of time with grandpa and the kitties in the patio porch.  Needless to say, helping Dennis is beneath my pay grade.  He has his ways in the patio porch just as I have my ways in the house.

  We are having Tilapia and hash browns for supper with green beans.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on April 12, 2025 Permalink  

  High Winds 

  There are high winds on this Saturday.  About the time the shoulder has been put to the direction its coming from, a gust comes and dang near pushes you over from a different direction.

  The air was cool this morning.  Dennis and I decided to make use of the strong winds from the southeast.  The two of us tackled the remaining Russian Sage canes from last year’s blooms.  The majority of the canes were swept away, some were not.  Sure enough, there were several little green plants that had pushed through the soil.  Dennis commented that it looked as if the canes we were lobbing off would put out new growth had we left them be.  Many were three feet long.  Boy what a tangled mess that would have been.  If the old cane was not nipped off, I think it would have been strong enough for Tarzan to swing from.  Very wiry.  Perhaps tomorrow I will rake up what remains on our drive . . . maybe not.  Both Dennis and I called the yard work for today done.  Dennis went to the patio porch and I went to my bedroom porch to take a stitch or two with thread to unwind. 

  I have a cousin that does income tax work in the Riebe neighborhood of Dassel.  Each day on Facebook Caryn posts much like the countdown for Christmas.  A very short window of stress, but nonetheless.  I am sure the tails she could tell would be priceless.

  Dennis gets to choose which Banquet meal he wants for supper.  I will do oatmeal topped with flax meal and cinnamon.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:23 pm on April 11, 2025 Permalink  

  A Go-Gettum Type of Day 

  When I awake and from deep down inside of me, I feel it is going to be a “Go-Gettum” day.

  Last night while waiting for the sandman, I envisioned where all my supplies were to clean the windows on the front storm door and the back storm door.  Oh my gosh, looking through those windows after the cleaning lends itself to maybe tackling one or some of the eight windows in the bedroom porch . . . but not today.  I also recalled that last year I had purchased two small USA flags for the steel rod next to the front sidewalk.  I will give the first one a congrats on how long it lasted with the horrific winds of last fall and this winter.  Today I felt a new flag was needed outside our home.

  The next project was to try a no-bake pie.  By this suppertime I will know if it set up to cut a slice or if “you all bring a spoon and dig in” type of pie.  Whatever, I know it won’t go to waste.  If it turns out, I will share the recipe.

  Under the south windows of my bedroom porch grow the most hardy perennial Russian Sage plants.  The purple blooms are beautiful until the hard frosts of fall.  Right now, I am tackling about a lineal foot a day to cut back last years plants.  The goal is to get the six foot planter cleaned out before the roots want to spring forth with new growth.  It’s not difficult work but patience is required.  Ya . . .  I have grown some of that since 2021.

  This evening I am looking forward to a hot meatloaf sandwich for supper. 

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on April 10, 2025 Permalink  

  It’s Thursday the 10th 

  It is Thursday and I am back from my hiatus.  Wednesday was a full day for this Grammie.  PT at 8:30 had Mike working on the knots where tendons and muscles seem to have gotten cozy where they should not.  I grin and bear it.  I know going to PT is not suppose to be a walk in the park.  At 9:30 when the session was over, I amazed myself to be able to walk to my car.

  I got home and Dennis had a cup of coffee waiting for me.  Folgers to the rescue.

  Dennis’ appointment with the foot surgeon was 3:15 in Mankato, allowing us to do an errand or two before then when we got to town.

  I had a shopping list for Sam’s Club.  There are staples that I know from comparison shopping here in town quite a bit of money can be saved.  Would I make a trip to Mankato if no appointment were needed . . . no.   The savings would be eaten up by the gas tank.  We did take note that April 15th, the four-lane 169 through Lake Crystal will be closed for infrastructure work through the summer.

  I did also go to Hobby Lobby.  I gritted my teeth as the pushing of a lame cart through Sam’s club had taken its tole on the already sore butt cheek.  With J0anne’s closing, I knew I would need stabilizer when Sadie brings her tee-shirts over.  Of course the fabrics are located to the far back of the store.  Talk about a busy department of people waiting to have yardage cut.  They will continue getting busier as it will be the only place to look at, touch and decide on what yardage to purchase.  I needed woven interfacing for the back of tee-shirts.  That area was picked clean.  More inventory was expected.  I left empty handed.  Amazon in a pinch with no shoe-leather spent.  

  We got home at five with the good news that Dennis need not come back to the surgeon . . . unless he, we see something that doesn’t look right.   By now, Grammie is all over the “doesn’t look right.” 

  Today the groceries we had bought at Sam’s club have been removed from the shroud of heavy cardboard when multiples of the same item are packaged.  The recycling bin caught hell.  My 90-day supply of catheters came today from Handi-Medical in St. Paul. $1,688.00 with no co-pay.  For years, because its possible, I would reuse them by a boiling water bath.  Since 2021, I use and dispose.

  We are having an oven meal for supper of meatloaf and baked potatoes with veggies on the side.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on April 7, 2025 Permalink  

  Happy Monday 

  Monday with the sun makes for a good start.

  I spent some time in the studio this forenoon.  A quilt top is done and pressed.  Out came the case that looks as if it could hold several long guns.  I am not sure where I purchased the buffalo plaid zipper case.  It is a good spot for all the quilt batting leftovers.  The next process will be patching together enough of like batting to be put into service for this 54″ x 74″ quilt top.  I have the lightweight paper adhesive to get this task done. 

  Both Dennis and I are home from our medical appointments, Dennis to Mankato and me out to our clinic for PT.  Dennis need not go back for an injection to the left eye until June 30th.  I have appointments twice a week out at PT until April 18th.  Mike is not giving up on getting the hard ball of tightness out of the high right hip area.  I am not giving in to some temporary discomfort by Mile’s elbow.  It’s either this or better.  I choose to believe I will have better mobility when Mike is done with me.  Would-a, should-a, could-a.  I left this go for too long and everything, tendons and muscles, nestled in and were running the show.  

  As I look out my bedroom porch window, the robins are having a field day pecking through the tangle of winter’s grass looking for the elusive bug or two.

  This evening it is a quick supper of Texas toast waffles and sausages.  Dennis and Denise went out to lunch in Mankato, so this seems to be an easy fix for Grammie.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on April 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunny Sunday 

  Hello Peeps on this sunny Sunday!

  I am taking a break here in my studio.  The purple quilt has been in the wings long enough.  I may not take it to the finish this week, but every stitch takes me closer.  The quilt top is now 54″ wide.  I will need to add five inches to each end for a finish of 54″ x 74″.  It is the size for a lap cover-up as I sit in my rocker.  The key to that is sitting still in my rocker long enough to need cover.  You never know when that might be the norm.  It sure isn’t for now.  Many more stints here in the studio before there will be any covering up of any kind.

  As I am in the studio, I hear our sump pump kicking in from time to time.  That is not surprising considering the inch of rain we received last weekend.

  Yesterday as I was in the grocery store I couldn’t help but notice their display of the Peeps candy in all the colors of the rainbow.  That prompted me to call my brother Calvin.  Peeps were his favorite candy this time of the year.  Calvin is doing well if not a bit subdued compared to his time in Decorah.  In the healthcare facility that he is in, there seems to be quite a few free-standing buildings.  Calvin is one of the six men in his building of assisted living.  Calvin is the youngest.  Calvin will be 78 in this calendar year.  He understands that for his son Eric to stay on top of his dad’s life, the distance from Duluth to Decorah, Iowa, was not doable.  I can very easily visit with Calvin as he does have his views on politics.  Now there . . . is a lot to chit chat about.  Keeping in touch will continue.

  Today was a visit with Aunt Janet in Brownton.  Amazingly her and I are just a bit over ten years a part.  She asked me how old I was this last week when it was my birthday.  She knew she was getting on in years, but she had forgotten that nieces also get on.  Her and I always have plenty to visit about.  She enjoys being in her own home and I can totally understand that.  I like my home also.

  The house first floor smells of the fresh cinnamon rolls I had baked from a frozen state.  It takes about five hours for them to thaw under a piece of cellophane.  I already have potatoes in the kettle ready to boil and chicken tenderloins drying under paper towels to pan fry.  Add to that a package of steam-able vegetables . . . supper is on in high cotton.

  Tomorrow I have PT at 1:45.  Dennis has an eye injection in Mankato at 10:45.  Daughter Denise is taking her dad to the Mankato appointment.  Cutting it too close for comfort if one small glitch happens.  Denise and her dad most likely will have lunch in the big city.

  I think I have one more seam in me today in the studio.  Slow but sure wins every time.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on April 4, 2025 Permalink  

  And . . . 

  And just like that the week is winding down.  Sunshine, clouds, rain or snow April is on the move.

  Last Sunday, Kevin and Kersten got a huge tote out and down from the attic.  The contents were put in front of me for decisions to be forthcoming and the tote went home with them.  It has been a good thing to review what I have clung to all these years.  Very little was thrown away.  Anything that was washable has been through the laundry.  If anyone needs gently used towels of various sizes or terry cloth table coverings . . . it is all in a bag, tied shut and labeled.

  Several clothing items of mine from the late 40s got freshened.  I knew I had been saving a large sturdy flat box for a reason.  Those items are folded with white tissue paper complete with a bit of history included.  Up on a shelf in the studio for now.

  Until the next time when someone visits, the attic is off limits to me.  The steps are steep.

  PT went well this morning.  I was feeling as if Mike’s fist was still in the small of my back when I got home.  More appointments for next week.  After all, where am I going?  If I do have plans to go somewhere in the future, God willing, I will be able to go with less physical discomfort.

  Nobody ever said we would get out of this world without feeling the reactions of the actions that we had put our bodies through.

  I did get a late birthday wish from a fellow from long ago.  John worked for the revenue department and has always stayed in touch, wishing me a good ride for another trip around the sun.  Priceless.

  It is a breakfast meal for our supper this evening.  Nothing beats eggs and all the fixings.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥