Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2026 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:01 pm on September 1, 2026 Permalink  

  Much Has Been Done 

  In the span of 24 hours, both trees that needed to be take care of, have.  The crew pulled out this morning at 9:15.  The areas look as if they have been swept.  Actually, they have.  A skid steer loader can hook up and unhook attachments as fast as I can change feet on my sewing machine.  Now comes the waiting . . . for the bill.  It’s called life.

  I got the new tabs for my 2012 MKX.  $56.25 every year.  Hopefully that may change to the downward next year.  Last time there was any action was when Jesse Ventura was governor.

  What will still need to be done, is a trip to Subway for a 12″ Tuna.  Working men may do away with a 12″ on their own . . . us older ones on Stauffer do just fine sharing one.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on August 27, 2026 Permalink  

  Neighborhood Watch 

  I can’t help but notice what goes on outside my HP window facing south.  Stauffer Avenue has five times more vehicles than population living on it.  Sometimes very suspicious.  The most suspicious is a vagrant on a bicycle cruising for the better part of the day.  That is why we have locks on our doors for the better part of the day as well as during the night.

  A trip to Lewis Drug. While at Lewis Drug, I did purchase the largest bottle/tub of Vicks-Vapo Rub that was possible.  Dennis is a believer of said product.  It also cracks him up that it is $17.99.  

  I then stopped to see Karen at the Collage.  The retail door is closed and Karen is working on cleaning out.  I think the first floor was easy, compared to ten years of clutter in the basement.  That area is beyond my navigation.  Slow but sure she will get it done.  All I can do is offer moral support.

  We are having two quarter pound Schweigert’s wieners cut up into sauerkraut for supper.  The skins are a bit tough to plop into a bun for an easy bite. 

  All is well with my soul.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on August 16, 2026 Permalink  

  First Floor Today 

  Tidy, tidy for a bit today on the first floor.

  Dennis volunteered to peel cucumber for our favorite cucumber and onion creamy dish.  When he volunteers I stay out of his way as I would not want to be the factor that he doesn’t volunteer again.  I had thinly sliced the onion ahead of time.  The last of a mayo jar had also been taken care of.  Nothing worse than sticky goopy knuckles as the scrapper is swirled around in the inside for the very last bit.  A new jar had been opened just in case more was needed.  We now have a bowl chilling in the refrigerator of tasty cucumbers co-mingling with the onions.

  A while back when I went grocery shopping, most of the refrigerated containers were empty.  A  condenser or some such had gone out and most of the refrigerated items were in the back.  There were signs everywhere to ask for help.  Which . . . I did.  I wanted two packages of all beef hotdogs.

  Out from the back came a flustered meat department person.  He had two packages of beef hotdogs . . . would they be ok?  I didn’t comment, I thanked him for his troubles and in the cart they went.

  One package I wanted to use when Megan and Nicholas had come for a Sunday.  The other package went into the freezer.  A little extra on hand never hurts.

  Today I took out the second package of hotdogs for our picnic type of supper.  Actually looking at the package . . . I never knew these beef hotdogs even existed.  Quarter pound each!  It was a Schweigert’s brand.  I took two out and put the remaining two back in the freezer.  When thawed I cut each one lengthwise.  I am looking forward to putting a half in a hotdog bun.  I will give each a char in the frying pan.  Bring on the picnic.  Live and learn.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:43 pm on August 12, 2026 Permalink  

  An Amazing Day 

  Today, aka: hump day.  An amazing day on Stauffer Avenue.  Things just fell into place for most of the day.  It’s now midafternoon and all has been accomplished.

  The six inch faithful rake of mine, leveled off the evidence that we had internet dug into the house.  Yup, that little house on Stauffer that has 5G is back to normal . . . and just in time as Tom came to mow.

  Tom went on to help Dennis with the end-gate of the little red pickup.  There was a clip that needed to be installed or re-installed.  It matters not.  It’s good to go.

  The kitchen and back entry get a lot of traffic.  It was due for a tidy, tidy via a wet treatment.  Over the decades of this vinyl flooring in the kitchen, there is much evidence that it does not take kindly to having a sharp object dropped onto it.  Around the drip line of the kitchen counter, it is showing its age just like the home operators.  We will let someone else worry about that in the next several decades. 

  I have spoken of the huge rotisserie chickens at Sam’s club.  I had one more bag of diced leftovers in the freezer.  Last night’s supper was cold chicken salad for sandwiches or stand alone on a plate.  It went over so well that there will be a repeat performance this evening.  We love onions and plenty was added along with an ample amount of ground pepper.

  Something has happened here.  Dennis has begun enjoying our one meal a day that need not be hot.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on July 24, 2026 Permalink  

  Yummy 

  We worked on our second batch of creamy cucumbers today.  It’s a very welcoming vegetable dish to pair with another protein dish.  I am in charge of the onions as I can use the chef knife and slice them paper thin.  Dennis does the peeling and using the mandolin to slice the cucumbers.  Peeling cucumbers always reminds me of my sister Elvera.  She never peeled the cucumbers for this dish.  I am here to tell you that peelings add a bitter taste to this dish.  What would Lena think!

  A day of hand stitching is what I am working  on while watching floss tubes on YouTube of individuals doing the self-same thing I am doing.  Why not!  One of my favorites is in New Zealand.  No matter where the subscribers are from, I always glean a bit of the lifestyle of each one.

  The air is heavy this afternoon.

  In short order our front yard has taken on a very thirsty look.  A multitude of different grass seed has been spread over the years and each one does its own show and tell.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on July 20, 2026 Permalink  

  Rain Shower Came as Predicted 

  At 3:30 the lightning and thunder did bring a rain shower.  It brought .30 inches of rain that the humidity and the dew point marveled in.  Dennis declared a very hot day being muggy and steamy enough to make it feel like 99 degrees.

  Tom mowed the yards today.  He comes equipped with his trusty water bottle.  It was a gift from his grandchildren and keeps cold items cold for a long time.  Several mowing’s ago, it took some time before he realized it had gone missing.  He thought maybe he never packed it; maybe it fell out of its slot on the mower.  Nope it wasn’t at home.  Tom literally walked some areas thinking a branch had nudged it off the mower.  Third time going around the yards and the sun happened to glint a clue.  Yup, the shrub right next to our home had taken ownership.  One happy Tom.

  I tackled dust bunnies:  here, there and everywhere.  Our bedding is by a long sight not new.  The little rolls of fuzz under the far reaches of the beds . . . bring it on.

  We are in Spring Touch’s ant program.  Several applications in intervals.  Some sidewalk ants still roaming the bathroom.  What is causing me angst is the larger black ants finding their way onto the kitchen cupboard and the sink.  The cleaning of said area has been ongoing.  Terro is down in several places with bright post-a-notes beside it so as to catch the eye when we are in the perimeter.  WE were told that the onslaught might get worse before better.  Man are they fast moving!  Patience to the hilt.  Our home is over 100 years old and Dennis knows it doesn’t take much room for an ant to wiggle in.

  Dennis’ famous creamed cucumbers with onions is going to be paired with chicken titties in the fry pan.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:46 pm on July 19, 2026 Permalink  

  The 19th of July 2026 

  This is the last day of our county fair.  Surprisingly we did hear some fireworks go off last night at ten.

  The studio was visited this morning while I had Grace Lutheran church services on from Gaylord.  All went according to plan.  The next time I visit there are numerous spools of embroidery thread to put back in numerical order.   

  We had a plastic bag of garden goodies left on our front steps.  Cucumbers have been peeled, salted and dressed with mayo as an offering for supper.  The remaining cukes have been washed and added to one of the refrigerator crispers.  Three huge tomatoes will be set aside to finish putting the blush on them.  We are passing on the little elongated purple peppers. 

  I checked on Aunt Janet from Brownton last night.  She has been staying close to home in the hot weather.  Two nieces take care of grocery errands and the mowing of her yard.  The city librarian swaps out books for her as her favorite authors are known.

  Not much else to share today.  Being in our home is the best.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on July 18, 2026 Permalink  

  Let’s Hear It 

  Let’s hear it for the little flag on our front sidewalk that didn’t forget how to catch a breeze from the north!

  A break from the Minnesota heat would be great for this weekend and many days after that.

  Our favorite weatherman from KEYC, Shawn Cable, has begun taking the tour of many county fairs in southern Minnesota.  I will say the only thing I miss from the county fair is the little bag of greasy sugar laden mini-donuts.

  It was pretty great to see the parade of farm tractors that started at the fairgrounds this morning and made the jaunt down our street, to the main drag and then back to the fairgrounds.  Every make and color imaginable.  Not surprisingly most of the drivers were of Dennis’ vintage.

  I am going to fix Maria Callender’s Chicken with Mushroom pot pies for supper.  Last night we had deveined and peeled sauteed shrimp in a butter sauce.  Variety from the kitchen.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on July 16, 2026 Permalink  

  Choose the Time 

  We decided to go to the grocery store last night after seven.  Dennis drove, so he could keep the car running with the A/C while I filled the list.  We were only gone from home for a bit after half an hour.

  I knew that I had a meet and greet this morning and leaving the shopping go for after would have been too much for too long in the weather.  It all worked out great.  I was back home by eleven and thankful for it.

  Dennis chooses his time for spending being in the patio porch with the kitties or being on the main floor of our home.

  Our chicken salad sandwiches were great for our evening’s meal yesterday.  Dennis thought it was so great we are calling for a repeat performance this evening.  It had been a rather large batch considering that just as much of diced onions matched the diced chicken.

  I was in my bedroom porch when I noticed the FedEx truck come to a screeching halt a bit a go.  It is a concrete street but the dust just rolled from the tires.  The same spry young fellow that picked up a Mayo box from our deck on Tuesday was delivering the goods from Mayo today.  I opened the door and he nicely set the parcel on the floor for me.  I carried it right to the back door so I could open it without stirring the layer of dust from the box any more than I had to.  My fingerprints were evident where I had held it.  Yuck!

  All is well here on Stauffer Avenue.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:30 pm on July 15, 2026 Permalink  

  Out of the Depths 

  Out of the depths of the freezer came the base ingredient of this evening’s supper.  When we are in Mankato, I will be sure to pick up one of their broasted chickens at Sam’s Club for $4.98.  They are what us old time chicken raisers would call heavies.  Breed for the amount of meat they can put on compared to leghorns which is quick raising and very lightweight.  We always raised two batches.  One batch for pan frying and one batch for roasting in the oven.

  The Sam’s chicken will give us one meal of Dennis’ favorite white meat and the remaining I debone immediately and store in freezer weight bags to pop into the freezer.  This forenoon the bag had not been out of the freezer for very long before I took the chef’s knife and did the tip to end chopping for minimal sized bites of the chicken meat.  The chopping always works slick if the product is still semi frozen when the steel comes down on it.  An onion is always present in our kitchen.  Be it tuna or chicken there will be finely chopped onions with it.  

  Dennis had the privilege of using our new pepper mill for the first time since it was delivered on Monday.  It is the same model as the one that gave up on us.  Pepper is another ingredient that is used by us often.  I have learned from Chef Ransby that a bit of salt is needed to bring the flavors to its peak.

  Cold chicken salad sandwiches or chicken salad on the plate is what is being served here on Stauffer Avenue this evening.  The other fixings in the freezer needed a hot oven . . . that’s not in the cards when it feels like 100 degrees outside.  I think our air conditioner would pick right up on that and start wheezing. 

  That’s it folks!

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥