Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:32 pm on July 20, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunday the 20th 

  Sunday the 20th with the Grace Lutheran Church service on in the studio.  Great start for a new week.

  I can piddle away more time in the studio than I had initially planned.  Quiet time well spent.  Time for reflections, time for memories that pop up if I happen to pick something up off of the mirid of shelves.  Oh yes, I actually have  a few empty spots where I have been sifting and sorting.  Tomorrow will be the day to get the lights on in the studio as well as the lights on the sewing machine.  Looking forward to the next challenge.

  Dennis’ grandson AJ was out from Mankato this forenoon.  He and Dennis always can while away the time over . . . who knows what.  It’s very good for Dennis’ soul to have that connection.

  Dennis is making supper this evening.  The fare is a package of Johnsonville’s beef brats . . . plus.  Yesterday I picked up a container of Gerry’s potato salad.  Got it home and emptied the contents into a refrigerator container and began adding to it.  Three eggs were boiled and then chopped to be added.  A half onion was sliced and diced to be added.  Over night the flavors have co-mingled to perfection.  Coleslaw and bread and butter pickles will round out the offering.  I am staying out of the kitchen until I am summoned.

  I have finished a stitching project.  It was called Congress of Eagles.  Five designs of various sizes to honor the 250th celebration of our nation in 2026.  Part of what is coming from Amazon will go into putting a finish of the five separate stitching’s. 

  The afternoon found me digging in my very old stash of stitching fabric.  I found a piece of 20 count, 20 “x” stitches per inch.  With the help of the magnifier that is next to my right elbow, I think it will work after I check through my file folder for just the right design.  Once I am out of bed in the morning, that could be anywhere between eight and ten, I cannot “just sit and veg out.”  You know darn well, I will find something to get into, do or try out, to fill my day until bedtime.  Idle hands are the work of the devil.  Yes, Grandma Laura, I will have something tangible to show for the day my Lord God has given me.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on July 16, 2025 Permalink  

  Lightning Show 

  As I was headed to bed last night there were plenty of lightning flashes.  I did hear it begin to rain about two this morning.

  I had an objective for this Wednesday.  The laundry basket had erupted onto a portion of the bathroom floor.  Not a safety bet by any means.  I added to it by Dennis’s bedding.  Who in this day and age has a linen closet to pull additional sets of bedding from.  I did the bedding first as it gave me a chance to do some tidy, tidy in Dennis’ bedroom.  It then became a game of swapping out between the washer and the dryer.  As soon as the bedding was dry, it headed right back to the bedroom.  Tiny homes make for interesting making up of the beds.  A wiggle here to give a tug, a wiggle there to give a tug.

  By mid-afternoon all is as it should be on Stauffer Avenue, with the laundry done, folded and put where it belongs.

  The rain finished this forenoon, but with the humidity at 96% . . . time will tell.

  When I was in New Ulm on Monday, I had stopped at the Hy-Vee grocery store for some items on my way home.   I literally was “meals on wheels.” The Hy-Vee in New Ulm does something that the Mankato location does not do.  New Ulm always has a variety of meals prepared, ready to be heated and served.  Monday evening we had a prepared meal of meatloaf, green beans and mashed potatoes with gravy.  No kidding, it was enough to be split in half for the two of us.   I had coleslaw on hand to add to it.  Their meals are $8.00 each and are not shy on the flavors.

  Tuesday evening we had a meal of Progresso Vegetable Beef Soup with a tuna sandwich split in two.  Plenty for the two that had not done much for the day.

  This evening, Wednesday, we are having the second of the Hy-Vee meals that I had bought: a full turkey sandwich drowning in turkey gravy with mashed potatoes.  A half sandwich for each and I will pass on the potatoes and rather enjoy the remaining coleslaw that we have.   I have had a full day of Grammie the housewife and will enjoy putting a hot flavorful meal on the table easily.

  Our appetites are no longer what they used to be.  The $8.00 price per these meals is not the draw but it is very reasonable and fills the bill.  We don’t eat out very often as I prefer having a very good indication of what we are eating, rather than the deep fat-fried options here in town.

  We are having a nice reprieve from the heat that has been around.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:16 pm on July 12, 2025 Permalink  

  A Date 

  Dennis and I had a date for this noon.  We headed to the River’s Edge Golf Course’s restaurant. 

  Today was Dennis’ Class of 1954 reunion from the St. James District 840 school.  I have attended quite a few of his reunions and of course know most of his classmates and their mates that have remained in the area.  I got Dennis’ clothes ready as well as my own.  Nothing fancy, just a bit out of the norm.  Yes!  Grammie even opened up her tiny pull-out drawer of some cosmetics.  

  One small calendrical screw top container has been my staple since Carrie introduced me to the Mary Kay cosmetic line of goodies.  It is a container called bronzing beads.  Multiple colors of beads made from compressed powder, each a hue of a tan color.  You dance around a cosmetic brush picking up a bit of this color and a bit of another color.  I have not been outside to speak of this year, so it was a brush full of color going from the forehead down to the chin and then across each of the cheeks.  Grammie was ready.  

  I remember Carrie went somewhere on a plane fight and of course with her, her cosmetic bag.  The air compression in the plane or such, when going to use the beads at sometime later, unscrewed the lid.  All the beads had popped, leaving a container of loose bronzing powder.  Too funny.

  Well unfortunately, Mary Kay no longer makes the bronzing beads in their line-up and I don’t do glamour very often.  Mine should last for some time.

  Anyway . . . back to the class reunion.  Dennis had a great time.  The girls in his class all came up and gave him a hug.  Someone had their yearbook.  Under his photo was the ditty, “Happiest and jolliest fellow!”  I will say, he had a ball joking with those girls recalling those school days.  The other fellows, men, didn’t seem to be at the same party.  There were group photos taken.  This is the last reunion this class voted on going forward.  In truth, they were all getting close to 90 years of age.  The remaining funds of the class, a whooping $200.00 for postage, will be used in reprinted photos and mailed out to the classmates.  The info sheets that were handed out listed 39 deceased.  Dennis’ class was the largest class ever, through the 60s, 140.

  The food at River’s Edge was wonderful . . . way too large of servings.  Guess who brought a box home!  Dennis will be having supper of lobster mac and cheese and I will be doing chicken strips and fries.

  A great day and it’s great to be home.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:57 pm on July 11, 2025 Permalink  

  Heavy Air 

  This is Friday and we may be in store for a thunderstorm or two.

  Today, I stayed on the first floor of our home.  It was a day where I stayed quiet in my bedroom porch.  My body was resting, but my mind, as always, is curious and busy.

  I enjoy what I can glean via YouTube.  Stitching and quilting from around the world is there for me to seek and search.  New ways of doing the same old.  I remain intrigued by watching what others are quilting.  I do not believe I have another quilt in me.  I may continue piecing quilt tops from my stashes for the ladies at the church to finish up.  It’s hard to put by the wayside the threads and fuzz completely.  It no longer temps me to visit a quilt shop to touch and feel the newest fabrics.  Been there and done that.

  I admit my energy level here within my own home is all I could ask for.  From eight in the morning to nine in the evening, I can still pack in a good day’s effort, though a bit slower than in times gone by.  I enjoy keeping our home tidy.  Navigating the stairs to the studio does not pose a challenge: that’s where my passions lay.

  I do enjoy my stitching in my bedroom porch.  On my list is a visit to Michael’s in Mankato for a piece of foam board.  I have the dimensions written down for the two pieces I will purchase.  I have the Quaker Christmas II that I stitched, that I will stretch onto one of the foam boards.  The Santa’s of days gone by are taking a break from our living room.  I am ready for a change.

  I did go to the grocery store this afternoon.  I was actually seeking and searching a certain soup brand of bean soup.  Both Dennis and I really enjoy it as a break from the chicken noodle.  No such luck today . . . try, try again another day.  I picked up several items for Dennis’ breakfast box that he takes out to the patio porch each morning with his coffee.  I no longer do any baking from my kitchen other than the occasional tray of frozen cinnamon rolls.  Looking 89 in the mirror, Dennis likes his sweets and who am I to withhold them.  Sweets and cigarettes have not taken him down thus far, so let the man enjoys what he likes.  I, on the other hand, am capable of making my own choices out of the grocery store.  I kind of like the readings from my last workup at the clinic. 

  We are having some wonderful cold chicken sandwich spread that I made up from leftover rotisserie chicken.  Of course it has chopped onions in it.  A cup of hot soup will accompany it.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on July 10, 2025 Permalink  

  Thursday 

  About 2:30 this morning we had a real gully washer of a thunderstorm.  The lightning lit the sky as the rain ran off in sheets from our front awning.  The wind blew so hard there were evergreen tips from the evergreen tree on the northwest side of our home on the south edge of our driveway.  No hail.  I had checked the weather map before I had gone to bed so it was not a surprise.

  Yesterday it began.  Dennis’ son-in-law mowed down the foliage from around the base of the huge Maple tree and shredded it.  No more Hosta, ferns or Bleeding Heart plants.  Yes, there was also a lot of less than good greens.  After that area has had a chance to dry from last night’s rain, Dennis will use brush killer and treat that area.  As I said, so it begins.  Slowly but surely Grammie’s love of perennials will be no more.  That’s all I have to say about that for now.  Thanks, Forrest Gump.

  Dennis went to check on his life-long buddy, Lyle Grove, on Wednesday afternoon.  Rather than a nursing home there is a gal north of town that took Lyle in.  She works from home for the Watonwan County Human Services.  When Dennis came home and told me her name, I could put a face to her.  Her home was clean and welcoming.  Sandy had coffee and cookies for the two fellows as they chatted about days gone by.  Lyle said he was very content.  Lyle has little site remaining and has had hearing loss his entire life.  Eighty-nine years ago, families didn’t pick up on hearing loss until a child struggled in school.  Dennis felt better about Lyle’s situation after he had checked it out. 

  This evening we are doing Tilapia fillets, with refrigerated Simply Potatoes, hash brown style.  I already have the onion diced for sautéing before I add the hash browns.  Cole slaw will round out the meal.  Oh, I can’t forget the bread n’ butter pickles.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on July 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunday the 6th of July 

  The church service via KNUJ from Grace Lutheran of Gaylord was enjoyed this forenoon.

  Thinking ahead as to what is on the church tables . . . that would be binding for the 58″ x 68″ project.  I knew I would need at least 27o” of 2.5″ width.  That brought about the blades in the rotary cutters of which I have two 60mm.  Cutting tee-shirt fabric is very dulling to the blades.  Grunge material that is course and who knows what country it originated from.  For sure they have no cotton in them.

  I have had a stash of the size of blades I would need.  After replacing both cutters, I am down to two replacements.  I had ordered them on Amazon, 5 to a box.  I had bought two boxes each $19.95.  When they came, what struck me is that the language on the packaging was not in English, it was Japanese.  Every other detail was spot on.  The total price for the ten per box was much less than purchasing one at a time in a fabric shop.  It would be approximately $43.99 for five.  I would have a hard time plunking down what ten would cost in one of our stores.  I have not had a quarrel with the use of them.

  I dug out enough fabric from my stash to cut the binding strips.  From there it was to the sewing machine to join all strips to make up the length needed.  Joining them diagonally makes for less bulk at each intersection.  The very long strip is now nestled in a basket after I pressed the 2.5″ width by half.

  As our day has been quite laid back, we are having waffles and sausages for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:27 pm on July 4, 2025 Permalink  

  July 4th,2025 

  It is a very warm 4th of July.

  Decades ago, we would be hosting a huge family gathering on the west lawn, under shade trees at our Boon Lake farm.  

  Orlin’s family with his mother, Ester, enjoying every moment of it.  My family, both the Riebe family and the Wendlandt family.  The invites were given and those that could make it rounded out a rather huge group.  On one 4th, Kevin had just gotten over the chicken pox, thus no long contagious.  Orlin’s nephew Frank, aka: Butch, gave the little ones rides around the circle drive with our lawnmower and trailer.  Lots of food.  No one went hungry.  Orlin’s mother always had her harmonica with her.  My uncle, Norman Riebe, had brought along one of his concertinas.  Both played by ear.  The tunes that those two entertained us with were amazing.  Even the hammock between two Oak trees gave great fun as the kids would take turns being pushed forth and back.

  If I remember correctly, 1974, was the last time we had a July 4th celebration.  At that time we lived at rural Buffalo Lake.  The two story brick school house was soon to be our home.  We resided in a 14′ x 80′ mobile home during the interim.  That 4th of July gathering included the same families as other years, plus we had neighbors that joined in.  Across the road Bill and Ester Mueller walked over.  With no family of their own, they truly enjoyed the hub-bub.

  For me, these events were as if yesterday.  I have a tendency to harbor memories.  Sweet.  Not to worry, I absolutely live in the present.

  Yesterday we took a road trip.  I could not believe how good the crops looked.  There were many working in the heat as the road-side hay was either being cut, side-raked or baled.  There were round bales, huge rectangle bales.  Both must be extremely heavy.  One farm was still baling the size of bales that I remember hefting, mostly between 80 and 100 lbs.  The arthritis can attest to that.

  Speaking of arthritis: I got a follow-up call from my primary on this Wednesday.  I was concerned if one of the implant screws that I have in both feet, had shifted causing some discomfort, the redness and swelling of my toes on my right foot.  Nope.  It’s just the all invading arthritis.  It was relief.

  This evening we are having sauteed peeled and deveined shrimp and steamed veggies.  It doesn’t take long to toss the defrosted shrimp after totally drying them in paper towels with butter in an open skillet.  When they turn from a hue of gray to pink, in short order, they are done.

  BY THE WAY:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SON, KEVIN!

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on July 2, 2025 Permalink  

  The Wasp – Part Two 

  Late yesterday afternoon, I paid attention whenever I would catch a glimpse of the nasty huge back wasp.  It never seemed to take a break and land somewhere.  As I was making supper, I saw it swoop down and land under the dining room table.  With my fly swatter in hand, praying my titian knees would let me swat that far down, I literally lunged at it.  It took a second hit before it stopped wiggling.  With a wet paper towel for surface traction, I scooped him up and flushed him down the toilet.  Whew.

  I knew I could rest easy.  What came to mind were the wasp type of insects that we had when we lived in Riesel, Texas.  Within a short amount of time they could get into your home and find a quiet spot to make a nest.  They called them “mud daubers.”  Their saliva wove the nests.  Makes me shiver to think of the day I found a nest in one of our open closets.  I have no idea if they stung when they were irritated.  It was my own personal irritation that carried with it a feeling of an unclean home.  Yuck.

  This forenoon Jan from across the picket fence came down into the studio to see what I was doing.  She had had no idea what crappy tee-shirts could be used for.  I encouraged her to take a good look-see as there would never be another one on my church tables.  About two, the studio went dark and I will pick up the pinning of the layers sometime this weekend.

  With a fresh batch of steamed veggies, we are having leftovers from last night’s stew and potatoes for supper.  As a treat Dennis will get some orange juice.  There is just so darn much sugar for it to be a daily thing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on July 1, 2025 Permalink  

  A Wasp 

  We have a huge black wasp that has gotten into the house either via a door as it was closing or riding in on clothing.  Ishi.  I have a fly-swatter close at hand.  Of course he is nowhere to be seen right now.

  I did look at the radiology reports of my x-rays of the bone density and also my feet.  I will rely on my primary to channel the next course of action, if one is needed.  There were no fractures noted.  Charts of indication of osteo arthritis as to yesterday compared to two years ago.

  I have voluntarily cut back on my coffee intake.  No longer does the coffeemaker perk out 12 cups of liquid.  I have it set for six.  Dennis has always taken what amounts to two cups in his thermos cup and I had been drinking the remainder over the course of the day.  I remember Orlin was a heavy coffee drinker during the work week.  We didn’t make coffee over the weekends.  Invariably, by Sunday he would have a headache.  Maybe from the withdrawal, maybe not.  I feel comfortable giving the cut-back a try.  I have one additional prescription added daily.  It is a 2.9 blood-pressure pill.  I already have an appointment in two weeks to have an RN check my blood-pressure.  The objective is no undue pressure on the heart.  I will make sure to do my part.  Upon that visit, I have an appointment in three months with my primary.  More to come on the x-rays.

  I had a stint in the studio this forenoon . . . until 1:30.  The two equal rectangles of tee-shirt blocks are now sandwiched with Mountain Mist batting.  Kersten had found several additional measuring matts for me.  They are 36″ x 70″.  Coupling them with the one previous, I used thumbtacks to get the ball rolling.  Slowly I managed to square everything up.  The next step will be the wonderful wonder of the easy to manage safety pins that Amazon delivered via Kevin.  They have been put to use several successful times.  That may well take more than one session in the studio.

  Supper is going to be beef stew over instant mashed potatoes with a side of steamed vegetables.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  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.  ♥