Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from August, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:08 pm on August 25, 2023 Permalink  

  Light Shower 

  Surprisingly we had a shower of rain last night after supper.

  My plan today was to get a load of laundry going first thing.  Yesterday at the grocer’s I brought home a pork steak.  That hit the crock pot as laundry was spinning.  I have a bottle of bold marinade in the refrigerator that covered the surface of the steak.

  I was counting on that shower of rain making the surface of the garden dirt moist enough to pull some unwanted greenery from the area next to the patio porch.  When Dennis came out after a nap, he mixed up some weed spray to catch a path of weeds that was running right next to the patio.  He also hit the weeds coming up in the cracks of the driveway.

  It didn’t take long and both of us were sweating through our clothing.  We had not checked any weather info before heading out.  At noon the tale was told as we had KEYC news on.  Dewpoint and air quality were both pushing the needle of discomfort. 

  The afternoon was mine for reading, stitching and folding that load of laundry.  Dennis has decided to do some mowing, telling me he would take breaks and try and stay out of the areas in the bright sun, aka: direct heat.

  I have a bag of the salad kits in the Tupperware lettuce keeper.  This bag has two types of lettuce, red and white cabbage, bits of green onions and carrot slivers.  In a little bag there were roasted pumpkin seeds.  The bag of dressing was a poppy seeds blend.  I added some finely diced white onion.  Tumbling this mixture together, it should be tasty for supper.  If Dennis wants instant mashed potatoes, that would be in the realm of possibilities.

  This weekend promises nice weather.

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on August 24, 2023 Permalink  

  Sweltering 

  Maybe one more day and it will feel as if the swelter of August will leave us be.

  There has been dew on the grass which is more than can be said for the month of July.  The grass is showing signs that it wants to be tended.  I would not be surprised if Dennis takes after it tomorrow.  A fellow can wait only so long before an engine needs to be ignited.

  We took the little red pickup west on Main Street.  After going around the block, we parked on Main Street facing East . . . right in front of Maria’s Salon.  Oh goodie, goodie.  We were ready for pedicures and haircuts.  It is amazing how good the pampering feels.  Before we left her shop, I made an appointment for a month from now.  We need to keep our priorities in shape.  I came home and put the appointment on the calendar for September.  Oh my gosh!  The first and only entry of September.  Thank you Jesus.

  The pampering felt so good, I didn’t mind having Dennis stop at our local grocer’s for some items.  It is not quite highway robbery.  As our calendars are no longer eaten up with medical appointments making trips down the highway to Mankato, as we then shopped in Mankato.  I do not mind shopping in town . . . I need to keep an eye on the sell by dates for perishables.

  A salad for me is what a meal should be built around.  Too often though, I would buy a head of lettuce to find a huge portion not good.  I have learned to buy salad kits.  Chopped lettuce with a bit of carrot slivers, croutons, some sunflower seeds, bits of beets and a package of dressing . . . all in one bag.  A salad in a kit.  There are different contents with different varieties.  I can always add some shredded cheese, chopped onion or even a boiled egg.  The salad kit is my one extravagance with food.  When Dennis thinks salad, it is a portion in his bowl that a half cup measuring cup would still have room for an entrée.  Do not care . . . I like what I like.

  The egg salad I made yesterday was a huge hit with the ole cowboy.  It’s been hot enough that even his favorite Progressive Chicken Noodle Soup has been off the menu.

   
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  Noreen 2:53 pm on August 23, 2023 Permalink  

  Surprised 

  Surprised that a niece of Dennis’ from Mora would be out and about for a visit.  That then encouraged a cousin from Sleepy Eye to join in for a visit.  Quite the afternoon of catch-up.

  It is a bit cooler than yesterday. 

  My local effort was doing a batch of egg salad this morning.  It has been in the refrig since noon.  My way of thinking is that an egg salad sandwich trumps hot soup for supper.  

  I may finish out the afternoon with a bit of stitching.

  While I am in my bedroom porch, I have noticed a lot of wasps hanging around under the south awning.  Dennis will need to take a peek under the awning sometime.  I had noticed the neighbor across the street out with a spray can that was shooting spray up to their eves yesterday.  Lots of wasps this season.

  Tomorrow is another day.

   
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  Noreen 1:51 pm on August 22, 2023 Permalink  

  My Quiet 

  When the temp is nasty, I am in my quiet zone.

  Today, I am switching off from reading to stitching and then back again.  That will continue for a few more days.

  In temps such as this, I don’t think I would venture out of town.  Hot road surface, hot tires . . . not a safe mix.

  The fare for supper is frozen waffles and Jimmy Dean pre-cooked sausages.

  May everyone take the advisories seriously.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:12 pm on August 20, 2023 Permalink  

  A Breeze 

  There is a breeze out this Sunday afternoon, but don’t let it fool you.  Dennis and I went to the blue barn acre to check on his weed killing spree.  After taking a drive around the acre we did take a whip around town.  Dennis had the windows down on the little red pickup but a clammy feeling persisted.  I am back in my home, seen enough.

  The bedroom porch is totally back together.  I did several stitches on my hooped cross stitch project from my command center.  A new book is open on the angled book stand with several paragraphs read.  Yup, I remembered how it all went.  I have been using a small table that Kevin and Kersten used on the day of their wedding for a guest book.  Upon that table is a Sauder 28″ x 28″ board that was a portion of a computer stand in times past.  This makeshift, repurposed unit is perfect for the router and my book stand.  I have the clamp-on adjustable cross stitch hoop holder on the southeast corner where it can be swiveled off to the side when I am reading.

  There was wasted space on this table unit.  No more.  Dennis has fitted the 12″ square base of this table to hold a shelf that is six inches above the floor and will rest on the braces of the table.  Here on will rest my new, free library books.  I had been using the wall shelves for books and other sundry items that have now been put back up on the east wall of my bedroom porch since the paint job.  What I have since decided is that I will have some items on the bottom shelf.  The two shelves above that may remain empty for now.  I cannot reach them safely without the kitchen step stool.  I think this qualifies as living smarter.  Living safely.

  After this latest run of heat subsides, I plan on beginning to stain the front door deck that was installed around the Easter weekend.  With my 1.5″ brush and perched upon the old office chair that we have on the deck, I will be able to stain the spindles of the railing.  No bending over . . . no reaching high.

  A light supper for Stauffer Avenue.  Dennis thought he might try some of the frozen waffles that are on hand.  Hmm.  I thought oatmeal sounded good.  Whatever!

  This old wordsmith always holds all of you close.

   
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  Noreen 1:54 pm on August 10, 2023 Permalink  

  No Deed 

  No good deed goes unpunished.  Dennis had done such a good job of taking the sandburs off of his pants last week.  Yesterday when he was mowing the blue barn acre, he took the weed whip along to take out some of the weeds that might harm the mower if he went after them.  You never know what is hiding in and on a lot that has not been tended in a decade.  Once the weeds have been gone through, the mower can take an extra swathe.  The nastiest area is close to the south lot line.

  After a couple of hours, I heard Dennis and the mower pull up to the garage.  I assumed the mower needed gas.  Dennis usually pops in for a glass of water . . . no Dennis.  About the time I was going to look him up in the garage, I looked out the bathroom window to see Dennis pinning his pants up onto the clothesline.  Dennis walked the patio and came on into the house in his Fruit of the Looms.  The mowing had gone great.  The weed whipping was making headways until he realized the inseams of his pant legs were sticking together.  Yup!  Sandburs.  Dennis is so determined to make a difference on that lot, not realizing where the stuff flies when weed whipped off.  No good deed goes unpunished.  He has decided when he is going over to the blue barn lot to weed whip again, those same pants will be tugged on.  All I could do was smile and snicker.  Dennis did clean off his socks of the burs before putting them in the laundry.

  Last night after supper there were a few large rain drops that ended in a flash of rain blowing sideways for quite some time.  When it thundered the whole house shook.

  The saving grace today is that it is sprinkling off and on and Dennis and the porch kitties are watching television in the patio porch.

  With such a driving rain, I knew the window screens had a good wash.  Screens hold so much grime and dirt.  I got two of the eight bedroom porch windows cleaned.  All the cleaning is done from inside . . . sweet.  Dennis helped me do the bathroom window.  I loaded one of my chamois window towels onto the floor Swiffer’s head.  It worked great for Dennis to spray the vinegar window wash onto the bottom window while standing on the ground and drying the window via the Swiffer mop.  I opened the bottom window from the bathroom as far as I could and reached out with my right arm and hand to spray the outside of the top window with the vinegar wash so Dennis could work his magic.  Slick.

  If anyone ever needs to be entertained, sit back and watch the older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  I will say, we are resourceful.

  With some good local effort today we have decided to have pancakes and sausages for supper.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:42 pm on August 8, 2023 Permalink  

  So . . . Do Tell! 

  It is official from two sources, one on each end of town, that we got three plus inches of rain in a slow and steady all-day rain.

  The rain is all it took to hear the hum that had not been heard for some time, lawnmowers.  Dennis was right in there with them.  The weeds had continued to grow and they needed to be trimmed back right along with whatever else was green.  Dennis has learned to take two days to get the acreage done as the back and arms sent him a strong message. 

  Today Amazon delivered the last item for my bedroom porch’s reading and stitching corner.  Years back most shops had a clamp-on light fixture that could be angled via springs on the main hub.  My clamp-on unit that was delivered is similar but different.  There is no light fixture at the end, but a clamp to hold my hoop for stitching.  Sweet.  Until it has been used for a time, the clamp is really tight . . . enter stage right . . . Dennis.  My left hand is really going to enjoy not having to hold the hoop.  For the sum of $24.99 it does the job of the expensive wooden standalone hoop holders. 

  For several days this week, Carrie and Megan are in Las Vegas at the largest USA marketing event for 2024’s merchandise.  What a sweet event for them to share.  Later on this month, Kersten will be flying to New York for her endeavor.  My special people do get around.  When Dennis and I talked about it, he was thrilled for them, as he and I couldn’t take it.  

  I did take in some stitching this morning in the studio for my next scrappy quilt.  I realize it. I am admitting to it. I am overanalyzing the scrappiness of it.  Good grief.  It did take my repair man, Dennis, to replace the batteries in the radio for KNUJ to be enjoyed.

  Our oven meal of last night was a hit.  There will be a re-run of it this evening.

  Take care everyone!

   
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  Noreen 1:37 pm on August 7, 2023 Permalink  

  OttLite 

  Anyone that is anybody in the world of quilting or stitching has an OttLite.  They can be quite pricey if you want a floor model.  I knew that in time I would like more light coming over my shoulders when I read or stitch in my bedroom porch.  The studio downstairs has plenty of light overhead that is needed for all activities in the stitching world. 

  Dennis listens as well as being around when I am in my bedroom porch.  Son-in-law Jeremy totally re-glued a wooden armchair on Easter Sunday for a second seat in my bedroom porch.  It is Dennis’ perch when he comes a calling and a visit is required for decision making.

  This morning while the Monday morning laundry was in full speed, my very own OttLite was delivered to my bedroom porch.  Slowly Dennis had been cleaning and painting a stand alone light that Kevin and Kersten had found for us.  What use it would have here on Stauffer Avenue had not been identified at that time.   

  My light is very versatile.  It rolls easy and the base is very heavy while not taking up much floor space.  It nestles nicely in the corner.  With little effort it can be pulled down or raised depending on where I need the light.  The light can be zoomed in or out also depending where a halo of light is needed.  Sweet!

  When the word repurposing is bantered about . . . check with Stauffer Avenue’s older resourceful pair.

  Laundry is done as well as an oven dish for supper.  With temps not quite as hot as last week, I am taking a gamble on using the kitchen oven for an hour or so.  The contents of the oven meal also provided for two portions to be put in the freezer for another time.

  Take care everyone.

   
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  Noreen 1:47 pm on July 31, 2023 Permalink  

  Well, Well 

  Well, well.  The two older ones on Stauffer still have it.  Dennis and I worked side by side on the blue barn acre over the noon.  It was amazing how much we achieved by picking up small sticks and branches and added that to the huge pile Brett had made with the skid loader.

  What will be interesting in time is seeing all the Kudzu vines that will be turning brown.  I and our lopper sniped off countless vines that were rooted at the base of trees.  Many of the vines that have already turned brown since we began working on the lot will need to be pulled out of the trees with the help of the little red pickup.  I think securing the end of vines, with I am not sure what at this time, and having them pulled out of the trees will make a huge impact.  Some of the vines are as round as a quarter with a spindly root going into the ground no larger than a piece of twine.

  So that was our two hour exercise for this Monday.  No one was was injured by this.  It felt good to work side by side in the shade under the canopy of huge trees.

  I am enjoying the last of the breakfast coffee and will soon settle into my bedroom porch, perched on my cherry red chair, reading a bit.  I will admit my hands are weary and there will be no hand stitching this afternoon.

  We have agreed on a Subway supper.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 1:33 pm on July 27, 2023 Permalink  

  The Summer of No Rain 

  It has been unusually dry this the summer of 2023, that coupled with bouts of high temperatures.

  What does this retired couple do on a hot day?  Dennis and I drove several blocks from home for pedicures.  This is such a better plan than driving to Mankato.  Patronizing one of our small town businesses feels good.  Like many small towns, there are far too many vacant store fronts.

  It can come with personal irks.  Such as me telling Dennis after he is already in his little red pickup that the cap he was wearing needed to be swapped out for a clean one.  How dare I?  Yup.

  The pork roast in the crock pot is filling the kitchen with wonderful aromas.  The roast, even after this evening’s supper will give me options in the coming days.

  As I was reading this afternoon in my bedroom porch, perched upon my cherry red chair, there were farm vehicles going by that indicated somewhere there was a cutting of hay that needed a side rake followed by a baler.  I can easily remember hot days on the family farm in Boon Lake Township.  No one dared to comment on the heat.  We just got it done.  Us kids switched off as to who would be stacking bails five high on the hay rack behind the baler, and who was stacking bails up in the haybarn.  It was share, share, share alike.  No fatalities then, but perhaps issues in our later years.  God bless titanium implants.

  Even the front deck smelled of heat this morning and for sure . . . no sounds of lawnmowers at any time today.  The grass crunches under foot.

  Be kind to yourselves and give ample rest.