Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from November, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:03 pm on November 2, 2025 Permalink  

  November 2nd 2025 

  Another month is on the go with the clocks being turned back one hour as of two a.m. this morning.  Experience from previous years, the change of an hour one way or another doesn’t impact my life.

  We have two wall clocks that will need to be adjusted plus the coffee pot.  I knew if I waited long enough the electric mantel clock from my parents would be right on target.

  Before engaging in any fun times in the studio, I prepared a salted kettle of water to boil some pasta.  I like the pasta tender but not over cooked.  Dennis’ pasta is usually over cooked until it resembles mush.  I thawed some seasoned meatballs.  The pasta, meatballs and a jar of Alfredo will make a good hot meal for today.  When I had the prep done of the pasta dish I turned the kitchen over to Dennis.  Cucumbers and onions in a cream sauce is a dish Dennis does to perfection.  What he needs from me is to have the onion cleaned and sliced.  The round slices that I do, Dennis chops them to his liking.  I have no disagreement in how he does his dish.

  To the studio for some finishing work.  I had three small pillows to complete that will settle in for a patriotic display.  One corner of the church tables is the finishing area.  A very well used and worn Tupperware canister is where I keep the crushed Walnut shells for my small pillows.  I like the heft that comes with the shells rather than the poof that doesn’t remain poofy.  I don’t make many small pillows but I am prepared.  It was economical to order from Amazon where the 5 pounds is listed as Lizard grit in the pet category.  I also like the small pillows as home for a needle or two using them as pin cushions to keep the needles sharp.

  

  I did complete the filling process for the pillows and went on to clean up that process. Using quilting clips to make sure the area that was open for filling remains secure sense.  It took some time for me to thread a tiny needle and much more time for me to get them stitched up.  Hands that used to fly through those stitches now take a bit more time.  Another day, another visit to the studio will find me putting trim around the pillows.  The 2026 pillow is going to get some extra TLC.  Before all is said and done, I will rub some of the crushed Walnut shell over the stark white to give it a good weathered look.  Walnuts have long been key in making stains for furniture.  A little rub here and there will make what is good . . . even better.

  Our supper is set for finishing in the oven.  As I am working on this post, the wind is having its way with anything that isn’t nailed down.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:50 pm on October 31, 2025 Permalink  

  A Tidy Day 

  Look out studio!  I have a plan.  One of the three metal filing cabinets will be emptied by this mid-afternoon, or supper will not be made.

  I did meet my goal.  That metal filing cabinet has been scooted very close to the basement stairwell.  Of course, I went through each and every divider.

  I got way-laid:

  2004 Family Circle Magazine:  “Me Mudder”

  When – me prayers were always said,

  Who? – tucked me in my widdle bed,

  Who? – spanked me widdle ass till it was red,

  “Me Mudder”

  Who? – lifted me from a cozy cot, and set me on that ice cold pot and made me pee if I could or not,

  “Me Mudder”

  And When – the morning light had come, and me in bed dribbled some,

  Who? -Wiped me tiny widdle butt,

  “Me Mudder”

  And did – my hair so neatly part and press me gently to her heart, and sometimes squeeze me till I’d fart,

  “Me Mudder”

  So went some of the sifting and sorting in the studio.  I believe I am going to put a post on Facebook, giving away many quilt books of fabulous patterns and designs.  I am not going to put that on Facebook Market Place as I don’t want to be tethered to my phone.  I can’t in all good conscious put them in the recycling bin.  I did feed that bin quite generously as it was.

  I am now on to making some chili for supper.  A lb. of browned ground beef added to several cans of Hormel Chile – no meat, plus a can of tomato sauce.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on October 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Body Guard 

  This was the day!  Dennis needed a bodyguard to go with him to the bank.  It had been some time since Dennis cashed in his loose coins.  The quarters had filled a large 32 oz. cashew plastic tube.  All of the other “no account” coins were in his red color crayon bank.  Daughter Denise was on call.  Dennis carried the 32 oz. container in a small duffle bag.  Denise carried the crayon bank with her hand securely holding the bottom as it was merely held on by the stroke of luck.  Off they went.  Too funny.

  When Nicholas was a wee one, he ventured all over the house.  All of a sudden this teeny, tiny body came out of grandpa’s darkened bedroom.  Megan was beckoned in with him . . . back into the darkened bedroom.  When they finally came out, Nicholas declared “Grandpa has tons of money.”  He was at the honey-pot of the 32 oz. container.  Oh for sweet memories.  That same container has been emptied several times since that declaration and will go right back collecting more coins.

  Some of my forenoon was spent sewing on the binding fabric to the lap robe.  Each step brings it closer to a finish.  The next visit will be tipping the binding to the top.  The days of hand sewing binding are gone.  My sister Elvera found that out when mom was in the Buffalo Lake Health-Care Center.  No matter how many notes were attached to beautiful quilts for delicate care, they went through the laundry just like any other bath towel.  The quilt was taken home and brought back with a binding that had been machine sewn.  Elvera meant well.  Quilts are to give high utility unless made for the express purpose of “you can look, but don’t touch.”  Not in my world.  All quilts that I have made and given are to be used for whatever the need may be.  If they wear out, come back and I will offer a second one.

  Where I grew up, rural Renville County, the southwest second floor bedroom was nothing other than freezing cold in the winter and blistering hot in the summer.  In the winter, quilts were hung over the windows to take the brunt of the cold as it seeped in.  One wall also had a quilt hanging up to act as insulation.  That same farmhouse has been overhauled several times by now.

  The blessings of leftover fixings from last night’s supper.  All that will be needed is a small batch of Idaho Instant Potatoes.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on October 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Rain on a Tuesday 

  The forecast warned us, and true to form, I heard the rain begin during the night.  I also knew the rain falling on the awning would be the key for me taking my sleep right up to eight in the morning.  I also knew that the 28th, this day, the Culligan man would be coming with salt to fill the brine tank.  Would you believe he comes ringing the door bell at seven in the morning.  He rings the doorbell after he has tried entrance.  These last deliveries, we have made sure to leave the back door unlocked.  We always have a lamp on in the studio.  This morning, I heard his melodious voice call out “Culligan Man,” and I rolled over in bed for a bit more of sweet dreams.  It works!

  The rain has persisted through the day.  We need the moisture.

  I visited the studio today.  I had fabric to cut for the border of a lap top.  The 2.5″ strip was then ironed in half under the hot steam.  That was all I had intended for the sewing.  What was really on my mind in the studio was to unpack the paper products we bought at Sam’s Club last week.  Thankfully we have shelving so nothing is left sitting on the floor.  What a disaster if for some uncalled for reason we had a water issue.  We have indeed had that happen before, with only a small piece of a rug on the floor.   Believe me that was plenty to deal with.  It also gave me pause to check what type of canned-goods we had left behind the closed cabinet doors.  Taking inventory never hurts.

  Our supper this evening is in the crockpot and has been since 8:30 this morning.  The seasoned roast is on a bed on mini carrots.  Onion slices are on top of the roast.  As long as I was slicing onions, I cut enough for the cucumber dish Dennis was going to make.  That is totally his deal and he does it well.  Mid-afternoon and the house is filled with great aromas on this cool day.

  Since we have had a killing frost, I look outside as I type this and the world is covered in a bed of soggy leaves.  So be it.  This evening, I plan on doing some hand stitching.  It’s been a few days and I need to keep wrists and hands moving to avoid atrophy.  With the arthritis that is already present, it would like to take advantage of non-use. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on October 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Oh Happy Day 

  Here it is mid-day and we are home safe and sound from Mankato.  The only place we shopped at was Sam’s Club.  I shopped, Dennis filled the little red pickup and watched people.  A whole of entertainment there.

  I reminded myself of a prairie wife filling up the items our larder would need to get through the winter.  I do comparison shop in regard to our local grocery and Sam’s Club.  We have the freezer compartment on the bottom of the refrigerator.  Dennis always marvels as to what I can all pack into it.  

  Today was more about taxable items.  The total of the tax on the bottom of the receipt was $16.03.  It’s all good.  I don’t buy what we don’t use.

  Later on today or in the morning, I will package up the 30 giant banana nut muffins individually and get them in the freezer.  Hey, if Dennis is content with one for breakfast, who am I to complain.  He is getting something in his system with all the medications.  Medications alone might raise cain with the stomach lining.  Then again, I think . . . if smoking hasn’t done a number on him?

  We did visit all the  way to and all the way home.  Dennis was in the mode for reminiscing.  One of his thoughts went to his son Jeff.  One summer, quite a while ago, Jeff had no direction.  Jeff used Dennis’ little red pickup full of gas and headed to Fairfax every day to help Kevin with a clay block garage that was in dire shape.  When Jeff got back to St. James in the late afternoon, he was paid $40.00 for a good day’s workout.  It kept Jeff focused.  The garage had new life breathed into it.  For the life of Dennis, he always marvels when he thinks of that time.  Kevin and Jeff got along so well doing a hard laborious job.  Dennis’ final comment when he thinks about that time . . . if only we could have kept Jeff busy.  It was not to be.  I am very thankful Dennis is open and shares his thoughts.  

  Oh for memories.  We save the best and leave the rest.

  The day was great, we are home safe and sound with no mis-haps occurring.  We are having Marie’s chicken pot pies for supper.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on October 22, 2025 Permalink  

  Sun Shine 

  Oh let the sun shine in and show all the streaks on the windows.

  Several hours in the studio today brought about some stitching.  Then . . . it was food for thought on how the last of the border would be stitched down before the binding would go on.  Slow going prevents would have, should have and could have been.  With hand stitching it sometimes calls for picking out stitches when an error is made.  Not a big deal.  Picking out stitches from free motion stitching is . . . I don’t even want to go there.

  Working with fabrics and pins of any and all sorts is hard on the fingernails.  My nails have a tendency to split.  Right about the time that they have grown out, I put them through dealing with the same thing what got them in tough shape.  I think putting clear nail polish on my nails might help them grow out being sheltered.  I haven’t had nail polish in the house for one heck of a long time.  Time to visit one of the dollar stores in town. 

  The wind has given up a bit and Dennis has been picking up the branches that were long gone dead but caught up in the  healthy branches.  If the wind of yesterday didn’t free them, I do believe there are safe where they are for the time being.  The little round steel burning ring, a rim from a truck, is making short work of the majority of branches. 

  We are having Progresso Tomato Soup for supper with grilled cheese sandwiches on the side.  I will add just a scant plop of heavy cream into the saucepan for a bit of richness.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on October 18, 2025 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  There are gray skies outside but I have plenty of sunshine in my soul to share.

  Never a dull moment in the studio or at Stauffer Avenue.  I worked arduously on my Christmas silhouette stitching.  Perhaps not perfect.  I did not cut anything off of the back, I just tucked it in before covering the back with carboard.  It is now in the dining portion of our first floor, hung for me, myself and I to enjoy.

  There is another 54″ x 54″ being sandwiched on the church tables.  That size is the perfect size for me to work on.  The case with the red-headed safety pins is front and center.  They remain wearing on the finger if I over-do it . . . not nearly as wearing and downright painful as regular safety pins.  The slide on the red-headed pins just glide in place and likewise when I need to remove them.

  KNUJ was on in the studio when the doorbell sounded.  I did try to call out for someone to come in . . . nothing.  I got to the top of the steps as fast as I could.  Dennis’ older brother’s family was at the door.  Nephew Mark and his son from Nebraska, and nephews Mitch and Matt from Windom came a-calling to see Uncle Dennis.  I stayed in the patio porch being polite until I took my leave and let the fellows reminisce.  What a great surprise for Dennis to catch up with family.

  The freezer offered up a container of pulled pork from a crockpot rendering a bit ago for tonight’s supper.  Yesterday Dennis was in charge of the kitchen making his cucumber and raw onion dish.  Dennis wanted them to cohabitate in the refrigerator until this evening’s supper for the flavors to blend.  There will be instant mashed potatoes for the cucumber dish to be spooned over.  Sounds good to me.  I’ll have the load of laundry folded by the time he rings the dinner bell.

  Earlier, Dennis came back from Fleet and Farm with a few purchases.  The item that was quite a bit higher than the last time he had bought it was the filter for his shop vac in the patio porch.  Grin and bare it.  The filters can be vacuumed off only so many times from and with cat hairs before a new one is considered.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on October 15, 2025 Permalink  

  Oh Happy Day 

  It’s a happy day when the the last half of our real estate taxes are due, October 15th, and . . . we took care of ours in total in May.  That became important when the six months of home owner’s insurance is due as well as the the six months of car insurance is due.  There is only so much the month of October can handle.  We absolutely are keeping the economy moving.

  Today, I headed to the grocery store and was reminded it was senior citizens day, too late as I was in the doorway of the store.  I am sure Dennis thought I had been picked up for squeezing the avocados and been hauled off to the poky.  Yes, there were individuals I had not seen for some time. How could I not engage when approached.  All is well as we got home safe and sound.

  This forenoon went well in the studio.  My next task for another day will be pulling out my tote of quilt batting to see if there is enough for my next 54″ x 54″ project. I have tape specifically designed to patch together odds and ends of binding, all the while, with no indication of it in the finished project.

  I have a “post-a-note” on the top of my laptop as a reminder of an October 17th event.  I would be hard pressed to forget want happened 60 years ago as we were living in Beaver Falls working for Orlin’s sister and her husband on a beef cattle farm.  Actually, the fact that there was no running water in the farm house, was not on the top of my agenda.  Yup, its a good thing I have the “post-a-note” for the 17th.

  We are having bean and ham soup for supper.  Perfect pairing on a chilly, cloudy day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on October 12, 2025 Permalink  

  A Bit of Rain 

  A bit of rain, but not enough to wash off the front deck that has many layers of dust.

  With good faith effort the lights went on in the studio.  KNUJ was just picking up the church service from Grace Lutheran in Gaylord.  I had my material measured and trimmed.  The iron was warming to take out the wrinkles from being in the stashes.  My sharpest stick pins were at my right elbow.  The first hem was folded and pinned.  The sewing machine hummed, ready for action.

  The back door opened . . . my good faith effort blew right out that back door as company stepped in.  Dennis’ niece Jean Pew from Morris came a-calling.  Jean does her road trip at least twice a year.  Jean had been here over Memorial weekend.  I shut down multiple lights and switches in the studio and the three of us settled around the dining-room for a good visit.  Jean’s mom had been Dennis’ older sister.  Now . . . Dennis is the last of “when there were four” in Edith’s family. 

  Jean left after we had a bite of lunch.  When she left, so did my enthusiasm for anything to be started back up again in the studio.  All has not been lost.  The bare window curtain has had its fabric laid out with the plan begun, if only by a dozen stick pins.  Hey . . . it’s a start.

  I decided to do some hand stitching while keeping an eye out on the traffic.  Grain semis are still hauling in.  I doubt that our small shower of rain has way-laid anyone that was out in the fields.

  I have an oven meal in progress.  A very lean pork steak with seasonings rubbed in and a slather of ketchup on top.  I have some potatoes to use up.  Frozen carrots and cranberries will round out the fair.

  Tomorrow Dennis will be getting his flue shot at the VA clinic here in town.  I pass on the flu shots.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on September 26, 2025 Permalink  

  Winds Down 

  As the week winds down, I can reflect on a very successful amount of energy expanded here on Stauffer Avenue.  We are not the fastest couple.  We are intent on taking care of life and limb.  You can add home-owner savvy to that.  

  If the weather had not turned nasty hot that encouraged all sort of annoying bugs in the air, we would have had our next conquest in the history books.  There is a wonderful octagon window in our bathroom that cries for TLC every several years.  The mill-work around the exterior of the window is very poor quality.  In the coming days, the small step stool that is sitting under the window on our sidewalk will be put to use.  The cracking, peeling paint will be done away with.  There may even be some E6000 glue used where needed.  That glue will hold like no other.  I cannot even remember when Kersten and I glued the antlers back onto the cement deer that we have in the yard.  Yup, tried and true product.  When the weather turns, the cast off paint chips will fly.

  I didn’t waste the morning.  The studio was busy.  As of two this afternoon, there is a patriotic project that has been sandwiched and made secure with my huge safety pins.  You know. . . the red ones that operate quite easily.  If I visit the studio tomorrow, my first task will be to select the correct color of thread with which to quilt it under the needle.  One step at a time.

  We will have the remainder of the tuna oven dish for supper.  Sweet.

  September will be noted as going from hot to very cool, back to hot.  All four seasons in one month. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥