Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2026 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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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 2:23 pm on June 28, 2026 Permalink  

  Thunder 

  The thunder really rolled early this morning.  It actually shook the house.  There were puddles on Stauffer Avenue when I got up but they soon had soaked away.  No matter what the rain amounted to, the grass needed a bit of a perk up.

  Many small city celebrations needed to take stock this morning of what could be salvaged and what would be scrapped. 

  The older ones on Stauffer had no plans for today.  Dennis came in from his morning breakfast routine in the patio porch and decided his recliner needed his attention.

  I decided to give the studio a second try while listening to the Gaylord’s church service.  The stitching went well.  No do-overs.

  After having the yard and perimeter of the buildings sprayed for ants this last week, there has been only one huge black ant that has dared to make an appearance in the kitchen.  It was larger than any black ant I had ever seen outside.  There will be multiple treatments a month apart and I am being hopeful to have seen ants of any size . . . no more.

  When I am in my bedroom porch at my HP facing south, it reminds me of Raymond and Lena sitting at their kitchen table, facing north.  They could take in traffic across the section from them and soon know the comings and goings of neighbors.  I, like them, have an inquisitive mind.  Having a curiosity in life is a good thing to overcome complacency.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on June 27, 2026 Permalink  

  A First 

  A first for us was going to the grocery store after supper.  The store was quiet and I scored a cart that tracked well.  Milk and distilled water were high on the list.  The new face mask for Dennis’ CPAP must be working well as his water tank is empty by morning, telling me his mask is staying on all night.  Fruit is always on the list.  As Dennis has decided to eat strawberries this year, I had two packs in the cart.

  Yesterday I had decided to keep my hand in the embroidery aspect of the sewing machine.  The hands were working, but not so much the mind.  I had a small hand towel as the project.  Totally kitted and hooped up to only realize it on the wrong end of the towel.  Try again.  It was an applique design.  First thing is to sew down the cloth fabric that the design will be stitched.  The outline was stitched as well as trimmed with my duck bill type scissor.  Two rounds of stitching to begin with.  I looked but had not seen the design needed to be flipped 90 degrees for it to be correct and not upside down.

  The hoop came off of the machine.  The machine was shut off as well as all studio lights.  Night, night for that project.

  This morning, I plucked off the strawberry tops and mashed them ready for having berries and a bit of ice cream this evening.  I went down into the studio and spent time plucking out all of the embroidery stitching off of the hand towel.  Machine embroidery makes for many many stitches.  The towel needed to be made ready for try, try, try again.  Hours later . . . success.  My tip for the day: one needs to keep the head out of one’s butt.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on June 22, 2026 Permalink  

  Sounds 

  The sounds of mowers came from all directions in the neighborhood this morning.  Our yard was included in that group.

  I needed to make a call to the Watson boys this morning.  The Mayo Store needed a phone call this morning for Dennis’ CPAP.  By 12:39 all the “Have to” tasks were completed.  What a feeling of self satisfaction that was.

  With that being said, I totally feel like I am on vacation with not a care in the world.  The only stress was what I had put on myself.  There is a lot to be said about thinking on a task and then just doing it and its done.

  When Tom was finished with the mowing this morning, I knew he also did odd jobs.  I went out and asked him if I could hire him.  Some jobs need the licensed service people and some not so much.  Tom will be taking care of a project in the basement.  Tom’s timeline and I know it will be done to our liking.

  Dennis is in his glory.  All of his favorite foods are on hand for leftovers this evening.  I like that as well.  As I said, I feel as if I am on vacation.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:59 pm on June 20, 2026 Permalink  

  Got to Love the Weather 

  Today is the 20th of June and this type of weather is what Minnesota weather is all about.

  After I am done bustling about with first floor chores, a cup of breakfast coffee takes me to my bedroom porch.  As I sit facing south with double windows in front of me, the world is my oyster.

  Movement of cars driving by, bikers, walkers . . . I am in a fish bowl, looking out.

  The neighbors directly across the alley, named Stauffer Avenue, are Guatemalan.  I noticed the grill being brought out and a fire soon ensued in the grill.  What then surprised me was two gals each with a dead chicken in their hands.  Head and feet were still on the chickens.  It was a usual thing to hold a dead chicken over a fire to burn off the fine hair of the chicken’s skin before the gutting of the chicken.  It would take seconds to accomplish that.  That’s how Lena had taught us.

  What I wasn’t ready for was to bring out the grill’s top to put over the fire and then lay the two chickens on top of the hot smoking grill and walk off.  They came back after a bit to turn the chickens over and again backed away for a time.

  These were slight chickens to begin with and the skin on a chicken is very thin.  Hmm, a whole new technique that I would not want anything to do with.  Yew!  To each their own.

  I have not done any hand stitching all week.  I miss the quiet comfort and the sound of pulling the thread through the cloth that is stretched tight in the hoop.  A few too many days of the hands being busy in the kitchen for future meal preparations.  An endeavor oh so worth it.

  A window cracked on each end of the house to let the welcoming fresh air in.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:30 pm on June 19, 2026 Permalink  

  Friday Thoughts 

  It seems as if the week was plenty busy with appointments and thoughts going forward.

  I have taken to go with Dennis when he is called in for a visit with a medical doctor.  Two ears to hear and two minds to process.  Dennis tells the doctors that I came to hear what is going on as I take care of him.  Yes, I am Dennis’ care-giver.  Quite the position that I carryout willingly.

  Dennis and I have got it worked out so it works for us.  No one needs to contribute unless help is asked of us.  In the past we have and do ask.  When the help that is offered can make one feel like you are the last on the tail of a kite that is out of control, it feels disrespectful.

  The older I get, the more important I realize that peace is worth more to me than what the outside world may guess at.  Not every misunderstanding needs an explanation.  Not every opinion deserves a response, some cost more than they are worth.  I protect my peace, even if it means I am misunderstood.

  Dennis and I work together and we each do the very best we are able.  What a great colaboration.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on June 17, 2026 Permalink  

  Bright sun on a Wednesday 

  We have had spurts of rain with the last spurt being a downpour for about five minutes.  We’ll take what we can get.

  Yesterday’s trip to the sleep study lab in Mankato was interesting.  The sleep mask that Dennis has used for the last nineteen years is being discontinued.  An entire new head gear with fasteners that are different are in the plan.  We are never too old to have to adapt.  His prescription has been updated at the Mayo Store and a sample that was tested right then and there was sent home with Dennis.  Time will tell.  I left Dennis to-it last night at bedtime.  I can’t do it for him.  I stayed up long enough to hear that he had met the challenge.

  As of last night Dennis has 30 banana nut muffins in individual sandwich bags in our freezer.  Horray for Dennis.  Horray for me.  No more make a sandwich for the breakfast box each day.  Would Dennis have made one for himself each day?  I tried that.  I am better off doing the muffins knowing he is not taking all his meds on an empty stomach followed by carcinogens of the cigarettes and allowing the stomach acid to build into a medical situation.  I realize my own path to resistance and not wanting to make hospital visits when Dennis would and did call from a hospital bed wondering when I was coming to see him.

  Yesterday, I brought home from Sam’s 2 lbs. of strawberries for $4.99, which would be one 1 lb. package here in town.  This morning I pared them, crushed them and have two freezer bags in the freezer with some for this evening.  A little backup plan helps. 

  Speaking of backups, Sam’s rotisserie 3 lb. chickens are the best for $4.98.  Dennis’ grandchildren that live in Mankato make special trips for them.  Our grocery has a small chicken for $9.98.  For supper, we had planks of chicken breast meat with a savory sauce I made.  I boned out the remaining chicken and there are two freezer bags ready for oven meals sometime.  Our freezer is looking mighty fine. 

  There has been no stitching for several days along side a dark studio.  Get the jobs done around the first floor before play time. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:44 pm on June 14, 2026 Permalink  

  Sunday the 14th 

  What a beautiful day.  Many more such as this wished for.

  I walked over to the acre this forenoon.  I marveled at where this acre has come from.  It was a community dump with old electronics, appliances and mattresses and everything else imaginable.  Today the grass is lush and waving in the breeze.  The one-time treatment from Spring Touch has kept all weeds at bay.  Dennis and I did good for no one else but our self satisfaction.

  Dennis was down for a nap this afternoon and I went to the grocery store.  I was totally out of the foods I enjoy:  fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese . . . I guess apples are fruit.  I like to keep the “Color Catcher” on hand for the laundry and also a small bottle of Woolite.

  The Hispanics shop big time on Sundays with their entire family joining in.  It all helps keeping our one good grocery store going.  Schmidt’s bakery used to do a grand business on Main Street.  It’s listed as an on-going bakery and half of the products showcase the Hispanic baker.  Times do change.  It gave our grocery store a chance to beef up their bakery department with three people in it.

  I listened to a video about the 9 worst cities in Minnesota via economy.  The bottom was Worthington, Fairmont at third.  It went on with Rochester being the number one worst.  It depends totally on the health care system.  Go figure.

  The oven dish went over well with steamed broccoli on the side.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:30 pm on June 13, 2026 Permalink  

  Saturday 

  Today is a bright sunny Saturday with nary a cloud in the sky.

  I was having breakfast coffee in my bedroom porch when I could hear . . . Marco, Marco.  It was faint but I responded Polo, Polo.  I followed and it took me right into the laundry area.  Sure enough, the basket was overflowing.

  There were items I wanted to watch and not let them go unattended.  That gave me enough time to cast my eyes downward.  Hmm.  The vinyl floors needed help.  Slow but sure the loads of laundry got swapped out and the floors were getting done as well . . . all but the back door floor.  Time for a break.

  It was time to put together an oven meal.  Long time a going since we had one.  My oven meal for today: 

  -one bag of Armor Swift all beef meatballs cut willy nilly

  -one bag of Real Potatoes hash browns from the grocer’s refrigeration section

  -one can of cream of mushroom soup

  -one can of white cheddar soup – both cans Campbells

  -mixed well, ready for the blue speckled round roaster that had been sprayed with Pam

  -half of mixture put in a container for the freezer for another time, sealed with Press and Seal and the cover

  At supper time, good covering of ground black pepper – preset oven at 325 for 40-50 minutes.

  The back door floor was the finale.

  Having an invite for the day would have only stalled on what was needed to get done.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on June 12, 2026 Permalink  

  A Turn 

  Today is Friday and a bit of a turn to what Dennis says feels warm.

  I could agree with that.  With an old paint brush, I swiped away all the loose dirt near the south side of the home’s foundation.   I could easily see the burrowed little ant hill holes where the driveway concrete met the home’s foundation.  Squatting as low as the titanium knees allowed, the ant powder went into the holes with just a bit extra that they may want to drag home.  There was a flurry for a time.  Since the last time I had put down the powder, we had had rain.  Yes, Dennis, the sun on my back felt warm.

  It has been days since I have seen one of the larger black ants dare to do the scouting of our first floor.  I will be diligent with my powder as I know where I can get more.

   I stayed in the studio until 1:30 this afternoon after I had buttered toast and fruit for breakfast.  I finished up two projects that have been in the works since February of this year.  It feels great not to have unfinished projects that have been languishing.  The sewing machine is ready for a new spell of stitching.

  My bedroom porch is vibrating this afternoon, as the internet company is drilling under the county’s concrete street.  Across the street I see little mounds of dug up dirt.  Plastic was put down before the fellows started digging.  A people’s company that knows how to do their work while keeping things tidy.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥