Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from October, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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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 2:20 pm on October 9, 2025 Permalink  

  Secure All 

  Anything out in the yards that are not secure . . . you can kiss them good-bye.

  We had our neighbor’s mail put in our slot accidently today.  I walked the mail over to their mailbox.  I used a strong paperclip to hold the letters in case the wind took it from my hand.  I felt the gusts that were going 29 mph.  One of the items was Jan’s Plaindealer newspaper.  I had to look twice.  It was like legal paper size made up of two sheets that had been collated.  If not for the free-bee that was tucked inside and it had Jan’s mailing label on it,  I would have thought it was junk mail.  Hmm.

  In the studio, I needed to cut some fabric.  I made sure all my scraps and loose threads were hand delivered to the circular file.  It feels kind of nice to have had the tidy, tidy done and I will appreciate keeping it such for a time.  I am working on a possible curtain for our bathroom.  Hmm.  Why not!  It’s not like I don’t have a sewing machine.  Dennis has hinted often.  Hey, I’ve been busy these last twenty-odd years.  In the cistern closet I found a rod that will work.  I have a length of fabric pulled out of stashes.  Don’t count me out.  There is a possibility I might get this project cranked out.

  I have heard of sympathy pains.  This morning as I was waking up, my right foot . . . right where the bunion had been in 1980s. it hurt so bad, it was like it was harkening back to the mid 80s.  Silly things do happen.

  I know Dennis has been out and about.  When I looked out the bare bathroom window, I could see he was sleeping in his chair in the patio porch.  So . . . I keep track of Dennis via the bare bathroom window that affords me seeing what is going on in the patio porch.  I have calculated the new curtain for said bare window so it covers the bottom sash of the window, allowing me to see through the top sash.  It’s Grammie, killing two birds with a few stitches.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on October 4, 2025 Permalink  

  Windy Warm 

  Windy warm with the winds in the mid twenties.  With that it is not a good thing when the fire barn just got emptied of all of their vehicles.  Harvest is in full gear.  Combine engines get hot.  I hope everyone is safe.  Machines can be replaced.  As much dust as is flying here in town, I can only image what it is like in the fields being harvested.

  My studio is dark because I finished a project.  It was a good project to do and it feels good to have finished it for Megan.  There were two fabric panels and this Mount Rushmore was the first one I decided to tackle.  There are steps in the process that allow me to feel the unpleasantness of the arthritis.  If I don’t use the muscles and tendons they will atrophy.  That means that the arthritis calcification will make them permanently stiff and immobile.   That is not good and I will fight to keep going, doing what I have always done and what brings me contentment and happiness.  Projects like the one finished today, I will seek the next project.  No rushing, just being a steady Eddie

  

  This is the first time I incorporated my cross stitch with quilting.  I did the cross stitch designs as next year, 2026, is the 250th celebration of our nation.  Once done, I realized they were too large to make into small pillows.  I still have two designs of the same design packet that are stitched.  Those are of less stitches, making them possible for pillows.  It’s all about using my creative life and never hesitating in trying something new.  I had used the embroidery module and stitched out the 2026, but couldn’t work it into the project.  I’ll find a use for it somewhere. 

  Dennis’ AJ from Mankato came to visit his grandpa as a late birthday visit.  I think that is just great.  AJ runs a crew that does fiber optics in and around the Mankato area.

  My next task, for another day, is to vacuum my studio floor.  What follows is checking over the sewing machine and putting in a new needle.  Needles are cheap and they make the world of difference in sewing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on October 3, 2025 Permalink  

  Balmy 

  The winds of today being blown with high 80 temps is not feeling like anything balmy.  It feels uncomfortable.

  Dennis came down into the studio today to check on my progress.  Visitors are always welcome.  The last step on this project will be tomorrow.  It is taking the 2.5″ binding that has been sewn on the back of the blanket and bringing it to the front to be sewn down.  In theory it should not take long.  In Grammie’s world . . . it will be a long session.  The 2.5″ had already been ironed in half.  Sewing it onto the back with 3/8 seam, allows a 1″ amount to be brought over the three layered sandwich and stitched down to the top.  It is a lot for the arthritic wrist to fold and then hold for the magic of stitching a straight seam all the while the heft of the project wants to pull away from the needle.  I have found that using my 1.5lb weight that has the finish of suede is great for my left hand to keep it all under control.  Dennis totally was in awe of the project.  I did wear myself out and that in itself is very rewarding.

  We had a great meal at the Home Town cafe last night for supper.  We found out some good news.  We could order off of the kid’s menu.  It is a working man’s cafe and the portions speak to that.  We took our pies home for enjoying later.  Dennis chose apple and I chose sour cream raisin.  It all totally made for a birthday treat of an evening.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:57 pm on October 2, 2025 Permalink  

  Frustrating 

  Before last night’s shutdown of my laptop, It asked me to leave it open for an up-date.  I did just that.  Today things were different on the laptop.  It speaks to my age, I don’t like changes in my high-tech stuff.  We will see how things progress.

  My studio was visited this forenoon.  I didn’t want to over-do it.  The 2.5 inch border was cut.  It took four swipes of the fabric to make it around the perimeter of the project.  I did not do any sewing of them together.  Before that happens I need to do a grease job on the machine. clean fuzz and then a new needle.

  I did take out all of the red-topped basing pins and then did a trim around it getting off the excess batting as well as the excess backing.  There I called it.  Using the rotary cutter can give the right arm a work-out.

  

  It is rewarding to see all the bubbles that the free-motion quilting achieves.  I have no pattern to go by.  The stitches are at the whim of how I move the three-layer project.  Some trace their stitching designs on the top with chalk.  It is all about what makes you content and happy.  I am happy when all goes well under the needle.

  Today is Dennis’ 89th birthday.  I am taking him to the Home Town cafe for supper.  Last night we had Subway as a treat.  Splitting a 12″ tuna is all we can handle and it was tasty on cheese bread.  I did pick up a bag of the Sea-Salt Vinegar chips which is Dennis’ favorite.

  This morning we had agreed that the list that had been in our meager bucket, we had been able to empty, went well.  There are always a few items that we would screw up if we attempted it.  Those items best left to others.

  I will continue working with the lap-top updates until they become usual and customary.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on September 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Yes Indeed 

  Yes, indeed we have another task on the books for this calendar year.  Two days devoted to the project, time well spent.  The octagon bathroom window exterior has been scrapped, caulked and painted . . .  two coats.  It sure is a good feeling.  Dennis lent moral support as well as my butt support as I did the two steps on the fiberglass ladder to be able to reach my target.  O course Snuggles had to put his two cents worth in, having to get on Dennis lap as Dennis was in his walker that also has a seat.  The ladder is back in the garage, the paint brush has been cleaned and all is well within my soul.

  In between the two coats of paint, I worked on the project under the needle.  I finally figured out the bobbin error messages.  Having the need for the feed dogs down, that which helps propel the fabric under the needle at a steady pace, allowing for the free motion, having a rayon blend on the top and bottom, allows for too much play in the stitching process of the bobbin thread.  You can bet, this lesson will not be forgotten on me.  In the past projects this had been an automatic “to do.”  I missed a beat when it came to this task.

  All that remains of the project featuring the Mount Rushmore panel project is to cut 2.5″ binding and do the actual binding.  It kind of surprised me how much heft there was as I worked with it under the needle.  I should have eaten my Wheaties before starting. 

  No . . . it speaks to who I am today.  Would have, could have and should have.  I do not have the arm strength and mobility of several years ago.  I accept that fact and am thrilled to do what I can.  Let’s hear it for the Grammie.

  Who knows what tomorrow will bring to be on the docket.  Never fear, next to my right elbow is a note pad with some items for the next time the Fairfax team visits.  Tee Hee.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:23 pm on September 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Nice Day 

  Humidity and dew point very low, making for a good feeling day.

  A bit of work was done on the octagon window exterior.  The cement underneath the window reminded me of the naughty red chip monks we had at the South Branch house.  They could chew through anything.  The only thing lacking today was the token of black walnuts that they were known for leaving where they had been.

  When the “no-see’ms” got too bad. I retreated into the studio.  Checking things over to nab any lingering fuzz.  I gave it a shot of oil, filled a bobbin and then tackled the first stitches of the free motion technique.  As long as the fabric under the needle is moving the stitch regulator will make all stitches the same in length and appearance.  I had barely done an inch of stitching and the bobbin error message came on.  I re-threaded everything on the top and bottom and tried again.  Same message in about the same amount of stitches.  It can happen when the silver magnetic covering on the bottom of the bobbin has worn, it could cause the machine to not function and stall the stitching.  In all the years, that had happened to me once.  I wound a new bobbin right out of the Creative Stitches container.  Nope . . . no go.  I took a bobbin with not much thread on it and tried again.  It stitched perfectly for many laps around a piece of scrap fabric.  So . . . alright . . .  the quirk had stitched itself out.  I returned the bobbin into the case that was loaded with the very same thread as on top.  No go.  Then and there, I decided to continue with the “what if” thread.  I knew the spool of thread it had come off of.  So what if the color of thread is a bit different on the back of the project compared to the front.  The stitching commenced until my arms, shoulders and hands gave out.  I will pick up where I left off on another day.

  I believe today may have been the last of the mowing for 2025.  We are headed into a dry spell that may put the grass in a stall.  That same dry-spell will have the soy-bean harvest coming to a swift closure.

  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.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on September 25, 2025 Permalink  

  Interesting 

  For the last two calendar years our prescription cost via Well Care has been $1.00 for 2024 and $0.00 for 2025 per month.  For 2026, we just received our notice that it will be $9.00 per month for each of us.  I am not upset by this.  Our prescriptions are allowing us to maintain a good quality of living.  Dennis receives two prescriptions from the VA at $15.00 each as we had checked one plan to another.  Taking the time to be vigilant is what is needed.

  Today, I needed to pick-up two prescriptions for myself at the Lewis Drug.  It was $0.00 for the two rather than the $79.00 at the market rate.  I will be realistic in time to come.

  My studio went dark at one this afternoon.  My quilting care, thought and history won out.  Each of the two patriotic panels will be its own project.  I am proud of my decision.  The Mount Rushmore is the first of the two I will work on.  I have the backing fabric measured and sewn for it.  The quilt batting has been released from the plastic bag to allow for it to breath.  Enough for today.

  The tuna oven dish that Dennis made did not disappoint for last night’s supper.  There would be enough for this evening’s supper, but we have opted to do the oven meal again on Friday night.  Tonight’s supper is a bean and ham soup that we both enjoy.

  For decades we have had a round kitchen stool on rollers.  If weight is put on it, the rollers push up into the shell of it . . . making it stable.  I did use it to put my pail of stain on it when I was doing the front deck, only to realize that the rubber bumper on the base of it had rotted enough to fall off.  What was left was a very sharp edge.  In today’s mail, the new base bumper for the Kik-Step stool came and is ready to be put on lending the handy stool an extended life.  Where would I be without the internet and Amazon.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on September 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Back to Normal 

  This morning when I got up, things felt like I would be getting back to normal routines.  What’s not to like with a slice of bread schmeared with peanut butter and jelly for breakfast.

  The lights went on in the studio and KNUJ was tuned in.  The seams I had laid out were soon under the needle.  The project for Megan entails two printed panels characterizing patriotic images.  I am going to put them back to back.  One is much larger than the other.  Out came the tape measure.  Getting coordinating fabric out for borders to be sewn on making them the identical size.  Everything I need to work with this project is within the confines of my studio, aka: a Michael’s Annex.

  By one, I was ready to close down shop.  Yesterday I knew that I needed to make a trip to the grocery store here in town.  Nothing in quantity, just a bit of this and a bit of that.  Dennis has been hinting that he is ready to make a tuna oven dish.  How could I not supply him with what he needs.  We do use the Albacore tuna.  It is chunks of nice white tuna packed in water.  Some day I am going to find a recipe to use the Star-Kist Tuna.  Yup, we are spoiled. 

  I have the groceries put away and have a bit of time to wrap these way-ward thoughts up for the day.  I did find my favorite apples in the store.  I now have 10 lbs. of the Macintosh apples in the refrigerator.  When the store’s deli has wrapped up their noon specials, the remainder is put in carry-out containers in the coolers where they keep the Mrs. Gerry items.  Dennis and I are going to have tater-tot hotdish for supper, along with our favorite bread and butter pickles and coleslaw.  Dennis can tackle his dish tomorrow. 

  Looking out the south windows of my bedroom porch, the air is full of the pesky “no-see’ms.” Right along with them the box-elder bugs and Asian beetles are vying for air space.

  I have had a great day and it feels good to have had the enthusiasm, courage and drive to complete some windows and get the deck ready for more years to come.  I can now spend time in the studio doing what comes naturally.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥