Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 2:03 pm on July 26, 2025 Permalink  

  They Say 

  They say it is not a nice day out and I am taking their word for it.  Dennis and I have no reason to leave our homestead today.

  Saturdays are not for listening to KNUJ in the studio as it’s usually about sports.

  I was brave and cut into the 30″ x 40″ sheet of foam board.  Stretching and centering my stitched piece began . . . quite slowly.  I had had grandiose thoughts of putting some quilt batting behind the stitching.  It got real in a big hurry.  Accomplishing getting it centered . . . I will settle for that.  I was happy not to have any additional noise in the studio.  The church tables have two bricks under all the legs.  That really helps when bending over is the only way a project needs to be handled.  When two this afternoon came about, I was ready to close everything down.   Tomorrow is a new day and I want to enjoy it with feelings of  . . . Yes!

  Dennis has gotten the hang of our potato peeler and has been going to town.  The peeler fits in the palm of the hand.  I enjoyed cucumber spears for my noon snack.  There are three potatoes peeled for supper as well as a new batch of the creamed cucumbers to enjoy over the boiled potatoes.  Heck, I will eat potatoes and cucumbers until the cows come home if he is content and happy with his endeavors.

  When I get busy in the studio, some of the Merry Maid work on the first floor takes a backseat.  All I need do is ask and Dennis pitches in and does the best he can.  It is very much appreciated.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:22 pm on July 25, 2025 Permalink  

  So it Ends 

  One week after another flitters by.  August is in sight.

  I had a very productive day, aka: forenoon, in the studio.  I embarked on opening the huge box from Amazon that held the six sheets of foam board.  I took it very slowly as after one sheet would be removed, the remaining five sheets in the plastic envelope that they came in would be returned to the box, thus keeping it from any wear and tear.

  I am now in the process of deeming the size I will work with for my stitching project to be put on.  Measure, measure.  I have fabric sewn around all four sides of the stitching.  I know that my goal is to have 1.5 inches of that fabric framing the stitching on all four sides when it is a finished project.  As I said, measure, measure.  I took time to get my box of very small stick-pins out of storage.  That refers to the shaft of the pin, not the length.  I left said project on the church tables while I thought things over.

  There is a software program that I purchased at the same time I bought the Bernina, aka: Tool Box.   Independent designs can be created via my laptop and then downloaded onto a flash drive to be recognized by the sewing machine when it is inserted.  Really a sweet program that I have used often.  I wanted the numerical number of “2025” to be embroidered and incorporated as I work with the Congress of Eagles project.  I did a test stitch.  I now know what stabilizer and thread will be needed when I get to that point.

  Knowing when to shift gears allowed me to shut the studio down.  I have lots of food for thought for one day and also to carry forward.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:11 pm on July 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Haul 

  Grammie had a haul today via the mail.  As I haven’t been anywhere to do shopping to finish up some projects, I relied on Amazon.  The haul was my retail therapy for the summer.  No postage.  The fee for Prime on Amazon does not compare to the gas in the little red pickup when I need something.

  I required a piece of foam board to stretch a stitching project . . . 22″ x 30″.  The only size close to that was 30″ x 40″ on Amazon.  So be it.  Also, it was packaged with six pieces to an order.  I am thrilled to tackle said project.  One piece will be used in stretching and pinning the embroidery.  A second piece will be used in the backing, thus a clean appearance.  More on that later as I have it in the studio with the box opened but no farther today.

  On the Congress of Eagles project.  I ordered, via Amazon, a fabric patriot panel: 25″ x 45″.  That was in a small package.  In a separate package was the 2 yards of fabric in the same printed vintage look as the panel.  Postman Michael Nett was busy.

  Everything is in the studio for the next visit.  I do pace myself.

  Earlier in the day, I delivered Maria’s embroidered apron.  As I was about to leave her shop, two customers came in for haircuts.  Maria whipped on her new apron and was ready to do the snip, snipping.  I thanked her for the cucumbers and relayed how good they were creamed over boiled potatoes.

  Dennis made a trip today to Ormsby, just a stone’s throw to the south.  He had seen of Facebook that his friend Daryl Olsen was selling canned pickled asparagus.  We now have two pint jars cooling in the refrigerator.  Pickles, from our way of thinking, are always better chilled. 

  With a sweet day on Stauffer Avenue, it is about time to think on supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:19 pm on July 22, 2025 Permalink  

  Some Thinking 

  Graph paper in hand, the studio found me working with ideas as to how to finish the five designs from the Congress of Eagles that I have stitched.  When Carrie’s family was here at Easter, I listened, eavesdropped, on a conversation Megan was having with her fellow, Jarrod.  I am going forward, using the graph paper and some of the goodies Amazon will be delivering.  I no longer am doing items to put into my storage here in the studio.  This totally finished item will not be staying on Stauffer Avenue.

  I am passionate in staying busy.  That is not to say I am either a genius, nor am I crazy.  I know where my level of comfort lays, aka: having something to show for my days.

  Dennis has been busy in the kitchen.  When we had some boiled potatoes last night, I had boiled the potatoes with the peelings on.  My hands don’t do well with the peeler.  Tonight, we are having the remaining of the creamed cucumbers with “peeled” potatoes ready for boiling.  When Dennis gets busy in the kitchen, I stay away.  Why squelch his enthusiasm. When I was invited to the kitchen, I was amazed how many potatoes had been peeled.  Fried potatoes with onions is always a welcomed fare to any supper.  Sweet.

  Dennis’ son-in-law mowed the properties today.  The entire process takes about two hours.  The garage lot of AJ’s, our residential lot as well as the 1.3 acre lot is a lot of mowing, and Tom takes pride in his mowing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:52 pm on July 21, 2025 Permalink  

  On Site 

  We had an on-site farmer’s market on our front deck this forenoon.  I knew immediately who had left the cucumbers and new potatoes.  When we had our spa date on Saturday, Dennis was visiting with Maria about his love of creamed cucumbers over boiled potatoes.  It was quite the surprise and very much appreciated.  Both will be with our supper this evening.

  I had a very satisfying day in the studio.  I completed two projects.  Neither one was to be a hurried one.  When I have other people’s items in the studio, I feel better having completed them.  After all, no one would know what to do with half finished items if I couldn’t get back into the studio.  It brings me peace beyond understanding.

  Going forward, I had several  works in progress of my own items that are now completed, meaning the stitching has been done.  That portion, makes them finished.  Now I want to push into them being totally finished, meaning they are ready to hang in our living room or ready to pass along to someone else.  Amazon is right on schedule for the delivery on the 23rd or 24th.

  Sometime in the future, it will be a lot harder for family to throw away totally finished items than finding a bunch of stuff under my bed that they can’t make heads or tails out of.  The only thing to be found under my bed at that time are dust bunnies.

  One of my completed projects was that I had offered to make Maria another apron that she wears at her beauty shop with her name and some butterflies embroidered on it.  A good, kind deed done.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  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.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:19 pm on July 18, 2025 Permalink  

  Gloomy Day 

  The air is heavy.  

  Last night after I had gone to bed, I knew I would not be staying there.  The restless legs were jumping.  The best thing is to try and walk it off.  It doesn’t happen often so there is no reason to add angst to it.  I didn’t feel like I was alone.  Our county fair is in progress and the loud-speakers on the grandstand were really barking and the breeze carried the noise north, as well as the sound of the event that had a lot of horsepower behind it. I hope they had a good turnout.

  I got up at six this morning for a bathroom trip and decided to lay back down for just a little bit.  I awoke at 9:45.  Hmm.  Dennis was in his recliner napping as well.  It was one of those mornings when it felt as if I was retired with no schedule to rush for.  Dah!

  After I had my self-allotted 1.5 cups of coffee, it was time to take part in the day.  If I partake of the day, I also need to participate in the day.

  When I got into the studio, I was just in time to hear the news of the day on KNUJ.  Nothing serious going on there.  I do have a project that will be in the works soon.  I do like to keep busy. My strategy is to make an assessment of what I want the end goal to be.  Making sure I have all my supplies before I get serious as anything missing needs a haul to Mankato, or in this case an order from Amazon.

  Many times, those that visit the studio, remark on how wonderful it is to have the two church tables to work from.  What makes it even better is that my sewing table has the ability to be raised high enough to put it on a level playing field of the church tables.  Add to that, a multiple amount of weights to manage where I would like a project to remain while I work with it.

  Lots of food for thought.  With that the studio went dark and will stay dark until the mail delivers the missing element.

  Our neighbors to the south have planted several Sunflowers last year.  This spring, they let all the volunteers from last year’s seeds to propagate around the front of their house.  I really feel sorry for the mail-carrier wading through dozens of plants that are now six feet tall to get to the front door’s mail box.  I think it could be a case where it was decided that the mail delivery was being compromised.  Several blossoms have opened.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:06 pm on July 17, 2025 Permalink  

  Another Nice Day 

  The birds were loud this morning.

  As I lay in bed, listening, I was putting together my agenda for the day.  I have a notification that an order from Amazon may be here later this week. 

  After my two cups of coffee, I headed to the studio to check out my sewing machine.  It had really done wonders with the last quilt.  Fuzz and loose threads can cause a whole lot of problems going forward.  I had not had the radio on for several days.  Of course the broadcasts are all about the county fair taking place, with Redwood being the first.  Watonwan County fair began yesterday with entry day.  I hope they have a good turn-out.

  Earlier this week, I received notification that my cousin Shirley Wendlandt Hahn had passed at the age of 76.  Her husband, Ron, had passed away several years ago from complications of a stroke.  Prior to passing he knew Shirley was showing signs of dementia.  Everything was in place for Shirley to be living in a health care facility after he was gone.  Dementia is so hard on the organs of our body.  I will not be attending the funeral and I have let my aunt, Janet, know this.  Janet is 93 and is the youngest of my dad’s family.  Her twin brother has been gone for many years.  Janet lives alone in her home in Brownton, Minnesota.

  Shirley’s father, Lester, was one of my dad’s younger brother’s child.

  In the mail yesterday, Dennis received a summons from our district court to report for jury duty.  Refusal can be submitted after the age of 70 with the pertinent date of birth information.  Dennis put the reply in the mail today.  Nope . . . not going to do that ditty any more. 

  I continue looking out the bathroom window and seeing the barren Hosta beds.  I feel nothing but sweet relief.

  I noted on the news the 7.3 earthquake that hit Alaska on it’s southwest side.  Kodiak, Alaska was in its range.  Hmm.  When we lived at South Branch, Orlin had applied for an assessor’s job in Kodiak.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:39 pm on July 15, 2025 Permalink  

  A Quiet 

  This afternoon, I am in a quiet place.

  Within this last week, there have been closures that brought about this quiet.

  I finished a quilt that needed quite a few hours of contemplation, many hours of application in regard to sewing skills.

  That quilt finish brought about the portion of a barter and the end of any chance that I would do gardening again.  It was a relief.  No more looking out the window and seeing work that was needed but which I could not do.

  I had been concerned about my vehicle driving from home to places I had appointments.  I knew it was not operating correctly.  Monday that doubt was erased by visiting the repair shop.

  This morning, I had a clinic appointment in regard to high blood pressure that I had not experienced since I retired from a rather stressful position.  I was in an exam room with a blood pressure cuff that the nurse put on my right forearm.  She programed it for four individual readings.  She said she would be back in several minutes.  Indeed, I was nervous.  The standing monitor had a screen on it that pulsed as the cuff tightened on my right forearm and then relaxed.  Four times.  After a notification bell, the nurse came back in and programed the monitor.  It then read the average of the four reading.  I was thrilled beyond measure when the monitor read 118/70.  I had been hoping for this and would have been even happier if the bottom number had been 60.  I will check the portal later on if there needed to be a message from my primary

  Within these last two weeks I had cut my caffeine consumption down drastically allowing only two cups of coffee during my waking hours.  I also had been given an additional medication of 2.5 mg of Amlodipine for blood pressure. 

  I came home and decided the remainder of the day would be quiet.  Dennis’ son-in-law is doing the mowing today . . . also a good thing.  For what we pay Tom, knowing that Dennis is not overdoing it, is also a peaceful feeling.  Yup, I like the quietness of it all.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  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.  ♥