Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2024 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:19 pm on July 12, 2024 Permalink  

  Home Sweet Home 

  As the weather outside is frightful, there is no other place to be, but home sweet home.  Dennis c0mmented that the dew point and humidity are neck and neck.

  Even my dad preached that no matter what kind of vehicle you have or how new it is, rubber tires on hot road surfaces can cause problems.

  That brings to mind a memory.  Orlin’s brother Elroy from Willmar, drove their family car with little to no tread on the tires.  On the hottest of July weekends they would be at the Boon Lake farm.  Orlin could not believe that Elroy would chance that.  There may have been such a thing as AAA road service, but Elroy would have expounded on it being a money scheme.  We had chores to do and they were there for a meal.  Talk about grin and bear it.  Some memories sneak in when you least expect them.  

  I did call Aunt Janet from Brownton that I wouldn’t be at Mrs. Kenneth Wendlandt’s funeral tomorrow forenoon in Hutchinson.  My decision.  

  After chasing a dust bunny or two under the beds, I came down to the studio to do some stitching.  Whether sewing via machine stitching in the studio or hand stitching in my bedroom porch, it is the peace that passes all understanding.  At some time, there will be project completions.  From now to then I am content.

  We have canned beef in the cistern pantry.  I will thicken the beef so that it will be a nice gravy consistency over the instant mashed potatoes.  Green beans and jellied cranberries will round out our supper.  Sweet.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on July 9, 2024 Permalink  

  Summer Has Arrived 

  In all of its glory we will be experiencing summer this week.  It was bound to happen.

  Dennis was home by noon from his very early trip taking Jeff to Mankato for an appointment.  With the trip to Silver Bay last weekend, Dennis went to Jiffy Lube when they opened at eight.  He never passes up when the oil and lube needs doing.  I did not blame him one bit for taking a nap in his chair after a bite of noon lunch.  

  For myself I have been up since four.  When a bathroom call comes one hour before the alarm is to go off . . . I knew I would not be going back to bed.  It is what it is.  Right on cue, the birds in the evergreen outside my bedroom window began chirping and singing at four.  So what did I do at four?  I started the coffee and turned on some CBS news before waking Dennis at five.

  My mission today in the studio was to put a few things back in place after Watson’s had visited yesterday.  KNUJ was tuned in.  With all the LED overhead lamps, you never know where the radio needs to sit for it to come in clearly.  

  The steam iron has been filled.  The sewing machine got oiled and cleaned of any fuzz.  The bobbin has the correct thread as well as the machine got threaded up.  I did a test stitch.

  I know its warm out, but I did pull an oven dish from the freezer for supper.  We had sandwiches and chicken noodle soup for supper last night, so a bit of a heartier meal for the two early risers.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:00 pm on July 8, 2024 Permalink  

  Good Monday 

  After getting in some yard work yesterday, I had a great night’s rest.  It was just the right amount for me on a mower.  No harm done.

  Dennis suited up to spray vegetation on the acre but didn’t last long.  He had long sleeves and a turned buttoned up collar but was no match for mosquitoes.  I welcomed him home and assured him there would be better days.

  I called the Watson boys at noon and we were put on their list for a leaky faucet in the studio.  I went into the basement and moved my ironing board so they could get at the plumbing on the post in the basement whenever our name came up on the list.  Here we are a bit after three and all has been taken care of.  You never know when or if we would want to use water in the basement.

  We have always had good service from the Watson’s.  The dad is now 70, and pretty much has turned the business over to the two boys.  Brandon said this afternoon, his dad had never found a hobby for himself.  That is said often of men after they reach a certain age.

  With the water issue having been fixed, I pulled out an instruction book, got the folder of cut fabric out, complete with choosing thread.  I am getting closer to turning on KNUJ and stitching.

  Our supper last night was great.  I failed to have mentioned that the coconut graham cracker crust pie Dennis had made was a great treat.  As it was instant pudding dumbed down it has a shorter refrigerator life than a baked one.  With that said, this evening will be our third night of an eight o’clock pie date.  Sweet.

  Oh my gosh.  I need to set my alarm clock for five in the morning.  Dennis is taking his son Jeff to Mankato in the morning for a biopsy.  Arrival time is at seven.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:27 pm on July 7, 2024 Permalink  

  The Happiest 

  I swear the happiest of God’s feathered is the Wren.  We have what I call a Dr. Suez copper roofed bird house.  Try as hard as I could to take the mosquitos after we had finished mowing . . . I cried uncle.  Not so the little Wrens that were sticking their heads out of their home.  Cheerful beyond belief.

  The mowing went well.  With me on the zero-turn it cut the total time down in half for Dennis as he was using the trusty Sear’s rider.  I am still on a learning curve in regard to how hard I turn it with the dirt as soft as a sponge from the rain.  Wouldn’t it be something if we had no rain today!

  Dennis and I are both in for the day.  The pork steak will be ready by five.  That coupled with the beefed up Mrs. Gerry’s potato salad and jellied cranberries to make a fine Sunday light supper. 

  I have no appointments for this next week.  I will call the Watson boys to make a house call for a plumbing issue in the studio.  Each time I make a trip to the studio to keep an eye on said issue, I take some extra time to tidy up the church tables.  Yes, I am gearing up to do some stitching.  I had cut fabric up during the winter for several Log Cabin quilt tops.  Will I make them into quilts?  That I do not know.  I surely would if someone would come forward.  If not, I will make a donation to our church for the church ladies to make them up and give where needed.  For me, it is all about using what I have for the greater good.

  The activity in my bedroom porch has three different cross stitch projects going plus a good book.  Variety is the spice of life.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:16 pm on June 30, 2024 Permalink  

  Small and Large 

  The biting bugs are tiny to extra large. 

  Though it was cool outside this morning they rose up out of the soil like mighty armies.

  I did work with more of the nasty vegetation until ten.  As much as I had covered myself, they found their way to this pale sin.

  I have added a new do-dad, literally, to our living room south wall.  Though dad’s favorite foil label has long since fallen off . . . I will always know from whence this came.

  In the mean time, I may well have spent the last hour with no success.  I have my camera manual and another day I will try, try, try to get my canon camera hooked to my HP in my bedroom porch.  I do know when to throw in the towel.  I had the camera on and hooked to WI-FI, but I missed a prompt. As I said tomorrow is another day.

  Dennis was able to mow our backyard now that the water has been gone for several days.  It will take some sunny warm days to allow this grass to be like all the others . . . growing to beat hell.

  I have an oven dish out of the freezer for our supper.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:44 pm on June 28, 2024 Permalink  

  The End 

  The end of the work week is near.

  From all forecasts the temps may be doable this weekend if you can take the humidity.

  Dennis and Dewayne went to McDonald’s this morning.  It had been several weeks of those two catching up with each other.  It was definitely a break from their usual Tuesdays.

  While there was a nice breeze, I got out my Roundup.  Plants growing in concrete cracks are not pleasant to look at.  The crab grass has really nestled in where the planter of Russian Sage meets the driveway.  I realized the sun wouldn’t be out today.  I made sure the fine spray followed the base of the plants right into the cracks.

  I walked into the backyard.  I know there would be many plants that could easily be pulled by the roots with as wet as the soil is.  As a well known buzz came close to my face, I decided to look the other way and take in the traffic on Stauffer Avenue and leave the weeds be.

  When Dennis got home at noon he commented that the same crowd of fellows on a Friday as a Tuesday.  I told him he would need to pop in on a Wednesday or Thursday to see if it was a five-days-a-week gathering.

  We did get about an inch of rain from yesterday through the night.  First thing this morning, I was in the basement to check to see if water had seeped into the cistern closets.  The best way to check is to take a piece of toilet paper and put it in the most vulnerable known spots for seepage.  I was thrilled when I could nicely pick up my dry pieces of toilet paper and put it into the waste basket. 

  I have begun a new book to prop up on my stand.  Reading from the book when it is at an angle is oh so much easier on the neck and shoulders.  I am also on my second of the three stitching projects that I have going.  Rotating them keeps my interest going.  I am now on the project that I hope to someday have to put around the wooden box of Ester Schafer’s.  Yes . . . 30 plus inches in length by 2.5 ” in width is the plan.  You can’t finish if you don’t pick it up and work a few threads into it.

  I hope the end of your work week treats you well.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on June 19, 2024 Permalink  

  Wednesday 

  All is well.  My ears have been doing well in regard to the extra noise I had going for for several days.  Noise . . . no more.

  My dental appointment took a whopping five minutes after I was called in.  A bit of adjustment and I was on my way home.  On the 25th of this month I will be back to see how things are doing.

  I worked in the studio until Dennis came in at noon for a bit of lunch.  I have one mini pillow left to put trim onto.  Dennis came down and watched me put the trim on a pin cushion while applying glue and setting a lot of pins in to hold the glue in place.  He marvels at my patience.  I am a contented worker when it comes to threads and fuzz.  Our home is kept tidy.  We always have clean clothes.  Our menus meet the guidelines for nutrition.  Threads and fuzz keep me challenged.  Sweet.

  A phone call from my Aunt Janet is always a good thing.  She commented that the six inches of recent rains came after the farm had gotten the cutting of hay-ledge taken care of.

  Dennis’ son Jeff is visiting in the patio porch this afternoon.  Since daughter, Nurse Sandy, is working with Jeff and his health issues, I do not get involved.  If there is something I can do, I am sure I will be asked or I will find out about it.

  Nephew Brett is picking Dennis’ eldest child up at the Sioux Falls airport from Arizona at midnight.  A big thank you to Brett.  Ken, his dad and his brother Jeff have a lot to catch up on.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on June 18, 2024 Permalink  

  Stormy Humid 

  Being outside for very little time is telling that we may be in for a stormy afternoon.

  By 9:15 this morning the huge limb that had blown down Saturday during the night was gone and the fellows cleaned up the area with rakes.  They do a great job.

  Neighbors Jan and Randy left this morning with a group of Gold Wingers on a trip to Colorado.  Twelve bikes and 18 people.  I wished them a safe and fun vacation.

  First off I have news.  After Kevin read my blog yesterday, he sent me a link via email to help with the noise in my ears.  I have since subscribed to that link so I may always find it.  The exercises on that 10 minute video has helped and I believe has taken care of that hissing noise I had commented on.  Was it full blown Tinnitus or congestion in the ears?  Knowing what to do about it if it comes back . . . sweet. 

  I had done the exercises through several repetitions yesterday and again first thing this morning.

  As the noises have not been a usual for me over time, I did take in the proximity of the ears and jaw.  I have had some extreme dental work done in the recent past and I wonder if there was a coloration.  Whatever!  The simple exercises worked and the video is now a part of my YouTube library.  Praise be!

  I have fun in my studio.  Today I filled two pincushions with crushed walnuts and two mini pillows with fiber fill.  Getting them sewn shut felt good.  Putting the trim around the outside is tedious.  I can only do one one per day.  It challenges the left hand to no end.  I can report I did not get glue in my hair or on my glasses.  The surrounding area was well protected so cleanup was minimal.  The crushed walnut shell pincushion got the adornment.

  Tomorrow at nine, I will be at the dentist’s office for a bit of adjustment on the right hand side of the bottom plate.  It will be a good thing.  Yesterday when we were in Mankato we stopped at Perkins.  The two eggs, hash browns and sausage patties were a great treat.  I couldn’t do the crust on the toast.  I admit I slid the bottom plate in my jacket pocket on the way home.  The rotation of the tongue while chewing allowed me to know I needed a bit of adjustment, which is coming tomorrow. 

  This evening we are having Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup and a potted chicken sandwich with butter and Mayo.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:32 pm on June 16, 2024 Permalink  

  It’s a Happy Father’s Day 

  For all the folk out there that are mentors for their households . . . Happy Father’s Day!

  I went to sleep last night by a sky full of colorful lightning.  

  When I got up this morning and looked out to the east via the bathroom window, I saw a huge limb had blown off the Maple.  That potting shed has had nine lives for sure.  Nothing damaged.  The huge limb will be taken care either Tuesday or Wednesday by Ryan of Affordable Tree Service.  When Dennis went out to talk to Ryan, he noticed quite a few places where branches had blown down.

  I spent several hours in the studio today.  I am making a batch of pin cushions.  Of course they are not large.  Some are smaller than others.  After having them stitched by hand it is on to the sewing machine.  Sewing around the perimeter needs a 1-2 inch opening left for turning the project inside out.  That takes patience.  I had three to sew and to turn.  I then shut down the studio as the hands and fingers had had enough.

  This evening we will be having and sharing a 12″ tuna from Subway.  Good eating.

  Tomorrow morning we will be in the pulmonary department at the the Mankato hospital.  It is time for Dennis’ yearly prescription renewal for his CPAP supplies that he can then get at the May Store in the old Madison East Mall when needed.  Again, so thankful for insurance.  It is zero co-pay.

  Of course we will need to pick up kitty litter and kitty food.  32 lbs. at Sam’s Club for Meow Mix compared to 18 lbs. at our Fleet Farm.  Eating and pooping . . . what’s new . . . two legged or four legged.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:31 pm on June 15, 2024 Permalink  

  The Rains Came 

  As forecast, the rains came at ten this morning and have continued with gray dark clouds.

  I had originally thought I would be in the studio today . . . not.  

  I slept in, dozing off and on while the birds gave their songs in the evergreen outside my bedroom windows.

  Having an HP laptop in my bedroom porch allows for enjoying several sites on a day-by-day basis.  Checking in on our bank site has become a daily usual.  Too often I have heard of seniors letting something slip in their finances.  Not that Dennis and I have much to check on . . . but check on it I do.

  Today I have enjoyed having a YouTube video on for noise while stitching.  I glance up now and then when something catches my attention. One of my stitching project is quite large and also a challenge.  DMC embroidery floss is made of six individual threads.  Some projects call for three strands, some two strands.  I am working this design fabric of 25 stitches per inch with one thread over one.  I really enjoy working on it.  I don’t stay with it for hours on end.  Thus, having several different project of stitching is a good thing. 

  Leftovers is the meal of the day for supper.  Gotta love that.

  Yesterday I enjoyed helping with the mowing of the yards.  Four years ago on the 14th of June I was finishing the painting of our home’s garage.  A good job done as that paint job has held up quite well.  No more ladder work for me.  Now sitting on a mower . . . I can handle.

  We may very well get the 1-2 inches forecast.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥