Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from May, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 1:19 pm on May 23, 2023 Permalink  

  Enough 

  I was up early today.  I slept soundly from nine last night until seven this morning when I heard the coffee pot going off.  

  I checked my usual items on the HP in the living room while enjoying the coffee.  It really tasted as good as it smelled this morning.  My second cup of coffee I had while sitting on our front deck.  It is enjoyable watching traffic and watching birds in the huge evergreen right off of the deck.  Enjoyable until I heard in no uncertain terms that mama Robin was not happy.  On both ends of the awning, Robins have made a nest.  I teased her for a bit longer before I gave her space.

  It was very apparent that the dewpoint was low this morning.  The grass in the front yard was not glistening with dew.  I put on my garden shoes and headed outside.  Dennis was at his PT appointment but had left the weed trimmer with a charged battery in the patio porch.  The agreement was he would mow and I would trim.  It looks so much nicer when there isn’t a halo of tall grass around everything that a rider mower can’t get to.  I only trim on our original acre as now we do have an additional barn acre.  By the time I have used the battery up, the trimming is done and I can feel that I have used up the energy I had for this task.  Dennis would be mowing that area after the PT appointment.

  Cleaning off grass clippings from my pants, I made sure to break off some catnip before heading to the house.  Snuggles was right there rolling in it.  Several spots for several cats.

  It may well get to the 83 degrees that KNUJ was forecasting.  I intended to spend time in the studio.  When Dan at PT takes care of Dennis’ foot with new dressings, I do not have to do it in the same day.  The oven dish that I had taken out of the freezer for last night’s supper will have a repeat performance for this evening.  The remains of the day I pretty much had to myself.

  It was smooth sailing today making and sewing trim onto the remaining t-shirt blocks.  When the last block was trimmed, the sewing machine and lights were shut off.  I still need to poodle through the thoughts about orange sashing versus black sashing.  The next visit to the studio will be cleaning and oiling the sewing machine, complete with a new needle.  By that time, I will have made a decision.  For today . . . enough is enough.

  My cheery red reading chair is beckoning me.  The front deck might be a good spot for reading but I cannot hold a book with my arms and hands.  I have a great stand sitting on a table in my bedroom porch that is perfect.  All I need to do is turn the pages.  Mission completion.

   
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  Noreen 2:30 pm on May 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Here Comes Monday 

  Traffic past the house is indicative that a working Monday is underway.  The school buses will soon be out of the fray.

  Of course the grass was way too wet for mowing this morning.  After Dennis had a coffee guest in the patio porch he decided to check his eyelids for cracks in his recliner.

  This afternoon the Cub Lo-Boy was fired up.  I walked to the backyard as Dennis was mowing.  The new blades are doing a great job.  The front yard is done with the Sears rider set at a higher height than anywhere else.  It eliminates scalping next to the drive.  

  I took an oven dish out of the freezer for our evening meal before I visited the studio. 

  I put several colors, black and orange, out on the table top that now has 16 blocks laying out.  I think the bright orange for sashing that is also in the quarter inch trims, is too bright. A two or three inch strip in the orange to sew the blocks together takes away from the continuity as the eye moves from t-shirt block to t-shirt block.  The orange and black is laid out.  As I work in the studio and catch a glimpse of the two from time to time, in the end I will know what will be best.  Food for thought.

  In the mean time, in between time, the trim is being made into bias tape strips and then sewn on the 16″ blocks.  

  After doing six blocks, the lights went out in the studio.  I want to do a bit of weed whipping tomorrow.  There are always a few places that a rider mower cannot get to.  Taking the battery weed whip makes the mowing look complete.

  Going out to the front deck, the town is alive with the sound of mowers.  Time will tell how many of our yards Dennis will do today.

   
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  Noreen 1:42 pm on May 21, 2023 Permalink  

  Successful Sunday 

  There are some days that feel just right!  Today was one of them.  It was my usual tidy, tidy on the first floor.

  With a cup of coffee, I sat on our new front deck.  We had opted for a wide top board, just for a morning such as this, when I had that cup of coffee.  After receiving a cherry red reading chair, the black non-functioning retired reading chair was put out onto the deck.  The awning on the house is the perfect extension for shelter of said retired chair if and when rain comes.  That has already been tested.

  I kept an eye on temperatures.  When it got doable, I was going to try out my dandelion poker that Dennis fixed for me.  It’s amazing what a sturdy nail wedged between the metal poker and the wooden handle will do.  The east end of the acre still had Hosta coming up.  Within that batch were some beauties of yellow.  The fixed poker and I headed east.  With all the rain we have had, every single one was poked and flung.  None had as yet gone to seed.  We spray the grass with weed killer, but no so much where there are sweet plants. 

  While I headed east, the second string of this team, Dennis, headed for the studio.  I had completed 16 t-shirt blocks, complete with the quarter inch trim.  Those 16 blocks will make up one of the twin sized quilts.  Dennis’ job is to arrange them before the orange sashing and black corner stones are sewn on.  I have always put Dennis in charge of this next step in t-shirt projects, as well as color choices in other sewing items.  It gives Dennis a vested interest into what happens in the studio.  I never stick around when he is making his decisions.  The end results were . . . that I achieved my goal of clearing out unwanted dandelions, giving myself a good physical workout outside, and the blocks have been decided on the first of the two twin sized quilts.  Headways have been made.  All the lights for sewing were turned off for the day.

  There had been one chair on the new front deck . . . now there are two.  Dennis had retrieved an old metal folding chair from the garage.  It has been cleaned and is sporting a new coat of black paint.  Sitting out front on evenings . . . sweet.

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on May 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Check That Off 

  Today we had another item to check off of our “to do” list.

  My hand signals were good enough to help Dennis hook up the implement trailer to the little red pickup.  We had gotten a call that the 1968 Cub Lo-Boy was ready to come home with three brand new blades on the mower.  Charles told Dennis he greased everything that needed it once it was up on the hoist.  Charlie can no longer work in his shop due to a severe back injury that occurred when he was working for the county.  Charlie was servicing a pump on a county ditch when the area around the pump caved in on him.  Charlie has good workers in his shop and oversees everything.

  Dennis came home and unloaded his tractor.  It went right into the back garage, the trailer was parked and all was right with the world.

  After Dennis had left for Charlie’s this morning, I walked back home across the acre.  The heavy rains did a great job of dissolving all the deer pop from the winter.  Hmm.  There were tiny little biting bugs.  Not surprising.  I do have some sweet little yellow flowers to take care of on the east Hosta garden that wants to make a showing.  So be it.  Just not today.

  I had a good handle on getting some 16″ blocks tricked out with the quarter inch trim.  As I whiled away a few hours, it was great reflecting on how far we came this last week getting the basement back in good stead.

  We are having a scramble egg, sausage and toast supper.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 2:57 pm on May 19, 2023 Permalink  

  A Bit Chilly 

  I would say 46 is a bit chilly over the night hours.  It sure did sleep well.

  I must share my experience in the Old Alley Quilt Shop last Saturday.  I was at the shop by ten to purchase what I needed for these two t-shirt quilts.

  When I walked in there was a gal trying to decide on colors of a certain type of yardage.  It didn’t take me long to realize she would be making several projects for family members.  There were quite a few bolts of fabric on the cutting table.  This gal then took pictures of the fabric and called a family member for the family member to give her thoughts on the colors.  More bolts were added to the cutting table.  The family member called and shared with another family member while the shopper leaned on the cutting table.  Hmm.  I knew where my two bolts of fabric were located and I left them as I knew they would be very heavy.

  The door bell tinkled.  Another customer.  And then another costumer.  By the time the shopper had decided on what she needed, she then asked the cutting clerk about cutting her choices into six inch strips.  The cutting clerk declined.  Dah!  By this time it was 11:45 and there were four of us waiting in line.  I had found a sturdy table to lean against during this hour and forty five minutes.  I was weary but was determined to see this through.  My yardage was cut and I then told the clerk what I need fore batting times two.  I stayed at the till, paid my bill and made my way to the door.  The clerk was kind enough to carry my bags to the car for me, while apologizing for the long wait.  I really felt for her as the customers waiting needed her.

  When I got home and Dennis carried my bags in, I was glad to be home.  With the water issues of last weekend, it wasn’t until Thursday of this week that I unpacked the bags.  The yardage was right on, the quilt batting was not.  The clerk had packed up two packages of 100% quilting cotton, not the polyester I had ask for.  Not to worry.  I had my receipt.

  This afternoon, Dennis and I took a road trip back to Old Alley.  Dennis was curious about farm fields to the south and was happy to drive me.  I now have exactly what I need in the studio.  Ironically, I received a $7.49 refund as the cotton batting is more expensive than the poly.  I like the poly batting as it does not shrink and my quilts may very well be washed and dried.

  So this is how Stauffer Avenue is closing down this work week, a bit chilly but doable.

   
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  Noreen 12:42 pm on May 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Drippy Day 

  I knew a drippy day was coming.  I put my garden shoes on and went after the sweet yellow blooms that were in my Hosta beds.  Of course when Hunny Bunny and Harriet saw me amongst the plants, they needed to check things out as well.  When I finished one area, before moving on, I made sure to break off some of the cat nip plants.  That was all the invite the kitties needed.  They each tied one on.  The first trip fantastic of the year. 

  The photo is of the Star of David flowers that volunteer each spring.  When the greenery comes up, it looks like a sea of chives.  Each sprout puts out a sweet little white flower.  After the blooms are spent, all the greenery dies off.  They spread like crazy from the seeds of the blooms.   I have worked hard at digging them up where I don’t want them . . . forget it.  Ironically when dug, there is what looks like a little onion set, thus they look like chives when they first come up. 

  Two winters ago, Dennis had gotten a bale of road ditch hay to put under the Maple for the deer to nibble on.  Last spring, there were spears of long grasses that had had the seeds carry over.  This morning, I took out a huge patch of cocklebur young plants.  Dennis was right on, weed seeds can lay dormant for a long time.   The heavy rains had sent a lot of clusters of the Maple seeds to the dirt.  I raked up some as they can root so fast and easily to show a group of little trees.  Each day I will do a bit outside. 

  This drippy day is the best day to re-introduce myself into the studio.  All the lights were turned on and the threads and fuzz were beckoning me.  I did finish embroidering the last design times two.  It was time to get to the next step.  That step would be adding a quarter inch of trim to the 16″ square blocks.  I had done this with AJ’s quilt and it really brightened up the t-shirts.  It took me a while to remember how wide each strip had to be cut to be feed into the bias tape maker.  The next thing was to set the zig zag stitch to sew the four strips onto each of the 32 blocks.  All systems were a go for trying my plan out.  Yup, I’ve got it.  Perfectly cut 1/2 inch orange strips.  When they have become bias tape strips they are sewn around each block, two inches from the edge.  This photo is one of the blocks I created to fill out what would be needed.  I love my Bernina Tool Box software.

  It felt good to get back in the groove of the studio.

   
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  Noreen 1:43 pm on May 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Back to Normal 

  My precious studio is back to normal.  It looks fresh and it smells fresh.  They are talking about possible rain tomorrow.  As I looked everything over, I did close all the basement windows.  They are so easy to operate.  No taking a chance of having rain find its way in.

  When Dennis came back from having coffee with Dwayne this morning, he had been to Fleet Farm and brought home two new filters for that sweet shop vac that had done its duty with the water seepage we had experienced.  We will be back to sucking up threads and fuzz.  From the sounds of it, more people than not had had water coming into their basements.

  Dennis put in three hours of mowing yesterday.  He felt very pleased as well he should.  It’s not hard labor but our old Sears rider does not have power steering and the seat is sat out.  There is a lot of trimming around the house.  My push mower has the season off.  Hopefully the mowing will not be more than a once-a-week task.

  I am looking forward to doing some stitching tomorrow.  It seems as if I will need a refresher course.  If I recall, I have one design to stitch twice and then the 32 total blocks, 16 in each of the two twin sized quilts are ready for the next step.   

  The oven dish of last night got a thumbs up.  There won’t be a problem serving it again this evening.

   
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  Noreen 1:39 pm on May 13, 2023 Permalink  

  Rain and Wind 

  Of course when the ornamental crab tree blossoms are beginning to open, the strong south wind complete with rain gives us flutters of pink blossoms.  It never fails.

  As I have just two blocks to embroider for the two twin-sized t-shirt project, I decided to head south to The Old Alley Quilt Shop for the fabrics of the back, the sashings, and corner stones.  I also purchased the batting.  With each of the two quilts being 75″ x 75″ I may be able to handle the actual quilting on my sewing machine.  If I run out of steam, I would bundle the tops, backing and batting and head to the quilt shop to have then long arm them.  Time will tell.

  I am a long way from making that decision.  The dark drab quilt blocks are going to have the bias strips on all four sides to brighten things up.

  As I was driving highway 4, I got some thinking done.  By May 28th, I need to contact Chuck Spaeth car dealership to extend my warranty.  I purchased the car in 2019 and had the premium warranty put in place.  I also need to have an oil change.  The last oil change was in November at the same time new tires were put on.  The tires were not new at the time of the purchase.  When I got home, I called the dealership and spoke to a gal about the warranty and to make an appointment for the oil change.  I was told I could come in Monday and take care of both items.  Sweet.  The warranty will be for 20,000 miles or four years which ever comes first.  I have put on about 20,000 miles since the purchase and felt that would work going forward.

  Dennis has gone out to the fix-it shop to see if Charlie has information on the three new blades that the Cub Lo-Boy mower needs.  Wouldn’t you know it?  He just left and now there is a fairly heavy rain shower.  We surely do not need this.  As I was driving to Sherburn, it seems that the heavy rains have concentrated near and around St. James. 

  Day by day the Hosta are peeking through the soil.  It is rewarding.  Last May, 2022, I relocated many from the east end of the acre to fill in around the patio porch.  The Hosta unfurl their greenery and it keeps the weeds down, plus giving cool hiding spots for the three kitties.  I will not be purchasing anything from the garden nurseries.  The Russian Sage under the southwest windows is giving up many new little plants.  I may find a few spots for those.  If there are too many in close proximity, they tend to want to tip over from the weight when they are in full bloom.

  Rest easy from the week’s work.  The work will be there waiting for you on Monday morning.

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on May 12, 2023 Permalink  

  Drip, Drip 

  Coming awake this morning, I heard the drip, drip of rain off the west awning.  It was quite easy to put off getting the feet to hit the floor.

  After a cup of rich Folger’s coffee, I knew what would be in my job jar for the morning.  Dennis’ grandson AJ has tricked out the patio porch’s television so Dennis has many choices for viewing.  The tale that was told to me was that one of the patio porch’s cats stepped on the remote and now there was a problem.  Hmm.  It mattered not.  There needed to be a fix-it.  The end result was that the HP laptop needed to be in the porch to type in a new password via the secure prompt on the television set.  Of course, it didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped.  Nonetheless, by twelve noon the channels were up to be viewed.

  My goal today was to check on several friends.  Sharon couldn’t attend the stitchers yesterday as a short text had let us know about a vehicle issue.  I wanted to make sure Sharon was not in the vehicle when the issue occurred.  The short of it was . . . yes,  she was in her car on a busy highway when the transmission went out.  Sharon is safe, thank the Lord, the car is no longer going to be able to get Sharon to future stitcher luncheons.

  My once-time neighbor June ended up with covid during April and never quite got back on her feet by the time she was a negative.  Several days in the hospital and she now needs to be on oxygen via a tank to be her best friend.   Building her lungs up is the challenge.  We didn’t visit long on the phone as she doesn’t as yet have lung capacity for much.  June is on the mend and will need to keep in touch with the pulmonary department in Mankato as her left lung is quite fragile. 

  In between time, I have been building my count of quilt blocks for the twin t-shirt quilts.  It is a challenge to create blocks with keeping of the firemen’s theme.  It is far more fun than challenging.  Dennis came down and checked on things in the studio and gave a thumbs up on the latest pair of blocks.  Dennis is in awe of what I can pull together between websites and then getting it stitched out.  That is why he was confident that getting his television back on track was possible.

  The air is chilly and with more rain today . . . the furnace may be turned back on to take out said chill.

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on May 11, 2023 Permalink  

  Glub, Glub 

  Three plus inches of rain in these last 24 hours.

  I ran away from home this noon to meet with my fellow stitchers in Mankato.  As I drove east, the amount of water . . . everywhere was humbling.  Earlier this morning as the thunderstorm kept dumping water, I watched the flooding of our patios.  I kept my fingers crossed in regard to the patio porch.  It looked as if it had been close.  The water did recede once the rains quit.

  Back to the stitchers.  Today was the first time a new location was targeted.  NaKato is a sportsmen’s bar and grill.  The booth and small table in its far corner indicated they do not cater to a group of chatty women.  The menu was extensive but also on the pricey side.  I enjoyed a portion that was served on my platter of chicken strips and tots.  I took a box home with me.  I did ask if I could have a child’s portion and was told no.  My choice of seating was a wooden chair pulled up to the table.  I had a good time catching up.  I excused myself at 1:30 as the teeny tiny voice was telling me the back and hips had had enough.  I know from gatherings of old, the group might continue till three.  I wished them all a great afternoon and I would see them in June.  It felt good to be in the seat of my car which is very comfortable.

  I got home a bit after 2:15.  Dennis was doing the tidy, tidy in the garage porch.  That is when he expressed how happy he was that the carpet had remained dry. 

  According to KEYC television, we may be receiving more rain.  Hunky Dory! 

  We are having a repeat of the oven meal of last night’s supper.  Dennis really enjoyed the shredded cheese I had added.  My box of chicken strips most likely will be my tomorrow’s breakfast.  I have no problems with that.

  The trip up north yesterday, reiterated for me, how happy I am for the Fairfax team.  It is easy to do a stop and chat as Fairfax is a 46 mile trip.  Doing a stop and chat to Eden Prairie is quite another story, but text messages seem to be working out fine.

  Catch ya later.