Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from May, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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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.

   
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  Noreen 1:14 pm on May 9, 2023 Permalink  

  Yellow Beauties 

  This morning after Dennis went out to his PT appointment, I went after those yellow beauties that were determined to be in the Hosta bed off of the patio porch.  Our spray on the grass areas seems to have a good carry-over compared to the yard south of us across Stauffer Avenue.  Some of the Hosta are slow to show, so I kept my size nines out of the area.  With all the deer that trampled the snow in this same area, it will be interesting as time goes by.

  I knew Dennis would be picking up Dwayne after the PT appointment this morning for a coffee at McDonald’s.  It’s good for both of those fellows to keep up with the rest of the crew.

  The static on the radio might mean a thunder shower coming.

  A friend of mine called this morning for the information on the fellow that did our front deck.  I was more than happy to give him a great reference.

  After taking a long walk down Stauffer, I went to the studio.  Putting forth effort to make each and every project that comes out of my studio the best that I am able to is very satisfying.  Trying to keep two piles of blocks as similar as possible for the twin-sized quilt can be a challenge.  Michael’s sweatshirt, hmm.  I tried to replicate as much as possible.  I used by Bernina Tool Box to bring my created block a close second.  I am happy with it.

  When I looked out, I saw Dwayne and Dennis with the heavy implement trailer hooked to the little red pickup.  There were ramps engaged.  I knew that before long, the Cub Lo-Boy was going to be driven up onto the trailer.  I stayed on the patio making sure I could punch 911 if needed.  Dwayne was off to the side using hand signals.  Here we had two 86-year-young fellows, doing what they used to do in a heart beat.  After the tractor was loaded and chained down, Dennis stopped at the house to get his wallet.  When he came around the front of the pickup with a wide smile . . . his favorite snap western shirt on, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth,  it took me back thirty plus years when this ole cowboy knew no challenge.  Today, Dennis was in his element.  The Cub L0-Boy is going out to the fixit shop north of town for new blades on the mower. 

  I am quite sure that sometime this late afternoon will find Dennis in the patio porch with Snuggles on his lap.  Snuggles will get to hear all about the day’s activities, well maybe not all of them, as Dennis slips in a nap.

   
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  Noreen 1:40 pm on May 8, 2023 Permalink  

  Happy Monday 

  I was wide awake at six this morning ready to have a happy Monday.  With one load of laundry under my belt, the studio was my targeted destination.

  Just as early, Dennis took his breakfast box and coffee out to the patio porch.  His breakfast box holds a banana nut muffin that came out of the freezer last night, several cookies from the counter container and a plastic fork with which to eat the muffin.  The muffins from Sam’s Club are huge.  With very cool mornings, a nap may very well ensue with a cat on the lap.  

  My breakfast is usually an English muffin with jam that can fill all the holes in the English muffin.  All the items on the computer that I check each morning include, Outlook emails, Facebook, the blog site and our bank site.  By that time I had enjoyed two cups of rich coffee with cream.  Studio, here I come!  All the lights that can be turned on . . . are.  I don’t have the radio on every day.  Sometimes, with the dehumidifier going, the occasional running of the sump pump and the embroidery module going . . . enough is enough.

  We checked in with each other over a sandwich at noon.  By that time I had finished all the coffee and settled for a glass of water and Dennis had his glass of orange juice.  Dennis’ plan for the afternoon was to mow the east portion of our acre.  There was a strip of Hosta in this east part that included the Plume grass that comes up every year, much like quack.  Dennis burned off the grass earlier.  The birds had pretty well taken all the seeds off of it during the winter.  I gave him my thumbs up to mow over the strip that might have had Hosta coming up.  I offered the Hosta to two of Dennis’ family members for two years.  Lots of good intentions on their part with nothing forth coming.  I don’t care to take care of anything more than what is around the patio porch and the patios.

  The studio work is really going well.  With what is stitching out today, I will need to find two additional designs for each of the twin-sized quilts, making sixteen blocks for each.  As the stitching was going on, I downloaded one design that included, a fire hydrant, a fireman’s hat and a fireman’s hose.  I also liked a design from another site that had a nondescript heart with the word “Family” in the middle of it.  The jury is still out on that one.

  Enjoy this 8th of May.  My goodness, when I did catch the news of several small tornados that touched down on Saturday, I gave thanks that we and our families were safe.

   
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  Noreen 1:59 pm on May 7, 2023 Permalink  

  A May Sunday 

  A cool Sunday, but much going on.

  Dennis and I have been doing some surveying work this afternoon.  One of the lots that we purchased on a tax forfeit is the backyard of our friend Edna’s home.  Edna’s house is now for sale.  Dennis wanted to have a marker where our lot extended to the north.  I agree with Dennis that with Edna having moved, he will no longer mow that lot around the home and to the street.  Dennis has plenty to mow and the realtor getting his percentage when this home sells can nicely mow it or find someone to mow it.

  We went on to check out our lot line of the barn acre.  Dennis was relieved when stepping off going from west to east, there is a whole bunch of mess that is not ours to the south.  We have made strides in this newly acquired acre.  The mowing that Dennis did on Friday made a huge improvement. 

  The studio lights have been on today.  Having worked with my computer software, I will now be able to add a block, actually two blocks, to each twin-sized project.  I had Michael’s dates that he was with the Gibbon fire department and finding a helmet to download, this will make a nifty addition.  The block stitching out at 85% made for little to no puckering.  In time when quilt blocks are sandwiched with backing and batting any puckering is quilted out.  I have one down and the second of the same design is now stitching.  While the module is at work it gives me an opportunity to iron stabilizer and trim those ironed blocks at 16 x 16.  The blocks had to be that large to capture as much of the designs on his t-shirts as possible.

  Supper is going to be tuna sandwiches and soup.  I had a thumbs up on that choice.  Neither one of us have done enough today to warrant anything heavier.

  A new week with new possibilities as to what will present itself.  Enjoy, smile and find something to bring about hearty laughter.

   
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  Noreen 3:27 pm on May 6, 2023 Permalink  

  A Welcomed Rain 

  Right along with the welcomed rain was thunder.  It sounded great.  This would have been the first good rain to wash off a lot of the old winter’s dirt.  Just because the snow has melted, doesn’t mean all the snirt is gone.

  I, after some laundry this morning, the studio was my plan.  The fireman’s t-shirts were cut down and with the steam iron on high, I began ironing shape flex on the back of the saved designs.  It is a slow process.  Getting the stabilizer on the back with enough heat so it will withstand lots of handling as we go forward to making a quilt, take that back, making two twin-sized quilts.

  I think my ole cowboy over did it yesterday.  Dennis so wanted to mow some of the greenery on the barn acre.  It’s green but not lawn green.  Getting a jump on it was a good thing.  It would not have had to have been done in one day.  All that I can do is to make sure he stays upright until he himself calls it a day.  Dennis never lacks ambition.  Like myself, the mind tells us we can but the body has the last word.  A good day of rest watching television in the patio porch with a cat now and then allowing Dennis to vent to it . . . it’s a good thing.

  I slept until 7:30 this morning.  My bedtime remains at nine at night.  If I go too far beyond that bedtime, I get really tippy.  There ya go!  My body has the last word and I very seldom go against the ole body.

  Cool temps are here again.  It’s bound to change many times in the month of May.

  Enjoy what is left of the weekend, I sure am.

   
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  Noreen 1:30 pm on May 5, 2023 Permalink  

  Rain 

  According to the static on the KNUJ radio, it really would like to rain.

  Dennis and his Sears rider went to the barn acre and mowed what green grass there is.  Sometime, nephew Brett will be coming over with one of his skid loaders to push together what trees have fallen over or what had been pushed aside over the years.  In time when the burning bans have been lifted, we will most likely get a permit for burning.  There is so much that is dried, it could be quite a fire.  If all is pushed into the middle of the lot, there is no chance of neighbor’s homes being in harm’s way.

  My walking sticks and I walked over to where Dennis was mowing, picking up sticks as I went from our house to Dennis.  Many, many wisps that won’t need picking up.  Snuggles followed behind feeling very secure.   

  This morning the kitchen, bath and entry floors felt the kiss of mopping.  As long as Dennis needs to wear a medical boot on his left foot, mopping gets done frequently.  Having a small home . . . perfect.

  The oven meal of last night was a success.  The sauerkraut with the chicken gave it a nice flavor.  There is a bit of it in the freezer for another time, with some for supper.  Jellied cranberries is one of our favorite side dishes with an oven meal.

  My firefighter family member had a sweatshirt with the name of the city, a design of a helmet and ax under that for t-shirt quilts.  Under both of those was “FIRE & RESCUE.”  One sweatshirt for two quilts.  Hmm.  I have a “Toolbox” software program on the computer in the living room.  I was able to get the correct font for “GIBBON” complete with the name outlined in white.  No helmet and ax in any of the websites that I frequent for downloading designs to load into the sewing machine.  I did get a design of a helmet that will go under the city’s name and then finish it out with the fire and rescue.  It will be close.

  There is a lot of enjoyment in working through challenges. 

  A quiet weekend is on the docket for us perhaps listening to the pitter patter of rain on the awning.

   
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  Noreen 1:46 pm on May 4, 2023 Permalink  

  News of Stauffer 

  Today is a 77 degree day here on Stauffer Avenue.

  Even a Thursday as promising as this can have some sad news.  Since about 2009 we had enjoyed a cast iron eagle that loved to sit on the patio with the “Red, White and Blue” flying over it.  The eagle had been found when several of us gals were trolling garden nurseries.  It was a good thing, my friend Doreen didn’t know her limit in lifting things.  The eagle tipped in easily at 75 pounds.

  In recent years when our Maple tree got a trimming, the fellow cut one of the limbs totally flat so the eagle could sit eight feet above the ground and keep an eye out.  Last night, some brave varmint stole the eagle from its resting place.  Yes, there is dirt that has been disturbed and a new hunk of the Maple’s trunk that was pulled off where the eagle was.  Someone or somebodies might have had a shock when 75 pounds of cast iron was on its way to the ground in their face.

  We did call the city police and I did put a photo on Facebook.  Nothing may ever come of getting the eagle back, but we will try. 

  This late forenoon, Dennis and I had our pedicures up town.  What a great thing to do for ourselves.

  The lights popped on in the studio today for several hours.  The air is chilly and that is why several hours did the trick.  I now have the t-shirts cut down for this retired firefighter.  As luck would have it, I had enough Pellon Shape-Flex to cut into the number of the blocks that these two twin sized t-shirt quilts will be.  The Shape-Flex will be ironed onto the back of each wrinkled t-shirt making them as easy to sew with as if they were yardage of cotton.  That was enough for one day.

  I do have an oven dish to pop into the oven.  Rotisserie cubed chicken out of the freezer, one can of Bavarian sauerkraut, one can of white kernel corn, and two cups of pasta with Alfredo sauce.  The batch is large enough to tuck a small container in the freezer before I pop our dish in the oven.  Sweet. 

  Enjoy whatever trips your trigger as Friday is soon to be here for the beginning of a nice weekend.