Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from March, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 1:04 pm on March 26, 2023 Permalink  

  A Great Day 

  A trip to Montevideo yesterday was an eye opener.  If we think we have late melting snow to contend with, that area, two hours northwest of us, was unbelievable.  Count our blessings.

  Granddaughter Sadie is now officially commissioned as a Sergeant Major in the army military.  Both Sadie and Grandpa Dennis had wet eyes as Dennis pinned on the insignia.  Dennis was in his Korean dress and had many of the higher ranking come and visit with him afterwards.  I drove home and guess who caught a nap.

  We are back in our home and the usual schedules feel good.  Fresh smelling laundry never gets old.  Dennis has the east patio clear of ice and snow.  When I went out to the patio porch for a visit, the trails that the deer have taken across our backyard to get to the shell corn Dennis has been putting out, glisten in the sunshine.  They are trails of ice for now.

  Dennis had gotten his carpet vacuumed this afternoon and is working on putting some Murphy Wood cleaner on the wood buffet we paid $25.00 for years ago at a garage sale.  A handy television stand plus great clean storage.  The key is to keep the bottom doors closed as even a crack of an opening invites the kitties to explore.  Nope, nope, nope.  It’s bad enough that they can get onto the rafters in both garages and we have kitty prints on both vehicles.  It’s time that the weather allows them to spend most of their days outside and explore what has been going on in the yards over the winter months.  Lots of sniff, sniffing.

  We do believe that we will not have the patio porch or the patios flood this spring.  The cold freezing temps during the night really helps with the freeze drying.  The sun is helping with the snow banks shrinking.

  My yearly trip to Bird Island for the servicing of my sewing machine is tomorrow.  I have no problems to report.  The cutting blades that cut the thread each time the pressor foot is raised after a seam has been sewn will be replaced.  It is a wonderful benefit that saves my hand to no end.  Not having to raise and lower the pressor foot manually is my second favorite benefit.  The third is the automatic needle threader.  Yes, my stitching is enhanced to allow for creativity to continue.

  I do not know how long it will be before I get the call from Old Alley that the t-shirt quilt has been long armed.  I have a few embroidery projects to work on in the meantime and then there is the binding to make for the huge king sized whooper.

  Life is wonderful on Stauffer Avenue.  May it also be on your neck of the woods.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on March 24, 2023 Permalink  

  Sun and Calm 

  Sniff, sniff.  I can smell spring in the air.

  We are going to need an awful lot of sun such as we have today to melt through all the layers of ice in our backyard.  Right east of the patio porch where the deer have been feeding all winter, the sun doesn’t make much of an impact.  Fleet Farm sold Dennis some salt pellets and he is trying to help things along.

  As I drove to Old Alley this forenoon on #4, I couldn’t help but notice that south of Ormsby there wasn’t near as much snow to melt.  Not all things are fair in the winter season.  As I had mentioned Old Alley will be long arming AJ’s t-shirt quilt.  All I had to do was pick out the batting and bid a goodbye until I get the phone call to retrieve it.  In the mean time, in between time, I will get the binding cut and pressed.  As Val measured it the final count was 94″ x 112″.  It’s a good thing the batting is 122″. 

  The railroad tracks are just north of us by a block.  Even the train whistle sounds happier today.  Sweet.

  I stopped at the library before I came home.  Sometimes I have a difficult time finishing a book before it becomes due.  I had a plastic grocer’s bag with me and I shopped from the rack of books that are offered for free as those have been retired.  It doesn’t really need to be a certain author.  I can get into a book’s story line quite easily.  I have a total of eight books out in my bedroom porch, ready to enjoy at will.

  I won’t be having a post tomorrow.  Dennis and I will be traveling to Montevideo, northwest of here by two hours.  Dennis’ granddaughter Sadie is in the military and will be receiving her commission as Sergeant Major.  Dennis will be pinning her.  Dennis will have on the clothing that identifies him as a Korean Veteran.  Sweet for both Grandpa Dennis and for Sadie.  Sadie is a single mom of two and is 38 years old.  Sadie has served well.

  One more oven dish from the freezer for supper.  It is a tuna and pea pasta dish with Alfredo.  That is the last of the goodies to come out of the freezer.  Oh my gosh, I will have to cook from scratch going forward . . . or not. 

  I did score an appointment with Kelly at the Bernina shop for Monday.  Be forewarned as there will also be a visit to Fairfax in the afternoon.

   
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  Noreen 1:45 pm on March 23, 2023 Permalink  

  It is Done 

  At least my portion of the t-shirt quilt top is done.  All in all it went well.  Right now I believe that this was the last king sized top I will make.  Of course, things are always subject to change.

  Dennis helped me fold the ungainly top up.  The pieced top and the fabric I had purchased for the backing is in a bag with handles and Dennis has put it in the car.  Tomorrow. I will be making a trip to Old Alley to let Val work her magic with the long arm.  What a great feeling!  Though I had nothing to prove, when a challenge is met it gives a feeling of a conquest.

  One of the first things I did this morning was to send a birthday greeting to Sharon Skolberg.  A life-long friend that I have no intention of loosing.  Oh for the memories when her and Ted farmed down the road from us to the north.  Orlin and Teddy were both from Hector.  Sharon and I both went to rural schools just a bit distant from each other.  Those memories can become oh so sweet.

  Dennis had a physical therapy appointment this morning and I hunkered down to do some tidy, tidy in the studio and also under the hood of the sewing machine.  Nothing is messier than course cheap t-shirt material.  It is the fuzz that keeps on giving.  When I go into the studio after it has been tidied, it is as if I am the first customer in a new shop.

  I kind of think that my friend Ann is not very interested in becoming a quilter.  First time visit . . . only visit.  She went home with good information plus the fabric for a first time project.  Time will tell.  I have no problem keeping myself busy.

  Supper is to be the last container of the beef vegetable soup I had made in January.  Dennis commented that it needs a bit of a kick on the flavor.  I can do that!

  The next item on the list is to contact Kelly in Bird Island as to when he can fit in servicing my machine,  I make this appointment once a year before Kelly gets busy in the fields.  This checkup is the most important to ensure another year of good stitching.  He updates the firmware and not one lint ball escapes him.

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on March 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Winding Down 

  There is an end in the horizon to this stage of the t-shirt quilt top.  Only the top and bottom borders need to be sewn on.  Pressing as I have been going is the ultimate.  My 1962 Mary Proctor ironing board with the 28″ x 52″ topper that Dennis made for me allows this huge project to be manageable . . . to a point.  Nothing has gone amiss and the sewing machine just keeps on.  Sweet.

  I did hear some good news on KNUJ in regard to the legislative session.  The possibility of having social security or a portion of it exempt from income tax is still alive.  The Democrats are fighting it.  Go figure.

  Yesterday while in Hy-Vee, I picked up a meal to go of meatloaf and two dollops of mashed potatoes in a microwaveable tray.  This topped off with a side of cranberries is the perfect meal for us.

  Studio lights are dimmed and soon to be shut off.  

  Sweet dreams everyone!

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on March 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Thawing 

  The sun is working its powers.

  I made a solo run to Old alley Quilt this afternoon.  The t-shirt quilt top made huge strides today.  Measure once, measure twice.  The realization dawned that I had nothing left for a border to go around it nor for the binding.  The trip didn’t take long as I didn’t let my eyes wonder while I was in the shop.  One project under the needle at a time, especially a 90″ x 108″ . . . for sure a king-sized goodie. 

  I couldn’t believe how broken up highway #4 is.  The worst may yet come.  KNUJ reports that the frost is not very deep.   

  When I got home, Dennis was getting ready to leave.  Tonight is the fish and game yearly fundraising event up town.  It is Dennis’ responsibility to make sure all the kids attending get something to take home.  By the way, he does a great job.  The club usually serves a good lunch.  I am having a bologna sandwich for supper.

  We are happy for the sun’s power.  I think Dennis’ today trip to the elevator for shell corn may be the last.  The woods out east may be able to have something sprouting that could be to their liking.  The deer have had a good run from our yard.  Before Dennis started feeding and the deer came into the backyard, Dennis commented how they had goopy matter in the corner of their eyes, much like cattle when when there is a concern on their feeding ration.  As close as the deer get to the east patio slider, the eyes are clear.

  I must get on with my sandwich and tuning in to a goof PBS television program.

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on March 19, 2023 Permalink  

  A Balmy Sunday 

  Does it really feel like 30 degrees?  It might if the wind would go down.

  A dish of chicken parmesan pasta has come out of the freezer for our Sunday supper.  Man oh man.  I wish I had thirty such dishes to pull out of the rabbit’s hat.

  I put in five hours in the studio today.  The electric heater felt good on the legs and feet.  It was the best investment of the winter.  It is three thirty in the afternoon.  I can’t say that five hours wore me out.  What I can share with you is that my left hand has had me hit the back button more than what the right hand has done for errors in spelling.  It is amazing the telltale signs of the stroke.  When I had been making all the bias tape strips, one night I had to get up and take a pain pill.  It was needed to settle down the muscles in the left shoulder.  I had not felt anything at the time I was working my arms.  The body sure can let this ole Grammie know who is boss.

  Last week we had no trips to Mankato for appointments.  This week we have one on Tuesday.  I have a grocery list going.  I am sorry to shop out of town, but our one local option is outrageous in prices.

  I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead for them.  Spring begins tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 1:46 pm on March 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Brr! 

  This is beyond what we look forward to in the middle of March.  It is downright frigid.

  If nothing else perhaps some of the ice will be gone as it is freeze dries.  We do have a snowbank that looks like it is or was a time capsule.  The layers of this winter’s wonders is very apparent.  

  Today was a studio day.  Nothing newsworthy.  I am gaining on the t-shirt project.  The 16″ blocks have been done well enough that there is creative stitching needed.  The blocks line up perfectly.  Dennis came down to check.  The layout that he and I did has been followed.  All goes well when seam allowances are followed from the get go.

  It is mid afternoon and the studio will be closed down as soon as I check out some items on the internet.

  I have it on good authority Sunday, tomorrow, is supposed to be fairly nice.

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on March 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Sun’s Rays 

  The sun’s rays as they are shining onto the south studio’s windows is welcomed.  When Dennis comes and goes from the outside, the cold air from the open doorway sweeps down the steps into the studio.  Talk about a breath of fresh air.

  Yesterday when Dennis was vacuuming the studio floor, he commented how heavy the wand was for my old Filter Queen vacuum.  They made those tools to last.  It is ever so handy to have the Filter Queen handy.  Taking things up and down our steep basement steps is not for the faint of heart.  The weight difference is a lot different than the small shop vac we use on the main floor.

  Though it is not yet three in the afternoon, I have shut down the studio.  As the t-shirt quilt blocks were sewn together, five across, talk about heft when all six rows come together.  There is a limit in what the shoulder and hands should do in each studio session.  The measure tape read 85 inches across.  That will be increasing as two borders will be added.  The orange corner stones that are added as the rows are sewn together really pull it all together.  It is pleasing to the eye.  Once the shape flex is ironed to the t-shirt fabric, there is no stretch left when sewing the blocks together.  Yesterday when I cut all the fabric for the sashing and corner stones, I cut all the fabrics on the length.  There is no stretch on the length of woven fabrics.  At this point, I didn’t want any grief in matching up seams.

  This weekend has some weather issues left.  Sunday may be nice out and then there was mention of freezing rain mid week.  Spring begins on Monday as per the calendar.  Time will tell.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on March 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Is That All? 

  So far this Thursday afternoon, we can say, “Is that all of the storm?”  It has rained with some little ice balls once in awhile.  All the schools have closed pretty much by noon today.  When nightfall comes, things could definitely change.  If there is no snow to speak of, I am sure strong winds could move existing snow onto roadways.

  We were up fairly early today.  My plan was to finish sewing what needed to be done on each of the individual t-shirt blocks.  Dennis said once I was done with making snippets of threads and fuzz he would vacuum the studio.  What a fellow!  Dennis has been very helpful in getting AJ’s project as far along as it is.

  After noon lunch, Dennis and I were both in the studio with cleared off church tables and the thirty quilt blocks.  Putting down the blocks as they will be sewn together is not an easy task.  AJ’s t-shirts to cut up to be used were not very colorful.  The thirty blocks were laid down on the church tables and then the challenge began.  I could not count how many times each of us walked around the tables, moving the blocks around for a semblance of a quilt top.  There is no wrong layout, nor is there a correct layout.  We have agreed.  What there is, is what there shall be.  

  I had mentioned early on that this was not a quilt top for competition’s worth.  AJ had kept his more desirable shirts to wear when he was on his Harley.  I can say that Dennis and I gave it our all.

  I took the time to clean the sewing machine complete with an oil and lube job.  There is a new needle in the machine, a bobbin has been filled and the machine is threaded.  I have the sashing cut to join the rows of blocks.  I can say that that is all for this day.  Tomorrow is another day here in the studio.  It will feel good to come down to a tidied floor.

  We are having chili for supper . . . straight out of the freezer.  Priceless.

  I hope everyone is safe and sound today and for the remainder of this weather threat.

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on March 15, 2023 Permalink  

  The Eve 

  This is the eve of our last snow storm.  No . . . I am not putting any money down on that.

  Ann needed to take care of grandchildren today, so her sewing session in the studio is being put off for a week.  Her grandchildren go to Fairmont schools and I have no idea why the school closed at noon.

  I have had a good session in the studio.  I have three more blocks of the thirty to sew on the 1/4 inch border.  At that time I will have sewn 60 yards of the quarter inch embellishment.  Yes, it has been worth it.  Satisfaction is 9/10th of the measure.

  The stitchers were set to meet tomorrow at Baker’s Square, but due to possible weather issues we have postponed that until April 13th.  Wise choice.

  Dennis had an eye injection today at our local eye clinic.  That is one item I am thankful for not having to have done.  He takes it like a trooper.

  This evening we are having Johnsonville brat patties for supper with mashed potatoes and creamed cucumber.  A little variety in the menu.

  I will catch you all tomorrow whether rain showers or snow showers.