Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from October, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:21 pm on October 30, 2022 Permalink  

  Busy Agenda 

  This last week, I reminded myself that I was a bit short on what I had done thus far for Dennis’ great grandchildren.  Luella, the youngest one and also the one born on Dennis’ birthday had not as yet gotten a blanket from my sewing studio.

  Today, I got plunked, onto the studio’s floor, a tote that Luella’s grandmother brought back from Mankato when she went to see Oliver and Luella’s Halloween choices for their parties in school tomorrow.  Within the tote is an assortment of Luella’s clothes from age birth to four years old.  This blanket will be of various memories that were Luella’s favorite to wear.  I did ask what would be Luella’s favorite color to pull this together . . . pink!  There is no rush and it may well be a project that goes into the winter months.  I do have fabrics that incorporate pinks for the sashings.  

  Some time ago, I had shared the fate of a friend.  Judy had been the county assessor of Brown County.  Her and I are the same age and we retired about the same time.  Within two years of her retirement the news for her was that she would shortly be totally blind from macular.  I have stayed in contact.  It was also my opinion that she suffered abuse from her husband in regard to her wellbeing as she managed their home sightless.  Judy did spend these late summer months in a healthcare center in Mankato recovering from hip surgery as a result of a fall in their home.  She returned to their home in the early days of September.  While she was recovering, her husband had purchased a home for them in Mankato that was one floor.  No steps.  She called me to share the news.

  One short week later, Judy’s daughter called to let me know that things had changed.  While navigating the new floor plan, Judy fell.  Judy tried calling her husband who was not home.  He wasn’t answering his phone.  After some time laying on the floor she called 911.  When her husband did get home, he was greeted by a social worker and a deputy sheriff.  Judy was removed from their residence that very same day.  

  That day it all came tumbling out.  Their four children could no more be taken in with what their father dished out as fact.  I can see Judy’s point of feeling totally helpless as to what she endured.  So much like an abused child not severing the ties with the abuser.  Back in the late summer, her husband had been forcibly removed from the healthcare center when Judy was recovering from surgery.  The residence’s nurse had witnessed Wayne striking Judy and at that time it was all glossed over.  No more glossing.

  Judy called me Friday.  Judy is now a full time residence of the Mankato Lodge in Mankato on Adam’s Street.  I was and am so thrilled for her that she is safe.  When I shared this with Dennis he was happy for Judy.  At work functions Dennis and I had gotten to know Wayne.  Dennis would go out of his way to avoid Wayne as he was so easy to dislike.  Judy is still settling in and I know I will visit her in time.

  When and while I come to terms with my life, I have often tried to put myself in a situation similar to my friend’s.  How fortunate I am to have my sweet ole cowboy and our forever home.

  On a sunny warm note . . . this next week is going to be a great one.

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on October 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Sweet Indeed 

  Today was a day of taking a project closer to the finish line.  I rummaged in the studio’s closet and found the perfect frame for this project.  There is something to be said about knowing when to save and when to pitch.  I measured and trimmed the excess for a great fit into this wooden frame that mirrored the colors in Kluge and in the stitching.  Where I fell short was attaching the wire to the edge of the frame for hanging.  That I will pass to those that can easily get it done.  If Dennis and I tried to work with wood screws or brads, I could well see edges of the frame being splintered.

  Grandpups are important and my mission was to do a thread image of Kevin and Kersten’s dog Kluge with the embroidery module.  I cleared the image with Kersten beforehand.  Last year I did an image of Carrie’s dog Kody.

  Dennis gave me a ride to the library as we are still in street repair with limited access as well as limited parking.  When we pulled up, a gal around my age had her car doors open as well as her trunk open.  She asked for help and Dennis was ready on the spot.  She had just bought this walker that also works as a sit down.  She had managed to get it out of her trunk and was now not able to get it sprung open.  She mentioned she had just bought it.  Dennis thought it was a matter of working the mechanism until the newness has worn off.  A trip to the library . . . not the best place for a first time use. 

  That was or could have been me.  I will stick with my cane for support.  I can manage that as it now feels like it is a part of me. We have one of those sit down walkers and they are by no means light weight.  I would never think of handling that on my own. 

  Friday brings us a trip to Mankato to pick up Dennis’ shoes that have had an orthotic built t0 fit into the shoe for the foot to feel like the shoe actually fits well.  This has been a long time getting to this point.  I have never heard one complaint from Dennis since this all started in October of 2021.

  Clouds mean that we have to make our own sunshine.  Rejoice and be glad in it.  Sweet indeed.

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on October 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Bright Sun 

  The day always goes better when there is bright sun . . . even if I spent most of my time in the studio enjoying the sun as it came through the south windows.

  The Bernina site on YouTube got quite a bit of my morning.  I have had my sewing machine and embroidery module for six years and I am still learning.  Learning by seeing and hearing via YouTube is the best.

  This day was spent on making sure that the project set to go under the needle was going to be a “one time and done.”  There was not going to be a practice session of spending three hours of stitching and then feeding the circular file.

  This afternoon with stopping the stitching several times to refill the coffee cup, I can happily say, “Mission Completion.”  The embroidery stitching is complete and now comes the task of deciding how to finish off the project once it comes out of the hoop so it can be handled off to the recipients.  Nah . . . no pillow.  Tomorrow I will scrounge in the closet here in the studio looking for the perfect frame.

  Perhaps by tomorrow’s post, I may have the project to share.

  Now, I am off to the kitchen to think on putting a supper on the table.  There too, I need to get it done right.  I am very aware of the price of groceries being off the rails.  One of our favorite supper meals is chicken tenders.  Yes . . . they are what their name implies.  They are far more tender than the entire breast.  Supper is several hours away but I need to close down shop here in the studio so as to acclimate to life on the first floor of our home.

  Catch you tomorrow!

   
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  Noreen 1:30 pm on October 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Cooler Days 

  For a short time yesterday the sun was out in full force.  The Northern Golden Oak was just that . . . golden.  I planted it when it was a twig of a tree at five feet from the last of the season sale at Pamida store here in town.  The tree now towers and is as straight as an arrow.  I would guess thirty feet.

  There were a number of Black Walnut branches that Dennis picked up due to the strong winds of late.  Those trees are never bashful about dropping off some less than healthy branches.  When I closed my eyes and listened to the howling wind, it could have very well been a blizzard.

  Last weekend Dennis’ grandson AJ brought his bike to our back garage for storage over the winter.  I thought he was busy out in the garage.  Not.  AJ whipped into the basement with a small toolbox under his arm.  Within a few minutes he came upstairs and announced that via a splitter I would now have access to the television tower north of town as well as the Samsung smart television options via the Mediacom router.  For us two old fuddy duddies, we don’t understand the high tech stuff . . . it boggles us.

  I don’t have the television on during the day.  My time is from seven to nine in the evenings.  Upon tweaking what viewing was available, I ran across the 25th anniversary marathon of Midsomer Murders on PBS.  I had missed that program when we gave up cable television.  Thank you AJ.  I am easily entertained with a good mystery.

  My studio is tidy and I am ready for the next embroidery project.  The selection of threads are lined up ready for perhaps a Tuesday’s offering.

  KNUJ has mentioned rain showers for these next days.  It is gray out and not a rain drop to be felt thus far.

  Hamburger patties for supper.  We have not had anything fixed on top of the kitchen range for a long time.  I will be sure to have the horseradish on the table.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on October 23, 2022 Permalink  

  I’m Back 

  What a sweet day . . . I’m back in my studio.  It seems as if it has been forever.

  When Dennis and I went to a great grands 4th birthday party, I had a great visit with brother, third grader Oliver.  I am not sure where he picked up the Pokémon fever.  Apparently he and his classmates have it.  But . . . they can’t bring the trading cards to school.  Too funny.

  At first I thought I had enough Pokémon fabric to make a pillow case.  Not.  I had wanted to try embordering on a cap for some time.  This pushed the envelope.  I only had one cap so there was no practicing.  I had the designs from a quilt I had made for Kersten.  It took me a while to pull out the lettering from a larger design.  I had not realized how little area there is to maintain a flat surface.  Par for the course, I didn’t quite have it as straight across as I would have liked.  I have to remember to keep both eyes open when calculating where the design is going to go.  Hey . . . I did give myself points for centering it.

  I am going to do a cap for Kersten as she is the go-to person for all things Pokémon.

  I am always up for a challenge while learning something along the way.

  I have one additional design for embroidering that I want to do and then it may be time for some straight stitching.

  Now . . . if I had an elf that would come behind me and tidy up the studio.

   
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  Noreen 3:55 pm on October 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Dust Bowl 2022 

  Could the air get any thicker with the harvest dust!

  The farmers in our area have not had one drop of rain since the fields were opened for the 2022 harvest.  It has been go, go, go from the onset.  Our neighbor Randy works for John Deere and I know from watching him walk across his yard to his pickup, he is feeling his 67 years.

  Yesterday when Dennis was finished with his mowing, mulching and bagging, he looked like he had been standing behind one of those huge combines . . . dust from head to foot.  No, I didn’t make him strip before he came in the house, but it was close.  Of course the Asian beetles had globed onto him for the free ride into the house.  I would think that by next weekend the harvest would be history.

  My brother, Calvin, called this afternoon.  Me thinks he is out of sorts and needs someone to visit with.  It’s the least I can do for him.  Fifty minutes of cell phone time . . . I can do that.

  We have a sweet lightweight shop vacuum that has the best suction.  Yesterday I got it set up and I am leaving it plugged in and sitting in the corner of the living room for now.  It is so handy with its long hose that can reach many areas without moving the actual vacuum.  I do have some plans for that sweet little brush attachment and cold air floor registers as well as the two office chairs we use as dining chairs.

  I was just going to head into the studio when one of Dennis’ daughter stopped in.  When the clock on the wall said three thirty as Sandy was leaving,  my creative spirit had left me.  Too much socializing today.  Maybe tomorrow it will be a quiet day here on Stauffer and the threads, fuzz and me will get it together.

  Temps in the low 80s today.  Another good day tomorrow with high winds bringing in a cold front.  So be it.

  I trust everyone will have a great Sunday tomorrow and find the peace that is all understanding.

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on October 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Indian Summer 

  With two killing frosts under the belt . . . here comes the reprieve.  The frosty mornings got our attention to get with the preparedness while we can. 

  Dennis did break out the mower to swipe at some leaves.  I think he decided to wait until he could actually see some results.

  For the last several days I have felt claustrophobic in our first floor living.  Putting something down where I thought it should go, to only pick it up and move it when the item for the intended spot reared its head.  No . . . there is no more physical square footage that is going to appear.  The answer is to sift, sort and eliminate that which I have no emotional attachment to.  Ya, right!  I will deal with this.  I will not carry anything up to the attic.  I will not carry anything into the studio. 

  The problem lies in the closet of the bedroom.  When I put things in the closet after laundry day, my eyes wander.  Kevin put up some wonderful extra shelving over the clothing rods.  Those shelves are now full to capacity.  I am making lists of what is going to go home with a number of people.  Some items have been earmarked decades ago.  Mom, Lena, made a quilt for Carrie and also one for Kevin.  Nothing that would be entered into a quilt show, just miles and miles of hand stitches in scrappy quilts.  I know one of them was started by Grandma Schafer and Lena finished it. 

  Quilts are to be used and abused, the whole while they emit memories of who cared enough to make it.  A quilt does not need to be on a bed to be enjoyed.  Wrapping up in a quilt on a chilly day works, even if the tail ends drag on the floor.  Quilts have been used as wall, window or doorway covers.  I have a quilt made by my grandmother Laura.  It sure does show wear. That only makes it sweeter.   

  With the quality of the fabrics I have used, they will last through wear and tear and also laundry.  The washing machines of today are not as harsh as the old wringer wash machines.   

  I have made quilts for each of the two kids.  One of Kevin’s quilts, he used when we lived at South Branch and somehow it ended up at my home.  Carrie will be receiving a quilt done in my choice of colors.  Kevin’s has a predominate theme of red, white and blue.  Years ago when a quilt was received, there was no thought of “that really isn’t my color theme.”

  I will not make anymore quilts for my two children as there is no need for more.  I don’t plan on ceasing my work with threads and fuzz.  There are some blankets that I have made in using up my stashes that don’t qualify for quilts.  There it is . . . its ready to be used.  I do have two such blankets that will be sent home the next time Dennis’ grandson Ryan comes to help us and also one to grandson AJ as he is always ready to help his grandpa. 

  Having made some decisions with my threads and fuzz stuff, I feel so much better.  Whew! 

  Indian summer will be here for the weekend.

   
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  Noreen 2:33 pm on October 14, 2022 Permalink  

  Friday the 14th 

  It is truly a fall feeling day.

  I know both of my kids have had quite the week.

  It began last weekend when Kevin and Kersten traveled to Wisconsin to pick up a waste oil burning furnace to add to their wood burning furnace for the huge shop.  Dennis could relate to that as several shops here in town do the very same thing.  As late as yesterday, Kevin had concrete poured into his shop area for the expansion of adding a second hoist.  Working smarter rather than harder.

  Every Thursday morning, I catch Carrie’s live Facebook 30 minutes where she features new inventory that has come into her shop in Edina.  Her Main Street Boutique is a busy shop due to her and the wonderful location is a strip mall.  What she would most like to feature is a new employee.  Like everywhere else, people are not wanting a job.  I know Carrie would enjoy a partial day when Nicholas needs someone to run him to and from school.    

  My week in comparison . . . well, there can’t be a true comparison.  Considering all that I am . . . yes, my week has also been quite eventful.  As late as this forenoon, I have an oven meal ready to pop into the oven.  I have found that Dennis and I do well with an oven meal that has the variety of vegetables and protein.  I stand a better chance of getting vegetables in Dennis when they are in an oven meal than vegetables prepared on top of the kitchen range.  If an oven meal is not desirable, he can take his little red pickup up town.  Nah!  He will stir the oven meal around on his plate until one or two non-desirables are on the lip of the plate.  So be it.

  I did work in the studio working an embroidery design that is now a pin-up poster.  Yes, it took a bit of time, but I happened to have that.  It’s not about the rarity of this, but more to the fact of Megan getting something in the mail.  

  I don’t think we are going to get much in the way of warm temps beyond the high 40s or low 50s.  I have been listening to KNUJ and the farm forum.  It is interesting when they include young men and women that farm right beside their parents.  

  Today past our home, it was a race between cement trucks and grain trucks.  The harvest must be dwindling down.

  Enjoy the weekend days.  There should always be time for relaxing a few minutes and doing a mental rewind of the week we have had.  Thanks be to God for what we have accomplished in good health.

   
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  Noreen 1:47 pm on October 12, 2022 Permalink  

  Winds and a Chill 

  The winds have switched and now the leaves are blowing from the north.  When I looked out the east bathroom window . . . there was Snuggles in a pile of leaves.  I watched to see what had his interest.  Last week when I weed whipped the Hosta, I took a fair amount of catnip out as well.  In the pile of leaves, there was some catnip being pulled by Snuggles.  He was determined to save some of his favorite snack before the wind took it all away.

  The lights are on in the studio.  I have a project under the needle.  I had to take a break as I got a call from my brother in Decorah, Iowa.  I shut down the stitching.  I knew this could be a long one.  I did “due diligence.”  I realize he has no family in the area and both of his sons are not near.  After an hour, and when I had hung up, I put the phone on the charger.

  I started up the stitching and then sat back watching the needle and reflecting on the phone conversation.  My brother focuses on what was.  Ya, there are a lot of things I used to be able to do.  There are many more things I can no longer do.  His cup is half empty, mine is half full.  I can’t sell my brother on my thinking.  If it was ever possible, that ship sailed decades ago. 

  So . . . my thoughts and days are filled with the things I can still do.  Oh my gosh!  I have even found out ways to do things that are not the usual and customary.  Over these last several years I have realized this little tidbit:  the hurrier I go, the behinder I get.  My solution . . . I have no reason to hurry.  I have no quota for each day, not like it was eighteen years ago.  If I do hurry I may either drop what I was holding, or I might hurt myself.

  When Megan worked at the Mustard Seed Nursery during high school, Megan would take home the plants that were destined for the garbage bin and bring them back to health and greenery.  Her bedroom had a full window view for them which to heal.  It was a marvel as to how many were in her bedroom.  Megan had heard that plants bring good indoor air. 

  Come to think of it, Megan never had as much as the sniffles.  When Megan was taken to college in August, there were quite a few favorite plants that made the trip with her.  Her roommate in the college dorm shares the love of plants.  Today, I found an embroidery design using some fabric that looks like suede that I want to make into a poster for her.  It will be about 8″ x 11″. I think getting something in the mail from Grammie and the sewing studio that she spent a fair amount of time in, will bring a chuckle and a smile.  When I send it to her, I will include a Command Clip.

  It matters not how long it takes me to find what I think is the perfect project.  It is very self-satisfying.

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on October 11, 2022 Permalink  

  Blast of Summer 

  It may be one of our last days in the 80 degrees.  I am ready for whatever comes.

  Today I finally got to turn on all the lights in the studio.  Work comes before play.  Dennis and I agreed we have had a successful fall of taking care of the acre.  The potting shed doors have been secured.  Yes . . . we checked to make sure all three porch kitties have been accounted for.  It is not surprising that one may had snuck in to check all the corners.  The way the wind is blowing from the south, it may take a few leaves with it.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I had the embroidery module on the sewing machine.  I had finished the Long Time Ago scrappy quilt and then jumped into the purple log cabin quilt top.  This last week I had a post from the Bernina sponsored embroidery site: OESD.  The design tripped my trigger and before long I had snagged it and also had it loaded on a USB stick.  Picking through my stashes, I found a fabric that could do justice to the design.  The finished design is 8″ across and 7″ in height.  I put it on a large enough piece of fabric that it would work to make up a pillow.  Time will tell.  It felt good to change the thread colors out, sit back and watch the stitching.  Sitting back and sitting still was a welcomed change.  When Dennis came in for a fresh cup of coffee, he thought my sitting still for a change was great.  I encouraged him to follow suit.  We are, after all, retired.

  Neither Dennis nor I are up for eating out often, shooting darts or bowling.  We don’t feel that we need to be joined at the hip with other couples.  We tend to be homebody hermits and it suits us just fine.

  Tomorrow Dennis has an appointment in regard to a recall for his airbags in the little red pickup and I am sure his friend Dwayne will ride shotgun.  My home has been tidied as of yesterday and as of this morning, the laundry has been caught up.  I may well have a second day in the studio.  Sweet.