Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from November, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 4:25 pm on November 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Bricks 

  If these strong winds and gusts continue, I am going to be sorry that we gave all of our extra bricks to the neighbor.  I would use two of them in my pants to keep me upright.  

  On a good note . . . Dennis had a good report from Jody, the surgeon’s PA.  She commented that for the first time she can see positive healing.  She gave Dan at our PT here in town a lot of credit with the ultrasound.  The northwest corner of our dining room table still resembles an annex to the Lewis Drug for various wound dressing supplies.  I think Santa may be able to save his clumps of coal for the socks here on Stauffer Avenue.  Those socks will be needed for a more active Dennis. 

  On a sad note . . . I did miss out on the stitchers meeting at Baker’s Square for noon lunch today. The best part is that a date has already been set for December and it is on our calendar.  Dennis is aware where to look if someone asks him . . . check the calendar.

  Our little freezer is now set with several small beef roasts as well as pork roasts.  Crock pot beware!  I couldn’t resist a 5lb. bag of red russet potatoes.  Sometimes nothing tastes as good as a boiled potato.

  Saturday, Dennis’ daughter and her other half are bringing Tom’s convertible for storage in our back garage for the winter season.  Sandy said she would be having her two granddaughters with as Sadie has guard drills.  I will make sure there are cookies about.

  Neither one of us were in the mood for eating out in Mankato.  I am going to make baked Tilapia and spicy, cheesy green beans for supper.  There is a serving for two left of cranberries in the refrig.  It should be a very colorful spread. 

  Friday may be a day I get to spend in the studio.  The prep is in a good place and that means no surprises but just good stitching and pressing.  Staying indoors and leaving the placement of bricks for another day.

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on November 16, 2022 Permalink  

  Glittery Snow 

  The fine snow coming down looks as though someone on high is shaking a container of glitter.  There is just enough sun shining that nothing is remaining on the concrete.

  Amid working with the pink fabric in the studio, I found myself needing a bit of early Christmas.  Tricking out a bit of the studio was just the ticket.  I have no idea what the large amount of heavy spike nails served as a purpose nailed in the floor joist overhead.  They are fairly consistently spaced in the width of the 2 x 6s.  Our home is over 100 years old, having then been moved from the rural township onto a basement here in town during the 50s. 

  My homesteading spirit can almost visualize mesh bags of carrots and onions hung to keep air circulating during the winter months.  Another thought that comes to mind is smoked summer sausage hung after a butchering of beef and pork.  It comes so easily to my mind as that is how my family did it seventy years ago in Renville County’s Boon Lake Township.

  Nontheless . . . today those heavy spikes were perfect to put up several cherry Christmas stitchings.  The embroidered hanging reminds me of a tapestry as it is so heavy.  At the time Dennis kept track of the stitching designs and it has over a million stitches within all the blocks.  It was done on a variety of flannels left over from a quilt I had made for Dennis.  The Santa log cabin pattern caught my eye in an older pattern book.  I printed the Victorian Santa images off of a CD onto fabric sheets fed into my color printer.  I really enjoyed that project.  In thinking about it . . . I just enjoy threads and fuzz.  My world would be quite small without challenging myself in the studio.  

  I know that spending time in the studio this winter, my spirits will be lifted just by the fact that glancing at these will bring fond memories. 

  Burger patties and beans are on the docket for supper.  When I checked the freezer this morning, the protein choices were slim to none.  Tomorrow while we are in Mankato, it will be the perfect time to pick up several small roasts for several crock pot meals.

   
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  Noreen 3:49 pm on November 15, 2022 Permalink  

  Damp Day 

  A damp day really can find all the vulnerable joints.  That might be an old wives’ tale.

  The city’s streets are sloppy as there has been wet fine snow falling for most of the day.

  Dennis went for coffee with his friend Dwayne at eight.  By ten he was at PT for his ultrasound treatment on his left foot.  Dennis is impressed with Dan as he also cleaned the wound by taking off any tissue that would impede healing.  I would not know how much to challenge the area.  The wound gets fresh dressing every other day.  With Dan working his magic today, Thursday we meet with the surgeon’s nurse in Mankato and Dennis meets with Dan again on Friday.  I sense I have off the remaining week until Saturday.  Sweet.

  When Dennis returned home, he kept the pickup running and warm and took me to the library.  I had books to return and then picked up some new reading.  With surfaces possibly being slick, I really appreciated the road date.  The call came at noon that Dennis could make a trip out north of town to pick up the snowblower that was getting checked over.  When Dennis got home with the blower on the two wheel trailer, grandson Ryan was right behind him to unload the snowblower for grandpa.  The two wheel trailer is parked, the blower is in the car garage, ready for a try when next we get measurable snow.  All is right with the world.

  This afternoon, the mail delivered the pink material I had ordered for Luella’s blanket.  It was the first time I had ordered material via the internet.  I am not disappointed by the choice I made or the time it took for the order to come from Virginia.   

  We have agreed on having a light supper.  Neither of us has had a strenuous day. 

  Our days are not cumbersome, but yet, the days seem to be filled.  We keep our heads above water and couldn’t ask for a better life.

   
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  Noreen 2:59 pm on November 14, 2022 Permalink  

  Silent Night 

  It is amazing how a layer of new fallen snow can muffle the outside noises.  A layer of Mother Nature’s insulation.

  Though I had not realized we were due the snow . . . here it is . . . deal with it.

  I knew once that breakfast and coffee had been served, Dennis would be out playing in the snow.  I do keep an eye out for him as he does the trips up and down the drive.  At this point in his life, he knows how much he can manage.  I was relieved when the snowblower sat idling several times.  When I looked through the bathroom window, the porch kitties were also happy that Dennis was taking a break.  The snowblower is one that Kevin gave to Dennis more years ago than I can remember.  Dennis does regular maintenance on it and so it serves him well.

  Yesterday Dennis did take a second snowblower out to be serviced.  That also is one that Kevin handed off.  When Dennis and I talked over this noon’s break, Dennis did comment that once he knows it is runny correctly, he doesn’t know if he will keep it.  It is quite a bit of a larger unit and also more powerful.  Being it is self propelled, controlling it could cause concerns.  The few times Dennis tried it last season, those were his same comments. 

  I am in the studio putzing.  My email told me that the pink fabric I ordered should be here sometime this week.  That will put me back onto Luella’s blanket. 

  This snowfall was perfect snowman building snow.  Hmm.  Our neighborhood has no children to try out the snow.  When I looked out, the concrete drive had pretty much cleared itself.  First snowfalls are, “Now you see me, now you don’t.”

   
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  Noreen 2:39 pm on November 11, 2022 Permalink  

  Veteran’s Day 

  Today I listened to the Veteran’s Day program on KNUJ.  I found it interesting.  When I had lunch with my favorite veteran, I shared with him that he is one of the 1% special people that have served or those that are in the service.  Hard to believe that the total of those in or were in the armed forces is that low.  Though there was agent orange acknowledged in the Korean War, known as a Police Action, Dennis was operating an 8″ Houser being high above those that were walking through the foliage.  Being a farm kid, he was an easy match as to what to do with an implement.  Dennis set the timers in the war heads.  That is why I can so easily look the other way when I need to set the coffee pot to go off at seven in the morning.  It’s above his pay grade.

  As of today, I am in a waiting room with Luella’s blanket.  All the blocks are of the same size.  I did something I have not done before.  I am now waiting for six yards of a pink print to come from Web Fabrics in Virginia.  I had nothing that was enough to finish the top, plus the backing.  I would have run my legs off to various quilt shops looking for what was a click away.  With the blocks now ready, it will give me a chance to vacuum here in the studio.  Threads and fuzz sure can attach themselves . . . everywhere.

  This last week a note popped up that Windows 11 could be loaded anytime on my Dell laptop in the studio, free of charge.  Well . . . I knew I had the HP, Windows 10, in the living room if things went south.  I did it!  So far, so good.  I am able to get my photos loaded, resized, renamed and loaded for the blog.  This morning, I got the printer to make nice with Windows 11.  I am sure I will discover other new items to try as time goes on.  What did I have to loose . . . my hair are already bordering on white.  It feels good to try and figure things out rather than sit on my hands and be less than.  That can happen easily as it is.

  Dennis has gone for coffee to see his friend Lyle that lives in one of the apartment buildings here in town.  Lyle and Dennis went to school together, but Lyle can no longer drive. 

  We are having Jimmy Dean pre-cooked sausages and pancakes for supper.  Comfort food on a wind blown chilly day.

   
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  Noreen 2:53 pm on November 10, 2022 Permalink  

  The Morning 

  Enjoying a cup of coffee that is set to have gone off and ready would go better if I had changed the clock when we fell back.  I am now up to speed.

  Dennis had the first wound care ultrasound treatment on his left foot this morning out at the hospital.  A new experience and he is set for two treatments per week going into the beginning of December.  A good plan for successful healing.  It was explained that this treatment would encourage more blood to the wound.  We are so close for complete healing.

  I have enjoyed the day in the studio.  All is coming into fruition with Luella’s blanket.  I am in no rush and have time to get this right the first time.  A trim here, a trim there.  Measure twice and cut once.  Using the rotary cutter, I am tempted to try some of the blades that tout staying sharper for longer.  Thus far, I have been a solid customer of the OLFA blades.  I know that there is a sharpener that is sold with not much success.  The cheaper quality of fabric has a lot of grunge in the manufacturing.  I am currently using a good quality of yardage with questionable quality in knit ware.

  It must be getting cooler outside.  The last I looked out the east bathroom window, Snuggles and Harriet were meshed together as one in the patio porch rocking chair.  I won’t feel sorry for them as I know Dennis and the patio porch furnace thermostat also work as one.  I am comfortable wearing a heavy sweater in the studio until I have worked up some inner heat and then the sweater is parked. 

  We will have enough chili for supper to have it paired with a grilled cheese sandwich.  Dang, that means for tomorrow’s supper I need to start anew. 

  Have a wonderful evening and know how fortunate we each are, having made it through the summer with no harsh storms.  Can’t say as much for the Florida residents as per the news of the day.

   
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  Noreen 3:38 pm on November 9, 2022 Permalink  

  Welcomed Rain 

  With several days of rain, regardless how little, it is welcomed.

  I have hit my stride with making all of Luella’s blanket blocks, each like the others.  My routine includes stitching a bit and then ironing what has been stitched.  I do know some stitchers that can stand in front of their machines and are quite comfortable doing so for lengths of time.  Though I could raise my sewing table for that task, I am not ready to try.  I know my old body well enough that I can’t sit in the same chair for any length of time.  A known fact that our Lord and creator did not make our bodies in his image . . . to sit.  I do better to wait until after supper to enjoy my rocking chair from seven until nine and then lights out for me.

  I have not checked out any of the election results.  If there is a winner that will impact my life, I will eventually find out about it.

  The chili for supper last night got rave reviews.  It will have an encore performance for this evening.  I think it is time for a crockpot dish, starting the crockpot in the morning and serving it up at supper.

  The quiet of the afternoon is a good thing.  The trucks of the harvest have come to an end.  The reports of yields is varied.  It matters not as those that do the telling may find the need to embellish.

  Hats off to all on this hump day.  May the day have brought about what was anticipated.  If not, tomorrow we can take another crack at it.

   
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  Noreen 1:51 pm on November 8, 2022 Permalink  

  Good Deed 

  Today after Dennis had his Tuesday’s group up town for coffee, we went and voted.  As well as nationally, there were some local races that we wanted input into.  Good deed was done.

  I had a fair amount of local effort to get done on the first floor of our home.  I am amazed at the amount of paper that the end of our dining room table can accumulate.  Each time a doctor appointment ends, they send you off with a printout of the prescriptions and after-care instructions.  By this time . . . I’ve got it down pat.

  Dennis helps out in the kitchen and with a light colored flooring, the coffee dribbles and a few others are the first to catch the dust off of the shoes as the dribbles are walked on.  This afternoon we are starting fresh. 

  This afternoon, I am making a kettle of chili.  It has been some time since we got the items and  cans of beans out.  I am trusting that I can still get the flavors correct.  What I do not have is an onion to sauté.

  I have decided on some fabric from my stashes to help making all the blocks the same size on Luella’s blanket.  Baby and toddler clothing is all quite light in color.  Down right blah.  I found the perfect addition for some of the blocks.  Looking at this fabric makes me smile.  Towards the end, there will be some pink, as that is Luella’s favorite color.  I did pick up on the pink in many of the items of clothing.

  I am on to the chili making and maybe there will be some time to decide on the thread . . . after I have given the sewing machine a lube job.

  We had a few sprinkles of rain allowing for a gloomy afternoon.  It’s not all bad, it could have been snow.

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on November 7, 2022 Permalink  

  Like the Others 

  I remember the workbooks that were in pre-school and perhaps even in kindergarten.  There were sheets of images and the child had to circle the ones that were not like the others.  That’s where I am at today with Luella’s blanket.

  Luella’s mom cut up some infant clothes for this blanket.  Clothes with labels for 6 months or even 12 months . . . there is not much fabric that is not caught up in seams.  I think my target is a piece of cloth that is 8 inches.  Those would be the items of clothing that has the cute saying on it and those items with colorful designs.  I have decided those items that are smaller than 8 inches will need to be made “like the others.”

  Realizing that I tend to overthink my threads and fuzz . . . I needed a break this afternoon.  Laying some items out on my church tables and giving them a glance once in awhile, may help my process.  Seriously, what does a four year old know about harmonious quilt techniques!  Seeing as how the mother wouldn’t know how to thread a needle . . . I will go with my instincts. 

  I found a ditty in a junk piece of mail that I thought was worth finding its way into my letter box.  The word fail – F.A.I.L. – “First Attempt in Learning.”  The word end – E.N.D. – “Effort Never Dies.”  The word no – N.O. – “Next Opportunity.”

  Clouds may be the ticket for today, but my studio allows me to feel sunny.

  That is about all the wisdom I have to impart today.

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on November 6, 2022 Permalink  

  Blustery Day 

  We seem to be in a wind tunnel today.  Gusts from the northwest that are taking anything and everything in its path to the east.

  Yesterday seven of us first cousins help Aunt Janet do up her 89th birthday in her own home.  The day was spent chit chatting along with quite the variety of foods that each one of us had contributed to.  Janet has never had her own children.  It seems as everyone there has always been in her corner going decades back.  

  Of course, we didn’t work with our clocks last night.  I think right now there are still two clocks in the house that need to be turned back.  It isn’t as if Dennis and I have that much riding on precise timing.  Our next important appointment is November 17th.  By that time we should have all clocks set correctly and have also adjusted to the change. 

  With any project in the studio, there has to be a starting point.  I don’t have firm plans in mind gong forward as yet.  I did know that all the wrinkled t-shirt material had to have Shape Flex ironed to the back.  That is where I started.  Luella’s mom, Amy, had cut some items of clothing helping the cutting process.  There aren’t any two pieces cut to the same size.  I guess I will worry about that as I get into this project.  When Dennis came down, he was amazed how the wrinkled t-shirts looked so different after they had the stabilizer ironed onto them.  In the photo, the lower rows of the project actually look as if they could become attractive in a finished blanket. I would be lost without a 24″ x 24″ sheet of Teflon.  Putting a piece of t-shirt, right side up, onto the Shape Flex and using the Teflon as a pressing cloth, there is no danger of getting the adhesive gunk on the iron.  I have done that a time or two and it’s a coin toss whether the iron can be saved or tossed.

  How wonderful that supper is going to be, some of the tuna oven dish that Dennis had fixed for us on Friday.  Got to love leftovers.  Catch you on Tuesday!