Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:43 pm on September 30, 2022 Permalink  

  A Sweet Day 

  A good night’s rest with no getting up during the night for a bathroom break.  That calls for a sweet day.

  I do have unusual breakfasts at times.  I couldn’t see the last of the baked acorn squash go to waste.  After two suppers, Dennis was over it.  Some acorn squash drizzled with syrup . . . a tasty breakfast.  I am not a fussy eater.

  My day has been in the studio.  My purple log cabin quilt top now needs to have three borders attached to it and then it becomes a quilt large enough for a double sized bed.  I do tend to get side tracked in the studio.  Checking this, checking that . . . looking to see if there are some items that could grace the recycling bin or the garbage bin.  It is my goal to pair down wherever I can.

  We had a frost that bit into the greenery of the Hosta earlier this week.  When I look out the bathroom window, the fall season is very evident.  Had not the wind been blowing during the cool morning, I would have gotten the weed whip out to knock down the Hosta.  I did put that off until next week.

  The mail brought a letter that looked as if it should have come from a family member.  What it was, was an estimate of car insurance coverage for our two vehicles.  Glancing at it, from State Farm, I am going to spend a bit more time on it to see if it would be or should be considered.  A penny saved is not a bad idea.

  This evening is our last meal of the chicken oven dish.  Boo Hoo!  So much for good tasty leftovers . . . until the next time.

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on September 29, 2022 Permalink  

  Great Feeling 

  There is no greater feeling than coming from seeing your family doctor and all things are copasetic.  I had mentioned earlier that I had some concern over my right knee.  After all, eighteen years of use, does not guarantee that many more.

  The last CAT scan I had of my spine was n 2004.  Now eighteen years later, the news is not a surprise.  The degenerative arthritis of then has significantly increased.  My knees are fine.  Am I complaining?  No.  If my ole bones could talk, it would fill volumes.  I was a diligent farmer’s daughter and never backed away from the chores on the end of a pitchfork or how many bales needed moving up in the hay barn.

  When my babies were small, I worked side by side with Orlin on our farm.  I recall, Orlin and I went to a neighborhood party.  Johnny Munnes had a band and lived not too far away.  He told me he hardly recognized me as he said I cleaned up pretty good.  Too funny.

  Arthritis may well be in the genes.  I am not sure of that.  I do know that I pray my two children work smarter rather than harder in their endeavors.

  I did come away today with some strengthening exercises that I can do sitting in a chair.  The walking and the bike peddling are good, but the spine and pelvic bones will serve my legs better than anything and in the long run.  It’s all about those lovely ham strings and what they command. 

  I came home feeling great as there had been that niggling in the back of my brain about the titanium knees wanting to give out.  I will say our family doctor stays on top of . . . everything.  I feel very fortunate. 

  By the way, the brussel sprouts in the chicken oven meal went great.  We talked about the tuna dish that Dennis makes.  It really is bland.  It was Dennis’ idea that the brussel sprouts would work in that oven meal as well.  That’s all I needed to hear.  This morning when the house was chilly, I set the oven at 350 degrees and roasted off the remaining sprouts.  I  put a freezer bag of them in the freezer for use at another time.  I think we have a convert.

  There is still time in the day, so I am going to tackle a bit of stitching.

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on September 28, 2022 Permalink  

  A Full Day 

  It might have been chilly this morning, but we were on the move.

  Yesterday we stopped at Sam’s Club in Mankato.  Kitty litter and Meow Mix is more reasonable than anywhere else.  One of the wives of the Korean Veteran’s luncheon had told me how much they like the rotisserie chicken from Sam’s.  Yesterday, I plopped one in a bag.  Down the aisle I purchased a 1.3 lb. tray of brussel sprouts.  They were not in the cooked state.  They were marinated in soy oil, basil, garlic, balsamic wine vinegar and grape mustard.  I did have a plan going forward for those goodies.  Dennis likes something with his breakfast coffee.  He is currently hooked on muffins from Sam’s.  Not that the cost is the determining factor, but the flavor whether, blueberry, cinnamon or banana.  By the way they are $.74 each.  Dennis’ daughter thinks they would be better if half the size.  The muffin works for Dennis and there is something in his stomach with the meds.

  This morning, it was monthly haircut time at the Curry Comb.  We don’t see Dennis’ niece in between time and as the snip, snip ensued the two of us were caught up in news, brushed clean of hair and we were on our way.

  When we got home, each of the 1 1/2 dozen muffins were put in a sandwich bag and popped into the freezer.  Breakfast done for some time to come.

  Dennis had told me early on he was going to make an oven dish.  Hmm.  My goal was to debone the 3 lb. chicken and make ready for use in an oven meal for supper.  Needless to say there was enough cut up and diced chicken for our oven meal plus two freezer bags ready to use another time.  Two cups per oven meal is my measure.  I diced up two cups of the fragrant brussel sprouts and nuked them in the microwave for two minutes.  It smelled so good.  By the time Dennis came in to make the oven dish, I had the chicken and brussel sprouts co-mingling in our little round blue enamel roaster.  A sprinkle of soy sauce over the mixture before Dennis came in worked.  I turned the kitchen over to Dennis.  It was his choice of the two cups of pasta and the sauce.  The sauce was determined to be the Alfredo.  Given a single brussel sprout to eat, Dennis would not eat it.  Diced and chopped hiding in the chicken and pasta, drowning in sauce, Dennis thought it was a good idea.  I like a bit more flavor than what canned chicken gives.  The rotisserie chicken has great flavor.  My sister Elvera always made a cold chicken salad using the rotisserie chicken, adding red and green grapes among a few other ingredients.  I stand a better chance with Dennis using the brussel sprouts.  Too funny. 

  While Dennis was in charge of the kitchen and the follow up with the dishes, I wrangled two loads of laundry.  Putting away the summer weight sheets means contending with the fitted sheets.  I prefer getting them to a point where I can roll them up like a small sleeping bag.  Hey, it works and it fits in the cupboard.  For those that can actually get them folded into a tidy little square . . . hats off. 

  It has been a full, satisfying day.  I need to pre-heat the oven at 4:30.  I am not starting anything in the studio, but rather sit in the sun in my bedroom porch and read a bit.

  Happy hump day.

   
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  Noreen 2:34 pm on September 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Fierce Winds 

  If anything would be loose outside, it would now be in someone else’s yard.  Days such as these being out in the backyard would not be safe.  We have had too many limbs take sail over the years.

  Dennis in his recliner and me in the kitchen.  I wrangled a beautiful acorn squash getting it ready for the afternoon’s oven . . . in time for supper.  Baked out squash is one of my favorites.  I did take out some extra butter.  Butter, pepper and some scant salt could make squash a total meal.  I do have two hamburger patties to add to it.

  Via the KNUJ’s radio station, I dug around in my stashes for complementary fabrics with which to add borders to the log cabin pieced quilt top.  Two out of the three is not too bad.  More seeking and searching tomorrow.  The third one pictured the farthest from the finished top, next to the green in the photo is not going to cut it.  Short by 1/4 yard.  Over night, a plan may make itself known.  Perhaps a creative bug will hit over night.

  I checked in with Megan this afternoon.  Her and her roommate had slept in a bit this morning and were heading down to the cafeteria for noon lunch.  Lunch here on Stauffer Avenue was a bit scant as the oven roasted squash will be worth the wait.

   
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  Noreen 1:57 pm on September 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Saturday the 24th 

  A breezy cloudy day.  I do know that we had rain last night.  I saw puddles when I got up.

  Today there would have been a funeral in my home church: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart, Minnesota.  A classmate of mine, Ronald Penk, lost his battle.  It now makes three fellows, all from the Stewart area and from the class of 1962.  I opted to stay home as we expected company.

  Dennis’ daughter, Sandy, drove out from Mankato.  Sandy is an RN and works for the clinic in New Ulm.  Sandy wanted to check on her dad and most importantly, his foot and how he was progressing in the healing department.  Thumbs up!  Good news from a professional.  Sandy shared that wound care is a huge part of what she experiences at work.  The healing process is a slow one.  Sandy moves from doctor to doctor in her work week and never knows what her day many bring.

  Sandy helped me move a hanging lamp that was above my bed.  Before cataract surgery, I could easily read in bed without my glasses.  Now the glasses are the last thing I take off before getting into bed and the first that I reach for when getting out of bed.  Reading is now done sitting up to a table.

  The hanging lamp is now over the area where I read in my bedroom porch.  Soon the days will be shorter to the point that the daylight I now read by will be a memory.   

  I also had a wall hanging that needed to be swapped out in the living room.  Amid the patchwork the words, “But those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like Eagles; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not feel faint.”  Isaiah 40:31. 

  Dennis is taking a nap this afternoon and I have just shut off the lights in the studio.  I had stitched on the last row of the purple log cabin quilt top when Sandy arrived.  I have not even paged ahead to see what kind of border I will be doing.  The mystery that will wait until another day.

   
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  Noreen 1:21 pm on September 23, 2022 Permalink  

  First Day of Fall 2022 

  It is the first day of fall and the leaves are falling as they are heavy with the rain that has been falling since I got up.  The temps were told to stay in the 50s today and they are spot on.

  Dennis was home from the VA appointment by nine this morning.  When he did come home there was one single of the three porch kitties that wanted out.  With all doors kept shut over the night time hours, it does stay snuggly from the sun of yesterday that was taken in.

  No walking for me today.  I needed to be content doing the bicycle peddling.  The studio lights were on by ten this morning.  As of this afternoon, I have five of the purple log cabin rows stitched.  A break from standing over the church tables as well as bending over the sewing machine was needed.  My body does not tell fibs on me. 

  I am keeping track of my right knee.  The total knee replacements are now eighteen years old.  I was told at that time that they were possibly not for the long haul.  Hmm.  I am being mindful of when I feel a need to take it easy and just what I was doing at that time.  Clues are important.

  Megan was in a communications class.  She reached out for us to answer a question that the professor had posed to them to reach out to grandparents.  It was a response as to what we valued and deemed important at our age.  My answer to her was simple.  I texted her that we want to stay in our own home for as long as we can.  With good medical care it is important to adhere to what we are advised of.  Megan texted back as she thought that was a very good answer.  Our sweet college student.

  The UPS truck made a stop today for Dennis’ three month supply for his CPAP machine.  It is an automatic renewal and the best part is, it knocks out the need for us to make a stop at the Mayo Store in Mankato.

  We are having a Stauffer Avenue smorgasbord supper this evening.  It amounts to Jimmy Dean precooked sausages, heated and chopped up.  Several eggs broken and beaten, added to some leftover Betty Crocker scalloped box potatoes we had last night.  Well blended in a skillet . . . it is called a high protein supper.

  May the weekend bring all into your lives and hearts that bring you contentment.

   
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  Noreen 2:15 pm on September 22, 2022 Permalink  

  A Nowhere Day 

  Today is Thursday the 22nd and we needed to be nowhere for the entire day.

  Yesterday our agenda was to take a load of limbs to the tree dump at four in the afternoon.  I was prepared with my old garden shoes, gloves and a jacket in case a branch came my way to leave a huge gouge in an arm.  On the trail we were behind a huge dump truck loaded with limbs.  I had never seen anything like a truck that had a ladder on the back of it with a fairly comfortable looking chair attached.  We paid our $2.00 and got in line.  When the fellow driving the truck got out, he was fast on his feet and he scaled the ladder in a few seconds.  Then I saw the controls.  There was a huge jaws attachment on a bucket that the truck driver could control.  It took only three nips with jaws and his load was empty.

  The truck driver came over and told us to pull up next to his truck and he would empty our trailer.  Wow.  Talk about making fast work of our load.  We would have been tugging on the limbs for quite some time to get them to pull off easily.  Of course, Dennis had to chit chat with the driver.  The rig was from Sleepy Eye doing a job in St. James.  Dennis’ niece had been his teacher when he was in school.  Small world.  Within a short while we were home, had the trailer parked at the east end of the lot, vowing to each other . . . no more tree work this year.

  Dennis did have coffee and cookie guests in the patio porch this morning.  Doug, from Madelia was over for a VA appointment and stopped afterwards to share his Alaska fishing trip news.

  After my walk, I had local effort to do in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen.  Tidy, tidy.  There was success in the studio.  Of the six total rows in the purple log cabin pattern, I have three rows looking smart.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.  Tomorrow Dennis will be making the five minute trip to the VA for his INR (blood clotting test).  I will be enjoying the entire day at home.  

  I did need to change Dennis’ dressing on his left foot after lunch.  We are down to a 3″ x 3″ band aid after applying a solution of Iodasorb.  Iodasorb kills bacteria better than Betadine and heals from the inside of the wound out.  It pulls out any seepage that could slow down the healing.  It is not covered by our insurance and was $78.00 at the Mayo Store.  BTW, the only item not covered for Dennis throughout these last ten months. Well worth our cost to get this great headway in that left foot project.  The fact that he can wear a shoe on that foot . . . sweet.  We did get an appointment yesterday from the prosthetic and limb store in the old Madison Mall in Mankato.  It is a medical prescription from the VA.  We will be traveling to Mankato next Tuesday.  Dennis will be fitted for shoes and a prosthetic insert for the left foot as it has a diminished size compared to October of 2021.  One more item to get done during these fall months.

   
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  Noreen 1:55 pm on September 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Hump Day 

  While Dennis is at DR. Pinke’s eye clinic for the specialist from Mankato to do an eye injection, I am going to pop out a post.

  Son Ken needed to find an alternative driver to take him to the Sioux Falls airport for his 3:15 flight back to Arizona.  These injections that Dennis needs in his right eye do not take a back seat.

  I was up early this morning.  There are times after the bladder has gotten me up for a bathroom call, I am wide awake.  This was one of those times.  Neighbor Jan works at the school and leaves home by 7:20.  Jan came over to the picket fence and commented that it was a bit early for me to be gardening.  That it was.  I was up, the temps were nice and cool . . . why not.

  Dennis and I had achieved our goal of getting the dead lilac cut out and now it was time for some landscaping 101 to make the most of the area that looked . . . naked.  We have always had a love of old metal wheels.  Last year Dennis painted them.  For the immediate future the wheels placed here and there will suffice.  As we placed the wheels against the posts of the fence, Dennis was very careful around the antlers of the concrete deer.  Now wouldn’t that be a home accident waiting to happen! The Autumn Joy plants around the deer took a beating, but they will come back next year with perhaps a few more of them added.  They love the sun and the Monarchs and bees like them as well.

  The lights in the studio were turned on today after a period of darkness.  When the weekend had brought quite a bit of company, it was easier to kick back and take the days the way they came.  Hmm.  The first thing I noticed was that there were some stitches that needed to be removed.  In fact two rows of 60″ each that needed to be taken out.  Concentration was not at its best when done.  I now have all of it taken care of and the next time . . . let the stitching begin. 

  When Dennis gets home from the eye clinic I will have his eye patch ready to wear under his glasses for protection.  The tree dump opens at four this afternoon and the trailer with the dead lilacs is already behind the little red pickup.  The branches are loaded as such that by me taking ahold of their bases and Dennis driving forward slowly, the bulk of them will come off easily.  Yup . . . we have been there and done this before.

  When we get home I have two stuffed green peppers to pop in the oven.  Supper will be a little later than usual but we have no where that we need to be tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 12:28 pm on September 16, 2022 Permalink  

  The End of the Five Days 

  Hello!  This is the earliest I have ever sat down during the day to put down thoughts.  Shh!  The house is quiet.  

  Dennis is on his way to the Sioux Falls airport to pick up his eldest child for a long weekend visit.  I know that the families from Silver Bay will be traveling here also.  It is a “come one, come all” type of weekend.  Everyone has a place to stay here and there about.  Our tiny home is off the hook.  It is a good time to get in Dennis’ family get together before the weather turns.  That may be here before we know it.

  The stitcher’s luncheon yesterday was informative on many levels.  Some have experienced Covid, after shots and boosters being had.  The degree of symptoms were varied.  We have one stitcher that travels and gives lessons in quilt shops.  She also is gearing up to participate as a vendor in several town’s events.  I applaud her for the vim and vigor.  I don’t know if the fact that she lives with a daughter, not having to be responsible for home and yard upkeep, enters in.  It works for her and the rest of the group gets to experience the wares that she has lined up. 

  This same trooper had taken in a class of table top weaving.  As I looked at her finished sample it took me right back to the Newcomb Fly Shuttle four harness rug loom that was such an integral part of our home for decades.  A “For Sale” ad had been answered in the Willmar area.  Wow.  My mom used a two harness loom in her basement.  My dad and Orlin made the trip.  We had an automatic instructor on how to set up this loom after having it been taken apart for the journey.  So many moving parts.

  Not only did they come home with the loom but also many prepared balls of cut rags ready to try it all out.  This lady had been ready to retire.  

  News traveled fast.  So many yards of rugs we wove.  It was not unusual to come home from work and find boxes of cut rolled rags with notes attached as to what length was desired.  $.10 an inch was the going rate.  Many orders for warp was sent in to Lima Ohio in various colors.  I still have several spools of the cotton warp.  Sweet memories. 

  The most significant memory of weaving in the farm house, was of the lady from Shakopee.  She had visited many thrift shops purchasing wool garments and coats of certain colors.  She had people that cut them into strips no wider than the size of what a wooden pencil would be when twisted.  Our loom could weave 42″ in width.  She wanted specific colors of warp that we sent for.  When we felt we had twelve feet in length woven, we would have to release the brakes and let the weaving relax.  More than likely more would be needed to weave.  The goal was to weave four such lengths in equal lengths.  When she picked them up, she had someone on board to weave the four lengths, side by side, together for a room sized rug using more of the same warp we had used for weaving.  That job was by far more than $.10 an inch.  It was jewel tones that were beautiful.

  When I heard the story that was shared yesterday of the table top loom, I could relate to the bug that was felt in the lure of weaving.  I also knew I had done that . . . been there! 

  Several of us just take in the energy of the luncheon and come away with a new appreciation how walks of life may be different, but the love of thread and fuzz literally ties us together.

  Once I have the laundry done, I may still have several hours of quiet left.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 1:46 pm on September 14, 2022 Permalink  

  Check That 

  Though we were home from the big city by twelve noon, we had two items to check off with no repeat of them needed.

  I have been up since 4:30 and now in the mid afternoon, I can feel myself drooping.  We were at the heart center in Mankato by 8:45.  I have said it before . . . Dennis does not get us to appointments late.

  I now have a cardiologist assigned to me.  Dr. Mohammad Sarref is the Senior Associate Consultant for Cardiovascular Diseases for Mayo at Mankato.  The doctor led off with allowing me to know he had looked over my records the night before.  There was no catch up needed.  There are no additional meds required.  He recommended that I repeat the esophageal test in one year.  I told him I had no qualms about swallowing a camera if it meant I could be assured of a healthy aortic valve.  He reiterated the need for staying active with rest being just as important and resting before fatigued.  Leaving, I felt reassured that I was in good hands with a business card for Dr. Sarref.  If any concerns are had between now and in a year, do not hesitate to call.   

  We then motored on to St. Peter to pick up the clock that was being repaired.  It now runs via a battery.  A very small shop with an ever so interesting work bench.  I had a spot cleaned off in my sewing studio on a shelf so the time can be glanced at easily.  It is better than having it sit where there was an outlet and not easily seen.

  It was home sweet home for us.  No medical appointments out of town remaining for us for the remainder of the month.  I am thrilled.

  With that being stated, I am going to take in a luncheon with the stitchers tomorrow at Baker’s Square.  No . . . Dennis cannot come with.  Tee Hee!