Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 1:53 pm on July 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  I have everything set to begin quilting my scrappy quilt.  Bobbin and top thread decided to be an orange rust color.  The walking foot in on the machine.  I am going to do a three inch grid for the quilting.  As there are numerous individual blocks . . . not all are square with the world. 

  At this time I am thinking of going diagonal.  Not getting caught up with quilting lines that don’t intersect where there should be within a square . . . don’t even try.  This is my project with nothing to prove to anyone, other than not letting it be an unfinished object, aka: UFO.

  Today there is a brisk wind with 83 degrees. The dew point is higher than the humidity . . . making for a sticky wicket.

  Early this morning, with a pruner in hand, I cut back the yellow lily blossoms hopping to leave nothing for the cicada wasps to be encouraged with.  Oh they were about like crazy.  I got one by swatting at it.  Yup, I stepped on him.  With my task complete I went inside.

  When Dennis came home at noon he commented that he had seen the pile of yellow lily blooms in the trash.  He also counted five of the nasty wasps hunkering around the side door into the car garage.  I give up.  A killing frost isn’t too far away.

  In between time, I have a book I am enjoying.  Reading in my bedroom porch is a good break from studio time.  It also caught my eye that across the street, two young fellows were trying to get a huge sofa into their home.  Push and pull, try hard as they might.  They ended up putting it in their garage.  A trick I learned a long time ago when it comes to moving things in and out of a house . . . take the doors off of their hinges,  It is surprising what a few precious inches can make.

  It is a day, known as hump day.  Much has been accomplished thus far this week, with more to come on the horizon.  Goals are in sight.  Hmm.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:46 pm on July 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Studio Weather 

  I didn’t even attempt to be outside this morning.  I looked out the bathroom window and the cicada wasps were thick at the yellow lilies next to the sidewalk going to the patio and into the garage.  I thought, “Okay, you suckers!  Literally, suck up all you can from these flowers as this heat will soon have them wilted and then you can go and find somewhere else to feast at.”

  With the morning taking on a new agenda, I began being busy making sure I was on board with email addresses via text messages.  Gotta love communications.

  I was happy Dennis came in during the forenoon and was content with his Facebook group and their videos on all things important to ole cowboys.  A bottle of water with electrolytes and a sandwich was called for.  Dennis has a history of a slow pulse, so we push liquids that can help.

  With KNUJ on, my time whiled away working with safety pins getting the sandwiched quilt project ready for the next step.  I was surprised how well the pinning went.  I had not intended to do the entire quilt, but slow but sure was all it took.  My teak rocker helps to take breaks.  After the pinning was done, I checked to see what color thread I would use when I machine quilt it.  Choices abound.  Choices to take a wait and see.  This scrappy quilt will be mine to enjoy.  There isn’t a bad choice to be had.  I called it a day and all the lights were turned off in the studio for the day.

  We have been limping along lately when it comes to suppers.  This morning I took out some chicken tenders to thaw and peeled the last four potatoes in the bag.  Hmm.  There was one or two sprouts that needed to be plucked.  Nothing serious.

  Today, I feel the happiness of a contented individual.  All I need is right here at my fingertips.

  Stay safe in this heat and take plenty of fluids with you as you go about your plans.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:37 pm on July 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Sticky Sunday 

  The nicest part of this Sunday was before nine this morning.

  The traffic has been busy as this is the last day of our county fair.  We heard the fireworks last night and we were content and happy for those in attendance.

  I headed to the studio.  I had cleanup to do from completing the scrappy quilt top.  One thing led to another in the cleanup.  It’s a good feeling when sifting and sorting allows for a few inches of blank shelving to be observed and a few empty plastic containers.  I dug out my baggie of safety pins, getting geared up for the pinning of the scrappy quilt layers.  That was it for studio time.  I have a great novel that I am into in my bedroom porch.  It also gives me a chance for some traffic watching.  It amazes me what I can pick up on.

  Dennis’ grandson AJ was here this morning and spent some quality time with his grandpa.   They have a plan.  When Denis came in for a noon sandwich, I got the full lowdown.  Dennis said AJ had an app on his phone and in pointing it, AJ knew just where grandpa’s small antenna needed to be on the north interior wall of the patio porch.  They rigged it up temporarily and it was all systems go for channels off of the REA tower to the north of us.  As I said . . . a plan is in place for the next visit when AJ has a piece of coax cable that is coming with.  I think its great for Dennis to interact with the grandkids . . . which right now is one out of eight and it is AJ. 

  Quality time with family is fleeting.  We all need it.  We all seek it.  I just had no idea it would involve the little palm sized gizmos.  No matter to me . . . it works for me.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:44 pm on July 13, 2022 Permalink  

  Sweet Day 

  This is a day that would bare repeating.  But the forecast is for more July heat and temps.

  I checked the cicada wasps out this forenoon.  Though their holes are plugged with mothballs, I observed them feasting on the yellow lilies’ stamens.  Hmm.  Perhaps when the blooms are spent and no longer offer goodies, maybe the wasps will disappear.  Just the smell and fumes of the mothballs should render the eggs of the wasps infertile.

  In the first part of June as I was transplanting Hosta from the east portion of the acre, I noticed wasps on the Hackberry tree where a limb had broken off.  There was a huge swarm.  Neighbor Jan came over and she had an app to take a photo of them and then find out what they were.  They were elongated and had transparent iridescent wings.  Those wasps were Ichneumonid wasps that parasitized horntails in decaying wood.  Who knew?

  I tell you . . . there is plenty that keeps me from being outside.  When I am outside, I keep an eye out for icky, yucky bugs.

  Snuggles and I did get a bit of clover pulled up around some of the Hosta.  The clover had made wreaths around the Hosta.  I chose several Hosta to get done and then . . . the black flies were biting.  Of course I did get a few catnip sprigs crimped for the kitties.  I then headed inside.

  Within our small home we have no carpeting.  The Swiffer dry mop does the trick for lint, etc.  Dennis is my major dishwasher and the drip line from the kitchen counters to the floor was evident that I needed to tidy up the floor.  With the skylight that Kevin put into our kitchen ceiling in times past, nothing gets passed what my eye can spy.  I plunked the two lightweight kitchen rugs into the washing machine and proceeded to use the Swiffer floor wet wipes on the bathroom and kitchen floors.  They do have a nice aroma.

  With the weeding and the mopping, I am calling it for “local effort.”  The studio is tempting.  The next step in the scrappy quilt is securing all three layers.  My hands and arms are not up for the barrage of safety pins needed to get the job done today.  There will be another day.

  Tomorrow is not that day as the stitchers are finally getting together at Baker’s Square for lunch tomorrow.  Summer schedules has taken its toll.  Of course, Dennis has several requests while I will be out and about. 

  It is a truly wonderful weather day.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:40 pm on July 12, 2022 Permalink  

  Pleasant Day 

  I had breakfast coffee on the patio a little after six.  It was beautiful out.

  Today was the day that we were getting haircuts at 11:00 a.m. at The Curry Comb.  I could hardly wait!  When it gets to be a month out, the hair feels like a helmet.  I have fine hair and a lot of them.  Both of my kids have course hair such as their dad did.  At least everyone does have hair.  

  I do need to enjoy the early mornings on the patio.  As the sun begins to warm concrete, plants and dirt . . . we have nasty wasps.  We have the Cicada Wasps in the dirt right next to the sidewalk going to the patio.  They have a bright red band around their bodies.  They have long bodies and bore into the dirt where they lay their eggs.  They are vigilant when we or birds go anywhere near their territory.  Dennis to the rescue.  Tonight at dusk when they settle in, Dennis bought mothballs at Fleet this afternoon.  Those perfect little holes are going to have a mothball plugged into each and everyone of them.   I have watched from afar and I know that under the lilies, there are more holes than I can get to.  It is a two pound box of mothballs, I may put down a nice layer and use my hoe to get them where I hope they will do the best good.

  Underneath the awnings on the north side of the house and under the gutter helmet of the garage, it has kept Dennis busy knocking down the newly formed nests.  When the Mediacom fellow checked the exterior of their coax cable box, he jumped back as wasps had found themselves a tidy hiding spot.  What is it about flying insects that make days less than enjoyable. 

  I will say it again.  I enjoyed the late spring that we had, when the temps were in the 60s during the day.

  I have begun the sandwiching of my scrappy quilt.  I opened the bag of quilt batting and have it unfurled on the church tables.  Getting the kinks out of the tight folds will help in the long run.

  Last Tuesday evening when we had a severe storm with high winds, the back door got away from Dennis.  The closure rod got a nasty bend in it.  When Dennis was at Fleet this afternoon he had “no choice.” There was one to be had and as luck would have it, it would work for us.  Dennis did the pulling to get it to extend to reach the point for the pin to fit in, while I was the one in charge of the pin.  Got that task done.   

  There are good reasons why we have lists when we are in Mankato.  Locally the inventory is less than good.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:44 pm on July 11, 2022 Permalink  

  A Day to Enjoy 

  It is a Monday!

  Anticipation was high today on Stauffer Avenue.  We were awaiting a service call from Mediacom.  If it had not been for an ethernet cable to allow us to have internet, Dennis would have had his ditty bag packed ready to check into the Super 8 Motel here in town for their internet access.

  Dennis views different sites in groups on Facebook.  Everything from tractors, to horses to the latest reviews on zero-turn lawnmowers.  Since giving up his RFD television channel, Faceb0ok is what has given him satisfaction.

  A young fellow from Mediacom was here at 10:30.  We had purchased Net Gear equipment to supplement us with wireless wi-fi.  As the fellow worked with the diagnostics of it, there was no wireless of anything forthcoming.  We decided to jump back on to Mediacom.  The rental fee for the modem/wireless router, all in one, is $13.00 per month.  I think we can swing that.  The young fellow worked with setting the wi-fi booster that is needed to allow Dennis’ smart television to work in the patio porch.  All is right with the world on Stauffer Avenue.  I will box up what we had purchased of the Net Gear and make a return to Walmart when we visit the wound doctor on Friday. 

  I had a great visit with Linda this morning in the studio.  Linda left with a car full of goodies for their church mission sewers.  The amount of gallon baggies filled to bulging left her speechless . . . but not for long.  I felt joy and relief that what I had to share was going to a great place with some great gals right here in town.  It is a false belief that a body of water needs to be crossed before it is considered “mission work.” It sounds as if this group could be comparable to a chain-gang endeavor.  Everyone has their specialty in the effort of turning out quilts.  Now that the bolts of fabric and the floss has found a home where it will all be put to good use . . . Linda said we need to put our hearts together to pare down the Dueber’s button tree.  Sweet!

  Through all the activity of the morning, I put together a chicken oven meal.  We had purchased some frozen chicken breast meat that was not very tender.  This morning, I thawed until it cubed up perfectly.  I steamed it, added some “Better Than Bullion Garlic” and pepper, a can of corn, cooked pasta and Alfredo Sauce.  Supper will be served in fine fashion.

  It has been a day filled with joy.

   
• 

  Noreen 12:16 pm on July 10, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunday the 10th 

  What a great morning to have coffee on the patio.  Snuggles thought so too.  It didn’t take long he was sprawled across my lap.  Had it not been for a squirrel taunting him, he would have stayed long enough to have the legs fall asleep.

  Every part of Dennis’ body wanted to get a night’s rest last night . . . except his legs.  Restless leg syndrome is not good.  After his morning ritual, Dennis decided to go to his recliner.

  I had a busy day yesterday bagging up DMC floss.  I knew the tiny bins were full, but I had no idea how full they still were.  Fellow stitcher Lu received two bulging gallon bags and Anita also had gotten quite a bit before Covid hit.  Both belong to the same church in St. Peter.  Cousin Janet had filled a shoe box of colors she wanted when they had visited from Foley.  Dennis’ granddaughter from Silver Bay had taken a box full of the floss for occupational therapy in the veteran’s home that she works in.

  Here some floss . . . there some floss, it was time to make a clean sweep of it.  Linda from the First Lutheran Church will be by in the forenoon tomorrow to take the remaining of the floss.  Kersten and Kevin had passed it on to me after Mr. Dueber had declared the final sale of inventory in his Fairfax store was over.  I have kept the floss safe and tidy offering some of it up to many.

  My arms were weary last night.  I dreamt that just when I thought I had all the floss bagged up, there would be more found in every corner of the studio.  What a realistic dream.  

  When my friend Lorraine passed away from cancer, her daughter had brought over everything her mom had for sewing.  Lorraine had worked for me in the courthouse.  She had retired before I did.  Five of Dennis’ great granddaughters and one great grandson received quilts from Lorraine’s fabric.  Three of his granddaughters were given quilts from that stash.  Dennis’ daughter Sandi has a cold house and she had two that she requested.   All those that received quilts from Lorraine’s fabric were happy customers.

  On the corner of the ironing board in the photo is a bag of thread from Lorraine.  This thread works fine in my Bernina and I am sure the church ladies will make good use of it.  The cost of sewing thread has jumped along with everything else.

  I am now ready to return to my project of the scrappy quilt.  I used up all of Mom’s feed sack fabric that she had saved.  It blended right in.  Dennis and I went to Gathering Friends Quilt shop in Bird Island last week and I am now armed with batting for the project.  It took me back as I reached for the door handle going into the shop.  I read the decal on the door.  Their hours are 9-1 Monday through Friday.  I do not know if they are short of help or if there are other circumstances.  The shop has been for sale for some time.  

  What a great satisfying feeling I have knowing that my studio’s load has been lightened considerably.  I hope Linda’s vehicle’s cargo holder can handle it all.

  Onward to a new week that will take us to the middle of the month.  Time stands still for no one.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:40 pm on July 9, 2022 Permalink  

  Quite the Day 

  Last night I got an unexpected text.

  Linda is the gal in charge of the mission quilting in the First Lutheran Church.  Linda picked up the bolts of cotton/poly just about a week and a half ago.  She reported that the gal in charge of making up the backing of their quilts had 42 backs ready for the pieced tops and batting from the bolts of cotton/poly.  Wow.  Linda is in charge of cutting all of their donated fabric into 10.5″ squares.  Linda has a set number of those cuttings that she bags up and the troops that are working on the quilts take home a bag or two and get them sewn together ready as the tops of the quilt.  What an operation.

  Any how . . . the text was telling me that they would use the DMC floss that I had offered to tie their quilts.  They had been using yarn and some of the ladies had commented on the difficulty getting the knots tight.  The troop under Linda does not qualify for spring chickens.  Linda herself is a 70 year young retired teacher.

  This morning armed with breakfast coffee and my box of gallon Ziploc bags, I began bagging up floss by colors.  Each of the DMC drawers have a divider for 12 different colors.  I think when Dennis came down and checked on me, I had 11 gallon bags stuffed to the brink.  When I shared with him the color chart of DMC floss colors, he could not believe the slightest variant in color that would spur a use for one of the twelve dividers in the drawer.  I put hues of each color together in the various bags.

  Dennis got the remaining of the acre mowed today.  It sure looks manicured.  He has the touch!  When he came in for the Dawn to put in his scrub pail, I was curious.  The city puts down a layer of calcium chloride for dust control on Stauffer Avenue.  It is the nastiest stuff to drag into the garage.  It literally will make a liquid puddle on the garage floor.  The city did this about two weeks ago and it had begun to be packed down on the avenue with the traffic.  Today Dennis scrubbed down his garage floor and then hosed it off, hoping for less muck that will find its way into the garage.

  We do seem to keep busy for two old duffers.  I am excited to be parring down the inventory in the studio.  As I had the baggies of floss lined up on the ironing board, I decided to get out several garbage bags.  I went through totes that held fabric from family of friends that had donated fabric to me.  I have decided not to be a depository.  This group of church ladies making quilts for charity will have some additional yardage to use.  As I checked things over in the studio, what I now have for choices in my stashes is what I had chosen to purchase.  Sweet!

   
• 

  Noreen 1:19 pm on July 2, 2022 Permalink  

  Stitching Right Along 

  It was a six in the morning cup of coffee for me.  The three kitties and I walked the acre to check things out.  In places the grass crunched under foot.

  Dennis’ nephew from Windom stopped in for a visit and by nine, I left the fellows to talk shop and I went in and down to the studio.

  I have been stitching on a quilt top called “A Long Time Ago.”  I haven’t rushed at it.  In early spring I was busy transplanting Hosta and then doing some stitching in the afternoons.

  On a side note . . . I so enjoyed the cool temps to be out getting my fingernails dirty.  That was the ultimate for me.  Since the temps have climbed and bugs are out, I am not outside other than in the mornings.

  Back to stitching.  All of the various blocks in this pattern have been sewn.  Blocks today were then sewn together to make up quarters and then into halves of the quilt top.  Dennis would check on me from time to time and give moral support.  So many 1/4 inch seams to match up.  So many seams to press.  So many 1/4 inch seams to press open to make less bulk, without burning the fingers.

  This mid afternoon it was time.  It was time to lay, with the right sides of the project, bringing both halves together.  In my head I was doing a drum roll.  Over the course of months and eyeballing the 1/4 inch seam allowance, how much would I have to fudge to make this union work?  The grid for the top of the church tables that Kevin and Kersten got for me has been priceless.  Laying things out on it for the common good, leaves little to the imagination.  Armed with pins, I pinned each end and worked towards the middle.  I was astounded.  Both lengths of the halves were joined in perfect harmony.   

  That was it!  I shut everything down for the day.  I had achieved my ultimate goal which has been in the works for several months.  When next I return to the studio, the two halves will become one.   A border of 4″ will be sewn on all four sides making for approximately 64″ x 64″.  The folksy orange flowered print that was used in joining blocks as it was called for in the pattern, will also be used in the border as well as the backing.  I knew I had saved this yardage of Mom’s for the perfect project.

  I let Dennis know we now would be going on a road date to Bird Island in the near future.  My gift certificate that has been waiting for me will be used in part for the batting of “A Long Time Ago.”   It will be the prime time to have lunch at the Athman’s Café.

  I have had a great rewarding Saturday.

  Be well my family and friends.  Be kind to yourselves and each other this long weekend.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:33 pm on June 29, 2022 Permalink  

  A KNUJ Sort of Day 

  It’s breezy with humidity and dew points neck and neck.

  I took some time today in the sewing studio to tidy up after Linda had taken a huge amount of fabric from me to her church.  I remain feeling very good about that.

  KNUJ has a bit of news and some good music on the waves.

  Dennis is having a good day in the patio porch being entertained via the television programming.  His cousin, Bruce, was over this forenoon to have coffee with Dennis.

  Supper time is going to be minimal as neither one of us has been at it very hard today . . . hardly at it would be more correct.  

  It might be a Progressive soup supper with a piece of peach pie and a sliver of vanilla ice cream topping it.

  Tomorrow afternoon we visit Nurse Jody at the Mankato Hospital for the last of the stitches to come out of Dennis’ well healed foot.  Sweet!

  I have nothing new to report today, so it is time to close this down until perhaps tomorrow.