Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from October, 2020 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:20 pm on October 26, 2020 Permalink  

  I Knew it! 

  This weekend it will happen.  I knew it!  We are going to get an Indian Summer.  We so deserve that.  This morning when I checked the temps it felt like it was seven above.  Thanks goodness the warm temps are coming, I was not yet ready to wear a coat.

  I dug out supplies from the pantry and freezer and made a huge pot of chili.  Dennis and his friend Dwayne are making yet another trip to Storden auction site with Dwayne’s items.  Each time I hear “one more trip.”  It is getting down to the nubbins and there is “one more trip.”  Dennis doesn’t realize it, but it lifts his sprints every time Dwayne calls.  Once Dwayne is in an apartment house and has totally moved and feels claustrophobic,  I think they will both need to meet up in the patio porch every once in awhile for coffee and Rice Krispie Bars.  I always have sent some with the boys when they head off to the auction.  

  The sun is out and the water is dripping everywhere from the last dump of snow.  These last two snows have been heavy enough to snap everyone into action when the weather is nice and warm out.  Yes . . . 52 degrees can be called warm.

  I made a trip to the locked down library.  I jumped through all the hoops and escaped with my books.  I did stop at the “freebe” bookcase and scored two additional ones.  At least I won’t be receiving daily updates on those two as to how many days I have left prior to the books being delinquent. 

  I do have the sewing machine running in the background.  Soon there may be something that looks as if there was a rhyme and reason to my thought process of these flannel blocks.

  Hmm, I just tipped my head up from the computer and caught a glimpse of the calendar.  Dang, next week at this time, it will be November.  I think I will begin to drag me feet a bit.  I am not one to wish my days away.  I have too much that I want to accomplish and tackle.

   
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  Noreen 2:43 pm on October 25, 2020 Permalink  

  A Currier & Ives Sunday 

  There has been snow falling since 3:30 this morning when I got up to use the bathroom.  Our concrete surfaces are managing to melt the snow as it comes down.  When our trees release some of the snow that has gotten too heavy on the branches, it falls to the concrete patio resembling someone that has had a paintball gun.  A glob here and a glob there.  Again, the ground is totally covered.  By the supper hour yesterday, I was amazed how much of the yard was bare of snow.  

  I just came in from having an afternoon break with Dennis in the patio porch.  All three cats have their favorite chairs to lay on.  It helps that Dennis has a pillow on which they can each curl up on.  The Koi pond does have very light ice on the far edges.  The pump is keeping the majority of the water open.  If all goes well Wednesday we will be taking the Koi to their new home. 

  One thing had been neglected as we prepared for the changing seasons.  We had not taken the garden hoses in from the faucets on two sides of the house.  The hoses are now in the garages to thaw.  Hmm.  Something so obvious we had not seen it. 

  I have a project prepared in the sewing studio.  Fabric has been cut, stabilizer has been cut and then I shut off the lights and came upstairs.  I know my body well enough that I am better off not staying at one thing for too long whether it is standing, sitting in one chair too long or sitting in front of the sewing machine.  Moving!  It’s the key for an arthritic body.

  How could I not have an arthritic body.  I never took notice of what I was doing with my body when I was in my 20s and beyond.  Heck Ya . . . I can do it.  I sure did!  Well . . . I am still doing what I need to and like to do with perhaps a bit of a twist as to how I achieve the end results.  I have cautioned Carrie and Kevin when it comes to repetitive motions that can harm the joints, bones and the whole ball of wax . . . been there and done that.  Here I am today not letting the arthritis get anymore control of me than I can help.  Work smarter, not harder.

   
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  Noreen 3:59 pm on October 22, 2020 Permalink  

  Thursday 

  When I awoke this morning, it was to the sound of rumbling thunder that continued much like when my stomach is growling.  My eyes were not yet open when I heard the rain start.  When I had come totally to I couldn’t believe how dark it was outside for eight in the morning.  When the skies did lighten there was a yellow look.  Hmm.

  It was not until later in this day that the radio said the yellow was from the Colorado fires being right in line with the winds heading for Minnesota and freezing on the ice crystals in the sky.  What next.

  Dennis’ nephew’s concrete business is taking a bit of a break until it dries out a bit for what they have on the docket.  Brett did happen to bring over a baby quilt that he has been working on.  His request was for me to embroider the baby’s name and birth date on the quilt top.  How could I say no when it takes just a bit of time. We visited while the machine hummed.  I am pretty sure Brett is close to getting a new sewing machine.  He is independent enough that he would enjoy doing his projects from start to finish on his own.  Brett asked a lot of questions and my advice was to make sure when he did buy a unit, there would be one or two people that had the same units when it came to finding out the solution when there was a glitch. 

  This afternoon, Dennis was chauffeur as I needed errands done. A stop at the drug store, at the eye doctor for my eye vitamins, and the grocery store . . .  should keep us supplied for some time.  His pickup has been parked outside as the Cub Lo Boy is awaiting a repair part.  Dennis felt as long as his truck was wet, the car could stay in the garage. 

  It sounds as if we are in ducky weather right into November.  Not much we can do about it but suck it up and work around the puddles.  I am thankful that though we had some work for our handyman, none of it is detrimental to our safety within the property.  I am so sure we are going to have nice temps yet.  It’s a bummer when we are in God’s waiting room.  No peeking.

   
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  Noreen 3:11 pm on October 21, 2020 Permalink  

  A Post-Snow Day 

  There is a lot of snow remaining as hard as it has been trying to melt down and shrink.  Our surfaces that are concrete are bare as there was warmth coming up from the bottom.

  I am on a quest that is quite humbling.  I intend to measure and label each piece of fabric that is in my stashes.  There is nothing more disappointing than being hot on a pattern and nothing is labeled as to how large each piece is.  

  Why is it humbling?  There is quite a bit to go through.  Let’s be clear, I did my share of shopping when Grandma’s Quilt Emporium decided years ago to close their doors. The owner got bored with it and was not willing to allow anyone to purchase it as a going business.  If she wasn’t going to own it . . . no one else was either.  It was high end fabric and when some of us customers were contacted that we could shop for a $1.00 a yard . . . Dennis was all for it.

  Since that time, I have sewn out of that stash non-stop.  What has come my way since, is the loss of friends from illnesses.  Their families had no interest in thread and fuzz.  It has been the loss of Sue, Phyllis, Lorraine, and Rita.  How fortunate I am to have good health and be able to sew, giving homage to friends.  As I sew I do know where each piece of fabric came from.  It’s easy to pull memories from each.

  I have shared more yards of fabric than I could count.  Dennis’ nephew decided several years ago to dip his toe into quilting.  When Brett calls for help and “What do you have in the color of ______?”  I willingly give him choices.

  Slow but sure, I will have a handle on this organization.  Oh yes, there still remains a need to visit a quilt shop for backings of new quilt tops.  Even a twin size quilt top needs approximately five yards.

  It is forecast that the weather will be ducky right through Sunday.  Hunker down and make the best of time.  We will never have this particular day replayed.  I like making my mark on each and every day that my Lord has given me.

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on October 19, 2020 Permalink  

  Tools of the Trade 

  What would the world be like without YouTube videos!  I have learned much from them and I know there is more to come. 

  I have learned on my Bernina sewing machine that when the machine comes to a halt and the screen has an image of the bobbin on it . . . it is the upper thread that is causing the problem.  When the machine stops and there is an image of the top of the machine . . . it is a bobbin issue.  

  Watching a YouTube yesterday in regard to Bernina machines, an older fellow commented that the machine likes to have the thread from the spool feeding into the machine being taut.  No lagging and sagging thread from those two points.  Hmm. Today when I was going to begin sewing, all I got was the image of the bobbin time after time.  I have been using a multi spool carrier and I would turn that until it was just the right drag for the thread going into the machine.  Like all electrical devices, you can’t get away from a bit of vibration.  It would always stay in the direction I had pointed it to.  I dug into my tool box and out came a sock for the thread spool much like what I had seen on the video.

  Dennis was down in the basement as I was getting everything harnessed.  I knew I was having some problem, so why not do a grease job and an oil change before starting.  Needles are very cheap and I had just completed working on the quilt binding.  Going through batting and a total of six layers of fabric, I am sure the needle could use a change out as well.

  I started the embroidery design and voila, no more images of the dang bobbin showing up.  I have had this wonder machine for almost five years and I am still learning.  I acknowledge that I don’t know it all.  I am wise enough seeking out those that have traveled through hell and high water before me, sharing their wisdom with instructional videos on YouTube.  Priceless.  There couldn’t be a manual printed thick enough to cover all that hands-on can teach us via viewing and listening.

   
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  Noreen 3:11 pm on October 18, 2020 Permalink  

  A Lena Sunday 

  Today I was set to sew on the actual binding to the Folk Art Quilt.  I had tried out several seam widths yesterday.  There is no end of trying and learning when it comes to sewing.  I am always up to a challenge.

  Many of my friends sew the binding on the right side of the quilt, turn it over and then finish it by hand hemming it to the back of the quilt.  It’s not because I can no longer do the hand . . . of much of anything, I feel the hand hemming does not hold up to use.  When mom, Lena, was in the nursing home in Buffalo Lake, Elvera wanted Mom to have a really nice quilt on her twin bed.  She always had wonderful quilts on her beds wherever she and dad had lived.  It was many a time that Elvera brought needle and thread along to the nursing home when she came to visit.  The tugging of the quilt or perhaps the fact that the quilt was laundered so often, the hand stitched hem needed repair. 

  When I hand off a quilt, I intend for it to used.  The stitching of the binding with the sewing machine is very durable.  Tug away!  Today I hemmed the quilt with the prepared binding in place sewn to the back of the quilt first.  My goal was to have the appearance that it was one time under the needle to attach the binding to the quilt, front and back.  With consistent seam allowance, front and back, I would say “Mission Completion.”  Stopping and starting the stitching to allow for the free flow of the quilt as it needs to feed under the needle . . . still a bit of a challenge.  Each time I stop sewing to make sure the heft of the quilt is not pulling at the needle, it allows for a bit of unevenness in the goal of a very straight line showing on the top of the quilt.  Not to worry, there will always be a next time to hone my skills.

  It felt like a Lena Sunday, as the only radio station that would come in on my vintage portable was KNUJ-AM out of New Ulm.  Lena would have that station on all Sunday afternoon as she sat at the kitchen table darning socks.  Dad would catch a nap on a Sunday . . . Mom darned his socks on a Sunday.  I did get the quilt hemmed, but at three in the afternoon, I was polkaed out, and the radio got turned off.  Oh the bliss of total quiet in the house.  

  As it gets colder out, that “total quiet” is hard to come by.  My sewing studio surrounds the forced air furnace in the basement.  I have always thought that our furnace is way too noisy.  Tough tittie.  The Watson boys say it is what it is.  Small space and the furnace is running at what it was intended to do.  Suck it up!

  Have a great, cool weekend.  This is my favorite time of the year.  I hope it lasts until Thanksgiving.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on October 17, 2020 Permalink  

  A Mixed Bag of Weather 

  The sun was out for a bit and now I see rain drops on the window.  Ish!

  Dennis, my invincible cowboy, came down with a cold Friday night.  It could well be sinuses. Either way it’s not good news.  It could also be the stress of the eye injection on Friday that had his resistance at a vulnerable place.  The best thing is to not hover over him, while still being at his beck and call.

  I wrangled an acorn squash until it gave up and let me get it cut into two fairly equal parts.  There is nothing that smells as good in the oven.  I spent my day tending the bedding in the laundry, readying a bit in the west porch and rounding it out by some time in the sewing studio.  The sewing studio spit out some sample stitching as I am anticipating sewing the binding on the Folk Art quilt.  I have done bindings for what seems forever.  I wanted to nail down the width sewing the binding on the back of the quilt first, flipping it over to the front and stitching with the hope that in the end result, it looks as if one stitching hit both front and back equally.  Practice, practice.

  There isn’t a lot to show for the dreary day.  Not all days can be an ace in the hole.  The fact that my patient is content and I have a portion of our supper in the oven . . . filling the home with a great aroma . . . I am calling it good.

  Take care.  Take time for what makes you feel good and know that life is sweet.  It sure beats the alternative.

   
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  Noreen 2:54 pm on October 16, 2020 Permalink  

  A Friday 

  It’s a Friday and I feel good about today.  It is getting easier for me to let go of what I know I can no longer do in regard to some of the work left to do outside.  I know Dennis has a good fellow coming to help out and it is now out of my hands and off of my mind.  

  It has not been easy on me with the covid lockdown.  Each month I thought that would be the last of it.  Not so.  It’s been o.k. getting to the grocery store, drug store and post-office with a mask on everywhere I go.  Yes, I have driven over to Old Alley Quilt Shop three times.  I have not dallied about or mingled to any extent while in the store.  Zip, zip and I am on my way home. 

  I have needed to be careful as I don’t know how vulnerable Dennis is in regard to his immune system.  I would never forgive myself if I brought something home for him to endure.  With that being said, I am also thinking of myself in regard to the care I would need to give.  How far would it ware me down?  I have had experience when we went through the times before it was known that the carotids were bringing Dennis down to brink. It is not me being selfish, it is reality. It’s hard work mentally, emotionally and physically being a caregiver.  Thank the Lord, those days are behind us.  Dennis has been doing great and I am thankful for it every day.  But let’s be clear, I am up for it when and if it is needed.

  In the past we would whip over to Mankato in a heartbeat, just to be getting out of town and being somewhere else.  Since March that has been a no, no.  I had been getting out to be with fellow stitchers and meeting for lunch at Baker’s Square. That has been a no, no.   My car has been getting great gas mileage.

  Today with my spirits having been lifted, I immersed myself into the sewing studio.  The embroidery module is going full bore and I spent some time working with my model 1840 Sears Kenmore machine.  I am doing some prep work on the quilted quilt with the Kenmore prior to the binding process of a quilt.  Oh my gosh.  I had forgotten the wear and tear on my right wrist of putting the presser foot up and down.  The angle required to get the job done makes it feel like it takes a ton of pressure to get the job done.  Getting the needle threaded . . . hum.  I have gotten so spoiled with the Bernina doing both of those functions automatically.  I still like the fact that I have the Kenmore as a backup.  It’s my old bud.

  Dennis had his second injection today for the wet macular degeneration.  It can’t feel very comfortable in regard to these next several days.  He says it feels like he has an entire gravel pit in his eye.  The eye patch does keep out the tendency to put a finger to the eye. 

  We are on to the weekend and feeling very thankful and blessed here on Stauffer Avenue.  It is the best place in town.

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on October 12, 2020 Permalink  

  What’s Not to Like 

  The temps are in the high 60s and there is enough wind to keep bugs away and the sun is shining.

  Dennis has been gone since breakfast.  He and his buddy Dwayne are taking another load of Dwayne’s farm stuff to the Stordon auction house.  Each time Dennis comes home it is, “just one more load should do it.”  Too funny.  Moving with a crunch time can’t be much fun.  I am so thankful we have been shifting and sorting this summer.  Dennis wanted to get some items moved out while it was his choice to do it.  I agreed.

  I tidied up the house and my phone rang.  I was off to the Old Alley Quilt Shop to pick up the Folk Art pieced top.  It was two weeks ago when I took it over.  I thought that was very fast service.  The previous owner charged $.01 per square inch for longarm quilting.  The new owner charges $.0175 per square inch.  I had no problem with that.  The top measured 72″ x 85″ and that is a bit much for me to wrangle under the needle.  I do know my limits with the shoulders, arms and wrists.  The binding in itself is still quite a project.  

  When I came home from Sherburn, I cinched up my pants and decided to do a bit of work outside.  The caulking in saw marks of the blocked off concrete patio needs to be taken out as the age of it is no longer doing its job of keeping frozen snow water at bay.  Out with the silicon and sometime soon . . . in with the masonry caulk.  I decided to dedicate some time each day this week to get the job done.  Hmm, I can still bend over and touch my toes . . . but not for long.  

  It is leftovers for supper.  I can really get into leftovers.  I am so thankful that Dennis enjoys them.  When I was working and some of the gals would share that their husbands refused – and I mean refused – to eat leftovers, hmm. . . they must never had truly been hungry in their lives.  Oh that’s right, they didn’t have Lena as their mom.  Bless their hearts.  

  I think I am really going to enjoy this week of cool weather as we swat away on a few fall projects.  I refuse to put them in a job jar.

   
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  Noreen 3:56 pm on October 6, 2020 Permalink  

  Popped Out at 89 Degrees 

  A bit of a warm up.  Who would have thought!

  We were up to sitting on the patio this afternoon with our break.  Not to be.  Asian Beetles, flies, Boxelder bugs . . . Nope.  We had a sit-to in the patio porch where screens kept most at bay.  Of course we need to have a bit of the doorways open for the four footed fur babies to pop in and out.

  For living in town we sure do have the dust flying this afternoon.  Choke city.  Stauffer being a gravel street and the winds from the south, it would not have been a good day to have the clothes lines full.  We had picked a perfect day on this last Sunday for that.  

  I had put two items on Facebook Marketplace.  I had one success, and then I closed it down.  Too much of a hassle to be tied down for responses.  I realize having a garage sale is “one day” and then it is done.  The only item we are contending with is an old White brand electric sewing machine.  It came to us from one of Dennis’ kids as they were moving on and needed to clear out their home.  No one, including me, has an emotional attachment to it.  Several years ago I opened the cabinet and realized something is amiss.  Don’t want it, don’t need it, don’t want to take the time or energy to see what it would take to get it sewing.  After all, it only takes up several square feet in the back garage.  I am spoiled as what I sew with just takes a flip of a switch and I am off and stitching.

  My emotional attachment with sewing machines is what I have in the sewing studio. Mom’s machine does sew well.  Several years ago I was working on a double sized bed quilt.  Of the blocks that needed to be sewn, I did each half of the needed number of blocks with Mom’s machine to give it a good working out.  There also, it only takes several square feet in the sewing studio to store it.  Time will tell what happens to it eventually.

  I have been giving Dennis his space in the garage.  The chainsaw Eagle has had a good cleaning, rinsing and drying off.  We had cans of clear poly spray on hand.  The only suggestion I gave was that several light coasts of spray is better that one heavy coat that is bound to run.  With the pressure that it takes to hold the nozzle down . . . better his hands than mine.  I have all I can do to hold the nozzle down on my personal deodorant.  The Eagle is, after all, one of our favorite garden art pieces that takes rain and hot sun each summer.  Anything to help reserve it . . . priceless.  

  It has been warm outside, but the humidity and dew point are very low.  Take it the way it comes.