Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from April, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 1:52 pm on April 28, 2023 Permalink  

  Gray, Wet & Cool 

  Sometime back when we had those few, very few days in the upper 70s, I wondered when I could get a lawn chair out.  That has been the lesser of what has been on my mind since then.  Very little sun and oh so much wind.

  Each year we have had Thrush birds build their nests under the awning on the west side of the house.  Sad.  Not this spring.  A mother Robin has been finding wisps of reeds to ply a nest with.  Hmm.  I would have thought the huge evergreen on the northwest corner of the house would have provided more durability than one skinny metal bracket.

  This morning was a telephone morning.  Sister-in-law Jo called to let me know that a Wendlandt cousin had lost her husband to cancer.  Jo and I did catch up with other news, be it quilting or yard work.  We don’t call each other often . . . but definitely keep in touch.

  With that phone call being had, it reminded me to call my aunt Janet in Brownton.  Janet will be 90 later this year.  She and her twin brother Jerald were the youngest of eight in my dad’s family.  Janet is now the last remaining.  Janet never had a family.  There are several of us nieces that reach out often to her.  Why not.

  Something about today, perhaps just a day that neither Dennis nor I have felt compelled to stay busy.  Funny how that happens once in a while.  It is rare for us but when I listen to those close to our ages, not so much.  We may be the exception to the norm.

  Tomorrow for afternoon coffee, we are going to a friend of Dennis’ in one of the apartment’s common area.  Lyle and Dennis have known each other their entire lives.  Lyle can no longer drive and has very little hearing remaining.  Lyle is happy to have people around him in his apartment home, and . . . smiles a lot.

  We must say goodbye to April this weekend.  For myself, I think time flies.  If I had a lot of days such as today, I know I would feel much differently, as I do enjoy staying busy.  These April showers are obliged to tip their hats off to the  month of May to bring any, and I mean any flowers.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:46 pm on April 25, 2023 Permalink  

  Sound Sleep 

  What happens when I have had a very sound sleep, a bit of a headache accompanies the wakeup time.  There is no doubt that my energy was spent yesterday with the errands that needed to be done.  Today was a repeat of yesterday and I never left the house.

  For us I like shopping at Sam’s Club.  I know the grocery items that we use and I’d rather buy once at Sam’s than making repeated trips up to our grocer’s here in town.  What that means is that one day the isles are combed looking for what is needed.  I go through the checkout lane where I can scan my items and pack them up at my own pace in the bag I want.  Tidy, tidy at the checkout means that there is a reasonable order when they reach our home.  Dennis has had a bit of a snooze and is ready to take the groceries from my cart and load them into the vehicle and they come home with us and then are gotten into the house.  Refrigerated and freezer items are immediately tucked away.  The remainder stays where it was put in the kitchen.  

  The next day the items are put where they belong in our pantry in the basement.  An example: storing eight cans of Progresso soup in the box that came off of the shelf is not my style.  When I want a can of soup, I want to open the cupboard door and pick a can up.  So goes my “second day” of dealing with what was purchased the day before.  It can be quite daunting with trips up and down the basement steps.  The recycling bin is fed a lot of cardboard, and . . . I know where to find a pantry item when I need it or have Dennis bring it up.

  Purchasing in quantity works for us.  As I have mentioned, there are some items left for the trip to Hy-Vee.  I don’t need Oatmeal when it comes in a box of two containers each at five pounds.

  Today Dennis is working on the Sears rider mower.  Oil, filters etc., meant a trip to Fleet Farm.  The blades will be changed the next time a grandson is available.  When we had a ham spread sandwich half for lunch, we both thought we were having a good day that would mean a good night’s rest.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:05 pm on April 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Cold and Raw Wind 

  The morning didn’t offer any sunshine.  What the morning brought was Dennis’ grandson, AJ, to pick up his quilt.  It didn’t take him long to unfold the 96″ x 112″ to inspect and take in all the extra blocks I had added when the amount of t-shirts fell short for the project.  I received several hugs as he ferreted his quilt away into his pickup and AJ headed to the patio porch.

  Well done for the studio and this Grammie.

  AJ and Grandpa Dennis spent a good long time visiting in the patio porch.  When I went upstairs for a cup of coffee, AJ was putting up the patio umbrella.  It is cumbersome.  Hefting the umbrella up into the cast iron stand . . . it can become top heavy.  Last we took down the Christmas wreaths on the north side of the garage and today we are trying to coax the sun out by having an umbrella up.  Go figure.

  We least expected that the demolition on the blue barn would begin yesterday, Friday.  This barn is the structure on the tax forfeit lot we purchased late last fall.  A sorry structure that has been failing for years but did attract animals and kids thinking it was fun to play in.  Also a lawsuit waiting to happen.  It seems the fellow doing the job had put us on his schedule early on.  Ryan has the license to do this type of work.  Anyone else offering to take part in this, could have gotten hurt and we could have been on the hook for medical expenses . . . or worse.  One load was taken out yesterday.  Monday will be quite busy.  Dennis had checked and yesterday’s load took out an old refrigerator and such items that a homeless man had amassed while living in a building that had no services.  Where was the the city’s building inspector then?

  The good thing was that there was no asbestos.  The old wood shingles had been covered over with tin.

  The studio is quite in the recovery mode.  Extra fabric has been put away and there is no fuzz or threads about.  That could change in a heartbeat.  

  There are some plants brave enough to poke through.  The Fern Peony is always early.  I have two plants that came from my mom’s garden.  Mom’s Fern Peonies came from my grandmother Laura’s garden.  A sweet plant to hand down.  I did hand two off to Carrie’s garden.  Taking care of my plants as you can never tell who else might start a garden.

  It is time to shut down the lights here in the studio.  Tomorrow is a new day and I might have a new idea to go with it.  But for the rest of this ducky day . . . rest up for a new week.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:09 pm on April 14, 2023 Permalink  

  A Sweet Friday 

  Dennis and his friend Dwayne joined the rest of the fellows at McDonald’s.  I had a plan when I got up at eight.

  The breeze from the south was brisk.  My plan was to give loft to the leaves next to the picket fence between neighbor Jan’s and us.  With the old rotting lilacs having been cut out last summer, I was able to get right next to the fence.  I had help.  Snuggles was right there sniffing every time when a layer of leaves was lifted.  From there the two of us walked to the far east line of the acre.  The branches that had blown down over the winter, I put on the trailer that was parked to next to the garage.  There were too many to carry to our burning ring closer to the patio.

  I had worn out snuggles and he decided on a nap in the patio porch.  I found the dandelion poker and took out some of the plants that had made it through the winter.  Some of the catnip plants were greening out.  I poked a few of those and Harriet appeared from nowhere to enjoy the high from chewing on them.  Sweet.

  The last of my outdoor energy, I used on clipping off the old canes of the Russian Sage on the southwest corner of the house.

  I walked into the house right with Dennis as he returned home from the coffee clutch.

  My thought process while doing some yard work is that I need to build up my strength after a long winter’s nap.  Doing housework and taking time in the studio is not allowing leg muscles to remain strong enough to supplement my core muscles.  A little bit at a time and it feels sweet.

  I took an hour and opened a new book to read, sitting in my bedroom porch.  The breeze through the west window was just as great as the leftover breakfast coffee.  That hour gave me the moxie to cook up some pasta.  The meatballs from Easter had enough spices to carry them to today.  I used some softened cream cheese into the drained hot pasta along with the minced, cut up meatballs.  Supper on Stauffer Avenue is on!  Dennis is doing up my dishes as I type.  Can sweetness of the day carry on?  I think so.

  All that remains for the day is changing the dressing on Dennis’ foot.  I have so enjoyed this day.

  I did share the same sentiment as Dennis did when he came home.  The black flies are out in force.  Dennis had stopped at nephew Brett’s garage.  All that there is at the site is gravel as the fellows are getting the trailers ready for DOT inspections.  The black flies were making the fellows work one handed as they were swatting flies away.

  Too much summer, too quickly.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:35 pm on April 12, 2023 Permalink  

  In Progress 

  When the temps jump up into the 80s in such short order, there is outside work beckoning.  I did tackle some of the outside items this morning.  

  When individuals are kind enough to move mountains of snow at their convenience, there is bound to be some after effect.  This morning I found my favorite little rake and tackled the clumps of sod that had been pushed up at the same time the snow was moved.  It took me quite a while.  Slow and steady as I took the job in stride.  The wind from the south was strong, just as strong as the sun’s rays.  I was happy when I could work in the shade of the evergreen on the northwest corner of our home.

  When I walked our backyard I couldn’t help but think that the deer did a wonderful job of aerating most of the area.  It will be interesting to see if any of the Hosta appreciated the many footprints in the soft soil.

  When Snuggles and I had put quite a few snow implements into the potting shed we kicked back and thought well, “For the first attempt of spring yard work, we did well,”  This definitely is going to be a work in progress as the spring days will beckon us outside.  The two spots of the Fern Peonies, are just showing some bright red little buds poking through.

  I did walk through the studio this afternoon picking up a roll of paper toweling.  I did stop at one of the church tables to take a peek at the project that will have to wait for a bit.  It for sure is a work in progress.  I had kicked off my garden shoes and made the trip into the studio in stocking feet.  Holy buckets the floor was ice cold.  The water finding its way around the perimeter via the tile heading to the sump pump . . . I cannot imagine what the temperature of that water would be.  I picked up the towels and beat feet out of there.

  By the way, the haircut turned out well.  Bless Dennis’ heart.  Before I got into the chair, he commented to Brenda that when he had to help get my hair to lay down for a road date, he liked the way I looked when the hair was snipped in all sorts of lengths.  Dennis knew how I had fought with my brush to get the heavy lengths to do something.  No . . . Dennis is not my stylist, but him talking and commenting to his niece went very well.  Like I said, bless his heart.

  Tomorrow the stitchers are meeting at Baker’s Square in Mankato.  We have cancelled more times than not since before Christmas.  The winter didn’t allow Thursdays to be safe.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:52 pm on April 2, 2023 Permalink  

  A Chilly Day 

  With the wind, it sure doesn’t feel like it is in the 40s.

  We had a quiet day.  The carpenters were busy on our front door.  Just a bit of finish work for the new week and the project will be completed.  Dennis is making one run to Truman in the morning to return some items to the lumber yard and bringing home a few needed pieces.  Dennis and me are thrilled to have this done and done to perfection.

  Our sump pump is running once in a while.  I did peek to see where the water being pumped out was going.  Right now it is running onto the surface of the yard north of the house.  I had a gut feeling the tile that is under ground was not thawed as yet.  As long as it is puddling, I am fine with it.

  I don’t expect that there will be anymore runs to the elevator for shell corn for the deer.  We are sending them off to a spring season knowing they had corn on a daily basis for it to turn to heat within their bodies.

  The first full week of April.  May we all feel blessed as we enjoy this most holy week.  I know I surely am feeling it.

    

   
• 

  Noreen 2:06 pm on March 31, 2023 Permalink  

  79 Years Ago 

  My mom, Lena, told the tale that seventy nine years ago the team of horses that she was using to feed the young stock at the feed bunk were spooked and she had all she could do to get them under control.  In the hours before supper of that day, Dr. Hovde of Winthrop made a house call out to the farm.  Whew!  I might have been an April fool’s day child.  

  Today has been a wonderful birthday.  I put up the birthday cards from Carrie’s family and Kevin’s family in the studio.  A bit of cheer to warm the heart.  

  We were up early this morning as there was thunder and lightning.  The hail didn’t last long but the rain sure did.  When I looked out the bathroom window it caused some concern as the patio looked flooded.  The next time I looked out the water had gone down.  Does this mean the frost is out of the ground?  Our patio porch has a chance of staying dry this spring.  This was the 25th year of the Comfrey and St. Peter tornados.  Our patio porch had just been completed when we watched the weather as the skies turned black to our northwest in the last days of March.  I was called to help Brown County do the property assessments of the damaged homes.  Not an experience easily forgotten.  We have been enjoying that patio porch for more years that can be recalled if not for a news update of what happened so long ago.

  I plunked around in the studio.  It was high time to put a patch on Dennis’ everyday jacket as there were feathers peeking out of a hole.

  When Old Alley gives a call that AJ’s quilt has been longarmed, I know the lengths of binding needed to be readied.  The 400 plus inches has been sewn together, pressed in half and wound onto a cardboard.  I am prepared.

  I am not prepared for what they say will happen with heavy snow and wind beginning this evening.  Winter needs to go away.  Weather forecasters have been known to call it wrong.

  The first days of April are entitled for spring time weather.  I will say when I look at our backyard that has cleared of snow, the grass is a welcomed shade of green.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:04 pm on March 26, 2023 Permalink  

  A Great Day 

  A trip to Montevideo yesterday was an eye opener.  If we think we have late melting snow to contend with, that area, two hours northwest of us, was unbelievable.  Count our blessings.

  Granddaughter Sadie is now officially commissioned as a Sergeant Major in the army military.  Both Sadie and Grandpa Dennis had wet eyes as Dennis pinned on the insignia.  Dennis was in his Korean dress and had many of the higher ranking come and visit with him afterwards.  I drove home and guess who caught a nap.

  We are back in our home and the usual schedules feel good.  Fresh smelling laundry never gets old.  Dennis has the east patio clear of ice and snow.  When I went out to the patio porch for a visit, the trails that the deer have taken across our backyard to get to the shell corn Dennis has been putting out, glisten in the sunshine.  They are trails of ice for now.

  Dennis had gotten his carpet vacuumed this afternoon and is working on putting some Murphy Wood cleaner on the wood buffet we paid $25.00 for years ago at a garage sale.  A handy television stand plus great clean storage.  The key is to keep the bottom doors closed as even a crack of an opening invites the kitties to explore.  Nope, nope, nope.  It’s bad enough that they can get onto the rafters in both garages and we have kitty prints on both vehicles.  It’s time that the weather allows them to spend most of their days outside and explore what has been going on in the yards over the winter months.  Lots of sniff, sniffing.

  We do believe that we will not have the patio porch or the patios flood this spring.  The cold freezing temps during the night really helps with the freeze drying.  The sun is helping with the snow banks shrinking.

  My yearly trip to Bird Island for the servicing of my sewing machine is tomorrow.  I have no problems to report.  The cutting blades that cut the thread each time the pressor foot is raised after a seam has been sewn will be replaced.  It is a wonderful benefit that saves my hand to no end.  Not having to raise and lower the pressor foot manually is my second favorite benefit.  The third is the automatic needle threader.  Yes, my stitching is enhanced to allow for creativity to continue.

  I do not know how long it will be before I get the call from Old Alley that the t-shirt quilt has been long armed.  I have a few embroidery projects to work on in the meantime and then there is the binding to make for the huge king sized whooper.

  Life is wonderful on Stauffer Avenue.  May it also be on your neck of the woods.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:00 pm on February 25, 2023 Permalink  

  An Outing 

  It took the bright sun and the promise of a 28 degree afternoon.  Dennis took me on an outing to downtown Sherburn to the Old Alley Quilt Shop.  Oh my gosh!  I had not visited there since the stroke, aka: 2021.

  Dennis said to take my time as he had the sun coming in his little red pickup window.

  Going to Sherburn, 28 miles from home, the west bound lane of Hwy. #4 was iced over in spots.  The wind was doing its best to keep it that way.  Coming home two hours later, the east bound lane was free of ice.  We could see the sun was doing a number on the iced-over areas of the west lane.

  Now I have fabric to continue working on AJ’s t-shirt quilt.  I did inquire about having them long arm the king sized quilt sometime in the future.  I cherish what my arms and hands can do.  95″ x 105″ is a lot of cumbersome three layers of fabric under a limited amount of real estate, aka: distance from the needle to the right to the hub of the sewing machine.  I did do a king sized quilt five years ago.  Then it was a challenge.  Today it would break my spirit.  Old Alley needs to have customers.

  This morning when I looked out of the bathroom window, there was a frenzy going on in the backyard.  The squirrels were digging out kernels of corn the deer may have left behind and stomped on.  No sooner had the squirrels done their best, the huge crows came and flew away with the treasure.  Oh for the pecking order of life.

  Today gives hope that spring will be coming.  There is slush and under the slush is ice.  This Grammie is thrilled that Dennis took me on an outing, and thankful to be home . . . safe and sound.

  This outing will do me just fine for some time to come.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:40 pm on February 23, 2023 Permalink  

  The Calm 

  It seems as if this week has lasted forever.  

  I realize the wind may be raising havoc on the roads even if the falling snow has stopped.  Being on the outskirts of town, we are sheltered.

  I have no idea how much snow we had.

  Having shot down Dennis’ plea to use his snowblower, his retreat to the patio porch can be respected.  Dennis wants to do the things as he always has.  I admire that about him.  He is able to run errands in his little red pickup as he hops in and he hops out without too much waking in his Velcro boot.  Walking behind a  snowblower requires digging in the legs and feet to turn the bulky and heavy thing round.  Best to farm that out.

  Next-door-Randy was here at 7:30 and our drive was cleared.  Randy also cleared Stauffer Avenue that runs along the overhead door of the garage for the little red pickup.  All was well until the city came by a bit later and plowed Stauffer Avenue.  No way would the little red pickup leave the garage after that.

  I bundled up and worked the bins for garbage and recycling out of the snow at the corner of the garage.  I pulled them into the drive as I knew grandson Ryan would be by later.  I cleaned up the snow next to the overhead door of the car garage.  Randy had pulled or blown away what he safely could.  He can get only so close.  When I cleared the back door, the snow, when pushed off, showed clear concrete.  It felt good to have gotten the snow moved that I could.  The wind was whipping snow and soon I was covered in a light covering of the wet.  When I came in the house the aroma of so much freshness was if I had brought in clothes off of the clothesline that had been hung out wet and froze dry.

  By two this afternoon Ryan had been here with a skid loader and made short work of the snow next to the garages.  The little red pickup could venture out at will.  Ryan also went into the backyard.  With the bucket of the skid loader down, he scrapped away the snow next to the patio porch and pulled it into the backyard.  Dennis will have a flat surface to put his pans out for feeding the deer.

  No corn was put out last night.  It was mixture of snow, sleet and rain.  Of course there were tracks all over the backyard checking to see if corn had been put out.  I am sure one disappointment will not keep them away.

  I hope everyone made it safe through these last days.  This year’s winter is like a bad houseguest.  It doesn’t know enough to realize it is no longer welcome.  Today’s calm is sweet indeed.