Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  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 2:32 pm on July 1, 2022 Permalink  

  A Wonderful Friday 

  Could we please have more days such as this during July?  Cool enough in the early morning to sit on the patio and enjoy coffee before any bugs found me. 

  The patio kitties found the catnip I had crimped the stem of to allow the aroma to waft that would entice them.  If the stem is not broken or crimped, they would and do walk right past it. 

  We have not mowed our acre for two weeks.  I am surprised that Dennis has not heard the whisper of the dew on the grass blades calling him.  I think letting it mellow out in the dry conditions is good.  Over the years, there have been many varieties of grass seed spread over the acre.  KNUJ reported that in the month of June, our area has had a mere .68 inches of rain.  The hot winds pretty much took care of sucking that up.

  Neighbor Jan is busy watering her newly planted flowers every day that she purchased this spring.  She has a red watering can with a sprinkle spout on it.  All of our perennials are well established and are doing well as is.  Once the water regime begins, it can’t be halted as the roots have become trained to rise to the service level for a drink.  We had two inches in the last measurable rain in May.  

  After the mailman had been here, Dennis came down to where I was in the studio.  He had a thankyou card in his hand from Megan.  Megan was thanking us for coming to her graduation party and the gift that she would be using towards college expenses.  Grandpa Dennis didn’t think it was fair that she was growing up.  How quickly we forget the wonderful times we have had of her staying with us before she could even talk, right up until her sixteenth birthday.  Super sweet memories that no one can take from us.  I am quite sure more will follow.  

  I will appease “Grandpa Dense”, (Megan couldn’t get the second syllable out when she first began talking), with some twice baked potatoes and chicken titties for supper.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:33 pm on June 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Great Visit 

  Today I had a great visit from acquaintance, Linda.  Years ago we worked together on a quilt that we then raffled off to help a mother and wife that was going through a lot of medical things.

  Earlier this year we ran into Linda in Culver’s.  I commented that I had not seen any new stitching from her on Facebook.  Linda is now the head of the missionary quilting in her church and has taken a backseat from her own project.  All their quilts are headed to Lutheran World Relief.  

  That took me back to the times that Lena did a lot of quilting for missions.  Lutheran World Relief had offices in Willmar.  If the church ladies had all of their finished quilts delivered to them by a deadline, they were then shipped off to ports unknown.

  Today Linda picked up all the bolts of fabric that I had been holding for her, until such time that her ladies were ready to get the quilting season going.  The many full bolts of poly/cotton will be earmarked for the backs of the quilts.  One seam and the backing would be ready rather than multiple piecing.  Just as large of a stack was various flannel prints with which to make youth and baby blankets.

  Linda came early in the morning and we visited until noon before her car was loaded.  Linda was headed right to the church with her treasure trove. 

  Sharing what daughter-in-law Kersten had shared with me, gave my heartstrings a tune that will last for some time.  I had been pecking away at using some of this fabric, but realistically, this will make many quilts for many to make use of. 

  Linda was amazed at what I had for a sewing studio.  One of the neatest things was the teak wooden rocker she enjoyed while we chatted.

  Dennis was busy farming today.  The Cub-Lo-Boy was taken for a spin up to the corner gas station.  He is now changing oil in it.  It’s all in a day’s work.

  The skies are cloudy with maybe a hint of a rain shower.  The half inch we got last week sure did help things out.  There is a type of grass that we have that doesn’t take well to the extreme heat of early last week.  It crunches underfoot and has a hint of brown.  So be it.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:54 pm on June 23, 2022 Permalink  

  Small Towns 

  Every small town in the state of Minnesota is trying to capitalize on a summer celebration to bring in people and money.  I see a change in our small town.  

  The worker “Bs” are getting fewer and older.  It takes a constant push to keep things going at the 110%.  Our celebration is within several weeks of the county fair.  If the pride were pulled in, the two could be combined and there would be a successful turnout.  As it were . . . mediocrity shows through.

  As I went to the library today, after a return trip from Mankato, it struck me as to how many homes are not mowing their yards.  City ordinances cannot replace self pride.  There isn’t a brick heavy enough to park in Dennis’ jeans to keep him from keeping our acre kempt.  We did mow the acre a week ago.  After having received two inches of rain it had turned hot with high winds drying everything out.  We are in for a dry spell and the grass hasn’t budged in height at all.  A heavy dew in the mornings will be a blessing for each spear to take in as much as it can.

  Oh well . . . there are no two people alike, and what a blessing that is.

  My blessing for the day is that we are home safe and sound and that we are of sound mind.  The weekend is soon to be here and here is where I will be enjoying my contentment with the ole cowboy.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:55 pm on June 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Spring is Gone 

  Spring is gone and now we can look forward to summer.  Do I really want to?  I did enjoy the early days of spring when the temps were in the high 60s and low 70s.  The bugs weren’t paying attention as yet and I couldn’t wait to get outside and dig in the dirt.  I did get some serious transplanting done amide rain showers.  The last so called shower was two inches.  I hope that that would have given all the new transplants enough rain to have settled the roots to soak up the fertilizer that was waiting for them.

  We are enjoying days on Stauffer Avenue that are quiet.  It is my kind of quiet.  No alarms need to be set for early morning doctor appointments.  Dennis always has the ability to run away to have coffee with various fellows.  If all else fails, McDonald’s does not discriminate.

  I worked on some items I call fillers in my sewing project.  It was really important to have the fabrics cut at 1.5″.  I don’t trust my left arm and hand to hold all things steady, so my weights came in handy.  It does go to show that you never throw anything away that you have paid for.  With so many finished blocks of various sizes, these finished 1″ inch pieces will allow for justifying seams.  Dennis came down and checked me out to see if I could still see straight.  I had not rushed with this.  I have my teak wooden rocker in the studio and it serves me well when I need to ponder my stitching.  

  Dennis had told me that our neighbor Edna had called him to help her get some items out for the recycling pickup.  Dennis has mowed her adjoining yard to us for years.  Edna was 98 this last week.  Living on her own and as sharp as a tack.  My, my!  Edna is 20 years older than I am.  It is something to aspire to.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:02 pm on June 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Up at Six 

  At six this morning, it was nice outside.  I strolled the acre and picked up a few branches for the burning ring.  Two kitties followed me around.  I also heard several lawnmowers in the distance.  Smart fellows.

  I was back in the house by seven seeking the rubbing alcohol for a newly acquired bug bite.

  Dennis announced that he was going to pick up his friend Dwayne and go shopping to Mountain Lake.  Dennis had decided he was going to start using an electric razor.  A few too many nicks of late.  A very wise decision.  Dennis now has a rechargeable Remington.  The White Drug in Mountain Lake is an awesome retail store catering to many needs and it is a locally owned drug store . . . a very rare drug store indeed.

  True to my word of yesterday, I have spent the greater portion of today in the studio.  I took the time to pull out a piece of backing that my mom had put together.  Now that has some age to it.  A folksy print to go with the patterns of “A Long time Ago.”  It is nice to know that things will be coming together. 

  Dennis got home at noon.  From Mountain Lake the fellows went to Windom for biscuits and gravy at Hardees.  Of course there were new faces to visit with.  Those fellows had known Dennis’ brother and his family.  Once they found out that Dwayne had been the owner of the International Harvester dealership here in St. James, the visiting took new life.  What a great day for Dennis and Dwayne.  It did the fellows good to meet and greet others besides the same ones with the same tales to tell.

  No comments are needed for the temps.

  I am thrilled that I can bounce from reading to sewing.  Never a dull boring moment.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:30 pm on June 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Happy Sunday 

  Happy Sunday, aka: Happy Father’s Day.

  The sun is bright with a brisk breeze for all that like it this way.  I was up before six this morning by the grace of a call for the bathroom.  I started the coffee and decided that I would take advantage of the cooler temps and the wind and enjoy our yard.

  My goal was to take out a few weeds before the bugs knew I was up . . . and it worked until 7:30.  The black flies were at it.  Dennis and I did get a cup of coffee on the patio before it wasn’t fun anymore.  I wasn’t about to put any bug repellant on as I knew I would soon be heading indoors.  I sure didn’t want to feel sticky for the rest of the day.

  Dennis made sure he had his cell phone with as there would be some Curry kids calling hi today.

  I did head for the studio with coffee cup in hand.  Today’s quest was working with 60 degree triangles.  Keeping the angle of the fandangle straight was a challenge to make these blocks work.  Looking at each cut triangle it would appear all sides were equal . . . not!  I had my trusting brass “picker-outer” close at hand.  As evident from my photo, not all tips of the triangles turned out perfect.  But hey?  Who do I have to impress?   Two separate finished blocks of these triangles will be incorporated in the final project.

  When I got this pattern, it was a mix of fabric prints for each old time pattern.  I had a heck of a time finding the older cherished patterns within the 60″ x 60″.  I had decided I wanted to make each pattern quite distinguishable within its own block.  Quilting is all about interpretation per quilter.  So today was my green and cream combo, plus the strip of six in gold and cream.

  Tomorrow if the heat continues, I will be turning the next page in the “Long Time Ago” pattern.  This pattern has kept my interest, much like the novel I have going in my west porch bedroom.

  Take it easy tomorrow.  I would like to think of you all rather than read about you.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:21 pm on June 9, 2022 Permalink  

  Oh What a Day 

  A balmy 77 degrees.  I was out finishing my Hosta work.  I had a lot of company.  Black biting flies, mosquitoes and gnats.  How fortunate for this company to spur me on to finish my project.

  Is a gardener ever finished?  I think not.  For this year, it has been 150% over last year’s work.  There have been 10 plants that have been given a new home, up close and personnel next to the potting shed and patios.  As much rain as we have had, my shoes did not pick up mud today.  A message that transplanting season is over.

  Dennis mowed the area of our original lot and I got it trimmed.  What a satisfying feeling to have a tidy yard.  Dennis had mowed the east part of the acre yesterday after attending a funeral.  A stroke of luck, we had purchased a trimmer, aka: The Works, that had an easy swapping out of thread when the spool is empty.  We are set for a few days over the weekend.

  I did go to the studio to check out the next block to stitch.  Sixty two three part blocks, called the Flying Geese.  Quilters know it well but that is not saying it is a breeze to whip out.  Time and patience . . . I have a lot of both.

  Tomorrow I had planned on taking friend Judy’s cleaned Bernina back to her for her daughter’s use.  I got a call last night that she would like to go out for lunch first.  How could I refuse a blind person that needs to get out of a less than friendly home.  I said we would go to Perkins.  Drinks are delivered to the table and bathrooms are a few steps away.  Judy had wanted to go to Panera last time and we did.  Unbeknown to me the drinks were self serve and All the way to the back as well as the restrooms.  With one hand at a time managing my cane, I got the drinks.  Getting her past a flood of people that were standing in line to pick up their food at a serving window for access for her to the bathroom . . . I was exhausted.  Judy had a heavy walker that one could turn around and sit on, that was a beast to get in and out of the back portion of my car.

  Here we are at the afternoon of Thursday.  I have the sewing machine in the car as well as an aluminum fold up walker for Judy.  Live and learn.  Who knew how to take a blind person out for an outing!

   Second time should be easier.   I need to use my voice and let her know verbally what I can manage.

  Happy Thursday everyone.  The next time I go out, it will be to put my shovel and spade in the potting shed.  Enough of the dirt work!

   
• 

  Noreen 12:51 pm on June 7, 2022 Permalink  

  Who Knew? 

  Who knew we would get rain over the early morning hours that has lasted well past noon.

  Today was haircut day at the Curry Comb.  When the calendar fills up with medical appointments, the hair is the last considered.  The blessing is the appointments are not for me.  Niece Brenda does a great job of the cuts.

  We had a few groceries to pick up at Super Fair so I could whip up an oven meal for this evening.  I had the leftover brisket and carrots from the crockpot meal of Sunday night.  My plan was a beef stroganoff with carrots and pasta.  I decided on whipping some sour cream into the hot pasta plus some alfredo sauce.  I don’t think carrots are called for with stroganoff, but they sure had a great flavor to not include them.

  Tomorrow we have a funeral in Windom.  Dennis’ sister-in-law has passed away at age 88.  Dennis is now the lone ranger of his family.

  With the kitchen sink having been cleared of dishes to do and a load of laundry done, I am going to head outside and see how my Hosta transplants are doing with this cool dampness.  Perhaps one more . . . just one more plant may be salvaged from the east portion of the acre.  I do spy a perfect spot for it and it does have leaf patterns that are appealing.  Time will tell for Thursday as the growth with lots of rain will indeed determine how large a hole to dig.  Dennis’ daughter of Mankato has talked and talked about doing a Hosta dig for her yard.  If she does get over here, I hope she has plenty of large containers to take them home in.  

  With the early afternoon left and no need to do more than turn on the oven for supper, the studio may even get the lights turned on for a bit.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:48 pm on June 6, 2022 Permalink  

  Slowly 

  A few more stitches out by Jody at the Mankato Clinic.  All is progressing well.  

  I know I heard it raining over the night . . . could not tell how much.  As we traveled to Mankato, there were tell-tale signs in the fields.

  When the appointment with a doctor is 12:45, Dennis estimated it would be two before we would return to the car.  He was off by several minutes.

  The day is shot as nothing new feels like its wanting to be started by the time we got home.  Tomorrow is another day.  With the rain that we had, it feels a bit sticky out.

  I will share that yesterday when I was digging my holes for Hosta transplants, a hummingbird was within eighteen inches from my face.  He didn’t seem to be in any hurry.  I stood still and he fluttered in place.  After a time he continued visiting the Columbine blooms that were in the near area.  He all but seemed to disappear in them.  Very special visitor.