Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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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 12:16 pm on September 20, 2022 Permalink  

  The Day After 

  Yesterday the remaining dead lilacs were cut out and loaded.  I remained quiet and watched from afar.

  Knowing Ken would be visiting, I had asked Dennis’ son the trucker to take care of cutting down the lilacs that were marked.  Ken visits once a year and always asks his dad to pick him up at the airport then asks for the use of Dennis’ little red pickup.  I thought turn around would be fair play.  He said he would take care of it, have the saw barrowed and he would be at our home by ten yesterday morning.  By three in the afternoon, I began to wonder.

  Lo and behold, Ken had shoved the job off to Grandson Ryan.  After Ryan had been ramrodding concrete all day, he would be at our home after six.  I think that took guts.  That is when Dennis said I should be on the patio in case there were some questions.  Ryan went after the job like no one’s business.  Ryan threw the cut ones onto the patio for Ken to take to the trailer Dennis had on the drive ready to take what was cut.  After two trips from the patio to the drive Ken was looking for a lawn chair.  Oh my gosh!  Talk about a softy that has a lot more hanging over the front of the belt than Ryan, Dennis and myself combined.  Then we got to hear about a bad back!   Yup . . . ready to sit on the bar stool when he visits and go out to eat and talk smart.

  When Dennis and I were alone last night, Grandpa Dennis said he would remember Ryan when Ryan would least expect it as we had really appreciated him and the job he did after working all day.

  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.  

  Ryan did such a good job of cleaning up.  The end of this week is going to be cooler and I will take my six inch rake and make tidy, tidy in the lilac area.  It won’t take much.  We needed to let Ryan get home for his supper and resting to make ready for what Wednesday had on the cement docket.

   
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  Noreen 1:55 pm on September 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Hands in Pockets 

  Today is Monday.  There is a plan in place for our dead and dying lilacs to be taken down and out.  Yes, it was my idea.  With that being said, Dennis and his son Ken are in charge of pulling it off.  Me?  Stay in the house and mum is the word.  Keep my hands in my pockets and if I am needed, I will hear about it.  That’s hard for me.  Both of my kids know that about me and Dennis sure as heck does.

  My course of action is doing up the laundry.  In between time, I have a historical novel to read in my bedroom porch.  To get to my reading spot I need to pass by the ancient glider rocker.  My mother and dad had paid $3.50 for it from Montgomery Wards.  There was a time long ago that I was told to sit in this rocker and stay there until I was told I could get out.  That was about 72 years ago.

  At that time we lived one mile west of MN Hwy #15, several miles out of Winthrop.  It would have been winter months and it was butchering time.  Uncles and aunts made a day out of hog and beef butchering.  The cuts of the meat were not as important as it was getting it done, getting it wrapped and divided up.  Michael was six months old at this time.  Calvin would have been three and could stay out of the way by playing.  Michael needed tending.  With Michael sitting next to me in the glider rocker with a white dishtowel tying him to the back spindles, it was my job to keep him from wriggling and slipping out of from under the dishtowel.  I was told to stay put and not rock hard until such time he could either be put down for a nap or to be fed.  No talking.  I was as much a prisoner as Michael was. 

  This rocker has seen hard times.  There was a fad of painting furniture and applying a top coat to give it an antiqued look.  Hello!  Mom had given it a calf shit yellowed look.  At one time, Michael as an adult, had sat too far back in it and had broken one of the wooden braces.  That spot got a metal rod welded in to get it back up and rocking.  I offered mom to strip it down and allow the natural wood to shine through.  I think that was in the 80s.  The multiple spindles were not easy to strip.  In turn the rocker was given to me.  In and about 2005, I had Robert Sorenson, here in town,  shore up the bottom of the seat.  It was a thin veneer of wood.  At the time it was new, there was no telling how durable it would be to last decades.  The back of the top of the rocker had the same decorative veneer on it that the front had.  That was long gone.   Here I am all these 70 plus years, still dusting it and still cherishing it.  Sweet memories.

  Here I am putting myself as a prisoner in my own home, keeping my mouth shut with hands in my pockets to allow those that can to do the work of cutting down the lilacs.  Life long lessons still help.

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on September 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Happy Sunday 

  Mild temps are great for my walk.  There was a breeze to whisper among the leaves.  Surprising how many leaves are tumbling.

  The Curry clan has pretty much all gone back to their roots.  Dennis’ son Ken flies out of Sioux Falls on Wednesday.

  Tomorrow Ken is coming over and the remaining dead lilacs are going to be tackled.  He said he would round up the tools needed.  Sweet.  After the first lilacs were hacked, Dennis had initially said we would do it next year.  Next year we both will be another year older.  I have a willing worker.  My only stipulation was that nothing larger than what I can easily lift onto the trailer is acceptable.  The agreement was struck.  Today I had my florescent pink spray paint marking those that need to go.  Neighbor Jan came over and helped me.  Two years ago her and I trimmed back an ancient lilac on the northwest corner of the house and it sprouted up so much new growth from the root, today it looks wonderful.  In time we will have healthy looking greenery instead of all of the brown dry leaves hanging from dead wood. 

  I know that after the deed is done, the Home Town Café will be visited.  Ken is an over the road hauler for Heartland.  With Covid, there are very few truck stops that serve anything other than fast foods.  The Home town Café still does the mom and pop menu. 

  Dennis got the acre trimmed today.  Some of the grass was short and some was tall.  It all looks the same now and Dennis is happy about that.

  I have a good hot meal ready for supper for my favorite ground’s keeper.

  I had a great text from Megan last night.  Our college girl is doing well.

   
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  Noreen 1:05 pm on September 10, 2022 Permalink  

  Cool Temps 

  This morning Dennis grabbed a jacket on his way to the patio porch.

  I found the morning just right for my walk down Stauffer Avenue.

  True to his word, Dennis’ grandson, Ryan, was here this afternoon to help grandpa unload the implement trailer with the limbs from the Maple tree’s loss the other night.  The fellows headed to the tree dump and were back home before I had a load of laundry folded.  Once again the trailer is parked in the east portion of the acre.

  Ryan carried two old chairs out to the curb for us.  Dennis and I have talked about visiting the Hanska Furniture Store long enough.  It is now time for action.  If a chair cannot be found in Hanska that will serve me well, we will continue on to Sleepy Eye.  Dennis has a beloved recliner that has several years on it, but still has good support.  A chair that supports my back and one that I do not have to crawl up and out of is what is desired.  We purchased a sleeper sofa when Dennis’ grandchildren wanted to stay with us.  It does remain in fairly good shape.  Megan and Nicholas made good use of it also.

  Truth to be told . . . in my 78 years, it was 57 years ago that I chose a rocking chair to be purchased with which to rock babies.  It was purchased in Mart, Texas.  Carrie asked for the rocker last year and it was then reupholstered.  Picking out and purchasing a grown up’s chair for myself will be quite the experience.  I think I can handle it.

  For now the laundry basket is empty.

  Dennis and I are looking forward for the remainder of the weekend to be quiet. 

  There will be no studio lights turned on today.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on September 8, 2022 Permalink  

  A Wind 

  I usually hear when the wind comes up during the night.  Not last night!

  Dennis came back in this morning and asked if I wanted the bad news first or the good news first.  I opted for the bad.  With my cane just a hopping, I followed Dennis to the east patio.  I could not believe the limb that had fallen across the backyard off of the Maple.  Lordie, Lordie.  Had we just not parked the implement trailer on the east end of the acre!

  As fortunate as we are, Randy from next door was off from work and he was busy with his chainsaw before I got my underwear on.

  Dennis and I had a doctor appointment in Mankato.  We were still catching our breaths on the way.  This appointment was to make sure the stint had remained in place in Dennis’ left leg.  We got a pass today and we will not be seeing Dr. Goi until after the first of the year.  Staying on top with an ultrasound is easier than having problems with veins that are stinkers.

  Tomorrow we need to be at the heart center in Mankato at 9:15 for the remaining tests that I need from the June of 2021 heart surgery.  Three trips in three days is what sometimes is called for.  Thank goodness for a quiet weekend.

  All I have left to do today is check what the hours of our tree dump are on Friday afternoon or Saturday.  Whew!

  I will say the wind is still fierce.  So thankful no buildings were damaged.

   
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  Noreen 1:36 pm on September 6, 2022 Permalink  

  A Good Day 

  Today both Dennis and I feel the local effort we both put in during the last two days of clearing brush.

  All I wanted to accomplish today was use my walking crutches and let the long strides of my legs exercise the body.  It felt good.

  I will go out to the tree dump with Dennis when it opens at four this afternoon.

  Supper will be pancakes and sausages.

  A very good day to be enjoyed.  

   
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  Noreen 12:54 pm on September 5, 2022 Permalink  

  Another Day 

  This day was another day as we had had yesterday.  Yesterday Dennis and I had our two wheel trailer loaded for the tree dump.  This at one time was a carrier for a plexiglass boat of some kind that Kevin had run across.  Dennis ditched the boat and put a good steel base on the running gear.  It sure has come in handy.

  That trailer is now on the end of our drive until tomorrow afternoon when it goes out to be emptied at the tree dump.  Dennis went to the east end of the acre and hooked onto a trailer that belongs to his friend Dwayne.  It is one heavy implement trailer.  We used it a year ago when we helped Kevin and Kersten amass pallets for their shop’s stove.  Dennis parked the trailer in the drive and slowly but surely us two old timers loaded up the rest of what had been cut down yesterday.  Dennis pulled the trailer into the backyard and it will also be ready for the tree dump ride tomorrow.  Each trip to the tree dump costs $1.00.  The city does have a fellow at the gate to make sure it is used for what it was intended for.  Not a bad idea.

  I got my trustee 6″ rake out and cleaned up all the small branches off of the dirt adjacent to the patio.  We filled a plastic bin and topped off one of the trailers with it.  Once Dennis had used the leaf blower to move the sawdust off the patio, it felt like us again.  Tidy, tidy.

  I admit, Dennis and I had a Tylenol break about ten this forenoon with some soda crackers.  I don’t believe in taking any kind of med without some kind of food.  Crackers count.  Neither one of us did anything to hurt ourselves.  It had just been two very busy “muscle using” days.  We do seem to stay busy and don’t understand when friends our ages say they are bored.  Only boring people get bored.

  I don’t have the heart for any studio time this afternoon.  If anything, I will enjoy sitting in my west bedroom porch and read a bit.  Watching traffic may also be indulged.

  What a sweet project off of our list of things we had thought needed doing.  Be careful what you wish for . . . you just might get it.

   
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  Noreen 12:12 pm on September 4, 2022 Permalink  

  A Day 

  Yes, it is only 12:34 pm, but it feels like Dennis and I have had a full day.

  In passing, we had mentioned to Dennis’ son-in-law that we had some branches that needed trimming.  “No hurry.”  Tom had been cooped up after a surgical procedure and he now had the word that there were no restrictions.  Wow!  Tom has a Husqvarna chainsaw that is his favorite toy. 

  At 6:45 the doorbell was going off.  Tom was on the patio porch waiting for us to get out of bed.  Dennis is quicker at getting dressed than I am.  Dennis put Tom off long enough to get a bite of breakfast down, so he could get his meds taken.

  The first stop for trimming was the east end of the acre where a Black Walnut tree that was planted by a squirrel, now stands at 25′.  It’s hard to mow when low branches insist on knocking off a cap.  By the grace of God, the fellows were slowly moving up towards the buildings as a maple shrub had a dead limb.  This was all giving me a chance to be dressed by the time Tom and Dennis reached the patio.

  The lilacs north of the patio are ancient.  Some needed to be put out of their misery.  From the bathroom window I could see which were baring ends showing nothing but dead leaves and branches.  Tom lit into them like a man that has one speed.  Just like that Tom and his chainsaw were on to the next customer by 9:30.  Dennis and I just looked at each other.  What the hell just happened!

  Dennis and I needed time to sit on the patio to have our coffee and the remainder of a breakfast.  At a slow pace Dennis got a trailer behind the little red pickup and he and I began loading from the east end of the acre where cleanup was needed, moving towards the buildings.  By the time we did get to the garage, the trailer was full and we tied the limbs and branches down.  It being a holiday weekend, they will stay loaded until Tuesday and we will fill it up with lilac limbs and branches.

  What my initial plan was for the day was to fix an oops with my sewing from yesterday afternoon.  Remember me commenting on getting a new Gingher scissors?  I had the latest fabric strip that had been sewn on, still folded over and not even pressed flat yet.  With scissor in hand poised to cut two blocks apart, I heard a loud door slam and the hand jumped and closed.  Yup.  The scissor sliced through the 2.5″ width.  Unfolding the area now makes for a 5″ width repair.  This afternoon with ample breakfast coffee at my elbow as I cool down from the tree trimming, I will pull out my arsenals of repair ideas and supplies.  This block will be saved to be completed.  I know when all is said and sewn together, it will not be the focal point of the purple log cabin quilt.

  Dennis is in his recliner for a well deserved nap.  I have all the time in the world with many deep breaths . . . this too shall pass.

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on September 2, 2022 Permalink  

  Playing Around 

  Today it was time to play around with photos and my newly acquired Dell laptop and the photo options.  Though this unit is also a Windows 10, there are significant differences.  It has been a huge help having the HP in the living room to bounce things off of.  I have the photo reduced to the correct size for the blog but still need to work on setting up a new file for which all blog photos will be saved into.  Learning new things keeps the cobwebs at bay . . . I can only hope that rings true.  I snapped a photo of the living room which is now a bit crowded after the teak rocking chair came back into the picture.  I have emails out to Dennis’ grandsons if they are in need of their Grandma Curry’s chairs for their basement rec rooms.

  I knew once I had my walk in, I may not be going back outside again.  Each day with my walking crutches, I am venturing a bit farther to the east.  I do have to be careful as the return trip will have to be made.  Am I as active as others of my similar age?  I don’t know, I don’t ask nosy questions of others.  That question would not have even crossed my mind if it had not been a question on a medical survey that came in the mail today.

  The medical survey was in regard to the fact that June 15th of this year was the one year anniversary of my heart surgery.  I felt compelled to fill in the responses that were asked of me.  I think I am doing well.  Do I have the same energy level prior to the stroke and surgery . . . no.  I am smart enough to go to bed when the weariness hits.  I might stretch it a bit beyond nine in the evening, but I can tell I begin to feel wobbly.  My body does not lie to me.  For the longest time I felt leery of getting up during the night to visit the bathroom.  After all, it was when I got up during the night in February of 2021 that I had the stroke.  As I use my cane for stability, I have since let that fright go.

  Dennis came in at noon and he has all of the five gallon pails of branches emptied.  It was dry enough that as he emptied them into the burning ring, it made short work of it all.  The larger branches we will have to load and take them to the tree dump at some time.

  I stitched on the log cabin blocks until the back told me to close it all down.  Again, the body does not lie.  Once the aches really start to smart, it takes too long to recover. 

  This is the beginning of the long Labor Day weekend.  KNUJ reports it officially begins at six this evening.  Whatever!  Our school here begins the day after.  Dennis and I will let others hit the highways or parks.  We prefer our Stauffer Avenue.

  My hope is that my worker bee kids will kick back a bit and realize that they need some rejuvenation to keep the balance in their routines.

  I will continue playing around with the studio’s laptop.