Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from March, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:03 pm on March 6, 2022 Permalink  

  Strange Weather 

  We had all four seasons within one late afternoon yesterday.

  The afternoon was mild letting us know spring was right around the corner.  The skies turned dark around four.  The thunder began rolling and rattling the windows.  All the patio kitties were in their baskets in a heartbeat.  Dennis barely made it into the house when the skies opened and the rain pounded down.  The next time I looked out the bathroom window there was freezing sleet covering the garage roof that soon sounded like hail when it hit the sky light.  A very short burst of snow followed.

  When Dennis went out to the patio porch after supper, there was no way he could enjoy having a few more minutes in his rocking chair.  The carpeted wood floor was wet.  It was actually more than wet, there was standing water.  Hmm.  It was a very good thing Dennis had just vacuumed the carpet that afternoon or there would have been more than water showing.  Nothing to do but turn off the lights and call it a day.

  This morning when we went out, the water was down.  With the furnace on in the garage and patio porch . . . that’s all we can do for now.  What surprised us was when the ice on the patio cracked with water trapped underneath.  It took awhile before we were assured the garage was not coming apart.  Talk about a strange 24 hours.  The Mankato radio station said we had 1.5″ of rain in a very short period of time.

  Dennis napped this afternoon and I stitched a bit in the studio.  The sun never did shine today, but the concrete drive is now clear of the ice.  The ice crystals on the boughs of our huge evergreen on the northwest corner of the house, looks every bit luxurious.  It reminds me of the expensive silk greenery during the Christmas season. 

  Spring cannot come soon enough, but . . . with it will come new challenges.

   
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  Noreen 3:06 pm on March 1, 2022 Permalink  

  Lakeshore 

  This morning we were up early . . . in time to see the sun as it began coming up.  As we were having coffee in the patio porch our lakeshore of a backyard glistened.  I almost expected to hear the calling of a Loon.  My goodness.  Our last snowfall of five inches was all that had amassed in the yard.  The way it has melted and ponded, I wonder what type of flooding we would have if the winter had been a continual dumping.

  I didn’t stay in the patio porch as Dennis was getting company.  Bruce is a distant cousin of Dennis’ and enjoys stopping in.  Hmm.  He also seems to find donuts to bring with.  In times past, Bruce worked for the plating plant in town.  I remember decades ago when Bruce nickel platted a proof press for Kevin.  Indeed . . . it did shine as a brand new buffalo nickel right out of one of the mints on the east coast.  

  I am taking a break from the studio.  All is going so well, I didn’t want to overdue it.  When the sun shines through the south basement windows it lifts the spirits and arthritis is not to be felt in the studio.  I have several pattern books open on the church tables in the studio.  Contemplating some projects that would make use of my scrap box.  Within that box there is nothing that would need a 12″ ruler. 

  My mid afternoon break is over and I need to return to the studio before my mojo leaves me.  Life is sweet here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on December 29, 2021 Permalink  

  Cold Weather 

  The secret to cold weather is that you don’t look at a thermometer.  Today we have bright sunshine to dwell on.

  Amazing was the results from a tip from Kevin.  Yes . . . blue Dawn Dishwashing liquid does cut through Vicks on the inside of the wash machine drum.   My hope is that I do not have to repeat that remedy.  We each have home remedies that we believe are destined to be the ultimate.  I believe all things in moderation is the key.

  Though brisk, I did walk the drive several times this afternoon.  The fresh air does the mind and heart good.  With a covering of snow, Randy had scrapped the cement drive.  Today, the majority of the drive was down to the bare concrete, perfect for that walk.

  With several items going: a book to read, the jig saw puzzle and a project in the studio, I have a good balance to my days.  In between today, I peeled some potatoes for supper.  Surprisingly a 5 lb. bag of potatoes will soon put on sprouts.  My goal is to peel a few here and there to beat the growth.  Dennis may not have a good appetite all the time, but boiled potatoes do perk him up.

  Each night there are three yearling deer that are outside the kitchen window nibbling on the berries that they can reach on the ornamental crab apple tree.  It would be hard to believe they are short of food as it hasn’t been that long that our snow had melted down to the grass.  They may have discriminating tastes.

  New Year’s 2022 is right around the corner.  It does not seem possible that time passes as quickly as it does.  We have no big plans going forward.  There comes new threats daily on the news in regard to covid and the new strains.  We stay close to home and frequent very few businesses.  The clinic and drug store is about the limit.  We had stocked up on groceries at a time when there was no threat of ice under foot.   Visiting our pantry in the basement will work for quite some time. 

  May each day bring a feeling of contentment and self satisfaction.  I took a lesson from my grandmother Laura.  There has to be shown at the end of each day that we used the God-given gift to his glory.

   
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  Noreen 3:07 pm on December 11, 2021 Permalink  

  The Sunniest 

  Right off the bat, it was going to be the sunniest day imaginable after a huge dump of snow.  I have not heard what the totals were, but according to the drive after Randy blew it off this morning, it would have been a heart attack waiting if shovels had been used.

  Dennis took his time cleaning up close to the garages.  Mandatory snowmobile boots, face mask and heavy mittens before he started.  Today Dennis used the Ahrens blower from Kevin’s Shop.  It has more bells and whistles than the Simplicity that Dennis has been using for many years.  It did get a good workout so Dennis can decide which one to keep.

  I don’t get much done in the house when Dennis is out blowing snow.  I remember too well what happened when we observed a neighbor of ours, Mr. Naszereth, get caught in a push behind snowblower.  It seemed as if it took forever for his family to rescue him.  What I have to do inside our home can wait until I know the snowblower is back in the garage and Dennis is safe in his rocking chair in the patio porch.

  I do have an oven meal ready to pop into the oven for supper.  I am using the ground bear meat with some beef ground meat with egg noodles and Classico sauce, a bit of garlic liquid bullion and a stir for good luck.

  I did get down into the studio by two this afternoon.  I am working on some white dish towels for a picnic next August with my mom’s side of the family.  Why put it off.  Each year one of us cousins takes a turn of a remembrance of a year gone by.  

  Last night I sat back and enjoyed the day that I had had decorating our Christmas tree.  My arms were weary but what a great investment of energy.  I will be taking it easy on the arms for several days.  Stirring ingredients is more of the folding of ingredients than stirring.  Those wonderful reverse shoulders are not taken for granted.  The left shoulder got a double whammy with the stroke.

  In the studio, it is easier to do embroidery on the machine than straight sewing.  The hoop is loaded with stabilizer, the fabric and then loaded onto the bracket for embroidery stitching.  With this project I am working on, I have 35 minutes to rest in between towels.  It could be less time, but I don’t run the machine at a very fast speed.  It is easier to take some extra time than wonder where flying parts land when something may go or if go amiss.

  Dennis had a great nap in his patio porch.  Very much needed after the workout of the snow.

   
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  Noreen 3:57 pm on December 10, 2021 Permalink  

  Forecasts 

  Weathermen must be so proud when they are right on with their forecasts.

  When I got up at 7:15 no snow was falling.  I looked out the bathroom window and realized the temps yesterday had totally cleaned off the patio of snow and ice.  It was my time to strike.  For days it had bothered me that the clapper of the wind chimes on the corner of the patio porch had gotten hung up on the bracket of the clothesline.  It wasn’t a surprise as the winds had been horrible.

  I slipped on some shoes and donning my nightie, I was out the door with my cane and across the patio I went to release the clapper.  I was so satisfied I didn’t hurry to get back into the house.  I knew there was no chance of being locked out, so I took deep breaths of the moist, crisp air.  I had barely gotten back into the house, slipped off my shoes when I looked through the bathroom window.  The wet rain mixed with snow was falling.  This had been meant to be.  It’s the little things in life that can bring so much satisfaction.  Had I mentioned this task out loud, it would not have been understood enough to have gotten done in a timely manner.  Now the windchimes can clang away!

  While I had the bedding going in the laundry, I opened the container that had the Christmas ornaments in it.  The tall skinny tree is what fits our living room. The short stubby branches leave somewhat of a challenge.  Never fear, I will persevere.  While I had a break from finding the right treasure for each spot on the tree,  I put the Department 56 Nativity on the shelf in the west porch.  The 18 piece set warms my heart when I put it up.  Had not this been a purchase when a drug store in New Ulm closed its doors years ago and wanted inventory . . . out the door, I would never have been able to purchase something this wonderful.  I totally enjoy the story that these pieces tell of.

  Randy has just left our drive with his long green line.  Though the snow is still coming down, Randy does like to take the snow out mid-way through what is told will be the total of perhaps 10 inches.  Randy’s drive is gravel and Jan has said he thinks doing our drive of concrete is a treat.

  I have a bit more time to put a few more items on the tree.  My hope is to get it done while it is still a Friday.  After all, my studio is calling.

   
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  Noreen 2:31 pm on December 4, 2021 Permalink  

  A Satisfying Day 

  It might be a dreary day, but who cares!  The world looks brighter when looking through clean windows.  Today was the last of the 64″ windows.  I didn’t do it for anyone but me.  Dennis got the windows up far enough to lock for nobody but . . .  me.  

  While the vacuum was out, I did get a swipe at corners.  Most importantly was the dryer vent.  The vacuum is going to stay in the west porch for a time.  It is so much easier than getting it off the attic steps to use.  Out of sight out of mind.  I see it every day and there is no denying where and when to use it.

  The last of the Christmas wall hangings was put into the stairwell going into the studio.  I do have more wall hangings than I have space to put up.  Dennis gets a vote.  He has discriminating taste when it comes to my stitching projects.  If Dennis had his way, our five foot Santa would be on the first floor of our home.  Not only do we have limited wall space, we have limited floor space.  What ever shall we do!  We decorate for our own enjoyment.

  I have one last item to do before the day gets much older.  A trip to the attic to put away some extra items that seem to be under foot.  I love our small home and need to make decisions on my level of comfort when it feels like “too much.”  Living minimal is our goal, but is easier said than done.  It is my situation of having an emotional attachment to work with and consider.  

  Let’s just call a spade, a spade.  The first floor of our home is a far cry easier than my studio.  The solution was put into place the first part of 2021.  No purchases!  I have stuck to that and have been quite content working from what I have.  Grant it, when Kersten shared with me a fair amount of sewing supplies . . . that did not count.  Tee Hee.

  Dennis found quite a few green wreaths with red bows on them in the far back garage.  Hmm.  That stash had been forgotten.  Dennis had the best time placing them on the posts of the picket fence.  He even made sure that several faced neighbor Jan’s yard.  What a fellow. The wreaths and the red bow on the front door does make it feel very festive.   I have since had a situation of loading photos and will try tomorrow to load Dennis’ picket fence.

  It has been a long enough day.  Catch ya all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on November 10, 2021 Permalink  

  Fall is Closing 

  With the rain that has begun this afternoon, the curtains on the fall season are closing.  We knew it would happen and thanks be for the great run we did have.  Amazon delivered the thread for the WORX weed whip yesterday at noon and by afternoon coffee time, Dennis had the last of the Hosta trimmed down.  Dennis also did another run with the Cub on the leaves.  His curtain on fall work has also been closed.  

  Yesterday evening it was time to take the final wrapping off of Dennis’ left foot where the surgery had removed the middle toe.  The foot lots great.  With a heavy wool sock on, Dennis took his first flexing steps on that foot since October 16th.  Taking it slow will allow blood circulation as the foot bends at the ankle and the remaining toes also move at their joints.  Praise be . . . I can only imagine how great that shower felt.  It may not have been as long as Dennis would have liked, but the foot is not to be in water for any longer than necessary . . . just yet.  

  Today, as promised, we are having a quiet day.  Dennis is walking with little to no discomfort.

  Tomorrow we are traveling to Nicholas’ school where Dennis will be a guest at a Veteran’s Day program.  Nicholas was worried if we would be able to make it as there were not many veterans of the students in his class to invite.  Not to worry.  Soft slippers on the feet with a cane in case it is needed.  Carrie will be driving us to Nick’s school and I know she will get grandpa as close to the door as possible.  We will throw in the walker as an option.  

  Today, I have felt that strides have been had with the PT visits.  Staying on my feet as much as possible today as tomorrow will be a fairly long road trip.  Not to fear, Friday is a PT session.  Mike T put me down for two sessions in the week of the 15th.  I will be missing out on a luncheon with the stitchers, but my hamstrings come first.

  I have been saving a frozen hamburger pizza for long enough.  The pizza is going to be our supper!  Seeing as how it is a hamburger pizza, in my mind, it can’t be much different than an oven dish with hamburger, pasta and tomato sauce.  The saving grace is that there is vanilla ice cream for later, if needed.

   
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  Noreen 3:49 pm on November 9, 2021 Permalink  

  No Dust on a Tuesday 

  Dennis and I are both on the move on this wonderful Tuesday . . . not letting any dust settle on us.

  Dennis and Dwayne loaded a snowblower that Kevin had sent home with us.  It is now at the repair man’s property that is north of here on Hwy #4.  Charlie said he would have time to do it after the crops were off of the fields.  It will most likely stay on the two wheel trailer until it is ready to use and bring back home.  Those two 85 year young do work well together.

  For me, it was going through the first floor and making tidy.  We do have people dropping in unexpectedly.  With a small home it only takes two items out of place to make it look as if the person to make “tidy” has gone AWOL.

  The PT appointment was at 10:45 and I would not have missed that for all the Folgers on Stauffer.  Mike T admits I don’t have a lot of cushion to protect the muscles and tendons that run across the tail bone.  Consequently it smarts to sit.  I don’t sit very long in any one place.

  As I can stand at my sewing machine, I am tackling Jennifer’s Christmas stockings.  The flannel stockings will be lined.  I am able to add a decoration before sewing the two halves of the flannel together.  The red flannel will be the cuff at the top.  The stocking that Jennifer’s mom made is of vintage flannel and is awesome.  I am beginning with two socks to see how it all comes together.  I enjoy trying new things.  I know that my mom, Lena, made stockings for all the grandchildren many decades ago out of red felt.  Dad, Raymond, cut out the letters that spelled each child’s name.  I don’t remember if they were sewn on or glued on.

  I will check to see if anyone needs a new stocking . . . or perhaps a bigger one.   

  The afternoon is bright with 54 degrees.  I couldn’t take my usual walk on Stauffer as the city has spread crushed asphalt over the entire width of the street.  I really didn’t want to get that in the waffle type rubber soles of my shoes.  I did quite a few laps up and down the drive and also the patio as it winds around the patio porch. 

  On a bright note, the boxelders are slowing down.  It was getting to the point that we were getting pyrenoid when we saw a fuzz on the floor.  My aunt Janet says they bite.  A boxelder never had a chance on either of us to try it. 

  Tomorrow is a free day.  There should be nothing that warrants taking the vehicles out of the garage.  That is subject to change.  Blessed is the calm of a fall day when the only creatures that are in a hurry are the squirrels looking for the sweet spot to bury just one more black walnut.

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on November 8, 2021 Permalink  

  Clocks Have Been Changed 

  Cellphones update those clocks automatically.  Our clocks in the home were changed this morning.  It didn’t seem to matter; move ahead or fall back . . . I slept until 7:45 this morning.  The chatter of the kids getting ready to board the school bus east of our drive is a pleasant alarm clock.  Dennis has been up for some time but the noise he makes as he prepares to hit the patio porch is so usual, it does not shock me awake.

  Sometimes when my eyes are not ready to open, I try to procrastinate.  Maybe I’ll decide to roll over and see how long I can lay still.  Pretty soon it is tick, tick in my mind.  Then the tick, tick becomes tic tock, tick tock and I know the day is beckoning me.  My kids, far away, have been up for ages and it surely does not speak well of me to be a lazy bones. 

  How much effort does it take to toddle to the bathroom for personal comfort and then return to my bedroom and strip off the sheets and punch a few buttons on the washing machine back in the bathroom.  Having done that . . . I feel the day within me has started.  It will not be denied.   Neither will I deny myself a cup of coffee with creamer added.

  The oven was started and preheated for a batch of frozen scones to be put on a baking sheet.  I did get my breakfast in a bowl and put on the dining room table.  I stripped Dennis’ bed of sheets and added that to what would be additional loads of laundry.  I enjoy my breakfast while catching a bit of news on the television.

  The morning spins on as I swap out loads of laundry from the washer to the dryer and have had enough coffee to keep me going.  The small vacuum is taken off of the attic steps and the dust bunnies under the beds . . . beware! 

  By noon it was nice enough to head east on Stauffer for a walk.  Dennis was in the back garage working on tractors and as I passed by the driveway of the back garage, I told him I would have lunch ready for us when I got back from my walk.  So the morning went.

  I spent some time in the studio pondering steps to take in producing Christmas stockings.  I have paper patterns ready.  I must say, the sample stocking that Jennifer sent with the fabric is rather large.  Lots of goodies would fit in them.

  It is now mid afternoon and there are piles of freshly laundered bedding in the living room.  I don’t need any more caffeine to finish up the beds.  Dennis has had the Cub tractor out taking care of more of the fallen leaves.  He is gaining.  I never said anything negative when I looked out this afternoon and Dennis had started a fire next to the Maple tree.  It was handy for him to keep raking leaves onto the fire.  Get as many done so as to not have to deal with them next spring.  Supper is leftovers from Sunday night.  Wham, bam, thank you . . . supper will be a breeze.

  Such is the day that begins with the tick tocking.  We see what needs to be done and we get it done.  Showers after supper will be sweet dreams when bedtime hits . . . . fresh beds.

  Maybe procrastination will be participated in tomorrow.  Tee hee.

   
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  Noreen 3:24 pm on November 5, 2021 Permalink  

  What a Friday 

  What a busy Friday we have had.

  This forenoon some friends from Madelia stopped in.  Both Doug and Lynette are hunters.  For a cup of coffee and cookies there was a trade off of some bear burger meat and a ring of bear bologna.  Both are mixed with beef and pork at the time of processing.  Their next hunt is in Wyoming.  Lynette shared with me she is ready for some home time.  Her hobby is Cricut paper greeting card crafting.

  I headed out for PT at 11:30.  The right spots have been found.  It can best be explained as a roller ball on the hamstrings, that when worked on, Mike finds the spot where muscle meets tendon.  There is no “uncle” allowed for the time that Mike T has me on the table. I will take whatever he has to dish out.  I want this fixed in as short of a time as possible.

  When I came out of the clinic, my cane needed to be planted securely as the winds were horrific.  When I got home Dennis had had the Cub Lo Boy out and already put away from hitting the leaves in the backyard.  It did a great job.  That is until the last of the Maple leaves drop.  The Northern Red Oak tree is hanging onto its leaves like this would be the last year it would put any out.

  Our noon lunch was barely had when Dennis’ nephew drove up. Brett spent an hour with Dennis in the patio porch as Brett’s concrete business has really kept him hopping to finish jobs before the weather changes.

  When the fellows had solved all the world’s problems, Brett came down to the studio to catch up with his fellow quilter . . . me.  Brett spends his winters in his basement quilt studio.  Brett has gone so far as having his own long-arm to finish his projects.  It seems to be a good transition from pouring yards of concrete from early spring to this time of year.  He knows if he runs short during a project, he can rattle my fabric stashes to pitch in.

  The winds are still howling and we are set to spend a quiet weekend here on Stauffer.  Sweet!