Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from May, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 12:57 pm on May 31, 2022 Permalink  

  New Week 

  This is a Tuesday that feels like a Monday.  We have had enough rain for awhile.  One inch in two days with just enough hail that some of the Hosta leaves have pock marks.  

  I put on old shoes and began pulling out the green stuff that I don’t want to give a home to.  It sure did pull easily.  Lo and behold I found several small Hosta that were hiding.  I hope they will continue to grow in size and were just late to the spring.

  Today was Dennis’ first outing of 2022.  When he told me what he wanted to do, I gave him no argument.  With his wooden shoe on and with the left foot well cushioned, Dennis set off to mow what neighbor Jan had not mowed last Friday.  Dennis has been mowing Edna’s yard for years.  At 94 years young, she has no family in St. James and lives independently.  She looks forward to coming out and visiting with Dennis.  She always offers to pay and Dennis just smiles and makes small talk.  I know it did Dennis a world of good to be doing . . . something.  I have seen that there is no stress on the incision site when I have dressed the foot.  After an hour of activity, Dennis is in his rocking chair in the patio porch, content.  Perfect.

  We both put in a little local effort and tomorrow is another day.

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on May 28, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunny, Windy and Warm 

  What a great beginning to the holiday.  Sunny, 88 degrees and windy.  I am so happy that we procured this cabin for the entire summer.  Our forever home does qualify for a cabin. 

  Friend Bruce stopped in yesterday to not only deliver our new flag but to let us know they were heading up north to open their cabin for the summer.  Bruce said it is a pain in the butt to drive for three hours, one way, and then work all weekend long getting the cabin fit to enjoy after its been closed up since Labor Day of 2021.  The yard there has the same debris as our yards here in town after a winter and spring of winds.  After all the work and the thought of kicking back . . . it’s time to return home for the workweek.  Bruce works at the platting plant here in town.  Many years ago Bruce nickel platted a proof press for Kevin.  Talk about a handsome piece when it was completed.  

  By noon I had the second bed done with fresh bedding . . . with an extra load of laundry done for good measure.  When Dennis and I had a bite of lunch, I told him I would be spending the afternoon in the studio.  Dennis had plans to be in the patio porch, also keeping busy.

  Putting half square triangles together in a definite pattern can cause the eyes to cross from time to time.  A few ripped seams makes it all work.  There will be a photo when all have come together.

  As warm as it is, I am happy we will be having a re-run of the tuna dish from last night’s supper.  I think I can pick up the aroma of a grill being used somewhere in the neighborhood.  That is one thing I had never gotten the hang of doing or using.  It seems like a lot of work for two hamburger patties or four hotdogs. 

  Checking the clock on the wall, I have a bit of time to return to the studio after having given my left hand a break.  It does rise to the challenge of getting that half square triangle under the needle.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on May 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Spring has Arrived 

  With 78 degrees in this late afternoon . . . spring is here.

  We had Jan and her long green line mow the acre today.  Her yard needed mowing as well and she zipped right through from ours to hers.  It sure didn’t take her long.  I went over and sat with her a bit afterwards and thanked her.  That speaks to a larger, more powerful rig than what we have.  Each year we have wondered how long our Sears would last.  The deck is getting quite fragile.  

  I had texted Megan after the baccalaureate festivities.  She was surprised by her receiving awards.  Super Sweet.  Tonight we will be watching the graduation ceremony via the live stream.  This young woman is the same little strawberry blondie that spent so much time with us . . . until pre-school hit.  Memories are mine and I cherish them.

  Today I was so thankful that we do not have any carpeting in our home.  I used the same Swiffer mop that I use for dusting, by just putting on the wet sheets.  It had been some time since all the floors got hit at once.  A satisfying feeling.  One of the two beds has fresh bedding.  The duet cover for my feather blanket has also been washed.  I can tell you that I am not up to putting those two together today.  My arms are telling me, “Get over it and use an afghan to cover with.”  Good message from arms that have had quite the run of mowing yesterday and doing the tidy, tidy house today. The second bed is up for tomorrow. 

  Progresso soup has had its run.  I have a tuna, green pea, pasta dish put together with Alfredo sauce.  While the pasta was still hot, I whisk in some roasted garlic bullion paste.  Just a bit more flavor.

  We have a new flag!  Friend Bruce picked one up for us from the VFW.  We have a holder made out of narrow PVC piping that has been threaded onto a rod cemented in the patio.  Bruce got the nylon one as he said the sewn cotton flags have a disclaimer that they may weigh up to seven pounds soaking wet.  Out little holder would be challenged.

  Everyone have a wonderful holiday weekend!

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on May 26, 2022 Permalink  

  Popping My Buttons 

  Oh my gosh!  Dennis and I were able to see Megan’s Baccalaureate event via a live stream last night.

  Who knew when Uncle Kevin found an electric typewriter for Megan quite a few years ago, she would take honors at the ceremony last night with achievements in writing and composing various forms of prose and also entering them for critique.  Expressing one’s self with clarity in this day and age with electronic gizmos is very special.  The art work that Megan does also brought accolades.  I was popping my buttons.  Both the writing and the art will stay with her for a long time to come and bring personnel enjoyment and satisfaction.  I am speaking from experience. 

  I have worked myself into taking the rest of the day off.  My sister always said we had a front yard as large as a postage stamp.  Said stamp has been mowed with my trustee push mower and bagger.  I have made arrangements for the rest of the acre to be mowed tomorrow.  The grass is lush.  Maybe, and I will repeat . . . maybe, next week Dennis can using the rider mower.  I am not promising him anything.  We have come too far to let a few spears of grass be a downfall.  As I change the dressing, it is remarkable the healing after this, the eighth day.  When all systems are a “go” with circulation, the healing commences.

   
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  Noreen 1:43 pm on May 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Wash Out 

  It has rained just enough that my yard work is a bit on the muddy side.  I am anticipating that tomorrow the ground will be wet enough, I can pull some volunteer mustard out that seems to be prevalent.

  I had gotten the four log cabin blocks done on on my sewing project.  I am now on to the half square triangle blocks.  A total of 32 plain blocks and 32 printed blocks lying right sides together were needed.  By drawing a line down the middle, it is a guide to sew a 1/4 seam allowance down each side of the stitching.  Then the block is cut on the drawn line.  The block is flipped open, pressed and the results are 64 of the half square triangle blocks.  

  Yes . . . this project called Long Time Ago is taking me a long time.  Dah!  Where do I think I am going in a hurry.  My stitching was broken up by Dennis driving me from point to point in errands around town.  Both Dennis and I take a vitamin specifically for eye health.  It is a form of Omega 3.  Wonder of wonders our eye clinic is out of them and they can’t say when they will be available.  I was given a number that I could try and have them sent.  Time will tell.  Carrie tuned us in to Lemon Heads.  They are a sour, sour little marble that works wonders when the mouth feels dry for . . . whatever reason.  The Family Dollar sells them for a $1.00 a box.  Dennis went a calling and came out with $13.00 worth.  I guess he doesn’t plan on shopping too often.

  Tonight’s fare is Progressive Soup.  We had fried egg sandwiches this noon.  Neither of us have had a physically strenuous day.

  I did text Megan wishing her a Happy Baccalaureate day.  Friday the Southwest Christian High School has their commencement ceremony.  Dennis and I will look forward to being at Megan’s party in her home a bit later.  Where oh where did these years go?  It’s enough to make a Grammie sigh.

   
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  Noreen 1:19 pm on May 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Great Day 

  We got to spend the entire day here in our favorite spot . . . home!

  The temp is a great 67 degrees and perfect for me to spend some time in the yard.  I had holes dug on Sunday in anticipation of things to come.  Today, I put the sand shovel on my Fleet and Farm wagon and I headed to the east part of the acre.  The dig did not go quickly or easily.  One small scoop of dirt at a time.  When I had two Hosta on the wagon I headed to the patio porch.  It was noon and I took a break and watched some news with Dennis in the patio porch.

  A bit of fertilizer in each hole and a quite a bit of water.  Of course Snuggles was right there to take it all in and roll in my nice loose dirt.  Silly ole cat.  With the miniature Hosta tucked in and the dirt tamped down and around, it was time to put the wagon in the potting shed and close it up, making sure all kitties were out and safe.  It had happened that Harriet had not gotten out and was trapped for several days.

  I had a great workout and a satisfying one.  The grand scheme of things is that all the Hosta on the east edge of the acre will be moved up next to the patio porch under the Lilacs.  Slow and steady is what is called for as the dirt is quite compacted.  I love my sand shovel.

  Tomorrow is going to be just as sweet as today . . . you can count on it.

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on May 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Quiet Sunday 

  It may be cool out, but I think this is great.  

  All is well here on Stauffer Avenue.  Both Dennis and I rested well and slept through the night.  It is four in the afternoon and Dennis has passed on pain meds.  His last one was at ten last night.  I swapped out the surgical dressing this morning and the incision looks good.  We actually have enough medical supplies via the wound doctor, we could help out Lewis Drug in a pinch.  We are not through this yet, so I had best pull in my shingle.

  During the coolest part of the forenoon, I putzed in the studio cutting up scraps for the next go round of blocks for The Long Ago project.

  The afternoon sun got Dennis out in the patio porch and me with a sand shovel in my hands.  Slow and steady, I have two holes dug out under the flower garden around our huge Maple.  There has been some winter kill and there are some Hosta that are just begging to be split.  I won’t be able to work on the holes tomorrow as we have appointments in Mankato.  

  Oh shucks.  Tonight is the last of the chicken oven dish for supper.  If I could, my wish were to have the refrig stocked with good leftovers. 

  Enjoy the new week, it looks to be a great one.

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on May 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Wednesday the 18th 

  A day to enjoy some outside time and some indoors time.  It’s called a balanced day.

  My mornings involve taking a walk around the patio area to see what is working its way out of the dirt.  I am giving everything plenty of time to show itself before I choose the hoe.  There is a ton of wild mustard showing itself.  I have my eye on several Autumn Joy that I may divide if the bare spots persist.

  Today in the studio I completed the nine 5.5 inch blocks named The Courthouse Steps.  A grouping of three sewn in a strip will find themselves in the completed project in various areas.  It wasn’t a difficult block using one inch strips.  The most time consuming was pressing after each seam was stitched prior to trimming.  That brought a chuckle from me.  When my sister got the quilting bug she realized then what had escaped her in garment sewing . . . ya gotta stitch a seam and then press a seam.  

  After today’s stitching, I turned the page to see what would come next in this project.  It will be four 6.5 inch blocks labeled as Log Cabin.  Again it will be fabric cut into one inch strips.  My pile of scraps gets fluffed up and then time will tell.  I had a great phone visit this morning from one of the stitchers.  Sharon is aware of this pattern as we all had a chance of seeing the finished project when fellow Stitcher Lu brought it to one of our luncheons at Baker’s Square.  Yup . . . I could allow Sharon to know it is one step at a time and to not loose patience.  It was great that Sharon called as I will be with Dennis tomorrow during his surgery rather than at Baker’s square with the group of stitchers.  I will catch up with them next month.

  Dennis had his eye injection today at our local eye clinic.  Wham, bam . . . two procedures in as many days for Dennis.  Both Dennis and I are anxious to make the call after supper as to when we need to be at the hospital tomorrow.  Tomorrow at this time, Dennis will be recovering either at the hospital or at home.  Whew.

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on May 16, 2022 Permalink  

  All is Well 

  On a grand day as this is, all is well with me and mine.

  Dennis had his pre-op physical this morning at our local clinic.  We got home at noon and we both agreed this would be a good day for making nice with the acre.  I think I could do the push mowing around the house but I won’t hold up in doing the trimming of the acre as well.  Dennis put the Sear’s rider on the second to the highest level.  The front yard looks manicured at that height with no scalps.

  I enjoy being outside doing yard work.  I have been doing it since I had babies riding on my lap of a riding lawnmower.  Hmm.  That was in the 60s.  It is surprising how easily they would fall asleep.  We had two Oak trees just far enough apart from each other that the hammock was the perfect dumping off spot to pop them into to finish a nap.  Orlin had even made a small fenced in area that was easy to move from spot to spot to keep the kids out of the sun and far away from the mower.  Sweet times those were on the farm.  I can recall them as if it were yesterday.

  Fast forward to last year . . . 2021.  I didn’t accomplish much in our yard let alone contribute to the tending of the acre.  I had tried, but when I lost my balance while being a novice with a cane, I nicely had to stay where I sat until Dennis came to my rescue.  He got me up on my feet and steered me to the closest lawn chair.  He then took my cane away so he knew I would stay where I was planted.

  Much has improved over this last year.  I understand my body and what it and I can do together safely.  The together part is the mind plus the physical body.  Maybe I will always be tuckered at the end of the day.  I don’t nap during the day.  Whether I am in the studio or in the yard, I give it all that I have.  I am in the comfort zone of my home.  It is my safety rut.  I also know that I do experience sensory overload when we have a full day outside of our home.  A stroke can and doesn’t effect just the physical body.  However small . . . there is some spillover into the mindset.  That is the best way I can think of explaining that.  

  I am here to tell you, I accept who I am and what I am able to do for myself and Dennis.  We are a team that sometimes appears to be tattered from stepping up and taking . . . one more hit.  I am not one to throw in the towel . . . neither is Dennis.  Dennis and I talked about this just this last Saturday once we had the patios tricked out.  Dennis went through so many medical issues with me when I was in my late 50s and early 60s.  I then took time off with the medical world until the stroke and heart surgery in 2021 when I was 76.  It wasn’t until Dennis had turned 82 that he had medical issues and that was the carotid arteries.  Hmm.  We summed it up by reminding each other of the great medical advancements we each have experienced.  Sweet.

  What is also sweet is how great the acre looks this afternoon.  What a great spring week.

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on May 15, 2022 Permalink  

  Oh What a Day 

  Oh what a beautiful day!

  I was up a bit before six this morning and was ready for what the day brought.  Now that we have chairs out on the patios, I took a cup of coffee and headed to the east one.  Each day I marvel that there are still some Hosta just making their appearance.

  I checked out the two Rainbow’s End Alberta Spruce that we purchased at Drummer’s Nursery last year in Mankato.  The tips are loaded with new buds.  I had hung onto the sales receipt as Drummer’s would have replaced them had they not made it into the 2022 growing season.  There is an envelope I can throw out.  Dennis had watered them last year consistently with fertilizer.  The end of the potting shed looked naked.  With one last swallow of coffee, I began making one trip at a time for some garden art to put out onto the lava rocks. 

  The north side of the potting shed had been the Koi pond for decades.  The fall of 2000, the Koi were taken to Renville County to my brother’s as Mike and Jo had a pond and our Koi would join theirs’s for that winter.   We found out in the spring of 2021, all of our Koi had made it just fine.

  By the time came at 9:30 this morning, I was ready to pack it in with the potting shed’s north side tricked out.  It had taken me many trips to bring items out of the potting shed . . . one at a time.   I did bring out a fresh cup of coffee and took a break.  After I had taken the photo, I realized that with the end of a rake, I could have nudged the welcome sign in the peak of the shed a bit to straighten it out.  That may get done tomorrow.

  Dennis was busy in the garages.  We can’t figure out what the patio porch kitties had gotten into.  There were greasy foot prints all over the floors and they went around both vehicles.  They were greasy enough that cat hair and dust stuck to their foot prints.  We could find nothing that was tipped over or broken.  Not to get the grease tracked into the vehicles, Dennis set about cleaning the cement floors.  He had won a spray container of cleaner for tires.  That spray went onto the foot prints.  Dennis let that set awhile and he then followed up with hot sudsy water and a stiff brush.  It was a good thing the brush had a good length of a handle as his back got a good workout.  Rinsing the floors with clear water and the floors air dried.  The floors are clean and clear of tell tale foot prints.  Leave it to the patio porch kitties.

  Oh what a day we have had.  Today all we have left is showers and getting fresh dressings on Dennis’ left foot.  He has been getting several hours each day with the arterial pump on the left leg.  We both have good feelings about the surgery on his left foot later this week.  Positive affirmations with lots of prayers.