Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from November, 2021 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:18 pm on November 1, 2021 Permalink  

  More Impressions 

  Today we motored to Mankato for an Aspen Dental appointment.  Impressions for Dennis and for me.  I will say one thing for the clinic, they are going to make sure that they have done their utmost to give the 100% guarantee when all is said and done.  More appointments later this month. 

  I will admit, when I am totally done, I can almost taste a tender steak . . . someone will have to assist in cutting it for me.  I have practiced using a fork in my left hand while cutting with the right hand.  It does not bode well . . . still practicing.  

  The day has gotten blustery and the wind feels raw.  Dennis commented this morning that as the back acre had looked so manicured after he mowed it on Saturday, it now has a blanket of fallen leaves as a cover.  Time will tell if the blanket remains or if he feels the need to mulch.  

  This afternoon was time to make a phone call for some much needed catching up with a lifelong friend from Boon Lake Township.  Sharon and Ted were neighbors to Orlin and I while we were farming.  Both Ted and Orlin have passed but so many memories that Sharon and I can recall are bitter sweet.  Neither Sharon nor I venture far from our homes . . . thanks be for phones.  When Ted and Sharon had a daughter and Sharon worked at 3M in Hutchinson, I took care of Gail on occasion.  I wonder . . . do chickens still frighten Gail?  Amazing the memories we can conquer up.

  Cousin Mark from Finland, one hour north of Duluth, had a photo this morning on the social network of his deck with a bit of snow on the railings.  I know it will happen in our part of the state . . . just later than sooner would be just fine with me.  Our barometer for colder weather is the three patio porch kitties.  Baskets that allow them to curl up in warm fuzzy blankets from Goodwill beat the cold blowing air any time, any day . . . except for one.  Honey Bunny is the oldest and the one with the least extra body fat.  She insists on holding out until the last straw in the evening when Dennis puts on the outside light, triggering curfew.  She saunters in as if she owns the porch.  No, she doesn’t own the porch, she just has Dennis wrapped around her clawed foot.

  Hopefully this last weekend gave everyone a chance for last minute chores.  This morning when the first light of the day could be seen, I could look out a clean east bathroom window.  Yup . . . we nailed it yesterday.  Let’s hear it for the older ones on Stauffer!

   
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  Noreen 1:42 pm on October 31, 2021 Permalink  

  A Sense of Humor 

  A sense of humor in life is so terribly important.

  Yesterday we tackled some of the last work outside. By the time we came in to shower up for the day it looked as if the backdoor had been left open and the fall grit, grim and shredded leaves had made it into the back entry, kitchen and bath.  Dennis had mowing evidence on his clothes.  My clothes that had had shredded silage on them from the weed whip and the moisture of the Hosta stems eventually dried off enough to shed with any movement.  Thank goodness we have no carpeting in the house.  A dance around the floors with the Swiffer mop made short work of the cleanup.  We vowed to take it easier today.

  Wouldn’t you know it . . . the sun presented itself with a fairly decent day by the time noon arrived.  The bathroom windows are the only windows that do not tip in.  With all the dirt blowing and then the rains and heavy dew . . . it was needed for a washing and cleaning.  It may not last, but we needed to give it our best before cold finger weather.

  Dennis had a long handled brush that took the first swipe with sudsy warm water.  The rinse cycle had vinegar in it.  My mom swore by it.  I do know that some Windex bottles come with ammonia in it.  Mom also used newspaper to dry the window.  Very few streaks.  We did it the old fashioned way with cotton towels.  Dennis, by now, had the stepladder next to the window.  With a very firm hand from Dennis, on my back side, I navigated the three steps on the ladder to do the dry-down.  The firm hand stayed there until I was back on solid ground.  Sweet. Mission completion.  As we put things away, we laughed at the fact that neither one of us can do the entire job solo.  A half plus a half does get the job done.

  True to what we had said this day would be . . . we are now taking it easy.

  Supper last night was Shore Land potato soup mix.  I had prepared a bag of mixed vegetables to add to it.  It makes a batch of eight cups.  Guess what tonight’s supper will be?

  Tomorrow at ten, we will both be at Aspen Dental in Mankato for the final round of dental appliances.  It will be a great task to begin for completion.  While we are in town, a stop at Home Depot for the weed whip plastic thread.  It would be nice to get the last of the Hosta whacked down.  It makes it so much easier in the spring.

  Tomorrow, here comes the first week in November.  Much has transpired in 2021 for Dennis and me.  Son Kevin, has moved into his own shop and daughter Carrie is also working on her own business.  Children finding their joy . . . priceless.  Dennis and I have our joy 24/7 right here on Stauffer Avenue.  It is well . . . with my soul.

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on October 30, 2021 Permalink  

  A Great Bright Day 

  It may be bright and sunny but our early start for this Saturday has been dashed by frost making all things green very wet.  The sun will have to dry us out before tackling the acre.  Dennis told me to cool my heels until he gave me the heads up that he needed help.  Dennis plans on mowing the acre one last time today.

  The lights were turned on in the studio.  I was anxious to see if a plan had worked out.  A software product was purchased from the Bernina shop quite a few year ago.  I have enjoyed using it.  It allowed me to embroider over 40 Pokémon designs by increasing the sizes to allow for each 8″ quilt block.  Kersten loved and still loves her quilt.

  The baby blanket I am currently working on speaks to many bright colors.  Fifteen of the blocks will be on plain blue flannel that has been embroidered on and fifteen blocks will be of a printed flannel.  Ten of the embroidered blocks will have the one to ten numerals in bright colors.  The software program allowed me to make them any size I wanted.  On an 8″ block, I decided on four inch letters.  As the size is determined, the software adjusts the number of stitches . . . allowing for a good looking finished product.  I have learned over the years that a statin stitch need not be as heavy as the program allows for.  I dial it down to 85% density.  I also chose a font that wasn’t heavy looking.

  When I asked Dennis’ opinion, he thought the numeral on a block was lacking something.  I agreed.  I found several small designs that I downloaded and then merged a small design on each numerical block.  Loading each numerical block with the merged designs allows for one hooping . . . keeping it as one design, one stitching under the hoop.  It is really hard to leave as two separate designs.  I know myself that I’d never get it in the correct spot.  As I was cooling my heels waiting for Dennis to let me know he was ready for me . . . I had to try out an embroidered block.  The pen company of Pilot manufactures pens for sewing and quilting.  The markings disappear when a hot iron is applied.  Under the hoop my blue flannel went with a topper of clear stabilizer that can be easily torn off afterwards.  The topper makes sure that the stitching stays on the surface and does not get embedded into softer material.

  After all was said and stitched and tidied up, I am going to be pleased how these ten blocks will turn out.  There is no plan to hurry but I needed to satisfy my curiosity.  The secret is to use the software often enough so as to not forget the steps . . . much like loading photos often enough for my posts.  Even known habits can fall by he wayside.

  Here we are at mid afternoon and sure enough, the yard dried out by noon.  Dennis is on the last of the acre.  Several breaks have been had and his foot is not having any negative effects from the vibration of the mower.  I marvel at my ole cowboy.  Hopefully the leaves will have smooth sailing across the short grass as the wind takes them.  I managed to use the weed whip and 75% of the Hosta have been cut down.  The next time we go to Home Depot we will have to purchase more of the plastic thread for our WORX weed whip.  Lots of Black and decker supplies from a previous weed whip.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on October 29, 2021 Permalink  

  Sunshine 

  I was in the studio and when the sun beams came through the south windows, it caught me off guard.  I thought for a moment the flashlight mode of my telephone had been turned on accidently.

  The morning started in the studio but I knew as soon as Dennis was moving, I would be outside helping him.  All went well.  All garden hoses have been drained and put into the potting shed.  The last two lawn chairs and the small table have been tucked away.  Dennis made one trip to the far east garage.  I have an idea he will try to mow the acre tomorrow.  I will not stop him.  Soon enough he will know if the foot can take the vibration.  He did ask about one of the small kitty pillows, if he could use it if it helped.  What’s the worse that can happen . . . it being run over by the mower.  Through this last week, Dennis said he felt better if he kept busy.  It is one of the best things to avert feeling pain.  I know he can’t hurt the foot.  It looks similar to a football with all the wrappings.

  The Russian Sage was cut off today.  It was still very full of the purple flowers and difficult to call it a season by whacking it.  When we push the season and the fingers get bitterly cold . . . that is not good.  Dennis picked up the huge bundle and I followed behind and picked up what he dropped.  I swear there were bees that followed us the entire way to the burning ring.  It won’t be burned until it dries so the bees can enjoy it until then, just at a different location.  The pungent aroma was all over our clothing.  Number three cat, Harriet, usually likes to have the top of her head scratched.  One sniff of my hands turned her off.  Silly kitty.

  I have been invited to a baby shower.  The grandmother asked me in August if I would make a baby blanket for her son.  She is a second cousin of mine.  There are no moms or grandmas left in their immediate family.  I told her, at that time, that I sew from my stashes and sew from the heart.  Once a non-sewer can dictate, it takes the fun out of it for me. Though I will not be attending the shower in Litchfield, I will work on the baby blanket.  The baby isn’t due until the early part of 2022.  They did find out this last week it would be a boy.  Showers that begin at five in the afternoon, means that the drive home, one and a half hours, would be in the dark.  Neither Dennis nor I have good night vision.  So be it. 

  Considering that I came to have been given fabric this summer, I pulled out flannel for the blanket.  Today the sewing machine was turned on . . . the first time since the servicing. There are plenty of embroidery designs loaded within my machine that will work perfectly.  Today two blocks were stitched out.  Giving myself room to trim them as I continue . . . time will tell how large the blanket will be.  I did pre-wash and dry all the flannel that I will be using.

  The rain gauge said we had 1.8 inches of rain over these last two days and that after the 2 inches we had several weeks age.  This should help to close the gap in the shortage of moisture beginning in early spring.

  One great weekend is forecast.  I know everyone will have no problem finding plenty to fill the hours.

   
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  Noreen 1:49 pm on October 24, 2021 Permalink  

  Raw Day 

  It really feels raw out today.  Humidity is high, with no sunshine.

  It must be dry enough out in the fields as there are tractors pulling in flare boxes heaped with shell corn going by our home heading to the elevator.  There are more weeks left before the fall work is deemed done.

  Dennis is hoping that his fall work still has time.  He was so sure after we had several mornings of a hard freeze that the leaves would all but float off of the trees leaving blankets of them.  That has not happened.  This morning, friend Bruce, was having coffee with Dennis in the patio porch.  Bruce is on board to give our acre one last mowing after more leaves have given up.  Sounded like a great plan.  I have an idea that it will be some time before Dennis’ foot could take the vibration that a rider mower would give off.  Nerve endings that have gone through surgery do not take much.  I am speaking from experience when I had my knees replaced.  Dennis is best in the observation tower, aka:  the patio door windows watching.

  The last of the house washing is not going to happen.  Dennis had been on top of it the first part of September.  That will do until next spring.  Next week I plan on doing some window washing by tipping in one window at a time.  All windows may not get done, but those that have the west sunset shining in will be first on the docket.  

  Dennis is up and moving with intervals of rocking chair time and the foot up on a foot stool.  I looked out the bathroom window at one time today and he was vacuuming bugs off of the patio porch windows.  Even in this chilly weather the bugs are active.  When Dennis comes in from outside, he does a turn around so I can check for stowaways.  Dennis’ level of comfort from foot surgery is taking Tylenol every four to five hours and he shows up for his meds without reminders.  I realize how uncomfortable he may be in between time.  I also know each day will get better.

  Tomorrow starts the last full week of October.  Challenges of various types doesn’t slow down time.  Each day brings memories and there is no chance of experiencing a rewind.  Take the day and embrace what it brings forth.

   
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  Noreen 2:15 pm on October 19, 2021 Permalink  

  A Tuesday 

  A Tuesday and Stauffer Avenue is not quite the same without Dennis.  Our third night of changes of pace for him and me. 

  This morning I wanted to be at the hospital for doctor rounds.  Our family doctor was onboard and saw Dennis for the first time since this had transpired.  There was no ifs ands and maybes.  By rounds on Wednesday morning he would have answers in regard to the toe.  Dennis and I are counting on him.

  I drove into the driveway coming home from the hospital and daughter Carrie followed me right in coming from Eden Prairie.  What a treat.  Carrie had not been here for some time and believe me it was time to do some catching up.  It was not the longest of visits as they had parent-teacher conferences at five.  

  We had noticed the refrigerator settings were on the high side.  I asked and I was shown how to adjust both the refrigerator and the freezer . . . dah!  It was as simple as when Kevin showed me how to set the clock in the car.  Over thinking does an older one in.

  After a sandwich for lunch Carrie offered if there was anything outside that we would need help with.  Here we are with a very bare looking patio.  The umbrella and stand are in the potting shed as is the wooden electrical spool we use as a patio table.  Sweet.  Two chairs remain for us to enjoy the last days of patio sitting.

  As Carrie was planning on heading out on the open highway, I called Dennis and he agreed to come out of the hospital proper to the outside bench so he could greet Carrie before she left for home.  I stayed and sat with Dennis for awhile outside.  It was pleasant sitting in the dabbled sunlight . . . no boxelder bugs.  In time Dennis was called inside as it was time for new antibiotic bags to be hung.  

  I have a confession.  I brought Dennis his cigarettes.  Waiting day in and day out for . . . some kind of answer,  I would have been crawling the walls by now.  I most likely would have tried stowing away in the laundry cart and hitching a ride home.  He has been a smoker for decades and if the cigarettes can bring him some type of calm, I am all for it.  He deserves that.

  I will be at the hospital bright and early in the morning with a prayer and hope that our doctor will have some positive direction for this sweet ole cowboy.

   
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  Noreen 2:32 pm on September 30, 2021 Permalink  

  Feel Good Day 

  When asked if I want to go for a ride . . . yup!

  Dennis spends a lot of time in his patio porch that opens up to the garages for our vehicles.  Periodically, Dennis takes inventory of what the shelves hold in the garages.  Today was one of those days.  In the pickup, with me and my nose pressed to the window to take in the sites along the way, we headed north. 

  Not too many years ago we were going to take care of trimming our own branches and such on the acre.  Off to Harbor Freight we went to purchase a chainsaw we could handle.  What could be easier than a 15 pound electric chainsaw.  In the bull’s eye was a Sumac bush that needed to be cut down.  It’s branches were annoying when Dennis was mowing. 

  By the time the multiple limbs coming from one larger one was cut, Dennis said it felt as if he had been hanging from his arms for hours.  Dennis was tuckered.  That was the extreme use of that 15 pound chainsaw.  I had no quarrel with it being on the shelf in the garage.  After all . . . we do have people.  Dennis’ son-in-law likes to show off his skills with his chainsaw.  As it is, our tree trimming is down to picking up the limbs that the good Lord and Mother Nature have decided need to be culled.

  To get back to our trip up north.  Kevin has been given the 15 pound electric chainsaw.  He assured Dennis it would fill a need that he has coming up for the winter months.  Perfect.

  Dennis’ mood was perky all the way home.  It felt oh so good to lighten the load here on Stauffer Avenue.  We do live with the minimal lifestyle as our goal.  For sure . . . less is more.

   
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  Noreen 1:54 pm on September 28, 2021 Permalink  

  Mowers are Humming 

  With a small amount of rain in the recent weeks, mowers are determined to clip whatever dry spear can be had.

  What is of more importance on Stauffer today is the washing of screens and windows in the patio porch.  Dennis took the initiative and I followed up behind after I mopped the kitchen floor.  I am taking Dennis’ suggestion of putting down a rug in front of the kitchen sink.  Time will tell how we handle a rug on the floor.  Advice by all, is that we should not put rugs down once we are at the age we are.  At the age we are, we are also apt to spill food items off of the edge of the kitchen counter and splash dish water over the edge of the sink.  It does not stop there.  Our feet very likely will drag said spills farther.  

  I did work with my camera and have regained the ability to take a good photo.  This photo does do justice to Dennis’ wheel painting.  There remains many options that I will again visit the internet and ask questions about.  Grammie’s are way out of their element when it comes to options in our small palm-sized cameras.  It’s a far cry from the Brownie box camera. 

  This morning we went to an appointment here at our clinic with a specialist from Mankato for ear, nose and throat.  Sinus on the right side has been plaguing Dennis for a long time.  It started thirteen years ago when Dennis first began using the CPAP machine.  Cleaning a 10′ plastic corrugated hose that is hooked up to a humidifier and also to the face mask is difficult.  We gave it a good try multiple times a week.  The purchase of the So Clean machine was three years too late.  I am not sure So Clean was even on the market when Dennis began the CPAP.

  Dennis had a camera down his throat and also up his nostrils this morning.  There were no obstructions seen . . . I also was watching the screen.  There are two pillows of tissue on either side of the nose that was swollen.  The Breathe Right nasal strips do offer relief and Dennis will continue them as well as using a nasal prescription that he is to use each morning.  It will not offer relief immediately.  This is worth a try.  Dennis did sit through what was warned as her sermon on the soap box in regard to smoking.  Hmm.  He was told not to use Afrin as over the counter.  A little works at first and soon, more and more is needed to bring relief.

  Dennis likes to wash off the outside of the house in late fall.  I will wait until he is done with that task before I think about our house windows.  The windows tip in, so I am not concerned when we can again see out of the windows.  When the sun shines in, it’s like looking through the old glass known as Isinglass.

  Good effort on our homestead’s tidiness today.  It will be interesting as to what tomorrow brings.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on September 27, 2021 Permalink  

  Monday and Bugs 

  I am surprised we have not been drug off by the bugs these last several days.  True to my word, I may be outside early in the morning and then not again until after dark.  Even Dennis came in and brushed his hair at noon as he was sure his head was crawling with bugs . . . it wasn’t.

  Yesterday was the completion of the last of the yard art for Stauffer.  Dennis has been going through white paint like crazy . . . some by brush, but most by spray can.  He might have opted for some touch up, but his index finger could no longer hold down the nozzle of this last can of spray paint.  After we had gotten the cement deer from the east end of the acre and planted it under the lilacs north of the patio . . . there was a new plan coming forth from my ole cowboy.

  There have been four iron wheels leaned up against four trees in the backyard for several decades.  I can only imagine how difficult it was to get the bottom portions out of the dirt, let alone into the back of the pickup.  Dawn dish washing liquid and a brush did a stand up job on getting the dirt and some of the loose rust off.  Out of the garage came the little red pickup. Cardboard was put down in Dennis’ rendition of a paint booth.  I stayed clear.  This was his timeline and his project.  

  Yesterday after we had finished with coffee, it was placement time for the four of the largest wheels.  One of the largest wheels is leaned against the huge maple tree in the back.  The second one is matching and leaning against the east post of the white picket fence that runs east to west.  The two matching, next in size, are spaced equally on either side of the cement deer.  There are three smaller ones tucked here and there under the lilacs.  It looks wonderful and it was very self-satisfying to Dennis.  What could be better than that. 

  What could be better than that, is if my camera would take a decent photo.  Between yesterday, having one of the great grands announce she had taken some good photos . . . ya right . . . and now!  Upon investigation, I can see what the setting is, putting this darkened halo around each photo, I need more time to figure out how to shut that option off.  It will take me awhile, but I will figure it out.

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on September 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Fall Feeling Friday 

  It might be Friday but neither of us heard the wind during the night that brought this fall feeling day. 

  Dennis came in after his morning coffee and breakfast in the patio porch and went straight to getting his chores clothes on.  I had no clue who lit a fire under him until he explained: we had had a strong wind that took down a lot of tree tips and branches.

  How sweet that Dennis has a sweeper to pull behind his mower to rake up just such a mess as this.  Before having this sweeper, I would have been out there with my six inch wide rake with lots of bending over and Dennis filling up several trash cans.

  I felt if he was going to do yard work, I would do a morning in the kitchen.  We both like to eat and we both like oven meals.  I had everything to pull this morning off.  Egg noodles with a pound of browned hamburger, a can of drained beans and garlic flavored Classico tomato sauce. The batch was huge.  After a photo shoot, I put two pans in the freezer for another fall-feeling day.  There will still be a wonderful amount for supper.  As I worked through the morning and the kitchen was filling with great aroma, I decided to do more.  What helped is that a while back we had stopped at the apple barn on 169 and had proceeded to tuck an apple pie in the freezer.  Today, I knew that I would do a batch of scones and follow that by baking out the pie.  

  By noon, Dennis had completed the acre and I was finishing up the dishes.  We both felt like taking a noon break at the dining room table.  Dennis had equipment to clean up and I had a bed to make.  As the kitchen commotion was going on, I had bedding that I was swapping out in the laundry.   

  It is now mid afternoon and time for some patio sitting with our feet up.  Of course I checked out the acre, and it indeed looks as if it has been raked by a professional.  I know I will get rave reviews for our five o’clock supper we will be enjoying . . . complete with apple pie for later.  One good turn deserves another.

  I see that I need to change the date on my camera.  Hey . . . if I figured out the wireless printer to get it back online . . . I have got this.