Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from May, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 4:28 pm on May 14, 2022 Permalink  

  Open for the Season 

  The older ones on Stauffer Avenue are open for the season.  We have chairs out on the patio and the 10′ umbrella is out and up.  It just feels good to take a cup of coffee out and enjoy what the day may bring.

  We have a neighbor that takes care of a home that was his parents.  No one has lived in the house for years.  One day my neighbor Jan and I were wondering how many goodies could possibly be in the home.  I commented I would love to get a hold of an old trunk to fix up.  Jan looked at me and said she might have just what I was looking for in her attic.  Sure enough.  We now have two old trunks in our patio porch.  The wheels in the old cowboy are turning as he is sizing up hinges to find and working on taking the tattered old oil cloth off.  Amazing!  I thought of daughter-in-law Kersten and her collectables.  Several years ago Dennis did a bang up job on an old wooden highchair.  I think this might be the ticket for him to putz on while recovering from surgery.

  It was a great day outside and I am hoping for many more.

  Bring on a great run this next week of enjoying Minnesota.

   
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  Noreen 2:52 pm on May 10, 2022 Permalink  

  Quite the Day 

  This morning as I was just coming to, I had a fright.  I need to back up.

  Dennis is one to wear clothing that a homeless beggar would think twice about wearing.  He thinks it still has just one more good wearing in them.  After showering last night and PJs were put on, the holy jeans and the tattered chambray shirt were put in the kitchen waste basket.  I tied the bag shut and carried it right out to the garbage bin that gets picked up on Tuesday mornings.  Dennis has plenty of choices in his dresser and on hangers.  

  Back to this morning.  I don’t think I even had opened my eyes when I realized and heard the early bird garbage truck barreling down Stauffer Avenue that had picked up our bin.  Oh my gosh!  The fright I felt.  I remembered pulling out the red hanky from the back pocket of the blue jeans I had pitched but I didn’t check the rest of the pockets!  Dennis wallet!  I laid in bed and got a really sick feeling. 

  Dennis had gotten up early and was dressed in jeans as he had said he was going to mow the acre today.  If the wallet had been in the jeans how would I broach the subject of what I had done, or should say, had not done in checking the pockets.  I was in a pickle.  When Dennis came in the house to refill his coffee cup before heading to the back garage I made light of the fact that he would be farming today and gave him a pat on his butt as he headed down the back entry steps.  Lordy, Lordy the little square wad that I had patted was his wallet.  Relief doesn’t cover the wash that came over me.  Life’s lessons come with a whole lot of humility.  

  The morning was off to a very good start.  Dennis got the Cub-Lo-Boy out for mowing.  This first time it would be to put a good trim on the yard as the mower is set quite high compared to the Sears mower.  We had purchased a very light weight trimmer several years ago.  It is also good for balance for me when in use.  I trimmed the areas around the house that Dennis couldn’t get into with the Cub.  As I said, this first time was to even out what had sprouted sporadically.  Different types of grass . . . different heights.  When we were both putting our respective garden tools away . . . the acre looked smart.

  Wow what a day!  It all turned out great.  There is an oven meal that has allowed for good leftovers from last night.  I know I will sleep very deeply when I put my head down tonight.  Silly ole Grammie.

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on April 26, 2022 Permalink  

  Trains 

  I could not believe it!  Between 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. there were three trains that went through town during the early morning hours.  The train tracks are only a block north of us.  The trains have to blow their horn when they are traveling across a street intersection.  With the strong north winds, they sounded as if they were right outside the house.

  There was a huge noise on the street right outside my bedroom at 2:30 this morning that had me wide awake.  I got up and looked out the window.  The neighbors across the street were putting out their garbage for the morning pick-up and it apparently took two to do it and they were having a loud conversation.  I was so wide awake I actually thought about getting up and calling it a night.  I think it was the third train whistle and the noise of the rumbling train cars that lulled me back to sleep.  I did sleep until eight this morning.  I decided I would put in a full day and be ready for bed this evening.

  On a happy note, the kitty that had been AWOL was home by nine last night.  Dennis had to make one more check and when he opened the back door, even I could hear from the living room as Honey Bunny let out a loud MEOW!  Today Dennis reported she hasn’t been out of her basket all day.  Just tuckered out from being on her own the previous night.  Those patio porch kids have Dennis wrapped around their paws.  That’s not all bad.  

  With a run to Lewis Drug, Dennis came home with three prescription refills: one for me and two for Dennis with with a total of $7.34 spent.  Sure can’t beat that.

  The kitchen was turned over to the ole cowboy today and we have an oven dish to pop into the oven for today’s supper.  There is another thing you can’t beat.  Dennis enjoys having one hot meal a day and from the looks of the round blue speckled roaster . . . he, we will be guaranteed that hot meal for at least three suppers.

  I checked out the backyard this morning.  The Bleeding Heart perennials are up as well as the Star of David plants.  The Star of David plants are up early and after they bloom, the greenery dies back.  As in last year, I will tend to what comes up on its own.  I will not be purchasing any annuals or potted plants that require a lot of watering and fertilizer as it gets warmer out.  The beautiful flowering potted plants will not continue blooming without a lot of fertilizer.  Our city has huge blooming pots hanging from the street lights as it gets nice out, every week there is a pickup with a tank to water them.  You can see that the tank has fertilizer in the water.  Good old Miracle Grow.  In the heat they get watered several times a week to keep them going.  

  I have had a great run of a yard full of plants in times past.  I do know that I have limits.  Hmm.

   
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  Noreen 3:16 pm on April 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Spring is Here! 

  What a great bright day!  Though we have been on a wild ride with Dennis’ doctor appointments . . . today I ran away from home and went right back to Mankato to enjoy lunch with the stitchers.  There were seven of us that stuck our feet under a round table at Baker’s Square and exchanged the latest and greatest of the thread and fuzz world.  It is so much more fun than sitting in a doctor’s office or the waiting room of a hospital.  

  As much fun as this monthly luncheon was, I am thrilled that we have nowhere to go for the next two weeks.  There truly is no place like home. 

  One more visit from Mason tomorrow as he needs to caulk around the walk-in shower unit now that the new sheetrock has been painted.

  There may be some sticks that need picking up in the yards.  With the new 1/2 inch of rain the green of the grass is most welcoming.  How soft the yards are will be the determining factor as to when they get picked up and when we start a small bonfire.

  When I got home, Dennis had a tuna, peas and pasta oven dish ready for a 325 degree oven.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on March 31, 2022 Permalink  

  Wow 

  Wow!  I am having a great birthday!  My best ever phone call came this morning from the laundromat here in St James.  It was Dennis!  He had left early this morning with rag rugs to wash up after a winter’s use and had forgotten about the wish until he was busy watching suds.  Sweet.

  Yesterday there were cards in the mail and one in particular provided for times when I want a nourishing supper for Dennis and me while keeping the kitchen range clean.  Thanks to the Fairfax team for Subways.  Today Carrie drove out from the metro to have lunch with us.  I provided a fitting room and Carrie brought a bright colored top and pants from her store.  Thanks to the metro family.  Being treated to a meal while wearing some new clothes . . . can’t get any sweeter than that.

  I feel so fortunate for this 78th birthday.  I looked back as to what I had written on my blog March 31, 2021.  I was going to PT three times a week working towards mobility from the February stoke while dragging my Foley catheter wherever I went.  I take it back.  I am not fortunate, I am blessed beyond belief.  Each morning I say “Thank you Lord, it’s MY day to make You proud.” 

  Soon the biting cold days are bound to be over.  It’s a good thing the red breasted Robins are covering our back yard believing in spring and checking out what’s for lunch.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on March 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Not Soon Enough 

  When it dries out in our yard . . . it can’t come soon enough.  There are branches to no end.  Dennis is ready to hook the rake up behind the rider lawnmower and pick up enough to start a small fire in our surround in the yard.  Over the several times our yard was bare this winter, the large branches were already taken care of.

  Today I received passing grades on how well Dennis incision has been cared for on his left foot.  March 28th can’t come soon enough for the angiogram that will be done on Dennis’ left leg.  A vein behind his knee needs to be opened and a vein running down from his knee to his foot is the second target.  Yes, it has been a long run, but there is no complaint on what has been given with the medical care for Dennis.  We do count our blessings.  We stopped at the Mayo Store as there was a new bundle of gauze that was waiting for Dennis.  Again . . . so thankful for good insurance.

  We got home at 12:30 this noon and for some reason the oomph was out of me for starting anything on the home front.  There is only so much energy in a given day and when it is gone . . . it needs to be nurtured for a go round in the next day.  We are off the clock until a week from today when we check Dennis in at 8 a.m. at the Mankato hospital.  

  There is a Watonwan Game and Fish Club event at the American Legion this evening.  Dennis and his bud, Orville Larson, are in charge of handing out giveaways to the young children.  They all go away with something.  Sweet!  It is a great way for Dennis to get out and see many.

  Tomorrow is a new day and new energies that I am banking on.

   
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  Noreen 2:27 pm on March 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Thursday the 17th 

  No wearing of the green here . . . just my everyday garb.

  I did need a few groceries and a stop at our bank was needed.  CCF had decided that my user name plus my passcode was not enough to check on our bank balance.  The plan was either they would call and give me an additional code or I could click and the additional code would be sent to an additional search engine.  Way too complicated for this Grammie.  I inquired at the bank as to how many other older people found this cumbersome.  Kathy told me that most other older people just call them for the balance on their accounts.  Hmm.  That could be time consuming for the employees.  After the grocery store I got a call from the bank.  Upon their inquiry, this additional security code could be shut off on our account.  Halleluiah!  Within 24 hours I should be back to a simplistic avenue for internet banking.  It pays to look out for one’s self.

  This morning, Dennis noted that there were a few short nails laying on his pickup garage floor.  As he was picking them up, there was a commotion over head.  With the new roof decking being put on that portion of the garage, coupled with the shingles being put on, a lathe that was holding up insulation on the interior had come loose from the vibrations.  The commotion was caused by Snuggles needing to jump up into the cavity made by a loose lathe, causing a section of insulation coming down onto the pickup.  Leave it to the garage kids to find mischief.  If only there were a continual video going on in the patio porch.  Priceless. 

  I pulled together some of mom’s printed field sack material and got it pressed for the upcoming quilt pattern from stitcher Lu.  This pattern will take a lot of patience as it calls for a whole lot of pieces and three inch squares are on the large side.  Oh well . . . where am I going?

  If I thought I would be outside anytime soon picking up branches . . . not!  As I walked around the garages yesterday taking in the shingling project, the grassy areas are like bogs.  The studio be my location for some time to come.

   
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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.