Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2021 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:03 pm on July 18, 2021 Permalink  

  Cabin Fever 

  Yesterday I felt it . . . cabin fever.  There has not been any reason for me to go anywhere.  Last week we had been over to Kevin for a repair.  It felt great.  What I really noticed at Kevin’s garage was the air flow through the long building via some strategically placed fans from east to west.  That will serve him well this week as another hot spell is on its way. 

  Back to cabin fever.  It was decided that if I could hang out until today, Sunday, we would go grocery shopping.  I had a list going.  Yes, I can drive.  I don’t feel comfortable as yet to trek through the store for a long period of time.  I have mentioned it before, feeling stable in our home and outside on the patios is far different than being in unknown surroundings.  Some days are different than others.  It could be mind over matter or the reverse.

  We did get our groceries.  Dennis said I looked dressed for the occasion.  I had earrings in my ears. The first time since they had been removed by nurses in February.  They have been in a small container with the same info on it as all the wrist bands had.  Yup, they were mine!  I got the right earring in, but Dennis had to help with the left one.  Gotter done.  They are the type and size that can remain in for an extended length of time.  

  Many decades ago my sister, Elvera, and I had gotten our ears pierced together.  Since, I had always worn earrings, Dennis would comment that I didn’t look dressed without them.  Forewarned . . . I am now dressed for whatever may come.

  When I walked this morning I had to stop and admire the Russian Sage next to the west porch.  It is beautiful and the bees are loving the delicate purple blooms.  Last year I had dug out the area and put in new dirt and amended it.  I couldn’t be more pleased.  No fuss . . . just enjoyment of them.  I will not hesitate to add a few plants next year in the backyard.  This is a perennial that does not disappoint.

  Here we are looking at the beginning of a new week . . . less the cabin fever.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on July 12, 2021 Permalink  

  The Power of Push 

  Each day requires me to push just a bit more.  Going up and down the basement steps each morning is in my schedule.  I can’t say it’s a bad feeling in the legs and hips and the next time I do it, it feels better.  Move, move move. I walked to the east edge of the acre this forenoon and checked out the Hosta under the Hackberry tree and then did a round on the drive.  Push, push.  

  When I got into the house I was ready to sit a bit.  My eyes did close for a bit until the phone rang. 

  Dennis mowed the acre today.  I took a bottle of water out as he was finishing up and we sat on the back patio to take in how wonderful the acre looked.  The perennials are thick enough to keep weeds at bay.  In regard to weeds . .  I am betting on my 2022 to be at my best for taking better care of what Dennis doesn’t with the mower.

  I have wrangled the laundry and taken care of the dishes in the sink.  It’s been a good day.

  I truly believe a huge portion of my recovery and health at this time stems from the positive thoughts.  I get excited about the good that is coming in the days to come and kick the negative “what ifs” to the back burner. 

  No one can really know how I feel right now.  Yes . . . there is pressure when I cough or sneeze.  I feel discomfort at the oddest movements.  So be it.  It is getting better and with a bit more push each day, I am the one that will know when enough is enough.  Rocking chair time is important, only triumphed by a good night’s rest.

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on July 8, 2021 Permalink  

  Great Temperatures 

  Temps in the 60s and 70s is so welcoming.  I am not sure where one could live to have that for the majority of the time.  We are enjoying it when it comes.  It could be as if everything is coming up roses.

  This morning it felt like my rose had been nipped off as a bud.  Highs and lows are not uncommon during recovery.  I had not slept well during last night.  It’s not about tossing and turning.  It is more like lying awake and being very still feeling every twinge in the incision as the healing is going on.  That leads to getting caught up in listening to and feeling your heart beat.  Was it unusual?  Had the AFib returned as it had right after surgery?  It was just my night to flitter the hours away.  

  When Dennis and I poured our coffee cups full at 6:30, it was time to get outside and suck up some of that great air.

  It had been some time since we had our toes and feet treated to pedicures.  Dennis decided we were due and I sure didn’t argue.  We got right in at the Nails Group in Mankato.  There is no way I could twist and turn my hands to do the great job that they do on each nail.  Some nails become thicker than others.  Dennis’ toes need care as much as mine and we walked out of the salon knowing we had done something good for ourselves.

  It was a one shop stop that we needed in Mankato and we were home by noon.  Much of this day was still ready to enjoy, and enjoy we did.   

  As I walked the yard, I had to admire the Russian Sage, as I do each day.  Who needs roses when I have a bounty of delicate blue blooms on the Russian Sage!

   
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  Noreen 2:04 pm on July 2, 2021 Permalink  

  Watching Traffic 

  One of my favorite perches is the west porch of our home that has windows on three sides.  Lots of traffic to check out.  I won’t be allowed to drive for several more weeks.  Not for mental impairment but the off chance of a steering wheel hitting me in the chest.  So be it.  Do I have anywhere I am expected . . . no.  Do I have anywhere where I want to go . . . maybe cruise the grocery aisles.  

  Dennis took on the acre of mowing today.  True to his word he took breaks.  It gave me a chance to play water person.  Water with electrolytes is not a bad thing as the sun is warming the air.

  This is Friday, the end of the work week for most.  The end of this week doesn’t really rack up much on my blackboard . . . and that is how it is suppose to be for now.  The walking is continuing with a cane for an added aid.  The items in the home that need doing are progressing, remembering the no, no on lifting, bending and pushing.  

  Dennis is down for a nap after showering off the grass pollen.  I think I have a few more cars and trucks to watch from my perch in the west porch.

   
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  Noreen 1:56 pm on July 1, 2021 Permalink  

  Sweet Day 

  Both of us awoke this morning with feelings of “let’s have a day.”

  Nothing does move until the coffee pot has gone off.  The aroma of Folger’s is what allows the day to begin.  My dad, Raymond, wouldn’t drink anything else.  We may not say much to each other while we take that first cup to our favorite spot.  Dennis’ is in the patio porch and mine is in front of my HP Notebook.

  Without knowing what the other was doing, I was slowly taking bedding and heading to the laundry, while Dennis was gathering items for the laundromat.  If there are kitties in the patio porch there needs to be criteria on the contents of their baskets.  Tidy tidy for the fur babies.  We don’t have rugs down in our home . . . one less thing to trip on.  Rag rugs in a household washing machine could shorten the life of the machine.  They are so soaked and heavy that the spin cycle labors.  I pushed buttons in the house and Dennis headed out in his little red pickup.

  As I took my walk this morning, I was thrilled to see the Russian Sage blooms beginning to appear on the long green stalks.  It is the most delicate of blooms and the butterflies love them.  Megan talked me into planting them last year in an area that had never quite come into its own.   Nailed it.  My sister, Elvera, would be smiling as the Russian Sage was her favorite.

  The afternoon is fading and we have met our objectives for the day that even included a great nap.  Life is sweet on Stauffer Avenue.  When in Mankato last week, we had picked up a prepared meal in Hy-Vee.  This seems like the perfect ending of the day.

   
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  Noreen 1:12 pm on June 7, 2021 Permalink  

  Need for Flexibility 

  When it comes to appointments, there is a need to remain flexible.  All the appointments that I was to show up for in Mankato on Friday the 11th in regard to the June 15th heart surgery have now been rescheduled for Wed, the 9th.  The blessing is . . . the same locations, same time, just a different day.

  In the planning, was the need to get a new prescription for the disposable 6″ catheters.  Our family doctor phoned it right over to our Lewis Drug.  I went to pick up a supply this morning and they told me they don’t work with Medicare.  So much for the loss of independent owned drug stores.  Our Lewis Drug is one in many.  As it were, online, I found out that the little town of Mountain Lake, 12 miles west, does work with Medicare.  Dave owns his own store.  I got a phone call this afternoon that our family doctor came through with a prescription to Dave’s store.  Tomorrow after hair cuts and an eye appointment for Dennis, we will drive over to pick up a two month supply, knowing it won’t be a problem in the future.  Whew.  Medicare covers the cost 100%.  While recovering, it is a relief to have that important part of my days taken care of.

  Amazon has nothing on Dennis’ son-in-law.  Tom knew that in time to come we would have rock around the shrubs that we have planted in the filled-in Koi pond area.  Last week he offered landscape fabric.  We found out last night that we have rocks coming on Sunday.  I texted Tom last night and let him know we would take him up on his offer of the fabric. 

  I was just putting on my glasses this morning to see the new day when I heard Tom’s scooter heading out the drive.  Early bird for sure.  When I went out to the patio with a cup of coffee. . . our local Amazon delivery was on the back bench:  A roll of the landscape fabric, a pair of heavy shears and a utility knife.  The only thing missing was a pair of gloves . . . we have a total landscaping kit.

  In the bright warm sun this early morning, Dennis worked on leveling the dirt around the shrubs and even took the last bag of garden soil out of the potting shed to assist in the project.  I did not encourage Dennis to work with the fabric as the area is in the shade in the afternoons and early evening.  We have a window of several days.  Even after the rock are here on Sunday, Dennis has his trusty wagon to hold the rock and work a bit at a time.

  I had a sheaf of paperwork laid out on the table in the sewing studio.  Dennis was napping in his recliner.  Me and my cell phone headed downstairs.  Double checking with phone numbers, policy numbers . . . making sure nothing would be left to chance for a time to come.  It needed to be done even if there was not a medical event next week.  

  I spent a lot of time with phone calls today . . . a necessary evil.  I have made notes so as to not forget any of it.  

  I do feel flexed out.

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on June 6, 2021 Permalink  

  No Doubt 

  No doubt about it, summer has arrived.  Temps in the 90s with hot winds that are bound to dry out potted plants.  I am very thankful that we do not buy in to purchasing beautiful potted flowers that tempt the most frugal of gardeners.  They have been beefed up with enough fertilizer to put on a great display, but their roots are nestled in peat moss which doesn’t hold moisture.  The plants that we enjoy made it through the winter.  Best perennials ever.

  Dennis and I sat on the west patio for a long time this morning in a very brisk wind.  As soon as the gusts of wind would wind down the tiny flies found us.  Dennis had planned on us getting decorative rock for the shrub area in what had been the Koi pond.  I kept distracting him as the plan was a good one but not in the heat of the day.  We kept moving about outside while staying in the shade until at noon, we decided to check out our chairs in the living room.  Good choice.

  The plans are getting real for my departure to Rochester next week.  I have a day of tests in Mankato on Friday, a 4-D Cat scan and several others.  I also will be tested for Covid at that time.  That is the only test that makes me feel uneasy.  I had Covid in February.  I remember too many tales of invalid tests and that one little test could alter a lot in regard to the heart surgery.  Oh well.

  Supper is Manwich sloppy Joes and potato salad.  That in itself is enough to prepare for Dennis’ belief that he has one hot meal each day.  No more heat in the kitchen than necessary.  Hey . . . who am I to push yogurt and apple sauce.

  How warm is it?  The patio porch kitties are lying on the garage floors totally sprawled out.  It is tempting but I would work up a huge sweat trying to get upright.

   
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  Noreen 3:15 pm on June 4, 2021 Permalink  

  Great Morning 

  At seven this morning, the coffee never tasted so good as I sat on the west patio.  It was quiet in the neighborhood.  School buses and the traffic that needs to pass our way towards the school is done as of yesterday.  It was just me, the squirrels, birds and of course the patio porch kitties.  I did eventually walk the acre to see if the Roundup from yesterday’s application on some clover as well as a few other undesirables had kicked in.  Clover gives in easily, time will tell on a few others.

  We have a fantastic crop of mint, aka: cat nip, growing adjacent to the patio.  Ironically, the kitties don’t take notice of it until a stem or a leaf is twisted off, and then the pungent aroma is released.  It is ass over tea kettle to get to, to roll around in it and munch on it.  In time, using the weed whip and taking off the very top of this crop will keep the kitties content.  Why would they stray from Stauffer!  They each have their own pillow nest to sleep off their highs.

  I got errands done after a noon break.  Lewis Drug, Dollar General and the grocery store . . .  the latter to pick up one item, a bag of Flax Meal.  It was warm enough that when I got home Dennis was in the patio porch listening to country western music on the RFD television channel.  Perfect spot.

  I have about an hour before getting supper so “the chair” is going to be visited . . . sweet.

   
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  Noreen 1:56 pm on May 31, 2021 Permalink  

  No Denying 

  There is no denying that when the sun greets me in the morning, I know there is lots more good to come. 

  Dennis helped strip the beds and he was off to the patio porch with coffee and raspberry scone in hand.  He has really gotten into those scones.  I am waiting for him to ask me if I would try baking some.  Right now I am picking them up at the store.

  How wonderful that those that make their annual trips to the various grave sites of loved ones have good traveling and good weather.  Special.

  It is now mid afternoon and the older ones on Stauffer have called it a day.  The acre looks manicured.  Dennis mowed and I trimmed the areas that he could not get close enough to.  Close to the trees is off limits.  The tender bark does not like to be scuffed.

  The beds have fresh linens to be enjoyed after bathing and showering this evening.  Does it sound like we had a full and good day . . . we surely did.  I have no doubt we will find something to keep us busy tomorrow.  Life is sweet.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on May 30, 2021 Permalink  

  Plans Squashed 

  The plans for the day were squashed by rain . . . mowing the acre.  That’s okay.  The gas in the tanks will last a little longer.  The new thread in the weed whip will last a little longer.  Tomorrow seems to have a better outlook.

  I did take a walk  into the backyard earlier during one of the breaks of rain.  Yes, the grass is indeed ready for a trim.  I also took note that all the Lilac’s blossoms that had frozen off, also left a length on the tip of each branch that won’t be putting on new leaves.  Nothing but a length of a dead branch.  Too bad.  The harsh winds of the coming winter will most likely snap them off.

  We were both in our favorite chairs this morning and the conversation had lagged.  Dennis asked me what I was thinking about as we had earlier talked about the calendar schedule for the upcoming surgery.  My response to his question as to what I was thinking on was “Not what might go wrong but all the good and wonderful days ahead to make plans for.”  

  I did go down into the sewing studio and unplug my sewing machine in case of the possibility of electrical damage from spring storms.  I pulled out the cover of the machine until a time in the near future.  It will be sooner than later.  That machine and I are better together than not.  It has kept my creative juices alive and in the near future the glass will be ready to be tapped.