Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2020 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 4:05 pm on September 20, 2020 Permalink  

  Smoky Clouds and Sun 

  I do believe we are having some smoky clouds coming from the fires in the far west.  The sun is shining but not with the luster that is normal.  The winds have been high today catching leaves off guard that thought they had more time on the trees.

  Dennis and I took a road date to Mankato today.  I had a list.  I  had three lists in fact.  Our local drug store does not carry some of the over-the-counter items that I like to use.  Walgreens is like the mega store.  Years ago I dropped something on my left foot that the toes did not appreciate.  If left on their own, they love growing a callous from the tip of the nail and end up encasing it.  Kerasal works its way, slow but sure, so the nail has breathing space again.  The dang .48 oz.  tube is $29.00.  It’s worth it not to end up having toes that don’t want to have shoes on the foot.  After all, seasons are changing.

  Jiffy Lube has been our place for the little red pickup’s health and well being.  We were surprised when the windshield sticker let us know that 3,000 miles had been driven.  It surprised us even more realizing that it had been last serviced in the middle of March.  The older ones on Stauffer are not putting on the huge amount of miles that we used to.

  We are now safe and sound at home and have a good supply of our grocery staples in the pantry.  We don’t eat out while we are in Mankato.  It doesn’t seem to be the wisest as most of the world sees the two of us as vulnerable adults.  What I had done was buy a small package of donut balls when I was in Cub’s.  We enjoyed a road date picnic on the way home complete with leftover breakfast coffee.

  The ride also gave us a chance . . . I should say it gave me a chance to broach the topic of the Koi pond.  The Koi pond has had a good run.  Dennis’ three grandsons helped him dig it out when they were hardly able to hold a shovel.  All three are now in their late twenties.  We are at the point of needing to purchase a new filter and pump setup.  It’s been fun.  It’s been a routine that must be kept.  It is becoming more difficult for either one of us to clean the filter and pump during the season of leaves and twigs that plug up the system, as often as once a week when the winds have been blowing.  Being close at hand for safety reasons hasn’t always been the case for me when Dennis gets a wild hair and does it without me being close at hand.  So far, no loss of balance has caused either of us any harm.  Sometimes you have to know when to hold it and when to fold it . . . at least that is what the deceased singer, Kenny Rogers thought.  We are down to five fish and it is no long prudent.  We have plenty on our plates during the spring, summer and fall seasons.  Dennis agreed wholeheartedly.  Whew!

  Time to get out some of that wonderful leftover casserole from last night.  The flavors have co-mingled and it is always more flavorful than the first day.  Hells bells . . . I was counting on leftovers when I filled the round blue speckled roaster to the brim.  

  May the new week be filled with the awareness of what a great life we have.  It has been given to us unconditionally by our Lord Jesus Christ.

   
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  Noreen 3:40 pm on September 19, 2020 Permalink  

  The Smells of Fall 

  Here and there are the smells of fall.  Lush grass being mowed, a few fire rings getting rid of leaves and twigs and a new crop of shelled corn going by.  It is hard to believe but the harvest of 2020 has begun.

  My agenda today was more into the Saturday routine of washing bedding, Swiffering floors and making a casserole for supper.  The pickings in the pantry are getting slim to none.  We had stocked up on many items in late February when the covid was being warned against.  We were determined to get to the back of those shelves as much as we could before restocking.  By the afternoon the beautiful day beckoned me outside.

  Dennis was one of those mowing lush grass today.  It took Dennis a while to get going this morning.  Yesterday was his first injection in his right eye for wet macular degeneration.  Of course, there was a bit of tenderness until the eye has rid itself of all the washing materials prior to the injection.  Every six months we are at the our eye doctors for a check in.  Hard to believe what can develop in such a short time.  The macula is located at the back of the eye.  Unusual blood vessels can build around it, leaking fluid and a bit of blood that causes vision problems.  For right now it will require an injection once a month.  Time will tell.  Dennis never batted an eye . . . literally.  The specialist was in St. James yesterday from Mankato.  She determined what needed to be done and offered Dennis an appointment in Mankato if he wanted to think things over and he said, “Nope, if you can do it right now, let’s get it done.”  Needless to say, I was taken aback when he got home and shared what he had been through.  Wham, bam, thank you doctor.

  While Dennis mowed, I did empty our burning ring.  I had cleaned out the stalks of spent blooms on the Hosta.  A few branches here and there that can cause the rider mower some problems if not picked up.  I must say the Hosta look good for this time of the year.  We must have missed the season of slugs that usually chew holes in them until they look like lace.  It was one of those things that I wasn’t going to put forth any effort into gardening, but the dang things came up and I didn’t have the heart to let them go up in weeds.  By the way . . . it didn’t hurt me one bit to take care of them.  

  The Autumn Joy pink blooms are showing.  The pollinators love them.  If messing around those plants in the fall, be prepared as the bees have first dibs.

  We are content for the weekend.  It is a joy to end each day knowing and feeling that we have been blessed to have a home to take care of.  Be it ever so humble . . . it’s ours and may it be our “forever home.”

   
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  Noreen 3:17 pm on September 17, 2020 Permalink  

  Many More 

  I would enjoy many more days such as this one.  It’s hard to stay in the house when there is a breeze blowing, rustling the leaves that tempt some of them to decide to fly away.  Our Hackberry tree in the back has had many leaves vacate the premise.

  It did take me quite a while to patch the exterior hole of the back garage’s west wall.  I worked on it while Dennis had an eye appointment.  A scrap of vinyl siding and the tin snips were what I had to work with.  It was measure twice and cut once.  I can’t tell you how much I rely on the “600” industrial glue.  Of course, the rock that blew through the wall had taken out portions of two slats, one on top of the other, of the siding.  When Dennis came home close to noon, he stood on the east patio and from where he stood . . . “You can’t even see that there was a problem.”  It was a good job to take care of before colder weather comes and a critter would want to take shelter in our garage. 

  Dennis had stopped at the Fleet and Farm store before coming home from the eye appointment.  Checking out the eves, Dennis realized why he has gotten stung by a wasps two different times.  Those buggers sure know how to hide their nests.  Those buggers sure know how to retaliate when their nests are sprayed.  Dennis’ spraying must have made contact as shortly thereafter there were two struggling on the drive.  Can’t struggle too much when my shoe descends on them. 

  I managed to find something to do outside until three this afternoon.  If one stood still, the air felt cool.  Moving around through the Hosta beds cleaning up sticks and branches it was very comfortable.  I did notice that there was not a single Black Walnut off our two trees.  On the other hand, the acorns from the neighbor’s tree were abundant.  I raked up a bushel basket of acorns from under our Lilacs, some shucked and some not.  I think the squirrels had their quota.  Dennis will be slow roasting them in his fire ring in days to come.  Dennis made sure to blow off the patios often as it was like walking on marbles there for awhile.

  I have noticed various school buses going by from other towns.  There must be some normality with extracurricular for the kids.  Our normality hasn’t changed an nth.  We do what we have always done, which is to keep our noses down and take care of what presents itself each day.  Some days are busier than others.  The main thing is each day we remind each other as to what day of the week it is.  Priceless! 

  Thursdays are welcomed as they are the hint that the weekend is not far behind.  Enjoy this wonderful Minnesota weather ya’all! 

   
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  Noreen 4:04 pm on September 16, 2020 Permalink  

  Winds from the North 

  Winds from the north tell me that the temps are going to be enjoyable for a few days.  

  Our first item of the day was to work on a patch for the garage in the eastern part of the acre.  Dennis had mowed the lawn back there for years without a hitch.  Dennis honors my request of not blowing grass clippings onto buildings.  Sweet.  Last week he was on the third round of mowing and that round does get blown towards the buildings as it never reaches that far.  There was a huge thunk.  Dennis doesn’t know what had been hit.  As he looked around, there was a round hole in the west wall of our garage.  I mean a round hole straight through the wall.  Peekaboo, I see you!

  When we went to inspect the interior, there laid the rock on the floor of the garage just as pretty as you please.  Hmm.  Just as a quilter pieces things together, so I devised a patch, starting on the inside wall.  A bit of foam cut from my stashes was tucked in the hole, followed with a covering of heavy cardboard applied with Gorilla double duty black tape.  Good grief the mosquitoes were thick in the garage.  Itch, itch.  Tomorrow I will use the tin snips and cut out a vinyl patch for the exterior of the wall.  It’s too bad it happened.  It’s a Godsend that it was a wall and not a child.  Lawnmowers have always be a caution when it comes to what can fly out from underneath at a speed and force that is unbelievable.

  While we were in the back garage we did a bit of the tidy stuff.  Once your eyes see stuff, you can’t deny it.  We brought back two large totes to scrub up and hopefully will find a new home for them.  We are so done filling up totes. 

  Snuggles kept me company as I did the last of the cleaning on the totes.  The “no-see’ems” were so bad, Snuggles decided to stay in the garage porch and watch me from inside.  It’s either their pee or their spit that burns like a little torch on the skin . . . of course, followed by an itch.  Fall is notorious for annoying bugs.

  I am about to wrangle up supper.  We had soup and fried egg sandwiches last night, so tonight will incorporate the entree of . . . meat, potatoes and veggies. 

  It’s hump day and aren’t we thankful to have one.  Catch ya tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 5:10 pm on September 15, 2020 Permalink  

  It’s a Tuesday 

  It is Tuesday and a bit back to sticky temperatures.  

  When Dennis takes off in his little pickup, it is hard telling where he is going, when he will be back . . . but always back in time for supper.  This evening I had started supper and after the red pickup had pulled in there was no Dennis coming in.  I turned down burners and went to see where he was.  Dennis was at the front of our home wrestling a political sign.  It was a rather large sign and supper was on hold until we got it up where the passer-by traffic could see it.  Supper was a tad late, but if Dennis is happy how cannot everyone be happy.  I have no idea where the sign came from.  Dennis has people.  All I know is that it has found a good home.

  These last several days, I have taken time to sit on the east patio and take in the clouds as they flutter by.  The wind today was a bit strong and it kept all bugs at bay.  That in itself is priceless.  I did spy my first Asian beetle today.  Man on man, I do not appreciate them.  With the Asians I know the Box Elders are not far behind.  Hanging clothes on the clotheslines is going to be nixed for a time as they mess at will and those stains are hard to get out.  Sitting and daydreaming, I was caught off guard.  Without warning, Snuggles came out of nowhere and found my lap for a nap.  Oh so innocent when just a few hours earlier, he had a squirrel that he had to bring into the porch to show off to Dennis.  Snuggles is faster than a bullet and catches them right in the back of their necks.  The cat never has a scratch on himself.  If he did, it would mean a trip to the vets.  

  Sitting still is not my usual but even old dogs can learn new tricks.  It’s not a trick to slow down but it sure is a challenge.  We have been keeping ourselves busy since spring and it’s time to wind down before the snow comes . . . and then we are busy again.  

  When I checked the weather on the computer, I am very happy that some cooler temps are coming.  I sure got spoiled for what we enjoyed last week.

  I have no idea what the morrow brings.  For Dennis and I . . . it’s better that way.

   
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  Noreen 2:45 pm on September 14, 2020 Permalink  

  Off the List 

  As fall approaches there are lists that need to be paid attention to.  Today, I knocked a huge one to the curb.  We have always changed oil in our vehicles every 3,000 miles.  Today my car was within 100 miles of that.  I called with the thought of getting an appointment for tomorrow.  Ring, ring . . . “We can get you in at 10:30.”  I looked at the clock and it was a little after nine.  I was there in plenty of time, and as I said, one more item off of the list.  Everything checked out good.  I do have a reminder on my records and theirs that the right strut is be looked at the next time I come in.  Fair enough. 

  The sun coming out brings the temps to 80 in no time at all.  The humidity and dew point are reasonable.  The warm sun did bring Dennis to a sweat this afternoon.  Our huge evergreen on the northwest corner of our home had shed its pollen profusely.  Over the years our front sidewalk to our front door is virtually green.  Dennis has scrubbed with a soap, then rinsed.  He tried some de-greaser, then rinsed.  Not to worry.  Going online, we have a line on some cleaners, but first of all we are going to try vinegar.  Of course there is always a DIY suggestion.  Is it a big deal.  Absolutely not!  Was it a good thing that Dennis saw it and wanted to tackle it?  Absolutely yes!

  Stauffer Avenue is going into the season of having not left anything undone that we could not tackle.  Priceless!  We may be a year older and a bit slower, but the secret is to keep moving . . . and we do!

  Who is up for sauerkraut and wieners for supper!  Sounds to me like a great fall-feeling supper.

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on September 13, 2020 Permalink  

  Layer Cakes 

  A new twist is for quilting stores to sell their inventory as a pre-cut bundle and make it look very desirable, complete with fancy ribbons to tie the bundle together.  The Layer Cake promo is one that is very popular.  I was gifted a Layer Cake bundle.  It has 42 10″ cut blocks of various flannel designs.  

  I have touched this bundle, I have moved this bundle from place to place, and I have put the bundle out of site.  Yesterday I dug out this Layer Cake bundle of 42 flannel blocks.  All different colors.  All different printed designs.  I cleared off the church basement table tops and began moving colors around.  

  This is quality flannel and it has a lot of body.  I decided to work with the 10″ pieces each unto their own.  No cutting them up.  The smaller the piecing to put together the more bulky seams there are to contend with going forward.  Dennis came down into the sewing studio and scratched his head.  This project was out of my comfort zone and he had picked up on it.  Organized pieced patterns that repeat themselves has been my usual for a quilt.  All of these patterns and colors lying next to each other made my eyes twitch.

  This morning I had decided I would tie this mishmash of color and design together with an embroidered design on each block.  I will use the same neutral color of thread on each block.  I have two designs that came loaded on my sewing machine and I will do alternate stitched designs on each block that are similar, but different.  I am not thinking about going beyond this part of the project.  Time seems to help pull sewing things together as after each step something new may be seen.

  Dennis played solitaire on the basement Dell computer as a vote of moral support and confidence.  It does help.

  The sun is out this afternoon and it seems to have pushed clouds and rain showers away for a time.  Each day as I do some reading in our west porch, my view out the windows is our front yard.  The Kentucky Blue Grass is making appearances.  Yippee.  I think it did help that as I looked out the windows I was willing it to pop through the soil.  With the two inches of rain over the last ten days, I think my sprinkling may have come to an end.  The cooler weather tends not to dry out the grass.

  A new week and we will be in mid September before we know it.  Time is precious and I don’t wish it away.  At the end of each day I need to have some accountability for what my God and Savior has given me.  And . . . none of this “Oh, poor me, whatever shall I do?”

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on September 12, 2020 Permalink  

  Dust Bunny Time 

  We had been kept busy and actually not spending a lot of time on the first floor of our home.  Hmm.  There were dust bunnies that were calling my name this morning.  I would be lost without the Swiffer mop.  The laminate flooring is an easy call . . . though one Swiffer refill may not suffice after a several-week hiatus from cleaning.  I can’t imagine not being able to take a swipe at dust bunnies under the beds.  My mobility with clumsy vacuum wands is not the same as the lightweight Swiffer wand.   

  Years back after we had torn up the carpeting in the house, the Swiffer seemed to be the best answer.  Megan stayed with us often from the time she could sit up on her own.  Right after I had gotten the Swiffer and she saw what I was doing, that little gal being just a bit over one year old, would get a hold of that mop and nothing was safe.  She had a hold of it near the mop head and the handle flaying out behind her took no prisoners.  It was a new toy.

  Not long after that first encounter of “Megan the cleaner,” the Eden Prairie couple took in a home show in one of the huge venues.  Apparently Megan caught site of a Swiffer in one of the vendor’s stalls and she was off and cleaning.  Carrie said it was too funny that a mop had captured Megan’s go-to busyness. 

  The Swiffer did eventually become a usual in the Eden Prairie home.  Carrie, being thrifty, shared with me that she would use one side and then flip it over and fill it up in total.  Gotta love a thrifty gal. 

  So, I digress.  Today, it rained off and on until the afternoon and the time spent cleaning felt good.  I could see that I had made a difference.  Let’s hear it for local effort! No matter how old our bedding or clothes become, there is always lint.  It does make a difference that I no longer require shoes that need to be removed beyond the back entry.  The benefits of having good stable shoes that lace up outweighs what may track in onto the floors.  It is never very serious.  

  The cool fall has been enjoyed here on Stauffer Avenue.  Dennis tucked away the last of the garden hoses that had been used for sprinkling new grass seed.  Over the last week we have had almost two inches of rain in three installments.  I am sure that there will be those warm fall days yet to come, but this break in temps was warranted.  

  Enjoy the weekend for all that it may bring.  Slow down and realize that each day brings blessings, thoughts and experiences that will never have the chance of being a “re-run.”  One unique day after another.

   
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  Noreen 3:54 pm on September 10, 2020 Permalink  

  Finally 

  Finally the sun was out today.  It has been a dark, wet week thus far.  It gave me pause to get outside, and lo and behold, there were branches to pick up in the far east yard.  We did have a bit of a storm earlier and the Hackberry tree let loose lots of weak branches.  Dennis’ burn ring is loaded once the branches are dry enough to burn.  One of the garden hoses that I used to sprinkle the north and east side of the house has been rolled up.  The soil in that area that I am working with the grass seed is damp, down to my second knuckle.  The front yard hose that has the sprinkler attached is fine where it is sitting on the front sidewalk.  Time will tell.

  I have been doing quite a bit of reading this week.  Once the house keeping things are done each day, it is a chance for me to have a cup of coffee sitting in the west porch of our home, listening to the laundry and keeping track of traffic as I read a chapter or two.  Balance in the day. 

  I don’t have anything started in the sewing studio right now.  I do have several items ready for travel.  Tomorrow the stitchers are planning on meeting in one of the open city parks in Mankato at noon.  Yup . . . it might be a bit cool.  Several of the gals have health issues and are not brave enough to meet where we had prior to covid.  That meeting spot has been Baker’s Square.  It may be as warm as 60 tomorrow and that is doable. 

  Every three months Dennis’ prescription for his CPAP machine allows for new supplies.  I will be making a swing to the Mayo Store tomorrow as well.  Sometime after supper this evening, I will be checking out the basement pantry to see what may need refills.  It’s so easy to shop from our pantry on the usual items that we need.  I am not one to run to the grocery store every week, if I can avoid it by stocking up at Sam’s Club once a month.  We don’t do a lot of red meat.  We can do a lot with frozen chicken tenderloins, canned chicken and tuna.

  May everyone anticipate Friday! Our weekend plans are quiet ones.  Dennis has been bopping around most of the week in his little red pickup.  His friend Dwayne has kept Dennis busy helping.  Dwayne’s window of opportunity is getting smaller getting things cleaned out of his farm place.  October 1st the keys are turned over to new owners.  It will be a good thing.  These two 83-year-old friends have been giving 100% to find homes for items from the sheds.  A good helper in Dennis has been invaluable.

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on September 7, 2020 Permalink  

  Action 

  For every action there is a reaction.  It is the law of common sense.  The action I have taken on our front yard is showing the reaction of beautiful new green spears of the Kentucky Blue Grass.  Sweet.

  The action of me using my potato fork for consecutive days digging Crab grass has the reaction of shin splints.  As long as I was doing it repetitively every day all was well.  Once I no longer was using those muscles they decided to let me know what they thought of my hellbent war on Crab grass. They decided to buck a bit and tighten up.

  It has been about five days and I know now that I will be able to walk normally again.  The last time I pulled a stunt like this was when the four of us kids got clamp-on roller skates for a Christmas present.  There had been enough hay used from the haymow that the bare boards could be swept.  We couldn’t wait until after supper to climb the ladder into the haymow.  Needless to say it took sturdy shoes to make the skates stay in place.  Night after night, there was no worry of where we were.  Our Christmas school vacation went all too fast.

  The first day back to school as we headed down the gravel road for Rural District 34, I thought I would die.  The weather was too mild to have Dad give us a ride.  My legs felt as if they could give out from underneath me at any time.  I suffered in silence as I didn’t want to give up the fun. 

  Yup . . . that was me then and that is me now.   All things in moderation is something I am still working on.  I don’t have any regrets about this latest bout of shin splints.  I got it done in time to now have had two different rain showers help with the grass seed in addition to some sprinkler time.  By the way . . . Dennis just shook his head.  This time as well, I kept my mouth shut and hoped I didn’t have to get anywhere too fast.  Silly ole Grammie.

  It comes down to the brain saying . . . “I think I can, I think I can.”  Sure enough, I can.  I need to remember the reactions of my actions.

  Take care and know your capabilities.  I am still working on that.