Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2020 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 4:00 pm on September 27, 2020 Permalink  

  Quiet Sunday? 

  It was not a quiet Sunday here on Stauffer.  We had agreed that I would spend some time in the sewing studio and Dennis had several rodeos that were scheduled for the RFD channel.  We each enjoyed a noon lunch of our choosing and we bid each other “catch ya later.”

  I was deep into sewing together the backing of the colorful flannel quilt.  It was fabric the stitchers had helped me pick out Friday at the Old Alley Quilt yardage yard sale.  Out of my peripheral vision, I caught something passing across the basement windows outside to the north.  I slipped up to the first floor and looked out the living room window.  I saw electrical cord strung out on the lawn to the north.  I went to the bathroom window and saw the electrical cord had been plugged into the exterior outlet on the patio porch.

  It was time for me to get a jacket on and see what was going on with the ole cowboy.  Dennis was just in the process of getting our small electric chainsaw going by the old Lilac bush.  I decided right then and there, there would be no sewing until Dennis had completed his spontaneous tree trimming.  Granted, there were branches that needed some TLC.  Granted, we had talked about taking care of it next week.  Hmm.  I stuck around close and made sure I kept track of where that electrical cord was in relationship to Dennis’ feet.  Home accidents can happen very quickly . . . especially with senior citizens on board.  

  I must say the Lilac bush looks so much better as a tidy round shrub rather than having huge bare branches sticking up.  When we got all the branches pulled around to the north side of the garage, we realized there will be more chainsaw work needed to be done . . . next week!  Cutting the limbs into doable sizes and who knows, maybe Dennis will pile them up for a fall fire ring event as he is sitting on the north patio.  I wonder how old the original Lilac bush is.  The rotted, twisted, gnarled limbs would have been content going forward for who knows how long.  They had not reckoned on Dennis and his little green electric chainsaw.  Priceless!  As long as Dennis is content with the day’s labor, it’s a good thing.  I can sew any old day.

   
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  Noreen 2:50 pm on September 24, 2020 Permalink  

  A Night’s Rest 

  A restful night of sleep does wonders.  I cracked open one eye at 8:00 a.m. and realized that we were having a mist of rain.  Sure didn’t last long and the sun was bright.

  Going about the a.m. routine here on Stauffer Avenue sets the tone for the remaining day.  I was geared up to spend some time in the sewing studio.  Busy hands and a busy mind keeps the doldrums at bay.  I had barely gotten the lights turned on when the cellphone’s melodic tune let me know I had a text.

  The group of my stitchers was getting a motorcade organized to head over to Old Alleiy Quilt Shop on Friday to take advantage of a yardage yard sale.  Anita was the organizer and asked if they could pick me up on the way.  Several of the gals do have health issues and are leery with the covid.  The plan was for everyone to take a bag lunch along as eating inside anywhere was not in the plans.  The group was not planning on taking lawn chairs with, due to room with multiple cars.  A city park is what was hoped for.  I countered Anita.  How about stopping here at our home and I would have a brunch ready for the group and then head out for the quilt shop.  The farthest gal would be coming from Jordon, 45 miles east of Mankato.  Being able to sit on the patio with tables and chairs rather than grass . . . complete with a bathroom break if needed, seemed to be appealing.  After all, shopping on an empty stomach can make for less than rational decisions in purchases.

  Anita bantered back and forth via phones and people and by twelve noon it was going to be a done deal.  I got busy and by George, it’s going to all work out.  Dennis is in charge of the patio set up.  Our card tables are under a tarp so they are ready at a moment’s notice.  Dennis had just washed off the plastic chairs on Sunday as he had noticed a few webs where they shouldn’t be.  I now have a cold salad in the refrig, a container of buttered croissants, a bowl of fresh fruit, a container of pickles and a pan of chocolate frosted rice crispy bars.  The beverage of choice is water in bottles.  The guests will arrive sometime around eleven.  Sweet!  Anita had concerns about the effort and the cost.  We had been meeting at Baker’s Square once a month and ordering off the menu and had not done so since February.  The cost of this brunch in relationship to Baker’s Square . . . not even enough to compare.

  Dennis commented that this would be like the old days of lunch on a patio when we would host the secret pal lunches when I worked at the courthouse.  Yes . . . it will and Dennis was all in.

  All I need to do to round out the day is to go down into the sewing studio and get a bit of shopping list ready for myself.  It will be my first purchases in a quilt shop for 2020.  I am in need of some quilt batting.  I am also curious to get some feedback from the gals that have used clear nylon thread on top for quilting, and what would be the choice for the bottom thread.  The quilt of many colors presents that question.   Needless to say the sewing studio lights have been shut off until sometime this weekend.

  The best part is that Dennis will be enjoying for supper the same fare that is awaiting the stitchers.  It doesn’t take much more time to make ample amounts of everything.  

  As I mentioned several days ago, each day does have its surprises.  What a great get together with friends for tomorrow.  Having had a good night’s rest didn’t hurt either.  Here it is at a few minutes before four and all is well.

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on September 22, 2020 Permalink  

  Out of my Realm 

  Oh my oh my! That was one of my grandmother Laura’s comebacks when she was asking something out of her realm.

  I really was minding my own business today.  My business for the day was mowing the lawn around the house.  The lawn was extremely uneven.  The Kentucky Blue Grass seed that had been sprinkled over the existing grass had made itself known over the last four weeks.  I had used up whatever I had had on hand prior to that and who knows what blend of seed that had been.  I put the blade of the pusher mower as high as it could be set and let her rip.  It will be the last mowing of the area around the house for 2020.  

  Dennis and his International tractor fellow, Dwayne, were working on the Cub Lo Boy that is sitting off to the side of the drive.  I passed them by as I was going to put the mower away.  I should not have slowed down to greet Dwayne.  I should have put my head down and kept on trucking.  Nope!  As it was, they had dropped a part and neither of the fellows could find it.  That was at one this afternoon.  It is now three thirty and I have escaped the repair area of the tractor.  What ensued was me taking the laptop out to the patio porch scooping out sites for Cub Lo Boy parts.  We now have a new ignition switch coming via the mail.  My homework is to search the web for the wiring harness for the unit.  Ya, sure!  Why not!  Dwayne is the epitome of the fellow that you would want working on your tractor repair.  It is going to be done according to regulations or else.  He had his own IH dealership for years and knows his stuff.  I think that is great.  We are not in a hurry and if the tractor needs to be worked on . . . let’s do it right the first time.  I have the time and I have the fingers that work a keyboard.  I spent $1.00 and did a “Just Ask.”  Via text messages I was given an email address and that company had all the specs for the harness complete with the “starter, generator” aspects that we needed.  What had looked like one wire having been burned through from the vibrating of the old throttle cable was requiring all the wiring to be replaced.  Yup.  We got it ordered.  The Brillman Company out of the state of Virginia specializes in parts for older items.

  That does bring to mind our evening meal.  After I get the grass clippings off of the pants and shoes and the grease off of the finger . . . oh yes . . . I helped seek and search the missing part on the tractor, supper may be eggs.

   
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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?”