Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from August, 2020 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:39 pm on August 26, 2020 Permalink  

  Slow and Steady 2 

  I did have a plan for this morning and as luck would have it Dennis needed to have the alarm set for an appointment at the VA Clinic.  Getting up before seven, jumping through my usual hoops, I was outside before eight.

  By 9:30, the wheelbarrow was full of nasty Crab Grass, the rich black dirt had been raked, the Kentucky Blue Grass had been sprinkled and the water sprinklers were on.  Dennis came home in time for some patio sitting. 

  Dennis kidded me that this fussing over Crab Grass was granddaughter Megan’s fault.  When Carrie and Megan came in last spring, Megan had kind of shook her head at Grammie in regard to the flower garden that was very evident when someone drove into our drive.  Sure enough, Megan was right on.  It was beyond sad.  She has a job this summer working for the Mustard Seen Garden Nursery.  Megan clued me in on plants to put out there in the full sun.  Thanks, Megan, they are doing great!  It has eye appeal!

  In these last months when someone would pull into our drive, what could be seen was a front yard that had grass that had gone dormant.  But . . . not so the Crab Grass.  It almost looked like a mine hedge growing along the concrete drive for about eight inches into the lawn. 

  Digging a bit each day hasn’t hurt me one bit.  In rethinking the Mantas electric tiller, it would have succeeded in cutting up the roots, but not getting to the nitty-gritty of the depth of the roots.  We are moving onto the area along the curb of the city street. It is doable. Thank the great Lord we don’t have a front yard with excessive lineal feet.  Give that crap of Crab Grass a whack and a dig and soon the “thought about project” will be a “done deal.”  Even this afternoon, it is hot out but the humidity and dew point look favorable for better days ahead.  Dennis has been great moral support and our front yard is getting to look as if those that live here . . . do care. We just needed a “Megan push.”

  Yesterday late afternoon, I did put the sewing studio lights on and twirled in my sewing chair, contemplating a project.  It was the first step in eventually moving from yard work to fun work.  When nephew Larry’s mother-in-law became ill, I was given a rather large amount of her stash of fabrics.  This afternoon, I turned on the sewing machine lights and tried out a few possible scenarios. 

  Yup, I am going to be just fine.

   
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  Noreen 1:32 pm on August 25, 2020 Permalink  

  Slow and Steady 

  There is something within that allows for getting vested into an activity.  Right now, I am not getting a good vibe about spending much time in the sewing studio.  The call of the outside is beckoning.

  I don’t enjoy the hot humidity.  My choice is to get outside in the mornings by eight and then call it enough about 10:30.  My choice then is to cool down and slow myself down by reading for a spell.

  I had mentioned Crab Grass in the last days.  It is nasty and it is as undesirable as a cow pie in the lawn.  Hmm.  Funny, it even resembles the size of a cow pie with it’s center root and the huge spread of greenery from the center.

  Slow and steady is my mantra.  With my trusty wheelbarrow and my potato fork, I have a mission.  Ideally Crab Grass is nipped in the bud just before the lilacs pop out blossoms.  Sure missed that deadline.  We have had enough small showers of rain to encourage the Crab Grass.  Ironically, the worst of it is right along the driveway.  Starting slow I tackled it Monday morning.  I pooped out quite soon.  So be it!  Today, it seemed as if the plan of what tools I needed for yesterday, made it easier to get going today.  At 10:30 as I called it “enough,” I had the nasty greens loaded, the area was raked, the Kentucky Blue Grass seed was down on that strip and the sprinkler was going.

  Tomorrow is another day and I am not prejudging what I get done.  What I know I have gotten done these last two mornings was to put out some effort and energy, making me feel that I have not wasted the God-given day.  Self satisfaction . . . you can’t beat it for having a quiet soul.  

  For all that is going on in our world, the soul needs feeding.  There are not a lot of opportunities coming from outside sources right now so it’s up to me.  “It is well, it is well . . . with my soul.”

   
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  Noreen 3:04 pm on August 23, 2020 Permalink  

  Not a Pleasant Day 

  I am hoping that when the end of August comes, it will take with it the threat of so many hot uncomfortable days.

  We were both out this morning before eight.  Dennis needed to clean the Koi pond filters and I wanted to position my sprinkler system for the front yard.  I could have done a bit more outside, but with no breeze and clothes starting to stick . . . nope.

  Yesterday when I was in the front yard getting plenty wet as I figured out the sprinkler, the Media-com fellow was working up on the large post at the end of our drive with their connections.  Alex works our town quite consistently with customer problems.  He is a very good rep for his company.  He commented he was ready for fall.  He likes his work and the days in the hot sun . . . not so much.  When the work day is over for him, he can go home to wind down and cool off at his own pace.  Several of his buddies with families . . . he said those daddies were the ones that were pounced on the minute they got home and there was no wind down for them till dark. 

   Needs put upon us . . . who doesn’t have them.  I didn’t work outside during the time we lived at South Branch until after the town job was done.  I do recall coming home at 5:30 during this time of the year and there was more of the day waiting.  Garden items needed to be gotten in and handled.  Washing items up and either canning it or getting it ready for the chest freezer it needed to get done.  Chickens needed to be butchered.  It was all taken in stride.  Amazingly we take many things in stride and we get through it, knowing there is some bastard out there that has it a whole lot worse.   Funny . . . those words could very well have come out of Dad’s mouth.

  Stauffer Avenue is having a quiet late afternoon.  I am going to fix us some chicken titties, mashed potatoes and veggies for supper.  I had made a pot of chili last week, wanting to use up a lb. of pork sausage and a lb. of hamburger.  Out of the freezer came two frozen packets of baked beans from the Curry picnic held prior and a packet of Barb-B-Q from the same event.  A quart jar of tomato sauce and spices, the soup kettle got quite full.  We finished the chili last night and we both agreed that after having it for five consecutive nights we were ready for a change.  I flew it past Dennis each afternoon and he was all for us being able to heat up the kettle . . . one more time.

  Check in with older people, we are quite entertaining.

   
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  Noreen 2:05 pm on August 22, 2020 Permalink  

  Not a Drop 

  Last night after dark, we had thunder and lightning . . . but not a drop of rain.

  True to form, Dennis and I got the tag team job done of getting the Kentucky Blue Grass lawn seed on the the front yard right before it got dark.  We managed to get about one hour of watering done via the sweep sprinkler before we called it a night.

  The agenda for today, Saturday, was set as being a light one.  My main focus was to move the sprinkler around on the front yard.  The laundry basket had exploded last night after we came in from the yard.  Nothing new to have the washer humming many times during the week.  Dennis had his suspenders pulled on and he was heading out to friend Dwayne’s for more goodies to be loaded on a trailer for an auction next week. 

  It has gotten quite warm out today.  I moved the sprinkler on the front yard from various places starting at eight this morning until twelve-thirty.  Tomorrow it will get another dose.  The raking combined with the watering, Dennis thought the front yard looked a whole lot better already when he came home at noon.  I agreed.  Of course, we are prejudiced.

  We each had an agenda for the day, but we also were going to take it a bit easier on the bodies today.  I had my spot already in mind by the time the last of the clothes was in the drier.  The west porch of our home is my reading spot during daylight hours.  My book prop keeps the pages at a good level that my neck appreciates.  The old green stool that has several levels of emotional attachment to it, carries my snack and my beverage.  Sweet.  In times past, I could read while lying in bed.  I could read sitting in any soft chair.  Those were the good old days.  My hands can no longer hold a book up to read independently.  That neck of mine isn’t in-like of looking either up or down.  I know my porch perch has the best setup ever.  Sweet.

  Dennis and I will meet up for supper and right now I know those two boys are mulling over each and every item before randomly putting it on the auction trailer.  Lots of history to part with on Dwayne’s part.  Lots of history in those two fellows.  Having gone through high school together, going forward, I know one or the other . . . Dennis or Dwayne will make prudent decisions.  Tough calls.  Good grief, if I would have to sort through my sewing studio . . . let’s not go there.

   
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  Noreen 4:23 pm on August 21, 2020 Permalink  

  Friday 

  Often when we catch the Kare 11 news over supper, I don’t think Dennis is zoned in.  Surprise!

  Whatever the garden center specialist, Larry Farr, had deemed as a cure all for a dried out, burnt up front yard . . . Dennis had it down pat.  This morning we were on target to use the old faithful iron rake and rake the entire front yard to drag off the dried grass.  The second pass was to titillate the grass and dirt that remained.  I was really happy that our front yard is only 25′ x 30′.  Dennis gave great moral support after his first five minutes of raking.

  Out of the potting shed came the sprinkler and hose.  We let it run for several hours on the grass that looked like it had enjoyed getting its roots teased.  Larry Farr’s last tip was to put down Kentucky Blue Grass seed.  We did go out to the Fleet and Farm store here in St. James to follow up on the grass seed for blistering hot conditions that our front yard experiences.  Farr’s advice was to not worry about the heat.  He swears August is a great month for seeding. The soil is warm and with consistent watering, it should take hold.  What we found at our local store was pre-bagged products that had fertilizer in it, peat pellets and the last item listed on the enclosed grass seed was Kentucky Blue Grass.  Lots of grass for sun and shade guaranteed.  Nope!

  I called Drummer’s in Mankato.  Yup, off we went.  We have enough for 4,000 square feet.  The gal that waited on me agreed that this is the best time to give the weary yards a lift.  It will be a good thing to have a bit of grass seed to re-do the truck tire ruts east of the house from the tree trimming in June.  I had enough dirt to fill the ruts, but the shade and sun grass seed didn’t take.

  Dennis has had his eye on the weather.  After supper when the sun has gone down, guess who will be working with the Kentucky grass seed.  Dennis has promised it will be a tag team.  I am not proud.  I will tell you straight out the raking of this morning has left me thinking . . . “Ya, it has been said and I heard it,  I can do a tag team.”  I will have Dennis’s coffee cup and a fresh pack of cigarettes right on the front steps. 

  I am totally up for trying to get a front yard that looks as great as the backyard does.  The secret is honoring what the sun mandates.  Our backyard always has dappling shade. 

  Have a safe weekend and I will check in tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on August 18, 2020 Permalink  

  What is Up! 

  Good Grief.  I finished my blog yesterday a bit after three in the afternoon.  I sat in my chair and slept until it was time to help Dennis get his CPAP gear on at 10:30.  I slept soundly until 7:30 this morning, when the door bell rang.

  I have no idea what hit this ole Grammie.  We were out and about on Sunday. I will admit, my arthritic neck was killing me.  Too many conversations going at one time.  Try hard as I can to keep and focus my head straight forward it doesn’t work.  I should have worn the neck brace for the entire time.  I do know from past experience pain can drain one from energy.  I have been taking my temp and it is normal.  

  Today I have slept for three hours since getting up.  Dennis was mowing the acre . . . solo and I did toddle outside to visit with him for a bit.  Also from experience, when arthritis is aggravated and broken loose to some extent . . . it bucks.  Buck away! 

  There may have also been an underlying thing in the gut.  Dennis could hear my gut rolling and making noises from across the room.  Our thought on that: eat only the food that you take to a gathering.  Better yet, stay home from large gathering for the interim.

  The sleeps can’t hurt me and I am taking fluids and nutrition during intervals.  

  I have not had anything such as this for decades.  

  Be better tomorrow is my mantra.

   
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  Noreen 3:06 pm on August 17, 2020 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  It is not my usual.  I am off my game today.  Such a great outside day but not so much within me.  I sat on the patio for some time this morning with Snuggles on my lap.  We were content watching traffic and having an occasional acorn plunk down on us.

  When Dennis left to help his friend Dwayne he made sure I had my phone and encouraged me to stay quiet.  Me stay quiet!  I think Dennis is on to something.  Tomorrow will be different, just as each day is.  I will check in tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on August 16, 2020 Permalink  

  It’s a Quiet Type of a Sunday 

  We have been sitting on the patio quite a bit today.  Great weather for it.  It gave us a chance to re-cap some of the events from the Riebe Cousin day.  I will say, and Dennis agreed, it was a lively bunch of people to mingle with.  No one stayed in a cluster.  Share and share alike.

  As we took a coffee break out on the patio, low and behold, we had activity.  Earlier, the cicada wasps that had infiltrated a flower bed next to  the southwest corner of the house.  Little buggers had tunneled holes supposedly laying their eggs within the dirt nests. It was noted that since we had shoved moth balls and crushed moth balls into the holes, we had not noticed any at the flower bed.

  Shucking darn.  Today one of the cicada wasps buzzed me and landed on one of the lawn chairs carrying another bug.  I got out the hornet spray and needless to say, after he dries out, he will be a crispy bug plus one.  Not too long later, one buzzed Dennis and it flew right into the latticed base of the patio umbrella.  The umbrella stand does sit over a small stump of an oak tree with quite a bit of dirt around it.  When we looked, the pulverized dirt under the stand was actually working its way through the lattice and coming to the surface.  They have been very busy.  We sprayed into all the lattice crevasses.  Time will tell. 

  What a gift it will be if we have a repeat of this day for some of next week.  May you all find something to smile about each and ever day!

   
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  Noreen 4:01 pm on August 12, 2020 Permalink  

  Ready, Set, Go! 

  When we received a call from Home Depot that our order of May was in . . . it was ready, set, go!  Dennis was determined to get the shutters home where they belong.  The shutters will be in storage in the garage until sometime in the fall when the weather is . . . wonderful.

  The unexpected trip to Mankato was a good road date for us.  We checked out Pet Expo as the Koi have really been eating.  No, I don’t think it is any type of sign as to what winter holds for us.  These older Koi are of pretty good size and need sustenance.  There is a funny thing happening with the Koi food which comes in small sticks that are fairly soft and float on top of the water in the pond and the Koi come up to the surface to feed.  When Dennis gets the bucket out to throw in a handfull into the pond . . .  guess who is right there for a few nibbles . . . Snuggles. 

  Snuggles has been a stitch this summer.  Dennis takes one bottle of chocolate Boost every noon.   Noon lunch doesn’t appeal to Dennis, but he did admit he needed more than coffee and cigarettes in his system.  Lots of protein and goodies in one small bottle.  I am not sure when it all started and I was surprised when one day I was privy to it.  Snuggles may be out of site, but when Dennis cracks open the bottle of Boost, Snuggles is right there.  Dennis pours the bottle cap full of the chocolate drink and Dennis and Snuggles share the Boost break.  Way too funny.  Boost and Koi food, this cat has a very unique pallet.  I just shake my head.  

  We came home and the apple barn on highway 169 was open and had customers.  As we drove by Dennis decided to go to the next exit and come back to it.  We now have a cherry pie in the oven.  Yup . . . the apple barn does not discriminate in goodies.  I think Dennis was feeling his oats.  Dennis had a doctor’s appointment earlier this morning and the lab work was ready for viewing shortly after he came home.  All – and I mean all – of his blood work came back in the normal range.  He was pretty pleased with himself.  I don’t think one cherry pie will flip any of these readings to a huge extent.  I have not been doing much baking of late.  Dr. Eatwell shared with Dennis that he will be 62 tomorrow and he hoped he would have such good readings when he is Dennis’ age, which is 83.

  Life is great and I wouldn’t want to change a thing.  We got home from our road date and both of us agreed it was the best part of the road date.  Sweet!  Going on a road date is special, coming home is more special.

   
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  Noreen 3:37 pm on August 7, 2020 Permalink  

  Magic Erasers 

  The mystery of Mr. Clean’s Magic Erasers and why they work so well . . . I don’t really need to know the ins and outs of them.  I do appreciate them.  What the Germans know in their secret formula is a winner.  

  We had oak railings put onto the walls of our interior back door steps several decades ago.  They had a wonderful poly finish on them before Kevin installed them.  We use them multiple times each day.  Anyone that comes into our home most likely uses them.  For some reason today as I came up the basement steps, I took a long, hard look at the railings where the hand would touch them while putting the foot on the first step going up into the kitchen.  The oak for the first twelve inches of the railing on the left side of the stairs had turned a gray color.  Hmm.  I had used a Mr Clean eraser on the steps to get some surface dirt off.  This surface dirt that I am referring to is due to the factory finish of the vinyl flooring wearing thin even though the manufacturers suggestions for cleaning has always been followed.  The traffic patterns on these steps and also certain areas in the kitchen and bathroom are tell-tail.  When Kevin told me that the life of vinyl flooring is generally twenty years, I dang near cried.  Getting back to the railing.  I used the eraser on the railing with a fair amount of pressure.  The gray color was being transferred to the eraser.  I kept rinsing the eraser and low and behold, I was just about down to bare oak, and it no longer looked gray.  

  I basically felt like mom, Lena, was clucking her teeth at me saying, “I’ve taught you better than that.”  This particular situation had been taken for granted for a long time.  I cleaned both railings and let them dry.  Out came my favorite oil wood stain, “Golden Oak.”  The biggest challenge for Dennis and I will be to walk those five steps keeping our hands off as the goal is to really let that stain soak in and then give it a new poly finish.  

  The Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are a good line of defense for multiple uses.  I know that there is a Mr. Clean Mop, which would work out great for me.  When we have looked, one store may have the handle but not the refills and then the exact opposite is true in the next store.  I may pay Amazon a visit, as I am not ready to replaced flooring in the entryway, the kitchen and the bathroom.  In the meantime, Grammie needs to bend over and get it done. 

  Where in the world does all this tweaking of home care come from!  In all honesty, I pray that I will always be able to see what needs to be done and then act on it.  It might take an ah-ha moment such as I had today, but I will keep looking.  

  In the meantime, in between time, the acre has been groomed today.  Dennis encouraged me as he watches the weather forecast and neither he nor I enjoy getting overheated and then end up feeling ill. The acre is showing mixed signs of green.  Our front yard as well as a few others in the neighborhood totally burned in the last weeks.  It crunches and begs to be left alone for some type of recovery.  It is a good feeling to end the week with a tidy yard.

  May the weekend bring all that you desire and all that you need to have that contentment of liking where you live.  We sure do!