Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from June, 2020 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:12 pm on June 12, 2020 Permalink  

  On a Scale 

  On a scale of one to ten, Dennis and I feel we are at a twelve today.  We are free of a handyman that wasn’t quite as handy as he thought.  We bought paint that cost $42.00 a gallon to put on buildings that were in need of sprucing up.  We had the scrapping done before the handyman came.  Yes, the wood has given all it can and now it was asking to be painted over and having its cracks sealed up for this next round.  When our handyman had painted both top peaks and the front and sides of the 40′ long garage, thus using only a half gallon of paint we knew what we needed to do . . . get rid of him.  He needed to come back and paint the peaks a second time putting on a goodly amount of paint, take his pay and his leave.

  We are giving a second coat to all that the handyman painted.  Today with Dennis on duty for moral support, I painted the east wall of the pickup garage that was under the gable peak.  At a time in the past, I think it was ten years ago, that wall had pushed off of the concrete foundation.  The wall was jacked up with a new sill installed and new 2 x 4s put in for the wall.  Dennis had gotten 4′ x 8′ cedar wood panels as the exterior covering of the new wall.  At that time it was painted white.  And at that time, the cedar wood had really sucked up the paint.  Looking at it this morning, we knew it would take quite a bit of paint to seal up the wear and tear.  As luck would have it our small ladder fit right in between the garage and the potting shed.  By twelve noon, the wall had been refreshed and I had cracked open the fourth gallon of paint.  It looks sharp.

  All that remains to this summer painting season is both of the four foot tall sides of the potting shed.  As I painted this morning, Dennis washed the walls of the potting shed off.  Tomorrow morning, I know the east wall will have been given a fresh coat.  Painting the west four foot wall of the potting shed is a tight fit and Dennis wants to get in there and brush off the siding, letting the newly painted east wall of the garage that is 24″ away have a chance of really drying the painting of today.  It’s all about taking the painting in stride and not over doing what the body can take.  This fall when the Koi pond has been drained with the Koi safely in the horse tank, that north end of the potting shed will be tackled.  I think the buildings look as if the owners are proud land owners and good stewards.

  Another good day on Stauffer and supper will be tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.  Sweet!  Soon the blog will be other than paint related.

   
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  Noreen 4:29 pm on June 11, 2020 Permalink  

  Mr. Moody Exit 

  Today Mr. Moody finished up with what we needed of him.  I will admit it was the most painful 10.5 hours over three different days we have had in some time.  What Mr. Moody did was good and passed the thumbs up.  We just never knew when he would show up for what we needed since the first of June.  It was as if we were quarantined.  Mr. Moody will be coming back to paint the black trim on the west peek of the garage as well as putting our copper sunburst back on the gable.  That visit will be . . . who knows!  The paint on the gable was quite fresh when he left with his pay.  

  Over some days in the near future when the temps are cool, we will be painting black trim on the doors over both of the vehicle garages and the potting shed.  Dennis and I are happy to have so much of the garage project done and that we will be on our own.  

  The winds were tough again for most of this day.  

  As stores in Mankato still have varied hours, I called the Mayo supply store in Mankato and they are going to be mailing out the items that Dennis needs for the CPAP machine.  His supplies are covered by our medical insurance.  It will be a good feeling having three months of those supplies on hand.  His prescription was written for three months at a time.  Our clinic is still only seeing those that need immediate attention.  Again . . . on the patient portal, I put in a prescription for Dennis to be picked up at the Lewis Drug.  Good news there, they have opened their doors for pickup.

  We feel like we are back on track taking care of what we need when we need to do it.  Dennis and I are spoiled.  The two of us work well together and take care of what needs to be done on our own time.  Oh yes, very thankful that we had someone to do what we needed when it was more than six feet off of the ground.  Whew!

  Tomorrow is closing down the week.  Time does go by quickly even for two retired older ones.

   
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  Noreen 3:01 pm on June 10, 2020 Permalink  

  Bricks Didn’t Work 

  The winds at 28 mph with gusts much higher . . . bricks in the pants didn’t help.  We didn’t venture east of our patio porch as it wasn’t safe.  There are several large branches in the far east portion of the acre and when the wind dies down, we will take care of them.

  Today I spent some time giving areas that were head high on the garage a second coat of paint.  There were several areas that had nothing left on the surface of the wood after the chipped paint was removed.  I can tell you that there were no bugs.  It is evident that areas of the garage siding higher than my head did not have the wear and tear of chipping.  We don’t want to repeat the “garage project” in just several years.  Our plan . . . fill in the areas to the max.  If the paint, as the wood is covered, doesn’t run . . . it’s a good thing.  My 1.5 inch paint brush is holding up well as are my hands and arms.  For me to hold a larger brush . . . no!  Though Dennis is not a painter, he is the major elf when it comes to taking care of whatever needs to be moved or relocated as I putz along.  It is a team effort.

  Supper this evening is going to be soup and sandwich.  

  I would enjoy another day in mild temps as we had today.  It’s not hard to stay busy outside when we have a reprieve of the 90 plus temps and high humidity.  And . . . besides . . . it’s hump day today.  We are on the down slide of the week.  We need to be content to take each day for what it may present to us.  Nothing that happens today will never ever be replayed in the exact real time.  I for one wouldn’t want to miss out on a “once in a life time event.”

   
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  Noreen 2:40 pm on June 9, 2020 Permalink  

  One More Thing 

  There is no end to the “one more thing.”  I had to set my alarm this morning for 6:30.  Watson Plumbing and Heating was to be here at seven sharp to service our air conditioner.  We had central air put in when we needed a new furnace in the early 90s.  As luck would have it . . . no problem during all of this time.

  When I was reminded that R22 coolant would not be easily available after January of 2020, I knew I needed to have a service call.  When Charlie got everything hooked up, sure enough, we were a pound low.  Now that we are on track, hopefully this service call will take us far, far into the future.  At that time it would call for an entire new AC unit.  We will keep our fingers crossed.  Dennis does a great job of taking the water hose to keep the fins clean.  We did have to learn our lesson on the fins.  Early on Dennis was going to do a great job of cleaning and had the water pressure so hard, many of the thin metal fins were mashed closed.  Yup, the unit froze up during a heat spell.  We now know the gentle setting works just as well.

  It’s trying hard to rain.  We could use it.  The high hot winds of the last two days really pulled a lot of moisture out of the ground.  

  Dennis and I could use a trip to Mankato for several reasons.  Our handyman, Mr. Moody, isn’t on a specific schedule.  There was no Mr. Moody today. I am not one to have any handyman work on our property when we are not home.  Our errands are minuscule and will wait.

  Iowa state opened up in total yesterday from the Covid shutdown.  I sure hope our governor would do likewise.  It would make doing errands so much easier rather than hoping where we need to go has a website letting us know their hours.  Oh well.  Catch ya all later.

   
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  Noreen 3:04 pm on June 8, 2020 Permalink  

  The Stuff I’m Made Of 

  The stuff I thought I was made of, well . . . forget that.  It only takes several day of heat and humidity and I wilt like a dandelion that has been hit with Roundup.

  I did give it a shot outside early this morning.  That didn’t last very long.  It is amazing that as warm as it was, the biting black flies could almost smell my steamy flesh and swarmed in for a bite.  Ish!  I have gotten dehydrated in times past.  Beware.  It can happen fast.  It doesn’t feel good as your heart does some fancy jumping and the black spots that you see are trying to keep in step with the jumping heart beat.  Dehydration hits everyone differently.  For Dennis he thinks he needs a nap.  His napping wants to continue on and on and on.  During that entire while he is hallucinating in his dreams.  Once I had gotten a clue that he hadn’t been drinking water, he was a hard sell to wake up enough to begin drinking water.  The best is to have something really sweet on hand to drink.  That tip came from Dennis’ daughter . . . the nurse.

  So it is in the Minnesota early summer when the heat comes on fast and furious.  Our Mr. Moody, the carpenter, didn’t come today and if he had, I would have sent him packing.  

  For all those who come home today from having to have been at work . . . come home to rest yourselves!  Nothing more needs to be done but to take care of yourselves.  The remainder of the week looks to be quite nice.  We are in a yo-yo type of weather pattern.

  I did go down into the sewing studio and felt like a stranger.  It will take a few day to orientate myself to get into a project.  The first clue I had was I wouldn’t lay my hands on a single scissor.  I must have really tidied up good when last I was in the sewing studio.

  Take care.  Be good to yourselves as you are stuck with yourself for what I hope is a long time.

   
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  Noreen 2:55 pm on June 7, 2020 Permalink  

  Lazy Retirees 

  Dennis and I are having a very lazy day today.  Nothing noteworthy.  The most excitement was spending a bit of time out on the patio early on, watching Harriet and Snuggles attack the cat nip plants.  Be sure to check in with us tomorrow.  Both of us are bound to be moving a bit more tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 1:59 pm on June 6, 2020 Permalink  

  Saturday on Stauffer 

  This Saturday is quite calm for Dennis and I on Stauffer.  Yesterday as I stayed close to Mr. Moody, our carpenter, and I got some gardening done, Dennis outdid himself.  Dennis mowed the entire acre as well as my usual mower pushing around the house.  It all turned out great.  I did follow behind with the weed whip where the large rider mower couldn’t go.  With handyman jobs and items that had not been counted on, I was close to run errands in the event that Mr. Moody needed something we had not planned on.  

  All in all, having a stranger about the property doing our odds and ends is not too bad.  Building a relationship with a total stranger can be difficult, especially when what I am asking of him is what Dennis and I would have done in a heartbeat in times past.  Though we are paying him, that is not to say that it is not up to Dennis and I to make sure what we needed to get done is being done in the fashion that warrants the dollars per hour.  As Mr. Moody was getting ready to leave yesterday, I did tell him I would appreciate it if he would give the peeks of our garage a second coat of paint before he felt he was done.  With $43.00 per gallon of paint and it being a great paint that covers so well, I told him that I didn’t want to see any area that was not fully covered that could be seen by me standing on the ground.  He took it well.  I kind of think that the carpentry is what he enjoys more.  The work on the corner boards went well and it is being done well.  Oh well, he took the job . . . painting and all.

  I think it was two years ago when Kevin and Kersten were here that we noticed the cement deer in the far Hosta garden had dropped one of his antlers.  Kersten and I didn’t spare the rod in regard to the amount of glue that we used.  It was a glue that I always have in my arsenal.  It is something, something “600.”  The best thing with cement lawn ornaments is to take them in each winter to keep the elements from getting into small cracks and freezing enough to eventually ruin the entire thing.  This deer cannot be moved, he is doomed to hold his head up high come rain, sleet, and snow.  I check on him every spring and he seemed to be holding his own as far as the antlers being secure.  This year the Hosta have gotten very large and he is barely peeking out.  It’s a good thing.

  May everyone take Sunday easy as it is forecast to be extremely hot and humid.  Rest up, watch clouds go by and know that a new week will soon be upon us.

   
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  Noreen 1:38 pm on June 5, 2020 Permalink  

  They are There 

  When I look out into the backyard, there is no denying, the Hosta plants are there.  I did not intend to do a lot of gardening this year, but then, how much is a lot.  Good grief, the Hosta made it from being trampled on by the deer all winter.  The Hosta made it through the tree trimming.  They need some TLC in regard to the growth that wants in invade.  It’s a nasty weed that I compare to a hair net.  One spindly root that has a radius of a huge platter.  As it spreads out the ends then want to make their own root.

  We had an inch of rain last night and that was just the right amount to make some weeding possible.  What I have to work with is actually a hoe that is used in tending sugar beet fields.  It has a metal shape on the end of a long handle that is diamond shape.  As you slide it along it takes off the greenery.  The higher you hold the handle, the deeper the head pushes under the dirt.  I have had it for years and it is easy on the arms.   I did made a dent in the backyard “extra stuff.”  There is more for another day.

  This morning the 20″ wide metal roof ridge roll went on the garage.  That was a good thing to get done.  Mr. Moody was here early.  As the painting is for the most part done, Mr. Moody is working on some carpentry on the corner boards.  One step at a time.

  Dennis thought he would be better for this time by beginning to mow the far back part of the acre.  Though it is warm out, the humidity and the breeze from the north makes for a good feeling.

  It’s the weekend.  Time does go by quickly.  Those folks that enjoy attending all the same city festivals may feel differently as there are none.  Everything has been canceled.  It is tough on those that are not good at entertaining themselves.  That is not the situation here on Stauffer Avenue.  Sending out lots of hugs in the summer warmth, and wasn’t yesterday, Thursday, just a great rewarding day.

   
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  Noreen 3:42 pm on June 4, 2020 Permalink  

  Bugs Bite 

  The gnats are taking shifts with the mosquitoes.  As warm as it is outside, you would think they would stay hidden.  Bug Soother spray does help with both.  With the 90 degrees, I had not planned on being outside for hours on end.  Just a few hours can handle the greenery that springs up where it is not wanted and is annoying.  The ground is really hard.  In time the electric Mantis will scratch the surface.  A good spray of Roundup helps with the trees that are bound and determined that find their way into the cracks of the cement driveway.

  Our Mr. Moody didn’t show up today.  It may have been too warm.  Handymen don’t keep regular hours and that is harder on homeowners than trying to do the work themselves.  Yes . . . I am speaking of myself.  Though handing off some tasks is healthier and safer, it takes the spirit that lives within me to be nurtured and talked to . . . “It’s going to be okay. ”

  Having a few plants that came up on their own under the Lilacs will keep me occupied and out of the way.  Dennis is the wise one.  He has his rocking chair in the patio porch.

  I am looking forward to cooler days.  I will also look forward to having our Governor opening up our state.  The restrictions on small businesses is difficult.  So, tomorrow is Friday and may it be a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 4:15 pm on June 3, 2020 Permalink  

  Changes in our Town 

  Dennis headed up to our lone lumberyard for #7, 3″ nails for Mr. Moody.  Talk about the news when he came home.

  Dennis and I live minimally, but . . . we still seem to have more than we need, but have the space to take care of such until we can let more things go that we are not emotionally attached to.  

  Overson Lumber closed last year and we now know that all of their open warehouse areas where lumber was stored is now being partitioned off, complete with overheard doors for rental storage.  It is a company from Fairmont that has purchased the entire complex.  That same company has purchased the Shopko store and revamping the interior for . . . rental storage.  An individual that owned his own truck line just completed a storage building for rental.  We have had many such units in the Industrial Park.  In addition, two private individuals have built storage rentals.  Who knew that people had so much stuff!  We are always planning on how to shrink our holdings.

  With the two large vacant buildings being bought up, hopefully this trend will continue.  We still have a large vacant grocery store plus the large plant that had been a micrometer producing location.  Unfortunately none of what has happened will bring employment opportunities.

  So much for the economy situation.  I can share with you that Mr. Moody made great headway in painting of our ancient but much appreciated garage.  The deal was that I supplied the large brush and I would clean it when he was done for the day.  Oh my goodness.  Someone dips a brush deeper into paint than I do.  But . . . it is cleaned and ready for the next round.

  It is hump day and I am oh so weary of hearing about what is wrong with Minnesota people.  I like “me.” I like that “me” takes care of what I have, where I live and who my family are.  I am not changing and I will not take in the testing that is going on.