Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:10 pm on April 7, 2020 Permalink  

  Boon Lake – Part 7 

  Boon Lake Township seemed to be a great fit.  It seemed like our forever home.

  In the spring of 1967, I had a job opportunity.  Boon Lake Township needed a local assessor.  And . . . I was an assessor!  Dad was on the Boon Lake Township board and he came over to sell me on it.  I would be taking my directions from the county office in Olivia.  I would be responsible to contacting all land owners in the township via driving up to each farmstead.  At that time there was a Personal Property tax as well as Real Estate taxes.  There were forms that queried each land owner.  The questions asked pertained to the number of head of livestock, machinery and also some for household goods. 

  For several months of work that included a vehicle to cover 36 sections, 640 acres each, that comprised Boon Lake Township, the pay was $200.00.  I jumped at it.  The work was in the spring of the year.  Orlin and I would hustle to get the morning chores done and then Carrie, in her plastic seat, and I hit the trails.  It wasn’t like the farmers were taken by surprise.  This yearly quest had been going on for years . . . it was just a new face with the old and usual riggers.  Carrie and I did a great job.  At the end of the work, I had $200.00 extra for groceries and we had enough Cheerios on the floor of the car to feed several orphans.  Looking back, that two month ditty turned into a profession that lasted me to the age of 65 when I retired as the Watonwan County Assessor.  Who would have guessed!

  Thanksgiving of 1967 we had news for the families that we would be having a baby in 1968.  I felt physically great.  No morning sickness.  Chores was handled as usual.  The cows had produced calves in the late fall of 1967 and we had a few that Orlin could take to the sales barn in Hutchinson.  We fed back much of the oats, corn and hay crop from the growing season into our animals.  We had gotten better with the farrowing of pigs, saving each and every one of the wiggly pink ones.  We were getting the hang of this farming.  Dad always kidded Orlin that he was too thin.  It was actually all lean muscle mass.   

  In the early days of 1968, with pride, we shipped a runt Holstein calf that had bulked up extremely well. Before Carrie was born, my teeth went seriously bad.  I gave birth to my first child with front teeth missing.  Dad had given us a runt of a calf to feed up and grow up.  That calf was earmarked to finish paying off the dentist.  The dentist in Buffalo Lake did a great job of fitting me with a full top plate of teeth.  We had been paying off a few dollars all along and sometimes got behind.  About the time the calf was going to market, the remaining balance on the dentist bill was turned over to a collection agency.  It was with pride and relief when we could get that cleared up.  Whew!

  —– to be continued.

  Today is April 7th and a great day.  I couldn’t resist going and doing a bit of raking.  If I made the piles, Dennis took the silage fork to beef up his burning ring.   I had noticed a huge amount of flies among some of the leaves.  It looked like there had been something wet put on the leaves.  Hmm.  With my neck brace on I had not looked up very high.  Dennis  realized that our huge Maple tree had a run of sap running down the huge trunk.  In all the years, we had never seen anything like it.   

  Dennis has made a tuna hotdish for supper.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 4:47 pm on February 29, 2020 Permalink  

  40s and Sunny 

  This is the type of weather that temps me to dust off my walking shoes.  Close but not yet.  I have managed to stay upright thus far this winter season and my walking trail will still be there if the temps get up in the 50s.

  This morning I heard Dennis get up and I made sure to say good morning to him.  l knew he would take coffee and head to the patio porch.  I stayed in bed and took in the scene outside of the window.  There wasn’t much breeze.  The evergreen boughs gently swayed.  Occasionally the birds took shelter on one of the branches.  It was so peaceful to take in the morning while the world outside was still relatively quiet.  When I did get up I couldn’t believe I had whiled away a half of an hour taking in the new day.  This is the peace that passes all understanding: thanking the Lord for a good night’s rest and a second thank you for the blessings of being able to have another day.  I really do try and do better each day.    

  Dennis and I went to a funeral today of one of Dennis’ friends from times ago.  Paul also served in the Korean War.  Both Dennis and Paul attended a monthly noon luncheon in Mankato on the first Monday of every month.  Family and friends were in abundance today for the memorial of 80-year-old Paul.

  On the way home, I asked Dennis what he thought of the service.  His response was quick . . . “Nope! I don’t want any of that when it’s my time.”  The response didn’t surprise me.  Pulling out all the trivia of a lifetime on this earth for all to stand over and comment isn’t Dennis.  As it was a good friend of Dennis’ today, I needed to be sure I understood and understand what Dennis’ wishes may be in the future.  Both Dennis and I agree that our families are the only ones to be there for each of us at that time.  Dennis and I live quietly and thus we will meet our maker when the time comes.

  May Sunday bring all that you need to feel the grace and quiet that lives within.

   
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  Noreen 4:42 pm on February 19, 2020 Permalink  

  False Positive 

  Some things in life are more difficult than others.  For my ole cowboy it may be believing what I have to offer as advice and not just blowing smoke up his butt.  The diagnose for him was Gout.  To alleviate the pain Dennis was put on five days of Prednisone.  I visited with Dennis that in several days of taking this medication, he would have a false positive in how he felt.  Yup!  On the third day Dennis was at the walk behind snowblower just giving it hell.  When I flagged him down, it was a no go, he was doing fine.  After the second and third day of trying to convince him to leave the snow blowing go, he was getting down right feisty with me. 

  That third day of blowing snow, he commented at supper that his right knee felt tight.  I offered to ice it and follow with heat . . . he blew me off.  Yesterday morning Dennis struggled to get to his coffee group and get the shell corn from the elevator.  By supper last night, he thought about getting the electric 16 lb. chainsaw in and just cut the leg -off.  Today Dennis understands the “false positive” of medications.  My 83-year-young cowboy had totally overdone it.  His three days of blazing trails in the snow may take a bit longer than three days to get over.  It’s a good thing that we had Lena’s four-legged cane for him to use getting from the house to the patio porch.  Inside the house the walker is being used.  The knee is not swollen, nor is the leg, it just got a damn good work out. 

  On a brighter side our “Hang-Up Pro” vac came in the mail from Amazon.  After lunch Dennis got it unpacked and gave it a run on the floors.  It is going to be a perfect fit for the main floor of our home.  The 16 feet of hose makes it easy to cover a huge area without moving the main unit.  Just as we had hoped it fits perfectly on the attic steps.  Luck would have it . . . the unit such as this that we have in the porch and garage is cylindrical, and this one is the same style and weight and it is oblong . . . perfect fit for the step.

  I have had a great day.  My mammogram was this morning and from the nurse it all looks good and I will receive verification in the mail in several days.  I had my paperwork with me and I went back to the courthouse in regard to Dennis’ birth certificate being on record with the wrong spelling . . . “Denise.”  The gal had never seen a “Certificate of Registration of Birth” that we found in Dennis’ baptismal certificate.  The gal made a phone call to . . . somewhere, faxed off a copy of the certificate I had and a minute later I was informed that within the hour a corrected copy of his birth certificate could be had. Wow!  This all started when Dennis and I wanted to get the “Real I.D.” for each of us in case we traveled into Canada or wanted to travel by air within the U.S.A.  How do those who fail to check on their own business fare in life!

  Great day on Stauffer, the cowboy will heal, and we are having leftover meatloaf and stuffing with a side of a freshly baked potato.

   
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  Noreen 4:24 pm on February 18, 2020 Permalink  

  Clean and Fresh Day 

  With the snow of yesterday, this morning everything looked fresh and clean.  
  We did have cleanup to do around doorways.  Wouldn’t you know it!  A nice layer of ice under the snow.  Foretold is fore warned.

  Before we got too excited to play in the snow, Dennis went to his coffee group at McDonald’s.  It is one of the healthiest things for him to do.  Finding out how other fellows tackle things in stride . . . no one needs to feel like the Lone Ranger.

  By one this afternoon, I rode with Dennis to the Elevator to pick up the pails of shell corn for the deer.  Truth to be told, the ole cowboy had spent three days moving snow with his walk behind blower.  The right knee was letting him know that turning each time in the same direction, manhandling the turning of the snowblower tends to twist the knee without realizing it until . . . you wake up on the next day and it is letting him know in no uncertain terms . . . enough is enough.

  The two of us pretty well have things taken care of outside.  In between time I have been working with the ultra suede fabric from my stash.  It washed up and dried beautifully.  As it has been folded and stored for quite a few years, the fold marks do tell a bit of a story.  With that being said, I am working on stitching out some barn designs on the suede.  I think it will work itself into a wall hanging of some sort.  That is yet to be decided.  I had purchased these designs after I had been to the quilt retreat in September of 2019.  Larry’s wife had asked me to do some pillows for her as she wanted them for gifts at Christmastime.  We did send off a pillow for JoAnn about the same time.  This is my first crack of cranking something out for Stauffer Avenue. 

  Ya know what!  Spending $10.00 on a collection of designs sure can bring about many hours of creativity for me.  My day is balanced.  A bit of support outside with Dennis, an errand here and there, having meatloaf in the oven for supper . . . I deem it a good day.  Best of all we are cleaned out in the driveway.  We can run away from home if the whim hits us.

   
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  Noreen 3:16 pm on February 17, 2020 Permalink  

  It is a Sign 

  It is a sign that today was not to go off as planned.  It was not to be.  Today was my day to get out of Dodge and meet my stitchers at Baker’s Square in Mankato.  I had heard rumors that there was to be light flurries hitting the southeast portion of the state.

  It was a good thing that my stitcher Sharon had a more in depth weather forecast.  Sharon called at 8:30.  The end result is that we will try for next Monday.  I live 45 miles west of Mankato and one of the gals lives 45 miles east of Mankato.  It could have been a very slippery sliding day as the snow began at twelve noon and Dennis reports by three this afternoon we have had at least three inches and it may not be done.  

  The first thing Dennis had going this morning was to take the shell corn pails to the elevator for pickup tomorrow.  The deer vary in number.  There is a doe and two fawns that come as early as 4:30 for supper.  This morning I got up just a few minutes before six and there were three bucks rooting around in the hay bale under the Oak getting the last vestiges of corn.  Never fear, I went back to bed until 7:30. 

  Dennis has been talking about getting the vehicles to the car wash and this forenoon was the time to get several layers of grime off of them.  Just as he drove the car into the garage it began to rain.  Well . . . that didn’t last long.  At noon it began to snow in fine wet stuff and before long we had large beautiful flakes being driven by a north wind. When I think about it, I have had more social events canceled than I can well afford. My hermit status is really getting socked in.   

  My plan was to stay out of the sewing studio today.  That was until one this afternoon.  Dennis kidded me when he came into the house. “That didn’t last long.” I was brave enough to ask him how he would feel if he didn’t get out into his patio porch.  “I’d be lost and be a pain in your stiff neck.”  We both have our favorite hangout.  

  I’ve been rambling long enough and today I will have very little to offer for “local effort.”  By the way . . . that term came about from the Minnesota Department of Revenue while I was working.  Yearly property values were determined by the level of sale value per usage.  The assessor’s job was to attribute each year’s taxable market value per parcel as per what the market indicated.  The Revenue counted on that taxable level being within 90% of what the market indicated during a certain time frame per individual classifications.  “Me” . . . I was the local effort.  If I didn’t put out to maintain that 90% guideline fairly and equitably, there would be a state mandated increase across the line whether it was fair per parcel or not.  That phrase of local effort has become our household humor on keeping Stauffer Avenue up to par.  Tee Hee!

   
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  Noreen 6:56 pm on February 13, 2020 Permalink  

  Can’t do Anything about the Cold 

  I put an extra layer of a sweater on today.  The thermostat is set at 70 degrees and Dennis is in agreement.  In the sewing studio today it cleared at 60 degrees.  I don’t mind the cooler area.  I am popping up and down consistently when I am on a roll.

  The York Peppermint Patty candy bar box is empty.  It was one of Dennis’ favorites after supper each night.  This morning the two of us worked on making a pan of brownies.  A few short-cuts and it remains a sweet treat with less sugar.  

  Dennis is on a five day program of Prednisone to take out the inflammation in his right hand.  Prednisone has been around a long time to help for short term issues.  When Kevin needed to take it for an occasional asthma attack it was welcomed.  It is one of those meds that are not to be continued for a long time.  I do remember that Kevin’s appetite increased dramatically while he was on the short program. 

  When I went down to the sewing studio this forenoon, the doorway into the room caught my eye.  Good grief!  Calendar pages do need to be swapped out for people to stay on track.  Apparently the two of us loose track of time by the months.  It seems we don’t miss appointments or important dates.  We are for sure more than those that need to mark off each day in order to maintain their lifestyle.   

  Sadly our neighbors have ceased feeding the deer.  It made me feel very good when Dennis said we would continue.  The young females need our help if they are to have healthy babies in the coming months.  Dennis did tell me we would be doing some yard work this spring as the deer have stepped some of the pavers off of the surround under the Maple tree.  Now there you go!  My thoughts of cutting back on flowers has just had the affirmation of the deer giving me a head start to tidy up the area.  Oh for the seasons that are within us throughout the decades. 

  The good news for the night is that the north winds have settled down.  Last night I felt that we would loose the roof on the west porch.  It is also encouraging that daylight is lasting a bit longer.  We’ll make it through this winter in good stead.  When I watch the news of the weather that other portions of the United States are having .  . . I feel blessed.

   
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  Noreen 5:36 pm on February 9, 2020 Permalink  

  It Has Been Measured 

  In the quiet of our patio that is protected on two sides, Dennis measured the snowfall.  His official measurement was 13.5″.  

  Randy and his long green line and Dennis and his walk behind blower put in a long day.  It is now a very bright late afternoon and all has been moved that needs to be moved in regard to the snow.  The last path Dennis made was along the north side of the house so we can get to the vent of the furnace.  Though I am not participating in snow removal it does keep me on my toes checking as to where Dennis is with his snowblower.  Missteps happen in a heart beat. The pickup garage opens onto Stauffer Avenue and the city fellows are very gracious and as the tandem trucks follow each other, all the snow is bladed off to the south away from the garage door.  Surprisingly the back concrete steps with the sun shining on them are down to the bare concrete.  Bless the sun that is quite powerful.

  Late this afternoon we dug out a second flat feeding pan so there is more area for multiple deer to be able to enjoy a snack.  The enjoyment that we have had watching these beautiful beings is so worthwhile. 

  It’s time to get the evening meal together.  Thankfully there was a good amount of pork roast left from last night.  Dennis had made instant potatoes for four on purpose.  Tonight will take patties out of those leftovers and giving them a quick pan fry. 

  I hope everyone stayed safe with the heavy snowfall that no doubt brought less than good road conditions.  Catch you all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 5:10 pm on January 26, 2020 Permalink  

  A Sunday on Stauffer Ave 

  After the usual household tasks, I let Dennis know I would be in the sewing studio if he needed me.  Dennis allowed me to know that he was going over to his friend Dave’s home in regard to a problem with a take-down rifle.

  Determined to work on this wall hanging that I won, I hunkered down.  I put in a new needle and oiled a few ports.  Embroidery designs can rack up 10,000 to 12,000 stitches in short order.

  This project is a good testimony to exercise in patience.  As I am not in any hurry . . . all is well.  When the twenty plus blocks are done the entire kitchen themed wall hanging is working around Christmas.  Included is Glitter Flex for some blocks.  It is a pliable plastic that has come out recently being used in quilts and is deemed to be durable. to the extent of being laundered.  Perhaps much like the jackets with embellishments.  That will be a new experience for me when I work with those blocks.   

  The block that was the most challenging today was the one that had a cupcake on a cake platter.  What’s to keep a cupcake from drying out . . . a glass dome.  Before sewing the clear plastic dome down, I had to be sure to add the button that replicated a mint candy.  The block that featured the cup with whipped cream, had a piece of foam that needed to be added before the final stitching.   

  This would not be a project for a beginning stitcher.  It will cause me to run my fingers through my white hair as I puzzle through the blocks.  Dennis is encouraging . . . and amazed to the extent that this project has been thought through including all the bells and whistles.

  Last night Dennis counted 12 female deer of various ages that were here at one time for supper.  Between neighbor Jan’s and us, I know they all get something.  The hay that Dennis has under the Maple tree laced with shell corn sprinkled in and among is a favorite.  Late on in the evening the two male deer come.  They are not included with the first pass. 

  During the day the side show continues as the squirrels are bound and determined to find some of that shell corn hiding in the hay.  Dennis and the patio porch cats have entertainment . . . non-stop.  Each day Dennis’ hand is showing improvements.  I have no doubt that there is infection that needs to be absorbed into his system via the antibiotics.  He has really beefed up the water intake.  Get it flushed out one way or another. 

  The sun made a welcomed appearance this afternoon, though short.

  Supper is a package of frozen Prime Rib noodle soup.  It sure is handy to have a few items stashed away.

   
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  Noreen 4:49 pm on January 21, 2020 Permalink  

  I Have Had a Full Day 

  Today I went to Mankato, solo.  Yes!  I got a haircut.  Great Clips was the first place I checked in at.  I could come back in one hour, 45 minutes.  That gave me time to run a few errands.  I went to the farthermost stop which was Mills Fleet.  

  Mills Fleet has some of the most authentic feed sack towels that I have run across.  They are squared and hemmed.  When I do a bit of stitching on them, they make quick shower gifts or a thank you gift for someone who has helped us with a project.  I bypassed all the aisles of eatable goodies.  I did add to the cart several baking items that I was out of.  Dennis does say that my homemade cookies are so much better than the boughten ones.

  The winds could not be discounted today on the open roadways.  Blowing snow is so much worse on highway 60 between Lake Crystal and Madelia than anywhere else on the trip to Mankato.

  When I got home Dennis’ grandson Ryan had the roof lines clear of snow.  With these very cold days, it was the perfect time to get the snow off.  Tomorrow, when and if the temps reach the mid thirties, that is the perfect recipe for the melting snow to cling to the roof edges and begin to build . . . ice dams.  In a perfect world, taking the snow down after each fall is what is prescribed.  After today we are prepared for the next snow.  Ryan even got the snowblower out and moved the removed snow farther away from the house.  If Ryan really liked the brownies that Dennis fed him for a job well done, we may see him again after a snowfall.

  Dennis made a return trip to the elevator to pick up the multitude of five gallon pails.  The bins in the garage are full of shell corn for the deer.  What Dennis has seen is that we have 10 female deer that come and feed at one time.  Afterwards there are two males that come.   Dennis is in total agreement with that schedule.  The female deer need to be as healthy as possible for healthy fawns to be born.  When I get up during the night in the wee hours to use the bathroom, it’s not unusual that there are still a few deer that are grazing next to the Maple where Dennis has corn sprinkled in with the hay.

  It’s been a good day.  We are home safe and sound in our warm home.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 5:12 pm on January 20, 2020 Permalink  

  I Can Do this 

  For the first time since the late 80s, I am standing in my home and looking at snow that is layered in places that usually had gotten cleared.  No snow removal for me this year.

  Neighbor Randy is clearing our driveway.  Dennis is doing a great job of removing snow where it is important.  Our vehicles can be gotten out of the garages.  The back door is clear of snow.  The sidewalk on the front side of our home has snow on it.  The front steps have snow on them.  The driveway is not clear to the bare concrete . . . and guess what . . . I am content looking at it.

  It is difficult to let some things slide.  More importantly, reason and logic take over.  It makes me feel proud that Dennis and I do what we do and how we do it.  I still ramrod a clean home.  Dennis takes care of the his patio porch just as well as I do our home.  We have healthy meals that are chosen from a good supply in the pantry.  Our vehicles are kept up to snuff.  Nothing within the physical portion of our property is in need of repairs.  We are doing well.

  Both Dennis and I talk about how it used to be when we could take on whatever dared cross our paths.  The best part is that we can still bluff our way in some respects when others that we keep in touch with begin complaining.  We don’t complain.  We tend to sit at the dining room table and congratulate each other with what we can do and leave some things for those who can.

  With that being said, Dennis called grandson Ryan to come over tomorrow and clear some snow off of the roof line of the house and garage.  Dennis had helped out Ryan numerous times when he needed grandpa to go up north with a car carrier when Ryan’s vehicles had broken down.  Ya, young kids don’t think about keeping the vehicles up to snuff but know who to contact when they need a ride.

  Dennis has his containers at the elevator for refills of shell corn for the deer.  He can pick them up tomorrow.  Five gallon pails are just the right size and heft for Dennis.   

  Perhaps I can’t do everything I used to, but what I can do . . . I do well.  We are so ready for some warmer weather.