Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from December, 2024 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:45 pm on December 11, 2024 Permalink  

  A Rescue 

  We have a small USA flag, 5 x 8 or so, that is stripped on a steel electric fence post on the corner of the sidewalk out the front door.  The wind had been nasty and the flag had gone all the way down the post and was on the ground.  This morning after getting dressed, I gingerly went down our front steps with a safety pin in hand to shore up the flag so it could proudly fly freely again.  It may have been a quick fix, but I rely on that little flag telling me which way the wind is whipping for the day.

  This may sound quite like what an older person partakes of, but it is me.  Several nights ago we had precooked brats and sauerkraut.  There were two brats and some kraut left.  I tucked them in the refrig.  The last two mornings I have enjoyed a brat/kraut sandwich for breakfast.  Heated in the microwave for a bit and it made for a good start of my day.  I may very well do the same if there is pizza left over from the night before.  That doesn’t happen often as Dennis doesn’t like pizza.  Is it about not wasting food or is it enjoying food that tastes good enough to finish.

  This morning, I made Dennis the crab salad that he enjoys.  It did make a fairly large batch.  It was at a cost of $11.00.  The box of Suddenly Salad complete with the Italian seasoning did pair well.  I dare say there was a lot more imitation crab than what is found in the fare that is purchased in a deli.  That was more as if they had a piece of the crab meat and had drug it through the remaining ingredients.  Dennis will enjoy the batch for several noon lunches.

  On another good note, we have a second night of the chicken oven meal of last night to enjoy this evening.

  There is a wind chime hanging from the evergreen on the northwest corner of the house.  It has been entertaining me for days as the wind has had its way with it for days.  I do not mind it.  Hmm.  It makes me think there should be a second one with just a bit of a lower pitch for a full cascade of entertainment. 

  I spent time in the studio this forenoon and when I came up, the sun was warming and welcoming as I sat and read in the cherry red chair of my bedroom.  It may well feel quite different when the sun goes down and the wind continues.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:20 pm on December 10, 2024 Permalink  

  A Dusting 

  KNUJ was spot on.  They did foretell of a dusting of snow.  It was barely enough to cover the drive.

  The studio time was spent swapping out the furnace filter as well as cleaning the screen for our dehumidifier.  Both showed signs of threads and fuzz that had been airborne.  I can always find things that capture my attention in the studio.  Before I knew it, several hours had gone by.

  The first floor of our home beckoned me.  There was a load of laundry to start and then pull together what was needed for an oven meal.  A simple chicken, carrot, penne combo held together with a jar of Alfredo sauce. 

  I know in the very near future I will be making Dennis some crab meat cold salad that he hinted for.  Yesterday I bought a box of Suddenly Salad for the fixings that I will add imitation crab meat to.  In any deli it goes for 8-10 dollars a pound.  Dennis shall have his treat.  

  When I was at the store yesterday, I did buy a new shaker container of the poultry seasoning.  I am sure I will use up the loose ground container, sometime in the future.  When I was checking out, the gal commented on the 13 oz jar of Blackberry Jelly that she scanned.  It was Bonne Maman brand.  Yes, there were more inexpensive choices.  This brand is a product of France.  I champion this brand.  It has been around since the second world war.  The founders of this company hid hundreds of thousands of people from slaughter during the Holocaust.  Good deeds century old but also wonderful products, and I use it as a treat. 

  During the strong wind of yesterday and last night, the shrub on the northwest corner of the house did its duty.  There have been offerings of trimming it and I always decline.  

  Our supper just went into the oven and it is also time for some KEYC news over the supper hour.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:19 pm on December 9, 2024 Permalink  

  Monday the 9th 

  Today was a trip to the grocer’s here in town.  When Dennis had many medical appointments in Mankato, we would frequent Sam’s Club and would buy quite a few things in bulk for the cistern pantry and Dennis would put gas in the little red pickup.  For what we are saving in traveling fuel, I don’t mind shopping here in town.  Another aspect is that I can purchase containers of various products in the size that I can easily handle with my hands. 

  I know Wednesday is senior citizen day at the store for several dollars of savings.  I was surprised how many people, my age, my acquaintances were in the store on this Monday.  I like never got out of the store.  

  Dennis’ PT went well.  It was rescheduled from 11 this morning to 1:45 this afternoon.  The heating pad needs to be brought out front and center so when the muscles want to cramp up in his left leg, he gets it plugged in.

  I found something interesting from what Usain Bolt, he ran the 100 yard meter in 9.58 seconds, gave as encouragement to people young and old: Dreams are free goals that have a cost to become reality which are, time, effort, sacrifice and sweat.  That can pertain to me at my current status in life as well as anyone else.

  The wind was strong when I went out and about, but now it has taken on a frigid cold on top of it.  It feels as if it were -6 outside.

  It has been a long time since we have had Progresso Chicken Noodle soup, Dennis’ favorite.  Seeing as how he enjoyed a frosted cinnamon at Brett’s after PT and before coming home, the soup will serve us well.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:22 pm on December 8, 2024 Permalink  

  Gray Day 

  It would feel more like the 50 degree day that we are having if the sun had come out.  Far off to the southwest I can see the clearing as the sun is beginning to set.

  Today, I finished the exterior of the wooden trunk project.  Though the sander had a collection container, it was time to tidy up that portion of the project.  I had such an array of stuff on the top of the church tables.  Putting everything back where it belonged wore me out a bit.  Cleaning the sander with the Filter Queen attachments made short work of it.  I cannot believe what a work horse that vacuum can be.  The sander with its goodies is back in the box.  Today, the city’s postal service delivered the package from Amazon with the additional sandpaper.  Who knows when the sander will be called into action, I wanted to make sure we had on hand what would be needed.

  Tomorrow, I may be doing more vacuuming in the studio.  With the finger-sized attachment that I used on the sander, that attachment did not allow for the dust to be collected.  I tried to have the vacuum running in close proximity of where I was sanding . . . with minimal success.  Any little bit did help. 

  This project does beg the question: was this really all necessary?  No, of course not.  Couldn’t I have been content reading a book and watching traffic go by?  It was a matter of challenging myself to see if I could pull it off.  So far . . . so good.  The internet tells me that I can wipe off what ever wants to be wiped off of the metal bands that are holding the trunk together with WD-40.  Next step in the works will be to check out what we have on hand.  I do feel a few days off in that regard.   

  This evening’s supper will be the pre-cooked Johnsonville beef brats with the leftover sauerkraut in the 32 oz. jar in the refrig.  I can see myself putting a brat and kraut in between a slice of bread and calling it fare for an indoor picnic. 

  Dennis has PT in the morning.  Me . . . not so much going on.  I am sure I will find something to keep me on my toes.  Speaking of toes . . . I always wear heavy socks and shoes when in the studio.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on December 6, 2024 Permalink  

  Return of Fall 

  I am going to enjoy some warmer temperature as it may be short lived.

  I had a busy day on the first floor.  Laundry running gave me a chance to get frozen tenderloins out.  Yup.  Chicken Rueben, hot meal coming up for supper.  I like to dice/cube the chicken before it is completely thawed as it cuts so much easier into the pieces I like.  The next time I shop, I need to look for Poultry seasoning that is in a shaker container.  The container I have is loose powder.  All I can do is put some on my palm and swipe it over the chicken with my other hand.  Too much in one place is not a good thing.  The spices in it are worth the addition.

  I finished four small pieces of stitching.  It was time to get them into the basement on the padded Quilter’s Square and Block pad that the kids found for me in Goodwill a time back.  They average 4″ x 4″.  I will pull out interfacing to put on the back and then some patterned backing fabric.  I have either the poly fill or the crushed walnut shells to fill the pillows with.

  Today I ordered a new brush attachment (about as big a round as my closed fist) for the basement Filter Queen.  The brush was the go-to attachment.  Now that the vacuum has had a good cleaning, I will be more apt to use it down here in the studio.

  Dennis’ job jar, in total, was the back entry floor.  I don’t require shoes to come off when anyone comes into our home.  Of course there is bound to have stuff come in.  I don’t appreciate cigarette ashes mixed with what Mother Nature can drag in.  Nope, sitting on the steps of the back entry with his foot holding open the screen door to let in the cold and blow ashes in to have a cigarette before bed, using a soup can as an ash tray . . . no more you ole cowboy.  He comes in from the patio porch at eight at night.  You could set your watch by it.  If he made for almost two months without a cigarette during the hip surgery time, he can make it from 8 pm to 8am without choking off.  Yes, I know how to stand my ground, because I am reasonable.

  My hope everyone within my reading proximity, gets that last little bit of outside work done while we have no snow or ice to contend with.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on October 1, 2024 Permalink  

  One Down 

  One ground’s keeper done, down and showered.  The mowing of the acre today was a dust windy accomplishment.

  Last Thursday there had been a lot of heavy equipment on that soil.  As dry as we have had it, the soil was easily pulverized, easily moved with the wind we had today.  Good news . . . no bugs.  I was just finishing up when Dennis came over on the Sears mower to check up on me.  When I was going to head to the garage, I simply had to slowly drive along with the zero-turn as what had been cleaned up.  It was a wider swathe from south to north than it had appeared at a glance.  It was surreal to drive alongside the lot-line to be within three feet of what those neighbor’s backyards looked like.  If one tin cat finds it’s way over that rickety fence, my broom is coming out for a three-point landing.

  Dennis put the mowers away and I walked home.  I picked up a few branches and put them on the fire ring.  I could not walk past the flower bed without pulling up a lot of unwanted greenery.  One root of this certain weed can put out a web of greenery that covers everything up.  As I continued to work, I was contemplating my next decision.  I have always had perennials around the base of the huge Maple tree.  The deer have been snacking.  The drought has been hard on the plants and watering them is not going to happen.  It wouldn’t take Dennis a nano-second to spray that area with his weed and brush killer.

  I think I will wait until after this Saturday.  Dennis said AJ was coming to cut down and off the ancient dead lilacs on the south side of the white picket fence.  If there is life in the roots and they can stool out from said roots, fine and dandy.  If not, I will enjoy looking at Jan’s lilacs on the other side of the white picket fence.

  I could not believe that there is one small snowball bloom on the bush that usually blooms in early May.

  Dennis just came home from getting his two small gas cans filled.  The little red pickup wouldn’t turn over when he was ready to come home.  A new battery solved that little spendy problem.  

  We are having Tilapia fish and boiled potatoes for supper.  Tilapia is our favorite fish to fix.  Dennis will have his salt-free butter for his spuds.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:55 pm on September 30, 2024 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  I did not know this was homecoming week at our school.  I went to the grocer’s this afternoon and they had banners across the entry aisle.

  At the grocer’s I achieved my goal.  Dennis will have a birthday cake on Wednesday.  Right out of the grocer’s freezer into my cart and now it is in our refrigerator.  He will be having a Mississippi Mud chocolate cake.  They had a fairly good selection of 6″ round cakes.

  Yesterday after Dennis had put in a good day “making nice” with his patio door sliders on Saturday, he thought the undertaker was coming.  He did take my advice and with his two walking sticks and made a few trips up and down the concrete drive to drive some stiffness out.  Today Dennis got the Cub-Lo-Boy out and mowed one of our yards and also the neighbors.  The neighbor is a single gal and works with her family at Keebler’s salvage yard just down the street.  Dennis made a trip out to the salvage yard as soon as he was done mowing.  He did not see the little rope in the grass that she ties her dog to when she lets him out.  I ask Dennis if it wound under the mower blades.  Nope, but there was not any length of rope to be saved.

  Tomorrow I will be mowing the acre with the zero-turn while Dennis using the Sears will do around the homestead.  Dennis said it was time to park the mowers for this 2024 season.  Of course with all the tree removal happening on the acre site, it will take time for that grass to recover.  The east half had no traffic and that is where I will be starting.

  Our neighbors are home from their trip to see Gettysburg and other such historical places.  They watched the weather on their phone and came home earlier than planned.  Jan said one week was enough. 

  Cooler weather is coming.  I look forward to it.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on September 28, 2024 Permalink  

  What’s Up! 

  To the west of us and to the southeast of us, there are lilacs blooming.  Very full blooms of soft lavender.  Truly this has been an unusual year.

  AJ was here this morning bright and early.  I was still in my robe having my first cup of coffee.  Dennis was in the patio porch.  The two fellows are planning a day for next Saturday.  I will wait until then to see what is popping.

  Just so you all know, we are minding the salt in-take.  For supper we are having an oven meal and it will be the chicken rueben that has been in the plans for several weeks.  The deal of staying away from anything in a can is being adhered to.  Unfortunately, I had a jar of sauerkraut open in the refrigerator for a time.  It is getting used up this evening.  Also . . . no red meat.  That will not be hard to stick to.

  As I was getting the oven meal ready, Dennis had the garden hose strung to the patio porch watering down the two small evergreens really good.  Yes, they are out in the open but amazingly having the potting shed five feet away from them is just enough shelter to keep the rain from hitting them.  His next task was washing out the tracks of the three sliding patio doors.  Yes . . . I think when we hear things from professional people, such as doctors, we tend to go with their advice a bit easier.

  I dug around the cistern closet for some beads.  Those that go thrifting had given me an unusual shaped red plastic carry case about as big as a bloated football.  As you open the lid it rolls over and over, exposing with each roll a tray of plastic beads.  I had never seen anything like it and oh yes, the trays had various plastic beads.  Every once in a while, Grammie gets a wild hair.  I am not sure where this wild hair is going.  I will keep you posted . . . but I have beads.

  I have been working with Grandma Schafer’s silk floss.  Using the “5” magnification helps ever so much.  It works best if I leave my prescription glasses on.  I work for about two hours with the project and then I turn to reading.  As I have had an indication all summer that when my yearly eye exam comes around, my lenses will be changing.  No, I do not feel as if I have eye strain as I do my various tasks.

  Dennis is patiently waiting for the time, 4:00 p.m., when the oven will be turned on to pre-heat it for the oven meal.  I can’t say I blame him.

  It would be interesting to learn why our lilacs are blooming going into October.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:06 pm on September 27, 2024 Permalink  

  So It Ends 

  It is a Summer feeling day as well as a Friday.  It’s something about the jet-streams holding us in this warm weather.

  Dennis came home from the clinic this morning and asked me if I wanted the good news first or the bad.  I went with the good.  His kidneys are good, his heart is good, his lungs are good.  So then I went for the bad news.  He announced I would have to put up with him for some time to come.  Let’s hear it for the ole cowboy!

  Dennis’ cousin, Sally Engel from South Branch, passed away from a stroke.  Her husband Myron always sang in church.  We passed on the funeral yesterday, but Dennis’ niece and her husband from Moorhead attended and then stopped in for a visit yesterday.  A very good visit.  Last night we got a call from Dennis’ nephew Matt from Windom that his brother from Nebraska was coming for a visit and would Dennis be home for a Friday afternoon visit.  Absolutely.  This afternoon there were four Curry fellows in the patio porch as Brett joined them.  Talk about the stories that were told.  It has been quite the amount of company to round out this week.

  While Dennis had been at the clinic here in town this morning, I walked over to the acre to see what was going on.  The tree fellows had two huge leaf blowers going and all the bits of tree tops and small branches were being blown to the fellow that had a huge rake in the front of his bob-cat he was manning.  Good thing the breeze was from the northwest as it was hard to see through the dust.  Most of the heavy equipment was already gone.  A second bob-cat with a huge bucket on the front was leveling off the dirt from all the stumps that had been taken out.  There was one large stump that was not taken out as there was a lot of old fence wire in it, around it and some grown through it.  It was right towards the lot line to the south.  They also took out three other stumps in various places where Dennis had been able to mow.  These fellows had a work order from the boss and they didn’t have a “what if” about that wire-infested stump.

  I think this will calm Dennis down as it was one of the last things that had been heavy on his mind for some time.  Dennis took me for a ride after his company had left, so we could see what there was to see.  The far east half of the acre had not had any heavy equipment on it and talk about pigeon grass that had grown tall.  Tomorrow may very well be the last mowing for the summer.  I will help with the mowing as Dennis’ tail bone won’t take much sitting on it.  They told him at the clinic it would take perhaps several months before it’s not the first thing he thinks off when he goes to sit down somewhere,

  No discussion about supper yet and so the busy week ends.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:45 pm on September 26, 2024 Permalink  

  Hello Thursday 

  The sun is out, bright and warm.

  We had thought the tree man would be here several days ago, Monday.  We knew we were on his list.  Early this morning, it was the sound of the chainsaw and the shredder going at it.  I walked over to the acre site at noon.  Many pieces of equipment.  The crew were on noon break.  Yes, Dennis and I were in agreement, just get it done before a nursing home gets Dennis’ funds.

  No, the nursing home is not anywhere in our future plans in 2024.  We have bit off several properties over the years.  We clean them up so the grass can grow and mowing is the maintenance.  Many years ago, this acre was the site of a bottling plant in St. James.  Over time, people were with no respect, and nothing was done other than to toss stuff over the fence from the south.

  In between time today, Dennis has gotten his shots and also an appointment for his yearly medical with his primary VA doctor in St. James.  I knew it was hard to tear himself away from the tree site, but he got it done.  

  This would have been a day that my dad, Raymond, would have been sitting on a pickup end-gate, right beside Dennis.  The thrill of seeing all this equipment making short work of what would have been labor intensive not so long ago.

  The tuna sandwiches were good for last night’s supper.  Cottage cheese was the second item on the table.  Today, I added two chopped up boiled eggs to the tuna.  Another night of no-salt eats.  Tomorrow Dennis goes back out to the Mayo Clinic here in town for another lab work and then to the doctor to see what these days have proven.  How grateful that we don’t need to motor to Mankato or Rochester.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥