Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from December, 2018 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:35 pm on December 5, 2018 Permalink  

  Winter on Stauffer 

  Not all aspects of snow and winter are bad.  I remember my days when Orlin and I were farming.  The only way to get through some aspects of winter was to make fun out of the work.  Orlin got a kick out of me when I would clean the gutters in the dairy barn.  It was my pride and joy when I had the last carrier loaded with manure and pushed it out of the barn to the huge manure pile in the cow yard. I got to sprinkle lime on the walk way and make everything clean and white . . . for a time.  Hey . . . it got me through the less than glamorous chores.  It also taught me that chores are a necessary portion of the life that we have to enjoy.  Wouldn’t have missed a single day of those farming days.  The memories are and will always be sweet.

  Today, Dennis and I both shopped together for our Christmas present to each other.  We checked out the options in Fleet Farm.  I tried out several.  Dennis tried out several.  Which maneuvered the easiest.  Which choice pushed fairly easily along the aisles.  Some options were heavy.  Some options had wood handles.  We both decided on the one that was easy to handle and lightweight.  It also was easy on the eyes.  WE have a new snow pusher!!  It’s going to replace the older gray one.  I doubt that the old gray one will hit the garbage at this time.  The old one still has some wear left in it . . . as long as the screw that is holding the handle on survives.  Dennis and I will just be able to do a push in tandem down the driveway.  I believe we can’t complain as the gray one was purchased ten years ago.  Just as decades ago, I plan on making fun out of the snow that I am sure is still to come.  The best part is the snow that I push will disappear in time to come, not like the barn chores product that had to be moved again to make room for more.  

  Not all things “winter” are bad.  Last night when I was getting the house ready to be shut down for the night, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the sight was out of the west porch windows.  The street light hit the awning just perfectly to be a backdrop of some of the snow that had become ice sculptures.  Winter has much to offer.  Winter has much to be enjoyed.  I can still see winter through the eyes of the child that still dwells in me.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on December 2, 2018 Permalink  

  Stauffer Team Nailed it! 

  First thing that is heard in our home is the coffee pot going off at 7:00 a.m.  That sound must be like an alarm for Dennis.  What is more precious than being able to stumble around the house after just getting out of bed while all senses are coming alive.  Because I know this for myself, I stay snug in bed and allow the real Dennis to wake up and get his bearings.  There are, after all, rituals.  When I hear the back door close as Dennis heads to the patio porch with a cup of hot coffee and a breakfast snack in a baggy, that is my cue that I get to stumble around as I become fully awake.

  Much to Dennis’ surprise the walk to the garage was manageable.  The last thing I did before I went to bed last night was to go outside and shovel a path through the snow from the back door of the house to the garage for just this moment for Dennis.  Oh yes!  We had snow.  The news this morning was stating about 8 to 9 inches for St. James.  Unfortunately the path was not as clear as I had left it last night as the snow continued at various times throughout the night.  The most that the ole cowboy in his PJs and slippers had to walk through was several inches.  Very doable.

  Neighbor Randy came and did a bang up job this forenoon on the driveway.  After Dennis and I had oatmeal for breakfast, we suited up to tidy around the doorways.  Where no one had trod, the snow could be moved down to the bare concrete.  It was wet heavy stuff.  Where Randy’s snowblower had worked its magic, it was as hard as a rock and icy.  Dennis worked on clearing a path through to Stauffer Avenue for garbage collection and also to work on clearing the doorway for the pickup that backs out onto Stauffer Avenue.

  I dare say we have had a great workout today.  When I came into the house, I plugged in the Christmas tree and pulled the last bit of breakfast coffee from the pot.  Dennis is in his recliner watching the farm channel and we are off the clock for the remainder of this day.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on November 30, 2018 Permalink  

  Thursday evening: “Dennis, what do you have planned for us to do tomorrow?” Picking up branches and sticks before they get covered in the snow that’s coming this weekend. Sure enough. This Friday morning, after we were both awake with coffee under our belts, we did pick up branches and sticks in the backyard. I had not paid much attention as Dennis had. Sitting in his rocker in the patio porch he had a clear view.

  Our neighbor to the south has a burning pit. We can use it as long as we clean up after each time we burn branches. Once Dennis got it going, it felt good with each trip to feel the warmth. Our huge Maple and the neighbor’s huge Oak is bound to let loose some of its weaklings with all the wind we have had in November. It was amazing how long we could keep the fire going. We did take a fair amount off of Randy and Jan’s yard as long a we were at it. A little extra elfing never hurts. It was either do it now or in the spring of the year. There always seems to be plenty to catch up on in the spring with yard work. This was a great plan that Dennis had.

  My observation: Dennis is feeling good going into the end of 2018. His energy level does even surprise himself. I am hoping between the four footed kids in the patio porch and myself we can continue finding ways for him to enjoy the fruits of that energy. No! Jigsaw puzzles aren’t going to cut it. When we needed a shelf to be put up in the bedroom, Dennis got into finding a board and getting it contractor ready. That might be a clue. I do know that with the nephropathy in his hands and fingers, the challenge can be daunting. Each day is different and he takes each day on in a good mood. Knowing what can be accomplished each day is a mystery for all of us. We’re thankful to have each day.

   
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  Noreen 4:30 pm on November 28, 2018 Permalink  

  Snow Removal Time 

  Today was my choice of days to run errands.  Sure enough there was white falling from the sky.  It didn’t really qualify as snowflakes.  It was a very wet sleet that still managed to coat the cement.  Just enough mess to track in.  It didn’t take long, Dennis had the electric leaf blower out taking off the majority of the new.  Unfortunately I had to pick up a prescription for Dennis earlier and had driven the snow down to become a snow pack.   

  

  Yup . . . there is Dennis in his PJs and his garage slippers putting in his time for local effort. Gotta love the ole cowboy.

  Before heading out to the bank and grocery store, I asked Dennis if there was anything that he had to add to the list that I had in my hand.  Dennis had not one thing to add.  Now that is contentment. My goal was to try several different types of apples to bring home.  I have gotten spoiled by the Minnesota grown apples that we got at the apple barn on the way to Mankato.  They closed two days before Thanksgiving.  My first choice is to purchase fruit that is already pared.  Late this fall I opted to having an apple or two on hand each day.  Less cost and just as good for me.  

  Why are Dennis and I so content with not a single need or want to be had?  Our pantry is full of many choices for meals.  Clothing: when you are retired it is optional.  Not so much the wearing of it as the choices that may fill the bill from day to day.  It is not unusual for Dennis, the ole cowboy, to stay in his PJs all day to only change into clean ones for bed time.  Basically it doesn’t matter.  I generally enjoy a cup or two of coffee in my robe and then I have to get clothes on.  Nothing is more annoying than having too much robe fabric that can get in the way when I want to reach for something and end up pulling something over . . . only to make a mess to clean up.  Before I headed to the store there was no needs-analysis warranted. 

  I am still in limbo in the sewing studio.  When Megan finished her large project I did take the sewing machine down to the nubbins for cleaning and oiling, complete with a new needle.  A soft brush can catch a lot of fuzz.  I have several patterns lying on the table but am lacking that burst of “let’s get this going.”  I am waiting for some hardware items from Amazon to try something new.  Time will tell!  I will tell you that hardware may be purchased, fabric will not be purchased.  I have a need to buckle down and use what I have and become creative with it.  It is my personal challenge and I will have fun seeing what I can come up with.  Well . . . then . . . truth to tell, when Kersten’s mom handed off the Singer Serger, there was a second box that included yardage of various amounts and patterns.  Now this next ditty that I am about to share is that the fabric is much like when someone wants to loose weight.  If you share your target goal, it is harder to not stay the course.  I am sharing with you that I will use the fabric I have within our home and enjoy ending with some great finished projects.  So . . . be . . . it!

   
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  Noreen 2:53 pm on November 1, 2018 Permalink  

  In the fall of the year, my thoughts go to good apples, bright red leaves from the Northern Red Oak and . . . finding dust bunnies. Yesterday I cracked the glass bubble and found dust inside. Once cracked it cannot be ignored. With my Swiffer duster, Pledge and Windex in hand I followed the south wall of the living room. High and low, all was fair game.

  When I stood straight up and gave the back a break, I looked out into the kitchen. Who was that man? He needed to identify himself! It was Dennis! He was at the kitchen sink washing up some of the glassware and had a film of cleaner on a piece of metal that needed a polish.

  This fall he has been busy and on the go seeing things that needed some TLC nonstop.

  Late yesterday afternoon we did head back outside. It was too nice to bypass any last minute projects. I wanted to use the electric tiller one last time to dig out the north side of the sidewalk giving a bit of a trench for next spring snow thaws that drain towards the sidewalk and will wash over the sidewalk a little too close to the north wall of the patio porch. Dennis pulled batteries off of the Cub L0-Boy and the Sears mower as he keeps them in the garage over winter. Yup . . . he is one of very few fellows who enjoys his garage never getting colder than 40 degrees during the winter.

  We headed in and Dennis headed right down to the cistern closet that is our pantry. When he came up, he had: Alfredo sauce, a can of corn, two cans of chicken and a bag of Penne Pasta. He was going to make a hot dish for supper. I pitched in wherever he would allow. Sure enough after a busy day we had a delicious meal. Best part is that the leftovers tonight will be as good as the original.

  Dennis is feeling healthy good this fall. It is amazing! After lunch I decided to do a bit more of the cleaning thing and Dennis was off to take some of his magazines out to the VA clinic for their waiting room. Dennis has a subscription that deals with issues of the Korean conflict: then and now.

  As I tackled the last project of cleaning for the day, Mom came to mind. Every Saturday when we cleaned the farm home, Mom made us take an old knife and scrape off the bottom of the legs of the kitchen chairs before the floor was scrubbed. Shoes were not taken off as Dad and the boys and anyone else came in the house. The floor took the brunt of whatever may have been on the bottom of the shoes. The bottom of the kitchen chairs legs collected a bit of this and a bit of that. My project this afternoon was to clean the rollers off of the three chairs that we use in our dining room. Yup . . . there was stuff on them. I dedicated a piece of the Heavy Duty Scotch-Brite for the job. Tipping the chairs on their sides and taking one roller at a time, scrub a dubbed what had been collected and rolled over.

  We have had another great day here on Stauffer Avenue. One bit of Mom’s advice had always been, “Idle hands are the work of the devil.” Enough said.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on October 29, 2018 Permalink  

  How many leaves can 100 year old Maple and Oak trees drop after hard frosts? Enough to keep Dennis and me busy for five hours. I had raked some yesterday. Today Dennis was on board with the Sears riding mower to mulch. We have twenty feet of Hostas under the lilacs that are under said Maple and Oak trees. Those packed leaves needed to be raked out and over the back patio into the path of Dennis and his mower. We got it done. Whatever there may be for leaves that have a thing about hanging onto mom’s limbs, they have our permission to fall at will.

  We were dirty so we felt we might as well take care of the Koi. They are now in the horse tank in the car garage with the bubbler going. It is amazing how difficult they are to net. All of the filters and pumps have been washed in Dawn dishwashing liquid and are drying before being stored for the winter. Dennis is now taking it easy in his rocking chair in the patio porch watching the sump pump empty the Koi pond onto the backyard.

  I am currently busy screwing up chili. It’s bad enough that 2lbs of 85% ground beef was $8.14, without my hand putting in too much salt. We now have chunks of raw potato floating with the hope of absorbing some of the salt. I have bought packages of chili seasoning to add to ground beef. Within those packages is white rice which is also a good component to soak up salt. We will have some unique chili for supper. I can also tell you that it will be eaten as there is no way this will be thrown out. Dennis is a good sport. In days of old a very strong dose of salt water was given to stave off worms within the frontier children.

  There is never a dull moment here on Stauffer Avenue and we wouldn’t want it any other way. When I am very weary I either sleep deeply or I can’t get to sleep. It doesn’t matter as I am hoping for a slow quiet day tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 4:09 pm on October 28, 2018 Permalink  

  It’s “Hang on to your bloomers Day.” The north wind means business just not enough to take away the good feelings of sunshine.

  I have been keeping an eye out on our backyard that has been tilled and seeded. Today was the day to go and take a peek. It did surprise me how deep the Oak and Maple leaves were on the new area. There definitely was a layer that was quite sodden. That layer if left till spring always reminds me of the manure that was in the calf pens of our barn. Layer by layer it had built up. That did bring to mind about snow mold in the spring of the year. As I ventured onto the area, the soil was soft but not sinking soft. As I brushed away the layers of leaves, just as had been predicted, there were fine needle like green sprouts springing forth. There will be some level of success next spring.

  With a wide rake I did swipe off a heavy layer of wet leaves. A bit of fresh air surely couldn’t hurt. As I looked up I knew that there would be a fresh layer of leaves yet to come from the Oak and Maple trees. The north wind took the leaves to an older established portion of the backyard that Dennis will be able to mulch with the mowers.

  With Dennis being gone this weekend there was one small perk. Grammie got to eat her meals how she wanted to and when. Priceless. Structure is generally attained at Stauffer Avenue on a regular basis. This weekend was mine . . . all mine. I favor a sliced sandwich meat container that comes in a trifecta . . . turkey, ham and roast beef. I felt it was quite a bit of sandwich cold cuts so I had shared some of it. This weekend my main meals were cold turkey, lettuce and mayo sandwiches on rye bread. Yum, yum.

  About sunset the ole cowboy will be returning home and most likely his voice will be hoarse from the non stop talking. I also know that he may very well be wore out as this is the first trade show he has taken in since the recovery of the carotid surgeries. Prior to those surgeries he would not have stood a chance of leaving home for the weekend. Dennis has a medical appointment at nine in the morning and I will be sure to set his alarm for that. Nothing promotes deep long sleep than being between your own flannel sheets. Life on Stauffer . . . can’t be beat.

   
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  Noreen 5:08 pm on October 27, 2018 Permalink  

  Yesterday late in the afternoon I did go and get my flue shot. I will admit today I feel a bit like the helium balloon that is less full of air as it should be. With the thick fog this morning it was a will of wits to get going for the day. With Dennis being gone I am getting the tasks completed with the livestock: a pond of Koi that needs leaves scooped off of the surface of the water and a herd of four cats.

  I did wander into the sewing studio. Yesterday at the Dollar General I bought several three ring binders. Today was a good day to get printed stitching tutorials organized.

  Dennis called this evening from the trade show in Mitchell. All is well with him and I assured him I was following through on this end. If the sun shines tomorrow all will fall back into the normal pace for me.

   
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  Noreen 5:32 pm on October 25, 2018 Permalink  

  Today I left the comfort of Stauffer Avenue and tripped over to Mankato to meet with a group of gals that have similar interests to mine . . . sewing and stitching. A fun group to share ideas, hopes, failures and current projects that are under the needle.

  On the way home I stopped in Madelia as I had heard that a quilt shop had opened in what had been the Dystee’s Gas Station. The hospital acquired a new doctor from out of state and Mrs. Doctor has always wanted to have a quilt shop. What an endeavor to take on. There have been several quilt shops that have closed in the area and there is one in Bird Island that is for sale. I wished Susan much success and assured her when I had used up a bit more of my stashes I would return.

  As I left Madelia, the rain began and I was thankful that the grass seed would get some of the real deal and not just from the end of my garden hose. Checking in with Dennis when I returned home, he had checked off all the items he had had on his list. He was able to take his Cub Lo-boy and mulch a lot of the leaves before the rain had begun. A good day all around.

   
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  Noreen 4:28 pm on October 23, 2018 Permalink  

  A Bright Sunny Day 

  A bright sunny day and we are at a good place.  Nice enough to hang out some laundry on the clotheslines to get that wonderful aroma in the house as it will need a bit of inside temperatures to finish drying.  

  Dennis’ little red pickup got washed . . . right in our driveway.  I feared he would get cold and chilled but he was cautious.  There was only one problem.  He lost the end of the vacuum hose mid way through cleaning the inside.  It was just about a meltdown . . . until he noticed that the floor mat in the backseat looked a bit waunkie.  A good spot for the hidden object.

  As much as I have experimented with my Bernina sewing machine, there is always more to learn.  I have the best Bernina dealer in Minnesota right in downtown Bird Island.  Amanda emailed me two workbooks that go beyond what the original manual held for information in regard to embroidering.  Once downloaded, I did decide to print out all the portions that pertain to my model which is 770QE.  It will be easier for me to thumb through printed material than opening the file on the computer.  What fantastic customer service.  I usually see Amanda twice a year for machine servicing; spring and fall.  I have an appointment on November 2nd for her husband Kelly to service the machine.  I know I will need new blades on the automatic cutters.  Once the roads are icy and snow covered, I am not apt to make the 62 mile trip if I can avoid it.

  For all the wind that we have had, our Northern Golden Oak has been hanging on to as many of its leaves as possible.  It is the only burst of color in our neighborhood.  When we planted the tree sixteen years ago, many didn’t think it would do well in this part of southern Minnesota.  I can only imagine it must be at least 25′ to 30′.  All I know is that when I stand close to it and try to look up to the top, I all but topple over.  

  Time for supper and pulling together a grocery list.  Tomorrow is a road trip date to Mankato.