Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from May, 2018 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:54 pm on May 6, 2018 Permalink  

  A sure way to take a day of rest is . . . get the heck off of Stauffer Avenue. We have been waiting for Dennis’ nephew, “Mr. Crete,” to do a bit of work for us so we have stayed pretty close to home. When family agrees to help out the last thing that is appreciated is not being accessible. Brett ran into a glitch with his schedule. Not to worry from our end. We have done our prep work and ever he gets to Stauffer Avenue we will be here to ramrod the job.

  So . . . we ran away from home and off to Mankato we went. Great Clips has been doing a good job on our haircuts. We stop in there as soon as we arrive at Mankato, find out what time we need to be back for our appointment and off we go to do errands. Dennis drives and I am the “go to” person to hop out and do the business.

  I will admit Dennis and I are spoiled. I have gotten on in years and make sure of where my feet are to prevent falling. The last thing I will do is run for a phone call when we know we are expecting one. We have indulged in wireless phones that need to set on a cradle to recharge . . . if the batteries are healthy enough to hold a charge. It was time we bought new batteries for them, Batteries and Bulbs were our first purchase. Doing one phone at a time to allow them to charge won’t be a problem.

  The Koi have adjusted to the outside pond and they were eating like crazy to make up for being dormant all winter. Pet Expo was doing a promotion and with Koi food purchase a box of Aunt Annie’s cookies were given. That is never a bad freebie.

  Jiffy Lube parking lot looked like it was swamped but we were wiling to wait. Jiffy Lube as been taking care of Dennis’ pickup since he has had it. Great service. Apparently the next door shop of Anytime Sports was hogging the parking area and we were able to drive in for the grease job and oil change. Check that off for another 3,000 miles.

  Our treat to ourselves is the new patio umbrella that we purchased at Lowe’s today. The old one was fourteen years old and the ribs of it were wood as well as the pole and neither were feeling their oats any longer. In fact it was sacrificed late last fall in a bonfire. The new one is also the 11′ that we had had but it is aluminum with a crank out for lowering and raising. It should be easy peasy.

  Coming home felt good. We had had quite the workout. Oh, by the way . . . our heads feel so much lighter after great haircuts. Dennis’ Korean cap even fits better.

   
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  Noreen 3:42 pm on May 3, 2018 Permalink  

  Window washing is quite rewarding. All the grit and grime can be a downer when you want to see spring . . . spring. Dennis’ patio porch has three sliders. If it were not for having the fourth side being part of his little red pickup garage, it might also have sported a slider. I didn’t get those slider windows washed last fall. The nitty gritty is that when I look out of our east house window, it gives me a good feeling to see Dennis in his rocking chair in the patio porch. Just saying . . . keeping tabs on him doesn’t hurt. The inside of the windows were just as dirty as the outside.

  Picture this: four cats finding lazy flies on the slider windows just aching to be pounced upon. The height that paw prints were seen was amazing. Plus, a winter of the ole cowboy smoking in the patio porch . . . Yup . . . you got it.

  Before I put the cart before the horse, I sat on the patio and thought this through. The aggregate patio surrounds the patio porch. Man, oh man, there was a lot of winter grit, soppy leaves and twigs that had been blown during the strong winter winds. The best bet was to get the garden hose out and the broom and take care of the patio. Without fail, I might have gotten the sliders washed then realized how badly the patio needed a cleaning and there would go the muddy splatter onto the clean windows.

  By the time Dennis came out after his forenoon nap, I was sitting and relaxing on a clean patio. From many springs of the past, I knew I would be fighting hard water window spots. How could Kevin have known that the Turbo Foam Lime-A-Way that he had brought along on Easter Sunday would be a great addition to the slider window cleaning. I am not saying the windows are streak free, but by golly there are no water spots.

  I think Kevin had remembered last Thanksgiving when he was doing a window I couldn’t reach. Windex didn’t touch the water spots. CLR didn’t touch the water spots. A little dab will do you of Lime-A-Way. The Turbo Foam will also come in handy to spray on the shower nozzle from time to time. It doesn’t matter that we have a Culligan softener on board, crusty stuff does appear.

  Before starting supper, I checked. I can look out the east window of the bathroom and see through the west slider windows to the point of seeing through the east windows and see most of the acre to the east. if I could only wiggle my nose and have the house windows done. That will be for another day.

   
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  Noreen 2:42 pm on May 2, 2018 Permalink  

  — And Here is the Nasty 

  

  This is the nasty perennial that is related to the Chive plant. It will sprout a blossom stem. It is totally uncontrollable. Now that I have the planter cleaned up, it would not surprise us that there may have been some that will sprout next year. I will be ready for them. Now that we have the acre raked, there will be a trip to Fleet and Farm for Roundup. I will cover my Hosta, Bleeding Heart, etc with a pail and then spray around the good plants to try to kill off ALL those that have invaded and think they can settle in for expansion.

   
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  Noreen 4:21 pm on May 1, 2018 Permalink  

  The Big Dig of the Day 

  How could it be that the raised bed right outside the east end of our home was done 20 years ago.  That may very well explain how the south end of it had sunk a bit from not having the correct down spout on for rains.  Today started out as me sitting on the patio and looking at it.  The jewel of the planter was a rather large Fern Peony that was poking through quite nicely.  Over the years, I had been fighting a self-seeding perennial that is an offspring of the chive plant.  It is the first thing out of the ground in the spring and comes back ten fold from the previous year.  Pretty but invasive.  The longer I sat and looked at the lopsided planter and all the nasty perennials taking over I decided enough was enough.

  

  We have been advised to build up the slope of the landscape on the north side of the house foundation as it goes out to the north grass.  Well shucky darn . . . today may be a good day to begin that project.  Out came my little red wheelbarrow and the dirt began to fly.  The nasty perennials were thick and their roots were deeper than I had imagined.  I began digging down deep and getting rid of that soil as to get as much of the nasty’s out as possible. When Dennis saw me tipping out the concrete pavers to get a better perspective for digging . . . he disappeared.  Dennis had decided it would be a good day to clean the patio porch.  Hey, I love getting multiple tasks done in a day.

  The three hosta that were in the planter were dug out and set in pails of water.  It was the only way to wash the roots and pick out the nasty perennial bulbs.  The north side of the house got a fair amount of soil to begin that project.  I made sure not to disturb the Fern Peony’s roots.  Dennis got his pickup out and we were on our way to Fleet and Farm.  We bought 12 bags of the Ace brand garden soil to fill the planter.  It was time it had a fresh start.  The Ace brand was almost $4.00 less per bag than the Miracle Grow brand.  Both touted having fertilizer additives to their garden soil.

  

  As the project went on, I got out the four foot level.  With the wall of pavers having been brought up to snuff, and adding the new garden soil, it began looking like a good end to a good day’s work.  The hosta got plunked into their spaces with a nice covering of clean soil as they were not yet ready to have their tender spikes exposed to the elements.   It was more work than I had bargained for today.  Once the project started, I knew I wouldn’t quit until it was done.  Leaving projects such as this to be finished at another time, only begs for me being crabby about having to go back and get dirty all over again.

  As it was . . .  it was the first day of wearing my new shoes for outside work and they needed cleaning, my shirt got put into a soaking tub as I had gotten muddy washing hosta roots, and my glasses were specked with mud.  I do throw myself into these projects . . . full bore.  What a wonderful feeling . . . the planter is done and . . . Dennis’ patio porch is spick and span and supper is going to be chicken brats and frozen waffles.  Sweet!  You can betcha that the extension of the down spout will be on before this day is over.  It was Dad’s favorite saying: “You don’t have time to do it right . . . but you always have time to do it over.”

   
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  Noreen 4:10 pm on April 30, 2018 Permalink  

  By all accounts we intended to sleep in this morning. Sun is bright, birds are happily chirping, Monday morning traffic . . . it’s all there to keep us on track. Coffee sure tasted good this morning.

  The Koi are in the pond doing laps and enjoying being out of the horse tank in the garage. We have seven Koi starting out this spring. We did loose one over the winter months. Dennis popped in some food sticks after a bit and surprisingly they were chowing down. So much for being dormant. The removal of the horse tank from the garage brought on a bit of cleaning in the car garage. We literally scratched the surface of what is needed to tidy up. Dang . . . that “tidy bit” gets Dennis in more trouble than not. On the bright side, I would never not help.

  I had called the city office this morning and left a message for the head of the street department. I wanted to visit with Ray Hector as I heard he was retiring this June. We have a good history. Ray was over within the hour. My concern was Stauffer Alley. They continue hauling on surface products . . . this concerns me. About 15 years ago we had both garages jacked up and had an additional 15″ block put down on what was already in place. On the south side, I can now see 2 inches of the 15″ block showing. Ray smiled when he got out of the city pickup. Yup, he knew what my concern was before I could make small talk.

  Stauffer Avenue is on the schedule for a re-do. I don’t know all the details, but I was assured it would be better than what we have now. He also verbally noted that he saw I had had to dig out dirt to get my potting shed door open. It does serve one well if those sensitive topics are taken one slow step at a time.

  The day went well and we pulled out more patio chairs. The patio on the east side of the patio porch and the patio that is on the west of the patio porch . . . hey, we need chairs where we can enjoy what the day brings, but not in the bright full sun.

   
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  Noreen 4:27 pm on April 28, 2018 Permalink  

  We lucked out on a great day. No wind! Neighbor Bob is an over-the-road trucker and his route never has him home over the weekend. Bob also has a rather large fire ring that he allows us to use . . . as long as we keep it tidy around it when we are finished using it. Use it we did. An acre that endured countless horrific winds was showing a bit of anything and everything that could be burned. Today this seemed a better alternative than using the rider mower and doing the continual mulching.

  The six tall evergreens on the far east end of the acre had lost quite a few boughs. They were the no brainer to add to the fire periodically to keep the multiple plastic garbage barrels of leaves burning. Dennis tended the fire, dumped the barrels and I continued to fill the barrels with leaves from the windrows I had raked together yesterday. When I had raked there were quite a few pine cones that came with and when they hit the heat . . . it was pop, pop, pop.

  Here we are at supper time. Though our butts are dragging, we are finished with spring cleanup on the acre.

  Dennis had one last item to close the list of “to do.” We are making a trip north tomorrow to pick up a construction item. Out of the back garage came the two wheel trailer. At a time back it was a trailer for a defunct fiberglass boat. Dennis had the foresight to ditch the boat, find a piece of steel that was 4′ by 10′ and we now have a two wheel trailer that has high utility. The side boards that Dennis fathomed are a bit rough, but do the job. Dennis made sure to replace the wheel bearings as the trailer had no doubt been in water numerous times. Off Dennis went this late afternoon to the gas station and checked the tires.

  We are closing this great day with frozen waffles topped with Ready Whip and organic Maple syrup with a side of Jimmy Dean frozen pre-cooked sausages. Sounded like a great quick meal and leave the guilt behind.

   
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  Noreen 2:59 pm on April 27, 2018 Permalink  

  In the wink of an eye, we have gone from blizzard winds to dust bowl winds. Dennis and I worked outside today until 1:30 and then took cover. The hard surface streets have enough grit on them from winter to make your face prickle when the winds are at 20 MPH. A good spring rain would take care of that irritant.

  We have some lilac branches that gave way under the weight of snow. Our lilacs are ancient and have gnarled branches with some hollowing. As it was, we needed to prune a few additional back for a project that we have coming up. The pruning gave way to raking and then brought to eyesight the amount of sod that the snow plow had pushed when it pushed snow on Stauffer Avenue. Stauffer Avenue is a dedicated 10′ gravel alley than has morphed into more like 15′.

  Before I realized it, Dennis had the small sump pump out and was empting the Koi pond of snow melt. Out came his snowmobile boots and he was in the pond clearing it of leaves, branches and other winter related leftovers. I had not mentioned the Koi pond as I didn’t know how Dennis was feeling about maintaining it for another season. He is apparently up for it and I know the Koi wouldn’t mind getting out of the horse tank that they have been in for the entire winter. Once the city water that we will be filling the Koi pond with has a chance to dissipate any chlorine, Dennis may very well be dipping the Koi from the horse tank tomorrow. I know Dennis lost one of the older Koi this winter and I couldn’t tell you right now how many are remaining . . . perhaps 7.

  Tomorrow Dennis plans on getting the riding mower out and chopping the leaves that I have raked out from under the lilacs and put into windrows out in the open lawn. They are too many to bag and burning is not an option. He may have less to mulch than he thought as the north wind is strong and taking a few far, far away. We have a huge Maple tree and our neighbor Randy has a huge Oak. The leaves that I raked out were matted, thick and heavy. The soil needs to get some air. For me it was reminiscent of cleaning calf pens on the farm. Layer by layer is the only way to go, peeling the layers of manure, or in this case, leaves.

  We have had a great day and have decided to have a treat for supper dessert . . . rice pudding. Yup, it’s a sweet life here on Stauffer Avenue. Both Dennis and I might be a bit sore after today, but then the personal satisfaction far exceeds that.

   
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  Noreen 5:13 pm on April 19, 2018 Permalink  

  Yesterday I spoke to the health of my spirit. Something today sparked memories of Dad and his spirit. He had a drive that was amazing. Dad helped Orlin and I have a start in farming at a time when we were working as hired farm hands for Orlin’s sister in the North Redwood area. Dad took Orlin under his wing and before long Orlin was milking cows all the while Dad and Orlin worked on bringing the dairy barn up to speed with concrete and lumber. A decade or so later, Dad was helping Orlin put in pits and slates for raising finishing hogs. Driving an hour or better one way didn’t slow Dad down. He was energetic and enthused to help.

  A time later Dad was a help taking printing equipment apart and relocating it into the very barn where there had been pits and slats. Never backing away from something that Dad had no idea how the end project would operate or work. Dad did have a great ability of vision and logic. How I loved that man.

  Shortly before his passing, Dad and Mom were in St. James with the tandem truck trimming evergreens that were sweeping the earth below them. The boughs were trimmed and taken away. The yard was able to dry out with the breezes and winds moving right on through. To this day when I hear the boughs whisper as the winds and breezes move through, I think of Dad. How could I not.

  Soon I will be out in that very yard getting dirty and clearing the clutter the winter has left. Hard work outside is good for the soul and spirit. What else will be cleared of the excess winter clutter are some of the memories of then. I keep my self busy with winter fuzz and thread work. It allows the mind to ruminate. That is not a bad thing but the soul and spirit have room to make additional new memories as I plow through the spring yard work.

   
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  Noreen 4:13 pm on April 8, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Brett, Kersten ( 6 )   

  The fallen snow is quite beautiful on the evergreen boughs . . . again. The concrete is staying clear as the snow falls. It may be cold, it may be snowing, but the sun is up there in the hiding in the clouds and it will not be shunned. These “indoor” days are being taken advantage of in the sewing studio.

  Each spring I have second thoughts about how many of the flower gardens I will tend to. My gut tells me to put them into grass seed. The spirit that controls the gut usually has me out there with the Mantis tiller as soon as the ground is dry enough. There seems to be plenty of time for this debate to continue.

  I am cranking out some awesome stitching that can be comparable to Kersten’s Pokémon quilt. I continue using up plaid flannel scraps and making great use of the quilt batting scraps that nephew Brett passed along as each block already has the batting in place. I will get some photos going for the near future. As each design is anywhere between 55,000 and 68,000 stitches, when the last stitch is done and I can retire the last spool of thread back in the cabinet, I am ready to climb those steps and take part in the ground level portion of our home.

   
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  Noreen 3:47 pm on March 31, 2018 Permalink  

  Oh my gosh! It’s so cold outside with a raw wind that could most likely be causing the spring song birds to hide. It also happens to be my birthday today. That, however, does not give a pass to what needs to be addressed. I went out to check on the huge branch of the deep purple lilac that has been twisted to the point of almost detachment. When I turned to go back around to the driveway, I realized the huge collection of water around the sump pump as it egresses the house next to the house foundation. That was not suppose to be there. The underground line that the sump pump is attached to was frozen to the point that the water had no where to go but pump out onto the yard.

  I snapped a photo of the sump pump area and sent it with a text to Complete Basements . . . “is this going to cause a problem that I can’t see at this time?” I soon got a return call. The proximity of the sump pump to the new basement window and the window well is less than two feet . . . “yes it could be a concern if the window well fills to the point that the basement window would allow water to run down into and down the interior basement wall.” Shucky darn! Dennis and I managed to hack a spot through the ice-covered yard area where the sump pump drain surfaces. Dennis went to Fleet and Farm for a bag of salt to be emptied on the surface of the drain. I decided my yard was not as important as my sewing studio. I did the ole farmer, Raymond Wendlant, solution. I begin digging a trench to take the water away from the foundation of the house and sump pump and allow it to run to the north. Thankfully there is a slight incline. I could have used a pickax but made good use of our ax to break through the ice layer until I hit soft dirt.

  We have had a winter of having no snow cover – to having rain with extreme cold temperatures allowing a layer of ice that was then covered with 11 inches of heavy snow. The surface of the yard on the north side of the house is as hard as a rock. It is very easy to see how this freezing of the drain line has frozen. It is the first time in twelve years of having the sump pump installed. Monday I will be contacting Complete Basements with the question as to why there cannot be a rubber boot in place where the sump pump PVC pipe comes to the surface to allow for a temporary dis-connect to the under ground and allow for a secondary hose to be attached.

  We are about to put together my “Happy Birthday supper.” As we are pooped, it may well be fried eggs and Spam with toast. It is still a wonderful day for my 74th birthday. Logic and stamina pull through to get through some tough challenges.