Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2017 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:52 pm on September 8, 2017 Permalink  

  With all the lollygagging around this last week we did get a few items knocked off the “local effort” list. Dennis has new blades on his rider mower. What a relief to know that with maybe just one or two more mowings this fall, it will be ready to go next spring. When the blades are worn they don’t have the same lift for picking the grass up to be cut effectively.

  I have the octagon window done in regard to a bit of scrapping, sanding, priming and painting. I would like to think that this is for several seasons, but it is south facing and time will tell.

  Later this afternoon I sat on the patio thinking I would get a bit of reading in. Reading, if Snuggles didn’t think he had dibs on the lap with a need to rub on the edge of the book. Oh well, sitting and watching clouds go by doesn’t hurt me either. Having Snuggles snuggle in is about the only way I will sit still that long. It’s a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on September 3, 2017 Permalink  

  I stopped in at the Shopko Pharmacy yesterday as we were heading out to a picnic. As I was standing in line, I saw that the flu vaccines were available. One of the qualified gals were available, so I sat down and got that one done. I did not get a flu shot last year, only because I continued to put it off and then there was no vaccine available later on. Other than realizing the arm was a bit sore as the day wore on, there were and are no side effects as some have purported after such a shot.

  Today was a quiet day for us. I spent hours sitting on the patio reading. Dennis checked his eyelids for cracks several times. Snuggles had no problem finding a place to lay on my lap as I turned pages in the book.

  Being this lazy is very much out of character for me. Maybe after being retired for seven and a half years, it is finally sinking in that I can have a day with no local effort. I can’t believe I have said that. I’ll make up for it tomorrow as I did check out the length of the grass on the acre.

   
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  Noreen 4:00 pm on August 28, 2017 Permalink  

  A good day for yard work was had here on Stauffer Avenue.  Dennis on the rider in the east portion of the acre and I had the bagger on the push mower for the front of the yard and around the house. It was rich, lush greenery.  Dennis commented that the mower left tire prints in the sparse areas as rain has not been shy as of late.  That is all I needed to hear.  Out came the bags of various types of grass seed and the spreader.  That area will be allowed to have a pass on any mowing for the remainder of the season.  We hope some of it sprouts for next year’s yard work.  All is good and it will be better after we are cleaned up, with full stomachs and feet up for the day. Gotta love a day such as this.

   
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  Noreen 6:32 pm on August 27, 2017 Permalink  

  Today the convertible came out for a road date. We had no plans. We headed west and turned on various tar roads whether south, west or north. It was interesting to go past the Jefferson Petrocliffs and see all the kids bopping in the grasses and following the paths. Long about mid-afternoon we found ourselves at Hardees in Sleep Eye. For me a cup of coffee and cookies, for Dennis a chocolate shake. Off and on today we noticed the tar surfaces were wet from recent showers. We never rode in rain. When we got home Dennis reported .3 inches in the gauge.

  Nothing tops off the day like tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Dishes are now done and it is patio sitting time. The evenings have been great. Other than an occasional black fly bite I have been very lucky. But man oh man, can those fly bites itch.

  Tomorrow is lawn mowing and trimming day of the acre. The grass is so lush it reminds me of spring. It’s a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on August 25, 2017 Permalink  

  Lofty Aspirations 

  

  Leave it to Snuggle to have lofty aspirations. I was putting quilts on the clothesline for freshening up. Up on the lilac limbs I heard such a clatter. What to my wondering eyes did appear . . . a cat named Snuggles making a bee line for the patio porch roof. With a leap and a bound Snuggles was on the patio umbrella. After checking out all edges of the umbrella and making it twirl in its holder, Snuggles settled in for a long afternoon’s nap on the top vent . . . only on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 4:55 pm on August 19, 2017 Permalink  

  The team on Stauffer is alive and well . . . if not a bit grubby and weary. Today Dennis was in charge of 100% of the mowing of the acre and I was the handy dandy trimmer of all things not able to be reached with the rider mower. During the first battery on the trimmer, all was well. When I swapped out batteries I took a look at the Bridal Wreath Bush. I should never have looked. Black Night Shade vines were everywhere . . . like a huge amount. I began trimming back the bush. By the time I was done the stumps of the bush are maybe 12″ high. Just perfect for next spring’s new growth. Dennis took a break from mowing and he hooked onto the two-wheel trailer. Off to the landfill we went with our load. After a short pickup ride, the trailer was back in the garage, Dennis went back to mowing and I continued trimming the remaining portion of the acre.

  It is now suppertime and when we get the energy to get showered up, the patio time this evening is going to be sweet. The acre looks marvelous. Somewhere in there we will pull something together for supper. It is such a great feeling to work together for a common goal . . . a wonderful spot here on Stauffer Avenue. It does puzzle Dennis when some of his acquaintances remark how bored they are.

   
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  Noreen 3:53 pm on August 18, 2017 Permalink  

  A bit of chit chat and planning while sitting on the patio enjoying coffee. We have the plans in place and the project is ordered for our new basement windows. It is now time to think on getting some landscaping done on the north side of the home where two of the new windows face. It is unfortunate that the air conditioner is outside the northwest window. It is what it is and the window fellow said they have faced worse challenges. The northwest window is sitting on ground level . . . and I mean “right on.”

  With the latest news that our favorite lumberyard is closing and getting ready for an auction, and I believe all their locations in this southern part of Minnesota, we mauled it over. We made a trip to Lowe’s today.

  In the history of Stauffer Avenue I think Dennis and I made history. We have done four, let me repeat, four road trips within one week. I think the little red pickup must be on some awfully high octane fuel and wants to go, go, go. Hmm, that being said, I should check Dennis’ prescriptions. Perhaps it is him and not the little red pickup that has gotten the “go.”

  I digress. We measured once, we measured twice and we now have on hand what we will need for the landscaping project on the north side of the house. In particular, we have the window well foundation item and also the clear vinyl cover for it. Neither of these can be installed until after the window is in, but we are prepared. Some dirt work is in our plans. Moving dirt back from the foundation and making it all pretty. We’ve got this.

   
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  Noreen 2:05 pm on August 10, 2017 Permalink  

  A Replacement 

  

  Prickly Pear Cactus do have beautiful blossoms. They don’t last very long. The stickers, on the other hand, become a very long drawn out process should you brush the greenery and get them in your hand. Even a garden hose that happens to brush them will retain the fine whisker-like, small stickers that can be felt, but are hard to see.

  

  Last fall we dug out the cactus and this spring we put in 8 plants of Moss Roses. The blooms are continuous and the greenery does not leave a lasting effect when touched. I am hoping that the beauties will drop a lot of seeds. Next spring I will keep a vigilant watch in the hope that they have self-seeded. The exchange . . . a very good thing.

   

   
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  Noreen 5:07 pm on August 8, 2017 Permalink  

  Well dang! The older ones on Stauffer did hit the “local effort” today.  The estimator for the new basement windows was here this morning and we got the lowdown. The windows were ordered on the spot. The company is “Complete Basements” from Mankato. They are the company that has allowed us to have additional square footage of usable basement utility much the same as if our home was of a split level dwelling.

  A bit of lunch and Dennis was off to get the acre mowed. I went down into the basement and began preparing for the window project. Though there is a four to six week installation date . . . why put off what is needed. I had clear instructions on what would make the installers able to work on the project. We have not had bare south and north walls in our basement . . . forever.  I have retained my cutting tables and my sewing machine area free of extra stuff. What’s a Grammie to do if some indulgence can’t be enjoyed.

  Going towards suppertime Dennis has a manicured acre to be proud of. Grant it, this time of year, some grass is dormant and some is soft and long.  It matters not, Dennis did it up in great stead.  The “local effort” was obtained in total today.  Tomorrow there won’t be any time spent on looking for more of the same. Yippee!

   
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  Noreen 6:01 pm on August 7, 2017 Permalink  

  It Tells the Whole Story 

  

  Snuggles in the crook of our Maple Tree tells the entire story of Stauffer Avenue on this great August day. With the west-setting sun shining on the tree, a white cat caught on a photo can be a challenge. A pleasant sit on the patio after supper is a very good thing. It seems that each day we can log in “local effort” here on Stauffer. It might be that my eyesight is more than 20/20. I may always see more that could be done each day, but I also know when I need to zip it as well. Saving some of that “local effort” for another day . . . God willing.