Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from August, 2016 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 4:03 am on August 30, 2016 Permalink  

  Lord a mighty! The mosquitoes rule! Dennis did douse me good with spray, but they totally ignored it. The weekly mowing is bound to stop once we have a killing frost.

  One of the Watson boys stopped in today. We had him adjust the fan on the furnace and AC from “high” to “medium high.” As I am getting supper started, I can already tell that the volume on the television doesn’t need to be increased due to the air conditioner kicking in. It will be much similar when the furnace is needed. Our 720 square foot home is equipped with a great Lennox unit. Burke did mention that a newer home with the same unit would have physically larger duct work throughout the home and more registers, thus the fan blower would not be so noticeable. Just like always, the Watson boys give great service.

   
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  Noreen 4:24 am on August 23, 2016 Permalink  

  This early afternoon was the last of my gardening due to the humidity and warm temperatures. There was so much of the Nightshade weed that was just getting a good start in the gardens. I have to confess that one of the small trellises that can’t grow a flowering vine to save its soul does have a flourish of the Nightshade weed that is in full bloom with little purple flowers and now also sporting little red berries. Hey, it’s green, has flowers and I know in a heart beat I can pull it up. With all the rain that we have had, it has been easy to get into the gardens and pull up all sorts of things by their roots. The latest days have had Maple, Black Walnut, Poplar, Oak and Elm trees in heights of six inches and shorter pulled up by their roots. I can easily see how areas are covered in foliage in short order. My finger nails are clean and I am on to contriving some items with the computer and printer. Believe me, having dirty finger nails comes easily to me. Not so much, though, the coordination of text and photos into a completed printed outcome.

   
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  Noreen 4:00 am on August 22, 2016 Permalink  

  This was what I was waiting for! A cool crisp morning, low humidity and no biting bugs. I spent a good eight hours out in the yards today. Dennis had had a rough night with little rest. With his favorite blanket in tow he opted for his recliner after breakfast. I wanted to keep the house quiet for him to rest. Not to worry, I had Butter Ball and Snuggles for moral support. We started in the far east garden taking out everything from volunteer trees to spent Hollyhock stalks. We kept navigating towards the west until we reached the patio for a break.

  In the early afternoon Dennis got the lawnmowers geared up. The lawns are so lush for this time of August. Having had a large amount of rain, it’s hard to believe how dirty one can get mowing grass. Actually, it’s not the grass that is harboring the dirt, it’s the dry pine needles and such that needs to be run over with the mower to get at the grass.

  At the day’s end, we are showered up, and the stomachs are content with the fare of a cold salad and buttered bread for an early supper. Dennis is back in his recliner and I am going to do a bit of sofa duty myself.

   
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  Noreen 3:59 am on August 17, 2016 Permalink  

  Full Potential 

  

  I have been watching this stalk of Hollyhock for some time. Now this is the ultimate in being at its full potential. The plume grass that is just setting its plume in the forefront of this photo is five feet tall. This marvelous white Hollyhock has given me pause as it was determined to stretch far and beyond. Just the sheer weight of the stalk defies its ability to stand so straight and tall given all the winds and rains that we have had.  What is “My” full potential at any given time? Do I really stretch myself to the max? This is the very last bloom on this Hollyhock stalk. I think I have quite a ways to go before I can claim my “full potential.”  So . . . I tell myself to stand up straight and tall and take what each day brings so my bloom will remain at its best.

   
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  Noreen 4:04 am on August 7, 2016 Permalink  

  Another great day of breezes, sunshine and the dew point is down. Dennis and I are on the down side of this Saturday. The acre is manicured and trimmed and the two-wheel trailer that has been collecting branches from the summer’s wind storm is now empty. For the sum of one dollar the compost site takes care of what is brought out.

  Great granddaughter Lux stayed with me earlier this morning. I was just about to have breakfast when her grandma Sandy needed to take care of some things. A wee one, not yet two, enjoys being with us. Sitting on my left leg, Lux enjoyed picking the blue berries off of the top of my bowl. If by chance she picked one up that had a smudge of yoget on it, that one went back in the bowl. We had a good breakfast. After all, what’s family for if not to pitch in when needed.

  It is time to clean up as the dirt in the grass was nasty. I am already tasting the creamed cucumbers that are chilling in the refrigerator. Small boiled potatoes with the skins on will soak up the sauce and it will Schmeckt gut (taste good).

  I hope everyone is as content and peaceful as I am. Stauffer Avenue is my heaven . . . enjoy your heaven.

   
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  Noreen 1:38 am on July 27, 2016 Permalink  

  Giving In 

  

  After too many days of hot humid weather,
  Snuggles and Harriet have given up exploring and are content to chill.
  I have no doubt the soil feels cool to their tummies.

   
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  Noreen 3:45 am on July 25, 2016 Permalink  

  We had to seize the day and get the acre mowed. The grass was long and it did not want to dry. Earlier there had been a breeze, and for the most part, the biting bugs didn’t bother. Dennis headed for the backyards while the push mower with the bagger attached and I did the area around the house and the front yard. There were mowers humming all around town. It was the nicest day in quite a few as far as temps and humidity.

  Dennis looked as if he had moss growing on him by the time he was done mowing. Using a strap he kept the shield up as to allow the grass to fly as far as possible from the mower deck. Yup, it did. Up and away and back on Dennis. The cut grass did windrow to some degree. Hopefully a brisk wind will take some of it farther down the way after it has a chance to dry. It’s been a very active year for the mowers.

  We stirred up a cold spam and pasta salad for supper. This will take the last crust out of Dennis’ beloved bread wrapper. Boo Hoo.

   
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  Noreen 4:12 am on July 18, 2016 Permalink  

  Old Hands 

  Dennis and I literally have old hands that arthritis and neuropathy have had their way with.  The better part of it is that we are old hands when it comes to rainfalls that change the landscape.  This six inch rainfall followed two recent rains that totaled six inches.  Muck hardly describes the backyard.  After that earlier rainfall Dennis and I decided the put a bit of a trench beside the patio, just in case.  It sure didn’t have to be tried out in two days.  Dennis and I have been vigilant in keeping hearth and home tidy and safe.  Mother Nature can’t be denied.  Dennis puts a different spin on the season of bad weather throughout the nation: God is mad.  Dennis may very well have something there.  All is well on Stauffer, just a few spots left to dry out in the cistern closets.

  In between time Roger, yes we did name him, the Moose got a second coat of the water seal.  From there Dennis lent me a hand in the sewing studio.  I am working with a product that is a basting spray when quilts are sandwiched.  It  should mean no more pins.  I have watched every YouTube video out there.  Time will tell.  We only did the backing of the quilt and the batting.  Time out.  There is always another day to get a fresh start.

   
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  Noreen 4:28 am on July 17, 2016 Permalink  

  Believe it or not . . . we are taking it a bit easy today. I don’t know about Dennis, but I won’t be signing up for any ditch digging anytime soon. The will is on hand, the want is on hand and leave it to the body to bring you up short the day after.

  Thursday of this week we were able to do a bang up job of sanding Michael’s Moose. I suppose we should find a name for him. This morning Overson Lumber sold me a container of the Thompson Water Seal product. By the time I got home Dennis had the “Moose on the Trailer” at the far east patio ready for the Moose to get his first coat of niceness. The Cedar did not disappoint. Beautiful. Lots of areas that needed to be coated, driving home all that Michael had done to get everything just right. Twenty four hours is recommended in between coats of the water seal. Back into the potting shed until tomorrow.

  Dennis continued to monitor our area of lawn that is getting a boost via a portable sump pump to get the water out to the curb. Ideally the water from the sump pump in our basement would travel underground to the area in the lawn for it to be absorbed into the soil in that area. With all the rain that water just made a nice pond. I think he is gaining.

  I have my sewing machine tore apart to give it a good cleaning and oiling. I was just about to take this last sewing project out from under the needle when the display screen began going though the tutorial of the cleaning and oiling. I am saving that project for after supper . . . or maybe tomorrow. I an assure you not one more stitch will be taken until the machine gives it the go-ahead. I just love technology.

   
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  Noreen 4:20 am on July 15, 2016 Permalink  

  A Surprise 

  Via my brother Michael, we have a new addition for the patio. Last Thursday Michael and JoAnn stopped in on their way to see their daughter, Michaela, farther down the pike. The power company that has lines on Michael’s farm has been replacing poles. Michael has been snagging some of those Cedar poles for projects. I am sure his sawmill, wood planer plus more tools than I can imagine went into this Moose that Michael brought for Dennis and me. Today was a perfect day to spend on the patio to sand this treasure. It did take a lot of sanding. Dennis and I worked on it for the majority of the day. This fellow will be rolled into the potting shed until we get Thompson Water Seal home to finish the project. JoAnn said she gave her Moose three coats. Sounds like good advice.  We will enjoy him until this fall and then he will be shedded in the potting shed out of wet winter weather.

  What makes this gift from Michael very special to me is that Michael has had a great year, free of Pancreatic Cancer.  He just had a check up this last month.  Michael is working on getting his physical strength back and this Moose speaks volumes towards that.  JoAnn is enjoying her first years as a retired surgical nurse.  I know if it had not been for the ever vigilant JoAnn, Mike would not be here today.  Dennis and I will so enjoy adding Michael’s Moose to our patio.