Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:58 pm on October 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Bright Sun 

  The day always goes better when there is bright sun . . . even if I spent most of my time in the studio enjoying the sun as it came through the south windows.

  The Bernina site on YouTube got quite a bit of my morning.  I have had my sewing machine and embroidery module for six years and I am still learning.  Learning by seeing and hearing via YouTube is the best.

  This day was spent on making sure that the project set to go under the needle was going to be a “one time and done.”  There was not going to be a practice session of spending three hours of stitching and then feeding the circular file.

  This afternoon with stopping the stitching several times to refill the coffee cup, I can happily say, “Mission Completion.”  The embroidery stitching is complete and now comes the task of deciding how to finish off the project once it comes out of the hoop so it can be handled off to the recipients.  Nah . . . no pillow.  Tomorrow I will scrounge in the closet here in the studio looking for the perfect frame.

  Perhaps by tomorrow’s post, I may have the project to share.

  Now, I am off to the kitchen to think on putting a supper on the table.  There too, I need to get it done right.  I am very aware of the price of groceries being off the rails.  One of our favorite supper meals is chicken tenders.  Yes . . . they are what their name implies.  They are far more tender than the entire breast.  Supper is several hours away but I need to close down shop here in the studio so as to acclimate to life on the first floor of our home.

  Catch you tomorrow!

   
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  Noreen 1:30 pm on October 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Cooler Days 

  For a short time yesterday the sun was out in full force.  The Northern Golden Oak was just that . . . golden.  I planted it when it was a twig of a tree at five feet from the last of the season sale at Pamida store here in town.  The tree now towers and is as straight as an arrow.  I would guess thirty feet.

  There were a number of Black Walnut branches that Dennis picked up due to the strong winds of late.  Those trees are never bashful about dropping off some less than healthy branches.  When I closed my eyes and listened to the howling wind, it could have very well been a blizzard.

  Last weekend Dennis’ grandson AJ brought his bike to our back garage for storage over the winter.  I thought he was busy out in the garage.  Not.  AJ whipped into the basement with a small toolbox under his arm.  Within a few minutes he came upstairs and announced that via a splitter I would now have access to the television tower north of town as well as the Samsung smart television options via the Mediacom router.  For us two old fuddy duddies, we don’t understand the high tech stuff . . . it boggles us.

  I don’t have the television on during the day.  My time is from seven to nine in the evenings.  Upon tweaking what viewing was available, I ran across the 25th anniversary marathon of Midsomer Murders on PBS.  I had missed that program when we gave up cable television.  Thank you AJ.  I am easily entertained with a good mystery.

  My studio is tidy and I am ready for the next embroidery project.  The selection of threads are lined up ready for perhaps a Tuesday’s offering.

  KNUJ has mentioned rain showers for these next days.  It is gray out and not a rain drop to be felt thus far.

  Hamburger patties for supper.  We have not had anything fixed on top of the kitchen range for a long time.  I will be sure to have the horseradish on the table.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on October 23, 2022 Permalink  

  I’m Back 

  What a sweet day . . . I’m back in my studio.  It seems as if it has been forever.

  When Dennis and I went to a great grands 4th birthday party, I had a great visit with brother, third grader Oliver.  I am not sure where he picked up the Pokémon fever.  Apparently he and his classmates have it.  But . . . they can’t bring the trading cards to school.  Too funny.

  At first I thought I had enough Pokémon fabric to make a pillow case.  Not.  I had wanted to try embordering on a cap for some time.  This pushed the envelope.  I only had one cap so there was no practicing.  I had the designs from a quilt I had made for Kersten.  It took me a while to pull out the lettering from a larger design.  I had not realized how little area there is to maintain a flat surface.  Par for the course, I didn’t quite have it as straight across as I would have liked.  I have to remember to keep both eyes open when calculating where the design is going to go.  Hey . . . I did give myself points for centering it.

  I am going to do a cap for Kersten as she is the go-to person for all things Pokémon.

  I am always up for a challenge while learning something along the way.

  I have one additional design for embroidering that I want to do and then it may be time for some straight stitching.

  Now . . . if I had an elf that would come behind me and tidy up the studio.

   
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  Noreen 3:55 pm on October 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Dust Bowl 2022 

  Could the air get any thicker with the harvest dust!

  The farmers in our area have not had one drop of rain since the fields were opened for the 2022 harvest.  It has been go, go, go from the onset.  Our neighbor Randy works for John Deere and I know from watching him walk across his yard to his pickup, he is feeling his 67 years.

  Yesterday when Dennis was finished with his mowing, mulching and bagging, he looked like he had been standing behind one of those huge combines . . . dust from head to foot.  No, I didn’t make him strip before he came in the house, but it was close.  Of course the Asian beetles had globed onto him for the free ride into the house.  I would think that by next weekend the harvest would be history.

  My brother, Calvin, called this afternoon.  Me thinks he is out of sorts and needs someone to visit with.  It’s the least I can do for him.  Fifty minutes of cell phone time . . . I can do that.

  We have a sweet lightweight shop vacuum that has the best suction.  Yesterday I got it set up and I am leaving it plugged in and sitting in the corner of the living room for now.  It is so handy with its long hose that can reach many areas without moving the actual vacuum.  I do have some plans for that sweet little brush attachment and cold air floor registers as well as the two office chairs we use as dining chairs.

  I was just going to head into the studio when one of Dennis’ daughter stopped in.  When the clock on the wall said three thirty as Sandy was leaving,  my creative spirit had left me.  Too much socializing today.  Maybe tomorrow it will be a quiet day here on Stauffer and the threads, fuzz and me will get it together.

  Temps in the low 80s today.  Another good day tomorrow with high winds bringing in a cold front.  So be it.

  I trust everyone will have a great Sunday tomorrow and find the peace that is all understanding.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on October 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Good Day 

  Dennis and I have really made use of this Indian summer day.

  Dennis headed out to the garages.  I saw that he hooked up the rake behind the rider mower.  As Dennis mulched the leaves by mowing, the rake picked them up and added them to the canvas carrier.  Dennis had chose a dump site for the mulched leaves on the far east edge of the acre.

  I was determined to finish tipping in windows in my porch bedroom for the cleaning that was needed.  I had half a bottle of Windex that I filled to the brim with white vinegar.  The solution worked well to give a streak-free cleaning as possible.  I will admit, I am not as fussy as in decades earlier.  I had moved my bed over to the south and gave the woodwork on the north side of the porch some freshening up with Murphy’s woodwork wipes and then did a damp mop on the floor as well.  Having done the south half of the room earlier in the week . . . I am calling the fall cleaning of this special room done.

  At a time past, my bedroom porch was actually an open porch complete with the slanted floor for rain to run off of.  Our living room has a huge 66″ window looking out to the now enclosed porch.  The old glass with its wavy view is classic.  The very top has an insert of a frosted glass landscape.

  When Megan and Nicholas would stay with us as toddlers and they had been tucked in for the night in the bedroom porch, invariably they would get up and stand on the bed and peek back into the living room, leaving finger prints and nose prints.  I never minded the peeking, but no pounding on the glass.  Today as I cleaned that huge window, it brought back many memories of those cherished visits.  I would have given anything to find one last such print.

  When Dennis came in at noon and we had some Herring with cheese and crackers, he commented that with the window washing using vinegar and the lingering scent and now the Herring in wine vinegar, he thought we might just get a head rush.  Nah!  

  Megan did call yesterday from college.  She is going to make a gift for a friend.  She needed some advise on thread and hand embroidery stitching.  I steered her to a YouTube video. This morning, I got a text from Megan that she found the help she needed.  YouTube has the answers on anything for everyone.

  Dennis had made an oven chicken dish for last night’s supper.  Dennis and I have had a very good day.

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on October 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Indian Summer 

  With two killing frosts under the belt . . . here comes the reprieve.  The frosty mornings got our attention to get with the preparedness while we can. 

  Dennis did break out the mower to swipe at some leaves.  I think he decided to wait until he could actually see some results.

  For the last several days I have felt claustrophobic in our first floor living.  Putting something down where I thought it should go, to only pick it up and move it when the item for the intended spot reared its head.  No . . . there is no more physical square footage that is going to appear.  The answer is to sift, sort and eliminate that which I have no emotional attachment to.  Ya, right!  I will deal with this.  I will not carry anything up to the attic.  I will not carry anything into the studio. 

  The problem lies in the closet of the bedroom.  When I put things in the closet after laundry day, my eyes wander.  Kevin put up some wonderful extra shelving over the clothing rods.  Those shelves are now full to capacity.  I am making lists of what is going to go home with a number of people.  Some items have been earmarked decades ago.  Mom, Lena, made a quilt for Carrie and also one for Kevin.  Nothing that would be entered into a quilt show, just miles and miles of hand stitches in scrappy quilts.  I know one of them was started by Grandma Schafer and Lena finished it. 

  Quilts are to be used and abused, the whole while they emit memories of who cared enough to make it.  A quilt does not need to be on a bed to be enjoyed.  Wrapping up in a quilt on a chilly day works, even if the tail ends drag on the floor.  Quilts have been used as wall, window or doorway covers.  I have a quilt made by my grandmother Laura.  It sure does show wear. That only makes it sweeter.   

  With the quality of the fabrics I have used, they will last through wear and tear and also laundry.  The washing machines of today are not as harsh as the old wringer wash machines.   

  I have made quilts for each of the two kids.  One of Kevin’s quilts, he used when we lived at South Branch and somehow it ended up at my home.  Carrie will be receiving a quilt done in my choice of colors.  Kevin’s has a predominate theme of red, white and blue.  Years ago when a quilt was received, there was no thought of “that really isn’t my color theme.”

  I will not make anymore quilts for my two children as there is no need for more.  I don’t plan on ceasing my work with threads and fuzz.  There are some blankets that I have made in using up my stashes that don’t qualify for quilts.  There it is . . . its ready to be used.  I do have two such blankets that will be sent home the next time Dennis’ grandson Ryan comes to help us and also one to grandson AJ as he is always ready to help his grandpa. 

  Having made some decisions with my threads and fuzz stuff, I feel so much better.  Whew! 

  Indian summer will be here for the weekend.

   
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  Noreen 2:46 pm on October 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Quite the Day 

  Maybe, just maybe the harvest is winding down.  So far the concrete trucks are the ones burning up the street in front of our home.

  With a second morning of temps in the teens, Dennis is eying the back yard, willing more leaves from the Oak and Maple trees to fall. 

  I, on the other hand, am planning to get the remaining four windows tipped in and cleaned that are in my bedroom porch.  

  Old fuddie duddies are always on the prowl for the next thing to conquer.  It keeps us out of trouble with our kids.

  Right now, I do not have anything under the needle in the studio.  Plans . . . there’s never a shortage of those. 

  The patio porch kitties have to escape every morning and check out what has dared to infiltrate their yard during the night time hours.  When they realize how brisk it is, they are standing next to the slider doors wanting back in.  They do know how to work the ole cowboy.

  We got a call this morning from the limb and prosthetic lab that the orthotic and shoes are ready for Dennis to pick up next week when they made the appointment for us.  The special orthotic in his shoe will make up for the amount of loss that has occurred in the actual shape of his foot during several surgeries.  Praise be.  It will also help the stability in walking.  Big toes and metatarsals have been given to us for ease in balance . . . plus it looks better as well.

  Daughter Carrie will be flying to Virginia tomorrow for the college’s “family weekend.”  I know Megan and her mom will enjoy all that is planned.  Nick and his dad will be doing a guy weekend.

  Happy hump day everyone!

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on October 18, 2022 Permalink  

  A Sunny Tuesday 

  For once the wind is not so fierce.  The temps in the teens when I awoke were not a surprise.

  Yesterday we had a trip into the Minneapolis suburbs.  It had been years since we had traveled #494 into the depths.  Dennis did comment that our multiple trips to Mankato for doctor appointments was a breeze compared to some we know that feel if you don’t travel to Abbott Northwestern, the care is not sufficient.

  Dennis and I had been talking for some time to look up daughter Carrie’s dress shop that she purchased in November of 2021.  Seeing as how we could also extend birthday wishes to her, it was a good fit.  Since her purchase and up until recently, we had been focused on Dennis’ foot.  Whew . . . so few new appointments for the foot.  Her shop is not very far from South Town, the first major mall in Minneapolis on France Avenue.

  When we arrived, the shop had customers and that did not change for the time we were there.  Surprisingly, Dennis was poking around on the racks and taking it all in.  Yup . . . the ole cowboy was curious.

  We did get home in the late afternoon, non the worse for the wear of dipping our toes into what the metro had to offer.  I didn’t do anything all day but sit, but it wore me out anyway.  A break in our routine here on Stauffer Avenue.  As we shared a late day cup Dennis asked what was on the agenda for a Tuesday.  I peeked at the calendar and couldn’t believe what I was seeing . . . no appointments for the remainder of this week or for the next.  We are gaining!

  This morning I had laundry to tackle and Dennis had an appointment to pick up his friend Dwayne for coffee at McDonalds’s.  I give Dennis credit for getting up and moving to keep up with the rest of the fellows that meet and greet.  Dennis has the social streak that I lack.

  A high of 38 degrees with another day just like this one coming.  That should take care of Dennis’ leaves.

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on October 16, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunday the 16th 

  Here we are and the month is officially half over.  I am quite satisfied for how the year has gone for us.  May all of you reflect and put more things on the plus side than the negative.

  I knew I had wore myself out to a good place yesterday with doing some windows and the area around that portion of my bedroom porch.  I am not sure what Dennis had been up to in his patio porch.  Whatever . . . at eight this morning, as I was coming to, I woke Dennis up as we were expecting company between eight and nine. 

  Dennis’ grandson AJ was coming from Mankato to help with a few things.  AJ is an early riser.  I think Dennis beat him to the patio porch by five minutes.  Too funny.  We now have the large patio umbrella and its cast iron stand in the potting shed.  AJ put an antenna on the east exterior wall of the garage so Dennis can either get the smart Samsung television channels or the channels from the Godahl tower north of town.  AJ showed his grandpa how he can point the antenna with the controls from inside the patio porch in case the wind has its way with it. 

  AJ’s mom stopped in from up the street and the forenoon was time for catch up.  AJ had told his grandpa he needed to be back in Mankato by noon for the football game.  AJ’s girlfriend would have a kettle of chili ready for the first kickoff. We have no idea who is playing.

  I had thought the harvest was far enough along that the grain elevator wouldn’t be open on this Sunday.  Nope, the harvest is on the move.

  Tomorrow Dennis and I are going to be taking care of some errands out of the area.  I know it will be a full day.  I will not be doing a blog post for Monday the 17th.

  If the weather people can be believed, the killing frost is on its way for Monday and Tuesday.  We are ready and may all of you also realize . . . we are at a point of no return.

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on October 15, 2022 Permalink  

  Bright Sun 

  I needed to concentrate on the bright sun and not the strong winds.

  Both Dennis and I slept in this morning until eight.  We had a one hour interruption during the night.  The CPAP machine of Dennis’ had slipped when he turned over in bed and the noise was much like a wounded moose.  I thought it was a great blessing that we could go back to sleep after having been up.  I am so thankful that I do not need to use a CPAP breathing machine.  Dennis has afib which is irregular heartbeats.  When the heart misses a beat and does not start up again, the CPAP machine gives a burst of air to get the heart beating again.  Dennis has been on the machine for about fifteen years.  We take the silent nights with those that may not be so silent. 

  I got my gear and rear going for some window washing.  There are eight exterior windows, two doorways and two windows opening up the porch into the rest of our home in my bedroom porch.  Not much left for wall space.  Dennis washed off the exterior of our home last weekend when it was nice.  Today I wanted to get a start on cleaning the soap scum and hard water droplets off so we can see through them.  The bright sun does quite the job of letting light in, but not seeing through the mess.  I did get four of the exterior windows tipped in and tidied.  Dennis came behind me and got them locked.  It went so well, I was tempted to keep going, but taking it easy on the arms and hands will allow for possibly feeling good enough to do the other four tomorrow. 

  We will have a repeat performance of our oven meal of last night for this evening.  Sweet!

  When I think of how many semi tractor loads of harvest have gone past the house today, that is only from the southeast part of the farming community.  It has been a marathon.  It’s been a dry harvest with no hint of a slowdown with no rain in the forecast.

  Dennis is waiting for a hard freeze so he can harvest his leaves. The strong winds have rearranged quite a few of them that didn’t wait for the frost to knock them loose.