Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:31 pm on September 13, 2022 Permalink  

  Summer’s Back 

  With not the heat that was predicted, the sun still has power.

  I surely do enjoy my walking crutches.  The stability of the cuffs that hold the upper arm plus the hand holds . . . sweet.  Walking and doing the peddle exercises, hopefully a bit more strength than before. 

  We did get a letter from our family doctor in regard to Dennis’ nerve conduction study of yesterday.  Dennis does have a pinched nerve stemming from the elbow of the right arm.  I looked up the medical term within the letter on the internet.  If rest does not help, there is a surgical procedure.  Dennis said until the wound on his left foot is totally healed, he is not looking to do anything about his right arm.  He feels the arm situation has been going on since March, it can wait a bit longer.  If nothing else, my skills as a nurse needs to have a break.  I agree.

  Tomorrow the alarm will be set for six in the morning again and we will be meeting a cardiologist in the heart center in Mankato.  Truth to tell, I have not spoken to a doctor in regard to my heart since I was released to Kersten and Kevin after the heart surgery in June of 2021.  One on one, I do have some questions and I will be interested in what the esophageal scan reveled that I had last month.  How do I feel physically?  I think other than not having as much energy as I think I should have . . . all is good.  Recovery from a surgical procedure passes in time.  There is no recovery from what a stroke takes from one.

  Dennis had coffee with the fellows at McDonald’s and came home with some around the town news.

  My news was that after the appointment tomorrow morning, we can motor on to St. Peter to pick up dad’s clock from It’s About Time.  Dennis is going to take his old pocket watch along for a look-see.  Neither one of us likes to let go of items we have an emotional attachment to.

  I stitched a bit and ironed seams.  A total of twelve quilt blocks require one more 2.5″ strip to be added to them.  It will be interesting as to what layout I will choose.  Neighbor Jan stopped in Sunday afternoon and wanted to see what I had been working on.  The fact that the log cabin block could be so versatile was amazing to someone that does not own a sewing machine.

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on September 12, 2022 Permalink  

  Chilly at 48 Degrees 

  It was a nipper this morning with the promise it would warm.  Here we are mid afternoon in the mid 70s.

  Us two road warriors were home by 1:00 this afternoon after Dennis hit 100 at a back to back appointment.  The wound doctor is happy with Dennis’ foot.  Back on October 13th.  These appointments are getting farther and farther apart.  Sweet.  This appointment being set today was marring what had been a clean slate for October.  Let’s just get this stuff done before snow and ice season.

  Dennis had no idea what a nerve conduction test was and I was not about to scare him off.  I had such a test prior to one of my shoulder replacements.  The amount of voltage or wattage that is used to measure how well nerves serve a limb is unknown to me.  I do know that when a resting limb shoots straight up in the air . . . it is felt.  With the arm being less over this summer, it sure has not kept Dennis from his planned activities and it won’t going forward.  Dennis just wanted to know.  When our family doctor receives the results, then Dennis will also know.

  I awoke at 4:30 this morning to pay a visit to the bathroom.  When all was said and done, I cancelled the cell phone alarm, started the coffee pot as well as a load of laundry.  Nine o’clock bedtime will feel wonderful tonight.  Dennis and I both have the day free tomorrow. 

  I have not started a doggone thing this afternoon.  Tomorrow will be soon enough.

  What I have begun, is to text Megan a greeting once a week while she is at college in Virginia.  Thus far, the return texts have been pretty special.  Nicholas, starting ninth grade high school, has also been hearing from me weekly.  Religion, thus far, is his favorite subject.  His text messages are also well received.  Who are these young adults!  Just yesterday they begged for “just one more story.”

  Time slips by so quickly.  I never thought the day would ever come when Lena and I would not be visiting while we each were viewing Wheel of Fortune.  Dad would call me at the office at times when Lena was at Ladies Aide.  There was never anything on the top of my desk that couldn’t wait for a bit.  Such sweet memories.  I thought I had all the time in the world.

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on September 11, 2022 Permalink  

  9/11/2022 

  I can only imagine the news coverage on this the 9/11 anniversary.  I have opted to enjoy the KNUJ radio.

  Dennis is relaxing in the patio porch and catching a nap off and on.  It has been quite the week here on Stauffer Avenue.  Dennis ram rodded it well.  With three implement trailers full of limbs that needed to be removed and just as many trips to Mankato for medical appointments . . . a day to kick back was warranted.  Yes . . . I experienced the same week.  I believe I can plan and remember the calendar a bit better for us to cover all bases.

  Sundays are my times to take my walk on the concrete street that runs in front of our home.  The thoroughfare for heavy traffic the other six days of the week, Grammie needs to stay out of the way.  The air was brisk this morning and I enjoyed every step of it.

  All has gone well in the studio today.  This latest project I have dubbed my purple phase.  Other than one mishap with the shears, I have not had to pick out a single stitch that has gone astray.  Sweet.  Curiosity got the best of me.  I had been using the assembly line technique until today.  I wanted twelve blocks totally completed so I could put them into a semblance of how they would look when stitched together.  The remaining blocks do need the last of the dark purple stitched to them.  That may be for another day.  This pattern called Log Cabin could be stitched with strips as narrow as an inch or the option I used was 2.5 inch in width, which is the usual.  My finished block is 14″ and to join them, I will use a 1/4″ seam.  The block could continue with more colors added of light and dark.  A round and a round it could go.  

  The book of Lena’s I am using has many different configurations on how these blocks can be joined.  I took a photo of two pages but there were just as many illustrated on three more pages.  I could continue cutting strips of every color under the rainbow and not ever have two quilt tops identical.  As I had mentioned before this booklet is titled “Quilt in a Day.”  As a retired stitcher, I have not kept track of my time in the studio.

  A quiet day calls for a soup and sandwich supper.  Again, I will set my cell phone alarm for six tomorrow morning.  The Mankato appointment is for 9:30 at the wound specialist and then Dennis has a double hitter at 10:45 at the specialty clinic for a nerve conduction test for his right arm.  I have never heard of a stroke just hitting the arm from the elbow down, but . . . time will tell.  Dennis has been fighting and working his right arm to build strength to no avail.  I remember the day in spring when he bent down and used his right arm with the brush to push some grass clippings into the dust pan.  Dennis stood, holding the dust pan and brush in his right hand heading to the kitchen waste basket.  Before he got to his target, his right arm dropped with all it was holding.  This nerve conduction test has been prescribed for a long time.  I agree with Dennis, finding out what gives, and then it can be accepted.  Life and its mysteries.  Esther Schafer, the kid’s paternal grandmother . . . “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.”

   
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  Noreen 1:05 pm on September 10, 2022 Permalink  

  Cool Temps 

  This morning Dennis grabbed a jacket on his way to the patio porch.

  I found the morning just right for my walk down Stauffer Avenue.

  True to his word, Dennis’ grandson, Ryan, was here this afternoon to help grandpa unload the implement trailer with the limbs from the Maple tree’s loss the other night.  The fellows headed to the tree dump and were back home before I had a load of laundry folded.  Once again the trailer is parked in the east portion of the acre.

  Ryan carried two old chairs out to the curb for us.  Dennis and I have talked about visiting the Hanska Furniture Store long enough.  It is now time for action.  If a chair cannot be found in Hanska that will serve me well, we will continue on to Sleepy Eye.  Dennis has a beloved recliner that has several years on it, but still has good support.  A chair that supports my back and one that I do not have to crawl up and out of is what is desired.  We purchased a sleeper sofa when Dennis’ grandchildren wanted to stay with us.  It does remain in fairly good shape.  Megan and Nicholas made good use of it also.

  Truth to be told . . . in my 78 years, it was 57 years ago that I chose a rocking chair to be purchased with which to rock babies.  It was purchased in Mart, Texas.  Carrie asked for the rocker last year and it was then reupholstered.  Picking out and purchasing a grown up’s chair for myself will be quite the experience.  I think I can handle it.

  For now the laundry basket is empty.

  Dennis and I are looking forward for the remainder of the weekend to be quiet. 

  There will be no studio lights turned on today.

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on September 9, 2022 Permalink  

  My Day 

  I had set my cell phone alarm for six this morning.  The appointment for my echo cardiogram in Mankato was for 9:15.  When Dennis is willing to be at my side for moral support, I make sure I am ready when the car is backed out of the garage and I hear a toot from the car’s horn.  We are never late for appointments.

  We sat in the heart center at Mayo and there was no shortage of patients registering.  Close to my appointed time, a nurse came out and sat down beside us.  She went on to explain that this appointment had been set up a year ago from my then cardiologist in Rochester.  She has since left Mayo.  This cardiac nurse said they had just gone through my records after I had registered at the front desk.  The records indicated that my family doctor had ordered the esophageal cardiogram that I had completed last month.  Swallowing that camera and what could be gleaned from it was by far superior than the echo scheduled for today.  Conferring with the cardiologist, Dr. Sarrif, that I will meet with next Wednesday.  I look forward to having a cardiologist in Mankato.  The cardiac nurse apologized for the trip we had made as the echo was not needed.  She then gave us a $10.00 gas card for Kwik Trip.  Wow.

  I have always liked our family doctor and this just proves his patients are not just a number on an insurance card.

  Dennis and I were on our way home by 9:30.  Neither one of us felt one bit put out by what had transpired.

  Light rain has settled in.  This afternoon, I went on to make a trip to the library to take back books and bring a few home.  I always look through the rack of books that they are terminating with authors that are familiar.  This winter when it seems too cold to go out, I will have a stash for my bedroom porch reading.

  Dennis is enjoying his patio porch this afternoon.  The week was a busy one with the three trips to Mankato.  Let’s get as much done with appointments before winter. 

  Next week, there are two days of us traveling to Mankato.  Dr. Gio encouraged us to continue with the wound care until that last spot on Dennis’ left foot has healed.  Gio explained something about this wound on the left side of his left foot just a bit on the side from the little toe.  The vein opening feeding that portion of the foot from the knee down did not have the same success as the two major veins flowing to the right side of the left foot from the knee.  The healing is coming along, just not as fast as the incision on the right side from the surgery has done.  That is totally healed.  Oh what we learn.

  The second day next week in Mankato is the culmination with the cardiologist for me.  Sweet.

  The day has been a good one.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on September 8, 2022 Permalink  

  A Wind 

  I usually hear when the wind comes up during the night.  Not last night!

  Dennis came back in this morning and asked if I wanted the bad news first or the good news first.  I opted for the bad.  With my cane just a hopping, I followed Dennis to the east patio.  I could not believe the limb that had fallen across the backyard off of the Maple.  Lordie, Lordie.  Had we just not parked the implement trailer on the east end of the acre!

  As fortunate as we are, Randy from next door was off from work and he was busy with his chainsaw before I got my underwear on.

  Dennis and I had a doctor appointment in Mankato.  We were still catching our breaths on the way.  This appointment was to make sure the stint had remained in place in Dennis’ left leg.  We got a pass today and we will not be seeing Dr. Goi until after the first of the year.  Staying on top with an ultrasound is easier than having problems with veins that are stinkers.

  Tomorrow we need to be at the heart center in Mankato at 9:15 for the remaining tests that I need from the June of 2021 heart surgery.  Three trips in three days is what sometimes is called for.  Thank goodness for a quiet weekend.

  All I have left to do today is check what the hours of our tree dump are on Friday afternoon or Saturday.  Whew!

  I will say the wind is still fierce.  So thankful no buildings were damaged.

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on September 7, 2022 Permalink  

  Road Trip Day 

  We couldn’t remember the last time we were able to make it to the Korean’s luncheon in Mankato that is held on the first Wednesday of every month.  Dennis has made many good acquaintances with a common thread. 

  There were five of us wives in attendance as well.  The business meeting follows Robert’s Rules of Order in fine fashion.  What is happening is that the members are becoming fewer either by death or age prohibiting mobility.   

  After the meeting and the noon luncheon, Dennis and I continued on to St. Peter, another 10 miles up the highway.  We were on a mission to take a clock to a business called “It’s About Time” in St. Peter.

  When my parents moved a home onto property across from the homestead at a time when Minnesota State Highway #100 was expanding, homes that were condemned were sold for few dollars on the hundred.  The home that they chose had a fireplace in it.  That was not the main interest but . . . there it was.  Dad was bound to have a mantel clock to sit upon his mantel.  This was in the time of the early to mid 60s.

  Dad passed away in the 90s, and in time Mom moved into an apartment in Hutchinson.  Mom settled in to a one bedroom apartment.

  At a time when my brother was going to move to Decorah, Iowa, they came for a visit.  He left a cardboard box on the work bench in our garage.  During the next week, I was walking past the work bench and spied the cardboard box that had written across it, “old clock.”  Inside was Dad’s electric mantel clock.  Sweet treasure.

  I have enjoyed that clock in my sewing studio ever since.  It had the West Minster chimes on the quarter hour and struck chimes on every hour.  During this last winter I noticed it had stopped working.  I unplugged it and when the correct time came around, I plugged it in and for a very short time it kept time and then stopped.  It has been unplugged ever since.  

  The fellow in the shop today understood the emotional attachment.  I had the clock to him in 2017 for repair.  The coil within the electric mechanism would get so hot when he plugged it in today and it ran for a time, it was not good.  His suggestion was to make it run on batteries.  He didn’t know how much room there would be inside for the chiming.  Even the face of the clock behind the glass front was so minimal, he didn’t know if there would be room for the second hand after the electrical install.

  Ya know!  In a perfect world our treasures would be the same decades after decades.   Literally, they would be timeless.  With the clock not being electrical, I can have it setting in the studio where my eye would catch it ever so easily.  Without the chiming . . . I can hear it easily in my memories.  How special that in this day and age, there is a fellow that knows it’s not all about perpetuating our throw-it-away world.  When I get the phone call, I will be excited to have Dad’s clock back home.

   
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  Noreen 1:36 pm on September 6, 2022 Permalink  

  A Good Day 

  Today both Dennis and I feel the local effort we both put in during the last two days of clearing brush.

  All I wanted to accomplish today was use my walking crutches and let the long strides of my legs exercise the body.  It felt good.

  I will go out to the tree dump with Dennis when it opens at four this afternoon.

  Supper will be pancakes and sausages.

  A very good day to be enjoyed.  

   
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  Noreen 12:54 pm on September 5, 2022 Permalink  

  Another Day 

  This day was another day as we had had yesterday.  Yesterday Dennis and I had our two wheel trailer loaded for the tree dump.  This at one time was a carrier for a plexiglass boat of some kind that Kevin had run across.  Dennis ditched the boat and put a good steel base on the running gear.  It sure has come in handy.

  That trailer is now on the end of our drive until tomorrow afternoon when it goes out to be emptied at the tree dump.  Dennis went to the east end of the acre and hooked onto a trailer that belongs to his friend Dwayne.  It is one heavy implement trailer.  We used it a year ago when we helped Kevin and Kersten amass pallets for their shop’s stove.  Dennis parked the trailer in the drive and slowly but surely us two old timers loaded up the rest of what had been cut down yesterday.  Dennis pulled the trailer into the backyard and it will also be ready for the tree dump ride tomorrow.  Each trip to the tree dump costs $1.00.  The city does have a fellow at the gate to make sure it is used for what it was intended for.  Not a bad idea.

  I got my trustee 6″ rake out and cleaned up all the small branches off of the dirt adjacent to the patio.  We filled a plastic bin and topped off one of the trailers with it.  Once Dennis had used the leaf blower to move the sawdust off the patio, it felt like us again.  Tidy, tidy.

  I admit, Dennis and I had a Tylenol break about ten this forenoon with some soda crackers.  I don’t believe in taking any kind of med without some kind of food.  Crackers count.  Neither one of us did anything to hurt ourselves.  It had just been two very busy “muscle using” days.  We do seem to stay busy and don’t understand when friends our ages say they are bored.  Only boring people get bored.

  I don’t have the heart for any studio time this afternoon.  If anything, I will enjoy sitting in my west bedroom porch and read a bit.  Watching traffic may also be indulged.

  What a sweet project off of our list of things we had thought needed doing.  Be careful what you wish for . . . you just might get it.

   
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  Noreen 12:12 pm on September 4, 2022 Permalink  

  A Day 

  Yes, it is only 12:34 pm, but it feels like Dennis and I have had a full day.

  In passing, we had mentioned to Dennis’ son-in-law that we had some branches that needed trimming.  “No hurry.”  Tom had been cooped up after a surgical procedure and he now had the word that there were no restrictions.  Wow!  Tom has a Husqvarna chainsaw that is his favorite toy. 

  At 6:45 the doorbell was going off.  Tom was on the patio porch waiting for us to get out of bed.  Dennis is quicker at getting dressed than I am.  Dennis put Tom off long enough to get a bite of breakfast down, so he could get his meds taken.

  The first stop for trimming was the east end of the acre where a Black Walnut tree that was planted by a squirrel, now stands at 25′.  It’s hard to mow when low branches insist on knocking off a cap.  By the grace of God, the fellows were slowly moving up towards the buildings as a maple shrub had a dead limb.  This was all giving me a chance to be dressed by the time Tom and Dennis reached the patio.

  The lilacs north of the patio are ancient.  Some needed to be put out of their misery.  From the bathroom window I could see which were baring ends showing nothing but dead leaves and branches.  Tom lit into them like a man that has one speed.  Just like that Tom and his chainsaw were on to the next customer by 9:30.  Dennis and I just looked at each other.  What the hell just happened!

  Dennis and I needed time to sit on the patio to have our coffee and the remainder of a breakfast.  At a slow pace Dennis got a trailer behind the little red pickup and he and I began loading from the east end of the acre where cleanup was needed, moving towards the buildings.  By the time we did get to the garage, the trailer was full and we tied the limbs and branches down.  It being a holiday weekend, they will stay loaded until Tuesday and we will fill it up with lilac limbs and branches.

  What my initial plan was for the day was to fix an oops with my sewing from yesterday afternoon.  Remember me commenting on getting a new Gingher scissors?  I had the latest fabric strip that had been sewn on, still folded over and not even pressed flat yet.  With scissor in hand poised to cut two blocks apart, I heard a loud door slam and the hand jumped and closed.  Yup.  The scissor sliced through the 2.5″ width.  Unfolding the area now makes for a 5″ width repair.  This afternoon with ample breakfast coffee at my elbow as I cool down from the tree trimming, I will pull out my arsenals of repair ideas and supplies.  This block will be saved to be completed.  I know when all is said and sewn together, it will not be the focal point of the purple log cabin quilt.

  Dennis is in his recliner for a well deserved nap.  I have all the time in the world with many deep breaths . . . this too shall pass.