Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:59 pm on November 19, 2022 Permalink  

  No Dust Bunnies Left 

  This early morning Sandy and her other half brought Tom’s convertible to our back garage for storage during the winter months.  When all was wrapping up, the fellows brought all the batteries with for storage in the car garage where they won’t freeze.

  Great grands Lux and Charlie B brought McDonald’s in to enjoy for their breakfast.  Oh my Gosh!

  This is just me, an old person spouting thoughts . . . when parents separate and then each finds a special friend that includes more children, there are a lot of adult supervision parental voices with shared custody.  Sadie, the mother, is in the Minnesota National Guards.  Sadie’s mother, Dennis’ daughter Sandy, has the two girls often during weekend drills . . . another adult supervision voice.  

  Too many adult voices.  I am sure Lux and Charlie B’s minds don’t know what the perimeters are for behavior in any given setting.  The dust bunnies didn’t stand a chance.  

  Stauffer Avenue made it through the forenoon in good stead.

  After lunch Dennis went out to the patio porch.  The last time I looked, Dennis was napping and Snuggles was asleep on Dennis’ chest.  Oh yes, the girls had put a fright in the kitties and they had headed for the rafters.  Smart kitties.  Dennis was due a nap.

  I took a cup of cold coffee and decided to spend the quieter part of the day in the studio.  Not much stitching, just a fair amount of pressing.  I know that the next step is cutting additional 3″ strips of pink.   I am without KNUJ as Saturdays are sports events day.  As I work with the pink fabric that I had ordered online, I think of the song “Tiny Bubbles” sung by Don Ho.  Now that was a time ago.  My memory is steeped with so much.  Windows 11 has nothing on it.

  The winter came with a punch but next week looks a bit kinder.  Stay warm and keep the spirits bright.

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on November 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Not Much 

  Today is Friday and there is not much new here on Stauffer Avenue.

  The first item of the day was getting our small crock pot set up, complete with a bed of carrots on the bottom of the liner and then plopping in a small pork roast that I had rubbed down with seasonings.

  After I had done a sweep of doing tidy on the first floor, the lights were turned on in the studio.  With the radio keeping me company, stitching ensued.

  When Dennis came in at noon, he set out the fare of our noon lunch.  What he set out was very fine with me.  As Dennis had an ultrasound treatment at PT this late forenoon, we caught up with each other.  It was soon decided whatever mail had been delivered would be heading to the recycling bin.  With the last of the hot breakfast coffee in my cup, Dennis said he would be doing up whatever dishes were in the sink and I went back into the studio.

  In time I got the sniff of vinegar.  Dennis was in the process of running vinegar through the coffee maker.  Cleaning the coffee maker is not a bad idea and I was happy he had thought of it.  Tomorrow’s brew is be the tell tale.  

  It is now three in the afternoon.  Once I complete this short blog, the studio will be shut down.  The hands and arms have had enough exercise.  The blanket blocks for Luella are now enmeshed with pink, Luella’s choice of her favorite color.  The project is a slow process and I am happy with the results that are showing.

  Now that I have been sitting for a time, the studio air feels cool.  Time to check out the roast, get some dripping pulled out for making gravy later on with some potatoes.  A comfort meal if ever there was one.

   
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  Noreen 4:25 pm on November 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Bricks 

  If these strong winds and gusts continue, I am going to be sorry that we gave all of our extra bricks to the neighbor.  I would use two of them in my pants to keep me upright.  

  On a good note . . . Dennis had a good report from Jody, the surgeon’s PA.  She commented that for the first time she can see positive healing.  She gave Dan at our PT here in town a lot of credit with the ultrasound.  The northwest corner of our dining room table still resembles an annex to the Lewis Drug for various wound dressing supplies.  I think Santa may be able to save his clumps of coal for the socks here on Stauffer Avenue.  Those socks will be needed for a more active Dennis. 

  On a sad note . . . I did miss out on the stitchers meeting at Baker’s Square for noon lunch today. The best part is that a date has already been set for December and it is on our calendar.  Dennis is aware where to look if someone asks him . . . check the calendar.

  Our little freezer is now set with several small beef roasts as well as pork roasts.  Crock pot beware!  I couldn’t resist a 5lb. bag of red russet potatoes.  Sometimes nothing tastes as good as a boiled potato.

  Saturday, Dennis’ daughter and her other half are bringing Tom’s convertible for storage in our back garage for the winter season.  Sandy said she would be having her two granddaughters with as Sadie has guard drills.  I will make sure there are cookies about.

  Neither one of us were in the mood for eating out in Mankato.  I am going to make baked Tilapia and spicy, cheesy green beans for supper.  There is a serving for two left of cranberries in the refrig.  It should be a very colorful spread. 

  Friday may be a day I get to spend in the studio.  The prep is in a good place and that means no surprises but just good stitching and pressing.  Staying indoors and leaving the placement of bricks for another day.

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on November 16, 2022 Permalink  

  Glittery Snow 

  The fine snow coming down looks as though someone on high is shaking a container of glitter.  There is just enough sun shining that nothing is remaining on the concrete.

  Amid working with the pink fabric in the studio, I found myself needing a bit of early Christmas.  Tricking out a bit of the studio was just the ticket.  I have no idea what the large amount of heavy spike nails served as a purpose nailed in the floor joist overhead.  They are fairly consistently spaced in the width of the 2 x 6s.  Our home is over 100 years old, having then been moved from the rural township onto a basement here in town during the 50s. 

  My homesteading spirit can almost visualize mesh bags of carrots and onions hung to keep air circulating during the winter months.  Another thought that comes to mind is smoked summer sausage hung after a butchering of beef and pork.  It comes so easily to my mind as that is how my family did it seventy years ago in Renville County’s Boon Lake Township.

  Nontheless . . . today those heavy spikes were perfect to put up several cherry Christmas stitchings.  The embroidered hanging reminds me of a tapestry as it is so heavy.  At the time Dennis kept track of the stitching designs and it has over a million stitches within all the blocks.  It was done on a variety of flannels left over from a quilt I had made for Dennis.  The Santa log cabin pattern caught my eye in an older pattern book.  I printed the Victorian Santa images off of a CD onto fabric sheets fed into my color printer.  I really enjoyed that project.  In thinking about it . . . I just enjoy threads and fuzz.  My world would be quite small without challenging myself in the studio.  

  I know that spending time in the studio this winter, my spirits will be lifted just by the fact that glancing at these will bring fond memories. 

  Burger patties and beans are on the docket for supper.  When I checked the freezer this morning, the protein choices were slim to none.  Tomorrow while we are in Mankato, it will be the perfect time to pick up several small roasts for several crock pot meals.

   
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  Noreen 3:49 pm on November 15, 2022 Permalink  

  Damp Day 

  A damp day really can find all the vulnerable joints.  That might be an old wives’ tale.

  The city’s streets are sloppy as there has been wet fine snow falling for most of the day.

  Dennis went for coffee with his friend Dwayne at eight.  By ten he was at PT for his ultrasound treatment on his left foot.  Dennis is impressed with Dan as he also cleaned the wound by taking off any tissue that would impede healing.  I would not know how much to challenge the area.  The wound gets fresh dressing every other day.  With Dan working his magic today, Thursday we meet with the surgeon’s nurse in Mankato and Dennis meets with Dan again on Friday.  I sense I have off the remaining week until Saturday.  Sweet.

  When Dennis returned home, he kept the pickup running and warm and took me to the library.  I had books to return and then picked up some new reading.  With surfaces possibly being slick, I really appreciated the road date.  The call came at noon that Dennis could make a trip out north of town to pick up the snowblower that was getting checked over.  When Dennis got home with the blower on the two wheel trailer, grandson Ryan was right behind him to unload the snowblower for grandpa.  The two wheel trailer is parked, the blower is in the car garage, ready for a try when next we get measurable snow.  All is right with the world.

  This afternoon, the mail delivered the pink material I had ordered for Luella’s blanket.  It was the first time I had ordered material via the internet.  I am not disappointed by the choice I made or the time it took for the order to come from Virginia.   

  We have agreed on having a light supper.  Neither of us has had a strenuous day. 

  Our days are not cumbersome, but yet, the days seem to be filled.  We keep our heads above water and couldn’t ask for a better life.

   
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  Noreen 2:59 pm on November 14, 2022 Permalink  

  Silent Night 

  It is amazing how a layer of new fallen snow can muffle the outside noises.  A layer of Mother Nature’s insulation.

  Though I had not realized we were due the snow . . . here it is . . . deal with it.

  I knew once that breakfast and coffee had been served, Dennis would be out playing in the snow.  I do keep an eye out for him as he does the trips up and down the drive.  At this point in his life, he knows how much he can manage.  I was relieved when the snowblower sat idling several times.  When I looked through the bathroom window, the porch kitties were also happy that Dennis was taking a break.  The snowblower is one that Kevin gave to Dennis more years ago than I can remember.  Dennis does regular maintenance on it and so it serves him well.

  Yesterday Dennis did take a second snowblower out to be serviced.  That also is one that Kevin handed off.  When Dennis and I talked over this noon’s break, Dennis did comment that once he knows it is runny correctly, he doesn’t know if he will keep it.  It is quite a bit of a larger unit and also more powerful.  Being it is self propelled, controlling it could cause concerns.  The few times Dennis tried it last season, those were his same comments. 

  I am in the studio putzing.  My email told me that the pink fabric I ordered should be here sometime this week.  That will put me back onto Luella’s blanket. 

  This snowfall was perfect snowman building snow.  Hmm.  Our neighborhood has no children to try out the snow.  When I looked out, the concrete drive had pretty much cleared itself.  First snowfalls are, “Now you see me, now you don’t.”

   
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  Noreen 4:25 pm on November 13, 2022 Permalink  

  Taking my Time 

  It may be that in this day and age, doing the laundry is a matter of pushing the correct buttons.  As our laundry is in the bathroom, our laundry basket is not large.  Since both of us are retired and the muck, muck of days of old is pretty much over . . . it’s either a load of darks or it’s a load of lights and whites.  Folding and tucking away is ongoing until the last turn of the dryer drum.  I like clean clothes.

  The vacuuming in the studio is just about complete.  I got side-tracked when I realized the filter for our dehumidifier needed cleaning.  As I have mentioned my threads and fuzz . . . yup it gets sucked into the filter.  I also made a note that we have one extra furnace filter on hand.  

  Up until the time we purchased a lightweight shop vac that I really like using on our main floor, I never realized how heavy and clumsy the Filter Queen canister is that I keep in the studio.  Even the heavy metal wand gives me pause.  For now, it eliminates taking a vac up and down stairs.  Now that could be an accident waiting to happen.

  Received a text from Megan this morning.  She will be flying out this coming Saturday from college in Virginia for the Thanksgiving break here in Minnesota.  Looking forward to seeing her as well as the whole family.

  This month seems to be on the fast track.  This entire year has been a whirlwind.  It might be time to begin dragging my feet a bit, much like playing on the old merry-go-round from Renville County Rural District #34.

  Night falls fast.  The street lights pop on a little before seven. 

  Enjoy the new week and all it may hold.  There is something to be said that there are no do-overs.

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on November 12, 2022 Permalink  

  Pancakes on Hold 

  The pancakes and sausages we had planned for last night will be on hold until Sunday evening.

  The American Legion delivered last night’s supper to veterans.  It was turkey and all the trimmings plus carrot cake for two.  What a delight and so appreciated.  I can tell you that due to the very generous proportions, we are having leftovers this evening.  Dennis and I agreed, it was too good to waste.  Our bakery in town had done all the turkeys in their ovens.  I would be hard pressed to get turkey meat that juicy and moist.  Sweet indeed.

  With snow flurries that looked like small puffs in the air, there was no accumulation.  

  Last year a fix-it shop, Charlie’s, north out of town put a new carburetor in a snowblower for Dennis.  At the first try last winter, Dennis realized it ran too rich.  It needed tweaking.  Last night grandson Ryan came and loaded the snowblower on grandpa’s two wheel trailer.  Ryan loaded it as if it were a 20 pound bag of flower.  Today Dennis took the blower back out to Charlie and Charlie will call when Dennis can come out and pick up the trailer with the snowblower on it.  Good customer service stands behind their work.

  I didn’t go into the studio today.  Hmm.  Vacuuming will wait until I get to it.  I did finish a book I was reading.  As I read in my bedroom porch, the wind howled for yet another day.

  Each evening we pick up our marbles to play another day.  Thank you Lord.

   
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  Noreen 2:39 pm on November 11, 2022 Permalink  

  Veteran’s Day 

  Today I listened to the Veteran’s Day program on KNUJ.  I found it interesting.  When I had lunch with my favorite veteran, I shared with him that he is one of the 1% special people that have served or those that are in the service.  Hard to believe that the total of those in or were in the armed forces is that low.  Though there was agent orange acknowledged in the Korean War, known as a Police Action, Dennis was operating an 8″ Houser being high above those that were walking through the foliage.  Being a farm kid, he was an easy match as to what to do with an implement.  Dennis set the timers in the war heads.  That is why I can so easily look the other way when I need to set the coffee pot to go off at seven in the morning.  It’s above his pay grade.

  As of today, I am in a waiting room with Luella’s blanket.  All the blocks are of the same size.  I did something I have not done before.  I am now waiting for six yards of a pink print to come from Web Fabrics in Virginia.  I had nothing that was enough to finish the top, plus the backing.  I would have run my legs off to various quilt shops looking for what was a click away.  With the blocks now ready, it will give me a chance to vacuum here in the studio.  Threads and fuzz sure can attach themselves . . . everywhere.

  This last week a note popped up that Windows 11 could be loaded anytime on my Dell laptop in the studio, free of charge.  Well . . . I knew I had the HP, Windows 10, in the living room if things went south.  I did it!  So far, so good.  I am able to get my photos loaded, resized, renamed and loaded for the blog.  This morning, I got the printer to make nice with Windows 11.  I am sure I will discover other new items to try as time goes on.  What did I have to loose . . . my hair are already bordering on white.  It feels good to try and figure things out rather than sit on my hands and be less than.  That can happen easily as it is.

  Dennis has gone for coffee to see his friend Lyle that lives in one of the apartment buildings here in town.  Lyle and Dennis went to school together, but Lyle can no longer drive. 

  We are having Jimmy Dean pre-cooked sausages and pancakes for supper.  Comfort food on a wind blown chilly day.

   
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  Noreen 2:53 pm on November 10, 2022 Permalink  

  The Morning 

  Enjoying a cup of coffee that is set to have gone off and ready would go better if I had changed the clock when we fell back.  I am now up to speed.

  Dennis had the first wound care ultrasound treatment on his left foot this morning out at the hospital.  A new experience and he is set for two treatments per week going into the beginning of December.  A good plan for successful healing.  It was explained that this treatment would encourage more blood to the wound.  We are so close for complete healing.

  I have enjoyed the day in the studio.  All is coming into fruition with Luella’s blanket.  I am in no rush and have time to get this right the first time.  A trim here, a trim there.  Measure twice and cut once.  Using the rotary cutter, I am tempted to try some of the blades that tout staying sharper for longer.  Thus far, I have been a solid customer of the OLFA blades.  I know that there is a sharpener that is sold with not much success.  The cheaper quality of fabric has a lot of grunge in the manufacturing.  I am currently using a good quality of yardage with questionable quality in knit ware.

  It must be getting cooler outside.  The last I looked out the east bathroom window, Snuggles and Harriet were meshed together as one in the patio porch rocking chair.  I won’t feel sorry for them as I know Dennis and the patio porch furnace thermostat also work as one.  I am comfortable wearing a heavy sweater in the studio until I have worked up some inner heat and then the sweater is parked. 

  We will have enough chili for supper to have it paired with a grilled cheese sandwich.  Dang, that means for tomorrow’s supper I need to start anew. 

  Have a wonderful evening and know how fortunate we each are, having made it through the summer with no harsh storms.  Can’t say as much for the Florida residents as per the news of the day.