Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:35 pm on June 1, 2022 Permalink  

  Day for Farming 

  It is a wonderful day for getting the fingernails dirty!

  Two previously dug holes next to the patio porch have been plugged with Hosta from the east line of the acre.  They have gotten rather . . . huge.  I put the Hosta to transplant on our Fleet and Farm garden wagon and Dennis pulled the wagon home behind the Sears mower.  That sure saved me some grunt power.  I have two more holes to plug on another day.

  I have so enjoyed being outside this spring playing in the dirt.  It was no fun in 2021 to have the want power but not be able to engage safely.  With caution, I have control over my plants.  In time the only area I will have for the Hosta is right next to the patio porch and the east and west patio that surround the porch.  I may not get it totally accomplished this calendar year, but there is always 2023.

  I do know how Dennis felt yesterday to be able to spend some time on his beloved mower as he has been sitting on the sidelines since winter.

  It was then also time to take all the branches I have been piling up since winter next to the potting shed over to neighbor Bob’s huge fire ring.  I piled the wagon full several times and Dennis pulled the wagon to Bob’s behind the mower.  Dennis is so ready to pitch in, but I believe the foot is not ready for active weight bearing on a full time basis.  Thursday we will have a medical person give their evaluation. 

  Wonder of wonder our giant Maple tree has very few seed pods, aka: airplanes this year.  The two thunderstorms earlier this week took off what there was.  That means fewer volunteer maple trees to contend with.  I swear, if a clump of them fall on any bare soil, there will be a clump of trees showing in a matter of less than a month.

  It’s time for me to go and check on Dennis as he took the rider mower over to Bob’s to burn branches out of the fire ring.  I looked out, and he and the mower are at a very safe distance.

   
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  Noreen 12:57 pm on May 31, 2022 Permalink  

  New Week 

  This is a Tuesday that feels like a Monday.  We have had enough rain for awhile.  One inch in two days with just enough hail that some of the Hosta leaves have pock marks.  

  I put on old shoes and began pulling out the green stuff that I don’t want to give a home to.  It sure did pull easily.  Lo and behold I found several small Hosta that were hiding.  I hope they will continue to grow in size and were just late to the spring.

  Today was Dennis’ first outing of 2022.  When he told me what he wanted to do, I gave him no argument.  With his wooden shoe on and with the left foot well cushioned, Dennis set off to mow what neighbor Jan had not mowed last Friday.  Dennis has been mowing Edna’s yard for years.  At 94 years young, she has no family in St. James and lives independently.  She looks forward to coming out and visiting with Dennis.  She always offers to pay and Dennis just smiles and makes small talk.  I know it did Dennis a world of good to be doing . . . something.  I have seen that there is no stress on the incision site when I have dressed the foot.  After an hour of activity, Dennis is in his rocking chair in the patio porch, content.  Perfect.

  We both put in a little local effort and tomorrow is another day.

   
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  Noreen 2:53 pm on May 30, 2022 Permalink  

  Artist at Work 

  Another blast from a thunderstorm that began at three in the morning and lasted well into the forenoon.  Humidity and dewpoint are neck and neck with gray skies into this afternoon.

  Carrie and Megan came for lunch today.  Sweet to see the new graduate.  Seeing as how she had won accolades for her artistry at the graduate ceremonies, I decided to dig out some brushes and a pail of our bathroom paint.  The shower project had left a bit of paint trim to be finished.  Megan got right on it.  It is now to perfection.

  Our week is slow and I think that is about right.  

  With two days of rain and warmer temps I can almost hear the grass growing.  It is as it should be in Minnesota.  Enjoy what the week may hold.

   
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  Noreen 2:23 pm on May 29, 2022 Permalink  

  Heavy Air 

  This morning right before daylight we had a thunderstorm move through.  Heavy rains with some hail that brought down a lot of tree tips.

  I was surprised that it stayed warm all through the night.  Right now the dewpoint is higher than the humidity.  Nuff said about that.

  My studio is the place to be today.  With a fan moving air it is doable.  I am halfway through the half square triangles.  The two finished blocks began with 32 plain and 32 printed.  Not stressing over the monotony is the only way to take one stitch at a time.  I will need to cut another 32 plain and 32 print for the next half square triangle block.  Whoever dreamt up this pattern may very well have been marking their days off in chalk on their cell wall awaiting release.  I am in this to win it.  Lu was kind enough to have copied this manuscript of a pattern off for me and had sent it, believing I was just the person to tackle it.  With gas prices what they are, $4.24, I am not missing out on anything by staying the course.

  I can now hear the wind chimes on the northwest corner of the house.  Perhaps that will help this heavy air to dissipate.  

  On to the Memorial Day tomorrow.  Us fuddie dutties will leave the highways to the more adventuresome.

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on May 28, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunny, Windy and Warm 

  What a great beginning to the holiday.  Sunny, 88 degrees and windy.  I am so happy that we procured this cabin for the entire summer.  Our forever home does qualify for a cabin. 

  Friend Bruce stopped in yesterday to not only deliver our new flag but to let us know they were heading up north to open their cabin for the summer.  Bruce said it is a pain in the butt to drive for three hours, one way, and then work all weekend long getting the cabin fit to enjoy after its been closed up since Labor Day of 2021.  The yard there has the same debris as our yards here in town after a winter and spring of winds.  After all the work and the thought of kicking back . . . it’s time to return home for the workweek.  Bruce works at the platting plant here in town.  Many years ago Bruce nickel platted a proof press for Kevin.  Talk about a handsome piece when it was completed.  

  By noon I had the second bed done with fresh bedding . . . with an extra load of laundry done for good measure.  When Dennis and I had a bite of lunch, I told him I would be spending the afternoon in the studio.  Dennis had plans to be in the patio porch, also keeping busy.

  Putting half square triangles together in a definite pattern can cause the eyes to cross from time to time.  A few ripped seams makes it all work.  There will be a photo when all have come together.

  As warm as it is, I am happy we will be having a re-run of the tuna dish from last night’s supper.  I think I can pick up the aroma of a grill being used somewhere in the neighborhood.  That is one thing I had never gotten the hang of doing or using.  It seems like a lot of work for two hamburger patties or four hotdogs. 

  Checking the clock on the wall, I have a bit of time to return to the studio after having given my left hand a break.  It does rise to the challenge of getting that half square triangle under the needle.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on May 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Spring has Arrived 

  With 78 degrees in this late afternoon . . . spring is here.

  We had Jan and her long green line mow the acre today.  Her yard needed mowing as well and she zipped right through from ours to hers.  It sure didn’t take her long.  I went over and sat with her a bit afterwards and thanked her.  That speaks to a larger, more powerful rig than what we have.  Each year we have wondered how long our Sears would last.  The deck is getting quite fragile.  

  I had texted Megan after the baccalaureate festivities.  She was surprised by her receiving awards.  Super Sweet.  Tonight we will be watching the graduation ceremony via the live stream.  This young woman is the same little strawberry blondie that spent so much time with us . . . until pre-school hit.  Memories are mine and I cherish them.

  Today I was so thankful that we do not have any carpeting in our home.  I used the same Swiffer mop that I use for dusting, by just putting on the wet sheets.  It had been some time since all the floors got hit at once.  A satisfying feeling.  One of the two beds has fresh bedding.  The duet cover for my feather blanket has also been washed.  I can tell you that I am not up to putting those two together today.  My arms are telling me, “Get over it and use an afghan to cover with.”  Good message from arms that have had quite the run of mowing yesterday and doing the tidy, tidy house today. The second bed is up for tomorrow. 

  Progresso soup has had its run.  I have a tuna, green pea, pasta dish put together with Alfredo sauce.  While the pasta was still hot, I whisk in some roasted garlic bullion paste.  Just a bit more flavor.

  We have a new flag!  Friend Bruce picked one up for us from the VFW.  We have a holder made out of narrow PVC piping that has been threaded onto a rod cemented in the patio.  Bruce got the nylon one as he said the sewn cotton flags have a disclaimer that they may weigh up to seven pounds soaking wet.  Out little holder would be challenged.

  Everyone have a wonderful holiday weekend!

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on May 26, 2022 Permalink  

  Popping My Buttons 

  Oh my gosh!  Dennis and I were able to see Megan’s Baccalaureate event via a live stream last night.

  Who knew when Uncle Kevin found an electric typewriter for Megan quite a few years ago, she would take honors at the ceremony last night with achievements in writing and composing various forms of prose and also entering them for critique.  Expressing one’s self with clarity in this day and age with electronic gizmos is very special.  The art work that Megan does also brought accolades.  I was popping my buttons.  Both the writing and the art will stay with her for a long time to come and bring personnel enjoyment and satisfaction.  I am speaking from experience. 

  I have worked myself into taking the rest of the day off.  My sister always said we had a front yard as large as a postage stamp.  Said stamp has been mowed with my trustee push mower and bagger.  I have made arrangements for the rest of the acre to be mowed tomorrow.  The grass is lush.  Maybe, and I will repeat . . . maybe, next week Dennis can using the rider mower.  I am not promising him anything.  We have come too far to let a few spears of grass be a downfall.  As I change the dressing, it is remarkable the healing after this, the eighth day.  When all systems are a “go” with circulation, the healing commences.

   
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  Noreen 1:43 pm on May 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Wash Out 

  It has rained just enough that my yard work is a bit on the muddy side.  I am anticipating that tomorrow the ground will be wet enough, I can pull some volunteer mustard out that seems to be prevalent.

  I had gotten the four log cabin blocks done on on my sewing project.  I am now on to the half square triangle blocks.  A total of 32 plain blocks and 32 printed blocks lying right sides together were needed.  By drawing a line down the middle, it is a guide to sew a 1/4 seam allowance down each side of the stitching.  Then the block is cut on the drawn line.  The block is flipped open, pressed and the results are 64 of the half square triangle blocks.  

  Yes . . . this project called Long Time Ago is taking me a long time.  Dah!  Where do I think I am going in a hurry.  My stitching was broken up by Dennis driving me from point to point in errands around town.  Both Dennis and I take a vitamin specifically for eye health.  It is a form of Omega 3.  Wonder of wonders our eye clinic is out of them and they can’t say when they will be available.  I was given a number that I could try and have them sent.  Time will tell.  Carrie tuned us in to Lemon Heads.  They are a sour, sour little marble that works wonders when the mouth feels dry for . . . whatever reason.  The Family Dollar sells them for a $1.00 a box.  Dennis went a calling and came out with $13.00 worth.  I guess he doesn’t plan on shopping too often.

  Tonight’s fare is Progressive Soup.  We had fried egg sandwiches this noon.  Neither of us have had a physically strenuous day.

  I did text Megan wishing her a Happy Baccalaureate day.  Friday the Southwest Christian High School has their commencement ceremony.  Dennis and I will look forward to being at Megan’s party in her home a bit later.  Where oh where did these years go?  It’s enough to make a Grammie sigh.

   
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  Noreen 1:19 pm on May 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Great Day 

  We got to spend the entire day here in our favorite spot . . . home!

  The temp is a great 67 degrees and perfect for me to spend some time in the yard.  I had holes dug on Sunday in anticipation of things to come.  Today, I put the sand shovel on my Fleet and Farm wagon and I headed to the east part of the acre.  The dig did not go quickly or easily.  One small scoop of dirt at a time.  When I had two Hosta on the wagon I headed to the patio porch.  It was noon and I took a break and watched some news with Dennis in the patio porch.

  A bit of fertilizer in each hole and a quite a bit of water.  Of course Snuggles was right there to take it all in and roll in my nice loose dirt.  Silly ole cat.  With the miniature Hosta tucked in and the dirt tamped down and around, it was time to put the wagon in the potting shed and close it up, making sure all kitties were out and safe.  It had happened that Harriet had not gotten out and was trapped for several days.

  I had a great workout and a satisfying one.  The grand scheme of things is that all the Hosta on the east edge of the acre will be moved up next to the patio porch under the Lilacs.  Slow and steady is what is called for as the dirt is quite compacted.  I love my sand shovel.

  Tomorrow is going to be just as sweet as today . . . you can count on it.

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on May 23, 2022 Permalink  

  Two For the Day 

  We each had appointments today in Mankato.  Five days out and Dennis’ foot incision got high marks from the surgeon.  The healing is underway.  Good golly it feels good to be home and not another appointment until June 6th.  Wow, how wonderful is that!

  We celebrated by going to Culver’s.  Wow, how wonderful is that!

  Leaving home at nine this morning and getting home a bit after four feels more tiring than putting in a day doing yard work.

  I don’t know how anyone else feels, but this week is a great week to be in Minnesota.

  Catch ya tomorrow.