Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:40 pm on May 2, 2022 Permalink  

  And the Furnace is Running 

  It still feels good to have the furnacing running off and on to take the chill off of the studio.  With the inch of rain that we got last week, I can hear the water trickling through the tile around the basement perimeter.

  It may be cool outside, but the lawn is getting quite green.  Dennis used the pull behind rake once on Palm Sunday.  With the strong winds of late, Dennis thinks he will need it one more time to pickup the small twigs. 

  The track and field kids run the block after school hours.  I think the goose bumps will out run them in their shorts.  I have a long sleeve sweater on and none too warm in it. 

  I am not up on the news, but according to the political mailers overflowing our mailbox, it looks like someone will win.

  Today I passed on the stitchers meeting in Mankato at nine to head out to a quilt shop towards Rochester that had a 25% off storewide sale.  There is a fine line between need and an urge to run away from home.  I seem to be perfectly content at home right now while getting some stitching done with my stashes.  If I do run short, I will check out my gift certificate at Bird Island from my nephew and his wife.  It’s not burning a hole in my pocket just yet.

  I did come upstairs this afternoon for the last of the coffee.  All has been turned off in the studio and I may crack open a book in the west porch.  Reading is always a sure bet when the chill of the studio brings me upstairs.

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on May 1, 2022 Permalink  

  He Is On It 

  As I worked in the studio today, I finally asked myself why bending over the church tables to cut fabric had to be so hard on my back!  I beat feet out to the patio porch and put in my request.  There are now sixteen bricks next to the house under the outside water faucet.  Once they are cleaned and dry, there will be two bricks under each of the eight legs of the church tables.  Dennis is on it!

  With Kevin’s suggestion of the Huskie table that can be adjusted in height, the sewing machine is at the perfect low height . . . twenty one inches.  I think by the latest . . . Tuesday, the church tables will have been adjusted.

  I am slowly working on the pineapple log cabin quilt blocks.  For some reason, I find the first four stitching around the center block of the 5.5 inch in total of the block, the hardest to get right.  Today I laid out multiple 5.5 inch blocks with that challenging center stitching done.

  Again, the north cool winds are blowing and swishing the evergreen boughs.  Speaking of evergreens . . . Dennis’ daughter was over this morning and she had quite the tale to tell.  Last year her neighbor cut down a huge evergreen that was right off of their property line.  This spring the robins are trying to make nests up in the soffits of their house.  They have a four inch brick ledge under the picture window and it is full of bird poop.  These robins are letting the world know, their safe heaven of the evergreen is missed.  They have never had so many robins bounce off of the glass of the picture window.  Mother Nature is sounding the alarm. 

  This evening for supper we are having Subway.  This is perfect as the stove top has been cleaned this morning and the sink has no dirty dishes in it.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 3:13 pm on April 30, 2022 Permalink  

  Gloom on a Saturday 

  I heard it rain during the night.  I awoke to sprinkles.

  I remembered that there was a local venders show at the VFW.  I decided to check it out.  What I didn’t expect was to run into someone that could reminisce about our family’s time in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota.  Scott Baumgart was a student on my school bus route.  Scott has now moved to St. James to be closer to his aging mother.  His mother had set up a table with various wares and Scott was there to lend a hand.  It was an enjoyable visit.  I didn’t come home with purchases but I did come home feeling lighter than what the weather was.

  This afternoon, I hit the studio.  I was determined to stitch out a pineapple log cabin block.  I actually spent a few minutes on the internet seeking tips.  The tip of the day was to use a lighter color with alternating printed fabric.  My first block of earlier this week is for the “ugliest block ever.”  There is nothing that resembles a pineapple.  Try, try, try again.  I hit the stash box and found a lighter color after a YouTube visit.  It did go a lot better and I even ended up with the 5.5 inch square block, rather than the first block that was only 5 inches square.  Dang those seam allowances that must be honored.  I will need to tidy it up a bit.  Gee . . . I only have fifteen more to go.  This finished project of mixing in many old favorite patterns is indeed keeping my mind busy, and also very satisfying when I get the gist of each.  As I look at the colored photo, I realize again that this quilter has really mixed up fabric prints.  I know for my level of comfort, I will stick with a more structured pallet.  In the colored photo there is a grouping of these blocks right off of the middle in the bottom.

  I have to report that Dennis is comfortable with his television viewing either in the patio porch or the living room.  He is navigating the remote well after two weeks of it under his belt.  He comments that he never knew there was that many options.  I also have no complaints as my time to watch anything on television might be the last two hours before I go to bed.  

  Sunday is going to be here with possibly of more showers.  When the sun does make an appearance with some warm temps, the town will be a buzz with lawnmowers.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 3:44 pm on April 29, 2022 Permalink  

  Drip, Drip 

  So much dripping of rain.  1.3 inches last night.  The lightning and thunder began at suppertime and it was still going at it by bedtime.

  This afternoon we went to a birthday coffee for Dennis’ classmate, Lyle.  Comparatively, Dennis is doing wonderfully.  Lyle lives in an apartment building that has a commons room.  Dennis is a frequent flyer there to visit.  It works great for Lyle as the companionship is worth much.

  As Dennis and I were getting ready to go home, it began raining.  We had best get used to it as the weekend means more of the same.  Drip, drip. 

  The air is heavy with wind gusts of extreme.  It did give pause in making any plans that include being outside.  I am over it.  I will make the best and the most of each day as it comes.  I am so very thankful, I have interests to give me balance in each day.

  I tugged out a frozen oven dish to thaw this morning.  It is tomato sauce with pasta co-mingling with diced meatballs and mixed veggies. 

  I hope everyone keeps their chin up as we are close to closing down April.  I can only hope that we don’t go from needing auxiliary heat to finding the nearest plug in for a fan for cooling. 

  I did get a text yesterday that Megan has brought home her cap and gown for the graduation event in June.  Nothing is more daunting than having time move too fast . . . that being said from someone that is moving a bit slower these days.

   
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  Noreen 3:51 pm on April 28, 2022 Permalink  

  April Showers 

  After many months of doctor appointments heading to Mankato, Today Dennis wanted to run an errand . . . to Mankato.  I was invited along for the ride.  I enjoyed watching people as I waited in the pickup outside C&S.

  My stop was Hy-Vee.  Part of my breakfast includes sugar-free applesauce over my flax meal over some cottage cheese.  I top it off with a few blueberries and a few raspberries.  I can no longer handle a large jar of applesauce so the six-pack of individual servings suit me just fine.   Yes, there is a price for convenience.  Here in St. James a pack of six is $3.69.  Today I paid $2.50 per pack.  Needless to say I have enough to last a while.  Seeing as this was a road date, we enjoyed some doughnut balls and a cup of coffee from Hy-Vee on the way home.

  On the way home it rained so hard coming out of Lake Crystal heading west, Dennis had the hazard lights on as well as the headlights.  I don’t think we got all that much here in St. James.  We can usually tell by the sidewalk if there has been garden debris that has washed over.

  I did get a few licks in down in the studio this morning.  I have scraps cut for 19 pineapple log cabins.

  Dennis had a good checkup at the VA Clinic this morning.  We have a new VA Clinic being built across the street from our clinic and hospital.  That will be ready by 2023.  Dennis has commented that St. James VA serves 2,300 veterans from the southern portion of the state and also into Iowa and into South Dakota.  The older veterans aren’t getting any younger and the younger veterans coming back from the Iraq era, need just as much help with possibly more severe situations.  Dennis’ era didn’t have the survival rate due to lack of triage available.   

  We are heading towards a quiet weekend.  Goodie, goodie.

   
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  Noreen 11:51 am on April 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Best Shot 

  As I have been working on the next block of my crazy project, I did really take my time in pinning seam allowances.  I gave it my best shot.  I do see some signs of improvements from the finished burgundy block to the brown block.  As it were, I ran out of bobbin thread.  That was also my cue to clean under the hood.  I could not believe the mess of fuzz and lint.  This pattern called for using cotton thread.  What I was using was the cotton thread, the brand Aurafill, the thread that Old Alley sells.  I had heard that cotton thread acts that way and for the most part, I sew with Isacord.  That is the brand that Bernina packages in the sewing machines when purchased.  It is not cotton.

  The project I am working on is not up for any consideration such as Best of Show.  I wound the bobbin with Isacord and threaded the machine with it as well.  The next time the bobbin runs out, it will be interesting to see what is under the hood.

  Back to my two finished blocks.  I can say that these two blocks were the most challenging in regard to the amount of individual fabric pieces.  I have been turning the pages of patterns . . . one at a time.  Won’t I be surprised with what may be ahead.  For me it’s not about the perfect stitch.  This project is to keep my left arm and hand engaged in activity.  During the many days of Dennis’ doctor appointments, by the end of those days my left hand would be a tight fist.  The stroke wanted back what it had dealt me in 2/2021.  There is much to be said for the fact that if you don’t use it, it will be lost.  I do look forward to my own version of PT in my studio . . . a bit every day.  It’s not about the quality nor the quantity . . . it’s about me trying.  The old adage . . . you can’t fail if you don’t try.

  It is so cloudy out the birds have called off their tweeting.

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on April 26, 2022 Permalink  

  Trains 

  I could not believe it!  Between 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. there were three trains that went through town during the early morning hours.  The train tracks are only a block north of us.  The trains have to blow their horn when they are traveling across a street intersection.  With the strong north winds, they sounded as if they were right outside the house.

  There was a huge noise on the street right outside my bedroom at 2:30 this morning that had me wide awake.  I got up and looked out the window.  The neighbors across the street were putting out their garbage for the morning pick-up and it apparently took two to do it and they were having a loud conversation.  I was so wide awake I actually thought about getting up and calling it a night.  I think it was the third train whistle and the noise of the rumbling train cars that lulled me back to sleep.  I did sleep until eight this morning.  I decided I would put in a full day and be ready for bed this evening.

  On a happy note, the kitty that had been AWOL was home by nine last night.  Dennis had to make one more check and when he opened the back door, even I could hear from the living room as Honey Bunny let out a loud MEOW!  Today Dennis reported she hasn’t been out of her basket all day.  Just tuckered out from being on her own the previous night.  Those patio porch kids have Dennis wrapped around their paws.  That’s not all bad.  

  With a run to Lewis Drug, Dennis came home with three prescription refills: one for me and two for Dennis with with a total of $7.34 spent.  Sure can’t beat that.

  The kitchen was turned over to the ole cowboy today and we have an oven dish to pop into the oven for today’s supper.  There is another thing you can’t beat.  Dennis enjoys having one hot meal a day and from the looks of the round blue speckled roaster . . . he, we will be guaranteed that hot meal for at least three suppers.

  I checked out the backyard this morning.  The Bleeding Heart perennials are up as well as the Star of David plants.  The Star of David plants are up early and after they bloom, the greenery dies back.  As in last year, I will tend to what comes up on its own.  I will not be purchasing any annuals or potted plants that require a lot of watering and fertilizer as it gets warmer out.  The beautiful flowering potted plants will not continue blooming without a lot of fertilizer.  Our city has huge blooming pots hanging from the street lights as it gets nice out, every week there is a pickup with a tank to water them.  You can see that the tank has fertilizer in the water.  Good old Miracle Grow.  In the heat they get watered several times a week to keep them going.  

  I have had a great run of a yard full of plants in times past.  I do know that I have limits.  Hmm.

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on April 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Same Old 

  The temps are cold and the north winds make it feel colder still.  Same old, same old.

  By noon the second bed had freshly laundered bedding on it.  Of course the Swiffer found plenty dust bunnies under the bed.

  Dennis has one kitty that has gone AWOL.  It is the oldest, Honey Bunny.  She was a kitten in the spring of 2009.  She missed curfew last night. When I look out the east bathroom window, Dennis is looking towards the east, hoping to see her trotting home.  The day isn’t over yet.   

  With KNUJ on in the studio, I pecked away on the next nine 3.5″ each pieced block.  I am really taking it slow to prove to myself I can get this batch better than the last.  It need not be perfect but I still need to try.  I had completed the first round of sewing and decided to hit the west porch and do some reading.  It gave me a chance to watch traffic in between turning the pages.

  As I looked through the windows and took in the tree tops, there is the slightest hint and tinge of green in the densest of the trees.  Spring will not be detoured.  Ready or not . . . Mother Nature will have her way.

  Dennis came in at noon and had to comment on how wonderful it felt to not have to hit the highways this week.  Since the January 21st surgery on his left foot, Dennis can actually feel his foot.  The three veins that were opened up are pumping blood to that foot.  Healing the incision can’t be far behind.  That is the best news ever.

  We are having chicken titties, mashed potatoes, corn and cranberries for supper.  That is another thing I have noticed in Dennis.  With the sinus infection and the pneumonia beat, he has an appetite.  What a great way to welcome spring.

   
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  Noreen 3:30 pm on April 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Goodbye Spring 

  Unbelievable winds again today.  Earlier, I did see a kiddy pool flying south down Stauffer.  I hope the kids that used it yesterday didn’t have a huge attachment to it.

  Dennis visited the studio this afternoon.  He looked over the situation.  I had the color photo of my latest project lying beside my block that I had finished yesterday.  The cowboy logic had this to offer . . .  perhaps the original project used all sorts of colors and prints together in a single block as to throw on-lookers off track so as to not see imperfections.  Wouldn’t ya know it . . . a lot of truth in that thought.  At that, Dennis was off to the patio porch.  I may have to think on that logic going forward.  All that I got done after that visit was to pin the next nine block in a semblance of order so they are ready to go under the needle.  That might happen tomorrow. 

  One of the two beds now has fresh linens on it for this evening’s rest.  Tomorrow the second bed gets stripped.  Doing both on the same day is too much for this grammie.  I do have to know when to hold it and when to fold it . . . literally. 

  I thought for sure, the furnace would get a furlough . . . not!  The temps are going to take a swing on the cool side for the better part of this next week.  I will say that the Lilacs are done being screwed with.  The tips of the branches have tiny little green buds.  Last year we received a late rain that turned to ice about this time of the spring and we had no lilac blossoms.  Time will tell . . . just like it always does.

  If I sit still for too long today, the lull of the roaring winds could put me to sleep, so I have kept moving.  I am not a daytime napper.  I am still doing my nine p.m. bedtime.  I may not fall asleep right away, but the body feels good stretching out and I am then ready for the next day after a good night’s rest.

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on April 23, 2022 Permalink  

  Hang on to Your Britches 

  Oh my goodness what a hot wind.  I need to say hot as it is 72 degrees with 28-30 MPH winds from the south.  This is way too much of a temperature change.  I checked the radar and the good thing is there are no storms indicated . . . as yet.  There were still remaining some pine cones at the top of the evergreen on the northwest corner of the house.  They do not stand a chance with his howler.

  I was happy to hear that the well that was found under Kevin’s shop floor may soon be able to be filled in after the building inspector visits next week.  Talk about scary things in older buildings.

  Today I spent in the studio with thread and fuzz.  Nothing strenuous with plenty of breaks to keep up with what Dennis was doing.  Dennis runs his vacuum six out of seven days in his patio porch.  With spring coming the three kittens will spend more time outside and not be shedding so much on the green carpet.  Dennis can only hope.

  As I finished a 9.5 x 12.5 block on my latest project, I knew taking the photo would hurt a bit as the errors in seaming jump right out.  Hey . . . there are 204 separate fabric pieces in this block and some seemed to have a mind of their own.  When doing a pieced project with larger pieces of fabric, the grain of the material can be honored.  Lengthwise grain sewn on to likewise length grain, etc.  With a jumble of scraps on the sewing table it is just that . . . a jumble.  I am quite sure as this project continues there will be additional times when I sit back and shake my head.  I chose a theme of like background fabric with various hues of the burgundy to finish each 3.5″  block.  Later on there is another such block, made up of nine 3.5″ blocks using the same pattern.  It will be 9.5″ x 9.5″.  I will again use the same background fabric with hues of browns to finish them.  This project will be plenty busy as it is without each 3.5 block using multiple colors.  I really have a hard time being that bifurcated in mixing prints and colors.

  It’s time to do a bit of cleaning of the kitchen, bath and entry floors.  I drag thread up from the studio and I am beyond having to take off shoes every time Dennis or I come in from outside.  It’s not like we are tracking in mud from the plow fields.

  See you Sunday!