Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:32 pm on March 14, 2022 Permalink  

  Motoring Right Along 

  Today was a day where I motored right along with what I have dubbed as my Stitcher Bag.  It will be used when I meet the gals for lunch at Baker’s Square.  My pillow that I take along will be right at home in this Stitcher Bag along with anything else that needs to travel with.  I have mentioned before how hard the chairs are at Baker’s Square.  The tail bone appreciates a soft landing.  

  The Stitcher Bag has been put together complete with the lining and the binding at the top’s edge. Tomorrow I may work on the two straps.  I dug out my double needle to put two layers of the cork together for optimum strength.  The double row of stitches will add some dimension.  I have not yet figured out how to embellish the straps with the same fabric as the binding and lining.  Food for thought. 

  When I retire for the night, I will mull over the options.  I am in bed by nine each night.  Not so much that I fall to sleep right away, but to stretch out and rest the limbs.  Dennis doesn’t quite get it.  Dennis doesn’t stick around the studio or the first floor when there is tidy, tidy going on.  Dennis is all about the patio porch.

  To accomplish what I do takes me a tremendous amount of energy and try, try, try again.  I find it interesting when I am out and about and individuals ask me how the improving is going after the stroke.  Those individuals obviously do not have someone close to them that has had a stroke.  There is only a limited amount of recovery from a stroke, the rest is bull shitting people, aka: pulling the wool over their eyes.  Even Dennis catches himself in forgetting what I can do easily and that which is a crap shoot.

  In the quiet of my studio, I do challenge myself.  Some of my best assets are the various weights I have.  Those weights can hold something down when I am trying to manipulate my left arm and hand to cooperate at the cutting table or at the sewing machine.  And then . . . there is always the option of a melt down until I will try again.  Such is life and I am thrilled to participate in it.  I am so fortunate that I have the means that I do have in my body and my mind. 

  Today we have a pallet of roofing materials on the side of our drive.  Wednesday is the big day when Fairmont Roofing will begin taking off the existing covering and putting those shingles up.  Tomorrow Schmidt Window and Siding will be here to take off the gutter helmet.  I will be right here, on board, when they do it.  We have a steel cable affixed to the garage that then is affixed to a steel beam that is stationed in the yard to the north.  It all works to stabilize our beloved garage and the gutter helmet people know I will be here while they are here.   

  A busy week for the older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  A great way to begin spring.  

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on March 13, 2022 Permalink  

  A Balmy Sunday 

  49 degrees with a slight breeze.  A breeze sure beats a wind.  

  I have made an observation.  When I do dishes looking to the north to neighbor Jan’s home,  in this bright sunshine, an area of her foundation is thick with boxelder bus.  Not just thick but in actual clumps.  It is the only portion of their foundation that has river rock right next to it.  Could it be that the sun warms those rock and all that is beneath it much more than where there is black dirt.  Dennis did comment this noon that he has baby boxelders in the patio porch.  No winning on the pest angle.

  I spent my energy in the studio today.  Working with cork fabric is amazing.  With the bag I am working on, I am going to use up some hardware from pre-stroke projects.  Attaching hardware takes some extra support on the backside, be it cotton, canvas or cork fabric.  It all takes planning and patience.  My endeavors are not perfect, but they are the best I can do.

  My bag project is more like a shopping bag.  One set of straps on each side of the bag.  The hardware seen in the photo is the one side of the bag.  A total of four hardware applications were made.  I haven’t decided how long each of the two straps need to be.  I have shown, by the short sample, that the cork straps will have a strip of the lining fabric running the length.  I really like this brilliant red for a contrast.  The cork color is tan and gold.  Before sewing the sides up on the bag there will need to be cut-outs on each corner that will end up making a bottom on the bag of about 4.5″ in width.  Nothing says nothing, like a good challenge in the studio.

  Taking the project in stride and stepping away from time to time works well for me.  Haste makes for mistakes. 

  This week may actually feel as if spring has not forsaken us.

   
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  Noreen 3:42 pm on March 12, 2022 Permalink  

  Good Viewing 

  Sometimes the PBS channels have some great programs that allow me to have a glimpse on what it takes to keep a home up to snuff.  Some of the shows working with older tools, bring back memories of my dad’s tool shed.  What would a farmsite be without a tricked out tool shed that could fix everything from that which needed nails and screws to some rod welding.  Dad was handy on all fronts.

  In time when brother Mike moved onto the farm site, dad found a spare bedroom in their basement to continue being the all around fix-it fellow.  

  I don’t think Grandpa Art Schafer ever had a need for a tool shop as he had the tools right at the end of his arms for all things that could be needed in fixing on a tractor at his work site.  I never heard that Carrie and Kevin’s grandpa Art was handy with wood.

  Along came the kid’s dad, Orlin, and he could do quite a bit of all of it.  The art of a fine finish . . . maybe not so much but it beat wire and twine by a long run.  Then along came Kevin.  What Grandpa Raymond and Grandpa Art knew went down the line and added to what Orlin knew by association and his own experiences.

  Kevin was like a sponge and honed it all to near perfection.  I don’t think there was ever a time when he didn’t stretch himself by seeking and learning by trial and error, the printed word or what could be found on the internet.  It doesn’t hurt to be curious.  Our home on Stauffer Avenue is a testament to Kevin’s handiwork.  From top to bottom, inside and out it all has Kevin’s fingerprints on it.  Priceless!

  Is it any wonder why PBS shows on how and what to do with all things within a home would interest me.  I have witnessed generations of family members that have had an influence on my appreciation of “hands-on.”

   
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  Noreen 3:46 pm on March 11, 2022 Permalink  

  Hmm! 

  One line item on the news brought a chuckle from me.  The essence was that with high fuel costs, Americans may need to tighten their belts and think twice before unnecessary social events.  Good grief.  Covid pretty much took care of ingraining that in our heads.  

  I may not start every day with high energy.  I do sometimes think of curling up in a ball and vegging with the television on.  It doesn’t take long and I am digging around to see what needs to be picked up to tidy on the first floor and then migrating to the studio.

  I am looking forward to receiving a quilt pattern in the mail from one of the stitchers.  I need a fill-in. That being said, I checked out a pattern book that has been open for some time.  It remained open as I was determined to finish the min-quilt.  Mission completion.

  The open book has a pattern that would be perfect to use the cork fabric.  I dug out the gun case-looking bag from Amanda at the Bernina shop that has quite a bit of cork fabric in it from her shop.  It might be time that I make myself a bag to take with to the stitcher’s luncheon that would be large enough for items to take along to share.  I will need to shake out some hardware supplies for handles to be put on the soon to be bag.  It is all going to take time before I cut into anything.  Measure twice . . . cut once. 

  The bitter cold winds are from the north and the west porch of our home is feeling it.  It would be a lot worse if there were not a huge sprawling evergreen shrub on the northwest corner of our home.  After this winter of nonstop bitter cold winds, the plan that we had to trim that shrub once spring was here . . . has been cancelled.  I don’t mind it looking a bit shaggy.

  Take heart and keep the faith in the warm temps coming this weekend.

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on March 10, 2022 Permalink  

  Lordy, Lordy 

  The wind is from the South.  Lordy, Lordy . . . warmer temps are coming . . . after one more cold night tonight.

  I think we will need to check our garage every morning to make sure the little red pickup has not made a run to Mankato on its own.  It has been quite the month and a half.

  The good news is that the pneumonia that Dennis has been fighting for a month is dang near whipped.  My job was to keep him hydrated while the lungs did their job of getting the infection up and out . .  and I mean out.  A bottle of Body Armor with coconut water and electrolytes helped get the job done.  It had added antioxidants and B vitamin’s.  A one-time prescription of Symbicort has helped with a spacer on it to make sure it got where it needed to go down into the lungs and not onto the roof of the mouth.

  Today we are on the list for March 28th to have a left leg angiogram done.  Several veins will be opened that will allow better blood flow to the left foot allowing the last surgical incision that was done in mid January to heal. We are on our way to spring time here on Stauffer Avenue.

  Dennis has never complained and for me it has been a blur of changing dressings every other day and pushing food and liquids into Dennis.  Hopefully we can get some weight back on him.  This noon Dennis had the biggest meal in a long time . . . Progressive Chicken Noodle Soup and toast.  I could not have done it without Dennis’ daughter Denise stopping in every other day after her shift at Casey’s.  It did take three and a half hands to hold everything in place.  Denise lives five minutes up the street from us.

  Most days I have made time for myself in the studio.  Not long stretches at a time, but enough to keep my perspective on all things. 

  Today I called in some of my overtime and Dennis is doing the dishes.  Not to worry.  There wasn’t more than one days collection.

  It is 28 degrees and full sun.  Gotta love it.

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on March 9, 2022 Permalink  

  No Place Like Home 

  Be it ever so humble . . . there is no place like our home.

  Some days I have more get up and go than others.  I did manage to take down the Christmas valances a time ago and since then the living room almost echoes.  The first step in getting something done is to start.  Today . . . out came the spring-looking valances.  Step one got done.  I even pushed myself, and the valances are now laundered and dried.  That will be it for that project today.

  It may have been brisk out, but I did take a short walk on Stauffer Avenue after lunch.  It felt right.  If the forecasts are correct, it will feel even better next week.  The good thing about it being so cold during the overnights is that it does help to freeze-dry some of the soft areas that are muddy.  My kids loved mud when they were tots.  Our back entry today does get items drug in with shoes.  There would be no comparison to the back entry on Stauffer and of our farm home in Boon Lake Township. 

  The boots that the kids wore were pretty much slip-ons.  It felt good that they could be independent.  In from the outside, it was so easy to give each leg a kick in the air and the boot would come off.  No, that’s not right . . . they flew off.  Snoopy, our dog, slept in the back entry and would duck.  It was not unusual to find mud splattered on the walls, and as the boot would continue in flight, it would bounce off of each basement step depositing whatever came in from the outside.  There had even been an occasion or two where either Kevin and Carrie came in without a boot on a foot.  Then the guessing game ensued.  Where was the mud puddle that had a boot taking root in it!

  Oh for memories.  I have no shortage of them.  The smallest of incidences in any given day brings a flood of the best times of my life.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 2:57 pm on March 8, 2022 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 8th 

  Oh my oh my!  What a difference a haircut makes.  Dennis and I both turned ourselves in to the Curry Comb.  Niece Brenda noticed that Dennis had lost a bit of weight.  When Dennis went out to the pickup while I was in the chair.  Brenda gave me the idea of mixing the chocolate boost, 30 grams of protein, with ice cream and it could pass for a Culver’s shake . . . which Dennis likes.  Great tip.  I happen to have a great 1960s avocado green blender right on the kitchen counter. 

  I called my sister-in-law today on the family farm in rural Stewart.  JoAnn had torn her right ham string while having fun bowling.  Ouch.  She will be wearing the brace for another four weeks.  As it was, she had the same surgeon that did both of my reverse shoulders.  She was in good hands.

  Today was mending day in the studio.  A few of Dennis’ items needed a stitch here and a stitch there.

  We did have a burial day last week.  A down filed jacket of Dennis’ is no more.  As much as he loves his patio kitties, they play hell with the jacket when they come for some nurturing and flex those claws.  I will say that the Gorilla Duct Tape did wonders for repairs.  It was time for a new jacket.  Sam’s Club has the lightweight jackets often during the winter season for $19.99.  I usually have a spare on hand for Dennis.

  For myself, I have enjoyed wearing vests for most of our winter outings.  It is so much easier for me to get on.  There again, good ole Sam’s Club has allowed me to have a variety for less than $20.00 each.  I do keep my eye out.

  This week is an up and down roller coaster in regard to temps.  Come on spring!

   
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  Noreen 2:42 pm on March 7, 2022 Permalink  

  Tweet, Tweet 

  Oh my gosh, do the birds ever have an agenda.  They start their tweet, tweeting a little after five in the a.m.  This morning, I fooled them and stayed in bed until 7:30.  Oh that felt good.

  I can’t believe that this weekend we turn our clocks ahead.  Time literally rushes by.

  Dennis had a coffee guest in his damp patio porch.   This wasn’t our first rodeo with spring weather and water on the patio.  Just like any other spring, it all turns out . . .  A.O.K.

  When Dennis’ daughter stopped in after her shift at Casey’s today, Denise stops in just about every other day, she said it hadn’t been very busy at their fuel pumps.  Hmm.  She thought some people decided driving to pick up a piece of pizza might take some gas that they would need to go elsewhere.

  I am having a good day here on Stauffer Avenue.  First floor taken care of complete with an oven meal for supper with some cranberries on the side.

  Surprises can come in the mail, more so than just bills.  I received a beautiful card today from nephew Larry’s wife, Jennifer.  As we already had an agreement to disagree on being paid for the Christmas stockings, I apparently have a store credit at the Gathering Friends quilt shop in Bird Island.  Super sweet and super sneaky!

  As I am punching out this message, I am pushing hair out of my eyes.  Yes!  We are in need of haircuts.  Brenda at the Curry Comb is closed on Mondays.  She will be getting a call in the morning.  Brenda does the bookkeeping for her brother Brett’s concrete business and Mondays are when Brett and Brenda put their heads together for the upcoming week. When Dennis and I put our heads together it is most likely to affirm to the other as to what day of the week it is.  Such is life.

  Bummer.  The PBS channels are in their “pledge mode.”  All of my enjoyed programs are on hiatus.

  Today is the day I am working on the binding for my mini quilt.  I prefer doing a sample to make sure I have the correct width of the binding and what seam allowance to take.  It is so worth the time.  The end result is my kind of tidy, tidy.  When binding is sewn onto the back of a project and then tipped to the front . . . using the correct seam allowance, it appears as if the binding was put on with only one run under the needle.  That is super sweet . . . tweet, tweet.

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on March 6, 2022 Permalink  

  Strange Weather 

  We had all four seasons within one late afternoon yesterday.

  The afternoon was mild letting us know spring was right around the corner.  The skies turned dark around four.  The thunder began rolling and rattling the windows.  All the patio kitties were in their baskets in a heartbeat.  Dennis barely made it into the house when the skies opened and the rain pounded down.  The next time I looked out the bathroom window there was freezing sleet covering the garage roof that soon sounded like hail when it hit the sky light.  A very short burst of snow followed.

  When Dennis went out to the patio porch after supper, there was no way he could enjoy having a few more minutes in his rocking chair.  The carpeted wood floor was wet.  It was actually more than wet, there was standing water.  Hmm.  It was a very good thing Dennis had just vacuumed the carpet that afternoon or there would have been more than water showing.  Nothing to do but turn off the lights and call it a day.

  This morning when we went out, the water was down.  With the furnace on in the garage and patio porch . . . that’s all we can do for now.  What surprised us was when the ice on the patio cracked with water trapped underneath.  It took awhile before we were assured the garage was not coming apart.  Talk about a strange 24 hours.  The Mankato radio station said we had 1.5″ of rain in a very short period of time.

  Dennis napped this afternoon and I stitched a bit in the studio.  The sun never did shine today, but the concrete drive is now clear of the ice.  The ice crystals on the boughs of our huge evergreen on the northwest corner of the house, looks every bit luxurious.  It reminds me of the expensive silk greenery during the Christmas season. 

  Spring cannot come soon enough, but . . . with it will come new challenges.

   
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  Noreen 3:59 pm on March 5, 2022 Permalink  

  Rain Showers 

  Rain showers and there is grass in the front of the house that looks quite green.

  Strike while the iron is hot . . . and that was me today.  I was up at six and both beds were stripped before I had even had my first cup of coffee.  I knew once the washer was started, I would have plenty of time to enjoy the brew.  As we have no carpeting, it is easy to put a wet Swiffer on the mop and tidy up the bedroom floors.  I will admit, it feels good to have enough oomph to get some household chores done.  Get the work done first and then the sewing studio is there to be enjoyed with no would have, should have, or could have.

  When I have heard other women talk about needing new furniture, have at it.  It has been my thought process . . . forever,  “I don’t need a lot of bells and whistles within our home, but I do need and deserve a clean home.”  As it turns out our tiny home is the perfect size to keep the dust bunnies at bay.

  Dennis was also on a streak vacuuming the patio porch.  With the three kitties spending a lot of winter days in the patio porch, there is no lack of mischief that has been gotten into.  Things get pushed off of the table, cardboard has been clawed with shreds floating and where oh where did they find water bottle caps to play with!

  Dennis’ daughter Denise stopped in after she was done with her shift at Casey’s.  Erratic hours are the norm.  A stop in is always appreciated.  Good grief.  We have three Casey’s stores.  All are busy and all are seeking more employees.   

  Putting out a light supper is the last item of the day before hitting the showers.  Going to bed this evening will be like diving into a sea of soft flannel freshness. 

  If by chance the rain showers turn to snow showers, we will be tucked in right here on Stauffer Avenue for the remainder of the weekend.