Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:18 pm on November 1, 2021 Permalink  

  More Impressions 

  Today we motored to Mankato for an Aspen Dental appointment.  Impressions for Dennis and for me.  I will say one thing for the clinic, they are going to make sure that they have done their utmost to give the 100% guarantee when all is said and done.  More appointments later this month. 

  I will admit, when I am totally done, I can almost taste a tender steak . . . someone will have to assist in cutting it for me.  I have practiced using a fork in my left hand while cutting with the right hand.  It does not bode well . . . still practicing.  

  The day has gotten blustery and the wind feels raw.  Dennis commented this morning that as the back acre had looked so manicured after he mowed it on Saturday, it now has a blanket of fallen leaves as a cover.  Time will tell if the blanket remains or if he feels the need to mulch.  

  This afternoon was time to make a phone call for some much needed catching up with a lifelong friend from Boon Lake Township.  Sharon and Ted were neighbors to Orlin and I while we were farming.  Both Ted and Orlin have passed but so many memories that Sharon and I can recall are bitter sweet.  Neither Sharon nor I venture far from our homes . . . thanks be for phones.  When Ted and Sharon had a daughter and Sharon worked at 3M in Hutchinson, I took care of Gail on occasion.  I wonder . . . do chickens still frighten Gail?  Amazing the memories we can conquer up.

  Cousin Mark from Finland, one hour north of Duluth, had a photo this morning on the social network of his deck with a bit of snow on the railings.  I know it will happen in our part of the state . . . just later than sooner would be just fine with me.  Our barometer for colder weather is the three patio porch kitties.  Baskets that allow them to curl up in warm fuzzy blankets from Goodwill beat the cold blowing air any time, any day . . . except for one.  Honey Bunny is the oldest and the one with the least extra body fat.  She insists on holding out until the last straw in the evening when Dennis puts on the outside light, triggering curfew.  She saunters in as if she owns the porch.  No, she doesn’t own the porch, she just has Dennis wrapped around her clawed foot.

  Hopefully this last weekend gave everyone a chance for last minute chores.  This morning when the first light of the day could be seen, I could look out a clean east bathroom window.  Yup . . . we nailed it yesterday.  Let’s hear it for the older ones on Stauffer!

   
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  Noreen 1:42 pm on October 31, 2021 Permalink  

  A Sense of Humor 

  A sense of humor in life is so terribly important.

  Yesterday we tackled some of the last work outside. By the time we came in to shower up for the day it looked as if the backdoor had been left open and the fall grit, grim and shredded leaves had made it into the back entry, kitchen and bath.  Dennis had mowing evidence on his clothes.  My clothes that had had shredded silage on them from the weed whip and the moisture of the Hosta stems eventually dried off enough to shed with any movement.  Thank goodness we have no carpeting in the house.  A dance around the floors with the Swiffer mop made short work of the cleanup.  We vowed to take it easier today.

  Wouldn’t you know it . . . the sun presented itself with a fairly decent day by the time noon arrived.  The bathroom windows are the only windows that do not tip in.  With all the dirt blowing and then the rains and heavy dew . . . it was needed for a washing and cleaning.  It may not last, but we needed to give it our best before cold finger weather.

  Dennis had a long handled brush that took the first swipe with sudsy warm water.  The rinse cycle had vinegar in it.  My mom swore by it.  I do know that some Windex bottles come with ammonia in it.  Mom also used newspaper to dry the window.  Very few streaks.  We did it the old fashioned way with cotton towels.  Dennis, by now, had the stepladder next to the window.  With a very firm hand from Dennis, on my back side, I navigated the three steps on the ladder to do the dry-down.  The firm hand stayed there until I was back on solid ground.  Sweet. Mission completion.  As we put things away, we laughed at the fact that neither one of us can do the entire job solo.  A half plus a half does get the job done.

  True to what we had said this day would be . . . we are now taking it easy.

  Supper last night was Shore Land potato soup mix.  I had prepared a bag of mixed vegetables to add to it.  It makes a batch of eight cups.  Guess what tonight’s supper will be?

  Tomorrow at ten, we will both be at Aspen Dental in Mankato for the final round of dental appliances.  It will be a great task to begin for completion.  While we are in town, a stop at Home Depot for the weed whip plastic thread.  It would be nice to get the last of the Hosta whacked down.  It makes it so much easier in the spring.

  Tomorrow, here comes the first week in November.  Much has transpired in 2021 for Dennis and me.  Son Kevin, has moved into his own shop and daughter Carrie is also working on her own business.  Children finding their joy . . . priceless.  Dennis and I have our joy 24/7 right here on Stauffer Avenue.  It is well . . . with my soul.

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on October 30, 2021 Permalink  

  A Great Bright Day 

  It may be bright and sunny but our early start for this Saturday has been dashed by frost making all things green very wet.  The sun will have to dry us out before tackling the acre.  Dennis told me to cool my heels until he gave me the heads up that he needed help.  Dennis plans on mowing the acre one last time today.

  The lights were turned on in the studio.  I was anxious to see if a plan had worked out.  A software product was purchased from the Bernina shop quite a few year ago.  I have enjoyed using it.  It allowed me to embroider over 40 Pokémon designs by increasing the sizes to allow for each 8″ quilt block.  Kersten loved and still loves her quilt.

  The baby blanket I am currently working on speaks to many bright colors.  Fifteen of the blocks will be on plain blue flannel that has been embroidered on and fifteen blocks will be of a printed flannel.  Ten of the embroidered blocks will have the one to ten numerals in bright colors.  The software program allowed me to make them any size I wanted.  On an 8″ block, I decided on four inch letters.  As the size is determined, the software adjusts the number of stitches . . . allowing for a good looking finished product.  I have learned over the years that a statin stitch need not be as heavy as the program allows for.  I dial it down to 85% density.  I also chose a font that wasn’t heavy looking.

  When I asked Dennis’ opinion, he thought the numeral on a block was lacking something.  I agreed.  I found several small designs that I downloaded and then merged a small design on each numerical block.  Loading each numerical block with the merged designs allows for one hooping . . . keeping it as one design, one stitching under the hoop.  It is really hard to leave as two separate designs.  I know myself that I’d never get it in the correct spot.  As I was cooling my heels waiting for Dennis to let me know he was ready for me . . . I had to try out an embroidered block.  The pen company of Pilot manufactures pens for sewing and quilting.  The markings disappear when a hot iron is applied.  Under the hoop my blue flannel went with a topper of clear stabilizer that can be easily torn off afterwards.  The topper makes sure that the stitching stays on the surface and does not get embedded into softer material.

  After all was said and stitched and tidied up, I am going to be pleased how these ten blocks will turn out.  There is no plan to hurry but I needed to satisfy my curiosity.  The secret is to use the software often enough so as to not forget the steps . . . much like loading photos often enough for my posts.  Even known habits can fall by he wayside.

  Here we are at mid afternoon and sure enough, the yard dried out by noon.  Dennis is on the last of the acre.  Several breaks have been had and his foot is not having any negative effects from the vibration of the mower.  I marvel at my ole cowboy.  Hopefully the leaves will have smooth sailing across the short grass as the wind takes them.  I managed to use the weed whip and 75% of the Hosta have been cut down.  The next time we go to Home Depot we will have to purchase more of the plastic thread for our WORX weed whip.  Lots of Black and decker supplies from a previous weed whip.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on October 29, 2021 Permalink  

  Sunshine 

  I was in the studio and when the sun beams came through the south windows, it caught me off guard.  I thought for a moment the flashlight mode of my telephone had been turned on accidently.

  The morning started in the studio but I knew as soon as Dennis was moving, I would be outside helping him.  All went well.  All garden hoses have been drained and put into the potting shed.  The last two lawn chairs and the small table have been tucked away.  Dennis made one trip to the far east garage.  I have an idea he will try to mow the acre tomorrow.  I will not stop him.  Soon enough he will know if the foot can take the vibration.  He did ask about one of the small kitty pillows, if he could use it if it helped.  What’s the worse that can happen . . . it being run over by the mower.  Through this last week, Dennis said he felt better if he kept busy.  It is one of the best things to avert feeling pain.  I know he can’t hurt the foot.  It looks similar to a football with all the wrappings.

  The Russian Sage was cut off today.  It was still very full of the purple flowers and difficult to call it a season by whacking it.  When we push the season and the fingers get bitterly cold . . . that is not good.  Dennis picked up the huge bundle and I followed behind and picked up what he dropped.  I swear there were bees that followed us the entire way to the burning ring.  It won’t be burned until it dries so the bees can enjoy it until then, just at a different location.  The pungent aroma was all over our clothing.  Number three cat, Harriet, usually likes to have the top of her head scratched.  One sniff of my hands turned her off.  Silly kitty.

  I have been invited to a baby shower.  The grandmother asked me in August if I would make a baby blanket for her son.  She is a second cousin of mine.  There are no moms or grandmas left in their immediate family.  I told her, at that time, that I sew from my stashes and sew from the heart.  Once a non-sewer can dictate, it takes the fun out of it for me. Though I will not be attending the shower in Litchfield, I will work on the baby blanket.  The baby isn’t due until the early part of 2022.  They did find out this last week it would be a boy.  Showers that begin at five in the afternoon, means that the drive home, one and a half hours, would be in the dark.  Neither Dennis nor I have good night vision.  So be it. 

  Considering that I came to have been given fabric this summer, I pulled out flannel for the blanket.  Today the sewing machine was turned on . . . the first time since the servicing. There are plenty of embroidery designs loaded within my machine that will work perfectly.  Today two blocks were stitched out.  Giving myself room to trim them as I continue . . . time will tell how large the blanket will be.  I did pre-wash and dry all the flannel that I will be using.

  The rain gauge said we had 1.8 inches of rain over these last two days and that after the 2 inches we had several weeks age.  This should help to close the gap in the shortage of moisture beginning in early spring.

  One great weekend is forecast.  I know everyone will have no problem finding plenty to fill the hours.

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on October 28, 2021 Permalink  

  Multi Days of Rain 

  Going into our second day of rain, there is nothing like the power and grace of our Lord to slow down his children that feel the need to rush the fall work.

  I, on the other hand, have had a busy day.  It was an overdue visit to the Curry Comb for a hair cut at 9:30.  Dennis was at the Veteran’s clinic at nine and then he got his ears lowered after that.  This feels oh so good.  When I left Dennis’ nieces’ business I headed to the grocery store.

  We don’t do a lot of heavy shopping in our town’s grocer.  I follow the sales ad on Facebook.  I realize they have to make a living and they do employ local people, but . . . my dollar needs to be stretched just like anyone else’s.  

  I went on my way to keep the appointment at our eye clinic.  Hmm.  My vision went from 20/20 on the last visit to 20/30 for this visit.  I needed new lenses and when they arrive, they will be put in my present frames.  As it was, I dropped $722.00 in a heart beat.  $547.00 for the lenses and $175 for three bottles of the EO capsules for eye health.  They are omega 3 specifically for eyes.  I have had a very slight detection of macular for ten years.  Each year it has been kept at bay.  The three bottles will last me for four months. 

  When I looked back at some posts of the past, I realized that I commented on tight hamstrings back in early September.  They are the hamstrings that connect at one end to the pelvic bone.  It feels like I am sitting on a railroad spike . . . one in each cheek.  Our family doctor does a great job of fielding questions via the portal.  Monday morning, I had asked if I needed to make an office call in order to be referred to the PT department.  This morning before I left the house, I had a response.  I could check in at PT for an appointment at my convenience.  Leaving the eye clinic, I swung into the hospital and Lordy, Lordy . . . I can get my first appointment on the 2nd of November with my usual . . . Mike T.  Let the healing begin.  

  I had kept the discomfort of the hamstrings under control and to myself by walking and doing other exercises.  The discomfort topped out when sitting in the ER with Dennis last week for five hours on a super hard formed plastic chair.  It sneaks up on one as the concentration is elsewhere, and too late, you realize that the pain can’t be worked out with the usual.  I also knew I had obligations to see through.  I knew, if I saw it through with Dennis and the care he needed before and after surgery, there would be and could be relief of my cheek-butts.  The cheek-butts terminology came about when I was in quite a bit of pain and Dennis wanted to know what I was keeping from him.  A delayed brain sets in sometimes and the mind can’t spit out the best response. Thus the “cheek-butts” came about.   Here on Stauffer, it has caught on.  Tee Hee!

  It has been a successful day, all around, for the older folks on Stauffer Avenue.   The rain is still a hit and a miss but not nearly as heavy as earlier.  The birds love the puddles.

   
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  Noreen 3:43 pm on October 27, 2021 Permalink  

  A Rainy Day 

  A rainy day complete with thunder . . . and my bones ache.

  It may be an old wives’ tail, but it feels real to me today.

  Yes, Dennis was busy yesterday.  Last night he paid the piper for it.  Quite a bit of discomfort in . . . his whole foot and leg.  We got up at four.  Dennis with several saltine crackers took a pain pill.  I am an ardent believer that meds should not be taken on an empty stomach.  A perfect place for an ulcer to begin.  The pain subsided and more sleep for Dennis, even if it was in his recliner.  Rest is rest.

  To take the chill off of the house, I did a pan of scones in the oven.  Several loads of laundry . . . even the clothes dryer can add warmth to the air.

  I spent some time reading the literature that came with the upgrade of the sewing machine yesterday.  Very interesting what can be added to the computer within.  I have really enjoyed the machine and it has been the perfect assist in my retirement.  

  As it has been so miserable outside, even the patio porch can’t make for a comfortable spot.  Dennis is prowling the main floor and I don’t blame him one bit.  It is very easy for me to recall the days after surgery.  Nothing feels right, even if nothing is wrong.

  I have backed up both computers, which I do every two weeks.  It is time for me to visit the first floor of our home and give Dennis my moral support.  Preparing supper also sounds like a good idea.  The day is winding down for the good folks on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on October 26, 2021 Permalink  

  Road Trip Day 

  I was 60 miles north of my home by 9:00 this morning, entering the city limits of Bird Island.  As I pulled up to the curb of Creatives Stitches, Kelly, my licensed master technician for Berninas, met me at my car to carry in the machine to begin the much needed servicing.  The servicing was long overdue.  There was an upgrade in functions as well as firmware that was due. 

  I spent the time visiting with Amanda as the shop has been transformed since the last time I had visited.  Amanda spent a week in Utah for training and finding the ins and the outs of being an official Kimberbell dealer.  Kimberbell is a line of products for sewing, crafting and machine embroidery.  The store is well stocked.  Their display of Bernina sewing machines mirrors that of other Bernina shops as well as the home office in Switzerland.  Amanda will be traveling to Chicago in the near future for Bernina training of the new models coming out.  It takes a lot of time and dedication to serve their customers well, and they do.  Kelly does clean and repair other brands as best he can.  As other brands like Bernina, selling parts only to licensed dealers of specific brands.  

  My lunch date was cancelled and I motored on my way south towards home . . . next stop Fairfax.  It was great stopping in at Kersten’s business as well as Kevin’s.  Kevin had ordered a spinner for me.  A spinner is a knob that attaches to the steering wheel for better mobility in handling the steering wheel.  Kevin was right in the placement of the spinner on the steering wheel . . . lower left hand portion.  My left hand, from the stroke, has been affected in the strength and confidence when using the steering wheel in turning.  Dennis attached it to the steering wheel when I got home, only after I had played it through my mind as to where it would best serve.  Sweet attachment.

  Dennis surprised me when I got home.  The snowblower was idling in the drive.  Dennis is on top of preparing for winter.  The water hoses have been put on the reel and the reel is stored . . . out of the way.  Dennis, with the left foot in a non-mobile boot, is slowly but surely moving with many breaks in between and staying on meds before he feels discomfort in his foot.  When Dennis sits down on those breaks . . . the foot is elevated.

  One of those breaks came after he had lifted the sewing machine out of the car and set it on the concrete.  The next jaunt came when the machine made it to the back door of the house.  So it went.  When the machine got to the top of the basement steps, Dennis was behind me for moral support and we backed it down one step at a time.  The machine is back on its table, not to be plugged in until another day.

  No one needs to warn us on safety.  We work well together . . . safely thinking out each step of the way on projects.  We have each other’s back with loving care, respect and thankfulness.  Life on Stauffer . . . nothing like it!

   
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  Noreen 2:04 pm on October 25, 2021 Permalink  

  Recovery 

  Dennis is on the mend.  He hopped into his little red pickup and went to pick up Dwayne for coffee. Dennis’ daughter texted me that they had stopped at Casey’s, where she works, for coffee as McDonalds’s is doing a huge remolding. Denise commented that Dennis was the person to be with in Casey’s . . . lots of questions and well wishers.  It did his constitution good.  This afternoon, Lyle is visiting Dennis in the patio porch.  We are in “recovery 101.”

  I have an oven meal ready for supper.  I can manage the ingredients to make them more desirable than what would come out of a fry pan, and healthier.  Dennis is beginning to appreciate the flavor of red and green peppers in a dish.  Of course onions included is a no brainer.

  Tomorrow I head to Bird Island to the Bernina shop.  Amanda and Kelly do such a great job with customer service.  The day has expanded.  My nephew Larry’s wife, Jennifer, had asked me if I would consider making a Christmas stocking for their new grandson, Leo Conrad.  Jennifer’s mom passed away last year.  Larry’s mom, my sister Elvera, passed away five years ago.  I have filled in as best I can.  Jennifer has shopped for the fabric and I will have one previously sewn one to model the new one after.  As my sewing machine is being serviced, Jennifer and I will meet for noon lunch at Athman’s.  Bird Island is a small community and Athman’s is the meet and greet place.

  It gets better!  On the way home from Bird Island, I will be stopping in at Kevin’s Garage in Fairfax to see my favorite son . . . Kevin.  A stop at Casey’s in Fairfax to see daughter-in-law Kersten is a given.  This will be an astounding culmination to my big day out of Dodge. 

  It will be wonderful to have the sewing machine tricked out for the winter’s use.  During this last week I have been doing the tidy thing to as much as imaginable.  Touch it once and it was on the save pile.  Touch it twice and it was on the maybe pile.  The third time much of what I have touched over and over and over through the decades hit the recycling bin.  The recycling bin was picked up on Friday and I feel so light.  I did save the best of what I can manage.  Not having the sewing machine to work with for the last week served me well.  The sewing machine would have continued to put out a product, less the thread cutter working.  The week off served my right wrist well.  I continue to work hard to save the mobility that I have in my body by making wiser choices.  There are only so many repairs that are feasible.

  Slow and steady is not in my DNA.  This I need to learn on my own.

   
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  Noreen 1:49 pm on October 24, 2021 Permalink  

  Raw Day 

  It really feels raw out today.  Humidity is high, with no sunshine.

  It must be dry enough out in the fields as there are tractors pulling in flare boxes heaped with shell corn going by our home heading to the elevator.  There are more weeks left before the fall work is deemed done.

  Dennis is hoping that his fall work still has time.  He was so sure after we had several mornings of a hard freeze that the leaves would all but float off of the trees leaving blankets of them.  That has not happened.  This morning, friend Bruce, was having coffee with Dennis in the patio porch.  Bruce is on board to give our acre one last mowing after more leaves have given up.  Sounded like a great plan.  I have an idea that it will be some time before Dennis’ foot could take the vibration that a rider mower would give off.  Nerve endings that have gone through surgery do not take much.  I am speaking from experience when I had my knees replaced.  Dennis is best in the observation tower, aka:  the patio door windows watching.

  The last of the house washing is not going to happen.  Dennis had been on top of it the first part of September.  That will do until next spring.  Next week I plan on doing some window washing by tipping in one window at a time.  All windows may not get done, but those that have the west sunset shining in will be first on the docket.  

  Dennis is up and moving with intervals of rocking chair time and the foot up on a foot stool.  I looked out the bathroom window at one time today and he was vacuuming bugs off of the patio porch windows.  Even in this chilly weather the bugs are active.  When Dennis comes in from outside, he does a turn around so I can check for stowaways.  Dennis’ level of comfort from foot surgery is taking Tylenol every four to five hours and he shows up for his meds without reminders.  I realize how uncomfortable he may be in between time.  I also know each day will get better.

  Tomorrow starts the last full week of October.  Challenges of various types doesn’t slow down time.  Each day brings memories and there is no chance of experiencing a rewind.  Take the day and embrace what it brings forth.

   
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  Noreen 10:47 am on October 23, 2021 Permalink  

  A Saturday at Home 

  Oh my gosh it feels so good to be at home on this sunny Saturday day.  Our challenge started last Saturday.  Dennis has been under medical supervision for this last week: the culmination was yesterday, Friday, the removal of one toe.  Blood clots can go south as well as north in the body.

  One day surgeries are amazing.  Dennis will check in with the surgeon in seven days.  The stitches may stay in longer than that.  Time will tell.  Today is staying ahead of the discomfort with 500 mg Tylenol.

  Last night, he said his bed never felt so good, ruts and all. It was 8:45 this morning before he awoke.  Best rest ever!  This morning with a bit of help, Dennis is in his teak rocking chair, with his foot up, in the patio porch surveying his kingdom.  Dennis has a boot on his left foot and is to walk on the heel as much as possible . . . therein is the four footed cane that he is using.  Dennis’ son finagled a route with his over-the-road deliveries to have a drop from Arizona to Mankato.  He doesn’t need to be at Walmart in Austin until Monday morning.  They are catching up with each other in the patio porch.  Sweet. 

  My phone is on the charger.  With restrictions, I was the only person to be with or see Dennis during the week.  Keeping his four kids informed and trying to answer questions when there were no answers, my phone all but melted.  Today . . . Dennis has his own phone to field all calls.  Thanks be!

  On a “Me” note, I have been doing several walks this morning.  There is only so much the butt can take from sitting in formed plastic chairs over the course of time.  Though the halls in the Mankato hospital are each a mile long, there is that plastic chair waiting at the end of the walk. I also have several tennis balls handy to sit on.  They do help.  I am excited to take my sewing machine to Bird Island next Tuesday for a checkup.  I just had Dennis’ son carry it up from the studio into the back of the car.  By Tuesday, I will feel very comfortable with Dennis being home alone.  Dennis does have a daughter, complete with a son-in-law, living here in town.  It would be a good time to share the love.

  I am heading to the kitchen.  We are having spaghetti for supper.  I haven’t cooked all week and it will be interesting to see if the pilot light is still lit. 

  As I said, today is a sunny cold Saturday, there are two happy older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  Thanks be to God for taking care that we may remain here for a very long time.