Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:50 pm on September 23, 2021 Permalink  

  Seriously 

  Seriously, come on folks . . . leave this Grammie alone.  Down here in the studio on my ancient Dell, I was going to click on a YouTube for a tutorial on quilt binding.  Wham!  There were all sorts of flashing screens with verbal warning that my computer was locked due to someone using my IP address.  I was warned not to try and shut down the computer as it would not.  Immediately I was to call the number flashing.  What did I do?  I shut off my computer.  Screw them!

  A few minutes later, I turned the computer back on and the screen allowed me to know that the computer was still in use and not to log off as information could be lost by that user.  I logged off.  Good grief!

  Here I am using my old Dell.  I did have Webroot scan the unit.  Nothing showed up.  There was no way I was going to use a phone number by some unknown snake in the grass.  If we have problems with computers we bundle up and head to Best Buy to the Geek fellows.

  Today I finished the quilt I have been working on for Megan.  It is 50″ x 69″.  By the time I was turning the last corner on the binding, I felt like one of the cowboys that Dennis watches on the RFD television channel as they hog tie steers.  The process of manhandling bulk under the needle does make for a workout of the arms and hands.  It feels so good finishing what was started.  I am puzzling one last item on this project.  Each of the embroidered blocks had Shape-Flex ironed on the back of it to allow for the smooth dense stitching on cotton fabric.  Shape-Flex is a woven product with a light starch in it.  Hopefully some of that starch would wash out.  As I had pre-washed the dark blue for the top and for the backing, I would still use the sheets that are added to soak up extra coloring in the laundry.  The embroidering holds up in laundering as I have one embroidered kitchen towel that I use all the time and launder often . . . it looks as good as the day I did the stitching.  Everything is stitched and quilted in this project, so nothing can shift.  I would rather know now how it does in the laundry, as this is intended to be used, than Megan have a surprise. 

  I am looking forward to doing some dishtowels on the embroidery unit.  Slow and steady before tackling another large project.

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on September 22, 2021 Permalink  

  The Equinox Egg 

  I was listening to KNUJ in regard to fall officially starting at 2:20 in our area.  It was also said that for a short time during the equinox this afternoon, an egg would stand on its end.  Hmm.  Up out of the studio I came with egg and camera in hand, I had to try this.  Sure enough . . .  it was a true story.

  The times that I have gone in and out of our home today had been down right nasty.  The boxelder bugs are hateful.  They are swarming to no end.  After having several caught on our clothes, they are not that easy to either get them outside or squash in a piece of tissue.  For the ensuing hours the imagination goes wild thinking that there may be some crawling on you.  I told Dennis, I would see him outside after dark.

  We will be having one of Dennis’ oven meals for supper: tuna, pasta, frozen peas with Alfredo sauce.  Sweet!  It is a real treat to have someone fix a meal who also washes up the dishes that it took from A to Z.  I stay far away during that prep.  If I add my 2 cents worth, it may deter him from treating me again.  No . . . I did not learn that in one easy lesson.  I never learn anything in one easy lesson.

  The biggest lesson I did learn from my dad, Raymond:  “If you stay caught up, you won’t have to catch up.”  My oh my, my dad was wise.  This rings true for me whether it is housework, yard work or all things in the world of money.  It might work for many.

   
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  Noreen 2:44 pm on September 21, 2021 Permalink  

  Tuesday 2021 

  This morning, we got a phone call, checking to see if Dennis had an extra cup of coffee.  Dennis responded he was in the patio porch.  He than had come in to make a small fresh batch of coffee.

  Dennis’ friend, Doug, was at the Veteran’s clinic and was planning on stopping in.  Doug has been doing this off and on for several years.  Today when Doug drove up, he had a passenger, his wife Lynette.  I had met Lynette at the Madelia quilt shop at a time in the past.  Lynette had never been to our home.

  The fellows had a morning ahead of themselves solving the world’s problem and us gals were going to try to do a good job of our own.  Lynette offered to take out the fresh coffee with a tin of cookies to the patio porch.  She came back in laughing.  Doug had always said he had coffee with Dennis in the garage.  Lynette had envisioned the two fellows sitting off to the side of one of the vehicles.  She was not expecting to find them in a cozy porch complete with surround windows to our backyard.

  Lynette wanted to see the studio.  Lynette doesn’t quilt, but she does paper crafting that often takes her to quilt shops that may carry small charms that she could use on her greeting cards.  We had a wonderful visit.  She left with several ideas for organizing her crafts.  Their two story farmhouse allows for the physical room, but not great lighting or shelving.

  At noon, when Doug came to check if Lynette was ready to leave, she commented that words had allowed for her to think Dennis had to spend a lot of time in a lowly garage drinking coffee next to a vehicle.  Dennis countered with, “Noreen lives in our basement.”  Both visuals are quite different than the rest of the story.  Our guests left with the invite for us to come and visit at their home in rural Madelia.  As Dennis had turned his tables for gun show events over to Doug, Dennis knows where they live.  Sweet.

  Dennis grabbed some noon lunch and went to pick up Dwayne for coffee.  Dwayne had called earlier.  He was ready and able to get out of their apartment.  Moving into an apartment when he had been accustomed to his rural building site with various buildings to putter in is still being adjusted to.

  I went into the studio and continued with some stitching.  It had taken me some time to figure out how to quilt the nine inch borders on each end that allowed it to be a good sized rectangle for utility.  Stitching the baffled look was easy to maintain straight lines.  The project is shaping up.  Two hours is about my limit of juggling the weight under the needle.  

  Tomorrow is hump day!  It may be cool outside, but as we bid summer goodbye, may the fall season allow us to realize the blessings He has given us in these first nine months.

   
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  Noreen 3:06 pm on September 20, 2021 Permalink  

  Chang in Temps 

  It is quite the change in temps and I must admit . . . I like it . . . I like it a lot.  The rain that is falling off and on today is being soaked up slowly.

  I toddled out of bed and was surprised Dennis was already dressed. He grabbed his second cup of coffee and was heading to the patio porch.  Nothing unusual there. 

  At ten he came back in the house and tossed a piece of paper onto the dining room table.  Dennis commented, “One down and two to go.”  I wasn’t getting it until I opened the piece of paper and saw it was a receipt for Snuggles at the veterinary clinic here in town.  I had no idea, and Dennis knew he didn’t need any lip or extra advise from me.  Best not to tell the rest of the story until there was a positive outcome.  Yes, two feral kitties left for the trip to better health.  That Dennis sure had been busy.  

  Snuggles weighs about fifteen pounds and Dennis had borrowed a larger carrier from the vet.  Dennis got Snuggles into the carrier and into the pickup and the two had headed out.  Two blocks from home Snuggles had the plastic pins of the door pushed through and was sitting on the passenger seat looking out.  I don’t know the whole story, but Dennis did get him corralled in his arms and headed for the vet’s office door.  The pickup door was left wide open as Dennis said he needed both hands to hang onto Snuggles.  With the cat weighing what it does, there is no way to hold him by the nap of his neck.  It was full on tuck and hold.  As luck would have it someone was going in and held the door open for the pair.  The vet techs put a towel over Snuggles and away they went through door #2.  Snuggles was punchy enough that Dennis could carry him to the truck for the ride home.  Wow.

  I did put some antiseptic on Dennis’ belly where Snuggles had let Dennis know he was not going to go easily.

  Our three kitties are not house pets but rather patio porch pets with all their claws in tact.  A video of the cat rodeo would have been priceless.  

  It has been a quiet afternoon here on Stauffer.  It wouldn’t surprise me if the adrenaline has Dennis’ arms feeling weak for a time.  Dennis said all he thought of was if he could just hang on and not let Snuggles get away from him.  The leather gloves did help with a firmer grip but just a lightweight t-shirt over the belly, not much protection.  I am sure the fifteen feet from the pickup to the office door must have felt like a mile with a squirmy unhappy cat struggling. 

  The carrier has been checked over for the next trip and the remaining two are lightweight in relationship to Snuggles.  

  The cooler temps make for a great week ahead.

   
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  Noreen 2:32 pm on September 19, 2021 Permalink  

  A Sunday 

  We were geared to enjoy the patios today.  That lasted until noon when the hot dry winds became uncomfortable. 

  Dennis headed for the patio porch where the fans were on helping the breeze to blow through one open door and out the other. He did have feathers to clean up.  Snuggles had caught a bird and was playing with the wounded chirping victim.  Dennis scooped up the bird and flung it to the skies.  The bird looked like it was going to be just fine as it began to fly . . . until Snuggles beat feet it outside and caught the bird in mid air.  Dennis didn’t think the ten pound plus cat had it in him to jump that high.  Needless to say, all patio porch doors closed as to not have a repeat of a bird dragged inside.

  I headed for the studio.  I had not turned on the sewing machine in some time as I had gotten busy with cleaning flowerbeds.  This seemed the best option for me as it was too warm outside.  As I stitch, my mind still seems to wander . . . right back to pies and farm days. 

  Thinking on those pie crusts made with that great white lard that we rendered.  I used it for all our baking and even had a small crock for pan frying.  We never had a shortage. Orlin’s two brothers, Frank and Eugene, had the meat market in Hector.  Orlin’s mother, Esther, lived in Hector.  We visited often, many times coming home with trimmings from the meat market ready to render out.

  I had a huge blue speckled roaster that the trimmings went in . . . never more than three forths full.  On a low temp of the oven, stirring often, the crackling needed to be watched.  When the liquid was very light, and the crackling had shrunk down from their bulk, the cracklings had been roasted out.  If the cracklings roasted too long the liquid would be a dark yellow . . . not good.  Rendered trimmings that were done correctly delivered pure white lard.  It was no light task having the crock ready with cheese cloth stripped over the top and secured with butcher’s string.  

  Orlin would be on hand to carry the roaster, holding the boiling hot liquid, to the the table, slowly pouring the hot liquid lard over the cheese cloth that was straining out the small bits of cracklings. Towards the end, squeezing the cheese cloth for the very last of the lard . . . sweet.  There may have been more than one batch done on these days, with more than one piece of cheese cloth used.  After the lard set up to be in the solid form, it found its place in the cool cellar in the basement.  Generally, a huge kitchen dinner plate was kept on top on the crock.

  Obviously, no small people were allowed near this process. There was bound to be cartoons on the television with boundless snacks for Kevin and Carrie. 

  It was a normal part of the day when baking was being done to make a trip to the cellar and retrieve that wonderful white lard.

  Hmm.  Even with a wondering mind, I got a fair amount stitched on Megan’s blanket.  It is bulky and there is only so much time I can spend on it before the arms and hands need a break.  There is always another day.

  This next week looks like temps that I really enjoy . . . I hope you do also.

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on September 18, 2021 Permalink  

  Apple Pies 

  Yesterday while baking out a frozen apple pie from the 169 vendor, it sure took me back.

  Right back to the Boon Lake Township farm.  We had quite the variety going on in barns, pens and pastures.  We had free range chickens and free range kids. 

  Kevin and Carrie had the run of the farm yard for play.  If I could spot the the kids out of the corner of my eye . . . all was well.  This time of the year it would have been time to get apples off of the trees while they were in their prime.  Of course, more fell from the limbs that hung heavy than one person could keep track of.  Called into duty were the two that were short and easily bent from the waist to fill their small pails.

  Orlin and I had invested in two Sears chest type freezers that easily fit into the furnace room of the basement.  Freezing pared and sliced apples in quart bags and apple pies ready for baking took up a goodly portion of one of the freezers. It was no small job getting those apples and pies ready to put into one of those freezers.  Orlin was working shift work at 3M in Hutchinson.  While Orlin slept the kids and I kept busy outside especially during his 11pm to morning shift.  It was surprising how many apples the kids and I could have ready for processing while the house would be quiet for sleeping.

  We went through a good amount of our rendered lard to make up pie crusts for 8 inch foil tins.  I would give each of the kids a bit of the pie dough to play with, so I could work up and roll out the crusts and get the tins ready.  The kids took turns filling the crusts with the prepared apples.  Five second rules counted.  I followed with adding the sugar and cinnamon.  Getting the top crusts on and trimmed without a lot of extra help was easier said than done. 

  In the end it was very satisfying to see the pies in the freezer, each in their plastic sleeve.  Farm life could get busy and a baked apple pie in short order was always a treat.

  Oh, what I would give to have some of those times back.  Where did all that energy go.  The energy for that type of lifestyle might be gone, but the memories . . . just as crisp as one of those apples.

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on September 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Fall Feeling Friday 

  It might be Friday but neither of us heard the wind during the night that brought this fall feeling day. 

  Dennis came in after his morning coffee and breakfast in the patio porch and went straight to getting his chores clothes on.  I had no clue who lit a fire under him until he explained: we had had a strong wind that took down a lot of tree tips and branches.

  How sweet that Dennis has a sweeper to pull behind his mower to rake up just such a mess as this.  Before having this sweeper, I would have been out there with my six inch wide rake with lots of bending over and Dennis filling up several trash cans.

  I felt if he was going to do yard work, I would do a morning in the kitchen.  We both like to eat and we both like oven meals.  I had everything to pull this morning off.  Egg noodles with a pound of browned hamburger, a can of drained beans and garlic flavored Classico tomato sauce. The batch was huge.  After a photo shoot, I put two pans in the freezer for another fall-feeling day.  There will still be a wonderful amount for supper.  As I worked through the morning and the kitchen was filling with great aroma, I decided to do more.  What helped is that a while back we had stopped at the apple barn on 169 and had proceeded to tuck an apple pie in the freezer.  Today, I knew that I would do a batch of scones and follow that by baking out the pie.  

  By noon, Dennis had completed the acre and I was finishing up the dishes.  We both felt like taking a noon break at the dining room table.  Dennis had equipment to clean up and I had a bed to make.  As the kitchen commotion was going on, I had bedding that I was swapping out in the laundry.   

  It is now mid afternoon and time for some patio sitting with our feet up.  Of course I checked out the acre, and it indeed looks as if it has been raked by a professional.  I know I will get rave reviews for our five o’clock supper we will be enjoying . . . complete with apple pie for later.  One good turn deserves another.

  I see that I need to change the date on my camera.  Hey . . . if I figured out the wireless printer to get it back online . . . I have got this.

   
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  Noreen 3:26 pm on September 16, 2021 Permalink  

  Warm Strong Winds 

  True to forecasts, the winds just continue in strength.  Needless to say, we do not spend any time in the backyard with the wind whipping the long extended Silver Maple limbs.  

  Daughter Carrie arrived at ten, just in time for a breakfast scone.  There was a lot to catch up on.  We had not visited since the end of July.  A few texts back and forth had been the extent.

  We talked about the kid’s school, Carrie’s job, Jeremy’s job and then a bit of politics. 

  Dennis had caught wind, that it was being proposed that any transaction in or out of our bank account of $600.00 or more would be reported.  I had chuckled at the time and commented, “Yes, indeed!  You and I might be laundering money.”  Within several days of that, the lending institution that we use in the small town of Sleepy Eye, sent an email with much the same message and the grief it would cause for small banks needing to look at the number of employees to handle that.  Even when we got haircuts Tuesday, Dennis’ niece commented that a family of six could write out a check that large for groceries.

  Today Carrie mentioned that 2023 is when this reporting was intended to be enacted.

  Someone does not have enough to do and dreams up this stuff.  Perhaps that is why there is an option for an employee to hook to an account that would allow them to earn 8 hours of pay and draw it out without waiting until their entire 40 hours has been earned.  There was a notice recently seen that had the web site info of this type of futuristic banking.  A lot of links from employers to employees would have to mesh.

  All of this is way over this Grammie’s head . . . but then I never thought someone might get fired if they didn’t get a vaccine shot.

  Carrie did take her 44″ x 84″ tablecloth home.  I have sent out two baby blanket to a wee one by the name of Leo Conrad.  I little bit more elbow room in the studio.

   
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  Noreen 2:33 pm on September 15, 2021 Permalink  

  Because I Can 

  Today I took a solo road trip.  Why . . . because I can.  I wanted to see the country side as harvest will soon be upon us.  The smiling face at the end of my trip wasn’t too bad either.  The year is in its ninth month and I have several more solo trips to treat myself to.  There is more to a treat than doctor appointments, and trips to the grocery store.  When the wheels on the Lincoln go round and round, it feels oh so good.

  While I was gone, Dennis had plans to take Snuggles to the vet for his shots.  I casually mentioned that small animals need to have an appointment.  “I’ll take care of it, they know me.”  I said no more as I backed the car out of the garage.

  I got home a bit after twelve noon.  I went into the patio porch to greet whomever I found there.  On the floor was a kitty carrier with the door open.  Snuggles was fast asleep in one of the chairs.  I thought he looked pretty good for the event of the morning.  Dennis came in from the backyard and handed me a business card.  It was a card from the veterinary clinic.  Hmm.  Next week Dennis will need to call for an appointment.  They were booked solid for the remainder of this week.  I took the card and placed it where we will not forget to call.

  In St. James we had two large stores side by side on the west end of Main Street.  One was a grocery store and the other a Pamida store, that became a Shopko.  Both large buildings had stood empty for several years.  This summer the Dollar General took over the Shopko building.  Dennis shared with me that the grocery store will be the new veterinary clinic.  They will be tripling their space.  Sweet!  But in the meantime, they are also short staffed.  This is the cry of the land.  It will take until the late winter before all the work that the building needs is completed.  Right off the bat, a new roof is needed.  A grocery store that had had a Deli . . . I can only imagine that a hot steam sprayer will be needed.

  I got a wonderful opportunity to help granddaughter Megan.  Megan goes to a Christian high school.  Their senior class trip is to Puerto Rico in November.  Megan was excited about the adventure as this would go towards their grades as it is also being a mission outreach.  Each child had their own dollar amount to reach.  That, would include the plane fare, housing and food.  Of course each child would have a few nickels of their own to spend.  Opportunities that I couldn’t imagine for our youth.  When Megan was in ninth grade, the students had the opportunity to spend time in Washington DC.  Amazing!

  When I got home today, I had a message that Megan’s mom, Carrie is coming tomorrow from the metro for a visit.  This will be great to get caught up with her.  Carrie hasn’t been able to get off work for some time.  Again . . . short staffed. 

  Time to think on supper.  My pie pan will be used.  It will be chopped chicken leftover from a rotisserie meal, placed on the bottom.  Prepared Stove Top Chicken stuffing layered on the chicken.  I won’t need all of it for this dish.  We had instant potatoes with the rotisserie chicken.  That leftover is put between two layers of cling wrap and pushed out to resemble a circle.  With a quick flip, the potatoes are the topping of what I call a Sheppard’s Pie.  325 degrees until totally heated through.

  That about does it for the day.  Fall temps are upon us.

   
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  Noreen 1:42 pm on September 14, 2021 Permalink  

  Unexpected Trip 

  This morning at 8:30, we got a call from the Mayo Store that Dennis’ new CPAP machine was ready for him.  That was a no brainer!  We were in Mankato by ten.  The technician was very helpful in explaining options on the machine that were different.  Also allowing us to know that the cost of the machine is done through Medicare and it is as if we are renting it and in twelve months the machine is Dennis’.  At that time the cost of $7,640 will be covered at no out of pocket for Dennis. Wow. 

  This would be the motivating factor of most to work until they are old enough to qualify for Medicare.

  Conversation never is at a loss as we drive.  One small thought brings Dennis to talk about Korea.  This was brought to the forefront when there was a blurb on the radio about some parents not doing the vaccines for childhood illnesses.  Dennis went on to say, that on the way to Korea with 2,500 army solders on a ship that needed to stay at sea for additional time due to an outbreak of measles.  Though it was called the “three-day measles,” it took a long time to run its course.  There are more stories that come to light when least expected.  Interesting info with more road trips in the future.

  I knew that we needed to stop at Best Buy.  The roller ball on the wireless mouse was having issues.  The foam housing around the roller ball was flicking off tiny little pieces and thus . . . not so smooth rolling.  For the cost of $19.99 we are back in smooth business.

  We got home in time to get appointments at the Curry Comb for two much needed haircuts.  It had been five weeks.  The cost of a dog licenses here in town would have been more than what the haircuts were.  Dennis’ niece does a great job and it is very convenient for us and it gave us a chance to visit and catch up.  Brenda was Roger Curry’s daughter.

  I am now heading into the studio to work with the wireless HP printer and get it back online.  It has been a contrary printer from day one.  

  I am back on the first floor after working with the wireless printer in the studio. Mission completion.  With enough quiet time and patience, the printer and I are now in sink again.  

  There is still some time before supper to take in some patio sitting.  Great temps today.  We didn’t get much rain overnight . . . maybe another time.