Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:25 pm on August 1, 2021 Permalink  

  And the Week Begins 

  Nothing spectacular going on today.  I do have a tuna oven meal ready for supper . . . straight from Mom’s church cookbook.  It is a tuna dish with diced celery and onions, chicken and rice soup, cream of mushroom soup and . . . two heaping cups of chow mien noodles.  Nothing ventured . . . nothing gained.  I always use Albacore tuna that is packed in water.  My best customer said it sure smelled good even before hitting the oven.

  I made a trip to our Fleet store.  I purchased what I hope is a good air freshener for our attic.  We had left the window open for several weeks as well as the attic steps covering.  No . . . it had not smelled any different than any other attic.  Roof vents just don’t cut it.  Time will tell.  Grant it, any cloth items coming down for use, get a good airing out on the clothes line or are inline for a laundering.  In my growing up days the first choice would have been mothballs, my purchase today has a more herbal scent supposedly to last for 60 days. 

  Last night we watched the Antique Road Show on PBS.  It had clips from the early 2000s with the worth of the items in the present day.  Dennis agreed . . . sad that most things we would still deem viable where greatly reduced in value.  More testament that we have become a throw away society.  

  Though we live minimally by choice, what we have we take care of as it may not be able to be replaced due to our resources or, more importantly, it is about the emotional attachment.  I admit, I hold quite a bit near and dear.  I am willing to share with Kevin and Carrie if I hear that they may have an eye on something from my holdings.  Why not!

   
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  Noreen 1:22 pm on July 31, 2021 Permalink  

  Patio Time 

  This was the morning that the patio called to me.  The smoke from Canada was less than the last several days.  Dennis had put up the umbrella, wiped of the chairs . . . all systems go.  I had a full cup of coffee.  It didn’t take long and Snuggles showed up for some TLC as he wandered through the nest of catnip.  That was my clue to break off some of the tips to allow for the aroma to waft through the air.  Snuggles rolled and rolled in it taking time out every once in awhile to take a mouthful of it.

  Dennis came out with his cup and I think we could have stayed there for some time.  After a time I couldn’t believe that there was a swarm, more than four, of the Cicada wasps buzzing around.  I know I have been told they don’t sting.  I still have my doubts and am not going to push my luck.  Dennis noticed several of them disappearing into the holes of the cast iron umbrella’s stand and there was fresh dirt that had come up through the holes.   The umbrella stands over a stump of what was an Oak tree with a fairly large circle of dirt around the stump.  That told the rest of the story.  I exited stage right.  

  The first thing we did was hunt down spray.  Spraying them on the fly is possible if attacked. The second thing we did was dig out the bag of mothballs.  I stood back while Dennis put down the umbrella so he could more easily take the stand and all and set it on the flat patio.  There was commotion of the wasps.  I think Dennis did get one on the fly with the spray.

  Needless to say, I moved over and onto the patio east of the porch while Dennis decided how to handle the umbrella site.  There was one hole in the dirt that has had a lot of mothballs shoved into it.  When in flight they just buzz so close.  Even snuggles headed for the porch.

  Last year they had burrowed into the flower bed next to the southwest corner of the house.  I couldn’t believe how, overnight, they had been able to dig out such a huge pile of dirt onto the drive.  Again, we used quite a few mothballs while shoving them into two different holes.  That was then and today we fought the good fight again.

  We had just mentioned how nice it was to sit on the patio without mosquitoes.  There is a new nuisance in town. 

  Enjoy this day and all it holds, there will never be a rerun of it.

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on July 30, 2021 Permalink  

  A Dribble of Rain 

  Smokey air is one thing.  Add to that a dribble of a rain shower.  Not the most welcoming for the weekend.  Never mind . . . it’s the weekend . . . rejoice!

  Right now my church tables in the studio look as if we have nothing going on.  That would be correct.  The tablecloth has been cleaned up of extra threads and fuzz and pressed.  I had an extra wide hanger that I measured to see how narrow the tablecloth would need to be folded widthwise to lie flat over the rod. One fourth of the width did it.  I put a freshly washed towel over the rod before putting the tablecloth over it.  That will keep the cloth from getting a marked fold line in the future.  A clean dry cleaner bag over the top and it is now hanging from a hook in the ceiling of the studio.  The click of the light switch echoed me saying “Amen.”  

  I think I can say with confidence, “If not at 100%, I am going to be just fine with my mobility.”  

  As I sit in my old comfy chair in our west porch watching traffic, I know how I am going forward fixing meals.  No more asking “What are you hungry for”?  If it arrives on the table at supper time . . . it is what it is.

  Yesterday when we were in the grocery store, Dennis picked up a container of Lloyd’s pulled pork from the cooler.  Last night we had hot pulled pork sandwiches on toast.  That took a fairly small amount out of the round tub.  It was very tasty.  I put on my thinking cap.

  I had mentioned we shopped for a variety of staples yesterday. Tonight for supper, in a sprayed 9″ baking dish, I broke up six tortillas to cover the bottom.  One diced onion had been caramelized than I added a can of refried beans to heat them to soften them up.  That was spread on the tortillas.  The Lloyd’s pulled pork was spread over the onions and beans.  To top it off, shredded cheddar cheese to cover.  It will go into the oven at 350 degrees until it hits the heat of 155-160. 

  For sure, this was not in Mom’s church recipe book.  I don’t even know if Dad would have gone for it.  He was pretty much meat, potatoes and what’s for dessert.  Dennis and I both like Mexican flavored food once in awhile.  Do we ever go out for a Mexican meal?  No.  Dad’s favorite saying, “Talk is cheap but it won’t buy whiskey.”  Silly as it is, Dad never drank whiskey, but . . . he wouldn’t turn down a Fuzzy Navel: a shot of vodka with orange juice.

  I got waylaid.  As I have gotten older, meals have been a challenge for supper.  We don’t eat as much as we used to and our pallets have changed.  Wait until I bring out the chow mien noodles.  As I have mentioned, our café up town does not discriminate.  They would take Dennis’ money any hour of any day.

  Rejoice for all, the Lord allows for us to be his stewards.

   
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  Noreen 3:07 pm on July 29, 2021 Permalink  

  A Smokey Day 

  It not only looks hazy outside, it smells like a smoldering garbage fire . . . directly from Canada.  The day is cooler but not a very good trade off.

  We had errands this morning here in town.  Though we had been to the grocery store several days ago . . . we needed to go back.  Last night after looking in the refrig and the pantry shelves, I hit Mom’s church cookbook.  These recipes are the tried and true that sustained farm families.  We needed to stock up on some stables.  Dennis does go with me into the store.  Some items are on top shelves and other items such as a gallon of water for his CPAP machine need his heft.  We had a list and as we surfed the isles I could direct him left and right.  It is a good idea for Dennis to know his way around the store . . . and participate.  I do know when he has gone on his own he is not bashful to stand at an endcap and snag one of the worker bees and ask.  Good for him.

  Today was the last day of sewing on the 42″x 82″ tablecloth with an additional 6″ drop in the border.  I know the first time Carrie uses it, there will be spills and whoops.  It may be thrown in the washing machine, it has been pre-washed to set colors, and forgotten in the dryer until someone runs out of underwear.  That will not bother me one bit.  

  This project was my liftoff to return to the curious person I was in 2020 with all things thread and fuzz.  I needed to prove to myself that I can get it done.  I now know and believe with all my heart that challenging my left arm and hand with sewing is nothing but . . . this or better.  The hand tried and did well.  I can’t imagine not encouraging and engaging it. There were some aspects that I looked at and thought . . . hmm.  I learned much.  I am pleased that when I took this photo of the miters of the tablecloth top and the hem, laying them up close and personal, I was still pleased that I tried something new and it did not disappoint.  As I said . . . this or better.

  Tomorrow with my 3M lint rollers I will work the back side of the tablecloth and take care of unwanted threads.  I love those rollers.  The last step will be pressing the cloth with my Best Press.  A light starch does wonders to allow stains not to penetrate as deeply.  Mom used to lightly starch our pillow cases and the necks of Dad’s blue chambray work shirts.  Farm kids didn’t take a bath every night and with few fans the pillows absorbed a lot of the warm to hot nights.  As far as Dad’s shirts . . . the neck bands wore better before they were so frayed they would need to be taken off and turned over.  Helping Mom do that was indeed an insult to sewing. 

  Take heart the heat is going to subside for a few days.  Remember and never forget . . . it’s the attitude we live by and not the altitude.  Humility is a wonderful attribute.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on July 28, 2021 Permalink  

  Lazy Summer Day 

  I did go out at 6:30 this morning and watched the purple clouds full of rain pass us by.  What followed was very uncomfortable air.

  I am so thankful my old 1999 Dell laptop still is giving good service for the studio.  I do not have a battery on it.  If we have electricity in the house, I have service from it. Today I had a YouTube video that didn’t close down after pausing and starting more times than I could count.  

  I am using a two inch hem on the tablecloth that is under the needle.  I wanted the corners to look as good as possible and not bulky.  It may have taken me until noon, but the four corners of the hem are done with beautiful miters.  Martha Stewart would be proud.  Of all the 4-H and Home Economics projects, doing these corners had eluded me.  The YouTube video that I hooked my star to was the best of the choices.  The length and width of the hems remain to be sewn.  After these corners, that will be a walk in the park.

  Dennis’ patio porch must be a bit warm as he has been in the house for most of the afternoon.  He checked and the outside mid-nineties degrees feels like 102.  I agree . . . us older folks need to be cautious. 

  After being retired since February 2009, I still have to remind myself that a day may pass with me not having much to show for it.  Sometimes what I do have, is quality over quantity.  Most of all,  I am thrilled to have enough interests to allow me to feel like a viable retiree.  Too often I hear gals my age totally depend on coffee clutches.  They have their place. I do not need to live through their experiences or what they are doing with their time.  I still have agendas of my own to complete. 

  My kids need not wonder where their mom is in this heat.  I am home safe and sound.  I have a good supply of books to enjoy after the studio lights are off.

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on July 27, 2021 Permalink  

  At Last 

  Our McDonald’s has opened their interior several weeks ago.  At last, today Dennis and his buds are back on track to get together for the Tuesday morning session.  Many of them had drug card tables and lawn chairs to the parking lot over the extended covid shut down.  That was not up Dennis’ alley.  Good for him.  He was not that desperate to being social.

  While Dennis was out with his coffee group, I was in the studio.  Small steps make the project doable.  Miters are sewn down and all the raw seams, via the overlocking foot and stitch are secure.  There would be nothing more miserable than laundering  a tablecloth and having seams wanting to ravel.  The last step and that may be happening tomorrow is hemming the project.  I will be using my Best Press in preparation before stitching.  Best Press is a light starch and will help prevent any stretching.  We surely do not want a hem that has a ruffle look.

  At last, we got haircuts today.  Being tipped back in the chair was not on the agenda before now.  I am not sure who’s haircut is shorter . . . mine or Dennis’.  It matters not right now. Ease of managing in the hot weather is of prime importance.  A week later new growth will be showing.

  We are having a Chicken Ruben oven meal today.  Cubed raw chicken breast meat in the sprayed bottom of an oven dish.  Sprinkle with poultry seasoning.  Spread one can of drained sauerkraut on top of the chicken.  Lightly cover the kraut with 1,000 Island dressing.  Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degree.  Remove and cover the top of the dish with Baby Swiss Cheese, the kind with the holes.  Return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.   It’s been a long time since I have fixed this and yes . . . I am running out of ideas that really trip Dennis’ taste buds.  Fixing this is more appealing to me than eating out or soup.

  I pray that wherever you are, that if nothing else, not in the sun and air moving about you.

   
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  Noreen 1:16 pm on July 26, 2021 Permalink  

  Heavy Air 

  It may be smoke.  It may be a higher than normal dew point in combination with the humidity.  As I was plucking out some weeds this early morning, I felt heavy air as I began to huff and puff.  Enough of that!

  The RFD farm channel is Dennis’ favorite.  I must say I wouldn’t miss their eight in the morning routine for anything.  It is John Wayne’s rendition of “Why I love America” with wonderful music accompaniment.  I never tire of it.  Kind of like starting each day with thankfulness.

  I have spent some time in the studio today.  All four sides of the 82″ tablecloth have their border on . . . complete with the mitered corner pinned ready to sew down.  As I couldn’t find a plausible reason fore the 1/2 difference in one of the four corners, I am writing it off as textile printing error.  The eye will travel to see the braid match.  I doubt anyone will whip out a tape measure . . . well, one whose name does comes to mind.  The day ended in the studio with the threads changed out ready for another day.

  The 7th of August we are planning on going to Darwin, Minnesota.  The home of the largest twine ball. My mom’s family includes all with a link to the name Riebe.  Once a year, in the park, there is a gathering.  All the siblings of the original eight, have passed.  It is now up to their children, my cousins, to continue getting together.  A no fuss type of day, just catching up with each other. 

  On this day, five months since my stroke, with my left hand, I used the fingernail clipper to trim the nails on my right hand.  Not that Dennis hasn’t been doing a good job, it feels better to whack my own nails.  Now . . . if only I had the strength with those fingers of the left hand to push down the button on my deodorant.  Patience is a virtue, and I am still in the waiting room.  

  The days to come will bring more heavy air.  It’s a good thing I have an ample supply of stick deodorant.

   
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  Noreen 1:57 pm on July 25, 2021 Permalink  

  Forecasts are Right On 

  I was outside this morning at seven.  I was determined to get a few weeds taken care close to the east side of the house.  Dennis had just washed off the house, so I knew all the weeds would need was a gentle tug from the damp soil.  I accomplished my mission and had a fair amount of the pulled weeds to show for my efforts.

  I have been cleared as far as my activities around our home and gardens.  Bending is allowed.  It will be my endurance that limits me.  Sure enough.  I knew when I had had enough.  It may be that the weather forecast of higher humidity being right on target or possibly I had run out of steam.  Either way, I was content with my progress of getting some unwanted greenery in the burn ring.

  I settled on the sewing studio.  I took the time to read up on a few tips for using different presser feet.  I was ready to attach the third side of the border onto the tablecloth.  With that accomplished, I was excited to work with two of the four mitered corners. It sure looked as if the seaming of the border print was going to allow for success.  Yup, I had to get out my plastic 45 degree guides.  One corner . . . perfect.  The opposite corner . . . off by a half inch.  I measured from the point of the miter as it traveled to the edge:  Seventeen inches on the miter that had also met the 45 degree test.  The opposite corner . . . seventeen and a half inches.

  Dennis was down checking up on me and said the corners looked great . . . until I laid the tape measure down for a looksee.  This was the perfect time to realize I needed to get out of the studio for a break.  Dennis followed me up the steps to make sure I would leave it be for a time.

  Dennis has settled in watching a rodeo on the RFD channel.  I know if I sit in my rocking chair I will be most likely be checking my eyelids for cracks in a short order. Just what is needed to think things through.  Had I stayed in the studio the temps outside would have been minimal.  Tomorrow is a new day!

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on July 24, 2021 Permalink  

  Nothing Special 

  This was a nothing special Saturday.  Now that I am on the downhill side of this Saturday, it feels special.

  I am in my element when I can have a tidy home and a supper to put forth.  I had a lot of energy at seven this morning.  As I got up out of bed, I took the bedding right with me to the washing machine in the bathroom.  Bubbles churning, I put together my breakfast.  One of Dennis’ scones sure was tempting.  Not.  I did do my yogurt, flax meal, apple sauce and blueberries.  Maybe tomorrow morning I won’t be as strong.  I feel better if I lay low on the refined sugar and white flour.

  On to the supper.  I rough chopped the last of an onion and sautéed it to get a good caramelization. Pasta, lean ground beef browned, a cup or so of corn kernels, the onions and then churned with the contents of a jar of Clssico Tomato and Basil.  It is a warm day to have the oven going later on.  Equally, it is a good day to put out a good meal . . . with leftovers guaranteed.  

  By twelve noon the fresh bedding was back on the bed and the older ones on Stauffer will not be going out for supper.  It did feel good to take a break in our west house porch.  We have Thrush  birds that nest under our awning.  It makes for fun to watch them flit from the evergreen to and from their nests.  Their song is a joyful one.  I had a cup of coffee left from breakfast.  Add to that . . . even watching some traffic was relaxing.

  There was one seam stitched and ironed this afternoon.  I am making headway even if the back doesn’t appreciate the sewing studio time. 

  I am not overdoing it in my day-to-day routines.  I am participating in all my usual activities, just not to the max.  It feels special to be on track after six months of . . . not so much.

   
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  Noreen 1:08 pm on July 23, 2021 Permalink  

  Using the Mornings 

  I was out walking early this morning as I knew what the rest of the day was going to be.  Snuggles looked as if he would join me.  When I looked back he was sprawled on the east edge of the patio watching me.  I headed to the far east of the acre and checked on the red lilies that were in bloom.  Everything is doing its best in this drought.  One of our lilacs is showing curled leaves that are as if someone sprayed it.

  As I came back I couldn’t help but notice how clean the house looked after Dennis worked the bubbles yesterday.  He was after all the fly specs as well as the cob webs.  Next time he is talking about getting a brush out.  Take it slow as there are more webs and specs to come this season. ——–Update:  Dennis just came back from the Fleet and Farm.  His current sprayer head with which to switch from soap to clear water is near its end.  Dennis now has a new Scott’s sprayer.  The last one on the shelf.  I am sure they will not be ordering additional seasonal items.  Dennis lucked out.

  I have put in my allotted time in the sewing studio.  I enjoy it so I don’t want to overdue it.  I have one side of the four borders sewn onto the tablecloth.  I really like the contrast of the two fabrics while having it compliment each other with the shared blue.  

  I have noticed a delayed backache from the surgery.  I do remember how narrow the surgical table was that I was asked to get on board to, shortly before “lights out.”  This backache is my signal to change out activities.  It has gotten too warm to enjoy being outside.  I will wait until tomorrow morning’s cooler air.  It’s time to bury the nose in a book.