Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:55 pm on June 5, 2021 Permalink  

  Feeling Small 

  In the scheme of things today and how diligent my two children are in their endeavors . . . I feel small.  Oh so small.

  It matters not how different the paths may be in my children’s lives.  I could not cut it.

  I am not the brave person that I see is in place today in my family.  I know failure is not an option if trying never took place.  Striking out for their hopes and joy.  There is nothing like it.

  When I hear of the schedule that Carrie has in the metro, I cringe.  I am the one that had security by raising two kids on a farm with family just several sections down the gravel road.  No worries of traffic to keep the kids safe from or less than desirable civil unrest.  Carrie has managed to wear many hats, one of which by giving my 17-year-old granddaughter the confidence to drive to a summer job each day and put in a good day working in a green house.  There is no shortage of opportunity or availability in the metro.

  I harken more to the quiet life that Kevin has in a smaller town surrounded by rural agricultural farms.  Everyone may know more about your business than what is welcomed, but there is a feeling of serenity that comes with it.  Those that dwell in small rural towns need the services of what is available “just down the street.”  The “down the street” business owner is a multi-tasker.  He may feel the wear and strain of his muscles just as the fellow outside of the city limits that hefted hay bales.  A small rural town; a great place to call home.

  Wonderful lifestyles so very different but so self-fulfilling to bring to each knowing what it took to bring the day to a good end, grateful for what they have and who they are.

  I feel so blessed for what these two people can still teach me, but I remain feeling so small.

   
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  Noreen 3:15 pm on June 4, 2021 Permalink  

  Great Morning 

  At seven this morning, the coffee never tasted so good as I sat on the west patio.  It was quiet in the neighborhood.  School buses and the traffic that needs to pass our way towards the school is done as of yesterday.  It was just me, the squirrels, birds and of course the patio porch kitties.  I did eventually walk the acre to see if the Roundup from yesterday’s application on some clover as well as a few other undesirables had kicked in.  Clover gives in easily, time will tell on a few others.

  We have a fantastic crop of mint, aka: cat nip, growing adjacent to the patio.  Ironically, the kitties don’t take notice of it until a stem or a leaf is twisted off, and then the pungent aroma is released.  It is ass over tea kettle to get to, to roll around in it and munch on it.  In time, using the weed whip and taking off the very top of this crop will keep the kitties content.  Why would they stray from Stauffer!  They each have their own pillow nest to sleep off their highs.

  I got errands done after a noon break.  Lewis Drug, Dollar General and the grocery store . . .  the latter to pick up one item, a bag of Flax Meal.  It was warm enough that when I got home Dennis was in the patio porch listening to country western music on the RFD television channel.  Perfect spot.

  I have about an hour before getting supper so “the chair” is going to be visited . . . sweet.

   
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  Noreen 2:04 pm on June 3, 2021 Permalink  

  Good Plan 

  Though there are older ones that dwell here on Stauffer Avenue, Dennis and I are still able to contribute to helping when a plan is on the table.  

  Kevin is a new owner of his own business in Fairfax for auto repair.  Within the building is a full-functioning wood stove.  Cool mornings can get the chill removed with a bit of fire.  It is May, but the foreword thinking person he is he put out a text that any scrap wood or pallets would be appreciated and put in storage for the coming winter.

  Ok, this older one can’t help it.  Without it taking more than a week, I had my thumb on a single location that had several hundred pallets and they were attainable.  I don’t have the far reaching “people” that Dennis has, having lived here his entire life, but I had one up my sleeve.

  This Saturday morning by eight, Kevin and Kersten will be at the pallet site as there is a forklift available to load the pallets on their large car trailer.

  When Dennis knew of the plan, he added to it.  We have been storing, in our backyard, friend Dwayne’s 8′ x 14′ implement trailer.  Dennis took on the challenge and is out to find lock down straps so we can also be at the pallet site to take an additional load of pallets to Kevin’s garage safe and sound.  Come Friday night, before Dennis turns in for the night, Dwayne’s trailer will be hooked and chained to the trailer hitch of the little red pickup . . . thus said Dennis.

  There have been times, and one of those times was this morning, that I verbalized to Dennis that Kevin sure could use his dad’s input and advice if cancer had not taken Orlin.  The ole cowboy’s response was that he and I could still step up and help as much as we are able to.  Yup, we sure can and we will.  Sweet.

  Life is there each day, to keep an ear and eye out.  If we can be there to help, to lend a hand how better to serve Him.

   
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  Noreen 2:32 pm on June 2, 2021 Permalink  

  Whew! 

  We are hoping that the bushel basket of Maple seeds, aka: airplanes, that we raked up will lessen the volunteers that will show up in short order.  The seeds and a trash can of twigs made a great bonfire.  I have a container of Roundup with the pump up applicator that I do not share with Dennis for use.  I know that if I get the tips of weeds wet with the spray, it will continue to travel to the root and take care of the entire plant.  Less is more.

  With my small clipper I trimmed out a few volunteer Lilacs.  It only takes one or two to train for a desirable shrub plant.  Before I knew it, Dennis had collected more for the fire.

  Our neighbor is having his home shingled.  Off came the old shingles with six fellows in bright yellow shirts scurrying their steep hip roof.  Lots of loud Latina music.  It may have made the work go easier as the temps climbed beyond 80 degrees.  When neighbor Jan left for work this morning, little did she know that Fairmont Roofing would move in today and now all of her plants adjacent to the house are buried under shingles and tar paper.  We have all been there at one time.  Contractors have a job to do and it is not playing kissy face, huggee bear to plants.  It is still early to replant some.

  I spoke with sister-in-law JoAnn this afternoon.  Dennis’ Koi like farm life.  She is short one as a racoon got it.  She set a live trap and now the farm is short three racoons.  This morning she notice two baby Koi about an inch long . . . or they could be from the fish that Megan had gotten in a small bowl at the checkout isle in Menards years ago.  Doretha has been swimming with the Koi for quite a few years.  Way to go.  They have a light tan coloring.  Interesting to see if they show colors as they get bigger.

  I have spaghetti and meatballs in my favorite blue speckled round roaster to fix in the oven for supper.  Classico have various flavors of tomato sauce and this one speaks to having a vodka additive.  Time will tell.

  Tomorrow I am traveling to LaSalle, five miles to the north, to meet with an old acquaintance.  Sometimes the rewards of long-time people in our lives becomes sweet.

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on June 1, 2021 Permalink  

  Each Day 

  Each day brings new challenges and items to pay attention to.  This has been going on since . . . forever.  I am not an advocate of burning time.  Being thankful to have a day, I like to make tracks every day, even if the turtle could leave me in its dust.  I sometimes don’t tell all.

  I still do have physical tell tale signs of having a stroke three months ago.  My left cheekbone is still black and blue and tender to the touch.  My chin on the left side has remains for some of the bruising to be absorbed within my system.  The healed, horseshoe shaped scar on my left butt cheek lets me know when I have sat too long on our hard plastic patio chairs.  Some of what I experience in my day-to-day activities or lack thereof is mine to own and mine to work through.  No need to articulate.

  I am doing all that comes my way each and every day, in my own style and in my own time.  Nothing is being left unattended.  No welfare check is needed here on Stauffer Avenue.  I remain a busy person and still can be a pain in the ass to my children and Dennis.  Tough titty.  The gratitude that I send in petitions to my Lord could fill a library.  I get to take care of our home.  I get to make decisions.  I get to pay bills.  I get to be a pain in the ass to anyone when they least expect it.  I get to be me . . . it could have gone either way in February.  Making plans for the day is a treat.  I am not looking in the rear view mirror . . . my site is up there right around the next curve.

  A sunny week ahead with no plans for it right off hand . . . subject to change.  Grandma Laura, I do have something at the end of each day to be accountable for having been given the day.  Catch ya tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 1:56 pm on May 31, 2021 Permalink  

  No Denying 

  There is no denying that when the sun greets me in the morning, I know there is lots more good to come. 

  Dennis helped strip the beds and he was off to the patio porch with coffee and raspberry scone in hand.  He has really gotten into those scones.  I am waiting for him to ask me if I would try baking some.  Right now I am picking them up at the store.

  How wonderful that those that make their annual trips to the various grave sites of loved ones have good traveling and good weather.  Special.

  It is now mid afternoon and the older ones on Stauffer have called it a day.  The acre looks manicured.  Dennis mowed and I trimmed the areas that he could not get close enough to.  Close to the trees is off limits.  The tender bark does not like to be scuffed.

  The beds have fresh linens to be enjoyed after bathing and showering this evening.  Does it sound like we had a full and good day . . . we surely did.  I have no doubt we will find something to keep us busy tomorrow.  Life is sweet.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on May 30, 2021 Permalink  

  Plans Squashed 

  The plans for the day were squashed by rain . . . mowing the acre.  That’s okay.  The gas in the tanks will last a little longer.  The new thread in the weed whip will last a little longer.  Tomorrow seems to have a better outlook.

  I did take a walk  into the backyard earlier during one of the breaks of rain.  Yes, the grass is indeed ready for a trim.  I also took note that all the Lilac’s blossoms that had frozen off, also left a length on the tip of each branch that won’t be putting on new leaves.  Nothing but a length of a dead branch.  Too bad.  The harsh winds of the coming winter will most likely snap them off.

  We were both in our favorite chairs this morning and the conversation had lagged.  Dennis asked me what I was thinking about as we had earlier talked about the calendar schedule for the upcoming surgery.  My response to his question as to what I was thinking on was “Not what might go wrong but all the good and wonderful days ahead to make plans for.”  

  I did go down into the sewing studio and unplug my sewing machine in case of the possibility of electrical damage from spring storms.  I pulled out the cover of the machine until a time in the near future.  It will be sooner than later.  That machine and I are better together than not.  It has kept my creative juices alive and in the near future the glass will be ready to be tapped.

   
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  Noreen 1:43 pm on May 29, 2021 Permalink  

  A Kitchen Day 

  A bit too chilly for coffee on the patio right off the bat.  The bright sun does promise a bit warmer later on.

  There is always a load of laundry to set the day in motion.  By pushing a few buttons, it freed me up to start an oven meal for tonight.  Classico tomato sauce with browned hamburger, pasta, caramelized onions and chopped up canned green beans.  Chopping canned green beans was easy.  I opted to put the hunks of onion in the blender with some water.  It doesn’t take that long to blot the the minced onions dry and finish them in a fry pan.

  Dennis was on board to help with the dishes and the freezer scored a portion of the oven meal in a small loaf pan with instructions taped to the top for the day that will come . . . “What’s for supper.” Later this afternoon the kitchen will be picking up the aroma of a hearty supper. 

  I did sit for a break to see what the junk mail held . . . nothing.  It was enough of a break to decide to make a Dump Cake.  Easy as one, two, three.  A huge can of sliced peaches, juice and all, into a 8×10 or so cake pan . . . no pan prep.  Sprinkle one box of dry cake mix on top.  I used yellow cake mix.  Cutting up one and a half sticks of butter into the half marks on the wax paper and placing the butter patties throughout on top of the dry cake mix.  Next, bake at 350 degrees for an hour or so.  The top will have taken on a wonderful color, perhaps with peach juice bubbling through.  

  It felt good to spend some time in the kitchen, knowing that this will be the beginning of feeding the freezer for a time when Dennis is home alone while I am in the hospital, or, an easy meal for the two of us when I am again home.  Not to worry.  I can promise you it will not be in the freezer long enough to catch freezer burn.

  Have yourself a great Saturday evening.  I think I need to check out what has kept Dennis busy in the garage after he escaped KP duty.

   
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  Noreen 2:04 pm on May 28, 2021 Permalink  

  A Sunny Day 

  After having 1.3 inches of rain, this rain will do wonders.

  Spending two days in Rochester this week it feels great to know we will have the whole weekend on the quiet side.

  I would not have been able to get through all the “doctor, medicine speak” without Kevin and Carrie with me for those two non-stop days.  

  For three months I have known what the next step would be after the stroke I had had. Yesterday, seeing the videos of the heart as it was beating within me and being able to see the small spheres that were a part of each beat but not remaining constant, brought it home.  We now have a plan.  Mama needs open heart surgery.  June 15th is the date.  Kevin and Carrie expressed their thoughts and questions.  I felt big time secure.  As we met in the hospital café and reviewed the information, we agreed, it all felt good.

  Coming home and including Dennis in as to what is going to happen, felt good that this plan was complete and we now have a span of time to be just “us.”

  This afternoon I visited my friend June to see her new apartment and catch up.  I am so happy that she is happy.  June 1st, she will celebrate her 80th birthday as her children have her agenda planned for the day.  Priceless.

  I went on to see what our new Dollar General store held.  Wow!  Starting this next Monday they will be having fresh produce.  The displays were set up, ready to go.  It will give our Super Fair store a run for their money and believe me, it is warranted.

  Happy Holiday weekend to everyone, but mostly to Kevin and Carrie.  They need to have time to take care of their lives, their homes, their health.  I sure do love those two.

  May the sun remain for the weekend.

   
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  Noreen 6:11 pm on May 27, 2021 Permalink  

  The Rest of the Story 

  We now know where we are headed for the future.  I will be having open heart surgery on June 15th at St. Mary’s in Rochester.  I check in on the 14th at 7:00 a.m. for pre-op work.

  So good to know that the plan is in motion.  Needless to say I am looking forward to bedtime, which is any time after I post this message.  Night, night.