Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 6:29 pm on February 5, 2019 Permalink  

  It’s Tough 

  It’s tough being a patio porch kitty and the weather is not up to their snuff.  Dennis’ tribe likes to have one of the slider doors open and sit in front of it, deciding if they are going to go out or stay in.  There is a new sheriff on Stauffer.  If I open the door and they would like to take a short stroll, I would stay in the patio porch until they want back in.  No way will I do what Dennis has spoiled them into thinking, that sitting in the door is usual and customary.

  My objective today was to work on the Santa jacket in regards to the sleeves.  Hmm.  Fitting a sleeve piece into the arm hole has always been frightening for most.  When I was in high school, it was not unusual for me to be putting sleeves into garments of some of the classmates.  Lena had taught me well and it does not go without some prep work.  I like to use Wonder Clips as they really hold well.  Straight pins tend to slide out when I really need them.  Note that my mark on the back of the fabric keeps me going in the right way for the nap.  When I had both of the sleeves sewn in, I shut down the sewing studio.

  We had a fair amount of snow that started in the forenoon.  I think four inches qualifies for a fair amount.  There was a plan that I had to complete by five this afternoon.  I knew that Randy, and his snowblower, from next door would be in our driveway a few minutes after five.  My plan was to have all of the snow from the back door going east to the garage, about 15 feet, and the snow from the back door going to the far edge of the driveway pushed west into the middle of the driveway.  Randy would then be able to clear the driveway and not fight to get close enough that it would not need shoveling.  I didn’t mind getting out for some exercise and fresh air.  By the way . . . the plan worked slick.  It sounds like this plan will be re-played several times before this week is over. 

  The shoveling time gave me pause to plan for the next step in the Santa jacket project.

   
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  Noreen 4:46 pm on February 4, 2019 Permalink  

  Innovation on Board 

  With Dennis having left this morning on his road trip with nephew Brett, I had better have a lot of innovations on board for these next few weeks.  I am quite sure that all of Dennis’ planning of all things Stauffer . . . I am going to be just fine.

  My first agenda this morning was to watch YouTube videos on tricks of the trade sewing with velvet fabric.  When a seam is to be sewn, it slides, it glides, its objective is to not have nicely sewn seams.  It’s as simple as that.  I had a few supplies in my sewing studio that were mentioned as possible tricks.  

  With chalk in hand I made sure I had arrows drawn on the back side of the yardage.  All pieces of the patterns need to run in the same direction, top to bottom, to follow the nap of the fabric.  Having one piece of the front of the jacket pattern lying up-side-down, it will look as if you had two different colors of the red velvet when all was said and done.

  It was a struggle to get the jacket off of Santa.  One of the arms is mechanical and needs much TLC.  The other arm is not mobile.  What to do?  This afternoon I cut the original back portion of the red velvet jacket right down the middle from top to bottom.  I have decided that the jacket will be slipped onto Santa in two separate pieces.  The right side will be totally finished off as the left side will be.  What will fasten them together is the frog closures in the front.  What will fasten them together in the back will be enclosed Velcro running from the neck to the bottom of the jacket.  No more taking a chance of dislocating arms of our 55- plus year-old Santa.

  The best part is that Kevin will get all of his Python Velcro straps returned to him.  Over the weekend I had been pondering this project and low and behold, I had a package of white inch wide Velcro.  At one time we had used it to make a display for a trade show Dennis had gone to.  I made sure to beef up the hemmed edges of the back of the jacket with inch wide bias tape that I had in my stashes. It will take the stress off of the velvet with the Velcro being opened and closed.  It takes quite a tug to release the hooks and loops.  

  The rest of the late afternoon was needed to take care of Dennis’ livestock for the evening chores.  The last thing I did was to take the empty ice cream bucket, fill it with shell corn and put it out in the bird bath dish for the deer.  Dennis enjoyed watching seven deer last night as they took their time coming and going from our backyard. 

  Cats taken care of with food, water and litter box . . . check!  Make sure the Koi haven’t knocked over the bubbler . . . check!  Fed the deer . . . check!  This calls for scrambled eggs and toast for supper.

   
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  Noreen 3:59 pm on February 3, 2019 Permalink  

  What a disappointment today has become 

  What a disappointment today has become.  No sunshine, no temps above freezing . . . just fog and gloom.

  We are one day out from Dennis leaving on his trip with nephew Brett.  We had absolutely no reason to leave home today for any type of fun road trip.  Dennis did decide to take each of the two vehicles out to the automatic car wash.  No . . . they won’t stay clean for long.  What Dennis likes about the car wash is the under spray that they have to try and take a whack at all the grit and salt under the carriage. 

  I was making us some eggs for a noon lunch when he came home.  About that same time the washing machine let out its last breath indicating the load was ready to swap out into the clothes dryer.  Dennis offered as he knew it was the last of the items on his list of favorites to travel in.  “How did we get bleach in this load?”  I went to look and he had my black bra in his hands, remarking on the speckle of spots that looked like bleach had been splattered.  I assured him there had been no bleach involved.  When I had put down the light gray epoxy paint in the closets of the basement, all I had on was a pair of panties, this black bra and a pair of shoes.  No point in getting more mess going than necessary.  Ironically, there is a spot of the gray epoxy on the arm rest of one of our dining room chairs.  I do get into my projects.  There was a need to have a rub-a-dub at the time of the painting where I had spots of splatters on my arms and legs.  People . . . you really need to hang around us older individuals, we could be fun to watch.

  I hope no one comes to our front door unexpectedly.  The melt that took place yesterday allowed for a perfectly smooth layer of ice.  The back door concrete had the advantage of being at a slant away from the door.  I will have to put out a bit of ice bite so as to not have the mail person take a fall.  I kid you not, it is glare ice.

  Minnesota has a theatre of seasons every 24 hours.  I still cannot imagine leaving it for a few months every winter.  I like it here on Stauffer Avenue just fine.

   
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  Noreen 4:30 pm on February 2, 2019 Permalink  

  A Spring Reprieve 

  What to do with a 70 degree difference in temperatures!  It felt as if Spring was here, right now.  

  We are now two days out of Dennis leaving for his trip.  He is one busy ole cowboy.  The ice from our furnace exhaust has been taken right down to the level of the grass.  About that time, neighbor Jan came outside and she assured Dennis she could see the exhaust from her kitchen window and there would not be a chance of it getting out of hand.  Dennis took the filters out of the water in the horse tank that allows for the Koi to have bubbles.  The entire contraption was taken down into the sink in the basement for a clean up.  Would the filter have clogged up within the next several weeks . . . it doesn’t matter as they have been attended to today.  Out of storage came the garden hose and Dennis added water to the horse tank.  Granted, it is in the garage but evaporation does its deed.

  With the temps being in the high 30s, there was a bit of ice to get rid of by the back door.  Dennis took one swipe with the ice chipper and the handle broke off.  Hmm. It’s only twenty-five years old.  What is up with that.  Off to Fleet & Farm we went.  Dennis made sure he bought one that has a hardwood handle on it.  Nice and heavy duty and $23.98 later he was back to getting rid of unwanted ice.  With it being so warm out, I have an idea there will be new ice from the re-freeze over the night hours.  It is quite wonderful to have the concrete driveway thawed off.  

  Dennis has had both vehicles up to the gas station and both have full tanks of gas.  He is now cleaning windshields.   Have you ever heard of people being over stimulated?  Bless his heart.  Dennis so much wants as much taken care of before he leaves so as to not put me in a bind.  Again, I say, bless his heart. 

  If tomorrow is as nice as it was today, I may suggest a road trip of some sort.  It will take Dennis’ mind off of other items that he wants to take care of . . . of which there is none.

  On a light note:  There were seven deer in the backyard last night at intervals.  Dennis thinks the buck has shed his antlers by this time, as there was one that looked huge even from the 30 feet from where we were enjoying them.  I knew I would have livestock chores to do while Dennis is gone.  The three cats in the patio porch have now taken second fiddle to the wonders of the white tailed deer.

   
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  Noreen 5:20 pm on February 1, 2019 Permalink  

  The count down is on for Dennis and… 

  The count down is on for Dennis and nephew Brett to begin their road tip.  This was again a busy day of last minute checks and balances.  The VA visit for Dennis was a positive one.  All systems go in regard to health.  

  We had great service from the privately-owned Thrifty White Pharmacy in Mountain Lake.  It was worth the 26 mile trip.  It was the last of Dennis’ prescriptions that we need for his trip.  On a side note:  It seems Lewis Drugs has purchased the pharmacy from Shopko.  It will be some time before there is a location in St. James.  Madelia, 15 miles to the east of us, is also a Lewis Pharmacy.  We are really so glad that we have our prescriptions on hand as each of our prescriptions do include a 90 day supply.  By that time the red tape should be processed to visit a pharmacy here in St. James.

  While we were in Mountain Lake we stopped for a lunch break before continuing north to Fairfax to stop in at Kevin and his place of work.  Kevin had snagged a variety of Velcro products.  I am hoping to use some of it in The Santa Project.  I will be working on making a new Santa Jacket for the six foot tall Santa we had on display during the Christmas season in our patio porch.  It seems to be the logical time to do it before Christmas of 2019 is upon us.  It will be a slow process.  The most current plan I have is to split the jacket in the back using the Velcro so the maintenance that may be needed with the movable parts will be easier to get to.  Santa is 55 plus years old, and like the rest of us, a bit of TLC doesn’t hurt.

  As I said we are down to three days before Dennis leaves for all points west and I have my plans in place as well.  

   
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  Noreen 5:11 pm on January 31, 2019 Permalink  

  We had a high today of one above… 

  We had a high today of one above zero.  It felt balmy.  Snow flakes came down every once in a while.  We may have had a half inch in total.  Several times I suited up and pushed the driveway clear, especially the end of the drive where the road plow can really pack it in.  It felt good to get some exercise and, of course . . . fresh air.

  Today was time to get Dennis’ bags out of storage and into the living room.  What a fellow needs for a road trip that will be several weeks long is amazing.  Yes . . . we started several days in advance with written check lists.  Both Dennis and nephew Brett use the CPAP machines for sleeping.  I can only imagine how the coin flipping will go when it comes time in a motel to see who gets the electrical plug-in for the their favorite side of the beds.  Come to think of it . . . when I am done with my blog, I am going to put a good extension cord in Dennis’ CPAP bag.  Better safe than sorry.

  The enjoyment that we have had this year with a pair of Cardinals gracing our Lilac bushes is more than words can say.  I realize that Blue Jays get the bad rap when it comes to birds, but I must say we have quite a few of them and they don’t seem to intimidate the Cardinals.  The smaller birds ignore all that is around them and find neighbor Jan’s feeders just fine.  The open water in our backyard from the sump pump reminds me of the conversations that have been referred to as “the water cooler gossip in offices.” It is come one, come all and get a drink  The only creatures I have never seen at the open water is the squirrels.  Hmm.

  The fresh air and exercise has caught up with me this late afternoon.  Once supper is over with, I will be in my chair awaiting all the good shows on PBS this evening.  Oh the joy of watching a full length show with no commercials.  

   

   
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  Noreen 4:29 pm on January 30, 2019 Permalink  

  Accepting the Cold 

  There is nothing more to do than acknowledge the cold and get on with the day.  No point in grumping about it.  The sun is bright and there are some that are having it worse than us by far.  I do not believe Dennis’ furnace is even able to have a shutting down point for a break in the patio porch.  The thermostat doesn’t go below 45 degrees.  No way are we going to shut it off.  We will endure and be thankful for all that could break down in the cold and has not.

  The deer returned last night for their shell corn.  That in itself was a bright spot.  Dennis had moved the top of the bird bath so it was right in line with what can be seen from our east bathroom window.  What a wonderful sight to take in as they were eating.  It was colder than I thought we should be out . . . but . . . with Dennis going to be gone for his road trip coming up on the 3rd of February, we headed to Fleet and Farm.  There now is close to 150 lbs of shell corn in the garage.  I will be able to put out corn while Dennis is gone.  How cruel that would be to have food for them and then stop feeding them.  

  I knew that today I was going to pack away the contents of the plastic tub that has been under my bed for thirteen years.  We had purchased a plastic Fisher Price doll house and the contents for it when Megan was two.  Megan stayed with us for more wonderful times than I can count to. The doll house was in our closet and the tub for the contents under the bed: close at hand in a heartbeat for hours of pretend play. 

  Megan made trips with me to the Fleet and Farm store when she visited.  From the time her little nose could reach the display for the Schleich small plastic animals that the store sold, I was suckered in.  Two at a time.  The doll house would become an animal hospital or a people hotel.  We got our monies worth.

  When Nicholas came along and both kids would stay with us, Megan clued him in.  A trip was made to the Fleet and Farm store.  They each would pick out two animals.  Over the thirteen years the doll house was played with and the animal collection fit into three empty ice cream pails. 

  I digress:  I emptied the tub of the doll house furniture onto the sewing tables in the basement.  I made sure the batteries were taken out of the several items that had them in.  Of course I had to push the buttons and hear the melodies.  I had to push the steering wheel of the doll house family car to hear it honk as I maneuvered the family members into their seats, fastening their seat belts.  The doll house family consisted of a mom, a dad, a young boy, two twin babies and a gray haired grandma.  I carefully tucked all the pieces in place . . . and my tears rolled.  I couldn’t help it.  It evoked so many sweet memories.  It was time to move on.

  I took a photo with my camera and then sent the photo and a text message to Megan, letting her know that the doll house family was moving on until such time that perhaps they would find a place in her home some day.  Yes, I was still weepy.  I had no more than put the tub and the doll house into their storage place when I got a text back from Megan.  “Aww  🙂  Hugs too!  I’m getting my driving permit today!” 

  Talk about an ironic twist to the day.  I moved on and put the doll house memories away and Megan is just beginning to move on into a whole new dimension in her world making for more new memories to share with her Grammie.  I love it!  There is much to accept in our days, be it the cold or realizing that Megan and Nicholas are growing up on me.  Yes . . . much to take in and much to enjoy.

   
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  Noreen 6:48 pm on January 29, 2019 Permalink  

  Feel Good Times on Stauffer 

  Going back to Mom’s solution today when the winds were howling and cold could not be described.  The window shades on the west and northwest side of our home are pulled down and closed.  Perhaps it doesn’t dispel the cold from penetrating, but again, it worked for Mom.  

  Dennis spent a total of 10 minutes with the snowblower today.  The city plows and the county plows can really pile up the heavy stuff at the end of the driveway.  We did learn our lesson many years ago when the huge frozen deposit at the end of the driveway took off the muffler of the little brown Buick I had at that time.

  Dennis is on spot!  Last night after supper, I looked out to the patio porch.  Through the east slider widow I could see that the deer were enjoying the shell corn Dennis had put out in the top of the bird bath.  Dennis was elated.  When Dennis had gone out to check on the furnace and the kids . . . the half pail of shell corn was gone.  Dennis did put out a bit more when he was satisfied all was tucked in for the night.  Dennis reported this morning that again, during the night, the treats had been enjoyed.  This afternoon Dennis waited until about four before getting his empty ice cream pail ready with more corn.  His reasoning was that usually birds and squirrels are not that active in the late date.  Good times watching the deer.  With the deep snow and the cold, the corn does give them a bit of added body heat.

  I did spend some time in the sewing studio.  I have been on a bit of a sabbatical since getting the queen sized quilt hemmed. Surfing one of the closed Facebook sites that I belong to, I had downloaded a pattern for a currency sized wallet.  Hmm, zippers.  I took it slow as I had the perfect size of cork fabric and it didn’t allow for a boo-boo.  I have mentioned it before . . . it bares repeating . . . I like a good challenge.  If I would do a second one, of course there would be a few tweaks here and there.  It does hold six credit cards as well as the I.D. slot in the mid section.  Most likely it would include a snap for the closure rather than the strap for the top to be tucked behind to hold it in place.  Live and learn.  I love it.

   
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  Noreen 6:49 pm on January 28, 2019 Permalink  

  Randy made several passes on our driveway and… 

  Randy made several passes on our driveway and the 90 feet of driveway had nothing of the six inches of snow showing.  The bank of snow on the south side of the driveway and just off of the north side of Stauffer took the deposit.  After a heavy snowfall, I realize old habits kick in.

  Dennis had his snowmobile boots out and I knew there would be nothing to do but for me to suit up and join him.  No way was I going to have him outside in the cold alone.  More than likely he would say I get in his way.  Too bad.  If I can get the garbage and recycling containers out of his way he doesn’t need to spend time doing it.  Our front steps and sidewalk is manageable with my pusher.  That north wind was raw and a doozy.  Getting Dennis into the patio porch for a warm up does take some doing.  Hello!  We have all day to do this.  When Dennis goes after the snow . . . it is all concreted areas get cleared.  I get it.  Dennis’ pickup backs out of the garage onto Stauffer Avenue and that doorway was really socked in from the city’s early morning work.

  In time we had the east and west patios cleared off.  The last path Dennis made was around to the north side of our home.  Our vent for the furnace comes out of the foundation mid point of the length.  We have kept a close eye on that ice sickle.  When all was done and everything snow removal was put away, I headed towards the back door of the house and Dennis was going to get some rocking chair time in the patio porch.

  About the time I had a hand on the door knob, the neighbor south of us was headed for a visit with Dennis and called out to me.  Bob had just finished his snow blowing.  Bob’s observation was “Moving snow must agree with you.  Your cheeks are rosy and it makes you look so much younger.” WTF!

  When I have been out in the cold I go back to doing just what I did for Carrie and Kevin when they were small children playing in the cold and snow.  Slathering Vaseline on the portion of the face that is exposed makes for a protective shied.  If it doesn’t, please don’t message me.  If I believe it . . . it is so.

  Tonight before supper, Dennis felt he needed to get some of that shell corn put out in case the deer came calling.  What to put it in?  Around to the front of the house Dennis went and picked off the top of the concrete bird bath that has a spot there.  Perfect size and heavy enough to hold a Folger’s empty coffee can of corn.  The treat is awaiting on the east edge of the patio.  They have come that close before as they ventured to Jan and Randy’s yard.  Time will tell. 

  I never did check as to the temperatures today.  It would not have served any purpose and it would not have changed a dang thing on Dennis’ schedule.  After listening to the supper news, I know we did the right thing to get the outside work done.  The schools are closing tomorrow due to the cold, a good cue for the two older ones on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 4:53 pm on January 27, 2019 Permalink  

  How bad can the cold be when two… 

  How bad can the cold be when two doe and two fawn like our backyard!  We watched them through the patio porch windows last night for a good 30 minutes.  It was just at dusk.  Granted, Jan and Randy did put a hay bale out for them for just such a moment.  One of the doe got her nose up high enough to rattle the bird feeder.  Those must have been some very special snacks for them to hang around as long as they did.

  This afternoon we went to the Fleet and Farm store for a 50 lb. bag of shell corn when they opened this afternoon.  Dennis is on track.  Even if the shell corn gets damp from the snow, it is still munchable.  The cracked corn and other grains in the bird food would get soggy if we put it out.  There is much of winter left and having visitors is a huge treat.  Speaking of visitors: the pair of Cardinals that grace our lilacs during the day is quite sweet.  They enjoy Jan’s bird feeder and then off to the open water that we have where our sump pump bubbles to the surface.  Stauffer Avenue is the best place to be.  

  The snow has started right on time as per the forecasters.  It’s very fine and according to those who are out and about this late afternoon, the road surface is a bit slick.  We are tucked in safe and sound.