Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:24 pm on November 1, 2025 Permalink  

  Some Nights 

  Sometimes there are some nights when sleep doesn’t want to kick in.  That some night and sometimes was for Dennis last night.  I had gotten up at four to visit the bathroom.  Dennis got up right after me.  Dennis was wide awake.  I didn’t argue.

  The coffee was started and brewing didn’t take long.  When I knew Dennis was in the patio porch with coffee and his breakfast box, safe and sound, I went back to bed.  I managed to fall asleep after I had solved all the world’s problems and then got up at eight.  I knew Dennis and snuggles can easily fall asleep in the rocking chair in the patio porch. 

  Dennis came in a bit after eight, we bid each other a good morning and Dennis went to his recliner for a nap.  I enjoyed several cups of coffee checking out what my HP could share with me.  

  I know it must sound unreal that I can spend visit after visit doing the tidy in the studio.  It must be remembered that I only stay at it for 2-3 hours, getting side-tracked along the way.  I do not like UFOs, unfinished objects.  Unfinished objects don’t even get a glance before they are pitched in the circular file.  I had stitched the design packet of the Congress of Eagles.  I used three of the designs on a project for Megan, incorporating them with a patriotic panel.  The last two were orphans.  This morning, I found some backing material and I have them ready to be stuffed as little patriotic pillows.  To offset “just two,” I had embroidered “2026” for a third pillow.  The next visit to the studio will be stuffing the three.

  Oh yes . . . I like the tidy, tidy as it now presents itself.  The empty metal short file cabinet is immediately off to the left of the Singer serger that was Kersten’s grandmother’s.  There is now room for fabric to have some support as it is fed under the Singer serger. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:50 pm on October 31, 2025 Permalink  

  A Tidy Day 

  Look out studio!  I have a plan.  One of the three metal filing cabinets will be emptied by this mid-afternoon, or supper will not be made.

  I did meet my goal.  That metal filing cabinet has been scooted very close to the basement stairwell.  Of course, I went through each and every divider.

  I got way-laid:

  2004 Family Circle Magazine:  “Me Mudder”

  When – me prayers were always said,

  Who? – tucked me in my widdle bed,

  Who? – spanked me widdle ass till it was red,

  “Me Mudder”

  Who? – lifted me from a cozy cot, and set me on that ice cold pot and made me pee if I could or not,

  “Me Mudder”

  And When – the morning light had come, and me in bed dribbled some,

  Who? -Wiped me tiny widdle butt,

  “Me Mudder”

  And did – my hair so neatly part and press me gently to her heart, and sometimes squeeze me till I’d fart,

  “Me Mudder”

  So went some of the sifting and sorting in the studio.  I believe I am going to put a post on Facebook, giving away many quilt books of fabulous patterns and designs.  I am not going to put that on Facebook Market Place as I don’t want to be tethered to my phone.  I can’t in all good conscious put them in the recycling bin.  I did feed that bin quite generously as it was.

  I am now on to making some chili for supper.  A lb. of browned ground beef added to several cans of Hormel Chile – no meat, plus a can of tomato sauce.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:18 pm on October 30, 2025 Permalink  

  Aches 

  It may be an old wives tale.  Tales of aches and pains linked to the weather.  Truth or fiction.  For me, today, I will do the blame game and pin it on the weather.

  The world does not stand still because of maladies.  I intended on finishing the lap robe that was sitting under the sewing machine needle.  Once around the perimeter and the binding was done.  I folded the project after I had given it a good shake to take off any wayward threads.   Another day, I will do a grease, oil and needle change.

  I do have a project waiting in the wings for when the sewing machine has been tidied up.  A while back, I had pulled fabrics that were in harmony and cut them into 2.5″ strips.  A log cabin quilt top is in the waiting.  No hurry, no rush.  It will be busy work.

  The hand stitching is always on the go.  It might be sewing a length of floss or it may be more than that.  Again, busy work to let the body know I need to keep it moving.  I have not had a book started for some time.  Several selections are lined up on my window sill.  Eeenie, meenie, miney moe.

  There are still grain truck hauling corn in.  Depending how many acres need to be harvested, the gray wet weather might not be a concern.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on October 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Body Guard 

  This was the day!  Dennis needed a bodyguard to go with him to the bank.  It had been some time since Dennis cashed in his loose coins.  The quarters had filled a large 32 oz. cashew plastic tube.  All of the other “no account” coins were in his red color crayon bank.  Daughter Denise was on call.  Dennis carried the 32 oz. container in a small duffle bag.  Denise carried the crayon bank with her hand securely holding the bottom as it was merely held on by the stroke of luck.  Off they went.  Too funny.

  When Nicholas was a wee one, he ventured all over the house.  All of a sudden this teeny, tiny body came out of grandpa’s darkened bedroom.  Megan was beckoned in with him . . . back into the darkened bedroom.  When they finally came out, Nicholas declared “Grandpa has tons of money.”  He was at the honey-pot of the 32 oz. container.  Oh for sweet memories.  That same container has been emptied several times since that declaration and will go right back collecting more coins.

  Some of my forenoon was spent sewing on the binding fabric to the lap robe.  Each step brings it closer to a finish.  The next visit will be tipping the binding to the top.  The days of hand sewing binding are gone.  My sister Elvera found that out when mom was in the Buffalo Lake Health-Care Center.  No matter how many notes were attached to beautiful quilts for delicate care, they went through the laundry just like any other bath towel.  The quilt was taken home and brought back with a binding that had been machine sewn.  Elvera meant well.  Quilts are to give high utility unless made for the express purpose of “you can look, but don’t touch.”  Not in my world.  All quilts that I have made and given are to be used for whatever the need may be.  If they wear out, come back and I will offer a second one.

  Where I grew up, rural Renville County, the southwest second floor bedroom was nothing other than freezing cold in the winter and blistering hot in the summer.  In the winter, quilts were hung over the windows to take the brunt of the cold as it seeped in.  One wall also had a quilt hanging up to act as insulation.  That same farmhouse has been overhauled several times by now.

  The blessings of leftover fixings from last night’s supper.  All that will be needed is a small batch of Idaho Instant Potatoes.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on October 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Rain on a Tuesday 

  The forecast warned us, and true to form, I heard the rain begin during the night.  I also knew the rain falling on the awning would be the key for me taking my sleep right up to eight in the morning.  I also knew that the 28th, this day, the Culligan man would be coming with salt to fill the brine tank.  Would you believe he comes ringing the door bell at seven in the morning.  He rings the doorbell after he has tried entrance.  These last deliveries, we have made sure to leave the back door unlocked.  We always have a lamp on in the studio.  This morning, I heard his melodious voice call out “Culligan Man,” and I rolled over in bed for a bit more of sweet dreams.  It works!

  The rain has persisted through the day.  We need the moisture.

  I visited the studio today.  I had fabric to cut for the border of a lap top.  The 2.5″ strip was then ironed in half under the hot steam.  That was all I had intended for the sewing.  What was really on my mind in the studio was to unpack the paper products we bought at Sam’s Club last week.  Thankfully we have shelving so nothing is left sitting on the floor.  What a disaster if for some uncalled for reason we had a water issue.  We have indeed had that happen before, with only a small piece of a rug on the floor.   Believe me that was plenty to deal with.  It also gave me pause to check what type of canned-goods we had left behind the closed cabinet doors.  Taking inventory never hurts.

  Our supper this evening is in the crockpot and has been since 8:30 this morning.  The seasoned roast is on a bed on mini carrots.  Onion slices are on top of the roast.  As long as I was slicing onions, I cut enough for the cucumber dish Dennis was going to make.  That is totally his deal and he does it well.  Mid-afternoon and the house is filled with great aromas on this cool day.

  Since we have had a killing frost, I look outside as I type this and the world is covered in a bed of soggy leaves.  So be it.  This evening, I plan on doing some hand stitching.  It’s been a few days and I need to keep wrists and hands moving to avoid atrophy.  With the arthritis that is already present, it would like to take advantage of non-use. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on October 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Monday the 27th 

  It’s a Monday, Monday with the laundry goes full force.  Intermittent gray skies, winds are not lacking.

  Dennis needed to be at the Mayo clinic here in town for blood work.  A yearly appointment that can tell much.  Towards evening I will go onto the Mayo Portal and check out the readings.  Next week, Dennis has his annual visit to the VA Clinic here in town.  Three of his meds come via the VA and an annual checkup reviews if the meds are still doing what they are intended to do.  Those three are advantageous financially going via the VA.  His remaining meds work well going through Well-Care, our prescription provider. 

  This afternoon we shopped for a Boston Butt Pork Roast.  It will be going into the crockpot on Tuesday morning with carrots and an onion.  Good aromas and goods eats are coming our way.

  After we were through at the Super Fair grocery, we went to the Dairy Queen.  Tomorrow is the last day of this season for it to be open.  Dennis had caught the signage last week on their advertisement.  I ordered a small Butter-Finger Blizzard and Dennis ordered a small Strawberry Blizzard.  From the Dairy Queen we went and parked on our acre, visited and watched traffic, enjoying the treat.  A perfect fall date.

  Tomorrow Dennis and Tom will be changing oil in the mowers, pulling the batteries as well as anything else that needs a look-see.

  For me . . . I will be content visiting the studio and hopefully doing some hand stitching.  Neither of those two felt like a good thing to do today after yesterday’s task.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   

   
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  Noreen 1:08 pm on October 26, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunday Task 

  

  A task that was sorely needed.  Once there is one swipe, there is no going back.  It feels great to have it done.   By tomorrow the feelings in the tips of right hand’s fingers will return.

  That’s all I have to say about that.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on October 25, 2025 Permalink  

  A Saturday 

  The sun is out taking away the bite the wind would do if not for the sun.

  Dennis’ daughter and Tom, from Mankato came out.  Tom will be storing his convertible in AJ’s garage for the winter.  Dennis will take care of pulling the battery into a trickle charger in our garage.  It all seems to work out.

  I thought the wind had blown the pilot light out for our kitchen range.  I ask Tom if he would light it?  No deal!  I was running options through my mind for a repair person.  As I was standing off to the side in the kitchen, I looked over the top of the range’s hood.  The ground fault interrupter button was out.  Hello!  The range has an electric spark igniter.  The button got pushed in.  The oven lite, the burners lite and we were back in business.  I can’t imagine what caused the GFI to pop.  I will for sure remember it, if it happens again.  The next time I am in the studio, I am going to open the electrical panel and see what is hooked up to what.

  Sandy ask her dad if she could have his felt cowboy hat he that he wore when he rode the bucking broncos when the rodeos came to town.  He’d sign up every year.  The last time they came to town was when Dennis was forty, 49 years ago.  No entrance fee other than being the entertainment of those watching the brave fellows try their hand at it.  He did win the $20.00 for staying on the horse to the allotted time.   Daughter Susie had ask for the photo that had captured the moment when her dad was forty, and now twin sister Sandy has the bedraggled felt hat.  Many years ago I had taken the Stetson hat to the cleaners here in town for cleaning.  Sweet family memories placed where they belong.

  Tomorrow, my task is cleaning under the stove top.  Here a crumb, there a crumb.  Surprisingly no evidence of a boil over or two.

  In today’s mail Dennis received a check from the VA.  It was reimbursement for the money we had paid for meds while he was in the nursing home last year at this very time.  My, my, a year ago the out-look was anyone’s guess.  A very good recovery of a broken hip.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   

   

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on October 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Oh Happy Day 

  Here it is mid-day and we are home safe and sound from Mankato.  The only place we shopped at was Sam’s Club.  I shopped, Dennis filled the little red pickup and watched people.  A whole of entertainment there.

  I reminded myself of a prairie wife filling up the items our larder would need to get through the winter.  I do comparison shop in regard to our local grocery and Sam’s Club.  We have the freezer compartment on the bottom of the refrigerator.  Dennis always marvels as to what I can all pack into it.  

  Today was more about taxable items.  The total of the tax on the bottom of the receipt was $16.03.  It’s all good.  I don’t buy what we don’t use.

  Later on today or in the morning, I will package up the 30 giant banana nut muffins individually and get them in the freezer.  Hey, if Dennis is content with one for breakfast, who am I to complain.  He is getting something in his system with all the medications.  Medications alone might raise cain with the stomach lining.  Then again, I think . . . if smoking hasn’t done a number on him?

  We did visit all the  way to and all the way home.  Dennis was in the mode for reminiscing.  One of his thoughts went to his son Jeff.  One summer, quite a while ago, Jeff had no direction.  Jeff used Dennis’ little red pickup full of gas and headed to Fairfax every day to help Kevin with a clay block garage that was in dire shape.  When Jeff got back to St. James in the late afternoon, he was paid $40.00 for a good day’s workout.  It kept Jeff focused.  The garage had new life breathed into it.  For the life of Dennis, he always marvels when he thinks of that time.  Kevin and Jeff got along so well doing a hard laborious job.  Dennis’ final comment when he thinks about that time . . . if only we could have kept Jeff busy.  It was not to be.  I am very thankful Dennis is open and shares his thoughts.  

  Oh for memories.  We save the best and leave the rest.

  The day was great, we are home safe and sound with no mis-haps occurring.  We are having Marie’s chicken pot pies for supper.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:25 pm on October 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Frost 

  Frost of the roof tops.  That may be telling about the last of the flowers that have been enjoying fall.  Dennis did get his two huge houseplants in last week.  They both have a lot of years on them.  The Schefflera comes from the era of when I had local boards of review in the Madelia City Hall.  It was a plant from Joe McCabe’s grandpa’s funeral.  The Palm plant was a gift from a co-worker from times past.  

  Dennis had found some granular fertilizer in the garage and I am sure every once in awhile he gives them a sprinkle.  He fills gallon water jugs so I now they do not want for water.  I can only hope they help clean the air in the patio porch from his smoking.

  The VA was giving flu shots today.  I rode along and people watched as I waited for him.  From there we stopped at the bank.  I always go inside and there is never anyone behind the teller desks that I know.  They are all so young.  When Dennis visits the bank he does the drive-through.  I tried it once, a while back, but the left arm doesn’t have a reach for it.

  Kitty litter was the next stop.  Family Dollar has the light-weight litter in plastic jugs.  I picked up three of them promising to return the cart after Dennis got them in the back of the pickup.  We save the clean empty jugs for Brett.  Concrete jobs are always in need of water for quick cleanups on the sites.

  Super Fair Grocery for a few items was the next stop.  Those items that were purchased are not on the list that I have for Sam’s Club.  Doable sizes in products have become better for me to handle in the kitchen.

  As Dennis had been doing the “people watching” during the last stops, he made a departmental decision: we are going to the Home Town for supper.  It has been for sale as an on-going cafe for some time.  The new owners are from out of the area, have a manager to run it.  It had been closed for a week or so.  It will be interesting to see if any changes will be in place.  The community is thrilled  that it will remain open.

  Tomorrow we do plan on a trip to Mankato.  I have a list going.  Bulk paper products and non-prescription health items are on the list.  Time to do the pre-winter purchases while there is no ice or snow to contend with.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥