Me, Myself and Memories

Recent Updates Page 29 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 2:28 pm on October 13, 2025 Permalink  

  Well, Well 

  After twenty years in the making, actually twenty years of requests, there is a curtain on the bottom sash of the bathroom window.  Whew!  No supplies were needed from outside sources.  The studio had everything that was needed including the curtain rod.

  I can now go on to more pressing matters with that off of the table.

  I always have items waiting in the wings of the studio.  Once an item is placed upon the church tables in all its “what if” possibilities, it remains where it was put so all angles of it can be glanced at and scrutinized.  At this juncture alterations are not out of the picture.  The lights go out in the studio so no surrounding influence can take away from its possibilities.

  The first floor always has items to keep me busy.  One main item today was to take down the table top metal frame I use to hold my stitch patterns.  There was way too much play that took away from where I wanted to position it.  A pliers was needed to release the screws from a bad setting.  It needs to be on the left side of my HP laptop but able to swing out of the way so I can use the keyboard without brushing against my pattern.  All was set with screws and pliers in hand.  Righty, righty, tighty, tighty.  Tonight after supper, when I do some stitching, I will then realize if I have where it needs to be.

  Oh yes . . . the days of the retired Grammie are chucked full of momentous decisions.  That might be why I sleep so well when its bedtime.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:12 pm on October 12, 2025 Permalink  

  A Bit of Rain 

  A bit of rain, but not enough to wash off the front deck that has many layers of dust.

  With good faith effort the lights went on in the studio.  KNUJ was just picking up the church service from Grace Lutheran in Gaylord.  I had my material measured and trimmed.  The iron was warming to take out the wrinkles from being in the stashes.  My sharpest stick pins were at my right elbow.  The first hem was folded and pinned.  The sewing machine hummed, ready for action.

  The back door opened . . . my good faith effort blew right out that back door as company stepped in.  Dennis’ niece Jean Pew from Morris came a-calling.  Jean does her road trip at least twice a year.  Jean had been here over Memorial weekend.  I shut down multiple lights and switches in the studio and the three of us settled around the dining-room for a good visit.  Jean’s mom had been Dennis’ older sister.  Now . . . Dennis is the last of “when there were four” in Edith’s family. 

  Jean left after we had a bite of lunch.  When she left, so did my enthusiasm for anything to be started back up again in the studio.  All has not been lost.  The bare window curtain has had its fabric laid out with the plan begun, if only by a dozen stick pins.  Hey . . . it’s a start.

  I decided to do some hand stitching while keeping an eye out on the traffic.  Grain semis are still hauling in.  I doubt that our small shower of rain has way-laid anyone that was out in the fields.

  I have an oven meal in progress.  A very lean pork steak with seasonings rubbed in and a slather of ketchup on top.  I have some potatoes to use up.  Frozen carrots and cranberries will round out the fair.

  Tomorrow Dennis will be getting his flue shot at the VA clinic here in town.  I pass on the flu shots.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:36 pm on October 11, 2025 Permalink  

  Chilly 

  Alright . . . I caved . . . it was chillier in the house this morning than it was in Dennis’ patio porch.  When the sun shines bright the slider doors capture a lot of warmth to carry over into the next morning for the porch.  I set the thermostat at 65 degrees in the house and welcomed the warmth of our furnace.  My fingers don’t work well when they were that chilly.  I am sure that there will be days that will be warmer outside than they were this morning.

  This, the eleventh day of October, was our spa date with Maria for haircuts and pedicures.  Dennis had been with his family a month ago and missed out.  About two weeks ago he had asked for me to dig out our clipper.  He couldn’t stand the hair in his neck catching on collars.  He got a clip job but I didn’t do any more than needed as my right hand had forgotten how heavy the clipper was.  I could just see a path on the back of his head looking like a lightning bolt.

  We both left Maria’s salon feeling very primped up.  Looking at the card she filled out for our next appointment, November seems like a long way off . . . not so much.

  From Maria’s we went to Super Fair grocery.  Our freezer compartment and the refrigerator looked quite bare.  All in all, it is quite sweet that we have the store that carries everything needed plus perhaps a few extras.  The few extras can be and are a treat.  Dennis requested the pumpkin candies.  Why not! 

  I am making progress on the bare bathroom window.  I contrived a curtain rod that will work for the bottom sash window to be covered.  At first I thought of doing the curtain this afternoon, but after a full morning that went on into the afternoon . . . tomorrow will be soon enough.

  The street past our home brings in traffic from the east and south heading to the elevator.  One semi truck after another bringing in the harvest.  Cars and pickups take their chances.  I think all active farmers have their own semis, or two.  Hats off to the farmer from just south of town that brings his harvest in every year with a Farmall tractor and flair boxes.  Actually, it is his wife behind the steering wheel, while hubby is running the combine.

  We have been spiffed up and we have food in the house . . . life is pretty darn sweet.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:35 pm on October 10, 2025 Permalink  

  Here We Are 

  Here we are after a successful road trip to the north.  Dennis had just been to Sleepy Eye yesterday.  Something in that trip did not do it for Dennis.

  Today he asked me to take a road trip with him.  Of course I said, yes.  We arrived at our destination, Fairfax.  We spent some moments visiting back and forth.  Kevin and Kersten were winding up items in the shop and then they would be heading to Redwood Falls to pick up a specific part that was needed for a pickup in for repair.

  On the way home, Dennis . . .  “There, I feel better now.”  Dennis needed the verbal and eye contact with Kevin and Kersten to know all was well with them.  I didn’t comment on his comment.  If that was important for Dennis to do and know, I was happy for Dennis.  We have needs that no other needs to understand.

  Of course us two old farmers took in the sites in the fields.  In one week, I think one would be hard pressed to see crops remaining in the fields.

  The remainder of our Friday is being rounded out in a quiet pleasant afternoon here on Stauffer Avenue.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:20 pm on October 9, 2025 Permalink  

  Secure All 

  Anything out in the yards that are not secure . . . you can kiss them good-bye.

  We had our neighbor’s mail put in our slot accidently today.  I walked the mail over to their mailbox.  I used a strong paperclip to hold the letters in case the wind took it from my hand.  I felt the gusts that were going 29 mph.  One of the items was Jan’s Plaindealer newspaper.  I had to look twice.  It was like legal paper size made up of two sheets that had been collated.  If not for the free-bee that was tucked inside and it had Jan’s mailing label on it,  I would have thought it was junk mail.  Hmm.

  In the studio, I needed to cut some fabric.  I made sure all my scraps and loose threads were hand delivered to the circular file.  It feels kind of nice to have had the tidy, tidy done and I will appreciate keeping it such for a time.  I am working on a possible curtain for our bathroom.  Hmm.  Why not!  It’s not like I don’t have a sewing machine.  Dennis has hinted often.  Hey, I’ve been busy these last twenty-odd years.  In the cistern closet I found a rod that will work.  I have a length of fabric pulled out of stashes.  Don’t count me out.  There is a possibility I might get this project cranked out.

  I have heard of sympathy pains.  This morning as I was waking up, my right foot . . . right where the bunion had been in 1980s. it hurt so bad, it was like it was harkening back to the mid 80s.  Silly things do happen.

  I know Dennis has been out and about.  When I looked out the bare bathroom window, I could see he was sleeping in his chair in the patio porch.  So . . . I keep track of Dennis via the bare bathroom window that affords me seeing what is going on in the patio porch.  I have calculated the new curtain for said bare window so it covers the bottom sash of the window, allowing me to see through the top sash.  It’s Grammie, killing two birds with a few stitches.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:48 pm on October 8, 2025 Permalink  

  Mission Completion 

  Mission completion on my studio floors as well as the two closet floors.  The Filter Queen’s cord is tidy and the tops of the two church tables are empty.  Ready willing and able is my studio.

  I had sent for an extra battery for our new weed-whip and blower.  Dennis switched it out between the two chargers and the two chargers worked, the battery would not take a charge.  Today I packaged up the battery and printed out the shipping labels.  Our Fleet Farm is an authorized UPS depot.  No charge for the return and the price of the battery, $47.30, will be refunded to our credit card.  A good feeling to have that taken care of.

  As we were in the little red pickup, Dennis filled the two gas cans up as I am sure there will be one more tidy, tidy that Tom will do yet this fall with the mower.  From there we went to Dollar General to pick up some Lemon Heads.  They are still a $1.00 a bag, compared to the grocery store at $1.29 for the same sized bag.  I bought all they had, 8 bags.  From there Dennis wanted to take a ride around the block to the north to see how the farming was going.  There was not a bean field left for harvesting and a fair amount of the corn fields were either out or being worked on.  That satisfied the curiosity as well as the errand’s we had.

  Driving along Main Street, the city flower baskets may have had some tender plants that got nipped with last night’s temperatures.

  All I have left for this day is to put fresh linens on Dennis’ bed.  My bed will be done tomorrow.

  The two older ones on Stauffer are keeping their head’s above water.  There is so much fright being aired about the cost of health care for 2026 and that is what the democrats are touting for verification for the shutdown.  Yesterday we received our information from Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 2026.  It was no higher than the realistic bump we got in 2024.  Oh yes, let’s just kept everyone frightened.  So be it. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:25 pm on October 7, 2025 Permalink  

  Ever Foreword 

  With my cleaning of the studio, all went well.  I am not quite done. Denise stopped over and her and I had a visit in the studio.  It had been some time and it was enjoyable and it was a good break.

  This morning son Ken stopped in as he is heading back to Arizona after visiting various family members since the 5th of October.  I think it will be some time before he visits again.  Him being retired . . . who knows.

  I had the vacuum going in the studio and Dennis had our lightweight shop vac going on the first floor.  If that shop vac is given a chance it has great pick-up skills.  I came up for a drink of water and knew the rest of the story.  It may have been my fault from the get-go.  For the wide floor brush to be at it, ultimately the entire attachment needs to be on the floor’s surface, allowing for that great suction.  I did not think vacuuming 101 was needed.  I will be doing some tidy, tidy on the first floor tomorrow after I finish the studio.  It is such a great feeling to get a heads up in the studio before I start another project. 

  Denise is not the main supervisor at Casey’s.  That matters not.  Today is her day off but her phone must not have known that.

  We are having chicken tenderloins and stove top dressing for supper with the usual side dishes.

  A bit more to get done before supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:53 pm on October 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Crisp Fall Air 

  It has been a while since the fall crisp air greets us.  Just wait a few days and things will change.  The winds of the last days made many leaves tumble to the ground.  As it is very dry, it also made a lot of dust fly.  Stauffer Avenue is a graveled alley.  I know decades back it was 18′ wide.  It is now well traveled to the point that two vehicles can meet each other safely.

  My objective was to do some tidy, tidy in the studio.  The Filter Queen canister vacuum has a permanent spot under one of the church tables.  There is nothing light-weight about the wand.  Heavy metal tubular with the type of chrome finish that a biker would enjoy.  I have all of the attachments.  There is one floor brush that stays on the wand all the time . . . as I can no longer squeeze the button to release it from its designated spot.  That’s alright.  I can use the small cylindrical brush attached to the vacuum’s coil.

  Everything was moved away from the south wall that was sitting on the floor.  I wanted to get right next to where the wall meets the floor.  That in itself was a good work-out.  A bit of tidy tidy as I tackled some items on the shelves on the south wall.  It never hurts to pick up items, give them a look-see as to whether or not they will remain shelf worthy.

  By one, Dennis came in and thought I would have been totally done . . . not.  When I am doing some fairly deep cleaning. I do not rush.  Of course I open up a box or small tote to see if there is something I need to address immediately.  Old home week!  There is stuff that can be done away with and then there are the items that I have an emotional connection with.  I am grateful for being a sentimentalist.  People, events and some material items . . . all are held long enough in my being to become memories.  Mostly good memories.  I live by “save the best and . . . leave the rest.”

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:11 pm on October 5, 2025 Permalink  

  Very Few 

  WE have had very few raindrops this afternoon.  The map shows various areas and then the rain disperses.

  My objectives today . . . were very few.  Not for lack of ideas to pursue, just allowing the simple pushing of buttons on the washer and dryer to still show evidence of local effort with very little excursion.  It is satisfying to have an empty laundry basket with the laundry folded and tucked away.

  There were several YouTubes that were interesting.

  Dennis has been collecting the Hesston belt buckles.  One issued every year since 1974.  Dennis’ two sons were both in high school rodeos during their years in school.  Jeff won the all around events year after year and won a beautiful saddle.  Hmm. Non of the four remaining children of Dennis wanted it after Jeff passed away.  AJ said he would take care of his uncle’s saddle until such time that a family member was hit with sentiment.  I realize a saddle on its own stand may not work in everyone’s home.  Son Kenny will be heading back to Arizona sometime this week and the belt buckles are going home with him.  Buckles and the cases.  It does bring a peace knowing that decisions can be made when it works for the one that has had ownership.

  My wares in our home have always been those of high utility.  Nothing ornate.  The fanciest I ever had was Onida silverware from collecting Betty Crocker box tops. 

  I have stabbed and poked a few threads this afternoon.  Enough to allow me to feel some semblance of creativity.

  I did hear from Megan this afternoon.  That is always food for my soul.

  This next week, our schedule is non-existent.  As I had been busy with the deck, the octagon window, washing my porch windows and some yard spraying, other than the meals and laundry . . . the surfaces high and low have been ignored.  Hmm.  That may count as a week’s schedule.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:48 pm on October 4, 2025 Permalink  

  Windy Warm 

  Windy warm with the winds in the mid twenties.  With that it is not a good thing when the fire barn just got emptied of all of their vehicles.  Harvest is in full gear.  Combine engines get hot.  I hope everyone is safe.  Machines can be replaced.  As much dust as is flying here in town, I can only image what it is like in the fields being harvested.

  My studio is dark because I finished a project.  It was a good project to do and it feels good to have finished it for Megan.  There were two fabric panels and this Mount Rushmore was the first one I decided to tackle.  There are steps in the process that allow me to feel the unpleasantness of the arthritis.  If I don’t use the muscles and tendons they will atrophy.  That means that the arthritis calcification will make them permanently stiff and immobile.   That is not good and I will fight to keep going, doing what I have always done and what brings me contentment and happiness.  Projects like the one finished today, I will seek the next project.  No rushing, just being a steady Eddie

  

  This is the first time I incorporated my cross stitch with quilting.  I did the cross stitch designs as next year, 2026, is the 250th celebration of our nation.  Once done, I realized they were too large to make into small pillows.  I still have two designs of the same design packet that are stitched.  Those are of less stitches, making them possible for pillows.  It’s all about using my creative life and never hesitating in trying something new.  I had used the embroidery module and stitched out the 2026, but couldn’t work it into the project.  I’ll find a use for it somewhere. 

  Dennis’ AJ from Mankato came to visit his grandpa as a late birthday visit.  I think that is just great.  AJ runs a crew that does fiber optics in and around the Mankato area.

  My next task, for another day, is to vacuum my studio floor.  What follows is checking over the sewing machine and putting in a new needle.  Needles are cheap and they make the world of difference in sewing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥