Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:03 am on March 26, 2017 Permalink  

  There May Be a Reason Why 

  I had an occasion to have coffee with someone I had worked with at the courthouse.  We had not caught up with each other since last fall.  Hashing over news of our husbands, kids, grand-kids, etc. took a fair amount of coffee.  It seems that we are doing what we enjoy and taking the time to slow things down.  I had told her early on that I would have to watch the clock as I had an appointment with a chiropractor.  Empathy was given referencing that spending many years in an office environment can leave aches and pains to contend with.  I didn’t comment to any great degree. What I was thinking was . . . decades ago using a pick ax to chop frozen silage out of our silo most likely could attribute for some of the ware and tear on the ole body.  Many farm chores of that same magnitude were just every day needs that had to be met.  That may be the reason for some chiropractic appointments.  If I were going back, most likely I would do it all over again.  It was part of being a farm family.  Good times!  

  That being said is why I now have the patience to deal with a few minor aches and pains and to be wise enough to seek help before it takes over my days.  That would not be a good thing.  I enjoy my life of puttering.  Hurry is no longer in my vocabulary.  A slow persistent pace serves me quite well.  Testament to that is my table of creative commotion that is looking a little better today.  The embroidery unit lets me know when to change thread color and then I am off to the opposite side of the sewing studio for some fabric detail.  Sweet!  The tortoise would understand. 

   
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  Noreen 3:51 am on March 25, 2017 Permalink  

  Creativity in Motion 

  

  Right now there isn’t too much motion going on but more commotion. I have ducks in the water like you cannot believe and the worst part is they are not in a row. If I had a larger cutting table over the current 96″ x 60″, I would have more commotion. I am not one to sit in one place very long. I am at the sewing machine for a bit and then I move over to the cutting table and poodle around, or more precisely dink around, trying to calculate out a project. In the end, all the projects do seem to get done.  Right now the motion needs to be getting back into the kitchen as I have supper going in the oven and a vegetable needs to get started.  I think life on Stauffer Avenue is pretty darn sweet.

   
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  Noreen 2:07 am on March 24, 2017 Permalink  

  Today as I was out for my daily walk, I headed east on Stauffer Avenue to continue on the by-pass to the industrial park. As I got to the bridge that crosses over the creek, I took time to take in the Canadian geese that were giving me the evil honks trying to get me to leave the area that I am sure they have a nest in. As I stood there and watched the water I remembered the spring when Kevin and his dad, Orlin, took a floating device down to the creek just north of our home in South Branch. Kevin on board with his dad having a tether rope attached to the floating device. Orlin walked along the bank of the creek and Kevin taking in the adventure. I do not recall how long the voyage took in either time or length. Particulars are vague. This morning at that moment in time as I was standing on the bridge here in St. James, it was a good memory. It was just one of the memories of Kevin and his dad pushing the envelope of “Why not try it.” Gosh, I love my memories.

   
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  Noreen 3:51 am on March 23, 2017 Permalink  

  Hues of Color 

  

  The morning appointment with chiropractor Curt can still be felt this late afternoon. It was a good time for me to take the rest of the day easy. He works from the base of the neck right down to the butt cheeks.  As per Curt, sitting for any length of time is not a wise move.  Any one position for a length of time is not a wise move.  I was prompted to work with some of the stash of fabrics from my friend Lorraine.  I put on many steps going from my fabric closet to the tables trying to pull together hues of the same color.  Guess what colors she enjoyed! I do have an idea as to how to use portions of this collection. The pattern called for 24 different fabrics . . . bad thing is . . . only a 2.5 inch strip of each. It will be interesting.

   
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  Noreen 3:21 am on March 22, 2017 Permalink  

  The trip to the chiropractor was a very wise one. He found spots in my back that felt like a hot poker had been applied. As he kept the pressure on, it subsided and eventually he would retrace his steps and the level of discomfort became less. I have gone to Curt for decades and I so trust him. He realized my knees and shoulders situation and is very careful. I will return for however many sessions he feels is necessary. I do have to be tuned up for pushing our lawnmower in the near future. Dennis does the bulk of the acre with the riding mower but you just can’t beat a small push mower for getting close to things that should not be mowed down by the three blades that he mans.

  Enough about pains and grass mowing . . . I am taking my time doing some embroidery patterns on my sewing machine. I am looking into some straight stitch patterns that I may do on my Sears machine while the embroidery unit hums away. Heck, if I could talk Dennis in to sitting still long enough I could even get him to work on my Mom’s sewing machine. NOT!

  Dennis has his hands full as his last two lifetime buds are both in the hospital. Supporting visits are appreciated. I appreciate how hard Dennis works at taking care of himself – you know – upright and all.

   
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  Noreen 2:14 am on March 21, 2017 Permalink  

  This morning I knew I was not going to put off making a phone call for help. My friend Curt the chiropractor was needed. Since last Thursday there was some junk in my trunk that was familiar to times past. Same old, same old. Not a pain, not an ache, just a feeling of numbness across the lower back. The last appointment I had had for this very same malady was May of 2016. Nothing that I can think of that brings it on but I know I can’t stretch it out, walk it out or sleep it off. Hmm. A winter of shoveling snow, sewing quilts, cleaning house, washing windows and all is fine . . . until out of the blue it creeps in. I am sure it will take one or perhaps two of his magic touch treatments and I will be back to fine form.

   
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  Noreen 4:28 am on March 20, 2017 Permalink  

  It may not be spring until later this week, it sure could have fooled me today. After making sure I would have some “good eats” for Dennis when he got home from the trade show . . . I am sure it will be after his usual supper time, I took advantage of the sun and open window in our west porch. It may seem unlikely but the chair made of varnished two by fours with a pillow for a backrest is the perfect place to read. Where all the song birds came from in such short order, I only know how enjoyable it was to just relax the afternoon away. When I am home alone with no noise from a television going, I feel like the most content person in the world. Even the traffic noise from our street doesn’t seem to penetrate that peace. I like it, I enjoy it and I will enjoy it when I know Dennis is home safe and sound . . . and the sounds that come with him will be welcomed.

   
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  Noreen 3:52 am on March 19, 2017 Permalink  

  Cabin Days Are Coming 

  

  There are three great granddaughters north of Duluth that willl be spending most of their summer at the family’s cabin. There just can never be too many pillowcases when the family is busy all day and little curly haired girls wind down for the night after roughing it during the daytime. It gave me a chance to use up some of the stash in bright colors. Come to think of it, I have a few other family members that may need some extra linens. Dennis called from the trade show and his voice sounded a bit strained. Oh for the stories being swapped. Dennis was curious as to the weather here on Stauffer Avenue. Soon I will have to close the windows I have had open today. Nice days need to be taken advantage of.

   
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  Noreen 4:15 am on March 18, 2017 Permalink  

  Dennis is off to a three day weekend taking in a trade show. Different location, different buds to visit with makes for a well rounded outlook. Dust bunnies didn’t stand a chance with me today. I started in the northwest corner of the house and kept moving until I got to the southeast corner. Beds were stripped, windows on three sides of the house were cracked. My weekend will start with fresh air in the house being ready for new dirt and new lint. My treat for the weekend was getting a few grocery items that I am partial to . . . Nature Sweet Cherub tomatoes were on the top of the list.

  The best news to celebrate was that I received emails this morning that both the federal and state income tax forms have been accepted. Dennis just scratched his head wondering what the world has come to with what can be accomplished with a computer. Admittedly my world would seem diminished without a computer and all that I can access with just a few finger strokes. I could very well do without the telephone and tele-marketers. There is no such thing as a “do not call” option. They are sneakers.

  Now that the government has been satisfied with our tax returns, the house has been tidied, and I have a container of peanut butter cookies to pull out of the freezer for Dennis when he returns home, I give myself permission to enter the sewing studio tomorrow. I do put restrictions on myself. It really is all about balance in my life.

   
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  Noreen 2:56 am on March 17, 2017 Permalink  

  Well that is done! I don’t know why I put off doing our income taxes. I already know when we receive the info the end of January the dice have been cast. We use the “Tax Act” and it is the friendliest canned software that is out there. We have no deductions to list, no charity has gotten rich from us and dang it there are no kids that are waiting to be dependents of ours. Plug in the numbers and it is much like watching a roulette wheel as it spits out what the federal people want and what the state people want. In actuality . . . we are fortunate to have something to pay taxes on.