Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:48 pm on August 28, 2023 Permalink  

  Bright Sun 

  The sun being bright this morning had me washing up my brush for staining by 10:30.  I did get the spindles done on the west side of the front deck.  It may have been a bit of a reach standing on the grass, but any additional height would not have allowed for me to get under the top railing.  Tomorrow I may do the north side of the spindles.  Lots of shade with no glare of the rising sun.

  I spent some time stitching after calling the deck work done for the day.  I could not believe my eyes.  I had never seen such a small ant crawling along my fabric.  My bedroom porch has just had a thorough going over and no bugs were seen.  The cloth I am stitching on is sixteen stitches per inch.  You can see the squares of the fabric in the photo.  You really have to look closely to see anything on the fabric.  But . . . the ant is there, barely the size over one of the squares.  Even kitchen grease ants are larger this this one.  I looked the entire cloth over and found only one more.  What a mystery. 

  The afternoon feels warm with that bright sun.  That doggone dewpoint really makes the difference.

  I will check on you tomorrow to see how your Tuesday is going.

   
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  Noreen 1:36 pm on August 27, 2023 Permalink  

  Another One 

  It is Sunday the 27th of August and we are having another great day.  Back to back . . . can’t beat it.

  Another session of staining deck spindles is under my hat.  Everything of the side spindles via my roll away old office chair has been completed.  My bristle 1.5″ brush is cleaning up well.  When I was about to sit on the front deck and cool down . . . yes, my internal furnace heats up fast, real fast, I decided to walk down and around the deck. I was interested in seeing what the reach would be to do the staining on the north and west sides.  The reach is doable for me to stand on the ground and get the staining done.  All I will need is that trusty kitchen stool for the gallon can of stain to sit on.  Sweet.  My plan is to do the west side of the deck first before the sun rises over the house roof.  All is going well.

  As I was finishing my stint of staining, Dennis left with the little red pickup in search of someone with a chainsaw.  A tree on the east lot line on the blue barn acre was tipped over at the root and it had fallen to the west.  Who’s tree is it actually?  Who cares.  It was impossible for Dennis to mow in that area.  Wham, bam.  Dennis returned with son-in-law Tom as they headed for the blue barn acre.  Before I could pour some breakfast coffee into my cup, Dennis was back home alone.  The tree had already been cut up and Tom was back home.

  Dennis checked on my staining of the morning and man . . . can I read that man.  I put my socks and garden shoes on and Dennis and I headed to the blue barn acre.  Tom, with his chainsaw, cuts up minimally and he then he is done.  We are back home and I am cooling down for the second time today.  The nasty tree and cut up limbs that were all over the place have been pulled over to the huge pile that Brett had made when he came over with his skid loader earlier.  Tree hauler, Ryan, already has us on his list to take care of the huge pile.  It did make sense to add one more tree.

  Dennis appreciates the fact that I can do duty with my legs and the bending over.  Dennis doesn’t do the bending without getting dizzy.  There was a trade off.  The sandburs that got onto my pant legs, need to be cleaned off by the time I need those pants tomorrow morning for painting.  I have dedicated only one pair of pants for all things that need painting.  I took care of cleaning the sandburs off that got onto my socks and the Velcro of my garden shoe closures and the Velcro of my walking cane.

  With the area we got cleaned up today on the blue barn acre, Dennis will be able to take another wider swath with the lawnmower.  What follows then is another wider swath with the weed killer.  Slow but sure there is headways being made.

  I don’t mind helping Dennis one bit.  I am not going to see what the temps tomorrow are going to be.  All I know is that our home needs tending even if there is more of it now.  We are in all things together.

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on August 26, 2023 Permalink  

  Nice 

  This morning was not even questionable of naughty or nice.  We have been good weathering the heat and are deemed . . . nice.

  It did not take me very long to begin trundling out my supplies to our front deck.  Gallon pail of latex stain plus opener . . . check.  Brush and damp cloth . . . check.  Telephone and cup of coffee . . . check.

  To begin, the breeze did feel a bit cool.  60 degrees to welcome the day was a whole lot better then the several mornings when 80 degrees was the welcome.

  I had my agenda and Dennis was heading east with his Snapper mower to tidy up the blue barn acre.

  As it were, we both checked in at twelve noon.  Dennis was done mowing and had headed for home to change the oil in the mower.  Myself . . . I was in the midst of cleaning my brush.  Cleaning the brush is the least favorite part of any painting project.

  The opaque stain for the deck was much thicker than the stain used as a transparent stain.  This stain was easy to put on.  As I would have an adequate amount of stain on my brush after doing a dip into the pail, it gave me a chance to reach my target without dripping.  As the sun began rising above the gable of the house, the sun was plenty warm and the black flies had found me.

  I am not in a rush to reach this finish line.  Painting the spindles from the deck side, leaves the challenge of being on the opposite side where I will need to have some added height to get that done.  I will do the easy sides first.  I think as thick as this Behr latex stain is, spraying the stain on could present problems in keeping the nozzle clean.  I have a wonderful small brush that will serve me well for some time. 

  Enjoy this wonderful weekend . . . it is well deserved.

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on August 25, 2023 Permalink  

  Light Shower 

  Surprisingly we had a shower of rain last night after supper.

  My plan today was to get a load of laundry going first thing.  Yesterday at the grocer’s I brought home a pork steak.  That hit the crock pot as laundry was spinning.  I have a bottle of bold marinade in the refrigerator that covered the surface of the steak.

  I was counting on that shower of rain making the surface of the garden dirt moist enough to pull some unwanted greenery from the area next to the patio porch.  When Dennis came out after a nap, he mixed up some weed spray to catch a path of weeds that was running right next to the patio.  He also hit the weeds coming up in the cracks of the driveway.

  It didn’t take long and both of us were sweating through our clothing.  We had not checked any weather info before heading out.  At noon the tale was told as we had KEYC news on.  Dewpoint and air quality were both pushing the needle of discomfort. 

  The afternoon was mine for reading, stitching and folding that load of laundry.  Dennis has decided to do some mowing, telling me he would take breaks and try and stay out of the areas in the bright sun, aka: direct heat.

  I have a bag of the salad kits in the Tupperware lettuce keeper.  This bag has two types of lettuce, red and white cabbage, bits of green onions and carrot slivers.  In a little bag there were roasted pumpkin seeds.  The bag of dressing was a poppy seeds blend.  I added some finely diced white onion.  Tumbling this mixture together, it should be tasty for supper.  If Dennis wants instant mashed potatoes, that would be in the realm of possibilities.

  This weekend promises nice weather.

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on August 24, 2023 Permalink  

  Sweltering 

  Maybe one more day and it will feel as if the swelter of August will leave us be.

  There has been dew on the grass which is more than can be said for the month of July.  The grass is showing signs that it wants to be tended.  I would not be surprised if Dennis takes after it tomorrow.  A fellow can wait only so long before an engine needs to be ignited.

  We took the little red pickup west on Main Street.  After going around the block, we parked on Main Street facing East . . . right in front of Maria’s Salon.  Oh goodie, goodie.  We were ready for pedicures and haircuts.  It is amazing how good the pampering feels.  Before we left her shop, I made an appointment for a month from now.  We need to keep our priorities in shape.  I came home and put the appointment on the calendar for September.  Oh my gosh!  The first and only entry of September.  Thank you Jesus.

  The pampering felt so good, I didn’t mind having Dennis stop at our local grocer’s for some items.  It is not quite highway robbery.  As our calendars are no longer eaten up with medical appointments making trips down the highway to Mankato, as we then shopped in Mankato.  I do not mind shopping in town . . . I need to keep an eye on the sell by dates for perishables.

  A salad for me is what a meal should be built around.  Too often though, I would buy a head of lettuce to find a huge portion not good.  I have learned to buy salad kits.  Chopped lettuce with a bit of carrot slivers, croutons, some sunflower seeds, bits of beets and a package of dressing . . . all in one bag.  A salad in a kit.  There are different contents with different varieties.  I can always add some shredded cheese, chopped onion or even a boiled egg.  The salad kit is my one extravagance with food.  When Dennis thinks salad, it is a portion in his bowl that a half cup measuring cup would still have room for an entrée.  Do not care . . . I like what I like.

  The egg salad I made yesterday was a huge hit with the ole cowboy.  It’s been hot enough that even his favorite Progressive Chicken Noodle Soup has been off the menu.

   
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  Noreen 2:53 pm on August 23, 2023 Permalink  

  Surprised 

  Surprised that a niece of Dennis’ from Mora would be out and about for a visit.  That then encouraged a cousin from Sleepy Eye to join in for a visit.  Quite the afternoon of catch-up.

  It is a bit cooler than yesterday. 

  My local effort was doing a batch of egg salad this morning.  It has been in the refrig since noon.  My way of thinking is that an egg salad sandwich trumps hot soup for supper.  

  I may finish out the afternoon with a bit of stitching.

  While I am in my bedroom porch, I have noticed a lot of wasps hanging around under the south awning.  Dennis will need to take a peek under the awning sometime.  I had noticed the neighbor across the street out with a spray can that was shooting spray up to their eves yesterday.  Lots of wasps this season.

  Tomorrow is another day.

   
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  Noreen 1:51 pm on August 22, 2023 Permalink  

  My Quiet 

  When the temp is nasty, I am in my quiet zone.

  Today, I am switching off from reading to stitching and then back again.  That will continue for a few more days.

  In temps such as this, I don’t think I would venture out of town.  Hot road surface, hot tires . . . not a safe mix.

  The fare for supper is frozen waffles and Jimmy Dean pre-cooked sausages.

  May everyone take the advisories seriously.

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on August 21, 2023 Permalink  

  Action 

  For every action, there is a reaction.

  This Grammie today is feeling the reaction of being the self proclaimed interior designer, aka: a painter.

  What I am feeling is not unknown discomfort in the ole body.  It is just reminding me that perhaps painting my bedroom porch should pretty much fill the bill to do painting for 2023.  I cannot fail, if I do not try.  Each of the days it took me to open that quart can of paint took resolve.  I had unlimited amount of moral support from Dennis.  I needed every bit of it. 

  I am now on to taking a few days of sitting back and letting my gluts get back some feelings to them from being in the bent over position.

  I am not the only one in this household to push it to the limit.  Each day Dennis does good local effort at the blue barn acre.  Though the lopper we bought at Harbor Freight was not expense, the key is that . . . it is sharp.  Being able to mow beneath trees and not have them slap you in the face . . . priceless.  The huge pile of brush that nephew Brett pushed together, has now had Ryan the hauler look at and give Dennis a price for it to go away.  Sweet.  After that, any small pile of brush we pull together can be burned.  Brett’s pile is too close to homes that are to the south of us.

  We remain in a heat advisory.  Not just for us older folks.  It can sneak up onto anyone like a bad thug.

  Hello Kersten . . . welcome home.  Kluge would have been all over you like a bee wanting to sting you.

  Right back at you tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on August 20, 2023 Permalink  

  A Breeze 

  There is a breeze out this Sunday afternoon, but don’t let it fool you.  Dennis and I went to the blue barn acre to check on his weed killing spree.  After taking a drive around the acre we did take a whip around town.  Dennis had the windows down on the little red pickup but a clammy feeling persisted.  I am back in my home, seen enough.

  The bedroom porch is totally back together.  I did several stitches on my hooped cross stitch project from my command center.  A new book is open on the angled book stand with several paragraphs read.  Yup, I remembered how it all went.  I have been using a small table that Kevin and Kersten used on the day of their wedding for a guest book.  Upon that table is a Sauder 28″ x 28″ board that was a portion of a computer stand in times past.  This makeshift, repurposed unit is perfect for the router and my book stand.  I have the clamp-on adjustable cross stitch hoop holder on the southeast corner where it can be swiveled off to the side when I am reading.

  There was wasted space on this table unit.  No more.  Dennis has fitted the 12″ square base of this table to hold a shelf that is six inches above the floor and will rest on the braces of the table.  Here on will rest my new, free library books.  I had been using the wall shelves for books and other sundry items that have now been put back up on the east wall of my bedroom porch since the paint job.  What I have since decided is that I will have some items on the bottom shelf.  The two shelves above that may remain empty for now.  I cannot reach them safely without the kitchen step stool.  I think this qualifies as living smarter.  Living safely.

  After this latest run of heat subsides, I plan on beginning to stain the front door deck that was installed around the Easter weekend.  With my 1.5″ brush and perched upon the old office chair that we have on the deck, I will be able to stain the spindles of the railing.  No bending over . . . no reaching high.

  A light supper for Stauffer Avenue.  Dennis thought he might try some of the frozen waffles that are on hand.  Hmm.  I thought oatmeal sounded good.  Whatever!

  This old wordsmith always holds all of you close.

   
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  Noreen 1:49 pm on August 19, 2023 Permalink  

  Whew! 

  It is 2:30 and this household is slowing down for the day.  The dewpoint is 74 with temps in the high 80s.

  I have met my objectives for this day.  The paining in my bedroom porch is finished.  Five windows in the north half of the porch have been done, outside and inside.  The heat could be felt for the short time I had them tipped in.  Dennis followed behind me and got them locked.  Dennis helped me with the Murphy Wood soap wipes to do the woodwork top and bottom.  At this time, I am waiting for the newly cleaned floor to dry.  

  My bed will be in its rightful spot, on the north portion of the porch, by bedtime this evening.  Dennis helped me wrap the metal corners of the frame where the box spring sits upon with foam and 3M strapping tape.  The metal corners of the head end of the metal frame had a tendency to scrap the paneling when I would pull the bed out to change the bedding.  The foot end never had a problem as those rollers and corners were out out as far.  Feet didn’t have the weight as the remaining portion.  Hmm.

  This endeavor was well planned out with all that was needed for me to say, “Mission Completion.”  When Megan and Nicholas would watch Little Einstein videos, that was the last statement made . . . “Mission Completion.” 

  Tomorrow the south portion of my bedroom porch will be put back in place.  I have missed my hand stitching and my reading table.  A week well spent.  No older adult was injured during this project.

  Please . . .  all those that I love and hold so dear, please take the heat warnings serious.  Dennis and I will.