Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:40 pm on June 11, 2023 Permalink  

  Great Sunday 

  It was a very cool morning, and . . . I loved it.  An oatmeal and flax meal hot breakfast and I was out the door.  There was that Elm tree that needed the lopper treatment.  After some of our older Lilacs were cut down last summer, there is no shortage of young plants coming off of those stumps.  Yes, we would enjoy that privacy between neighbors again as these young plants grow.  We do not need as many as what shot out of the ground.  With my clipper this morning, I decided to cut off those that were intruding into the Hosta area.  I know if I continue to whack and stack some of them, they will decide to die back. 

  While I was doing gardening, Dennis had a pail of Dawn dishwashing liquid in his trusty pail.  The tracks of the three slider doors were caked with dirt from the winter.  A bit of elbow grease did wonders.  The garden hose was strung out, the doors were closed and the tracks were flushed out.  We both couldn’t figure out where all the clatter was coming from.  Snuggles was off chasing a squirrel up the oak tree in the neighbor’s yard.  There was bark flying from his claws.  He was a good thirty feet up in the tree.  I think he surprised himself.  No squirrel was caught.  After a time he decided to back himself down.  

  By 10:30 I had accomplished what I set out to do in the gardens.  The studio was my next stop.  Dennis came down with his cup of coffee this afternoon to see how things were progressing.  Of course I had KNUJ radio on.

  It is now 2:30 this afternoon and the two backings for these two quilts have been cut and sewn together.  The quilt tops are 75″ x 75″ and the backings are 84″ x 85″.  Sewing two lengths of 44″ wide, less the salvage, is making up the backings.  The last thing I did was open up one of the packages of batting.  It has been unfolded and taking air on the church tables after having been crunched into a plastic bag.  

  Perhaps tomorrow I will tackle securing one of the backings on the church tables with an arsenal of thumbtacks and strapping tape.  It needs to be as taut as I can make it.

  The lights are going to be turned off in the studio and I might take a cup of cold coffee and join Dennis on the front deck.  It is a wonderful cool day.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on June 10, 2023 Permalink  

  Moral Support 

  Thursday, with a bit of elbow grease and lots of moral support, I worked with Dennis to tidy up the patio porch.  It is not 100%, but a dang site better.  Dennis went on to clean the pickup garage on Friday and today the car garage.  Dawn dishwashing liquid to the recue.  When I went out to ask Dennis in for a noon half sandwich, the corners of the car garage were tidy, tidy.  I did notice the recycling bin’s cover didn’t go down all the way.  There is one shelf on the north wall that Dennis said he would need help in deciding what to keep and what not to.

  Never ever will our outside dwellings stay spick and span.  All we can do is give it our best . . . often.

  I noticed this morning, there were no mosquitos outside.  I headed to the area of our picket fence to the north.  Oh my gosh.  We have never had Night Shade plants like there were out there.  Good thing with the rain it pulled up easy.  Wild thin vines that crept around stronger plants.  Those leaves looked like wild morning glories.  Kudzu vines can be seen draped around trees and shrubs, killing them.  I found one of them, also.  All I can think of is that our old lilacs kept this area in dark shade.  Last summer we cut down the old rotting lilacs that had trunks as large as dinner plates.  This year that whole area has full sun.

  Neighbor Jan came out and she worked on her side of the picket fence while I was on our side.  I think we gave each other moral support.  With my clipper I whacked off many, many volunteer trees: Cottonwood, Elm, Oak and Maple.  There was one Elm that I will need to visit with the lopper.  I did rake up a huge pile of the Maple seeds.  They will end up in the burning ring . . . soon.

  When the black flies began biting, I headed for the studio.  As of this posting, both quilt tops, 75″ x 75″ each are done.  I did unfurl the yardage of the backing for this tops onto the church tables.  That will be for another day. 

  When Dennis came in to check on me, he commented how warm it felt in the studio.  Ah ha!  It dawned on me that the dehumidifier needed to have the setting changed.  When we had gotten water in the basement, I had the setting at “44.”  The recommended setting should be about “54.”

  Dennis declared it was shower time and I will follow close behind as it feels like the humidity has done its number on the both of us.

  Catch you tomorrow!

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on June 9, 2023 Permalink  

  Good Results 

  All of the blood work of yesterday came back in the normal range.  Sweet!  Our family doctor had left a message for me at the patient portal.  It is handy to communicate without having to make an office call.

  After several loads of laundry it was the kitchen floor that needed more than running a dry Swiffer over it.  It will be great when Dennis has a pair of shoes to wear and the heavy Velcro boot is no more.  There is no way I can ask him to take that boot off when he comes in and out of the house.  We are getting close.  Yesterday the VA turned in the prescription to the Limb Lab in Mankato for Dennis to get an appointment to be fitted for shoes.  The left shoe will have an orthotic in it to make up the area of the foot where there are no toes.  Of course the right shoe will need something added into it so Dennis will have good balance. 

  The studio lights were put on today.  Yippee!  Fabric was cut for the two borders with even some stitching going on.  One step at a time and slow and steady.

  I have an oven meal to pop in at 4:30.  I took out some Jimmy Dean pre-cooked sausage links.  With the sausages diced, some penne pasta, Alfredo sauce . . . into the round blue speckled roaster it went.  There was just a bit of shredded sharp cheese in the refrigerator to top off the meal as it is in the oven.

  The weekend weather should prove to be favorable.  The rain gauge yesterday morning had 1.5 inches.  It was well needed.

  I am off to do a bit more stitching before supper.

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on June 8, 2023 Permalink  

  A Mild Day 

  With the temps and humidly mild it was a day for activity.

  Dennis went to the VA for his INR and I went to the clinic for some blood work.  Neither one of us has any results at this time.

  Dennis and I tackled the patio porch today.  A little late for spring cleaning, but then it’s never to late.  Soap and water on the three slider doors.  I manned the shop vac.  Huge difference after several hours.

  I took the Weather Teck mats out of the front seats of our car, and again, soap and water.  While the mats dried, the shop vac did its thing in the car.  Somewhere where the highway fellows were putting down their hot tar crap, I must have driven.  There was ever so slightly a showing of tar on the rocker panels.  Dennis did one side of the car and I did the other.  The last ditty on the car was the bugs on the front of it.

  We have had a wonderful day with much improvement to what we tackled.

  The air outside was really nice today, not saying anything about the amount of black flies.  Guess we can’t have everything.

  Showers are going to feel wonderful this late afternoon.

  Catch you all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 3:46 pm on June 7, 2023 Permalink  

  Rain in the Afternoon 

  I am hoping the rain that has begun falling at 4:30 will continue for a while.  The backyard has cracks in the soil.

  The luncheon that Dennis and I went to in Mankato was the close of the Chosen Frozen Korean Veterans for this area of the state.  The letter from the home organization laid out all that was needed to be sent to them.  The funds in the treasury were dispersed to three beneficiaries: the VFW post where the meetings have been held for repairs and to the Blue Earth County Library.  Though it was a mere $2,600.00, no money needs to be sent to the home organization.

  We were home shortly after two in the afternoon.  I called a friend, June, to see if she was up for company.  June had lived down the road on Stauffer Avenue until two years ago when she moved into an apartment.  June has never driven so the relationship is a bit one sided.  June had a severe change in her life this spring, when she went to the hospital with COPD.  June walked everywhere, everyday.  This may not have been brought on as suddenly as first suspected.  Today she showed off her portable oxygen bag.  She is on oxygen 24/7.  A whole lot for this 82 year young person to adjust to.

  It was as I was returning home that the skies got dark with a horrendous clap of thunder. 

  I came down into the studio to put up a few items I had purchased at JoAnn Fabric.  Not much needed here in the studio.  When all was said and done with t-shirt quilt blocks, there were two not needed to make the top times two.  I will make those two blocks into pillows for Michel’s two small sons.  Pillow forms: buy one, get the second at 50% off.  Why not.

  It will be interesting when I close down the studio to see if the rain is continuing when I hit the first floor of the house.  I can only hope.

  Tomorrow I will be at the hospital here in town by nine for my metabolic blood panel to be drawn.  Small inconvenience for reassurance.

   
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  Noreen 12:58 pm on June 6, 2023 Permalink  

  Satisfaction 

  Even with small tasks completed, it brings much satisfaction.

  The first task of the day was putting bedding in the laundry.  I never push my luck with both top and bottom full sized flannel sheets in a single load.  By the time I have this post published, Dennis will be on hand to help with his bed.  

  As we will be going to Mankato for Dennis’ Korean luncheon and meeting tomorrow, my set of flannel bedding will be on the docket for Thursday.  This very small group of fellows is trying so hard to close down their chapter of the Frozen Chosen.  Perhaps the paperwork has all been accepted by the home organization.

  I know this may sound repetitive in regard to Dennis’ PT appointments, but . . .  Dan is so positive about this being oh so close to being a total heal.  We continue doing what we have been doing, every day.  Dennis took the good tidings and picked up Dwayne for coffee at McDonald’s.  That chit chat is good for both of them.

  My satisfaction has taken place by matching up the last row of four rows with orange cornerstones.  I do not skimp on pins to hold everything in place.  This morning was the very very first of taking out a sixteen inch seam.  I knew I was due.  With the amount of stitches per inch having been increased to many, it took that much longer for the picking.  Regardless how many pin cushions I have, I am seeking and searching when I get to the sewing machine so I can plunk them in as I come to them.  I do not believe in sewing over pins as I know some do.

  With great satisfaction I placed the sixteen sewn together blocks on the church tables.  I am pleased with the arrangement that Dennis did on how the blocks should be sewn together.  The next step will be cutting the two borders: one of three inches wide in orange and one of three inches wide in the mottled black.  This second top did go well as all of the decision making had been done with the first top of sixteen blocks.  Tomorrow will be a dark day in the studio as I will be with Dennis in Mankato.

  We are treating ourselves with a trip uptown to the Hometown Café for supper.  We have not done that . . . I can’t remember the time.

  All of you continue to take care with the weather.  I remember in days of old during streaks of hot days, Lena would march us into the bathroom, one at a time for a cool washcloth for the face.  The cool washcloth behind the ears . . . felt wonderful.

   
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  Noreen 1:31 pm on June 5, 2023 Permalink  

  Not Much 

  Not much exciting today.

  The first item on the agenda was to visit across the picket fence with Jan.  She was outside watering her two potted tomato plants.  They have blossoms, a good indication.  Jan and Randy had back door steps put in last week with much the same design as our front steps and deck was done, in a mini version.  I have mentioned that Jan retired last week from the school district after a long career.  Jan didn’t win the battle with the steps.  She wanted room for her lawn chair so she would be up from the ground and maybe staying clear from bugs.  I gave her moral support and told her,  “I understand.”

  I dreamt last night about my long time friend, Sharon Skolberg.  She had come over to check out our new sofa.  She approved and we shared some chocolates.  Sweet.

  Dennis came in and headed for a dry shirt and a good cool face cloth.  I think it may have been heat related.  When I checked on him, he was in his recliner.  The perfect spot for him.

  It is mid afternoon and after I post this, all lights will be off in the studio.  I am making satisfactorily headway on quilt blocks.  It helps to do things that make me stand for awhile, sit for awhile and best of all . . . ponder the situation.

  I must add a bit.  Sunday, the 1966 highchair came back home to me.  I had lent it to Dennis’ daughter for her grandchildren that they no longer need.  This 1966 highchair has a terrific history.  Carrie was tied into it with a white dishtowel so she wouldn’t slide out the bottom.  That technique worked on Kevin as well.  The highchair had quite a rest in our attic and then was brought down for Megan and Nicholas.  The cute baby print covering on the back and seat was replaced with a nondescript orange.  The tray and footrest are complete on the chair.  This sweet memorabilia will stay in my studio.  Just looking at it makes my heart sing.  

  I think this evening’s meal will be a light one.  I had scored a great hard head of lettuce with which I have enjoyed a good salad the last three evenings, Dennis not so much.  I fixed him fried egg sandwiches.

  Stay healthy until this heat gives in.  Not much fun and is no laughing matter to overdo with heat exhaustion.

   
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  Noreen 1:39 pm on June 4, 2023 Permalink  

  Oh So Warm 

  This Sunday is oh so warm.  I was outside early and the feeling was putrid.  The biting bugs didn’t seem to mind it.  I did not stay out long.  

  With a cup of rich hot coffee I checked out my usual items on the HP in the living room.  Nothing much new there so the cherry red reading chair and a book caught my attention next. 

  Yesterday we had a delivery from Amazon.  There was one item in the kitchen we could never do without.  Kevin had found it and I am sure . . . on Amazon.  Every time Dennis used it, it always had the same comment . . . “I could kiss that kid.”  It had saved us from having to have clerks in the grocery stores to open containers before we left the stores to come home.  Alas . . . it had gotten some issues.  From using it time and time again, the wear and tear was making it less effective.   There were certain sized containers that were opened more frequently that bore the brunt of the wear and tear.  It was shear bliss when the “pop” could be heard as the seal of a container was broken.  There was nothing to do but visit Amazon for a replacement.  Never was there a better investment of $10.00 for a new handy helper.  There were other items as well in the package to assist opening of containers.  Dennis and I both knew which implement would be used the most often.  Seek and ye shall find.  If Kevin had not given us our first one we would have never known how easy it was to open containers of all sizes.

  Dennis has had a good day of watching crime television programs either in the patio porch or the living room and playing solitaire.  I have been in the studio going slow and steady on quilt blocks.  The forecast had been right on allowing us to know how uncomfortable this Sunday would be.  I peeked ahead.  This coming Friday I saw a temp in the 60s.  Halleluiah.  That will be the day, I will get after some unwanted plants among the Hosta.

   
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  Noreen 12:23 pm on June 3, 2023 Permalink  

  No Breeze 

  The air is quite still today.  Having July weather in June . . . not much fun.

  I am not sure if the covid months brought along the “Home Sweet Home” for the two of us on Stauffer or if we are just very content.  I vote for the later.

  Both Dennis and I get a good night’s rest and then take on the new day for what it may bring.  Maybe the old adage:  if you expect a lot, you won’t be disappointed.  Naw!  That’s not for me.  It’s not unusual for me to have a portion of my next day plotted as I drift off to sleep.

  I have subscribed to two channels on YouTube.  One is an English gal that lives on the border to Scotland.  She is into sewing and brings to the table a different thought process to quilting.  Most of her quilts of various sizes are quilted as the sandwiched layers lay on her table top.  When the needle hits the wooden table top, up comes the needle and that is a stitch.  Interesting.

  The second channel is from a gal in Indiana.  Mother of seven that quilts, sews and does counted cross stitch.  She has a long arm up in her attic, complete with the knee walls.  When she gave a tour of her sewing room, I can’t imagine how they got the long arm set up in such tight quarters.  I can tell from seeing her hands, she has quite a bit of arthritis.  I like her thought on stitching.  One thread at a time . . . one stitch at a time . . . you can make headways.  I am seriously thinking of tackling a cross stitch project doing as she does, samplers all done in black.

  What is sweet about this is that I can watch their videos on our television while I am in my Teak rocking chair.  I don’t care if some of the videos are old, they are new to me.

  Today, Dennis came down to the studio.  He needed to lay out the next sixteen blocks of the ready-to-sew t-shirt blocks.  He hemmed and hawed as he tried different layouts while I sewed borders onto the first of the two projects.  However they are on the table top is how I will work them into the next step.  One of the quilt tops is ready for its next step of being quilted.  I am not prejudging if I will quilt it after sandwiching it or if Old Alley will get it.  I won’t decide until both tops are done. 

  I am closing up shop early today.  The arms have done well and it is time to sit in my cherry red reading chair.  I started a new book.

   
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  Noreen 12:40 pm on June 2, 2023 Permalink  

  Friday the Second 

  June is coming in on a very strong note.  Anyone that can close down this afternoon by five . . . should.  Heat can zap energy in a heartbeat.

  Dennis and I had a full day yesterday out and about.  Today was a day to be at home and do what retirees do best . . . slow and steady.

  The first item on my agenda this morning was to text our next door neighbor Jan.  This morning was the first day to enjoy the next chapter in her life as she is now officially retired from School District 840.

  Laundry was the next item for me.  When the heat and humidity are what we have had, I don’t care if Dennis changes clothes twice a day. 

  After noon lunch, Dennis came down into the studio to help me change out my sewing table.  I am now in the midst of working with a full quilt top.  With borders sewn together and soon sewn on, the ability to have the church tables carry some of that heft is priceless.  We did raise the sewing machine table a bit so the flow from the machine to the church table will work out well.   I will be facing west, still with plenty of good lighting from above.

  All I wanted to do after the shift was to make sure everything was hooked up correctly and run a few feet of stitches.  Tomorrow will come soon enough for more of the slow and steady.

  By the way, I was going to sit out on the front deck this morning with a cup of coffee, but soon very fine gray mosquitoes showed up.  Oh well, the coffee tasted just as good from indoors.