Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:28 pm on April 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunny Sunday 

  Hello Peeps on this sunny Sunday!

  I am taking a break here in my studio.  The purple quilt has been in the wings long enough.  I may not take it to the finish this week, but every stitch takes me closer.  The quilt top is now 54″ wide.  I will need to add five inches to each end for a finish of 54″ x 74″.  It is the size for a lap cover-up as I sit in my rocker.  The key to that is sitting still in my rocker long enough to need cover.  You never know when that might be the norm.  It sure isn’t for now.  Many more stints here in the studio before there will be any covering up of any kind.

  As I am in the studio, I hear our sump pump kicking in from time to time.  That is not surprising considering the inch of rain we received last weekend.

  Yesterday as I was in the grocery store I couldn’t help but notice their display of the Peeps candy in all the colors of the rainbow.  That prompted me to call my brother Calvin.  Peeps were his favorite candy this time of the year.  Calvin is doing well if not a bit subdued compared to his time in Decorah.  In the healthcare facility that he is in, there seems to be quite a few free-standing buildings.  Calvin is one of the six men in his building of assisted living.  Calvin is the youngest.  Calvin will be 78 in this calendar year.  He understands that for his son Eric to stay on top of his dad’s life, the distance from Duluth to Decorah, Iowa, was not doable.  I can very easily visit with Calvin as he does have his views on politics.  Now there . . . is a lot to chit chat about.  Keeping in touch will continue.

  Today was a visit with Aunt Janet in Brownton.  Amazingly her and I are just a bit over ten years a part.  She asked me how old I was this last week when it was my birthday.  She knew she was getting on in years, but she had forgotten that nieces also get on.  Her and I always have plenty to visit about.  She enjoys being in her own home and I can totally understand that.  I like my home also.

  The house first floor smells of the fresh cinnamon rolls I had baked from a frozen state.  It takes about five hours for them to thaw under a piece of cellophane.  I already have potatoes in the kettle ready to boil and chicken tenderloins drying under paper towels to pan fry.  Add to that a package of steam-able vegetables . . . supper is on in high cotton.

  Tomorrow I have PT at 1:45.  Dennis has an eye injection in Mankato at 10:45.  Daughter Denise is taking her dad to the Mankato appointment.  Cutting it too close for comfort if one small glitch happens.  Denise and her dad most likely will have lunch in the big city.

  I think I have one more seam in me today in the studio.  Slow but sure wins every time.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on April 5, 2025 Permalink  

  Today is Saturday 

  Today is Saturday, the 5th of April.  More importantly is was spa day for the folks on Stauffer Avenue.

  Five blocks to the west of our home was the location.  Maria blocks off two hours for Dennis and myself.  It is the peace that passes all understanding.  In years past we would go to Mankato for the pedicures.  It was so worth it as I can no longer twist my arms and hands to reach all ten toes.  What’s the point if only six of the ten get done.  Dennis’ feet were too tender for me to tackle them.  With Maria having an LPN nursing license as well, it is the perfect match for well trimmed toes, a massage of legs and feet and a once over of healthy legs and feet.  Dennis likes a short haircut and Maria does not disappoint.  For me . . . I am grateful for any haircut that I can manage over a month’s time.

  As long as we were out styling and profiling, a stop at the grocery store came next.  A canon could have been shot off in the store and not hit anyone.  For a weekend, it was very quiet.  A nice sunny day as we have, the exodus out of town does happen.  I am not above having Banquet frozen dinners in our freezer.  Sometimes a Grammie, just doesn’t feet like starting from scratch.  Dennis’ activity level reaches from zero to ten on some days and to pop a meal in the microwave works.  On those evenings I like my hot bowl of flax meal and oatmeal with a side of cinnamon.

  There is smoke rolling over the tree tops in several directions.  Grilling season is here.  At a time in the past, Dennis and I had a small grill.  It became too much prep for a simple hamburger.  Dennis refuses to eat in McDonald’s.  I save my tastebuds for a time when we are in Mankato and visit Culver’s. 

  Speaking of Mankato, I have not had any retail therapy in a very long time.  Maria mentioned that she does check out JoAnn’s as the distribution centers for JoAnn’s are closing and they then restock the stores until inventory is depleted.  Maria does a lot of crocheting.  She has since learned to shop online for the brands she likes.  Just as the fabric I had ordered from New York City’s fabric warehouse, there are available contacts for yarn as well. 

  The wind continues to clatter the wind chimes.  Always a wind.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on April 4, 2025 Permalink  

  And . . . 

  And just like that the week is winding down.  Sunshine, clouds, rain or snow April is on the move.

  Last Sunday, Kevin and Kersten got a huge tote out and down from the attic.  The contents were put in front of me for decisions to be forthcoming and the tote went home with them.  It has been a good thing to review what I have clung to all these years.  Very little was thrown away.  Anything that was washable has been through the laundry.  If anyone needs gently used towels of various sizes or terry cloth table coverings . . . it is all in a bag, tied shut and labeled.

  Several clothing items of mine from the late 40s got freshened.  I knew I had been saving a large sturdy flat box for a reason.  Those items are folded with white tissue paper complete with a bit of history included.  Up on a shelf in the studio for now.

  Until the next time when someone visits, the attic is off limits to me.  The steps are steep.

  PT went well this morning.  I was feeling as if Mike’s fist was still in the small of my back when I got home.  More appointments for next week.  After all, where am I going?  If I do have plans to go somewhere in the future, God willing, I will be able to go with less physical discomfort.

  Nobody ever said we would get out of this world without feeling the reactions of the actions that we had put our bodies through.

  I did get a late birthday wish from a fellow from long ago.  John worked for the revenue department and has always stayed in touch, wishing me a good ride for another trip around the sun.  Priceless.

  It is a breakfast meal for our supper this evening.  Nothing beats eggs and all the fixings.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on April 3, 2025 Permalink  

  Tid-Bit 

  I will share an interesting tid-bit from last night’s supper.  Sometimes when I am heating something in the microwave that contains some liquid, I will set the dish on an ample sized potholder so I can easily grasp it.  Last night it was green beans.  Though I do drain the can of most of the liquid, there remains enough to keep the dish moist.  I was facing the kitchen range with my back to the green beans heating in the microwave.  Hmm.  I could smell something.  I turned around and there was a small flame in the microwave.  Opened that door in a hurry while then lifting the green bean dish out.  The potholder I had chosen was a crocheted one with the tiniest bit of a variegated thread that was metallic gold.  Just enough of a metal to cause the problem.  The potholder went into the sink and then I followed up by pitching it in the garbage.  Talk about freak circumstances.  The decades old potholder . . . no more.  Though I don’t leave the microwave unattended, this instance drove that home a bit harder. 

  Today was studio day.  Not to sew but to make preparations for sewing.  I have and had been doing some embroidery for family members when they visit.  Saturday when the last towel was done, I turned off the sewing machine as well as the lights.  Today the sewing machine was given oil, a new needle and checking for any wayward fuzz in the thread cutters.  I made sure to watch myself when choosing the options for the cleaning of the cutters.  New needles are so affordable via Amazon.  It does make the difference in a good outcome versus problems with tension.  Kelly from Creative Stitches in Bird Island clued me in that I don’t mess with the tension if I give my machine the love it is due . . . often.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on April 2, 2025 Permalink  

  Another Day 

  This is Wednesday.  I think it is another good day here on Stauffer Avenue.

  I am feeling positive results from PT that took place yesterday.  One session at a time. I am keeping up with the home exercises that I have been given.

  Dennis met his new primary doctor this morning.  After one, two and three of his previous primaries have left our Mayo facilities, it was getting down to the wire for his options.  I totally understood why Dennis didn’t want the Hindu gal.  His primary is now a gal that has a rural farming background.  He and she can easily relate to each other.  That is important to the dialog needed for patient/doctor.  The end result after the meet and greet, lab blood work, etc.  Dennis need not go back until six months.  Very good news indeed. 

  I think today’s rain may be leaving puddles here, there and everywhere.  This type of washing off of the winter’s high intensely constant wind grime was needed. 

  I can also add that with the IRS pulling its warranted payment from our checking account yesterday morning at the stroke of twelve a.m. our economy is sound and stable.  Ya . . . right.  I am hoping 2025 brings the cessation of social security being included in taxable income for taxes . . . again. 

  In today’s mail, came yardage from New York City.  The purple quilt I have in the works needed a color and patterned fabric, I just did not have.  As luck would have it what I did have still had a bit of the salvage on it.  Onto the world wide web I went.  Benartex fabric brand with the fossil fern printed design was still attainable after what I had purchased over ten years ago.  It does pay to seek and search.  This purple based color-way is going to be the last of the borders where I had used all I had of the pink to mauve color-way.  I love it when a plan comes together. 

  The next PT for me is Friday.  That is the extent of what is on the calendar for this first week in April.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on April 1, 2025 Permalink  

  Grr! 

  The wind from the southeast was horrific.  Grr!  Again I was at Lewis Drug noting the wind.  There was no way I could get around having it target my car.  I can’t do the drive-through as the left arm doesn’t do reaching through an open window and reaching.  No . . . I knew what I was up against with the wind not allowing the door to open easily and when I came back to the car, I nicely backed through the open door for my butt to find the seat.  Grr!

  When I got to PT, Mike wanted a re-cap of how things were since last week.  Upper right hip burned as if on fire.  The chine of my right leg was or felt as if it were numb.  That’s all he needed to hear.  Forty five minutes later I was lucky enough to see through the discomfort to make it out to my car.

  Dennis had a noon snack and hot coffee waiting for me when I got home.  Dennis had done his good deed and taken his friend Dwayne for McDonald’s coffee and then a drive around the county.  Dwayne and Dennis graduated together and used to go roller skating and old time dancing together.  A lot of history.  With Dwayne not being able to drive any longer he really appreciates a morning such as this had been.

  We are having a mix of moisture.  Snow, rain . . . the birds don’t care.  It is allowing patches of green to be seen in the yards.

  My next PT is Friday.  With tongue in cheek . . . I can hardy wait.  It has to be done and I know it will get better.  Sometimes the cure is worse than the pain.  No!  That is not true.  I want to navigate our home as best I can.

  Our supper is going to be a tuna sub.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on March 31, 2025 Permalink  

  My Birthday 

  It is indeed my 81st birthday.  How does it feel?  Not really any differently than a yesterday.

  My mom, Lena, had reiterated to me the day of my birth.  She had been helping with the farm chores just as she did every day.  On that Friday in 1944, a horse was used getting hay from the stack to be used for the milk cows.  The horse had had a mind of its own and Mom was pretty well shuffled around.  Later that day, Dr. Hovde from Winthrop came to the farm and I had a birth day.

  Today, in 2025, it has been a quiet day.  It’s chilly enough for the furnace to run once in awhile.   There was some extra laundry as Kevin and Kersten had assisted with a tidy, tidy in the attic.  Over time, things that had been covered up while stored.  Some has since been removed and those coverings needed freshening.  Yes . . . I like lightening the load.

  We have just enough of leftovers from yesterday to make a supper out of it.  That’s always a good thing.

  In between the laundry loads I managed to stitch a few lengths of threads in my bedroom porch. 

  Tomorrow I will have PT at the clinic and run a few errands around town.

  With take I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:29 pm on March 30, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunday the 30th 

  Too Pooped to Pop . . . a great feeling!

   
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  Noreen 2:05 pm on March 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Drips 

  We are having a drip here and a drip there, not enough to constitute a rain shower for today.  Last night after supper we had claps of thunder that rattled several of the house windows accompanied with a rain shower.

  We are prepared for having company tomorrow from Fairfax.  Hmm.  I even have a list for what is known as a little help for the older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  Sweet.  Our next batch of company will be coming at Easter.  I am quite sure another list will be ready by that time.  Sweet.

  This afternoon I am doing some stitching in my bedroom porch.  PT Mike also looked over my right wrist and encouraged activity for it.  Nothing strenuous, just continued movement.  Got it!

  Both the heating bill and city utility bills have posted.  The worst of both for the 2024 and early 2025 are over.  Whew.

  Our supper this evening is a cup of soup with a meat sandwich.  A perfect meal for a dismal day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on March 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Friday the 28th of March 

  We are in the middle of rapid weather patterns that can change.  The best way to prepare is to take it the way it comes.

  PT was interesting this morning.  Mike had me walk a hall with just me at the helm, no cane.  The stroke effected my left side.  When I walk my brain doesn’t trust me when I poke out my left leg for a step.  I put out that left leg but am in an unvoluntary hurry to allow my right leg to take the brunt of that step and every other step I take.  This has gone on for some time.

  It didn’t surprise Mike that after the stroke I received a lot of occupational therapy.  After a prescribed amount of that therapy I was released.  Those at that time do work with the neurological side of a stroke.  Mike is now interested in working with the physical stability post stroke.  Its never too late.  The services that PT offers does not come out looking for patients to help.  I have exercises to do at home to build the stability in my hips so the mental alarms become fewer.  Had I not bit the bullet to come for help after a fall, I would be missing out on . . . the rest of the story.  

  Our bodies and minds are so amazing in what we can do.  They also are masters at protecting us . . . from ourselves.

  I came home hurting and did a bit of local effort and then took the time to run a few hand stitches, and then back to local effort.  That is how my afternoon has continued.  Nothing done excessively.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥