Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:23 pm on April 6, 2026 Permalink  

  Buds 

  It amazes me the progression of the buds on the trees.  The rain and wind of Saturday pushed all of the sticky red tips off of the huge Maple tree.  The lilac buds look like they want into the game as well.

  I have one group of the Fairfax tulips looking really lush.  I’m counting on the rabbits of the neighborhood going after better digs.  The new clover crop in the neighbor’s yard should on all accounts be mighty sweet.

  One of the gals that worked with me years ago, Char, contacted me about digitizing a pattern for her to machine embroidery.  It seems to be a prayer of some length.  I have used my Bernina Tool Box to create a pattern by downloading a design, then adding text to it or additional images.  I thanked her for thinking of me, but I passed.  When I putz around in my studio, I am up for pass or fail grades.  Expectations of others can be more stressful than not.  I allowed her to know that Creative Stitches in Bird Island might be a try.  I know that Amanda created the design for Megan’s skate club years ago so I could embroider 70 plus towels for the kids to use on their skates.

  As Char and I visited, she shared that her and her husband, Steve, had bought a unit in Arizona when they retired about the same time I did.  That got old and they have since moved into a four-plex in New Ulm.  Now they are missing having the privacy of a home.  Hmm.

  While working or while retired, I have never wanted for more than what Dennis and I have here on Stauffer Avenue.  Every aspect of it has been repaired, replaced or upgraded.  Neither Dennis nor I want for anything more or different.  No wonder lust for us. It’s the most “home” either of us have ever had.

  Even with the six kids visiting yesterday, it’s temporary and soon things will quiet down.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on April 5, 2026 Permalink  

  Easter Sunday the 5th 

  The sun has made this Easter Sunday enjoyable. 

  When I awoke this morning, I was still.  Very still, letting my senses come to slowly.  I heard the sounds of Dennis moving through the house for his usual routines.  Nothing loud.  For a few minutes I think I fell back to sleep.  When I heard the back door ever so gently click as Dennis went to the patio porch, I put my feet on the floor.

  Yesterday had been a busy day with our usual haircut, pedicures and grocery shopping.  The usual is to have all groceries put where they belong before I consider shopping complete.

  As it turned out when Sadie and her girls came, I saw the large SUV turn into the drive.  What I then heard was the bangy, bang of vehicle door after vehicle door being banged shut.  We had eight extra people in our home in a matter of five minutes.  Sadie has been dating a fellow that she knew when they were in school together.  I realized it must be getting serious as the fellow and his four children were with Sadie and her two girls coming to St. James as his mother was entertaining them for Easter.  The eight children ranged from seconded grade to eleventh grade, two boys and six girls.

  Sadie wanted to visit with her grandpa in the patio porch . . . her fellow went with her and Dennis.

  Well, I am here to tell you, this Grammie still knows how to handle a literal house full of kids.  Sadie’s two girls know their way around our home.  What was out of bounds?  The attic!  The four new children got the total tour of the home from bottom to the main floor.  Yes, when ask, I allowed for the cookie jar and the small can of various pop in the refrigerator.  “No shaking of the cans as you open them.”  Two wanted to play Solitaire on Dennis’ laptop.  Two were content on my laptop for Solitaire.  Team efforts.   One was content watching Dennis’ “48 Hours” on the television.   I and the older girl visited about her schooling and what she was planning on in her senior year.

  All the kids were very well behaved.  Sweet.   

  The end of the visit, about six, was the culmination of Sadie wanting her grandpa to know first hand that her and Colter are engaged.  Wow.  The new family of eight headed off to Colter’s mom and dad’s house across town.

  We thanked them for coming and there were hugs that went on much like the Walton’s experienced. 

  Dennis and I had a late supper and caught up with each other’s thoughts.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥                                                                          

   

  Still a jacket needed to protect from the ever north wind.

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on April 4, 2026 Permalink  

  Snow Pellets 

  A Full Saturday.  A great way to start a Saturday is with haircuts and pedicures.  Much needed, much enjoyed.

  The cupboards and the refrigerator were looking gaunt.  Sadie and her two girls would be stopping in later in the afternoon.  With my list in hand and Dennis waiting in the car we are now good for a week.  The grocery store was very busy with shoppers making sure all was needed for Easter Sunday fixings.  It took me longer than expected due to stopping to chat with other shoppers.  A mini social gathering on any visit.

  I listen to KNUJ as they share ads from Hy-Vee.  Our store runs parallel with many of the same items.  Land O Lakes butter at $2.56.  Hard to believe when not on sale, $5.69.  The temporary markdown for us today was $24.84.  I had shopped straight from my list and caught several items on the markdown.  The sell-by date, I watch quite closely where it counts.  My main stay in the refrigerator is the pasteurized heavy cream.  The container I picked up today that came home with me has a date of June 23rd.  I almost had to stand in the cart to reach the farther back one in the lineup.  The ones right up front were April 12th.  When I make an oven meal using a can of creamed soup or a jar of Alfredo sauce, I use a bit of cream to get the last of the thicker product out.

  Stauffer Avenue is host to the two older ones for Easter . . . Dennis and me.  There will be other times when we entertain family.  As the weather is consistently nice we may rattle the job jar for a task or two.  It’s very pleasant and comforting for the two of us to think that consistently we have kept our home up to snuff.  No emergency calls to our service vendors.  

  The snow pellets come in waves being blown about by a frisky north wind.  At times, I can’t see across the street and then the sun tries to make a break for it. 

  Dennis enjoys watching recipes on Facebook.  Tomorrow we may try one in the crock pot.  I did make sure to get what was needed.  Nothing ventured nothing gained.  It was difficult finding onions that were not soft.  We use the red ones as per the most beneficial.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on April 3, 2026 Permalink  

  Good Friday 

  When Good Friday is stormy and overcast, I’ve always thought that that was very symbolic.

  In today’s mail, we received our payable 2026 real estate taxes.  We have three parcels, all classified as residential, though not all with under the homestead rate.  Our total tax bill due will be $1,362.00.  We look forward to taking care of it in total rather than dragging it out over two payments, the second one being on October 15th.  Our home value for payable 2027 was reduced by $400.00.  In recalling my times doing those tasks, I cannot for the life of me grasp which table of values that small dollar reduction amount plays out in the over-all picture.  Oh well. 

  Yesterday and today was a bit of spring housecleaning.  It all took place in a corner of the living room.  Somehow, papers seem to collect when they no longer have purpose or use.  An example: check registers from 1991.  Of no use other than to add to a recycling bag.  In this certain cabinetry were a few items that had emotional tugs.  Those items were set aside in my studio.  Perhaps the next time I re-visit them, they too will be pared down.  It felt good to take ownership of space that can be made use of in a better fashion.

  Dennis ran the errand of getting me 4 “C” sized batteries for my radio that is a constant companion in the studio.  He actually bought eight of them.  He knows what goes hand in hand in the studio.  $25.00 and some odd cents.  He had bought them at the parts store up the street.  They were a brand I had never heard of.  Duracell and Ever-Ready have competition.

  Supper is the remains of the oven-meal of last night.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:56 pm on April 2, 2026 Permalink  

  I Heard It 

  I heard the rain falling during the night.  I knew the snow would have been silent.

  When I got up and saw that Randy’s yard next door was all but floating away.  There is only so much that a gravel yard can take in.

  The next thing I did when my feet hit the floor, was to say “Hello Art.”  The arthritis in my feet told me all about the weather pattern we were in.  When you feel discomfort you know you have been given another day.  Thank you Lord! 

  I sat upon my cherry red chair in my bedroom porch with a cup of hot coffee and watched the plunks that the rain made in the puddles on Stauffer Avenue.  It was rather mesmerizing.  I knew I had a phone call to make. 

  When refills are needed, the Lewis Drug’s automatic answering machine asks for a prescription number.  I had taken care of that last Thursday, the 26th of March.  On Monday I drove to Lewis Drug to pick up the medication.  It’s the one that does my heart good.  There was nothing.  They were kind and said there was nothing forthcoming.  They said they would fax it to the clinic again.  I had taken my last pill on Sunday night.  They were kind and gave me six pills as a temporary refill.  I came home and used the Mayo Portal to message my primary.  When I called Lewis Drug this morning, the medication was ready and Dennis went immediately in the rain to pick it up.  Dennis can use the drive-up window.  With a bum left arm, I cannot reach the automatic drawer as it slides open.  Just a small inconvenience that allows me to go directly into the pharmacy . 

  Being mindful of personal responsibilities is important.  Nothing can be left to chance if we want to stay independent.  I sure do!

  It has rained most of the day.  I see by the weather map St. James has been moved into a dry spell.

  I now have the pieced 18 blocks making up the extra-long top of Nicholas’ quilt put together and pressed.  Nicholas is over 6′ tall and will need the extra foot covering.  The three border fabrics have been pulled out and are awaiting.  To make the quilt wide enough, there will be a 3″, then a 4″ and finally a 5″ border added to the four sides.  The labor intense portion is finished.

  We are having an oven meal for supper.  The two passes of preparing supper that were granted me for my birthday are over.  Here in the real world we are.  Not such a bad place to be.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:27 pm on April 1, 2026 Permalink  

  Another First 

  We are experiencing another first of a month for 2026.  It surely does seem to come around fast.

  So far today we have had a few drops of rain.  Time will tell.

  The first of every month, we continue being on schedule to replace all of Dennis’ CPAP components that are issued via our Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance supplement and Medicare.  It’s an 80/20 split.

  Dennis walked over and visited Randy next door.  Each Easter we let Randy know how much we appreciate him and his long green line for snow removal.  Randy tries hard not to let us pay him, but it’s not up for debate.  His unit does not run on air.  We so appreciate it.  Randy has a heated garage and the two fellows got a chance to visit as well.  

  The studio was lit up for several hours.  The first two lengths of stitches needed to be ripped out.  The 14.5 inch blocks are pieced each like the next, but the way they are turned tells the rest of the story in the pattern.

  Yesterday Aunt Janet had called with birthday wishes.  She loves to chit chat . . . and I do also.  Today, my sister-in-law, JoAnn called.  We had not been in contact since sometime last summer.  The Boon Lake farm keeps her busy as well as four of her six grandchildren that are still in school.

  We received news that our two dining room chairs that we ordered in February will be delivered on April 9th.  It stands to reason that no store would sell two of the four chairs that they have paired with a table.  We were not in any hurry.

  We have agreed on a plan for supper this evening.  Last night, my birthday supper was sharing a Subway with Dennis.  Very special indeed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on March 31, 2026 Permalink  

  Oh My! 

  Oh my oh my!  Where have 82 years gone!

  It began when my sweet mom, Lena, was helping Raymond with livestock chores feeding hay.  The horse pulling the wagon, with Lena holding the reigns, got spooked and . . . so it went.  Dr. Hovde from Winthrop came out to the Spaude farm, the farm my parents were renting.  Sometime in the late evening, Noreen Laura came bounding into the world to join the family.  My sister, Elvera Helen, age six . . . her world was never the same again.

  Do I have any words of wisdom on achieving the 82 years?  No!  With the help of my Lord’s ever comforting and encouraging hands on my shoulders and a wonderful mom and dad how could I not make to 82 years.  The Lord remains with me to each and every day and the lessons taught by Raymond and Lena, now resting in the bosom of the Lord, have given me a most wonderful life.

  Many self-induced lessons from the “Old Adam” inheritance.  Each lesson leaving a mark.  I could either grow through, learning from it, or I would be apt to repeat it until I got it right.  Oh yes, I am still a work in progress.

  As I said,  March 31st, 2026, I have a wonderful life sharing each day with Dennis in our own home.  After each of us has had multiple health issues, being in our own home is a gift each day.

  There will be more coming each and every day . . . for now . . . that’s very special.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on March 30, 2026 Permalink  

  A Sign of Spring 

  Looking out and seeing guys get out of their delivery truck wearing shorts . . . it must be a sign that spring has sprung.

  For now, my spring will settle for being able to have a window cracked on both ends of the house as I had coffee this morning in my bedroom porch.  We will be enjoying the little birds that I have identified as Thrush birds.  I may be wrong.  The male is a red with brown and the female is of a brown color.  No matter, I enjoy them as they take ownership of the nest built into the bracket of our west awning.

  I am slowly working my whiles in the studio.  First thing first is the small bathroom battery operated radio that is now decades old being turned on.  It’s mostly on for the background noise.  

  We are having leftovers from the oven meal of yesterday.  Win, win.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:44 pm on March 29, 2026 Permalink  

  Happy Birds 

  Spring is really here when the birds are singing at 5:30 in the morning.  They have no hidden agendas but to share the mornings.

  I believe our awning has already had some spring nest cleaning making ready for eggs to be laid.

  Springtime also allows for new batches of kittens that will be looking for homes in several weeks.  We have had offers . . . “pick any color you want.”

  Our springtime will be culminated a week from today when the Christian faith celebrates Easter.  How great Thou are.  Nothing is asked of us, all is given.  It’s as if we are given a clean sheet of drawing paper and our story can begin anew.  With a willing heart how could we not and leave in the dust what has not worked in the past, what has hurt us in the past.

  Learning acceptance rather than expectations is what Easter can offer to us if we have opened ourselves up to His salvation.  But no . . . some will fight this and then the old Adam will fester until the Easter of 2027.  But why?

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on March 28, 2026 Permalink  

  Progress 

  Progress is upon my church tables.  All of the needed blocks in Nicholas’ collage quilt have been arranged.  There is madness in how the blocks are turned in order to see the full effect.  Sewing the blocks together will be for another day.

  The last of the small Christmas stitched projects had been on the corner of the ironing board long enough.  It did not take long to put red thread in the bobbin and in the top thread.  Getting it turned right-side out is always a challenge.  It may look as if I put too much stuffing into the elongated pillow.  I know when I plunk down a heavy book on it, that will take out some of the air.  Wonder Clips are holding the end secure as I used Aleene’s tacky glue to seal it up.

  I didn’t think there was anything left that was loose enough to blow from one lot to another today. The 30 mph winds from the southwest have the whole house quaking, yet the leaves are blowing across Stauffer Avenue from the northwest.  Hmm.  The metal mail slot gets caught with a wind gust and can really clatter.  Thank goodness for an interior cover.

  Last night when I sat in my recliner, listening to a pair of floss tubers from Bloomington, they were talking about going to a shop in Blue Earth.  I didn’t think Dennis had been listening.  He didn’t think it would be a bad idea to make the trip to Blue Earth sometime and I could check out the ship called “Welcome.”  The ole cowboy still has a surprise or two up his sweater’s sleeve.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥