Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:44 pm on April 9, 2024 Permalink  

  You Would Think 

  You would think that after amassing memories, there would be no room for more.  Not true.

  It could be a sound, an aroma or seeing something in my every day life that can bring a flood of memories.  Isn’t that wonderful!

  Who are those that are blessed to store up volumes of memories.  Could it be those that are inciteful?  Could it be those that cherish many and all moments knowing that there are no do-overs?  Even in memories . . . that is just how it happened and no matter how you want to gloss it over or paint it over its not happening. 

  Not just the pretty colorful balloons in the sky make memories.

  Some of my memories of less than good behavior on my part also have made lasting memories.  If a situation presents itself in my day-to-day life, I can feel the slightest breeze as a door opens in the back of my mind . . . “It didn’t turn out great then, don’t do it again.”  Yes, memories.  Memories are the greatest time capsules ever and my time capsule is no where near full.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:32 pm on April 8, 2024 Permalink  

  Drought – No More 

  Apparently the rains of the last several days has pulled this part of Minnesota out of the drought zone and is pushing the tree buds out of hibernation.

  Granddaughter Megan Lena and three other girls will be moving off campus sometime in May.  Megan had her 20th birthday in December of 2023.  Carrie did likewise when she was eighteen.

  My mom, Lena, had returned a set of dishtowels that I had done for her when Megan was a toddler.  Yup, they were to be Megan Lena’s someday.  They will find their home in Megan’s apartment sometime in May of this year. 

  I searched the internet for a kitchen hand towel design that I want to do for Megan’s apartment.  I found one that will fill the bill.  This morning I pulled out three cotton towels that will sport the 12″ x 4″ bottom border.  There are eight spools of colored threads standing at attention ready to be called into action.  Tomorrow, I will find the appropriate stabilizer and the right sized hoop for the task.  Doing the prep work, makes all things go smoothly. 

  The sun is trying its hardest to break through the clouds . . . with no success.

  Dennis is busy in the back garage with batteries and such.  He did comment on the cost of new batteries for mowers.  It’s not like in the 60s.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:21 pm on April 7, 2024 Permalink  

  Rain Makes for Green 

  The grass has no control when welcoming rain is applied.

  As of yesterday, Dennis and I are ready for the grass to do its thing.  I went over to Randy’s garage as he was fitting the zer0-turn with two grab bars.  When the last bolt had been tightened, he prompted me to give the grab bars a try.  The first time I was hesitant and shaky but I got my butt onto the seat.  We chatted for a bit and then it was time to get off the mower and then get back on.  Each time, the movement became easier.  Randy commented that if he had a zero-turn, he would need grab bars.  As I said, the older ones on Stauffer are ready for the season.

  Our sump pump has been filling the little divot in the yard where the water is pumped out from the perimeter of our basement.  This morning Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal were taking a bath in the water.  It was really fun to watch them.  She would go undetected if it were not for her bright red beak.  

  Time was spent in the studio today.  No music needed.  Being around my threads and fuzz is very relaxing.  There was some hemming that was needed.  Most important was organizing the spools of threads I last had used.  It is very satisfying keeping my mini Michael’s ready to use the next time.

  Dennis has laid out his plans for Monday.  The zero-turn comes from the back garage to home base, so the oil can be changed.  Dennis, being an ole 18-wheeler, does keep on top of what is needed for a reliable machine.

  Yesterday was a wind storm from hell.  Dennis had initially encouraged me to go to New Ulm where a quilt show was being held.  In hind site, he knew I was in a good spot right where I was at.  Do I know everything about quilts . . . no.  What I know is that I have plans for threads and fuzz that will last me for some time.

  Every year without fail, Michael Wacker sends me a wonderful email from the north country for my birthday.  Michael trained under me so he could step into my shoes when I stepped out of the local government shoes.  Michael moved on from Watonwan County when a northern county had an opening with a salary that was very advantageous.  This morning I took the time to respond to his email.  Oh the memories.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:32 pm on April 6, 2024 Permalink  

  Our Evergreen 

  I do know that wind that whips through the evergreen boughs exacerbates the sound.  

  As I am in my bedroom porch today, I see what is blowing down the street.  The wind is strong.  A home kitty-corner from ours put a new Larson storm door on last fall.  As it is bangy-banging today, I hope the door lasts until this evening when they get home.  I checked our door to the west this morning to make sure it was locked.

  Yesterday, neighbor Randy told Dennis to bring over the zero-turn anytime for him to install two grab bars.  Dennis put its battery on the trickle charger at that time.  The mower is now over at Randy’s garage.  This is not Randy’s first rodeo with a zero-turn grab bar.  Bob Luther lost his right arm in a farming accident several years ago and Randy tricked Bob’s zero-turn out for him in ease of getting off and on.  Sweet. 

  My Smokey the Bear got his chores of burning done yesterday.  It all worked out great.  Even leaves were raked out from the lilacs for the burning.  Just a bit here and there counts up.

  Today the snowblower was taken back to the potting shed and out came the push mower.  Whether the push mower gets used is not important.  It’s been checked over with fresh oil.  Dennis mentioned he would be buying a case of oil in the near future.

  We are having chili and grilled cheese sandwiches for supper.  Each of us gets a half sandwich and a slight bowl of chili and that is plenty.  We don’t have heavy meals anymore.  Yes, Nicholas, I know it’s not real cheese, but I am determined to use it up.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:49 pm on April 5, 2024 Permalink  

  Smokey the Bear 

  I have my very own Smokey the Bear.  We have always had the tall glass that puts out fluffy plumes.  As the season goes on, there are seeds for the birds.  This is the time of the year when the old stalks need to be burned down.  It does travel like quake grass with the roots loving to run.  At this time of my gardening, the few Hosta left . . . if you grow more power to you.  I would not mind letting this grass plot grow.  Worse case, the mower can contain it.

  Dennis is slowly raking a bit and then doing a burn.  Why not!

  I am being retired today.  Some YouTube watching, some reading and some stitching.  Not more than one option at a time.

  The Thrush birds are back to our front awning.  Those sweet little birds are fun to watch.  The robins are busy in the evergreen.  Spring is here for all.

  With spring being here, all need to decide what is best for themselves.  At the end of the day, a good feeling of effort that was expended.  In the morning, an excitement of what the day will entail.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on April 4, 2024 Permalink  

  A Fine Day 

  This was a fine day for a drive north of town.  We had not traveled north in some time.  What was surprising were the number of vacant groves that have been bull-dosed down.  Any additional acre apparently to be farmed means money.

  We stopped at Hardee’s on the way home for a sandwich and a milkshake.  Nope . . . no one does a shake like Culver’s, but we did try them out.

  The sun is warm while being in a vehicle.  In the open air, a jacket is needed.

  Dennis and I gave each other the remainder of the day off.  Sweet.  The little red pickup has no where it needs to be until the 17th of this month.  An eye injection for Dennis here in town is better than a trip to Mankato.

  In the mean time the same old, same old, is not hard to take.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:39 pm on April 3, 2024 Permalink  

  Blow the House Down 

  No, our home is not in peril from the wind but it can sure howl.

  We had a good visit with the friends from the former chapter of the Korean vets.

  At our table, I was the only one that could hear . . . thus my voice got a working out.

  We are home for the remainder of the week.  Oh so sweet.  A week from today is another dentist appointment.  I am sure that will be usual and customary for some time to come.

  We had a lunch at the VFW at noon.  Dennis agrees,  if either of us is hungry . . . we forage for ourselves.

  This ditty is a short one and tomorrow will be a new day with perhaps more to report.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on April 2, 2024 Permalink  

  April Showers 

  2.5 inches of showers from the late March snow thaw and the April rain should get this area out of the drought situation.  That is the talk of the town.

  This morning I turned myself in to our dentist here in town for impressions to be taken and made for the final product.  It may take a total of a month before all is done and all is fitting well.

  Dennis had a call from a fellow that we would see once a month when the Korean Veterans would meet at the VFW in Mankato.  That chapter has been retired.  George called to ask if we could get together with a few of the fellows and their wives tomorrow, so as to not loose all touch.  I think that is a great idea.  The VFW serves a daily noon lunch.  We can enjoy a lunch together and catch up with one another.

  This afternoon, I was stitching at the same time glancing at and reading my latest book.  My eyelids got very heavy and I knew I had to get up and move about.

  My birthday on Sunday told me I am truly at 80 years.  I also have been retired for fifteen years.  I retired two months short of my 65th birthday, so I am rounding it up.  My status of being a retiree plus a fulltime housewife is going to shift a bit.  I have had a talk with Dennis.  I remember when a status had changed within a household.  If I remember correctly there was one household task assigned each day when the other went to work.  Dennis said he would have no problem with that as he often has not taken note that there might be something he could do and take that task from me.  We will see how this turns out.  As I am typing this, there is a process going on that will result in a clean kitchen floor.  Yup.

  The monetary portion of my life has never been the end all to be all.  I have often shared that what I deserve in life is a clean secure home.  Yup.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:05 pm on April 1, 2024 Permalink  

  A Wonderful Rain 

  Talk about a good wash of all things dirty with winter winds and snirt.

  Dennis and I really slept hard last night.  If we had not had a 9:30 appointment at the ear, nose and throat in Mankato I know I would have stayed in my bathrobe all day long.

  At the clinic, I watched the computer screen as the doctor put a scope down/up Dennis’ nose until the vocal cords could be seen.  It was done to see if nasal polyps were causing some problems.  Dennis does have a chronic sinus situation.  What was determined was that there is an infection present.  After the clinic we went to Walgreens to purchase the NeilMed sinus rinse.  Time will tell.

  Late yesterday afternoon, I tucked a leftover into the refrigerator, I found a surprise.  Yesterday, unbeknown to me, Carrie has chopped fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, plus two small loaf pans of meatloaf in the freezer.

  I texted her last night to thank her.  I did receive a response this morning.  

  This was a new day and it will be followed by many new days.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t navigate into my new days by looking in the rearview mirror.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on March 30, 2024 Permalink  

  Oh Happy Day 

  Today was spa day for Dennis and me.  Several blocks up the street to the west . . . we checked ourselves in at 10:30.

  The place where Dennis and I are, having a pedicure is fantastic.  Who of us would take the time to soak our feet.  Actually that would be the easiest as neither Dennis nor I can do a decent job of cutting our toe nails.  Let me tell you, happy happy feet makes for a good day.

  The haircut following the pedicure is the frosting on the cake.

  The best part was the advice from our nurse pedicurist to go and purchase some Gatorade for Dennis.  Dennis had been on a ten day dose of Amoxicillin.  That happens to cause extreme loss of fluids in the chamber pot, causing low potassium to cause weakness.  Maria even commented that Dennis looked off of his game.

  Dennis is now drinking a grape flavor of Gatorade.  Potassium lends itself to letting the heart pump, pump the way it is intended.  The lower the potassium level, the sluggish the heart beats.

  Well now.  As of late afternoon yesterday, our income tax is done via Turbo Tax.  Before I went to bed, I had been notified our returns had been received by the state and the federal.  Whew!

  I am on to begin preparing the baked beans for tomorrow in the crockpot.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥