Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:46 pm on July 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunday, Sunday 

  No good deed goes unpunished.  Having had a light supper last night, a dish of vanilla ice cream sounded good at eight last night.

  Wouldn’t you know it!  Four a.m. a bathroom visit was needed.  I went back to bed with eyes wide awake.  The dang birds were tweet tweeting to high heaven.  I got up and sat on the front deck and took in a fair amount of traffic watching.  Dennis got up at his usual time, six, and I greeted him with “Good Morning.”  I was sitting in my rocking chair.  He was surprised that I was up.  Once I could smell the coffee, I knew I was up for the day.  When the coffee was done, we both sat on the front deck with that freshly brewed black stuff.  Dennis, then with his breakfast box under his arm and his thermos type of coffee cup headed to the patio porch.

  I went into the studio and got some items together that I had started yesterday.

  By eight Dennis was in for a nap and I put a jacket on and went out to the gardens.  The weed that had put out such beautiful purple flowers was now done for the year.  Honey Bunny joined me and we pulled them up by their shallow roots.  Another bundle of greenery awaits drying by Dennis’ burning ring.  I even beat the bumble bees that love the Russian Sage by nabbing a hefty growth of nightshade in one of the corners of their purple blooms.

  With energy spent I came in and settled down to watch some YouTube videos.  My day just kept rolling along.  I now have Dennis’ favorite cold salad cooling in the refrig.  It’s the one with the pasta little rings, diced Spam, diced onion, green peas, diced celery and mayo.  Both Carrie and Kevin like it as well.

  Guess who is going to be in bed earlier than usual tonight, and . . . no ice cream.

  Tomorrow Dennis is going to Mankato to pick up his first pair of specialized shoes since the left foot has totally healed from . . . no toes.

  I am heading to New Ulm in the afternoon tomorrow to have a repair on my car.  Yippee!  It is covered under my warranty.  My favorite daughter-in-law will rescue me from the several hour wait as we go for a soft drink.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 1:38 pm on July 15, 2023 Permalink  

  Quiet Day 

  Both of us have stayed in our respective worlds today.  Dennis in the patio porch and me in the studio.

  I moussed around in some stash that I had in the studio for quite some time.  Thinking about what could be done with it before someone else decides for me.  I do have some ideas.  I will share those ideas with someone that may be able to assist.

  I went to the grocer’s at noon.  The air is nasty and it does smell like heat from an electrical source.  Quite a few were wearing face masks.  Wise move for those with vulnerable lungs.

  Our evening meal will be light as neither of us had done a lick of work today.

  Our fair is going on right now and as I drove past after picking up my prescriptions from the Lewis Drug, it looked like a huge crowd with the free admission.

  Catch you all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 12:54 pm on July 14, 2023 Permalink  

  My Butterfly 

  Celebrations can be for the most minute accomplishments.

  This morning I finished some prototypes in the studio for a family member.  Hush!  It’s a secret.  In due time.

  Each time I looked up and out the studio windows today, I was sure we were going to have rain.  KNUJ mentioned the towns around us that were getting a sprinkle or two . . . but not us.  What they did mentioned about the fires in Canada, was spot on.  It smells a bit like an electrical fire.  Ish!

  These last five days had been fairly full for me.  Dennis’s appointment in Mankato on Monday was a walking marathon for me.  The hospital is expanding by adding several stories to the existing structure.  Each time we go, the parking has been diminished for patients.  Dennis and I both used our walking sticks.  The day was successful, complete with the patio porch kitties having their favorite litter product.  I might order it via Amazon next time or immediately go to Hy-Vee.

  Tuesday’s yearly exam for me was a long day for my shoulders.  The mammogram needs the arms at a certain angle for a good x-ray.  Grin and bare it.  The bone density also had the arms doing what I thought they couldn’t, plus twisting of the back for a good x-ray.  I grinned through it and all reports were done correctly with good reports for me.  Mission accomplished.

  The hair cut yesterday was fantastic.  Dennis and I both went to the gal that does our pedicures.  So long Curry Comb!  Yesterday I came out of Maria’s salon feeling like I had a cut with come styling and not a man’s hair cut, plus an inch or two in length.  Dennis was pleased with his cut as well.  We do have options as to who we spend our money with and not because of family ties.

  With busy days. Today, I feel very relaxed and my body is not hurting.  A day to stay in my own surroundings does make a difference.

  I am sharing my counted cross stitch butterfly.  It has taken me a while, but I find it ever so relaxing.  This is my first new counted cross stitch project since 2002.  The siege of the Santa’s was from 1996 through 2002.  In between time, I did finish several projects I had started.  The light coming into the eight surround windows in my bedroom porch is great.  I don’t stitch for long periods of time.  This does go to show, one threaded needle of floss at a time, headways can be made.

  May the weekend be kind to you as you kick back a bit and do what makes you content.

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on July 13, 2023 Permalink  

  Thursday the 13th 

  Man, oh man.  The heat sure came up today in a hurry at noon.

  We had hair cuts here in town this afternoon.  One day the hair feels ok and the next day, its got to go.

  The studio and I are hatching out a plan to work with a family member’s plan.  Nothing for certain and nothing out of the realm of possibilities.  There will be more at a later date.

  This is a short and sweet ditty today.  I came home from the haircut and didn’t really want to tackle much.  That’s what can happen when the earlier part of the week can do me in.

  Catch you tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on July 12, 2023 Permalink  

  A Charm 

  Yesterday, Dennis drug the garden hose out to the east end of the patio porch to water several shrubs. This morning we received .6 inches of much-needed rain.  Sweet.

  Dennis is always ready to pay it back when I need his help.  Yes . . . I could have managed it, but he wasn’t busy today.  I stayed on the first floor of our home and turned the studio over to Dennis.  My sewing chair had seven or eight years of threads wrapped around the five castors.  He had done such a great job on the cherry red reading and stitching chair’s castors – he had great experience.

  I stayed busy on our first floor by using the wet Swiffers on the bath, kitchen and living room.  Since the 24/7 shoes are no longer needed for Dennis, it was time for getting back to having some clean dirt on the floors once in awhile.

  I had a welcomed letter from my family doctor in regard to all the tests I had done yesterday.  Blood work: mid ranges on all other than chloride was high and bicarbonate was low.  I know that has to do with something similar to levels of acid and alkaline.  Triglycerides, 92 – HDL cholesterol, 69 – LDL cholesterol, 57 – Nothing to be concerned about.  Mammogram:  very similar to last years.  Bone density:  levels of arthritis but nothing needed in line with meds. 

  All in all, this ole Grammie is in good stead.

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on July 11, 2023 Permalink  

  It’s Me 

  Yesterday we were released from Dennis’ foot care.

  Today . . . it was all about ME!

  My morning was quiet as I waited for my 10:00 appointment with my family doctor.  It was my annual visit.  I was given a block of time that any and all concerns could be talked about.  Only one med will need to be prescribed in a stronger dose.  Not bad.  August 15th is my next appointment set up by my cardiologist in Mankato to have the heart test done by swallowing a camera.  I will be ready and waiting.

  After the office call, I toddled down to the lab area where the gal was waiting for me to do a mammogram.  If the x-ray shows anything concerning, I will get a call.  Keeping fingers crossed.

  I had never had a bone density test done.  Well . . . why not do it today.  I had no idea what I was in for.  The radiologist pushed and tugged me where I was to be . . . in a very unusual position with my back pushed against a panel that would read images.  The shoulders were not the happiest.  In the next imaging session, I needed to lay flat on my back for a period.  Time will tell.

  As I then walked toward the entrance of the clinic, I joked with the girls “I am now leaving the building.”  “Wait a minute, if you are Noreen Curry, you need to go back to the lab for your blood draw.”  Oops!

  Needless to say it was a long morning that ended at 1:30.  Yippee!  Now to wait for results.

  See most of you tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 3:01 pm on July 10, 2023 Permalink  

  Short Posting 

  This was our Monday to see the wound doctor in Mankato for the final release of Dennis’ care of the left foot.  Our appointment wasn’t until 1:30.  

  At six this morning we were up.  By 6:15, I had the washing machine going.  All three loads were done before we left for the big town.

  It was such a beautiful morning that I enjoyed on the front deck with coffee cup in hand while the suds were doing their thing.  There was a great breeze and the birds were happy.

  We made stops in Mankato looking for the cat litter that is dust free, clumpable and weighs half of what some other brands do.  Sam’s was out, Petco doesn’t carry the lightweight stuff.  Good ole Hy-Vee had the Tidy Lightweight and it was on sale.  In each store, what I was seeking was at the farthest point in the store.

  By the early afternoon, I was feeling the rise of the temps as I made my way looking for cat litter.  I think the bottom of my cane got hot as I was on my mission.

  On our way home, we celebrated the fact that there were no more appointments for Dennis’ foot.  I take that back.  We are waiting for Limb Lab to call that Dennis’ shoes are ready to be picked up.

  Take care with this nasty surge of heat today.  This evening it is to be in the 50s during the night.

   
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  Noreen 2:44 pm on July 9, 2023 Permalink  

  Hello Sunday 

  This morning, with a breeze, it felt great.  With three cats following me to the east old Hosta bed, we headed out to see what the Roundup did for us yesterday.  Hmm.  I may be a little impatient.  We will try again tomorrow to take this walk.  I was just thrilled to have the area looking better than it had all of this spring and summer.  The cats found that hiding and playing in the tall plume grass a great game of cat and cat. 

  I can so vividly see Lena in her quest with weed killer.  Lena in her dust cap and a sprayer would check the rows of the new wind break.  She always had on heavy gloves.  If the weeds were too close to the young trees, she carried along a rag that she would spray with the weed killer and then take a hold of the weed and pull it through the rag as she held it.  Take that!

  If Lena, aka: Mom, was outside, more than likely a dust cap was on her head.  She took round circles of print fabric and sewed a hem that she would string elastic through.  Various colors of her dust caps were on the peg by the back door.  It was her perfect solution for helping out in livestock barns or in dusty chicken barns.  Mom’s hair was always fit to be in the company that the situation called for.

  As the east patio was getting a tidy look via the leaf blower, next door Jan came out for a chat.  Her yard reminds me of my yard years ago, waiting for the weed that dares show its face.  Jan is now retired from our school district.  May the birdies fly over her yard and pop out lots of seeds that will become weeds.  Jan has no hobbies to take her into quiet hours if there is no yard work.  She’ll get it figured out.

  The front deck had been my place earlier for coffee before I had gone outside.  When coming in from blowing off the east patio, I had a peanut and jelly piece of toast with the second cup of coffee while reading a few pages in my newest old book from the library while in my cherry red chair.  Washing the hands, the counted cross stitching needed a few pokes with the tapestry needle.  By the way, that cherry red chair is perfect for back support while stitching.  The left hand holds the hoop and the right hand runs the needle doing one “x” at a time.  I enjoy the quiet of my bedroom porch.

  The next event of my day was down in the studio.  A long time ago, I found four nice textured woven black placemates.  I had thought of making my own black mats from scratch for a project that has been discussed in the Pokemon vernacular.  I need three for sure and this will give me a chance to try out the fourth to see how it stitches.  More some time later on that.  I do move from one item to the next in my days as it is kinder on my ole body than overdoing any one thing.

  Tomorrow we see Dr. Renee in Mankato and she will sign off as Dennis’ wound doctor.  Everything done according to insurance and Medicare.  Jump through one hoop at a time.

  Enjoy what is left of the weekend.  It has been great.

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on July 8, 2023 Permalink  

  A Saturday 

  Mid afternoon and these two old timers are calling it a day.

  I headed out early for the final weeding on the far east Hosta bed.  Yesterday and today as I had pulled weeds, they had always been piled up facing in one direction.  When I finished today, the wide plastic rake worked great to roll the bale of greenery onto it.  I pulled it to the burning ring and slid the bale off.  It will take some time before it’s dry enough to burn.  Wouldn’t you know it . . . Snuggles followed behind trying to snag some of the greenery off of the rake. 

  A clippers were need to cut off the volunteer trees.  Surprisingly how fast those roots put down . . . as if they could stay forever.  On the last trip, the little sprayer with strong Roundup solution gave the entire ground surface a spray.  I stayed away from the plume grass but there may be a Hosta or two that will suffer.  I have offered these plants to many and if you snooze, you loose.  Dennis said as long as that area can look tidy, he has no problems steering clear of them with the mower.  If worse comes to worse, I assured him there were no rocks to be leery of. 

  During all the time my hinny was stuck up in the air working with unwanted greenery, Dennis was washing off the house with his soap suds in the attachment to the garden hose.  I must say it now looks wonderful.  Over time when we had a piddle of rain, it would be followed by strong winds bringing field dirt into town.  You could dip your finger into water and write your name on the dirty white siding.  Garden hoses on both the north and south sides of the house have been coiled up and Dennis is going to do as I am . . . calling it a day.

  Dennis and I are proud of our little home and take the extra measure to keep it looking that way.

   
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  Noreen 1:11 pm on July 7, 2023 Permalink  

  Another Gift 

  Another welcomed day of cool temps.  A great gift.  Breakfast under my belt, garden shoes on and out the door I went.  The Roundup I applied yesterday had a lot of weeds hanging their heads.  I chose three more Hosta to cover with my pails before the Roundup was sprayed.  Some of the broadleaf weeds looked sicker than some of the clover.  Hmm.

  With Honey Bunny trailing after me, I went to the far east to check on an older Hosta bed.  What my intentions are is for the plume grass to take that entire area over.  The white feathery plumes are beautiful in the late fall.  Each plume also has a seed pod for birds to harvest.  When I got closer to the area, I could not believe the amount of Nightshade plants.  They are easy to pull up and before I knew it, I had a bail of them piled up.  My gardening time was over.  Tomorrow I will take a clipper with me as there are several Elm trees that have gotten a pretty good start.  I intend to pull all the nasty unwanted, staying with my early hours as the temps may decide to climb over the weekend. 

  I visit the library and take home quite a few books from the rack of books put out to pasture.  When I came in from gardening, I enjoyed a cup of breakfast coffee and finished the one in my bedroom porch.  What I do with them when I have finished, I plunk it into the recycling bin just as the library does with those not taken home by anyone.

  My stitching of counted cross stitching took me up to the time Dennis came in for a noon half sandwich.  I had leftover meatloaf on a slice of bread and Dennis had a tuna sandwich.  One length of thread does make headways in the stitching.

  I had been contemplating a project in the studio.  There had been quilt blocks saved on a flash drive.  Rather than the multied colors on each block, I wondered what the design would look like in silhouette for either a placemat, a pillow or the popular mug rugs.  I have one such prototype under the needle right now.  When it is stitched out, I will need to confer with a partner in crime for decision time.

  Take care everyone and keep the balance in life as your main focus.