Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 11:00 am on April 25, 2025 Permalink  

  Friday the 25th 

  After it raining off and on for 24 hours the skies are trying to lighten.  Nothing like rain to bring out the dandelions.  Some are as huge as dinner plates complete with a blossom.

  After being out for less than two weeks our small USA flag has slipped down the steel rod that I placed it on.  That was my first item to tackle.  A whole lot of respect was required.  Mission completion.

  

  With the washing machine’s buttons pushed I headed to the studio.  My goal was to complete placing safety pins into the sandwiched project.  I am contemplating the next step.  The purple blocks are begging for a special embroidered design to be stitched on them, and I haven’t yet decided what design and what color thread.  The blocks that already have been embroidered with a colorful design will be quilted in a way to not take away from what there is already in place.  The safety pins are as if they are sentinels awaiting.  The embroidered blocks are done on a snow white background, disappointed in them showing up yellowed under the LED lights.  Anyway . . . I have a lot to think on before rushing into anything.  I already have achieved one goal with this project, which was to do something with these seven embroidered blocks rather than toss them into storage.  I am now at a point of no return.

  I do like this size of a quilt project as it fits well on the two church tables.  Food for thought if someone or something arises in the future.

  PT is at 2:30 this afternoon.  I am prepared . . . like in having done what I had on my agenda and then taking the aftermath as it plays out.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥ 

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on April 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Rain 

  It must have begun raining in the early hours as there were puddles already when my feet hit the floor.

  It is now mid-afternoon and rain drops are still making whirlpools in the now enlarged puddles.

  No walking on Stauffer Avenue for me today.  I spent three hours on my feet in the studio.  Half of that time stepping it off around the church tables and half standing still in-place bent over the church tables.

  My miniature train case holds all the safety pins of various sizes.  The only ones I was after today were the plastic encased heads of the large ones.  In actuality, those pins could well be called diaper pins as they cannot for safety reasons, spring open to injure.  They are easy on my hands and fingers to penetrate the layers of the quilt and close them.  Just as easily I can get them open when they have done their job.  All these years of pinning quilts into their sandwiches: tops, batting and backing, had I never given them a thought.  I was taken a-back when I got the package from Amazon via the Fairfax team.

  No, I did not get the entire quilt pinned.  I do have a solid 12″ around the perimeter pinned, every six inches or less, so I can take out the thumb tacks that were holding everything in place.  That will allow me to move the quilt from side to side or length to length to get to the middle for the pinning, saving my back from reaching too far for comfort.  After all . . . comfort feels good.  Using my hand weights positioned to make a small rectangle of quilt area, will keep too much sliding at bay as I keep pinning.  My objective is in view for another day.  That objective being that the quilting process under the needle can take place with everything tidy, tidy.  Fussy is as fussy does.

  Looking out my bedroom porch windows, the birds are having a hay-day plucking worms and bugs out of the sodden grass.

  We had canned beef, instant potatoes and cauliflower for supper last night.  There was enough of leftovers for me to make two TV-type dinners for us for this evening.  I love it when a plan comes together.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on April 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Wednesday the 23rd 

  I am working on keeping a schedule for myself during the day.  

  My morning routine has found me getting up bit earlier.  7:15 does make a difference rather than 8:oo.  The coffee goes well with checking the usual sites on the HP.  The bank site has become a usual and Dennis even comments that that is a good thing.  Without fail 9:15 is when Mayo rings in as a reminder of upcoming appointments.  They do it two weeks out of the appointment and then a week out.  I have gotten used to having my phone in my pocket.  

  My walk will be every morning after the prescribed exercise I have been given.  Even after just two mornings, I can feel it . . . in a good way.  Yesterday on my walk is when I found out that our neighbors, Chuck and Bonny’s house will be put up for sale.  A story and a half full to the brim.  They always spend the winter with their daughter in Tennessee and fly home after Easter.  Chuck started having problems that caused them to fly home sooner and when their son met the plane, Chuck was hospitalized, Bonny stayed with the son at his home.  Yesterday I visited with their children as they were packing up their parent’s home.  They will be living in Mankato in a one bedroom apartment in an assisted living unit.  Bonny had a lot of glass collections.  They had to pair down as to what a 10′ x 10′ storage unit would hold.  Hmm.  The unexpected can happen anytime.

  I spent time in the studio.  My purple quilt is ready to be pinned into the sandwiched project.  Kersten had found two of the foldable carboard grided 36″ x 72″ assists.  That cardboard allows thumb tacks to hold down the stretched sandwich of the three layers.  Tomorrow I will get out my pins that Kevin had found with the heavy duty plastic heads making the pinning process easier on the hands.  One step at a time.

  Last night as I was in my bedroom porch stitching after supper, I could not believe the wild turkeys flying and then roosting for the night in a tree across the way.  This morning, as the temps began to rise, one by one they left the tree branches.  It will be interesting to see if they return to their roost this evening.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on April 22, 2025 Permalink  

  A Tuesday 

  Well, well.  Yesterday got away from me.

  Pt was at 2:30 in the afternoon.  I got home after four as I needed to run an errand.  Dennis needed a bit of help.  Nothing serious.  Dennis was planning on making a trip to the Cottonwood County landfill on Tuesday.  I needed to hold up the top part of the end-gate with my cane.  That has had an issue with it staying up on its own.  Sometimes it will stay and sure enough about the time Dennis would want to load something into the pickup bed it could and would come down and hit him on the head.  We had two office chairs that had also lost the umph in the hydraulic seals.  Those two chairs, plus a plastic patio table and a fiberglass snow shovel that was cracked needed to be out of the garage.

  Dennis had called his friend Dwayne and the two of them were going to be headed down the highway to the west.  No doubt Dennis would have coffee for the both of them and then have breakfast . . . somewhere.  

  When all was said and done, I needed some me time with ice packs on my right hip.  Mike’s elbow had left a feeling of me being branded for as much as the searing discomfort had been felt.

  By the time we rustled up our supper . . . I had had enough of a day.

  Today is a new day.  I am doing my blog during this forenoon waiting for it to warm up a bit.  A walk is what my body needs . . . right down Stauffer Avenue.  Mike has been doing his part and I need to do mine.  Using both canes and stretching out the legs for a decent full length in a stride.  As Stauffer Avenue has had a fresh layer of crushed asphalt on it, I adjusted one of Dennis canes so it would match mine in height to use for the walking, keeping one of my canes clean on the bottom for indoor use.

  When Carrie and I were visiting Saturday, she commented that she is at the same age I was when I had my knees replaced.  Wow!  Talk about bringing Grammie up to real time.  I know at that time, I mentioned I was doing it for Megan so I could keep up with her.  That day, Megan was sitting in her little plastic table top cubby.  Yes, Megan is now 21 and is an adult.  That also had to sink in.

  As I take my walk, I will have lots to think on and yes, the phone will be in my pocket.

  With that I will take my leave and get back to a daily post.  ♥  Noticing that I have lost internet for now and will publish later on.

   
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  Noreen 2:34 pm on April 20, 2025 Permalink  

  Easter and Rain 

  It was a good thing Saturday was a nice spring day.  Today the rain showers may very well have sent some egg hunts to the indoors.

  I slept soundly after having company yesterday.  I slept so well that when I got us this morning for a bathroom call, I went back to bed.  I did decide at 10:45 to put the feet on the floor to take part in the day.  That was rare for me, but it was what I apparently needed.

  Yesterday when Megan and Jarrod were outside checking out the huge Maple tree, Snuggles was outside as well checking them out.  When we have strangers in the patio porch, Harriet hides up in the garage’s rafters.  She didn’t go out.  Snuggles didn’t come home last night and we are now in the late afternoon with still no Snuggles.  Dennis reported that Harriet sits by the open door and cries.  Hmm.  Snuggles has stayed away overnight before.  Time will tell.

  We are having leftovers for supper.  Sweet.

  I haven’t stitched today or read, just taking what was left of the day off.  Tomorrow is a new week and all will be back to normal.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:05 pm on April 19, 2025 Permalink  

  A Saturday 

  A Saturday afternoon and the house is quiet.  Carrie and her family came for an early Easter.  It was wonderful.  Nicholas seems to have grown several more inches in height.  Colleges have ben visited for Nick’s 2026 graduation year.  Megan brought Jarrod to meet us.  Jarrod and Megan have been in college together for several years.  Megan will be through with her college in May.  Carrie’s store keeps her busy.  Jeremy is checking out different employment options.  The world keeps on spinning.

  Our plans for a hot meal came off without a hitch.  I can see leftovers for us.  Who doesn’t like leftovers!

  Megan asked to get out the step ladder as she needed one more time up in the huge Maple tree in our yard.  Jarrod joined her.  Oh for the memories that Dennis and I have.  Sweet.

  Our Easter Sunday is going to be quiet.  Dennis’ son Ken, having come to Minnesota for the summer, plans on stopping in.  He has retired from driving for Heartland and is going to help someone out hauling grain from Northern Minnesota to the Shakopee terminals and return with a load of fertilizer to the northern Minnesota area.

  It got quite nice out today.  No winds to speak of.  The morning doves are cooing.  It is a sound that has always brought comforting feelings to me.

  I am out in my bedroom porch with not much in plans, just reflecting on today, the yesterdays and what will come in the tomorrows.

  For now, I think I will thread a needle and do a bit of stab and poke stitching.  Dennis seems content at his computer playing solitaire.  This afternoon is the peace that passes all understanding.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on April 18, 2025 Permalink  

  Good Friday 

  It is a great day for this Good Friday.

  This was a great day for a 12:15 PT appointment.  Does the level of discomfort after PT shed light on the one giving the discomfort?  Mike is doing a good job.  I had my afternoon arranged ahead of time, so I could take it a bit easy. 

  I made sure to call Aunt Janet in Brownton this afternoon to wish her a Happy Easter.  My cousin Dan is having church services in the Penn church tomorrow evening.  Janet is looking forward to seeing many that she has not seen since the Christmas service he had.  A minister from Winthrop is more than happy to do the services.  I think it is wonderful.

  We had rain in the late afternoon yesterday.  It continued to thunder and lightning up to the time I went to bed.  At the six news, we will find out just how much rain we got.  I know Iowa in the Spirit Lake area had a tornado.  Dennis’ grandson Adam could contact his family here in St. James today with a cell phone as there is no electricity in the town as yet.

  Let’s hear it for Subway for supper.  I gave Dennis a choice of Oatmeal or Subway.  Subway won out hands down.

  From my bedroom porch and a cup of coffee, I am doing some stitching and watching of traffic.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:15 pm on April 17, 2025 Permalink  

  Silent Night 

  It was a very silent night at our home last night as from supper time to our bedtime, we had nothing in regard to internet or Samsung television.  I did call Mediacom to find out it was their issue, nothing on our end.  Dennis could have gone out to the patio porch as one of his televisions gets content off of the Godahl tower.  Dennis opted to play solitaire.  I stitched a bit and read.  This would not have happened if Chuck Pessac from days of old were still manning the television waves. 

  Today I determined I needed some studio time.  I had been running some measurement through my mind in regard to what was needed for the backing of my purple quilt.  I had it nailed down in my mind and it was time to act on it.  It is now mid-afternoon.  The six yard piece of purple plaid flannel has been cut. Two pieces of 44″ wide fabric by two pieces 62″ in length has been sewn together for the 54″ x 72″ quilt.  The total size of the backing is 62″ wide by 88″ in length.  The seam is across the width.  It is a bit more than I needed but sometimes to make it work . . . so be it.  I pressed the seam on the backing and all has been left flattened on the church tables.

  It does look as if we may get a bit of rain.  Purple clouds and the thunder tell the story.

  Dennis has been manning his patio porch today.  No news is good news.

  Our supper is going to be a hodge-podge . . . a little of this and a little of that.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on April 16, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  Hello,

  This is a day in the life and times of an elderly farm gal.

  If I had known I would have need of a Mike at PT to try and undo what I have done to this sweet old body, I would have taken better care of myself.

  Today, I got home at 2:30 and didn’t quite know where to park myself.  I decided to walk up and down the cement drive until everything from the waist down was assured all was still attached.  Mike must take his elbows in for sharpening on a regular basis.  The good thing is, I trust him beyond measure.

  The grocery store was busy this morning.  I have all I need for Saturday and if I don’t . . . I’ll get along without it.  Piece of cake, Dennis knows I have this in the bag.  One comment from the ole cowboy was in regard to hopefully enjoying leftovers.  Gotta love the guy.

  I have some stitchy items for Carrie and Megan.  Kersten took hers home when Kevin’s had come for my birthday.  Is it hard to know who is stitch worthy for me to share with?  Absolutely not.  My two children grew up around both of their grandmothers that knew no bounds with a needle and thread.  I followed suit.  The amount of threads, yarn and fabric for the end result is a mere fraction of what that end result represents.  Boundless amounts of blood sweat and tears over often, quite a few laborious hours that can turn into weeks and even months.  I think a true stitcher can smell who would appreciate something from the studio.  When an item is given, using it is the greatest thank you gift a stitcher can ask for.  If the use wears it out, a replacement would not be out of the question.  Sometimes the oftener it requires laundering, the softer it becomes.  The kid’s grandmothers sewed with very harsh fabrics of a not many thread count fabric.  Guess what!  I am still enjoying those items and they become more cherished over time.   No . . . if there is not interest for those that visit me in what the studio holds . . . there is no stitchy shared. 

  My coffee this afternoon has been a boon to help me unwind and heal . . . until 12:15 of Friday the 18th.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:40 pm on April 15, 2025 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 15th 

  We are persevering as each day a few things are tackled for the weekend.  Carrie’s are coming on Saturday and today we found out Dennis’ daughter Sandy, the nurse, will be coming on Sunday.

  I like doing a bit at a time in prep.  I don’t get wore out that way.

  While there was bacon baking out in the 325 degree oven on two cookie sheets lined with Reynold’s Wrap, I tackled our refractory table top.  The table is used every day with many different drops of liquid here and there.  If needed, it can seat eight comfortably when the ends are pulled out.   All remaining soft chairs can be easily pushed to a side.  I will add a side-note on the bacon.  Black Label thick cut yields 12 slices per pound.  The baking process needs the thick cut in order to end up with a respectable slice of bacon.  I bake it about 50% to finish, so when it is needed, a quick stint in the microwave takes it to completion.  Dennis said he could smell the wonderful aroma when he came in at noon.  Had the bacon been out of the oven by that time, he would have needed a sample.

  In between time today, I wrote out several bills.  One being our real-estate taxes.  I like to pay the entire amount rather than splitting it into two separate payments.  Get it over with!

  When I moved into St. James, I bought this property for $8,500.00.  I had no credit rating, the bank would not touch me.  The owner wrote up a contract for deed, allowing a monthly payment to him directly.  The rather humorous thing is that the county now has it valued at $98,000.00.  The home has not been added onto and the garage would still be listing to the south if not for my dad stringing support cables and then Kevin giving us a steel beam to cement in about 12′ from the garage with another cable.  Ah yes, life is interesting.

  Supper will be a bowl of soup and a bacon sandwich.

  With that I will take my leave.♥