Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:22 pm on October 7, 2023 Permalink  

  Thirty What? 

  It was 37 degrees this morning.  That ought to get everyone’s attention.  Us, not so much.

  We went on with our usual morning routines.

  When I heard Dennis come into the house at eleven, I thought it would be for more coffee.  By the time he had found his way to my bedroom porch where I had been stitching, I looked up.  I looked up and Dennis was in his shoes and shirt and jacket, but no pants.  Hmm.  I think I knew the rest of the story.  Dennis had been over at the blue barn acre and it was either sandburs or burdock that his pants were covered in and he had left them in the patio porch.

  Each day he tells me that if nothing more gets done at the acre, he will be happy.  Curry . . . put your money where your mouth is.  Too funny.  He knows doggone-well, the pants can get cleaned up, but not in the house and not by me.

  It has been cool enough that I decided to put an oven dish together.  Right now, my arms are taking a break.  My blue speckled round roaster is filled to level with goodies.  There are also two glass freezer dishes sitting to the side to be filled, sealed, and put into the freezer for another time.  The ingredients start with medium sized egg noodles cooking to tender.  Two cans of drained white chicken meat loosened with a fork to shredded status in my strainer and then into the roaster.  One can of cream of chicken soup over the chicken and mixed well.  One can of drained white corn and one can of drained green beans that have been chopped and into the roaster both items go.  The pasta is cooked and while it is still hot, two generous tablespoons of Better Than Bullion roasted chicken flavor stirred in.  Folding all the ingredients is a pull on the arms.  All that is left is a portion of a jar of Alfredo sauce poured over.  I always save a bit of the Alfredo, so I can pour some heavy cream into the jar and shake, shake.  More folding over and over and over with my wooden spoon.

  What will ensue is a hearty oven meal heated at 325 degrees for one hour, served about five thirty.  Two frozen dishes of the same into the freezer for another time.

  When I do some dishes, why not make it worth while.  I do spray my roaster and my two freezer dishes with Pam.  The freezer dishes do have snap on lids, but I always stretch over some cling free wrap before the covers go on which will easily be removed before they go into the oven after they have been thawed.  Some foil over the top saves the top from drying out as the oven makes magic.

  Hmm.  That has been my adventure for the afternoon . . . what has yours been?

   
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  Noreen 1:54 pm on October 6, 2023 Permalink  

  Indoors 

  This morning is what it may very well feel like in coming months . . . being indoors!

  The coolest temp so far was the 42 degrees when I checked our front deck.  The north wind was not fooling around.  When Dennis came in for more coffee, all three patio porch kitties were content to stay in . . .  just like me.

  Our noon lunch was the last of the rhubarb and strawberry pie from Dennis’ birthday.  I followed the directions to the ultimate for baking.  Hmm.  The rhubarb had not baked soft.  Well, what could it hurt to put a slightly damp towel over a piece and microwave it.  Not one minute, but it took two minutes.  That was the trick.  I do think a convection oven would have worked better than my old fashioned oven.  When it said 375 degrees for 90 minutes, that is what it got.  The crust could not have endured anything longer or hotter.  The main thing is it didn’t go to waste.  Not much on Stauffer Avenue does.

  The wind coming from the south had taken some branches down earlier in the week.  The north wind is not going to be outdone.  When the wind blows as hard as it has, being outside under older trees is not a good idea.  We have kept up doing the tidy tidy of the yards.  Winds usually die down towards dark, but man, it gets dark really early.

  The Odin Craft Mill has started its three weekend event as of the 5th.  I don’t think I will venture forth as Megan already has her Smoky Vanilla scented candle next to her college desk in Virginia.  That was the luck of the draw to find the source in northern Minnesota and get it mailed directly to her.

  My hand stitching is going well.  My supply of new used books was increased yesterday by four when we were doing errands and Dennis swung by our county library.  Dennis looked at the books and asked if those authors were some of my favorites.  I do enjoy novels and I haven’t found a book yet that I can’t get into the storyline.  The last novel was an American and Russian spy storyline.  Forget remembering the long Russian names, just award each of them a nickname.  Worked for me.

  So the month has begun and so it rolls along.

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on October 5, 2023 Permalink  

  A Blustery Day 

  The wind has had its way all day.  Within the viewing area that I have from my cherry red chair in my bedroom porch, what isn’t tied down is on the move.

  I have had a computer program from Bernina that allows me to create my own text into what then could be stitched out via the embroidery module to my sewing machine.  I have enhanced digitized images as well by adding personalized text.  This licensed program was installed on the HP that the Fairfax team had gifted me a few years ago.

  I would and could create a stitch out using the Bernina Tool Box and then load it onto a flash drive to then take it to the basement studio, insert the drive into the sewing machine to see if all went well.  Sometimes it took several trips up and down the basement steps.

  I inquired at the Bernina shop in Bird Island if I could install the licensed program onto my Dell laptop in the studio.  I received the info from Amanda earlier this week.  Knowing I had quiet time this morning, I gave it a shot.  Taking my time, the downloading went well.  I now can work totally from the studio for creating customized stitching.  I did not have to take the Bernina Tool Box off of the HP in the livingroom.  It is greater flexibility from either computer.

  Sometimes sticking my toe out, putting the fear of the unknown to rest, makes for more creative independence.

  I may not use all my tools from the studio constantly, but it sure is nice to have flexibility.  Dennis keeps reminding me that soon weather may keep us indoors.  He and I have really had choice accomplishments this summer.

  Dennis mentioned something about pancakes for supper.  That would work for me.

  The blustery air is raw and humid.

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on October 4, 2023 Permalink  

  A Record 

  We needed to be in Mankato at nine this morning for an appointment.

  After that, it was a stop at Sam’s Club.  I appreciate having a pantry that can go a long time before short trips to our local grocer’s for a little bit here and a little bit there.

  Dennis’ breakfast box contains a banana muffin, three Oreo cookies and a plastic fork.  The muffins are huge and come six to a container.  We purchase three containers and when we arrive home, each muffin is put into a sandwich bag and then into the freezer.  Every night before Dennis goes to bed, he packs his breakfast box.  I don’t care for the muffins but Dennis says they taste as fresh on the 18th day as they did on the first day.  Whatever floats his boat.

  Our freezer space is whatever we can fit into the refrigerator’s freezer.  I do not believe in freezing cardboard boxes.  The Jimmy Dean sausages and the Ego muffins, each serving, is contained in a sealed storage pouch.  Those boxes are emptied into the right hand compartment of the freezer, aka: pick a meal.

  It was also paper product purchasing today.  TP, paper towels and a bag of 300 of our good china plates.    

  My splurge was a fairly good sized jar of herring.  Sweet!

  We were home before twelve noon, a record of being home early in the day.  

  After a noon snack, Dennis got the mower out to do the mowing and I worked with putting our haul of needed items away.  Very satisfying for both of us.  A trip to the big town wins it for the week.

   
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  Noreen 1:24 pm on October 3, 2023 Permalink  

  Changing Direction 

  As the day continues, our little flag on the northwest corner of the house is slowly changing direction.

  When the mail fellow was here at eleven this forenoon in his postal official shorts, he may have goosebumps on his knees by Friday.

  Wild turkeys have been raiding the backyard this week.  Most of them are young from this year’s hatch but still have some of the older taller ones showing them the ropes.

  I found a big fat cricket in the studio this morning.  I did not find him by his chirping.  He just sat there in the quiet being quiet.  He was flushed in a heartbeat.

  Dennis has been home to refuel his mower.  With the strong wind, he is not covered with grass clippings.  A noon break with orange juice did the trick.

  One of the lots that we purchased adjoining ours some years ago, still had a surprise for us.  Why it never was found earlier, is just the way Dennis mowed the yard.  The surprise was a perfectly round hole that would have been a sewer tile for the house that we had the fire department do a training burn.  We had a decorative square patio block large enough, when the grass around the hole was taken away from it, it was even with the surrounding dirt and covered the opening.  As Dennis dug, the copper water line was in close proximity.  We were happy it was not a forgotten well.  We are aware how expensive and detailed it is to handle that. 

  Enjoy the changing of the winds.  We may be back to enjoying the October weather, leaving behind the late summer’s heat.

   
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  Noreen 2:44 pm on October 2, 2023 Permalink  

  Hot Winds 

  The hot winds are raising awareness of what pollen is blowing around.  I have been sneezing quite a bit.

  The kitchen smells good.  I had a frozen pie, strawberry and rhubarb, that I had been saving for a birthday treat for Dennis.  I did the baking before it was terribly warn outside.  The apple barn east of Lake Crystal has a separate venue that sells baked pies, cream pies and frozen pies.  A while back, I thought such an offering would be good to have on hand for such a day as today.  The birthday phone call for Dennis was wonderful.  Sharing words one on one beats something on Facebook.

  While contemplating things in our home, I feel if I could just channel my dad, Raymond.  While nothing is coming through as a solution, I have decided to put the idea on a shelf.  You never know when a solution pops into the head while doing something different all together.

  My retail therapy has been satisfied recently via Amazon.  A new shower curtain was delivered on Sunday along with powerful magnets to place on the bottom of the curtain.  The pitiful ones in the curtain from the manufacturer are just that . . . pitiful.  The floor register’s air movement would get behind the lightweight curtain.  Who needs climate control in the shower stall.  Getting items delivered on Sunday, still is for me unbelievable.

  Our brand new VA clinic is short a registered nurse.  No one wants to work.  Veterans that need to have a monthly check on their INR, blood clotting, have to travel to Mankato once a month.  Good grief. 

  I will have a grocery list.  We often don’t need a heavy supper.  We like the frozen Jimmy Dean pre-cooked sausage patties coupled with Ego waffles for the toaster.  The waffles that we like are not the flat ones.  Even a bucket of ice cream doesn’t disappear too quickly.

  Megan and I have been texting off and on.  I told her I wouldn’t be making phone calls as her schedule is important.  I still miss the fun times when she stayed with us.  Hmm.  Just when did she grow up?

  Dennis has a six year old great grand that shares his birthday.  Hard to believe that Luella is six.  The youngest of the great grands.

  Oh so many thoughts flitter through the gray matter . . . its called memories.  I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

   
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  Noreen 1:06 pm on October 1, 2023 Permalink  

  The Dance 

  Our large trees felt the dry summer just as everyone and everything else.

  This morning, sitting on the front deck with coffee cup in hand, I watched dry leaves tippy toe, doing their dance across the hard-surfaced street.  Many leaves will not be able to hang on until the first hard frost.

  My ole cowboy is going to have his 87th birthday tomorrow.  Many that we come in contact with, never realize how many candles he has gone through over the years.

  This noon taking an orange juice break, I asked him if he wanted anything special for tomorrow.  Dennis shook his head.  He went on to say that yesterday when grandson AJ was here, he got his early birthday wish.  Not only all the chit chat, but Dennis and AJ went over to the blue barn acre.  There is no longer stray concrete blocks lying about.  The length of galvanized tin is not on the acre and the television lodged in the south lot line is gone.  Grandpa and AJ got everything on the implement trailer next to our back garage.  Items to still deal with, but on our home’s turf.

  Some commented that they were sure Dennis had bit off more than he could chew, taking that acre under his belt.  They didn’t realize that Dennis knew people or how many for that matter.  No matter how much was cleared, the naysayers would make a comment to him about those last items still in the dirt.  Dennis just wanted there to be nothing but trees, dirt and grass.  Dennis got his birthday wish and the best part was working with AJ to do it yesterday.

  I am very proud of Dennis taking each step slowly and achieving his goal.  Several realtors have asked us if they can list the acre with their company.  The reply is that it is not for sale.  Dennis enjoys keeping people guessing. 

  This next week by Wednesday, the temps will be cooler.  We do plan on going to the acre and raking together small piles of branches and limbs under each set of trees.  Who doesn’t like a fall bonfire! 

  For as many lots as we have cleared here next to our forever home, three, we have found treasure . . . zip.  But I will say it has been very satisfying to clean up what lies around us.

  It is chicken titties, green beans and instant potatoes for supper.

  With all things well with my soul, I will do a dance . . . all four slide steps.

  Happy October you all!

   
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  Noreen 1:24 pm on September 30, 2023 Permalink  

  Ish! 

  What a mixture of . . . Ish!

  Boxelder bugs, Asian beetles, black flies and throw in a mixture of wasps.  Ish!  Though I have a perfectly good clothesline, this time of the fall is no time to use them.  They all can spot up fabric like you cannot believe.

  Sitting on the front deck early in the morning or after dark is the best of all times.

  Dennis’ grandson AJ, from Mankato, stopped in this forenoon on his Harley.  He is always a bright spot in Dennis’ day.  The young and the old can sit and swap stories for some time.

  This midday, Dennis and I in the little red pickup visited the Dairy Queen here in town.  We have talked about each getting a blizzard for some time.  Well, they do close for the season on October 9th.  Today was the day!

  The afternoon sun feels all of the 86 degrees . . . plus.  One more day of July-feeling temps and a cool-down is headed our way.

  Dennis is feeling his blizzard and is taking a nap in the patio porch.  Sweet.  I am heading to my Teak rocker to watch some of my subscribed YouTube channels on stitching.

  Stay comfortable by staying out of the sun.

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on September 29, 2023 Permalink  

  Rain Drops 

  Rain drops here and there.  That cancelled out work we had intended for the day.  Enough dampness to cause a greasy smear where there is no grass.  If nothing else the pigeon grass is heading out.  Hey, it is green.

  The farm trucks have begun hauling in corn.  It is said to be testing out at 26%.  If farmers were going to store their own corn, it wouldn’t take long to run it through a dryer.

  I have spent quite a bit of time in my bedroom porch today, either reading or stitching.  Watching traffic as well.  Surprise, surprise there goes the little red pickup . . . here comes the little red pickup.  Too funny.

  It seemed at times this summer we were humping the days to get the job jar empty before cold weather.  We may very well have worked ourselves out of tasks.  This afternoon when I was sweeping the back steps off, I was very grateful not to have to spend any amount of time outside as the boxelder bugs are just plain nasty.

  If the weather cooperates and we do spend some time tomorrow at the blue barn acre, it will be interesting to see if they are there as well.  There are no boxelder trees on the lot.

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on September 28, 2023 Permalink  

  The Sun 

  The sun made its appearance at noon and as if Dennis got the green flag at Indie, it was on.

  The Sears mower with new blades did a great job on the grass that got soft where it grew in the shade.

  My intent was to use the weed whip around the house.  I leaned it on the bench by the back door and put on garden shoes.  Hmm.  The weed whip never moved.

  I went to pull up a weed next to the picket fence.  Oh my gosh, with the rain, that weed pulled up great.  And . . . so did the next one and the next one and so on and so on.  

  After several hours I called “Uncle.”  I made huge strides in all that could get pulled.  With my trusty six inch rake I pulled all that unwanted stuff into a windrow to the backyard.  Just as if we had made plans ahead of time, Dennis came and ground my pile of weeds up and the wind did a pretty good job of scattering said stuff.

  Dennis did use the weed whip and the area around the house looks great.

  I took out a package of vegetable beef soup this morning.  Great supper plan.

  By the way, we never made it west to Windom yesterday for supper.  As we were heading west, the A & W sign beckoned us at Mountain Lake.  The burgers were good and the A & W was fantastic.  

  The blue barn acre wasn’t on the schedule for mowing today.  If Dennis breaks up the time he sits on a jiggling lawn mower, his back feels better.  Not to worry, the sun is going to make a return visit tomorrow.

  Also, one more . . . by the way.  Today is international “Son’s Day.”  Let me tell you . . . the kid I have is on my calendar every day as a. . . one of a kind.  He has the heart of a warrior, a mind that knows no puzzle and the soul swelling with kindness and gentleness.  The Old Adam did not spoil what he is.