First time in the Super 8 pool for a good workout in over a month. Talk about a gamble that I could pull myself up and out of the pool. The loss of body strength during the month of shingles was severe and surprising as to what it took to fight the virus. Oh my, what we take for granted. Spring and the beckoning to be out in the yard is just what this body needs.
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Noreen
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Noreen
Pretty Amazing
Easter is not just about the Sunday that it happens to fall on in either the month of March or April. What it is about is a very private soul searching experience within the depths of each of our beings. It is quite amazing the peace that passes all understanding that comes about with Jesus arising from His grave. That’s all I have to say about that.
Today we would have been in Eden Prairie at daughter Carrie’s home had it not been for the flu bug that hit their home during the night. Dennis and I were dressed when the phone call came. All prettied up and no place to go. Actually . . . we did need to head out to Mankato. My right arm remains quite weak from the weeks of shingles on the arm. I knew that we would be going through Mankato on our way to Carrie’s, and how great in having a cherry pie pre-ordered for the Easter Sunday dinner from Baker’s Square without me overdoing the arm.
As I came out of Baker’s Square with the pie, I noticed someone was at our car, visiting with Dennis down the way in the parking lot. The individual looked a bit downtrodden and worn. As I got closer I finally could recognize it was my son, Kevin. Oh my gosh. Kevin and Kersten were in Mankato to return a rented trencher. Their weekend had been spent trenching in electricity to their residential garage. Any job always involves more than is apparent from the onset. The Saturday morning that started at 6:30 in the a.m. for them didn’t get finished until dusk was setting in. Of course, I am a mother, the downtrodden and worn was quickly replaced in my mind’s database as someone who had had a full day of hard labor.
Kevin and Kersten had stopped at Walmart to pick up a few items before returning to Fairfax. Kevin had waited in the truck for Kersten to complete her shopping. Kersten came out as Kevin was taking note of a lady with white hair and a red shirt walking the Baker’s Square parking lot into the store. Kersten took note of the car the white haired lady came out of. Talk about happenstance.
I put the pie in the car and the four of us had Easter dinner together in Baker’s Square. An amazing thing is that is was the not first of such happenstances with Kevin. Dennis and I were traveling on Highway 4 with Kevin and Kersten going in the opposite direction. We each had taken note of the other’s vehicle; we pulled over, while they backed up and we visited by the side of the road. Last year I had been to Dassel, Minnesota, which is 89 miles north east of here to attend a family event. On the way home I took side roads to see the countryside and also drive past a building site that Orlin and I had made home for our family in the 1970s. As I approached the building sight from the east, Kevin and Kersten were approaching from the opposite direction heading to Hutchinson. Of course; back up, pull over and visit. Happenstance . . . amazing.
This Sunday did not happen as planned . . . or did it?
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Noreen
Oh my, what a day. We were outside all day. It was a Steady Eddie type of day that had huge results getting rid of all the leaves, branches and whatever else Old Man Winter left for us. We topped the day off by going for burgers up town. Catch ya all later.
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Noreen
It never pays to take shortcuts. Several winters ago, the front door needed new weather stripping . . . it didn’t get done. Out came the duct tape. I taped the door shut from top to bottom and from side to side. I can tell you, no drafts dared to come into the home through the cracks. Here we were with the delivery of Dennis’ new recliner to be delivered through the front door yesterday, and the tape had to come off. Adhesives leave a residue after tape has been left on a surface for several days. You can imagine how much remained on the wooden door and the door frame after two years. There was no turning back. The weather stripping has to be applied to the door this spring and that meant the leftover adhesive had to come off first.
I don’t know where Dennis and I would have been without Goof Off. After much soaking of an area with Goof Off on a rag, followed by a lot of rubbing, the surface was smooth to the touch . . . adhesive free. Dennis and I, on the other hand, were making sure to stay close to the cracked window in between our shifts with the Goof Off. Talk about strong fumes. At the time, the duct tape went on quite quickly. Now, after several hours of the two of us taking turns removing it, we will be second guessing shortcuts in time to come.
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Noreen
This is going to be the true test! Can old cowboys learn new tricks? Today at 3:10 p.m. two very strong young men carried Dennis’ 27-year-old recliner out the front door. During the entire trip there were small pieces of metal falling onto the floor. It looked as if they might have been a portion of a gear. At one point the chair was set down with a thump for the fellows to get a better handle on the situation. The thump allowed a rather large patch of metal filings to remain on the floor. I know that Dennis’ old chair had his physical form in the upholstery and padding as if the chair had been built around him. The old went out the front door and a new recliner was carried in. Time will tell how long the transition takes. Tomorrow when that usual and customary nap time hits, the new recliner will beckon. Personally, I think Dennis can pull it off.
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Noreen
What a warm and extremely windy day. The wind kept Dennis busy cleaning leaves out of the pond and I got a fair amount of exercise by picking up branches. To the north this evening, the skies are ominous. With the temps in the low 80s today . . . it’s not a good forecast. Though the grasses are turning green without any rain at all, I can only imagine what rain would do for the new growth of grass. The lawnmowers would, for sure, be getting a work out.
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Noreen
So . . . how does one celebrate a 71st birthday enduring the lasting effects of shingles? A top priority was a cup of coffee to join Dennis in the porch. My first birthday greeting of the day came from Dennis, which was super sweet. In time, me in my pink bathrobe, with two kittens following close behind, checked out the far backyard. There was no chance of muddy feet as we are in need of a rain shower. Before long I had a pile of broken branches picked up. We don’t have a lot of traffic on Stauffer Avenue, but those that did pass by just gave a wave to the white haired cat lady walking the yard.
For this birthday, brother Calvin had a great email waiting for me this morning. Phone visits were received from son Kevin, my brother Micheal, sister Elvera and a surprise phone call from granddaughter Megan. Megan has passed and received her babysitter certificate and she is now able to stay with Nicholas while mom was running an errand. Megan and I had a half hour visit. Priceless.
I will admit during the course of the day I exchanged the pink robe for a green robe. I enjoyed a very lazy, laid back day. Towards evening I logged onto Facebook and responded in kind to each of the 40 plus birthday wishes that were posted. Several of the cards that came in the mail brought a chuckle with a dose of reality. Is 71 really the new 60?
The weather was such that towards evening, Dennis pulled out a bit of patio furniture. Spring is on track here at Stauffer Avenue and I know this year is going to be a great one for me . . . how could it not be? Family, friends and acquaintances all add to the quality of life that gives me a reason to smile today and many more days ahead.
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Noreen
A very good day on Stauffer Avenue. The Koi are in the pond and swimming laps. My car has a new battery after the 2008 battery sputtered just enough to make it suspicious and unreliable. Subway made fantastic seafood subs for supper. As always, no complaints on Stauffer Ave.
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Noreen
A very quiet town on this Palm Sunday. It may be that the 45 mph winds we are having do not require vehicles. The sun was bright and there is the scent that spring is right around the corner.
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Noreen
I hope this is the last of the chilly sunny days. Snuggles and Butter Ball spent very little time outside this evening. About the time it is dusk, they will be meowing to be let out the patio door. Honey Bunny doesn’t find her way home until dusk has turned into dark. Honey Bunny is five years old and sure doesn’t like to stick around home during the day, but by golly she will make sure she knows who is boss at the end of the day.