Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from February, 2018 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 5:22 pm on February 16, 2018 Permalink  

  Seriously . . . you should keep older people in your day to day contacts. It took Dennis and me to get a jar of Mayo opened today. I was attempting to hold the jar while Dennis was doing his absolutely best to get that lid to cooperate. Do we have to have the grocery story open our purchases before we leave the store? Good grief. That lid was stubborn. I had given up and gone down to the pantry to get a second jar when Dennis called down he had gotten it. We enjoy Albacore Tuna canned in water, drained and then mixed with chopped boiled eggs, pepper and salt for a sandwich spread or to just have a bit for a snack. The Albacore tuna is a very white tuna and very chunky.  We had had some Sunkist tuna packed in water in the past. By the time it was drained, there was nothing left as it was a shredded mess.  It was also very red in color . . . not very appealing.  We are hooked on the Albacore.  Our concoction wouldn’t be much of a finished dish if there were no Mayo.

  The last of the scrappy quilts was boxed and heading out to the UPS depot here in town. I was surprised when Dennis came home and shared the news that cash was not accepted. Either check or credit card. Apparently it is a company wide policy that cash is not within the depot. Good thing Dennis had grabbed his wallet before he left home. Mainly it was to have his driver’s license with him. It would have been disappointing for him to have had to make a trip home. He left home well equipped. Amazing what small towns need to adhere to.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:17 pm on February 15, 2018 Permalink  

  A day of running errands. How many errands can older people have you may ask? Enough to wear me out and be thankful when we are back home.

  Dennis had a stop at the VA Clinic. It is the first time I have accompanied him. What a great group of professionals who have been taking care of my ole cowboy. With Dennis’ impending carotid surgery they made sure Dennis signed consent forms so there will be copies of tests, etc. transferred so they can stay on top of his Warfarin intake and they may interact with what their field of expertise is compared to our general practitioner and also the surgeon. Warfarin must be stopped five days prior to surgery to slow down the blood flow during surgery. It becomes dangerous when the blood could begin to be too thick and cause a stroke or heart attack. As I said the group at the VA impressed the heck out of me.

  We motored on to Mankato. First stop was Great Clips. For $11.00 I have been getting the best cuts in years. By the way . . . Dennis’ cap is a bit loose after his cut. River City Quilts in Mankato will be closing in August due to the hike in the lease. I was interested in getting fabric backing and batting for the next project I have underway. I will miss their great service. We stopped at the U-Haul store and for $.99 we have a box to ship the latest scrappy quilt to Silver Bay.

  In Sam’s Club I hit it big time. I bought two pair of pants. The fact that they were $14.99 each with a good brand of clothing label wasn’t the best. The elastic in the waist area is what I was after. The two pair that I like to wear needed to have the waist band pinned to the bottom of my bra if I were to travel more than 20 feet because . . . the elastic was shot. Dennis knows how much I hate buying clothes. Hate it, hate it. I have a shape that clothing as yet to be manufactured for. Kevin says “Mom, you don’t have a butt.” It got to the point that Dennis would not let me buy clothes unless I fit it on in the store as he was weary of return processes. Well . . . let me tell you, with arms that have less than good mobility and knees that are awkward to bend in cubicles that are 2′ x 2′ . . . in store clothes was not bought. Ironically the brand that Sam’s Club gets in does fit me. I don’t care if they may be seconds, who do I have to impress! The bras can now do what they are intended to do. Oh, by the way, we did buy a few groceries in Sam’s as well.

  Of course, we had our meal for the day in Perkins. The variety of the menu is varied. I tried the Chicken Tortilla soup and it was flavorful. I like to try new things . . . Dennis not so much.

  We are home and it looks as if we may have some snow to push by morning.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:29 pm on February 14, 2018 Permalink  

  With the sewing studio totally cleaned and vacuumed from the quilt project it was time to get my walking shoes on and take a walk down Stauffer Avenue to the east. As I hit the east end of our acre . . . I was very pleasantly surprised. The apple flavored deer lick that Dennis and I put out after the large 12″ dump of snow has been favored. Multiple tracks came in from the south and east right up to the treat. Not far to the south is a grove that would take them right to the creek. I have some tall plume grass that we usually don’t cut back in the fall so the birds can pick at the seeds. It was very evident that a deer or two had nestled in after having a treat. On the down side, perhaps the hosta plants that are nearby may also be a treat for the dear this spring. That really wouldn’t bother me as I have been contemplating cutting back on the gardens. It made for a very light heart coming back home. First good walk of 2018 and feeling good about helping out the wildlife.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:36 pm on February 12, 2018 Permalink  

  I now know why some women I know go to what is known as “Quilt Camp.” They pack up their sewing machines and what they plan on working on and away they go. Several days and perhaps several nights of work tables provided with electrical supplies and a bunk house type housing for sleeping.

  There is no way our little home provides more than several hours without life happening. Laundry to switch out, groceries that may be needed and of course the trips up and down the steps to be a good care giver.

  On second thought . . . it sounds like a lot of commotion and work. Travel time, yaking it up with good intention table mates . . . I’ll take my chances here on Stauffer Ave.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:38 pm on February 11, 2018 Permalink  

  Yesterday I questioned myself as to why I would take on a huge quilt project (along with a few other items I can think of). Not only in piecing scraps but in the 95″ x 105″ size.  It was not requested of me. It was all about ME. I believe if I quit challenging myself I will be on a downward slope . . . maybe even a fast slippery slide. If my attitude is that I don’t want to do it . . . I won’t try to do it.  It may become that in time the will and want to try is there but I no longer am able to do it. I do believe my purpose in life is to grow and to do and be there when I am needed.

  This winter I challenged myself to keep moving and not loose the momentum that I had last year with walking every day.  It just so happened that keeping the driveway clear of snow was doable. Slow and steady.

  With all that being said . . . I wish I would get with the challenge of “What’s for supper?”

   
• 

  Noreen 6:32 pm on February 8, 2018 Permalink  

  Six o’clock and there is still the possibility of seeing across the street before the street lights come on. I do believe we are nearing a chance of spring.

  Dennis had a coffee guest out in the patio porch this forenoon. Coffee and Rice Krispy bars made for enough visiting that the rocking chairs never lost momentum.

  I did clear the drive of snow before Doug came for coffee. Looking back over the week it has been piddling with small amounts of snow three days out of four. Being energized from the sharp cold air I worked on my happy scrappy quilt for Dennis’ granddaughter. I don’t think anyone sleeps in a regular sized bed anymore. This quilt top is finishing out at 95″ x 105″.

  Supper is over, the dishes are done and we are off the clock for the evening.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:18 pm on February 7, 2018 Permalink  

  Yet again there was snow to remove this morning. The walking I had done all last summer right into the early winter is serving me well. The legs and body don’t mind the snow removal. Is it all that important for us to have a clean clear concrete drive . . . no. Do I enjoy getting outside as often as possible . . . yes. I so love my sewing studio but balance to the day is more important.

  Yesterday at the Mankato clinic it was a seek and search when we pulled into the entrance. The parking lot is always chucked full. It’s a hike to get into the clinic as Carrie could testify to when she came and waited with me when Dennis had his surgery in October. When we got into the clinic yesterday I picked out a wheelchair for Dennis and off we went down the long halls to the Radiology department. Then later on it was maneuvering to the Specialty Clinic . . . more halls.

  Let’s hear it for legs staying toned over the winter months. The stretching, reaching and bending of the torso is somewhat lacking. Though in thinking it over, working with projects in the sewing studio is better than being a couch potato. I am hoping by the first of March the bike trail along the Hammond Highway heading east is clear of ice and snow.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:59 pm on February 6, 2018 Permalink  

  Today Dennis and I had a road trip to Mankato. He was scheduled for an ultra sound on the right side of his neck followed by an office call with his surgeon.

  We chatted all the way. Trooper that he is, I most likely would have been quiet and a bit nervous. As luck would have it the heater in the pickup really was kicking out a very warm pickup cab.

  We began reminiscing about vehicles we had each ridden in decades ago. I know Mom had an old quilt on the floor of the back seat. There was no back seat heater fan in the late 50s model of the green Plymouth. On cold winter car trips there was no one who cared who was touching who. No one cared who was looking at who. The four of us kids huddled together bound by a quilt over our laps and legs. Warmth in numbers. Dad loved those trips. Not once would ne need to stretch his right arm over the front seat and swipe at one of us. Today it felt good to crack a window open for a bit and take in some of the single digit air.

  We spent the entire morning at the Mankato Clinic and the wheels are in motion as to when Dennis will be checking in for surgery. Of course, he has to have a pre-op physical by our local doctor first. Then those results will be studied with what the surgeon saw in the ultrasound. Tick-tock.

  We are home safe and sound and it feels oh so good.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:42 pm on February 5, 2018 Permalink  

  Yesterday I spent some time recounting an instance in farming with babies. I don’t believe Carrie and Kevin remember much of that experience. We were not able to continue with “Life on the Farm.” Carrie was an infant when we settled in on a farm in Boon Lake Township in 1966. Kevin came along in 1968. I believe Kevin was in kindergarten when we left the farm life, and Carrie most likely in second grade. The farm years will always be a very favored time in my memories. Orlin and I worked hard together. I believe to this day that farm life would have been my contentment to take me to my end days. Life brings changes and with changes come events that cannot be foreseen.

  Today, I again got the snow pusher out as we had another several inches of snow. I again had quiet time. I totally enjoyed being where the good Lord has planted me. I am content.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:35 pm on February 4, 2018 Permalink  

  Yesterday we had a bit of snow. More snow on the drive was done by the severe north winds over night. I suited up several different times today with my snow pusher and the drive is clear. While I was at the snow removal I thought about how frivolous having a clear drive was when my babies were small. Then the importance for me was clearing a path to the livestock barns while Orlin was getting the morning milking done. Once the milkers were going there was no stopping the process to get the entire herd milked. The cows knew what the line up was and if there was a brake in the routine, the shuffling of the hoves would begin. Creatures of habit are all.

  For me, I could get back into the house often to check on Carrie and Kevin and Snoopy. It had been easier before Kevin could walk and he would stay put in the play pen while Carrie would entertain him. It was a tidy little group. Once Kevin figured out how to climb out of the play pen, mobility was the game. It’s amazing how soon little kids learn to navigate steps whether up or down. I never knew where I would find the trio. I say trio because Snoopy could easily be tempted to leave his nest in the entryway and be right in the mix of the activity.

  No one ever got hurt while left alone. Today, I would most likely be written up for leaving the kids alone for any amount of time . . . or they could’ve been put in foster care. Farming, farm kids and farm schedules had a prescribed way of living. Nothing was ever left out that could have put the kids in harms way. What am I saying? Enough kettles stacked upside down on top of a kitchen stool made the top of the refrigerator their Mount Everest.

  The good Lord gave us a pass. Those cold winter days when Carrie and Kevin were left on their own in between the times I needed be be outside to be a farmer’s wife turned out fine. Generally it was a matter of picking up what had been pulled out to play with. The yard sticks that had been wedged into the drawer pulls or kitchen cupboard doors must have not been on their radar. In hind site, the can of Garden Guard left on the back entry shelf, tucked behind jackets, should have been not there. It was not all that easy to clean up and checking Snoopy’s mouth, I knew he had not been fed any. On the upside . . . we weren’t bothered with Crickets daring to cross the thresh hold for summer seasons to come.

  So, in today’s world I suit up and keep the drive clear of snow and enjoy the fresh air and get the much needed exercise. It doesn’t hold a candle to farm days but we do what feels good.