I am a retired 44-year veteran of the Real Estate Assessment field. As with real estate assessing and how it applies to real estate taxes, one can make many acquaintances, but not many real friends. It was a great career choice.
It has been nearly 10 years since I reclaimed my home and my real passions within my home. I enjoy it more each day and tip my hat to those who I left behind.
Each day I try to stretch myself with the use of my computer as it relates to this site and using it to print out labels for quilts for trying to incorporate photos into my sewing. Life is so full and I know that I have room for more.
The perennial lilies and the annual begonias make for a great color show. Just as the abundant rain allowed for this color show, it has also allowed for a lot of biting bugs to hatch. A quick look around the gardens for a photo op and then it’s heading for shelter from the bugs.
While making a batch of potato salad this afternoon – it took me back to a time as a child when we often had relatives pop in for an unannounced visit on a Sunday afternoon. It wouldn’t take Mom long and she had one kettle boiling eggs, another kettle boiling potatoes with the skins on and an onion ready to dice up. Out of the freezer a ring of homemade bologna was gotten out. Potato salad, ring bologna, pickles and cake made a perfect quick meal. No one ever left our farm home with an empty stomach. Sunday company never stayed late as everyone had a dairy herd that would need tending in the late afternoon. Good memories . . . good times.
I heard the coffee pot go off this morning at seven, and right after that I realized that hubby Dennis was getting dressed. What happened to having coffee in P.J. pants out in the porch? I knew what the morning would hold. Sure enough. By 10:30 the acre had been mowed and both my push mower and Dennis’ rider were in need of being gassed up for next week’s mowing. Gotta bless that man’s heart for enjoying a yard that looks tidy.
Comes the Dawn
After awhile you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that no matter what kind of love, love doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain.
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure . . .
That you are really strong,
And you really have worth
And you learn and learn with every day you learn.
Author Unknown
Dennis and I had a road date today. Now the the enjoyment of being home safe and sound is the peace that passes all understanding.
It’s a holiday weekend and this year as in the last 46 years it has a special place in my heart.
46 years ago today, my mother-in-law, Esther Schafer from Hector ask me to take her to see her friend Mrs. Conner in Redwood Falls. From Boon Lake Township three year old Carrie and I headed for Hector to pick up Esther. The hours drive was spent with Carrie talking off Grandma’s ear and showing her storybooks as she was tucked between Esther and me. At that time seatbelts and youth car seats were not standard equipment as they are today. The day was sunny and the drive was uneventful. It was to be the last road trip I had planned with Esther as I was just at the nine month of my pregnancy.
After an afternoon of chit chat the three of us told Mrs. Conners we needed to head for home. Carrie’s dad would soon be starting the late afternoon barn chores and I would be driving into our driveway just about the time that the 300 laying hens would be expecting me to fill the ground feed containers. Carrie always helped filling a pail with oats from the bin for the hens, but was not about to enter the hen house with all the fluttering of wings.
As we were on the out skirts of Redwood Falls, Esther wanted to treat us and we made a swing into the Hardee’s for a quick stop. On the way back out to the car I stubbed my shoe on an uneven sidewalk block and was able to catch myself just before I hit the concrete. By the time we were nearing Hector I knew that that tumble had tipped me into labor. Esther agreed to come out to the farm with me as she didn’t want Carrie and me to make the rest of the drive alone.
Kevin Michael Schafer – always the firecracker of my life.
Orlin was in the dairy barn when we arrived and it didn’t take long before plans on our farm needed to be changed. Esther stayed with Carrie while Orlin took me to the Hutchinson Hospital. Orlin and I agreed that I would get checked in and he would go back to the farm to get the evening milking of the dairy herd done a bit earlier than usual. Though my parents only lived several miles away, they also had milking to do but agreed to come over as soon as they were done to finish up the last of the livestock chores.
Orlin made it back to the hospital in time for Kevin Michael Schafer to be born at 8:15 p.m. Orlin took Grandma Schafer back to Hector a little later than we had planned, but she was included in the mix of all the excitement. Priceless.
Today will always be a red letter day even if the 4th of July Celebrations ceased. Just as it had happened on a certain October 17th, 1965 when Carrie arrived in my life, my world would thereafter always spin a bit faster. For the rest of my days on earth, every day of my life will include God’s blessings to me. I can’t imagine it any other way.
Happy Birthday Kevin.
This afternoon a huge project was finished. For the past months I have been helping a 16-year-old 4-H gal with her sewing project for the dress review that is held in conjunction with the Watonwan County Fair. Anticipations were high, both on the 4-H member as well as on myself. Plans were made and the pattern and fabric that were purchased arrived on StaufferAvenue. As the pattern was aligned on the fabric, second thoughts began to be felt on both of our parts. The depth of the tailoring was very detailed, and after all, wasn’t the end game to be an enjoyable project? A time out was called.
A second pattern was purchased, and with lighter hearts, the the fabric was cut and the steps began just like the pattern guide led us through the project. The hourly visits soon saw steps that were new for the student, but were met with determination.
My Mom
During the process that was going on in my sewing room, my mind went back to the days when my Mom was a 4-H leader working with the clothing projects. I was in awe how foreign the sewing process was to some of the girls in the Boon Lake 4-H Club. I had been at Mom’s elbow from small on as the treadle sewing machine sewed miles upon miles of seams in clothing for the family. The printed fabrics, many times, were printed feed sacks for shirts, pajamas for the four of us kids, aprons and pillow cases. It was all very wearable clothes for Calvin, Michael and myself to make use of whether it was for at home or for school as the three of us went to Renville County District 34 county school. My sister, Elvera, was six years older than me and Mom purchased fabric for her garments as she attended town school. High school peer pressure was just as tough then as it is now.
All-School Style Show at Hutchinson High School. A thrilled 8th grade Noreen.
When I transferred from country school to town school to begin 8th grade, Home Economics Class was a cinch for me. When the second half of the school year was devoted to sewing, the country girl from Boon Lake became popular as I could help the other gals with their projects. I don’t recall how many set in sleeves I did for some of my classmates. The proof of my Mom’s instructions over the years was the style show for grades 8 – 12th. Let’s just say that it was the first time in my young life I was given roses and was able to wear a tiara, even if it was for just that night.
During the next summer I was a live-in hired gal taking care of three kids, washing, ironing and cooking in Hutchinson. I worked from Sunday night to Friday night for $15 a week. I manged to purchase my supplies and get my 4-H dress for the McCloud County Fair done at nights. Betty and Ed Neimitz took over their family after I had supper dishes done and Betty let me use her sewing machine. The dress was a dusty lime green wool with an empire waist. I loved that dress. Ironically, decades later Betty Neimitz lived in the same senior housing complex as my mom. She would share details with my mom as to how I managed to contend with three kids from ages 2 to 8 at the age of 16. It was a great learning experience.
Fast forward to this afternoon and the climax of a sewing adventure here on Stauffer Avenue. When I said much was learned, I was speaking of myself. Knowing what to do and how to do it is one thing. To extend that knowledge using words was indeed a challenge. At times I would assist by showing proper placement, but from the very beginning I did say I would not sew any portion of the garment. This was to be a project to grow patience and understanding of how to go from yardage to garment − complete with buttons and button holes and . . . a good fit.
Oh yes, much was learned. I got a sweet thank you and an invite to attend the dress review style show next week. It will be fun to see my student as well as all the girls and the garments that they are proud of.
Today was Dennis’s day for an out of town lunch. The Korea Veterans Organization, known as the Graybeards, have an organized chapter that meets in Mankato once a month for lunch and a short business meeting. The name of the Mankato, Minnesota, chapter is “The Frozen Chosen.” It was a unique time in history as it was not labeled as an official war. It was declared as “a police action.” No matter what label was put on it, my hubby is a true veteran of war experiences as a drafted young farm boy in the 1950s. I am thrilled that Dennis meets with individuals out of the usual coffee goers that get together here in St. James. Dennis comes home with news of friends that he has made that have a very special bond. It’s a good thing.
Over the course of several seasons I have posted photos of our alley cat Sweetie Pie. She cradles herself in the crook of a Lilac and will sleep for hours. During the cold winters I would glance out the window and see that yellow fur ball. It made me want to go out there and pick her up and cradle her in my warmth. When I would be within several feet of her she would begin to back up on the branch, ready to bolt if I continued to get closer. Dennis and I just let Sweetie Pie be and be thankful that she kept herself fed to maintain body heat.
The tabby and the yellow kitten hidden
among the Lilac branches.
They always say cats are curious creatures, but that can’t hold a candle to Dennis and me being curious about Sweetie Pie and her fear of getting close to us. This spring we knew she was carrying babies. As time went on we felt she must have miscarried or they had not survived. Things were looking up as we could walk within several feet of her when she sat on the patio and she would not run away.
Friday morning Dennis had news. Sweetie Pie had brought a yellow kitten to our patio for the Meow Mix and water. Saturday morning Dennis came to wake me early as we now had a family of kittens. Sweetie Pie had three yellow kittens and one tabby colored kitten. She had brought the entire family. The kittens were old enough to get in the food dish with all fours. Proud Sweetie Pie brought us her family as she knew they would be fed and not be injured. Getting close to the kittens will now be the next challenge. I think we are up for it as we are out in the yard often and sitting on the patio in the evenings will be the ideal chance to get them closer to trusting us.
A yellow kitten wonders how close I intend to get.
The kittens romp and play as if this has been their home since day one. The first few days the kittens would scatter as soon as Dennis and I came outside. In the last several days they do stay closer and keep a very watchful eye on us. As their mother, they have taken to be little tree huggers. Needless to say, photo ops are not the easiest things to acquire, but in time Dennis is sure he can wear them down. He has made it his personal challenge to get them to trust him before the harsh winter sets in so shelter will be available.
I will say that since Dennis has been taking care of the four legged orphans that come to our patio for food and water, we have not seen a mouse or a mole. We do wonder what happens to some of the cats that no longer are around, but it is the nature of the wild. If they can get to our home they are guaranteed a nourishment.
Life on Stauffer is never dull.
It was a hustle but Dennis and I got the yards mowed after supper. With all the rain it’s been hard to find a time when the grass would be dry enough to do a decent job. I was really sprayed down with Deep Woods Off and towards the end as the perspiration began to trickle I could tell it was moving towards my mouth and eyes. The good thing was that I escaped being attack by the swarms of mosquitoes that were around me. I did go through two batteries for the weed whip, but the yards look very well manicured. Dennis finished with the rider at the same time I finished trimming. Yes, it was a great day even if we did get a late start. Stauffer is still the most sought after location in town.