Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:50 pm on April 14, 2025 Permalink  

  Cold Fingers 

  This morning at 10:30, I had cold fingers, cold hands and a cold nose.  When I heard the howling wind as I awoke from a night’s rest, I knew I had an agenda.  Our little flag at the end of the front steps was standing straight out to the south as the north wind was merciless. 

  I bundled up and out the front door I went.  My little black six inch rake was waiting for me.  Our Russian Sage cuttings that were left after we had cleaned up from last week were nestled to the south side of our drive caught by the grass.  It looked really less than good.  I propped my cane onto the stop sign at the end of Stauffer so it couldn’t fall to the ground.  With a bit of a twist from my body I scoped up the cuttings off of the cement and the boulevard and sent them flying down Stauffer Avenue.  As the amount grew it had rolled itself into an elongated roll from the wind.  All I needed to do then was nudge the elongated roll down Stauffer to the East until it was even with the garbage bin.  I picked up the entire roll and it was said and done for tomorrow’s pick-up of garbage.  I made my way back to the stop sign to retrieve my cane.  The rake had been a huge support for me.

  When I came in, I could not believe how cold 45 degrees had felt with that howling wind from the north.  I was soon feeling better with a cup of hot coffee.

  During the remainder of the day, I chased a few dust bunnies around.  We are getting company on Saturday, the 19th.  Any dust bunnies that want to find their way onto the first floor of our home between now and Saturday . . . make yourselves to home as you apparently need a resting spot more than I need the satisfaction of having done the prep.

  Dennis has been doing due diligence in his patio porch in prep for Saturday.  Megan and Nicholas always end up spending quite a bit of time with grandpa and the kitties in the patio porch.  Needless to say, helping Dennis is beneath my pay grade.  He has his ways in the patio porch just as I have my ways in the house.

  We are having Tilapia and hash browns for supper with green beans.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:41 pm on April 13, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  This is a kick-back day of not much going on.

  No . . . I did not go out and rake up some of the Russian Sage cuttings.  As much as the robins are digging around for bugs, worms or nesting materials, if they would try a bit harder I am sure some of those cuttings could be utilized.  Throw your beak into it!

  All is well here on Stauffer Avenue.  When there is ample food in the house and the bills are current nothing more could be asked for.

  My long time friend, Judy, called last night.  She had been the Brown County Assessor.  Unfortunately Macular Degeneration took her sight shortly after she retired in 2009.  An assisted living in Mankato geared to someone with her frailties was her most recent home.  Her daughter shared with me that Judy had a very serious UT that took her stability and she had fallen.  Oh yes,  a bladder infection can do that as the kidneys malfunction.  Judy was to go to a nursing home until she was again stable.  That was almost three months ago.  I fear Judy may not return to her apartment.  Judy is just a few months younger than I am.  The third friend that was the county assessor of Nicollet County passed away from cancer shortly after her retirement.  Doreen, Judy and I all took our positions in the same year and were similar in age.

  As I said . . . all is well here on Stauffer Avenue.

  Hark!  I hear commotion in the kitchen.  Could there be a new chef?  Nay! 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on April 12, 2025 Permalink  

  High Winds 

  There are high winds on this Saturday.  About the time the shoulder has been put to the direction its coming from, a gust comes and dang near pushes you over from a different direction.

  The air was cool this morning.  Dennis and I decided to make use of the strong winds from the southeast.  The two of us tackled the remaining Russian Sage canes from last year’s blooms.  The majority of the canes were swept away, some were not.  Sure enough, there were several little green plants that had pushed through the soil.  Dennis commented that it looked as if the canes we were lobbing off would put out new growth had we left them be.  Many were three feet long.  Boy what a tangled mess that would have been.  If the old cane was not nipped off, I think it would have been strong enough for Tarzan to swing from.  Very wiry.  Perhaps tomorrow I will rake up what remains on our drive . . . maybe not.  Both Dennis and I called the yard work for today done.  Dennis went to the patio porch and I went to my bedroom porch to take a stitch or two with thread to unwind. 

  I have a cousin that does income tax work in the Riebe neighborhood of Dassel.  Each day on Facebook Caryn posts much like the countdown for Christmas.  A very short window of stress, but nonetheless.  I am sure the tails she could tell would be priceless.

  Dennis gets to choose which Banquet meal he wants for supper.  I will do oatmeal topped with flax meal and cinnamon.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:23 pm on April 11, 2025 Permalink  

  A Go-Gettum Type of Day 

  When I awake and from deep down inside of me, I feel it is going to be a “Go-Gettum” day.

  Last night while waiting for the sandman, I envisioned where all my supplies were to clean the windows on the front storm door and the back storm door.  Oh my gosh, looking through those windows after the cleaning lends itself to maybe tackling one or some of the eight windows in the bedroom porch . . . but not today.  I also recalled that last year I had purchased two small USA flags for the steel rod next to the front sidewalk.  I will give the first one a congrats on how long it lasted with the horrific winds of last fall and this winter.  Today I felt a new flag was needed outside our home.

  The next project was to try a no-bake pie.  By this suppertime I will know if it set up to cut a slice or if “you all bring a spoon and dig in” type of pie.  Whatever, I know it won’t go to waste.  If it turns out, I will share the recipe.

  Under the south windows of my bedroom porch grow the most hardy perennial Russian Sage plants.  The purple blooms are beautiful until the hard frosts of fall.  Right now, I am tackling about a lineal foot a day to cut back last years plants.  The goal is to get the six foot planter cleaned out before the roots want to spring forth with new growth.  It’s not difficult work but patience is required.  Ya . . .  I have grown some of that since 2021.

  This evening I am looking forward to a hot meatloaf sandwich for supper. 

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on April 10, 2025 Permalink  

  It’s Thursday the 10th 

  It is Thursday and I am back from my hiatus.  Wednesday was a full day for this Grammie.  PT at 8:30 had Mike working on the knots where tendons and muscles seem to have gotten cozy where they should not.  I grin and bear it.  I know going to PT is not suppose to be a walk in the park.  At 9:30 when the session was over, I amazed myself to be able to walk to my car.

  I got home and Dennis had a cup of coffee waiting for me.  Folgers to the rescue.

  Dennis’ appointment with the foot surgeon was 3:15 in Mankato, allowing us to do an errand or two before then when we got to town.

  I had a shopping list for Sam’s Club.  There are staples that I know from comparison shopping here in town quite a bit of money can be saved.  Would I make a trip to Mankato if no appointment were needed . . . no.   The savings would be eaten up by the gas tank.  We did take note that April 15th, the four-lane 169 through Lake Crystal will be closed for infrastructure work through the summer.

  I did also go to Hobby Lobby.  I gritted my teeth as the pushing of a lame cart through Sam’s club had taken its tole on the already sore butt cheek.  With J0anne’s closing, I knew I would need stabilizer when Sadie brings her tee-shirts over.  Of course the fabrics are located to the far back of the store.  Talk about a busy department of people waiting to have yardage cut.  They will continue getting busier as it will be the only place to look at, touch and decide on what yardage to purchase.  I needed woven interfacing for the back of tee-shirts.  That area was picked clean.  More inventory was expected.  I left empty handed.  Amazon in a pinch with no shoe-leather spent.  

  We got home at five with the good news that Dennis need not come back to the surgeon . . . unless he, we see something that doesn’t look right.   By now, Grammie is all over the “doesn’t look right.” 

  Today the groceries we had bought at Sam’s club have been removed from the shroud of heavy cardboard when multiples of the same item are packaged.  The recycling bin caught hell.  My 90-day supply of catheters came today from Handi-Medical in St. Paul. $1,688.00 with no co-pay.  For years, because its possible, I would reuse them by a boiling water bath.  Since 2021, I use and dispose.

  We are having an oven meal for supper of meatloaf and baked potatoes with veggies on the side.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on April 8, 2025 Permalink  

  A Tuesday, the 8th 

  It is a Tuesday and It has been productive.

  First floor saw local effort with laundry.  Not all that difficult to push buttons.  Dennis does the deep dive into the washer’s base to get it into the dryer, a few more buttons.  We can only access the lid of the washer from the left.  It’s a hefty reach for my left harm and hand.

  On to the studio.  Today was the day to build a quilt batting for my purple quilt.  Years ago, I would sit and whip stitch pieces of quilt batting together to reach the desired size.  Then a tip from another quilter clued me into the fusible tape.  Wonder of wonders.  It made such easy work of using up from the stashes.  I keep it handy for any time I need a little assistance holding two items together as it will tear off if the heat has been minimal.

  Butting up two freshly cuts of the edges allows for applying the tape to be ironed on.  A pressing cloth is required.  Of course with weight of any kind on the ironing board, two pieces butted up to each other don’t play nice.  As I don’t throw too much away if there is any chance it still has utility in my studio, I found the solution.  Weights do come in handy while allowing me to get the tape positioned with the pressing cloth on top of that and wrangling the hot iron.  My, my.  The end result is that there is ample quilt batting for the quilt top and the backing to be centered.

  That completed process drove me to shut down the studio.  I had been on my feet through the forenoon and early afternoon.  When everything has been assembled for the job, why stop . . . just get it done.  The remaining said supplies can be put up and away.  It’s then a joy to come back and see the studio anew. 

  Tomorrow I have PT at 8:30.  We then will be traveling to Mankato as Dennis has an appointment with the foot surgeon as a double check of his feet.  The skin on Dennis’ feet is thin enough a powder puff could do injury.  We do want to stay on top of that.  That appointment is at 3:15.  I have not been out and about in . . . forever, so I have a few stops I would like to make.  I know myself well enough, doing a blog posting will wait until Thursday.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

  
  

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on April 7, 2025 Permalink  

  Happy Monday 

  Monday with the sun makes for a good start.

  I spent some time in the studio this forenoon.  A quilt top is done and pressed.  Out came the case that looks as if it could hold several long guns.  I am not sure where I purchased the buffalo plaid zipper case.  It is a good spot for all the quilt batting leftovers.  The next process will be patching together enough of like batting to be put into service for this 54″ x 74″ quilt top.  I have the lightweight paper adhesive to get this task done. 

  Both Dennis and I are home from our medical appointments, Dennis to Mankato and me out to our clinic for PT.  Dennis need not go back for an injection to the left eye until June 30th.  I have appointments twice a week out at PT until April 18th.  Mike is not giving up on getting the hard ball of tightness out of the high right hip area.  I am not giving in to some temporary discomfort by Mile’s elbow.  It’s either this or better.  I choose to believe I will have better mobility when Mike is done with me.  Would-a, should-a, could-a.  I left this go for too long and everything, tendons and muscles, nestled in and were running the show.  

  As I look out my bedroom porch window, the robins are having a field day pecking through the tangle of winter’s grass looking for the elusive bug or two.

  This evening it is a quick supper of Texas toast waffles and sausages.  Dennis and Denise went out to lunch in Mankato, so this seems to be an easy fix for Grammie.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on April 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunny Sunday 

  Hello Peeps on this sunny Sunday!

  I am taking a break here in my studio.  The purple quilt has been in the wings long enough.  I may not take it to the finish this week, but every stitch takes me closer.  The quilt top is now 54″ wide.  I will need to add five inches to each end for a finish of 54″ x 74″.  It is the size for a lap cover-up as I sit in my rocker.  The key to that is sitting still in my rocker long enough to need cover.  You never know when that might be the norm.  It sure isn’t for now.  Many more stints here in the studio before there will be any covering up of any kind.

  As I am in the studio, I hear our sump pump kicking in from time to time.  That is not surprising considering the inch of rain we received last weekend.

  Yesterday as I was in the grocery store I couldn’t help but notice their display of the Peeps candy in all the colors of the rainbow.  That prompted me to call my brother Calvin.  Peeps were his favorite candy this time of the year.  Calvin is doing well if not a bit subdued compared to his time in Decorah.  In the healthcare facility that he is in, there seems to be quite a few free-standing buildings.  Calvin is one of the six men in his building of assisted living.  Calvin is the youngest.  Calvin will be 78 in this calendar year.  He understands that for his son Eric to stay on top of his dad’s life, the distance from Duluth to Decorah, Iowa, was not doable.  I can very easily visit with Calvin as he does have his views on politics.  Now there . . . is a lot to chit chat about.  Keeping in touch will continue.

  Today was a visit with Aunt Janet in Brownton.  Amazingly her and I are just a bit over ten years a part.  She asked me how old I was this last week when it was my birthday.  She knew she was getting on in years, but she had forgotten that nieces also get on.  Her and I always have plenty to visit about.  She enjoys being in her own home and I can totally understand that.  I like my home also.

  The house first floor smells of the fresh cinnamon rolls I had baked from a frozen state.  It takes about five hours for them to thaw under a piece of cellophane.  I already have potatoes in the kettle ready to boil and chicken tenderloins drying under paper towels to pan fry.  Add to that a package of steam-able vegetables . . . supper is on in high cotton.

  Tomorrow I have PT at 1:45.  Dennis has an eye injection in Mankato at 10:45.  Daughter Denise is taking her dad to the Mankato appointment.  Cutting it too close for comfort if one small glitch happens.  Denise and her dad most likely will have lunch in the big city.

  I think I have one more seam in me today in the studio.  Slow but sure wins every time.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on April 5, 2025 Permalink  

  Today is Saturday 

  Today is Saturday, the 5th of April.  More importantly is was spa day for the folks on Stauffer Avenue.

  Five blocks to the west of our home was the location.  Maria blocks off two hours for Dennis and myself.  It is the peace that passes all understanding.  In years past we would go to Mankato for the pedicures.  It was so worth it as I can no longer twist my arms and hands to reach all ten toes.  What’s the point if only six of the ten get done.  Dennis’ feet were too tender for me to tackle them.  With Maria having an LPN nursing license as well, it is the perfect match for well trimmed toes, a massage of legs and feet and a once over of healthy legs and feet.  Dennis likes a short haircut and Maria does not disappoint.  For me . . . I am grateful for any haircut that I can manage over a month’s time.

  As long as we were out styling and profiling, a stop at the grocery store came next.  A canon could have been shot off in the store and not hit anyone.  For a weekend, it was very quiet.  A nice sunny day as we have, the exodus out of town does happen.  I am not above having Banquet frozen dinners in our freezer.  Sometimes a Grammie, just doesn’t feet like starting from scratch.  Dennis’ activity level reaches from zero to ten on some days and to pop a meal in the microwave works.  On those evenings I like my hot bowl of flax meal and oatmeal with a side of cinnamon.

  There is smoke rolling over the tree tops in several directions.  Grilling season is here.  At a time in the past, Dennis and I had a small grill.  It became too much prep for a simple hamburger.  Dennis refuses to eat in McDonald’s.  I save my tastebuds for a time when we are in Mankato and visit Culver’s. 

  Speaking of Mankato, I have not had any retail therapy in a very long time.  Maria mentioned that she does check out JoAnn’s as the distribution centers for JoAnn’s are closing and they then restock the stores until inventory is depleted.  Maria does a lot of crocheting.  She has since learned to shop online for the brands she likes.  Just as the fabric I had ordered from New York City’s fabric warehouse, there are available contacts for yarn as well. 

  The wind continues to clatter the wind chimes.  Always a wind.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on April 4, 2025 Permalink  

  And . . . 

  And just like that the week is winding down.  Sunshine, clouds, rain or snow April is on the move.

  Last Sunday, Kevin and Kersten got a huge tote out and down from the attic.  The contents were put in front of me for decisions to be forthcoming and the tote went home with them.  It has been a good thing to review what I have clung to all these years.  Very little was thrown away.  Anything that was washable has been through the laundry.  If anyone needs gently used towels of various sizes or terry cloth table coverings . . . it is all in a bag, tied shut and labeled.

  Several clothing items of mine from the late 40s got freshened.  I knew I had been saving a large sturdy flat box for a reason.  Those items are folded with white tissue paper complete with a bit of history included.  Up on a shelf in the studio for now.

  Until the next time when someone visits, the attic is off limits to me.  The steps are steep.

  PT went well this morning.  I was feeling as if Mike’s fist was still in the small of my back when I got home.  More appointments for next week.  After all, where am I going?  If I do have plans to go somewhere in the future, God willing, I will be able to go with less physical discomfort.

  Nobody ever said we would get out of this world without feeling the reactions of the actions that we had put our bodies through.

  I did get a late birthday wish from a fellow from long ago.  John worked for the revenue department and has always stayed in touch, wishing me a good ride for another trip around the sun.  Priceless.

  It is a breakfast meal for our supper this evening.  Nothing beats eggs and all the fixings.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥