Post644 More Music, More Embroidery and Much Love.

 

My car was booked in for service on Wednesday. As usual I had chosen the option to have two mechanics work on it while I waited. It takes two and a half hours. The waiting area is warm, comfortable and serviced with a coffee machine. I found a seat that did not face the TV screen and got to work to finish the Corinne Lapiere mouse.  It took most of the time with enough thread and time for me to also make a twisted cord. The cord is a bit thicker than it needs to be and I might adjust it.

It has given me an idea. Although it is cute, I doubt many libraries would use a book-carrying mouse as a mascot or ornament. They spend too much time keeping mice out of the stacks.

When the car was ready  (no problems, tyres rotated, oil, brake fluid etc changed, battery chacked) I headed for Centennial Park Cemetery. It was Jim’s birthday. 

The site looks terrific.it is a very serene, contemplative place, silent except for birdsong. He loved his birthday.

As I have done on each visit since October 2024 I checked out Lorraine Trotter’s burial place and was delighted to find, for the first time, a headstone in place.  It is shiny black marble, which reflects the grass that now covers the grave. Quite lovely. So much about Lorraine’s life was secret. I seems important  to mark her life and death in a public way.  

From the cemetery I went to Create in Stitch to buy some felt for the idea the mouse has given me. I came home and worked on it - but I’m not ready to share yet.

I did however, get another idea. I had bought two tea boxes from Create in Stitch a couple of years ago along with kits for embroidery to go on the lids. I made one for my Adelaide daughter to use at work and promised Brigid one when she got her own work space.

Create in Stitch still has the boxes in stock and it occurred to me I should offer to make one for my Canberra daughter, so Thursday morning I was up relatively early to return and buy another box - just in case they sold out! 

Friday was fine so I hung out washing and waited for a parcel before heading to the supermarket. The post also brought the account for the traffic offence I managed to commit last month. I was relieved to get it. It is nearly 6 weeks since it happened, and I was worried it had been stolen from my letterbox. I went straight to the Post Office and paid it. I now have 3 demerit points.

This book (left). was in the parcel.  I had stumbled across it and managed to find a reasonably priced copy through World of Books. My mother, as a newly arrived migrant in 1929, went to Banksmeadow Primary School where she learned a lot about Joseph Banks, all of which she imparted to my brother and I. She would have so loved this book. It contains 181 of the drawings Bank's commissioned. The selection from Botany Bay begins with his illustration of a flannel flower. I'm toying with the idea of embroidering some of them.

I spent the rest of Friday beginning work on Anna Scott"s Jewels of Summer  for the tea box lid.  Anna's instructions are precise, her colour shifts subtle. I think Joseph Banks would approve. It's fun to stitch.  

The weekend was going to be busy with performances on both days. The Gesualdo Six were in town again. I had booked months ago for their performance on Sunday  afternoon at Ukaria - the only Ukaria concert I had booked for the year. While it’s a fabulous venue, I am finding the drive up the Hills tedious and the drive home in winter, into the sunset, stressful. Katherine, however, was going to pick me up.

The Saturday concert at the Cathedral was a later announcement, a performance with the Festival Statesmen Chorus and the Cathedral Choir and Katherine booked. Had the announcements been timed differently I wouldn’t have booked the Ukaria one.

The timing wasn't great. The cathedral is close to Adelaide Oval where the Showdown, between the two State AFL teams was being played that evening, meaning there were parking restrictions and traffic issues. A friend kindly picked me up so we only had one car. The downhill walk from car to cathedral was paid back by an out-of-breath exercise afterwards.

The  concert was superb. The newly installed cathedral lighting system was in full swing, as was what appeared to be a smoke machine! While the latter produced interesting effects, it didn’t do wonders for my accompanying friend’s respiratory weakness.

The cathedral was packed. The Statesmen and the Gesualdo Six performed brackets separately and together. The finale was a performance of both with the cathedral choir, organ and trumpet. The audience was blown away. We left on a high - higher than I remember from any concert. I have included a copy of the program at the end of this post for anyone interested. There is also some audio on the Festival Statesmen Chorus FB page.

I went to bed that night savouring the experience and almost regretting the next day’s booking. Katherine, however, had developed a severe cold from the excursion, slept badly and wisely took to her bed on Sunday, so I opted out, choosing instead to spend several hours checking EOYF payments needing to be made, then working on the tea box lid and my upcoming WES presentation. There is not yet a date available for the broadcast of the concert, but I will keep an eye out.

Commitments and illness meant there were only four of us for dinner on Monday. I had bought family pies because I anticipated being out much of the weekend. The pies worked well and we had a lot to talk about. On examining the tea box, the girls decided they would like to have one each when they are ready to leave home, so I ordered two more online and picked them up this morning from Create in Stitch. There is (fortunately) no hurry.

I'm enjoying the one I'm working on and hope to have the box finished by my posting next week.

Post 643 Mainly Music and Knitting.

Another enervating ASO concert, the second this year in their Matinee series. From my seat in the front row l’ve recovered from examining the shoes of the performers and moved to watching body movements and facial expression. It’s really interesting that most violinists  really move their bodies into the music. Elizabeth Layton in particular uses every muscle in her face as well as her body, to signal both her joy and signals to the other players.

I enjoyed the program, especially the first item. It's a pleasant way to spend a morning, with and easy ride each way on the city loop bus.

It was raining enough for me to carry an umbrella, something I rarely need to do in Adelaide.I didn't need to use it. 

Rather than compete with those heading to the Art Gallery for lunch I headed for the bus and when I got out stopped at A Prayer for the Wild at Heart for Yellow Fin Whiting. It was warm enough to sit outside. The rain returned with a vengeance around 5pm.

I had been up early that morning to finish the Berwick cardigan, so I could wear it to the concert. At the last minute I decided I  would be too hot - a wise decision. You can read all about it in my embroidery blog if interested.
The temperature has dropped and I have worn it almost every day since. It's very big, wraps around, is easy to take on and off, and stays with the help of a brooch.

I was, however, determined to use up the left-over wool, which included a full 50gm ball of the dark green, 43 gm of Pale Oak and around 25 gms of Blossom and Russet. I figured that might make two JusticeNet beanies so began with the full green ball. 

It worked well, using up all but about 60cm of the green yarn, which went into the pompom. This result meant I would need to improvise to use the Pale Oak for another beanie. 

                          

I managed it by knitting the band in the contrasting Blossom. As you can see, this is a subltle contrast and will only appeal to someone wanting to blend in! The pompom is made from some 4ply in the same colour that I had left over from a previous project. The scales are clearer in reality than the photo - but they don't stand out boldly.

To further the clean-up of left-over yarn, I finished the beanie from the yarn spun for the first Chapter and Skein Book Club. There is still a bit of yarn left which I am working that into a small bag. I'm now thinking that this set of items might make a raffle prize for a charity.

In the early part of last week, over three nights, there was a close alignment of Venus, Mercury and the Moon, visible to the north-west just after sunset. I looked out for it but each night there was complete cloud cover. As I parked for dinner on Saturday evening I glanced up and saw it! They had moved farther apart but were in a straight line. Venus is just disappearing towards the horizon over the roof of the house on the far left (a tiny dot level with the top of the pink marker line), Mercury is the clear dot about an inch above and to the left and the blurry moon is in the top corner. It's not a spectacular photo, but I'm very pleased to have seen it. 

On Sunday Katherine and I had an Adelaide Chamber Singers concert, a program of folk music at Ayers House. I caught the City Loop bus there and back.  We had front row seats in what proved to be an intimate experience with the conductor within touching distance. 

Much of the early program was familiar, although I hadn't heard Gravedigger. The Ingrian Evenings  nor Three French Chansons. We both enjoyed the concert. I liked the liveliness and sense of fun as the program progressed. A lot of work had clearly gone into creating a very integrated presentation.

I have kept up the antiseptic spray on my re-opened ear piercing and refrained from swimming. I'm considering going to the pool on Friday to walk up and down a lane, which I can do without getting my head wet.  

Today, in the time I would have been swimming, I visited the Mac Centre at Norwood to discuss replacing my iPad Mini which is on its last legs. A Book Club member had said they offer trade-ins. They were very helpful, but I left in a quandary.  They are carrying no stock of Minis, because there is a new version due in September. They will offer no trade-in. I can go to the main Apple Store in the city and buy a current same-capacity model, with trade-in, or I can wait for the new model (the Mac Centre staff recommendation). I could probably get higher storage if I do that. I doubt my current one will last another three months. I do have a regular size iPad as well. Thinking about it.

Later in the day I walked to the Post Office and back rather than waiting to call in when I was out driving tomorrow. A small gesture of exercise replacement. Ironically, the parcel I picked up is a cake of shampoo and one of conditioner, which I bought to use when showering at the pool!

These evening I have given myself a break from knitting and begun stitching a Corinne Lapiere mouse.  It's nice to hold something completed in an evening. There are, however some accessories to come.

There's more music to come this coming weekend - and, no doubt, knitting! 

Post642 Plenty to do

A very unusual visit on Wednesday evening:a noisy miner visited my front balcony! I can only recall one previous time I have seen a bird here. A second miner also landed briefly and they flew off together. My mind went to Lawrence's poem, A snake came to my water trough . I’m not sure why. My only instinct was to photograph it. Although Noisy Miners are regarded as pests in SA I still feel slightly privileged to have had a visit. I’m pretty sure it is the semi-enclosed nature of the western balcony and not the presence of noisy miners that keeps other birds away!

We had had a very successful WES group meeting earlier in the day. 

Barbara, who  for years took tour groups to textile villages in Gujarat, bought some of her treasures along and walked us through them. While PowerPoint projection has allowed us to explore historical embroidery that we can’t touch, the group was excited to see and touch real pieces collected by Barbara from the maker or their descendants. 

As I was putting the washing away on Friday a raucous noise drew me back to the eastern balcony. Eventually I located the Adelaide Rosella among the nearly bare branches of what I think is a Cassia. It’s the time of the year when seed pods are ready to open and the seed eaters come at dusk. 

Other than dinner and crosswords on Saturday, the weekend was spent trying to finish the Berwick cardigan. By 10pm on Sunday all but the band around the whole edge was done. After picking up 650 stitches all the way around, I had finally run out of grey wool.  Fortunately, on Thursday I had ordered another ball from Sunspun in Victoria which was meant to arrive on Monday but didn't. Seems it was sent from Queensland and spent a lot of time being shunted around in Melbourne and Adelaide Airport. Yesterday I received 28 messages to say it was in Adelaide, some of them 6 minutes apart. I'm guessing it was caught on a conveyor belt somewhere.

I alleviated my impatience by stitching down the inside steek edges using 4 ply wool from another project, and identifying some projects I'd like to make from the two books that arrived from Can Do Books.

While I'm passing on the snowman, polar bear, reindeer, pudding and far-too-cute angel in this one, the elves, pixie, star and heart are very tempting.

The girls surprised me by advocating for the polar bear, so I might have to reconsider that one.

To my astonishment, this book (right) published in Colorado, has a flannel flower medallion! That is definitely on the to-do list!

Whileat the shopping centre  yesterday getting the bread for dinner, I plucked up courage to call at the Essential Beauty and Piercing shop to ask about having my right ear pierced again as it has recently closed over. Veronica had helped me identify a medically certified practice. The young assistant was amazing. She asked if she could try to reopen the hole and managed to do it there and then, putting in a spare stud which needs to stay in for 3 weeks, then be replaced with a sleeper for another 3 weeks. I left with a pair of studs (one of which is now in my left ear) and antiseptic spray that I need to use for 3 weeks. I hadn't expected it to be so easy.

As I was falling asleep last night going over in my mind my plans for today, which included cleaning and swimming, I suddenly wondered whether I should in face be swimming in a pool with the ear repair. After checking I decided I should not be swimming. I have done so well for over three months - but I don't want an infection. 

So when the extra ball of wool arrived today I put it to good use on the border of the cardigan. Each 650 stitch round of rib has taken me an hour to knit. I have completed 4 rounds and, assessing the wool left, I am now casting off.  I was trying to finish it before posting this, but I've only cast off about 20% of the stitches, and don't want to be up all night, so I will be sensible and finish it tomorrow.

I have an Adelaide Symphony Orchestra lunchtime concert in the city, but might be able to finish it in the evening. Report next week.

Post 641 Nature and Knitting

 

It was a long weekend for the King's Birthday.  I spent it very quietly, trying to advance the gigantic Berwick cardigan to a point where I could try it on and survey the damage. It was a relief to venture out to dinner and crosswords on Saturday evening. 

As supermarkets don't open on Public Holidays, I ventured to Frewville on Sunday to stock up on a few things I was running short on. Of course, I came home laden. 

I had plenty of time to admire sunrises - Sunday to the left, Monday below.

I paid a bit of attention to the balcony plants.

The Aeonium is flowering, as well as the pale Schlumbergia

My efforts to fill the abandoned barbecue tub with nasturtium plants has had only mediocre results. Three plants are still alive, but hardly thriving. After Katherine mentioned getting Nasturtium seeds from the Digger's Club, I remembered the Diggers' shop in the Botanic Gardens, so I pushed myself out of the apartment on Monday afternoon and visited.

It is really uplifting to walk through the gardens with so many families enjoying them. 

I bought 8 different varieties of nasturtium seeds and some fertiliser, pausing on the way to photograph a pair of ducks posing in front of the fountain.

They were still there on my way back, allowing me to capture them from the other side.

I have only planted half of one packet of the seeds. It's worth a try, but Spring might be better.

Somewhat in contrast, on the way home from Pilates and the Queen St Cafe on Thursday, I managed to capture a rainbow over the western parklands, where the road into the city curves to the right. I'm not sure what promise the rainbow is making to the parklands - a sacred border around the city mile, declared in 1837 and currently being controversially developed to extend a golf course and car racing track. 

While at the cafe I had just signed a petition against the development. I'm hoping the rainbow is a promise to the trees!

 I have made a lot of progress on the Berwick cardigan. It is slower going than I'd like, but I just keep plugging away. Apart from swimming I worked on it all day today and most of the weekend. 

I have completed the front bands (they are still on stitch holders), joined the shoulder seams and cut the right-hand steek. 

It's still a bit hard to tell, but I now think I will be able to wear it. 

Although it is wide, it will drape, and the fronts will cross over. They can be held with a shawl pin if required. I think the shoulder drop means the sleeve will only need to be about 24cm long. In the photo I have completed about 10cm.

It will be touch and go with the grey wool. I have about 350 gm left. It will finish the sleeves, but I don't know that it will also be enough to pick up 718 stitches around the fronts and bottom and knit 6 rows of rib. I don't want to order more wool until I know I need it - so I'm knitting like my grandmother - every available minute!

Tomorrow is WES Group, so not much knitting!

Post640 Dedication

Last Thursday was the 12th anniversary of Jim’s death. Rather than posting tributes, this year I channelled my grief into negotiating a small remembrance: a plaque on the back of a seat in the newly refurbished Dunstan Playhouse at the Adelaide Festival Centre, where we attended many productions. I haven’t been much in recent years because renovations have made parking difficult, restricting me to matinee performances when I can use the city loop bus. It nevertheless feels a fitting thing to do to mark both the anniversary of his death and his birthday in three weeks time.

Jim was an actor at university and in his first years of teaching. He acted in a review entitled Drip Dry Dreams in the 1970 Adelaide Festival, with Rory O’Donahue and Grahame Bond, but gave up acting in favour of teaching. My daughters and I worked out the wording of the plaque and I selected a seat that has a decent view of the stage and is easy to get to - my more recent criteria for best seat in the house! The plaque can be read from two seats in the row behind, and also while descending the aisle. It will be there for the next 25 years. There is not a lot on offer at the Playhouse for the rest of this year, but I have booked the seat behind for a matinee performance in early December and will look at a State Theatre Company subscription next year if building works permit. 

I made the effort to swim last Wednesday. It was cool and overcast. I changed, washed and hung our my bed linen, most of which still required  half an hour in the dryer on Friday before I heading out for a big shop at Frewville Foodland.  They have the best range of chipolata sausages, which I wanted for Monday’s dinner. I ended up with small duck and fennel sausages, kangaroo sausages and chipolatas of traditional English pork. The dish went really well and lubricated the conversation for six of us on a cold evening.

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Saturday was the monthly market at St Margaret’s Woodville, not held last month because of Anzac Day. The rain was pelting down most of the morning. I waited for it to ease a little, getting there around midday. I came home with three more pots of sword fern and a native lemongrass, just about  visible in the lower right of the composite photo. .

On Sunday I planted them on the front balcony, disposed of most of the dead plants, fertilised and watered. Watering seems anomalous in this weather, but little rain reaches that balcony. Also, because watering it thoroughly involves running the hose through the living room to the kitchen tap, I have neglected it somewhat.

It looks as if Three Bags Full will arrive tomorrow, giving me time to read it before Book Club.

I’ve progressed the Berwick cardigan.The unironed section marks progress since last week. It now measures 54cm. There is another 6cm to go to finish the sleeve steek, and 10 cm to the shoulder. While it's relaxing and pleasurable knitting, I'm beginning to plan a couple of small embroidery projects.

I feel pleased with the week.

Post 639 Have you any wool?

On Wednesday I set off to see The Sheep Detectives at the Palace Nova Cinema at Prospect. I haven’t been for a while and expected, at midday, to be able to park behind the cinema. I discovered, however, that they have reduced their never-generous parking by half and there was none to be had. 

After three times around the block and a stop to check sessions at other cinemas, I gave up, returned home and took myself to A Prayer for the Wild at Heart for lunch, after which I sat on the balcony, reading and watching the wildlife. 

On Thursday morning I picked up my new mouthguard. It took about 25 minutes to achieve the adjustments needed for a perfect fit. It’s much thicker (and stronger) than previous ones but I’ve been able to wear it all night without any problem. The colour is to help me locate it easily. No doubt it would also serve to scare off intruders!   It’s designed to be the first one that I don’t crack in use!

On Friday, and much of Saturday I hunkered down with my Early Medieval Embroidery books and articles, trying to advance my August talk. I have ODed on information. The challenge is getting a clear storyline, eliminating the extraneous and selecting appropriately copyrighted illustrations.

I think I now have the general storyline, but not yet the order. 

When I got my head out of the books and laptop on Friday evening, I realised Saturday was potentially the last fine day for a week, so I got the washing done and hung out before heading to the butcher on Saturday. It didn't do me a lot of good. There was neither sufficient wind nor sun to dry thoroughly. In the end I caved in and finished the load off in the dryer on Sunday.

It's good for stitching and writing - but lousy drying weather.

 The 8 lamb shanks I bought on Saturday for Monday's dinner weighed about 4.5kg. They looked like small legs. Fortunately, there was a full turnout for dinner yesterday and all were consumed amid the lively conversation. I turned the remaining liquid into pasta sauce, some of which I had for my main meal today.

I’m making good progress on the Berwick cardigan. I have ironed it a couple of times both to get rid of the curl on the edge and to be able to measure length more accurately. 

The steeks for the armholes are now in place, making three steeks in all. The piece now measures 40cm, with 24cm to go, according to the pattern. I’m calculating the remaining grey wool will be enough, but  I do have a plan B.        

I eventually found a cinema and session where I could park and see The Sheep Detectives.

 It looks as if it leaves Adelaide this week, so today I took myself off to see it in the middle of the day at Mitcham. It was an entertaining, clever mix of genres - murder mystery, moral tale, fable, with touches of romcom. There are various improbabilities, but I think it works. There is some excellent acting.  The messages of inclusion, honesty,  courage and community are well integrated. It was feel-good without glossing over sadness or badness, - and without schmaltz. I did not realise it was based on a book. 

There were no local copies for sale and a four month wait for a library copy. I am the chooser for our July Book Club discussion books, so I have ordered a copy from World of Books. If it arrives in the next 3 weeks and lives up to the film version,  it might be one of my picks.🤞

I missed swimming today to see the film - so that's tomorrow's commitment.