Post 70: Must be Jennifer's Post!

Today is Jennifer’s 70th birthday. She is strong and has been sitting up in a chair, able to receive sms. I texted her birthday wishes. I think she has had the tracheostomy removed. She sent me a message that she has been ‘decarded’! 🙏🏼🥂💐😀

Wednesday is the day I send something out to the World Embroidery Study Group of the Embroiderers Guild of SA. Today’s post was an account by one member of the textiles she saw on her visit to Peru and a newsletter on Andean textiles from another member. It’s a versatile and talented group.

I was very keen to progress my songbird. I wasn’t happy with the stark pinkness of the tail feathers. I had a skein of Cottage Garden Threads'  Mossipot which I thought might blend with the body of the bird and soften the contrast.

I applied a little to the outside tail feathers (left), then applied it more heavily (right). I prefer this moderate  blending to the separate colours.

I had an appointment with a spinal specialist early this afternoon - a referral suggested by my GP in January to check for any change in an old injury that causes sciatica and a range of limitations which, since my knee operation, I manage with help from Physiotherapy and Pilates. My GP thought this specialist, who in her view is ‘low intervention’, might have some further suggestions. Interestingly, since I have been largely housebound, doing very little exercise, I have had very little pain. The appointment however, came around and I went.

He talked a lot - advice, theory and an ironic commentary on his own position (‘good for you if it works and good for me because I have to make money’). There is scientific evidence that some interventions (surgical and chemical) work, no evidence that physiotherapy works, but no one can tell you what to do because you know your pain levels and everyone has different experiences and you are in charge. Mental and physical health make a difference to how you experience pain. Injections are highly effective for some people and surgery can remove the pain. Now you’ve had the lecture.(Yes, he did say that). 

I was trying to work out if he was somewhere on the autism spectrum or simply patronising. I opted for an MRI referral and phone the surgery for the results (rather than a telemedicine call with him) on the condition he would ask me to see him again if there was any reason to intervene further (highly unlikely, he thinks).  

His rooms are close to the North Adelaide Village so I parked there and did a little more shopping before returning home - some cream and lemonade to try making three-ingredient scones, soup bones, berries, watermelon and mandarins. it wasn’t crowded and I wiped trolley surfaces and used hand sanitiser which I kept in my pocket.  I also picked up a parcel that the post person apparently tried to deliver yesterday. I was home, but could have missed the buzzer.




A big excursion, reminding me of a time when it was normal! Today is the 14th with no new Corona virus cases in South Australia while test numbers continue to increase. I’m inclined to continue to visit North Adelaide  to shop rather than relying on deliveries. It is so good to choose my own fruit, and veg. 

I was home in time to message Jennifer, watch the sunset and finish the songbird,








I worked the legs and feet in a darker green silk.


















and played around with blues, green and a little sparkle on the thin tail feathers, which I whipped.

It came out of the hoop in the usual crumpled state,
but it works.

Tomorrow I need to sort out and organise the leftover threads. The skeins of linen thread did not pull out easily!

I have blocked it, hoping it might dry overnight so I can construct the bag tomorrow

I have agreed to begin a writing task for my brother by the end of the week, so I’m need to clear the deck a bit.






I do hope Jennifer has had a happy birthday. It will certainly be memorable.