Post 431 There's a lot of Covid around. I stay cautious and busy.

Wednesday was WES Group. Lori, who is taking a break from the Guild over the next year, has been researching Pockets, an interest initially triggered by Jan Messant's book Celtic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon Embroidery. As usual, Lori had worked examples of what she was learning. She had put together a PowerPoint presentation, but unfortunately we couldn't get the Guild laptop to talk to the projector. Two regular members, with experience of the IT setup, were  last-minute apologies for the meeting - one on her way to get a PCR test for Covid. I was opposed to any fiddling with the laptop settings. In the end Lori worked from her notes. It was a terrific session, with a lot of engagement. 

I had planned to farewell Lori but was a bit distracted during the meeting. As well as the IT failure, the member with Covid (the PCR test proved positive) had returned the day before from leading a textile tour in Central Australia. Another member of the group, who was at the meeting, had been on the tour. She found out about the potential infection when I told the group. She was horrified. She has since tested positive. Most members were wearing masks and we were appropriately distanced. No-one's fault, but it was a bit scary. To add to it, I had a sore throat that night. I cancelled my Pilates class on Thursday and took a PCR test after 24 hours, which was negative. My symptoms didn't develop. 

Coffee on Friday with two old work friends was cancelled because one is in Canberra with Covid. I had hoped to get to Sandy Lepore's 100 Year Climate Project exhibition at the City of Adelaide Library on Friday, but got a phone call from my AirCon service company to say they had a cancellation and could perform my service later in the morning. It's done and in good order. Now all I need is my repaired blind returned, the Vergola repair investigated and my carpets cleaned. 

Admittedly the lack of a blind is not keeping me awake at night and, if I wake up in time, there are some fine sunrises.

While isolating on Thursday and Friday I took all my folders of embroidery and knitting notes and patterns out of the boxes and folders into which they have been shoved, then sorted, rearranged and labelled them. It is good to reacquaint myself with what is there. 

On Sunday I emptied my trunk of family records and treasures to reacquaint myself with what's there. I have idea for a small set of generational drawers to hold these. It makes me very sad to handle some of these and I choose not to dwell on many of them.  This one, however, given to all school children in primary schools in NSW in 1953, just makes me smile and shake my head (the boys, of course, got blue ones.)  

I  think I'm on the right track with the drawers. I had been thinking very small, but now think they need to be a little larger. I'm on to it, however slowly.

I recovered equilibrium by making a batch of Anzac biscuits. I used a recipe provided in 2021 by Peter Malinauskas who was then leader of the Opposition is SA. It seemed a bit moist so I added extra oats. I also didn't pay close attention to the time. I don't think I can blame the tools for the fact they were overcooked. They taste OK - and have mostly been eaten. I need to go back to my method of three weeks ago!

That night there was a rare opportunity to photograph the moon in the East. Not sure why the photographs worked this time - usually I can't hold the camera still for long enough. 

 

Monday's dinner was another vegetable & sausage bake. It was a bit on the fly because of footy practice and parent-teacher interviews. I made way too much, but it got us through. I had quite a good time, hearing stories from the kids and just serving food. It's a very laid back and privileged position. 

Today I had a hairdressing appointment - just a cut and blow dry. I enjoyed talking to my hairdresser, who is feeling old at 30. I also picked up a parcel from my local PO and another from a gym in the NW corner of the city. Delivery had been attempted while I was shopping yesterday. There was a closer pick-up point but the courier dropped it off at the gym - probably where he stays fit! I grumbled a bit, but it was interesting to visit an unexplored part of the city.

In between I've been working on Jenny McWinney's Arabian Bag.  I've finished the embroidery. 

Since taking the photo, I have added some gold lines and a the single line of sand under the buildings. This afternoon I have begun the construction. I've struggled a little with some of the instructions, but the bag will emerge before next week's post.          

One of my parcels this morning contained a new shawl pin from Scarf Pins and Rings. I couldn't resist a wombat.

I'm hoping all my Covid positive friends are recovering fully.