Post 439 Resilience required on all fronts.

Wednesday turned out to be delivery day - my next round of bush food plants arrived, as did two books and a couple of designs from Tatiana Popova. This was a bit of luck - all on a day when I had no commitment, so could stay home and wait. The books came by courier, which I dislike, as there is no guarantee they will be taken somewhere convenient for me to pick up if I am not home. It was not, however, an issue this time. I did need to get some milk. I had enough for one more cup of coffee and I was saving it until I became desperate. However, all parcels were here by 2pm and I went out straight away for milk.

On Saturday I went to BigW to pick up a couple more books - this time for our next Book Club meeting. I also bought 3 pots for the new plants. The books are The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill and Once There Were Wolves  by Charlotte McConaghy.

The two that arrived by post are both embroidery books. This one (right) I thought might be of interest to the World Embroidery Study Group. I've been through it and compiled a list of ideas we could explore next year. I'll run these past the group and see what members think.    

The second book, bought on a whim, has proved very interesting indeed. I hadn't thought of stitches in this way, although now it seems obvious. I think some of the Junior Embroiderers will also find it interesting.

The third of last Wednesday's parcels was the chicken panels I had bought from Tatiana Popova. They are lovely, but not, I think, to be embroidered. I have put them to use to repair a couple of t-shirts. Details in my embroidery blog.

On Friday I had lunch with 4 friends at the Adelaide Oval Hotel. I have lived in Adelaide now for 49 years and never been to the Oval in the day time.

This was the view from our table.

There was activity on the ground - marking out the sponsor's  ads for the football match the next day - Port Adelaide vs GWS. The local team won.

Following a suggestion from Katherine I had parked at the Cathedral - a few minutes pleasant walk from the Oval. 

Plenty of plants to look at on the way.

I finished the horsey blanket and gave it to Brigid on Saturday night. She and a friend are now house-sitting for family friends. She took it with her and is finding it useful. Again, detail in my embroidery blog. I'm missing the warmth of the blanket over my legs as I stitch - so have been using the blanket I knitted years ago while recovering from an operation.

I haven't started a new embroidery project as I'm working to finish a couple of knitting projects. There is a bit of a contrast in size and texture!  My head is buzzing with knitting projects, but I am focusing on clearing what I have and steadfastly resisting buying more wool!

Yesterday I potted up the bush plants.  A is a finger lime, B a blue flax lily, C a cut-work daisy and D a yellow tea tree.  The plants were, again, well packed and in good condition, so here's hoping. They look good so far.

Today I had a mole removed from my knee. I've had many removed in the past, but not for many years. It went smoothly and I am now resting it at home. I can't shower for 2 days but can drive and go out provided I don't walk very much.  I can go to the Guild tomorrow as long as I don't have far to walk from the car - which I don't. Stitches come out in 3 weeks and the excised piece has been sent for testing.

My walking program is now on hold for several days. Yesterday I shopped to ensure I had food for a few days and then walked around the Hameji Garden, where pollination was a bit of a theme -some bees at work and seed distributing plants in hidden corners. 

            

I have been trying to increase my vegetable intake this week - mostly salads with salmon or tuna, tinned here, but also fresh.  I admit, however, that my carbohydrate intake has increased a bit in the cold weather. I'm managing to maintain my weight although not reduce it further.

My Adelaide family had booked a holiday in the Northern Territory - leaving early tomorrow morning for 8 days in Darwin, Lichfield and Kakadu. With 6 diaries to be aligned, it has taken an enormous amount of organisation. Today, with the last preparation ticked off, and the taxi to the airport booked for 4.30am, one granddaughter has tested positive for Covid and the whole thing is off. So sad and frustrating for all of them.                                      

This is the world we live in. The theme certainly seems to be resilience.