Post 447 I stress out on 5G and take a dive into Glazig.

It was a big day last Wednesday.  I went shopping for meat and veg, swung past Big W to buy Ann Cleeves' latest Vera book then went on to Centennial Park to visit Jim's grave.

Spring is breaking out  and it is lovely to walk there, listening to the birds.

During that morning I took a phone call from my Internet provider suggesting I switch from the NBN (National Broadband Network) to 5G.  I've been getting these calls for a while now, and had decided they were a scam, because the emails I requested them to send didn't arrive. Last week I realised they were (not unreasonably) sending them to the email address that comes with the service, which I rarely access. 

 Feeling guilty, I agreed to the switch  (scary) and on Friday a new modem arrived for me to install. At the same time, a technician was due to arrive to connect the new video entry buzzer system to my mobile phone, so I can open the front door remotely. I was daunted by the effort involved to set up a new wifi network and change everything over (including the newly installed entry system). I unpacked the modem, connected it in two places that met the (quite specific) criteria only to discover that I had very good 4G reception, but - no 5G at all. I admit to being relieved. I packed the modem back into its box and notified my provider I wanted to remain on the NBN. It's been a bit of a saga and today Star Track picked up the modem to return to the provider in Sydney. I'm glad I eventually thought and researched my way through it - and I very much miss sharing that process with Jim.

Still back at last Wednesday, I began watching a DVD I had borrowed from Brigid, Series 6 of Brokenwood, which meant digging out the instructions on my dvd player which I had forgotten how to use. In this I was quite successful! 

I also discovered Glazig embroidery from a casual reference in a newsletter. Intrigued, I looked it up -  all sources are in French, but I did manage to find a couple of web pages with translations. It is a style from Quimper in Brittany, revived and developed by Pascal Jaouen at his School of Art Embroidery in that town. I ordered 4 books, 2 linens, and a set of threads. One of the  books  and a set of threads have arrived. 

This book is mostly full page examples, and I can manage the few pages of text in French. Surprisingly (to me) I found the threads at Inspirations in Adelaide. These still needed to be posted, of course, as the company doesn't have a retail outlet. 

The remaining books, all in French, (including the one on the left) and linens are coming from France. I'm quite excited about exploring this embroidery style - and reporting back next year to the World Embroidery Study Group and through my embroidery blog. It is going to challenge my schoolgirl French - but I still have a dictionary!

Last Friday, at our Sit'nStitch, Jennifer had made a magnificent, delicious, birthday cake for Susan 

and the Gymea had opened further for the occasion.

The celebration theme continued on Saturday at JEMS when three of the students were presented with awards by the Guild President, Mary, for their embroidery wins at the Royal Adelaide Show. I had called in to drop off some examples for the students and ended up staying to help out. Glad I did. It's uplifting to see their energy and interest.

There has been quite a bit of sunshine this week, and less need for heating. I'm still waiting for my Vergola to be repaired - staff shortages still impact. Mask wearing is on the decline, although we still had 441 new cases today and a weekly average of 2 deaths. Our next peak is predicted in November.

I wear a mask inside public spaces and remain cautious. Mostly this week I am relieved to have despatched the 5G modem and retain my NBN service,  pleased that our family meal of Osso Bucco went well last night and that my grandchildren's various sporting finals  and year level camps  are being taken in their stride. 

I'm also thankful that my friend Robin, ill in Sydney, has found a surgeon and hospital to further her recovery! Deo Gratias.  I think she will be really interested in my Grazig embroidery researches with their links to pottery, and I so look forward to sharing them with her. 

I am almost up to the shoulders of the Rowan vest and plan to slip in a prayer shawl before my brother's vest - and before Summer heat puts knitting on the back burner.