Post 490 Mostly hanging out at home

Last Thursday was chilly. Not raining much, and not the coldest day we've had, but enough for my latest dove companion to take up residence, all fluffed up, on my balcony rail, for several hours. I left him/her there when I took myself off to Pilates around 12.30.

I came home with enough energy to make a batch of zucchini and corn muffins for my dinner - having sampled one straight out of the oven with brie inserted. Yum.

I was feeling pretty pleased with myself, because, on Wednesday, when I had my thumb checked by the nurse and surgeon, they had pronounced it on the way to successful healing ("you have given yourself a skin graft!"). Although it can now be exposed, they warned me not to get the edge caught on anything (like clothing) as it will rip the skin off and we will need to start over. On the side of caution, I have it protected by a woven dressing. I will wait until the graft is a bit more advanced before inflicting a photo on anyone. I go back again this Thursday to have it checked again.

There is quite a bit of bird activity at the moment. A little honeyeater hopped and fluttered around my back balcony on Saturday.  These are small, about 10-12 cm long. It came very close to the window and I took photos through the fly screen.

Eventually it took up position on a pot on the balcony rail so I could get a better shot.

Once it left, the dove returned to make sure there was no damage. I feel privileged.

 

I stayed close to home most of the week. My brother is fighting a writing deadline and I was able to check a few things to help out. 

By Friday I could hold a regular sewing needle, so paused my knitting to do a bit on the Christine Bishop Pulled Work Mat I started back in April and set aside, first to finish St Brigid, then because I couldn't hold a sewing needle. I am slowly working my way around the border. 

I also had time to think about the stocking stitch samples I had worked and mounted. The detail is in my stitching blog. This is not a post that would be of interest to any other than committed knitters, but those who fit that description may find it of interest. 

          

While I got gradually more able throughout the week, a horrible thing happened. Brigid had her handbag and car stolen. The car was later found abandoned with considerable damage. She worked and saved for so long to buy it.  It casts a pall.    Family and friends have rallied, she is strong, resilient, and will triumph. It's still horrible.

Sunday was Book Club, again good discussion and lots of recommendations. My reading has pretty much been comfort rather than challenge this week.

A couple of long-standing family friends joined us for dinner last night, which was great. 10 year-old Ed is a clock expert and filled me in on a number of items on the upcoming Theodore Bruce Jewellery and Timepieces auction as well as a couple of my late father's watches. A very happy time.

I  have begun a shawl with the alpaca wool I bought from Adagio Mills, using the Knitting Wraps in the Round book. It certainly has a lovely feel and the 8 row pattern is becoming familiar enough to need only a reminder at the beginning of each row. 

There is, however, a long way to go - about 150 ever increasing rows.

As I wrote this afternoon, the sun came out. I enjoy even the grey Winter days, but there is nothing quite as cheering as when the sun breaks through.

A lift.