Post610 Feels like Progress

Still feeling chuffed with the result, I spent time on Wednesday writing up the account of my needlecase finish. On a roll, I tackled the remaining 40% of the needlepoint cushion cover, making good progress until interrupted by a phone call from Will, asking if he could call in to assess my rangehood cover request. He arrived half an hour later with his young daughter in tow. While he measured and muttered, his daughter and I explored boxes, display cabinets, puppets, earrings - anything that caught her eye. It was a joy to see such a lively mind.

Even more astounding was the phone call 24 hours later asking again if Will could call in. This time he was accompanied only by the box he had made. After a couple of trips to his van to make adjustment he left me with a finished cabinet and more useable storage! Before on the left, after on the right. Amazing.

My luck ran out with the Jura coffee machine on Sunday. On Saturday I called at my coffee supplier and bought three kilos of coffee beans. The machine has been telling me for several weeks to descale the watertank, but not allowing me to do it. Last week it told me to change the filter, which I did, three times, but it would not continue. Yesterday I once again returned it to the Jura service agent. The receptionist is hopeful, but who knows if I will ever see it again. 

After leaving it I took myself off to buy a coffee grinder and a metal drip filter. I need backup coffee making methods, and I might as well grind the 3 kilos of coffee. Yesterday I made my breakfast coffee with a Vietnamese Phin filter (above). I used to travel with this and have not used it in 15 years. The new larger filter (right, front) makes up to four  cups. The coffee pot has not seen use in years, but will keep several cups warm - a better proposition than using a plunger. Today I ground enough fresh coffee to fill the filter and poured enough water over it to half-fill the pot and give myself a couple of refills throughout the day. Getting the hang of it!

I’ve been working  on the bluebirds cushion through all this excitement, reaching, on the weekend, the point of filling in the remaining white background. On Thursday I got fed up with the roller frame continuously loosening and went searching for locally made slate frames. Create in Stitch are now contacting their local carpenter to order me one. It won’t help with Bluebirds, but I have two more in the queue. 

This evening I finished the white background. I have ordered 3 zipped cushion backs that are a 44cm square. The embroidery is 37x37cm. I therefore have to work a white border all around to cover the difference. It won't be interesting stitching.

The steady rhythm of half cross stitch in a single colour is conducive to thought and last Saturday as I stitched I began to plan my Christmas cards. Before heading to bed around 11pm on Saturday night I thought I’d just check out my photos in readiness. When I did go to bed at 1pm I had the design in my VistaPrint cart, along with some stickers and bookmarks. I did have the good sense not to press order so spent Sunday morning refining and adding to the order. Life has taken its toll  on Christmas cards in general. Mine are not exempt. The list is now down to those who don’t get my blog, live across the planet, or have  got them since childhood, This year’s front photo is of the flowering gum over Jim’s grave.

Sunday was All Souls Day, and friends and I went along to St Peter's Cathedral, where St Peter's Music Foundation sang Faure's Requiem as a Mass at Evensong. I love Faure's Requiem. Although I have sung it and heard it many times as a performance, I have never heard it in context as a Requiem Mass. It was a very remarkable, calming and thought-provoking experience. It surprised me. We had dinner after at A Prayer for the Wild at Heart. A very special evening.

Today it is cold again. I even have the heating on! We had a couple of  fairly warm days and it has  been raining for a couple of days. The new geranium  has benefitted, opening up and developing buds.

The technology surprises kept coming. On Friday I had a call from Internode Support, in response to an email I had sent enquiring about my modem. After answering many questions, and many holds, I was transferred to Customer Support (more questions and holds) who eventually informed me they were sending me a free WiFi6 modem in recognition of my long loyal service!  It was delivered today and installed this evening by Sean the Geek.  It took two hours and I was very pleased I hadn't tried to do it myself. It involved information and processes I did not know. A lot was different since I installed the last one some 8 years ago. I can't hope to keep up with the tech changes. The new TV, now predicted to arrive in two weeks time, will hopefully connect to and work smoothly on the updated network. 

I'm grateful to have access to friends and helpful experts. I'm feeling less anxious about it all - and grateful. 🙏

Post609: A bit all over the place

After dropping Alison in the city on Wednesday morning I returned home in time for a panicked phone call from my neighbour whose new phone had gone dark. I am not familiar with Android phones, but I managed to work out it had simply slipped into dark mode and how to switch it back. It was, in the end, a very happy encounter and a good chance to catch up.

The moon and the bats appeared together for the first time in a while.

I finished the trouser embroidery on one leg and decided to stop there. I wore them on Friday, managing to spill some salad dressing on them, To my joy the stain washed completely clean - so definitely a winner!

On Wednesday I did a little tidying up, but mostly advanced the bluebirds tapestry and my knitting while researching some fabric for a gift idea. On Thursday I detoured on the way to Pilates to Tricia’s Discount Fabrics, where I found a couple of promising fabrics. I figured there were only two places I was likely to find what I was looking for and Tricias was the best bet. The photo is from her Facebook page - a very accurate view. Her counter is buried behind the bolts of fabric in the top left hand corner. 

On my way home from Pilates I stopped at DK Fabrics, my only other likely source. They had nothing to show me, but I got the zips I needed.

By the time I got home the sun was out and most of the washing dry.  I sat for half an hour on the front balcony, where the kangaroo paw is getting closer to blooming. 

I spent time searching fabric online and ordered two pieces from Spoonflower, absolutely the only place it was available. 

I also opened the new printer box and decided to pay Geeks2U to set it up

Friday was the girls’ last day of school - ever, apart from exam attendance. The day was packed with assemblies, ceremonies and a Mass, as well as an after-party. I, fortunately, avoided all of it in favour of making cushion covers and paying bills. And Saturday night was an 18th birthday party, so I didn’t hear a lot about the last day. The three oldies left on Saturday night had a fine time eating and doing the crosswords. When I got home I realised I didn’t have my knitting, but assumed I’d left it in the car. Katherine found it in their driveway early Sunday morning! It was, fortunately, barely damp on the outside, and quite dry inside.when I picked it up.

Sunday was the second day of the Carol Mullan Canvas work class. I lasted until about 2.30 before my eyes gave out - which was pretty good. Quite a few were having similar problems. I had nearly finished the first side, but simply couldn’t see to finish the last square. It was a great class, no pressure, and lots of encouragement to innovate . I had an idea of how I want to proceed, but thought it would have to wait until I’ve finished a couple of other things.  

That plan changed this morning - more below.

I was the happy recipient of a geranium struck from a cutting by Margaret who brought it along to the class for me. I've planted it in a planter box on the balcony rail. I'm pretty confident it will eventually fill the box.

When I got home from the class I switched back to the needlepoint cushion cover and managed to finish the first section so I could wind on the canvas.

While that feels like a major milestone, there was a bit more than I had anticipated underneath. It will still take me a couple of weeks at least to finish it.

I was up early on Monday, ready for Geeks2U at 8.00am to install my printer. I had a phonecall at 8.05 to say the scheduled Geek was ill and arranging for a later appointment. Shehzada was fabulous when he arrived at 11.30. My printer is working from phone, iPads and computer and I have a lot more information than I had before. I'm now enquiring about updating my modem - which is where I started several weeks ago.

This morning Shane, from the company that does Strata maintenance work, arrived at 8.00am to follow up on the drip I heard last week. Again, he did a magnificent job. It took him three and a half hours, but he found a hole in the silicon sealing the joint around the top of the lift well, and repaired it.We have agreed to wait for the next heavy downpour before repairing my cieling - and also agreed to insert a manhole rather than plastering over the temporary access hole. 

While Shane was here I worked on the other cover of the needlebook from Sunday's class. I am late posting this because I kept going on it until about I finished it about half an hour ago. I haven't had time to write it up my embroidery blog. I'll try to do that tomorrow. For now this is the back cover. I couldn't bring myself to work the 20 squares over again on the back, so I improvised. It's been an interesting exercise - and I'm delighted to have finished it.

I did take a break long enough for a trip to Frewville for a few supplies, a quick Salt and Pepper Squid - and half a dozen Coffin Bay oysters.  I haven't had oysters for quite a while. They were excellent. It feels appropriate to be buying them now to support the SA seafood industry.

I doubt this post is very coherent. It's late, and I don't have time for a careful proofread and edit.

I began embroidering the leg of my pants, and ended flying by the seat of them!

 

Post 608 A lot happening

This is not the best lorikeet photo I've taken but the best I managed as several squawked their way through the native frangipani, remaining well hidden in the foliage. 

I had waited in for Scott Constructions to come to inspect the damage to my ceiling from the water leak, and prepare a quote. Patrick,who came to Adelaide to visit 20 years ago and stayed, was held up because they found asbestos in the last section of their current demolition job, and the site was quickly shut down. Unsurprisingly he still has an Irish brogue and talks the leg off a chair. He is, however, nothing if not thorough. He says at least 1 sq metre of the ceiling is water damaged and will need replacing, which, in his view, means the whole ceiling will need to be repainted. This seemed a fine idea until today, when it rained heavily - and the drip is back!

The missing book turned up on Thursday morning in 16b. Maureen, our Strata Rep, had canvassed owners. Danielle, who has moved out and has 16b on the market, must have called in to check on her way to work. I got a message at 7.30 am, jumped into some day clothes and retrieved it. Before and after Pilates I read it. It’s an amazing story. WES members will love it. They will have to wait until next September, when the topic appears on our calendar. A brilliant choice by Margaret. The book is (only) available from the Gawthorpe Textile Collection. 

I had spent a bit of time investigating printers and trying to answer the questions I asked last week. I had more-or-less settled on a black and white laser printer - one of the 3 recommended by Choice. It was not readily available, but appeared as in stock at the OfficeWorks near my Pilates studio. I therefore ordered some printing - 15 copies of the notes for the January Certificate Workshop- and called in after Pilates to pick it up and have a conversation about printers. Unfortunately their website was inaccurate and they only had a show model. The assistant, however, was really knowledgeable. It did look promising. They accepted the old printer for recycling. On Monday there was only one shop left with stock of the chosen replacement. I drove there and purchased one of their last 2 - discounted by 30%. It's still in the box. Hopefully I'll unpacked it soon.

I had booked Ovenbusters for Friday morning.  Braddon, the serviceman, was due around 10.30am, so at 7.30am I parked my car outside the apartment entrance to save him a space. He cleans in the van, so needs it close by, and the van doesn’t fit under our building. I have extension vouchers from the City Council, which means I can park outside for 4 hours. When Braddon arrived he found an easy park one door down, so I moved my car back in.  Brandon did a fabulous job on the oven, including between the glass on the door panel. He had useful tips and information - including that contemporary ovens have a life expectancy of not much more than 5-6 years! Adds to my insecurity.

All Adelaide family members were busy on Saturday night, so I  got stuck into the Kasia Jacquot linens that arrived on Friday. These items had been bought on sale: one, a panel pack that went into my pile of her panels to be embroidered for bags; the other a panel of small designs for ornaments. 

The latter I had bought mainly for the Christmas ornaments the Guild had reqested for the Christmas sale. 

Still on Saturday, a group called Acoustic Beats and Brews had set up in the Square for the afternoon and I couldn't block out the persistent underlying thump of the Bass, but it wasn't constant. By the time I went to bed I had completed four items - all I'm planning for now. Details in my embroidery blog.

I had also been impressed with Kasia Jacquot's embroidered jeans. When Nancy Bird advertised her Sol Pants  in cinnamon last week, I succumbed. These too, arrived on Friday. They fit perfectly and I have now copied the pattern on to one leg and started the embroidery. I know, I know. Yes, the knitting is still going, and I have made substantial progress with the Blue Birds tapestry. I'm not multitasking here, just jumping from one to another.

Sunday was BookClub at my place. There were six of us and we had lots to talk about. The 30C heat had not reached its peak so we were comfortable and engaged.

After the girls and I had lemon chicken and a good time on Monday evening, we were back together again this afternoon when Alison paid a flying visit. I hastily gathered a couple of family pies, bacon & potatoes (in a glass dish, rather than a big brown pot), cheese, salami, bread, salad, nuts - whatever was to hand, and laid it all out so people could help themselves and keep talking, which they certainly did. In the end, seven of us sat down and polished of most of the food with very few silences. Around 8pm school night awareness kicked in and the 5 of them fled. The visitor has a busy day ahead. It is so lovely to see her for a few precious hours. 

I am late posting this so won't attempt more.

Post 607 It never rains but it pours!

 

I snapped this photo of what I think is the Peace rose at the Guild as I left on Wednesday. It was looking really good. Our meeting had, once again, gone swimmingly. We learned a lot about the English embroiderer Louisa Pesel, who organised, in the 1920s, the stitching of 365 kneelers and other works at Winchester Cathedral, where they can be seen today, many still in use. We are also well on the way to having our 2026 program in place.                          

 

Back at home, encouraged by the response of the group, I cut out a bag from my remaining piece of face-to-face fabric, and pencilled in the names of the current Australian female Anglican bishops and the Canterbury Archbishop elect, ready to stitch. I know I said I would wait until I'd finished the carrdigan and tapestry - but I really wanted to see if the female bishop idea would fly.

I did finish the back of the cardigan. As can be seen by the colour change (left, not as obvious in the garment as in the photo), it took the best part of 3 balls. I have left the remainder of the third ball attached (top, just left of centre) to add the band). I've started a front.

 

On Friday I prepared the project, notes and publicity for the Evil Eye Certificate Course Workshop I have agreed to give at the Guild in January. In the middle of it, my printer spat the dummy, giving me a series of instructions that I followed to no avail. I had fortunately managed to print the first draft of the notes for participants, so sent a final draft off to Officeworks to print. I also ordered some items from the Guild Museum to be delivered on the day of the workshop. This was a bit of a challenge as the expectation is that you will print the form, fill it our by hand, then hand it in at the Guild. I edited it online in Word by creating text boxes for every line -then emailed it.

I've also sent off the publicity for the Guild newsletter and created both paper and plastic templates for participants to use, along with stitch suggestions. They are ready in a tote bag, along with the relevant books and examples - a good job jobbed.

I seem to be dealing with technology breakdown on multiple fronts. My bathroom scales, an essential part of my weight management regime, have been giving me multiple and inconsistent readings across a 3kg range. The result differs from minute to minute and from bathroom floor tile to bathroom floortile. When I searched for an answer, battery failure was suggested. I thought this unlikely, and indeed, a change of battery made no difference.

The most likely cause was a need for recalibration. This requires a specialist service, whose charges are way more than the cost of a new set of scales. More research suggested the most reliable brand (not mine!) so I sourced one at OfficeWorks and bought it. To my horror, using it requires an app, a registration process, a set-up and a whole series of recording and reporting functions I do not want. I did the minimum required to stand on it and obtain a reading. When I did this, it, too, jumped around for a couple of minutes, trying to make up its mind. When it settled on a number, it was at the upper end of the old machine's fluctuations. On Sunday I returned the new machine to OfficeWorks - who were totally obliging. The old machine is now back in the bathroom, along with an even older machine I had stored in my wardrobe, so I can compare. So far there seems to be a consistent 0.5kg difference.

In the evening I finished embroidering the names of four of the Australian bishops. I find the Quaker stitch effective but a bit tedious. Getting the letters legible is difficult. Progress, however, is encouraging. One side of the bag is now embroidered.

Sunday was the first of a two day Carol Mullan workshop at the Guild, to make a canvas work needlecase. It was a lot of fun and both my eyes and my back held up. I was pleased with my progress, even though I left early to be home for the arrival of Sean the Geek to install my network backup, returning the scales on the way.

Sean installed and calibrated back up storage, gave me advice on the TV installation and also examined my printer. He located the problem. Replacing the problem part is likely to cost more than a new printer so I spent an hour or so exploring options. Do I need a printer? Does it need to copy? Does it need to be coloured? The answer to all three questions is probably no. It is, however, convenient to be able to print a page from a pattern book. Forms often have to be printed before filling in. Maybe a black and white laser printer would do the job if I photograph the book page? 

The back up disk is still loading data.

While all has been going on, I’ve been negotiating what seem to me exorbitant delivery and installation charges for the new television. In the end I have limited choice and need to accept the inevitable. I should have required these charges before I purchased. I can only hope the final product, when installed in November, lasts a decade.

Today I spent a pleasant 3 hours catching up with Panayoula and hearing about her very recent month-long trip to Greece to attend a family wedding, with side trips to Estonian and Helsinki. There were lots of photos to view.  While I was out, I had a message that a book I have been waiting for from the UK had been delivered - but when I got home I couldn’t find it. I spent an hour or so contacting Australia post who are now investigating, but it looks as if the address was incomplete - just "16 Hurtle Square”  Checking with PayPal it seems the error was on the order. 

I am now enquiring of my neighbours, however two of the 4 apartments at 16 are on the market and empty. The owner of a third travels a lot. It seems it never rains but it pours - or the universe is testing me in some way. So far I’m sticking with nil desperandum, but it’s an effort! 

I began this post with the Guild's Peace rose . I'm choosing to conclude with a pelargonium I admired at the Guild on Sunday. 

There is such joy, and peace, in family, friends and flowers.

Post 606 Comings, Goings and Staying.

This week’s big outing was lunch at Carrick Hill with 4 friends. Carrick Hill is a 1930s mansion, set in 100 acres of gardens and bush land, just 8km from the CBD, operating as a museum and gallery. The current exhibition is on The Rose in Art. It also holds a fine collection of William Morris. Since I was last there, a large and freestanding restaurant has been added. That’s where we met. I shared a pizza from the wood oven. We caught up for two hours, with no pressure to leave. It was busy, and a little noisy.

I got there an hour early intending to see the exhibition, but chose rather to admire the grounds and browse the shop.

On the way home I stopped at the Highbury’s Shopping centre, which was on my way, to buy zips for my Monday task, and made a stupid move.

The Needle Nook is part of a small shopping strip with parking behind. For some reason the carpark is bounded on three sides by a metal fence with solid rails at the top and bottom. The only entrance or exit is via the driveway to the side road.   On the other side of the metal fence there is a footpath which takes you to the shops via a back entrance. It isn’t the first time I’ve tried to duck through the rails of the fence. This time I fell, landing heavily on my knee - the one that does not have a replacement and I have been protecting. I managed to extricate myself, limp out the car entrance, around to the shop's street entrance and buy the zips. Hot packs at home have helped and the knee is slowly recovering. My calves are bruised.  I hope the diagram helps. The carpark is bigger than I’ve drawn. It would hold 10-12 cars. The arrow shows car entry. A poor design (and a worse drawing!).

In the end my knee did not prevent me accompanying Katherine to the Opera meets Organ concert at the Cathedral on Saturday afternoon. It was an interesting concept, enhanced by the newly- installed sound system. It was a good length, giving me a couple of hours at home to contemplate my long weekend dress making task before heading to Kilkenny for dinner and the crosswords.

 

I've also booked tickets for the Messiah in December, and for the ASO matinee series at Elder Hall next year.. It's an easy outing, and I have really enjoyed the two I've been to this year.

Tessuti fabrics is doing a rerun of their face-to-face fabric. I still have enough to make one bag and hesitated for several days before ordering another 1.5 metres. This is only the second time it’s been offered,  and may not come again.

I’m playing with the notion of using the piece I already have to embroider the names of the 13 female Australian Anglican bishops plus that of the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. It seems time to mark progress. That’s, of course, when I’ve finished the cardigan and the blue birds tapestry!

On Wednesday, Trent, the B&O installer and electrician arrived to check out my setup and prepare a quote. We hit it off and ended up discussing kidney disease and treatments at length. It’s been a long time since I had such a discussion which was once an integral part of my life. It felt good.

The weather warmed up on Saturday and Sunday, but is now back to 16-18C days with rain forecast. It was the Labour Day long weekend, and the beginning of daylight saving 

I spent most of Sunday, and all of Monday remaking school uniforms into statement clothes for an end-of-school celebration- a tradition at the girls' school. The girls chose their designs, unpicked, cut, tried on, adjusted, made suggestions. These are the styles they chose, not their finished dresses. I'm pleased to be able to help, and enjoyed working with the girls. They know what they want and are quick to help.  The event is over two weeks away. When it is over, I might have photos of the actual garments. 

 

 I was up a bit early this morning to retrieve and clean a ladder from my storage unit, so the cleaner could clean the airconditioning vent in my kitchen. They also vaccuumed up a lot of threads and helped me move my rugs back to where they were before I reorganised for the TV. My rearrangement led to too many tripable wrinkles. I got rid of dried flowers that were about to fall and planted a couple of plants from pots into the wall garden. It was lovely when the sun came out this afternoon.  

A supermoon rounded off the week. Tonight it is closest to Earth

which is where I am progressing the Bluebirds tapestry.

Post 605 Slow but Steady Progress

After the busyness of my last post, it was a treat on Wednesday to take the city loop bus around to Elder Hall, next to the Art Gallery,  for an Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Matinee Concert. 

I was drawn by the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, but enjoyed the whole program. It was fabulous. 

I breathed a bit easier as the sun went down on Wednesday. 

It was back to business on Thursday. The B&O technician arrived about 10.15am on to assess my TV. While there is work that could be done to retune, even I, the great repair advocate, think it is time to move to a proper Smart TV. We discussed B&O options. My initial thinking was to move to a model that sits on a cabinet, rather than my current floor stand. 

When the technician left I moved furniture and rugs around to measure for cabinet possibilities, before rushing to Pilates. By the time I returned, the technician had sent two options, one with an integrated sound bar, one with it separate.

Also in my inbox was a draft of my Income Tax return, ready for me to read, check and amend or sign. I gave priority to tax, which took some time. It’s the first time I have done it online. Pleased with my success, I then spent some more time shifting furniture and measuring, before replying to a email from a friend wanting me to check his memory of a meeting I chaired in 1967, before he submits a motion to Synod! Fortunately, I had stopped at Queen St Cafe for a late lunch, so didn’t need to cook dinner. 

By the time I went to bed, having played with TV measurements, I was changing my mind about a cabinet. I slept on it.

In the morning I graphed them up and settled on a floor stand. No matter how I configured it, a cabinet model blocked part of the painting, even when the cabinet is only 18” high. I could move the painting, but I don’t want the screen to dominate the room. On a floor stand the replacement will be about 3”higher and 3” wider than the current one. I can live with that. Maybe a cabinet to fit behind it?

The hardest part of living alone is having no one on hand with whom to talk over these decisions. They are normal, inevitable decisions well within my capacity, but the benefit of a sounding board in immeasurable.

In the course of finding a ruler to graph the space, I found the missing Swift! As I had begun to suspect when the new one arrived, I had been looking for the wrong shape box. It was in plain sight. It is possible, of course, that the elves have been at work. Whatever the explanation, I now have two. Unfortunately I can't manage to wind two balls at once, so I now have one to lend out.

On Friday morning  my copy of the newly released Richard Osman Thursday Murder Club Book 4, was ready to be picked up in store and two parcels arrived, the completely indulgent Ehreman tapestry around 10, and the environmentally-friendly Leprosy Mission Christmas bonbons around 11. 

Once they were stowed I headed west to the Brickworks to pick up the book, then back across town to B&O to discuss the TV.  I have ordered the 48” floor standing version.  An installer will visit tomorrow to inspect and confirm an installation cost. I’ve paid a deposit. While there are cheaper options, this one hopefully gives me peace of mind. That evening the quote for my network backup came through from Sean the Geek (my spelling amended now I have it on paper!) and I’ve accepted that too. I'm still waiting to hear from Will about a panel to cover the exhaust box. I fear he is not interested. And the coffee machine techie hasn't been. I continue to use the machine.

After so many big decisions and transactions in a few days, things went quiet on the weekend. Saturday was the AFL grand final, followed by the girls’ 18th birthday party. I don’t follow football and 18th birthday parties do not need to accommodate 78 year old grandmothers privileged to celebrate on the actual day, so I had a quiet time at home reading Richard Osman, readjusting furniture and knitting. It's also school holidays, so no Monday dinner. Several days, therefore, on my own for stitching, reading, gardening - and losing track of which day it is. 

Since I indulged in another tapestry kit, I needed to get on with the one barely started  on my Lowery stand. I've now worked a section.

I've also knitted 65cm of the back of my cardigan,  finishing two balls of the yarn. The two extra balls arrived yesterday, neatly wound by the shop, bringing my number to 9. The yarn is going further than I anticipated. I'm now planning on 80cm length. For that I will need at least 8 balls. As knitters know, there is always a risk of too much or not enough. I don't want left-over yarn, but not enough is worse. I might be able to add pockets. And yes, there is a discernable colour difference between the two balls even though they are all from the same (I suspect only) dye lot. Part of the interest and charm.

Today the beaded silk/wool yarn I ordered from WA arrived. Here it is with  silk I wound last week and the pattern I found for it. I think it's going to work really well. The  top and bottom edges are worked in the beaded yarn with plain in the middle. First I need to finish my cardigan!

I dropped a couple of things today at the Guild where the bottlebrush is in full bloom. I still love the unfurling stamen.

I finished  Julia Baird's Bright Shining. The first quarter aided my thinking. The rest I found repetitive without adding much understanding. Richard Osman's The Impossible Fortune was a lot of fun, though with rather too many strands and characters to keep track of - a risk with series as they progress - a bit like life.