Post 631 Turn, turn, turn.

Wednesday was swimming, then a quick trip to the Guild to hand over the book won in the raffle last week. A lot of interest in it from the Library Team, but it will need to go through the formal selection process. If it isn’t accepted I want it back - to give to the woman who really wanted to win it! 

After hanging out my wet towel and bathers when I got home, I headed over to the pub for a late lunch. I was hungry and still on a high from the NLA announcement. The trees in the Square are looking good. It was 31C and clear blue sky. 

The parcel I mailed with anxiety the day before reached its destination after a  runaround. I didn't realise that nominating extra insurance cover necessitated a signature on arrival. I won't do that again in a hurry.

On Thursday morning I had my annual appointment with my nephrologist. I left home early to detour via my audiologist, as the connector tube on one of my hearing aids had broken. I wasn't sure it could be fixed. This set of hearing aids is now about 10 years old and beyond mechanical repair. The tube, however, was easily replaced and I left with them fully functional. 

The good news continued.  The nephrologist (whose waiting room always provides a view of birdlife) is happy with my test results -  creatinine good,  no sign of protein, no change in sugar (which is slightly higher than ideal). We had another discussion about Ozempic. He has suggested doubling my metformin dose to help with weight loss. In the light of possible side-effects, I am trying a 50% increase until I discuss with my GP. We also discussed the research he's involved in with Avivo, to enable universal donor blood conversions for transplants and transfusions. It's exciting research with big implications for medical treatment in war zones. They need, however to raise substantially more funds.

I had a weekend to myself, so on Saturday, after shopping for Monday's roast, I had a very late lunch at Mr Nick's at Frewville - Barramundi with a salad of rocket, fennel and walnuts. Excellent.

The flower arrangement on the bench was extraordinary. The staff member on duty explained it had another tall vase inside, adding a waste of good lemons!                                                                      

I also bought oysters for my main meal on Sunday with a large serve of salad and some multigrain bread - the last my weekly quota.

Books continue to arrive. A friend who volunteers in a charity shop in the Hills sent me this one. Anne Hetzel was president of the                             Embroiderers' Guild of SA in 1994 during which time the Guild undertook two commissions, one to make a Cope for Anglican Archbishop Ian George and one for a commemorative hanging to mark the 50th Anniversay of WWII, both of which are illustrated in the book,  which covers the 15 year period from 1983 when Anne and her researcher husband, Basil, travelled the world campaigning for the elimination of iodine deficiency. It's a story I didn't know, and which crosses a number of my interests.

On Friday I picked up the dress (muumuu!) I was having made by the local dressmaker. Pick-up is usually late afternoon, but when I left the fabric she had asked me to come in the morning to try it on. When I arrived she said that wasn’t needed and we chatted about various things as her card reader rejected my cards. In the end I made a direct debit. I checked at the nearby bank, and the cards are fine, problem with card reader.

When I got home and tried the dress, it was too long. I was in danger of tripping. Rather than take it back, I got out my scissors, cut 7” off both dress and lining, and ran both around on the machine. It wasn’t quite as straightforward as I hoped, as the hem was slightly shaped. The photo was taken before I ironed the hem. It's fine. On the other hand, my insistence on pockets to hold my phone hasn’t paid off. The phone is far too heavy. Even, as I had planned, balanced by keys or purse, the distortion will make it difficult to move. Looks like it’s a must-wear-a-shoulder-bag dress.

I had planned to wear it to Fionn’s 21st over Easter, but I don’t think it will be warm enough. It’s light and floaty and will find plenty of use in Summer. Even though it has been 30C today, the weather is turning. I changed my quilt over to the heavier one on Saturday and also put on a singlet - my signal that autumn has arrived. Daylight saving ends next weekend.

The History of Knitting also arrived. Published in 1987 it seems to still be the most comprehensive account. It was written by the Bishop of Leicester, who began knitting aged 7 and continued throughout his life. I'm hoping this one might prompt a discussion at WES Group next year.

Today I got up early and madea  full batch of chocolate crackle nests  so I could take a couple to Panayoula, with whom I was having morning coffee, before my 1pm haircut. We had, as usual, so much to share, so much to talk about. 

I have just finished the shawl (why this post is so late!).  

I might have managed one more row with the yarn but, with about 570 stitches on the needle, I didn't risk it. I did an elastic cast-off, which uses more yarn, so the right decision, I think!

It looks and feels  lovely. Maybe it would go with that orange dress....

Today there were leaves falling from the trees along Carrington street, although in the Square a young jacaranda has a last blast of defiance with new blooms on the upmost tips.

I've been thinking a lot about my August talk on English Embroidery in the Early Middle Ages - and ordering a few booklets published in the 1990s by Anglo-Saxon Books. 

The one that has arrived has filled out some context for me. We didn't learn much about textiles, or the world of women, in my undergraduate course! I have four more on the way from England, but who knows how long they will take to arrive in the current international  transport disruptions.

Tomorrow I need to take my laptop to the Guild for electrical tagging. with a bit of luck I will also fit in a swim. I wish all of us a peaceful, relaxed and healthy Easter break.