I discovered the pear tree in full bloom on Duthy St on my way to Create in Stitch on Friday morning after my Covid shot. I was tempted by the Florence Broadhurst tapestry kits they had on special and elated by the early morning phone call from the plastic surgeon to tell me my biopsy results had been absolutely clear - both benign. He recommends using moisturiser daily to reduce irritation but otherwise I'm clear.
My luck continued when Create in Stitch had only one of the two kits I’d been interested in. I bought the kit, along with a string of felt Christmas pennants, but since I’m trying to resist adding to my stash, one tapestry was, I thought, a fair compromise. The pennants will feature along my balcony at Christmas, replacing the worn and faded string of cotton ones I had made some 20 years ago and finally sent to compost in January.
Before I left for the Guild on Wednesday morning the painters told me they would not need access to my open front door until the next day. I didn’t hear their gentle knock at 7.30am on Thursday so they worked on the floor below where they managed to wake our Strata Rep. By 9am they were back, one painting, the other cleaning and re-staining the doors. The smell wasn’t too unpleasant and dissipated with balcony doors open. Fortunately the weather was sunny and a little breezy. By 5pm they had removed all drop cloths and departed. I was able to restore my embroideries before I left for my vaccination on Friday.
When I got back from Create in Stitch (and Haigh's Chocolate) on Friday, the Evil Eye protection series was on the floor. The original stick-on hook had been removed by the painters and the one I replaced it with had fallen off. Maybe I hadn't pressed hard enough (reaching above my head), or the adhesive was old, or it didn't like the new paint. I replace it with one requiring a hammer. As I was doing so, my neighbour appeared with a request for help.
She is currently her husband's carer and has her own health issues. Her son, who usually helps, is recovering from back surgery and her daughter is travelling some 40 miles a couple of times a week to help her with shopping. Her request was not for help with any of this (I have offered) but with an embroidery kit she bought years ago, but has never tackled. Her daughter is a cyclist and the help she wants from me is to work the kit so she can give it to her daughter as thanks! She doesn't mind if it takes months.
On Thursday I was notified that Jim’s plaque has been redone and this time seems to be correct. The photo was provided by the Philanthropy Executive who tells me it is with the installers. 
I now know the dimensions required for my beekeeper's cushion to fit into a particular church chair. It will require 40 of the little pockets, or cells, 5 rows of 8 so I am more than halfway there with 27 done. It's a surprisingly enjoyable project, requiring some attention but not the close concentration of the cross stitch bicycle. 
I missed the Adelaide Show this year. I could hear the fireworks each night, but not see them. There have, however, been roadworks happening each night along the road through the Square, major resurfacing involving heavy machinery with flashing lights and pounding, The photo on the right was taken at 10pm tonight.
The one on the left, on the other hand, was taken around 8am on Sunday morning - a silent arrival of light.I've also managed to read a couple of books this week (and order some more!). I was disappointed in the new Richard Osmond, but somewhat pleasantly surprised by Purls and Peril by Kitty Graham. I rather liked the combination of knitting and tech. I didn't follow all the processes of the latter, but it didn't seem to matter.
Frequent lubrication and occasional hot packs seem to be keeping my eyes up to all this activity. Time for another of each. With no excision, eyes & ears seemingly working, it might even be time to try swimming again tomorrow.
