Post 452 Mostly birds and bees

It was a busy week with plenty of joy to be had. In spite of the persistent, unseasonal rain the birds were out in force. Since the birds don't practice daylight saving, the peak feeding time has shifted to 6pm. On Sunday evening the lorikeets were back in the trees behind my bedroom. Apparently it is National Bird Week - appropriate.

                    

I was a little late  hearing the cacophony that signalled they were there and the light wasn't great, but I managed a few decent shots.   

The Art auction that I had mistakenly tried to preview a week early was on Sunday. I managed to view the items on the correct Thursday this week. included a painting I was after. As I arrived to view it there was a flock of noisy cockatoos fighting for prime position on a building opposite. This was the winner!

I attended the auction on Sunday, and managed to secure the painting I was after - an acrylic painted in 1977 of Para Wirra, a National Park North of Adelaide, by Christine Lawrence who was an Art teacher at the time at Craigmore High School, which shared a camp site in the Park with another school. Jim taught there for 8 years and we were frequently at the park. Chris Lawrence, a brilliant, inspiring art teacher, later taught all my grandchildren.  The family will enjoy the painting. My brother was also bidding on a couple of paintings and was successful in one of them. 

I picked up both of them this morning, and Brigid called in after Uni to pick  up theirs and take it to its new home.

The World Embroidery Study Group last Wednesday heard from Maria, whose study was triggered by this heirloom bedspread she has. She has spent a year researching Lagartera embroidery and customs - even managing to visit the village this year on the day of the Corpus Christi procession, when villagers hang their embroidered tablecloths and bedspreads over the fronts of their houses as the procession passes by. It was a great session. 

I've progressed my Rococo  Stitch set by finishing what should have been a pincushion, but has turned into a name tag. The pin on the back of this Guild name tag was only attached with tape and fell off. I burned holes in the corners to attach it to the linen.

I created a pocket inside so I can keep a packet of needles in it. That way It will do double service. Now all I have to do is stitch the pouch in which to keep it!

I also finished and sent off a shawl I've been knitting for a friend, but wanted to keep as a surprise.

I haven't completely neglected my brother's vest. It's coming along nicely - and no steeks to dread!  I should have it finished sometime next month. 

Saturday was a plant and bake sale at St Margaret's Woodville, and I went along to get some plants, which are always good. I took my own box and filled it up. I won't mention the scones and diabetic fruitcake I bought as well. 

The plants soon disappeared into corners or spots on my balconies or shelves. I also acquired a couple of indoor plants in clay beads from my Pilates Studio. 

Leanne, the owner is preparing and selling them. She says they are indestructible  - but I suspect she hasn't tried hard enough!  

      

The new plants make for interesting early morning silhouettes on my blind.   

Last Thursday the scaffold went up along our Western  side ready for repair of the facia below our front balconies. This has to be done before painting can begin in a month or so's time.  Yesterday plasterers were working below my balcony . They seem to do the work in small increments across the building so are only in one place for short periods.  In the meantime, we are warned to keep our balcony doors locked at night - the scaffold is, of course, climbable. 

We've progressed the Maureen Holbrook database. There's some tidying and checking to do, and labelling of the hard copy folders. I haven't as yet resolved what to do about the five extra folders.

I called at the Guild yesterday to pick up a book.  The bottlebrush looked even better than last week.

I couldn't resist photographing some of the bees gathering its nectar and pollen. 

I also love the patterns that emerge in the centre of the flowers. Now how would I embroider that?

Quite an eventful week. While I haven't extended my walking, I have kept up last week's pace. Very satisfied with that.

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Post 407 A catching up kind of week.

This photo of her newly erected tree was sent to me by my Penguin Passionate Pal Pat. I'm sharing it because it so cheering and quirky.  Thanks Pat.

On another cheerful note, our apartment block solar project won the Achievement in Energy or the Built Environment Award at the Carbon Neutral Adelaide Awards  on Tuesday night. The news item for In Daily featured a photo of our panels, taken from the roof. It was good to share the news and have a long chat with a Guild friend later in the day. 

Thursday I went to optometrist. The reminder asked patients to wear P2 masks, so I bought a box at Bunnings. My eye is much  better. I need to reduce steroid cream to zero over a month, continue with heat pack and Hylo-forte drops and see her again in a five weeks. I have received a self-assessment form for my driver's licence so tested my eyes for driving while I was there - all good.  I haven't yet had my annual eye test, but we've put that off until my eyes are completely clear. My medical condition means I need to get my GP to fill out the licence form, so I've made an appointment.

After Pilates I met with a neighbour from my previous home. He was one of my interviewees for the Baby Boomer Book and I needed to give him a copy. It was good to catch up on his news. 

The Mary Hickmott Lagartera booklet arrived and I decided straight away to try out one of her designs on a bookmark. I kept it simple. There are errors which a sharp eye will spot, but in general terms it worked. I might try more, although I think the Celtic designs are more effective (and challenging!).

I had to take something to our bookclub end of year morning tea meeting on Sunday at Pat's place.

 It needed to be something simple, even dips are too complicated (as I discovered last year). I hit on gingerbread biscuits. I haven't made them in a few years. I picked a simple recipe and made a batch on Friday - angels (large) and trees (small). I decided not to ice them - there's enough sugar in the dough. There was plenty to eat. I allowed myself one scone, with butter only. It was lovely sitting in Pat's garden talking about books. 

The abseilers have been hard at work every weekday. It's not a job I envy but they take great care.

On Friday I had lunch with friends at Aurora on Light Square. A lovely meal and good company. I caught the city loop bus around, noting when I got there that there was two hour parking outside and several spaces. On the way home as far as I could see not one other person checked in with the QR code. A shame. I think it needs reminder messages broadcast over the bus's PA system. 

Walking to the bus gave me opportunity to photograph the new building in relation to ours.

I missed a parcel delivery while out on Friday. It was a plant pot and a plant stand I had ordered from Adairs in their sale. I got a message to say there was a delivery of 2 items to be picked up at the PO, so I went straight out again to collect it when I got home. At the PO there was only one parcel. The young man who served me looked twice, then told me both must be in the one box! I knew this couldn't be the case but he insisted this was all there was, and I needed to follow up with the vendor. I didn't believe him and lodged a query with Australia Post - took me 3 messages to make my point. The label clearly says '1 of 2'. A closer examination of the tracking App indicates item1 'picked up at Post Office', item2 'arrived at depot'. I also sent a lengthy message to Adairs. Today I got a message from Kayla at Australia Post Customer Service to say it has been located at a Melbourne depot and should be here on Friday. I'm glad I managed to avoid stressing over this - and all power to Australia Post detectives.

Saturday was the Guild Christmas Market. I went along to get some plants. Peter and Gay Sanderson do a good job of propagating pelargoniums and succulents. I bought three this time and also got a couple of bags of Appleton's wool in the colour I forgot to get for the Viking workshop. Pleased with that. I did look at the books, but didn't find anything that tempted me. 

From there I went on to Elder's Auction rooms to look at what is on offer for their Sunday auction. I thought it was a better than normal offering. Today I picked up a painting my brother bought at the auction.

Our Saturday family dinner was at Grange Jetty Cafe. The two who had been on lifesaving duty at Semaphore just made it after being called in to a rescue from a boat that sank off Outer Harbour. On Monday, school holidays meant no family dinner at my place, so I took the opportunity to catch up with another old neighbour at Queen St Cafe for lunch. 

Today I picked up the painting my brother bought at Sunday's auction and settled down to finish off the Natural Wonder Catherine de Medici embroidery I've been working on this week. This is the Maria Rita Faleri design from Inspirations 111 that I began in July. I had found it difficult. The fabric was not only loosely woven, but had a finer thread in the warp than the weft. It kept slipping. Nevertheless I persevered. Is is imperfect and I am not planning on undoing it.  I also left the border in running stitch. The second row of Catherine de Medici stitch reduces some of the distinctiveness of the the shape.

I'm now working on the hem, antique hemstitch with a blanket stitch with picots over the top. There was not a lot of point in ironing it yet, since it is worked in the hand.

In South Australia we are now 82.9% vaccinated over 12 years of age and our borders are theoretically open to fully vaccinated people. There is quite a bit of tension because of the presence of the Omicron variant in other States, 45 active cases (2 locally acquired in the last 24 hours),  limits on our hospital resources, 98 current exposure sites, many resulting from a school 40 year reunion last weekend.  This is not different to other places. We have been fortunately spared much Covid spread here but the bell tolls for all of us.

I'm grateful for this week.

Post 405 Mostly Books, Birds and a Birdcage

Last Wednesday the dove came hoping for food as I watered the plants. I didn't quite get it in the frame of the photo against the jacaranda.  Even though it had rained the day before it doesn't take long for the sunflower to droop.

Although I didn't mention it last week (there was enough gloom without it!), for several days I had been getting continual pop-up notices whenever I opened my email, telling me my Exchange password was incorrect. I don't use Exchange regularly, but for a Sydney University Alumni account I use as a back-up, and for messages from my website. I couldn't fix it. I eventually emailed the Sydney University Alumni office. 

I then went into the city to pick up jewellery repairs - two favourite necklaces are now wearable - then on to Nordic Furniture to discuss the furniture I've ordered. My concerns were addressed when I discovered the shelves are adjustable, allowing me to have two decent book shelves and one  very narrow shelf that would take bigger books lying horizontally.I also settled on polished, non glossy Tasmanian Blackwood.

On Thursday I had a reply from Sydney Uni alumni - saying others had reported the problem and giving me some links to FAQs which in no way helped. Then Microsoft  emailed - since I use this account for my office software. Microsoft instructions worked on first go! It seems this problem was caused by the adoption of two step authentication, which requires a reset. I had to reset on each device I use, but did it quickly and easily.

There were only two of us at Pilates. Martine had prepared a few new exercises for me. Afterwards I treated myself to a late lunch of Grilled Atlantic salmon and salad at the Queen St Cafe - and a lime milkshake.

Late in the afternoon, there was a lot of bird noise, indicating the Noisy Miners were around. Most were hidden in the leaves of the trees, which are now very dense. 

One was perched high on the top branch of one of the trees. It appeared to be a young bird - almost a fledgling but had certainly found its voice.

At the same time the sunflower had recovered and was looking splendid in the afternoon light. I used my DSLR for these photos and discovered a few photos from late September that I had not processed, including several of lorikeets enjoying the buds on the same trees before they developed into flowers and leaves.

On Thursday night I finished the embroidery on the second fridge magnet. On Friday morning I stitched on the felt background and added the magnet. I'm very pleased with these. They are hard on the hands and I am not planning to make the other two in the kit, using the plastic canvas. 

I might, however, try  on either Aida or tapestry canvas. I do have plenty of magnetic strip!

On Friday I also emailed our Strata rep to find out about plans the Strata has for services using scaffolding. It doesn't look as if it will help me with the possible roller shutter repair. 

On a more positive note our solar panels are now operational and we received stickers to put on our electricity box. 

Susan and I both knitted our way through Sit'nStitch. There was plenty to talk about.

Saturday was the last JEMS meeting for the year - and the Christmas breakup. There were seven JEMS there, three tutors and lots of food. They made Christmas angels with beads, wire, a crystal and ribbon. At the end there was a group photo and promises from everyone to be back next year.  A lovely rounding of the year.

Niamh managed to fit in a milkshake on the way home - our last for the year. Anthony cooked some excellent patties and chicken for dinner. They had been spreading another load of mulch to their front garden all day. It's looking great.

During the week one of the Lagartera booklets I had ordered arrived and I have been playing with a couple of motifs from it. It's mostly counted satin stitch, requiring concentration (spot the 3 missing stitches in the photo!) and very effective.

I've got a few ideas for using it. I also checked the Guild Museum and found it holds an example, so I think we will be able to hold a productive workshop next year to meet Maria's request.

I also received the forms to fill out for my two Certificate Course Workshops next year,. The first one is in February, which means I need to have the summary and requirements into the Guild’s December newsletter. In order to list requirements I needed to prepare the kit - print the pattern on to Sulky and finalise and organise printing of the workshop notes so I can calculate kit costs. That took a few hours on Sunday, along with some food preparation and packing away the trundle bed ready for the technician to access the roller shutter controller easily on Monday morning. 

I was well prepared, but, alas, I had it wrong. I waited for the call to give me the specific time. At 11.30 I rang - to discover the appointment was for next Monday! The fault, I think, was mine. I had been very stressed about the problem, and the appointment. Oddly, the misunderstanding, far from adding to my stress, seems to have alleviated it.  Perhaps the efficiency and empathy of the staff member who answered the phone gave me confidence, or put my fears into perspective. Either way, my heart is lighter.                                                                                                                                            Altogether I got a lot done on Monday while waiting - put away the remains of numerous projects - threads, patterns, notes, fabrics. I went to the supermarket, to Create in Stitch and to Officeworks to pick up the printed notes for the workshop. I also prepared the text and photos for my Christmas card this year. I tried printing it at Officeworks and then Snapfish. Officeworks predict a week longer to deliver, so I have ordered with Snapfish. Another reason to feel light-hearted. 

I had a discussion with Taetia at Create in Stitch about a class they have advertised for February next year - two Saturday's with Di Kirshner teaching Christine Bishop's Birdcage Etui. I did Christine's class for this at BATB in October 2014, finished one panel and the scissor fob but have not progressed it since then. I've been thinking about it recently and would like to finish it. Unfortunately, the second day of Di's class is on the same day as the Certificate Course Viking Workshop. I may be able to do the first day of the class and join one of Di's Stitch and Chat mornings to finish it. Or just stitch it.            It's time has, I think, come.  Nordic Needle have a downloadable pattern for it.                                                                                                                                  Today I put together the kits for the February Viking Embroidery workshop and wrote the notes for the next Guild newsletter.  I have to pick up 18 pieces of wool flannel from the Guild on Thursday and hopefully a few skeins of Appletons wool and the kits are ready.

This week I booked in for a Moderna vaccine in early January, following the advice of my nephrologist. I later discovered only Pfizer can be given as a booster and Moderna requires some proof of immuno-compromise. I have left a message for the nephrologist to find out how to proceed. Our borders opened today and there is a fair bit of apprehension. I have now linked my vaccination status to my SAGov check-in App, the first of the new requirements.

In between organising the kits I've been reading Louise Penny's A Fatal Grace - a great treat.  Sally Coulthard's book arrived today.  It looks as if it's going to be a winner - so I'd better get on with Louise Penny.