Post 437 Walks, anniversaries and a productive workshop

 

Although it was grey and wet on Wednesday, I took advantage of a break in the rain to do another walk in the Pakapakantha Wetlands(!) sticking to paved paths for the first and last stretches, but on to the packed soil paths in between. There was a lot of water around and I was very careful on the numerous slippery patches. This was the first of my 30 minute Week 3 walks for the Heart Foundation program. While there were few birds visible this time, they were making a lot of noise - a flock of sulphur-crested cockatoos way up in the tree tops.

I was so pleased with my walking success that I stopped off at the General Havelock pub for a late lunch. I haven't been here for over a year and it turns out they have a new chef and menu. The garfish I previously enjoyed is replaced with barramundi. I eschewed the batter and, as well as feeling virtuous, enjoyed the moist, succulent fish inside. I did eat the chips - and yes, that is a glass of prosecco, only the second glass of alcoholic drink I have had in a year.  It was a little chilly sitting outside when the sun wasn't out, but still pleasant.

I capped off the day with a spectacular sunset and advancing the little horses. I love the way this building reflects the last rays of the sun.

Thursday was dry and sunny so I took advantage, washed and hung out some woollens - dry in 4 hours. 

After Pilates, I shopped, buying the ingredients for moussaka for Monday night - and also an extra one for tomorrow's rescheduled lunch with friends.  I indulged a bit. Iceberg lettuces have come down from $10 to $6.90! Expensive by past measures, but now a bargain. Thursday's sunset was quite a contrast - more like a cloud blanket!  

The bougainvillea at the Pilates Studio was shedding flowers, so I retrieved one to photograph on my phone. It matches the top and socks I was wearing!

This one (left) is pretty much the actual size. There has to be a way to use these in embroidery! 

A couple of books also arrived on Thursday - a bit of a mixed blessing, as they signal a lot more work to be done. These are part of a 'how to' series, so provide leads to follow up - so signal a lot more rabbit holes to explore.  I am, as I've said before, a glutton for punishment

On Friday Jim would have been 75. Katherine and I had lunch at the River Cafe - a low key affair and a welcome time out. We had to rely on electronics to connect to Alison. It remains an indelible marker.  As a friend said to me, Jim would have been pleased.

Saturday brought a fabulous Guild Certificate Course Workshop - Boro with Barbara Mullan. It was such good fun. I have finished the pocket that Barbara suggested we make. Details in my embroidery blog.

Sunday was Book Club, another great session. There is a lot of sharing in this group - the books we've read or discovered, the sub-genres we like, what we are or are not doing. I didn't greatly like either of the books we read for this session (Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold and Distress Signals by Catherine Ryan Howard), but it doesn't matter - views differed, are respected and worth discussing.

Monday's moussaka was a big success - which was great, as I have another one in the fridge for tomorrow's lunch! One interesting thing is that for the first time I've made this (and I've made it more times than I can count) the eggplant cost more than the lamb. Our economy is changing. I suspect that the secret to the success of this one is the half bottle of red wine I used up! 

I had planned to make a batch of gingerbread biscuits for after-school snacks, but didn't get to it. I made them this evening as part of tomorrow's dessert.

                                         

I've finished appliqueing the woollen horses behind the embroidered ones and am working blanket stitch around the edge. I've decided, however, that I need a few more horses in some blank areas in the corners.  The girls agreed with me yesterday on this, so I have printed another sheet of Solvi with 6 horses. The blanket is hard to photograph.

I also whipped up another needlework roll from a banner I found while looking for Boro fabric.

Yesterday marked twelve months since I began my weight loss project and daily weight record. The loss at 1 year was 21 kg. For a couple of months now, I have settled around this weight. My renal specialist is happy and both my renal and diabetes readings are no longer at levels of concern. While I'd like to lose more weight I have enjoyed adding a little bread, potato and pasta back into my meals. I haven't reintroduced alcohol, nor moved above 2 serves of fruit.  I think I will rest here for a while over winter then reduce further.  I will continue to weigh myself each morning to ensure my weight doesn't creep up, but think I can now stop recording daily weight.

Today I did the first of this week's Heart Foundation walks in the South Parklands. I've moved from 3 walks a week to 4. A challenge. The sun was out and it was very pleasant. I managed to get close to this magpie, but I missed my chance to photograph a couple of Adelaide Rosellas.

My balcony gardens are doing well in the colder and wetter weather. I'm still waiting for the carpet cleaner and Vergola servicer to get in touch. It's just about time to make more phone calls. I've also been closing the heavy curtains at night and using the heating sparingly, preserving power where I can in times of shortage. I haven't suffered from cold. 

Post 399 Three lunches, three embroidery projects, and a lot of books.

Last Wednesday my grandchildren and I had our school holiday lunch at the River Cafe   It was relaxed and now fairly predictable - which at the moment I think we all like. They are such interesting company. 

While out I  missed the delivery of the proof copy of the book, so dashed to the PO just before closing. It looks good, and it was much easier, with the hard copy to refer to, to find and make the online changes that Pat had identified. I managed to make the changes, upload a new version, then delete the old. The only sustained problem in so doing was with the ISBN. I've now sorted that out with Bowker, who were very helpful. I finally ordered 50 print copies. Anyone wanting a copy can order at here . Selecting your own country at the top right hand corner of the page should ensure printing and delivery from your country. I have put no royalty on the book, so the cost is printing plus postage. You can also read the whole book as a preview, or download a free ebook. Blurb informed me on Monday that they will have a 'small price increase' across the board from the 18th October, but have not specified what it is. They appear also to be offering a 25% discount on printing costs with code GREAT25 at checkout.I don't know how long that will last. 

I finished the embroidery on my coat and wrote it up for my embroidery blog. I'm pleased with it. I like the tapering fall of the design. Now I need to find another project for B2B.                                                                                                                                  Thursday was relatively busy. Before going to Pilates I met with the accountant to submit my tax. He was well prepared and we got it all done - a big relief, and a small refund.  At 6pm we had a Convenors meeting at the Guild, the first in 3 years. It was very efficiently run. The Convenors' Guidelines need updating, given the Covid requirements.  We were invited to bring our meal with us. I had my main meal late in the afternoon, and took coffee and yoghurt at the meeting. 

When I got home I settled down to work on this magnet that I am planning as a Christmas present, while watching the movie Rams as a download on demand. I was a bit disappointed in the film, which I've wanted to see for a while, When I woke up the next morning, my left wrist was very painful - RSI from holding the small plastic canvas in my left hand. I wore my wrist brace all the next day, used cream and cold packs, but it was still sore. I was cursing because I had a two day counted embroidery class coming up on the weekend.

Friday, on the other hand, was leisurely, allowing me to get organised for the weekend, hang out the washing, do a bit of shopping. Partly to stop myself using the hand, I went to Frewville to get a few supplies, and had a late lunch at Mr Nick's - grilled trout with corn and leaf salad. Excellent. 

I had planned on a toastie for dinner, but wasn't hungry enough for anything but yoghurt. The lunch didn't detract from my weight loss although it did fluctuate by 0.6 kg over the rest of the week, for no reason that I can identify.

Saturday's class, Christine Bishop's Leadlight Counted Set, started at 9.30am sharp and went until 4pm.  I had prepared the outline some time ago. The whole design is about 8" across, and folds up to make a pouch. There are. I think, 14 different stitches used.

I found the first day a bit difficult because my hand was still very sore, and my left eye was weepy - the ongoing tear duct problem, but Christine was very helpful. I tried working it in my hand but moved to a seated 6" hoop so I didn't have to use my left hand to hold it. That worked better, but I had to work away from the edge to fit it in the hoop.  I still made fair progress. When I got home I mounted the linen on some sheeting and moved it to a larger hoop.  

This is where I reached on Sunday evening. Pretty pleased with that. It has been interesting working the different stitches. I'm almost disappointed to be in a position to repeat them.

Monday was spent shopping for and preparing dinner - stirfried duck with noodles and vegetables. It worked well, except I forgot to add the bok choi at the end. There were plenty of other vegetables, which is why I was able to forget! We had an interesting discussion about mandatory vaccination - and mandates in general. Our vaccination rates have risen significantly, especially amongst the 12-15 and 16-18 age groups. Fionn puts it down to education. He thinks schools have done a good job of educating kids about vaccines and other safety issues, like driver education. It's a good testimony. 

Today I went to the Retired Secondary Principals' Association lunch. These are held twice a year. Numbers have been down since Covid interrupted the twice a year routine. 

There were only 14 there today, at the Blackwood RSL to hear Deb O'Reilly, Director of New Schools for the Education Department, speak about the current approaches to the built environment of schools and the new schools currently being built.  It was really interesting. My late friend Heather Woods, who took a great interest in advances in this area, would have been delighted to hear of the progress being made for student learning. 

While I was there I received messages to tell me of a couple of deliveries that were coming today and sure enough, they arrived  15 minutes before I got home and had been taken to the local PO. There were three boxes, two of them containing the 50 copies I had ordered of Conversation with Baby Boomer Teachers! It is good to have them and a shame I wasn't able to take them to today's meeting. The third package was a book from my brother in preparation for some research he wants me to help with.  I rang to thank him and we ended up talking for nearly 2 hours.

Altogether a good day.

Tomorrow is the WES Group meeting, and my turn to present - Viking Embroidery. I have quite a lot to gather together to take with me.

All in all it has been an eventful week: a few stresses and obstacles, but plenty to be thankful for. 

Deo gratias.