Post 492 Silks and Sjaella

It has been another quiet week, as I recovered from my cold and stayed at home for the early part of the week. 

By Friday I ventured to Sit'nStitch, to Katherine & Anthony's on Saturday night and then to the Sjaella Concert at Ukaria on Sunday afternoon. They were really fabulous. 

I'm so glad I eventually got the date right - and was able to go. It was an appreciative audience, and a perfect venue for the music.

I spent time over several days beginning the preparation for the September meeting of the World Embroidery Study Group. A friend and I had agreed to do something in November on cruelty-free silk with the sheets of Madagascan silk I bought from Dale Rollerson. The September presenter isn't well and asked for more time, so we brought ours forward. I had thought to incorporate Indian Wild Silk using the book I bought recently.   I then remembered  Golden Orb spider silk....So the presentation has expanded a bit. 

That's OK. I think the group will be interested. I managed to source some Indian Wild Silk from Deidaa in Melbourne. My order resulted in a really interesting exchange with Samita, from the shop, and a resulting link to her You Tube channel post on the Victorian Embroiderers' Guild Exhibition on Recycling.

 

On Monday I made a double batch of Anzac biscuits, thinking it would last a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I didn't remove the second batch in time (distracted by silk), so the compost will benefit and I will need to make another batch next week.                                                                                                                                                                    

Another distraction on Monday was a very large magpie in the Square. I attempted to photograph it using my DSLR but it was too far away for a decent shot. The shots I did get were interesting for the shapes, which might, I think, come in handy for embroidering.                                                                                   In between burning biscuits and thinking about silk, I have progressed the Christine Bishop Pulled Work Mat and the shawl I am knitting in the round with a steek.  I won't post photos of the mat, as Christine does not want her work on the Internet. The shawl is looking very promising. I have another 93 rows to go - all, of course, getting longer, so hard to predict timeline. There is a border to add as well.

I am conscious that this blog is approaching its 500th post. It began as a travel blog and an expectation of 35-40 posts. When Covid hit and I shortened my travel, I continued the blog to share my experience of the unknown. The unknown has gone on for quite a long time. I don't yet have travel plans, which is what I had assumed would eventually bring  England2020 to an end. Should I stop at 500 posts? Keep going until there is England20?? Drop to posting fortnightly or monthly?  Opinion is always welcome.

Post 491 Cold

My honeyeater visitor returned on Thursday morning, fluttering around exploring before heading to the flowering aloe and providing me with one of the few photos for this week.

While at lunch with my friend Lorraine on Wednesday, I developed a slight cough. By the evening it was a fully developed sore throat. On Thursday morning I cancelled my Pilates class and postponed my thumb dressing for a week. I had the first, and heaviest, cold I have had in years. It has persisted all week. Yes, I did test negative for Covid. 

The worst is over. The cough hung on a bit but is largely gone. I haven't sneezed for 24 hours. I cancelled all commitments, including  Saturday dinner and a hairdressing appointment, to bunker down with my books, knitting and, occasionally, the Christine Bishop Pulled Thread Mat. I have drunk a lot of warm lemon juice and honey.

On Saturday morning I masked up and paid a swift visit to the supermarket for a few basic supplies, in and out in 10 minutes. I created unnecessary panic cancelling going to a Sjaella concert at Ukaria on Sunday. Turns out it is on next Sunday. Cold-affected brain!

So there isn't much to report this week. I have read quite a few books, all reviewed on my Goodreads page. My energy returned enough yesterday to fertilise my plants. Today I have vacuumed and been for a walk.

A coffee table book I had ordered arrived. I thought it might help with bird embroidery. It's beautiful, but I haven't had the energy to spend the hours  it requires yet. I have emerged from crime fiction to read Mary Condron's The Serpent and the Goddess: Women, Religion and Power in Celtic Ireland, so I think that signals recovery.

I had been worried I might have infected my friend Lorraine at lunch last week. Today I learned that she, along with all her Book Club members, has the flu. That, at 90, is a worry. She is, however, cheerful, careful and competent. 

 

Clearly there is a lot of infection around. I think I got off lightly

And my sliced thumb is almost healed. 

Deo Gratias.                                 

Post 490 Mostly hanging out at home

Last Thursday was chilly. Not raining much, and not the coldest day we've had, but enough for my latest dove companion to take up residence, all fluffed up, on my balcony rail, for several hours. I left him/her there when I took myself off to Pilates around 12.30.

I came home with enough energy to make a batch of zucchini and corn muffins for my dinner - having sampled one straight out of the oven with brie inserted. Yum.

I was feeling pretty pleased with myself, because, on Wednesday, when I had my thumb checked by the nurse and surgeon, they had pronounced it on the way to successful healing ("you have given yourself a skin graft!"). Although it can now be exposed, they warned me not to get the edge caught on anything (like clothing) as it will rip the skin off and we will need to start over. On the side of caution, I have it protected by a woven dressing. I will wait until the graft is a bit more advanced before inflicting a photo on anyone. I go back again this Thursday to have it checked again.

There is quite a bit of bird activity at the moment. A little honeyeater hopped and fluttered around my back balcony on Saturday.  These are small, about 10-12 cm long. It came very close to the window and I took photos through the fly screen.

Eventually it took up position on a pot on the balcony rail so I could get a better shot.

Once it left, the dove returned to make sure there was no damage. I feel privileged.

 

I stayed close to home most of the week. My brother is fighting a writing deadline and I was able to check a few things to help out. 

By Friday I could hold a regular sewing needle, so paused my knitting to do a bit on the Christine Bishop Pulled Work Mat I started back in April and set aside, first to finish St Brigid, then because I couldn't hold a sewing needle. I am slowly working my way around the border. 

I also had time to think about the stocking stitch samples I had worked and mounted. The detail is in my stitching blog. This is not a post that would be of interest to any other than committed knitters, but those who fit that description may find it of interest. 

          

While I got gradually more able throughout the week, a horrible thing happened. Brigid had her handbag and car stolen. The car was later found abandoned with considerable damage. She worked and saved for so long to buy it.  It casts a pall.    Family and friends have rallied, she is strong, resilient, and will triumph. It's still horrible.

Sunday was Book Club, again good discussion and lots of recommendations. My reading has pretty much been comfort rather than challenge this week.

A couple of long-standing family friends joined us for dinner last night, which was great. 10 year-old Ed is a clock expert and filled me in on a number of items on the upcoming Theodore Bruce Jewellery and Timepieces auction as well as a couple of my late father's watches. A very happy time.

I  have begun a shawl with the alpaca wool I bought from Adagio Mills, using the Knitting Wraps in the Round book. It certainly has a lovely feel and the 8 row pattern is becoming familiar enough to need only a reminder at the beginning of each row. 

There is, however, a long way to go - about 150 ever increasing rows.

As I wrote this afternoon, the sun came out. I enjoy even the grey Winter days, but there is nothing quite as cheering as when the sun breaks through.

A lift. 

Post 489 Various disruptions

The week has been dominated by what I could manage to do without the use of my right thumb! As my brother pointed out, I have been learning what it means to be human. Without a right hand opposable thumb I am diminished.

The surgeon I saw last Wednesday was confident my damaged thumb would heal itself. I left with a lot of information, a rebandaged thumb and a handful of clean dressings and an appointment in a week's time. It has been sore, but not badly so. I just need to avoid using it, knocking it or getting it wet.

I discovered I can knit by holding a needle between my thumb and forefinger, but I can't hold a sewing needle and I can't use the top joint of my thumb to type, press buttons or manipulation. I can cook and clean with my hand protected by a disposable glove and my thumb at an angle. It's improving.

So I have fertilised my plants, taken photos, read, given up touch typing for now, proof-read for my brother and knitted. I have also very uch enjoyed hearing all about Niamh and Veronica's work experience last week.

I finished St Brigid. The detail is in my stitching blog.

I had planned to embroider when this was finished, but that's not yet possible. Nor is crochet. I moved on to a hat from the sample Alpaca-Polwarth blend Adagio Mills sent me. Again, the detail is in the stitching blog. 

In the last couple of days I have finished the samples of the 16 different ways to knit stocking stitch. This involved a bit of unravelling. I found it hard to stick to the specific stitching direction on each sample, however small. My mind would wander and my hands revert to habit.

The samples are currently being blocked. There is a lot to be observed and learnt from this exercise - that will be another blog post once it's dry and prepared. 

On Thursday morning I set out to meet a friend for coffee, only to find my car wouldn't start. I trawled the manual unsuccessfully for the meaning of the dashboard symbol (right). In the end I called the RAA. After some difficulty the serviceman got it started - battery completely drained. I took it straight away to the Toyota dealership where it needed to be left for about 30 hours while they sourced, installed and tested an appropriate Prius C battery. 

Fortunately I had already cancelled Pilates due to my finger.

On Friday, while I was waiting for the call to say the car was ready, a noisy miner visited my front balcony. I have not seen a bird land on this balcony, so took the photo quietly from inside. It didn't stay long, but I felt pleased and privileged.

On my way to pick up the car, once the call came, the city loop bus stopped right next to the Cook Island palm giving me an opportunity to take this photo.  It makes a change from the usual view from my window.

Saturday would have been Jim's 76th birthday, a milestone his renal physician had correctly warned he would never reach. I'm not sure why this age came into their conversation - presumably in relation to someone who had or had not reached it. Another memory milestone for me, a chance to draw strength and give thanks. 

So at the end of this week, my car is working, I am fed and functional, if partially prehensiley challenged, my knitting is progressing, I am supported by family and friends and there are plenty of ideas to develop. Deo gratias. 

Post 488 Fairly short post

It's a short post today. I have a bandaged hand (more below) and typing is difficult. These sunrise shots were taken on Friday, from my bed. I love the play of light through the trees. 

It's been cold and on and off wet this week - neither a cause for complaint at this time of the year. 

Wednesday was our WES Group meeting, it was well-attended in spite of several apologies from members with colds, bronchitis and Covid. We are all so grateful to members for staying away when unwell. Hopefully they are on the way to recovery. 

We heard about different background media for embroidery - an extraordinary range, including wood, leaves. bark, leather and various forms of netting. I photographed a couple of the samples brought along.

This book arrived during the week - ready for a session later in the year on cruelty-free fabrics.  

I got a bit more ambitious with cooking this week. I cooked Duck a 'L'Orange for friends on Sunday and  on Monday I used a honey-olive oil glaze and haloumi with the Chicken Marylands. Both worked pretty well and both meals were relaxed and convivial. 

The downside was that with the duck I tried a potato recipe that suggested using a mandolin. I had forgotten I had one, which I haven't used in at least 6 years. Early on Sunday morning I got it out to try, grabbed a potato, completely forgetting the mandolin came with an implement for holding down the thing to be sliced, and promptly sliced through the ball of my thumb. I manage to staunch the bleeding, find a bandage, wrap it up tightly and cover the bandage with the last of a roll of elastoplast - all with my left hand.

I could see no point in going to a hospital for treatment. Emergency departments are stretched at the moment dealing with much more pressing things than cut fingers. I got through the day OK. It was a good meal and great company. The night was less relaxed. The wound ached and I slept badly. On Monday morning, after some searching online, I went to my local pharmacy to have the wound dressed but, in spite of advertising to the contrary, they had no trained staff. At this point I phone my GP Clinic to see if a nurse could dress it. After consulting my GP, the receptionist booked me in this morning. Last night I slept quite well. 

This morning the nurse had a great deal of trouble getting my bandage off, and when she did the wound began bleeding again. My GP decided it needed more than  her stitching skills and I now have an appointment tomorrow morning with a hand surgeon a few streets away - and an enormous bandage on my thumb.

I promised my GP I would come home and rest with my hand elevated. It is quite hard to do this while typing, so I will stop. My neighbour, who called in to borrow a key, has insisted on driving me to and from tomorrow's appointment.  I have antibiotics and painkillers. I haven't so far needed to use the latter. 

I can't believe I was so stupid, but I was, and I am fortunate to have the help I need.  I wonder if I will have to update my passport, because my fingerprint will change.         

I have 10 rows of 102 stitches to go to finish the St Brigid jumper. It is possible, but very slow, to knit those rows with my finger vertical as instructed.      I will let you know how I get on. The jumper is looking very good!     

The older two of my grandchildren have university exams this week, and the younger two are doing work experience. I hope they are all happy with their experiences and learning heaps. Their comments and observations are so interesting and insightful 

Post 487 Books, birds, bookings and bounty

I spent quite a bit of time this week looking at the sky. It has rained a lot. On Thursday night I drove home from friends' place at about 9pm. It was raining and the streets were awash. One stretch of suburban road was a sheet of water from one side to the other, my tyres spraying a wall of water into the air as I made my way. Fortunately there wasn't much traffic around. Adelaide drains are not built for torrential rain. 

The rain also delivered rainbows, and a few bursts of afternoon sun.

I have largely stuck to my knitting, but ventured out on Wednesday to my periodontist, who gave me a good dental clearance, but wouldn't venture an opinion on my jaw problem. Instead he referred me to a Orofacial Pain Clinic. I rang them straight away and got the next available appointment - on 21 December! It seems there is a bit of an outbreak of jaw problems, perhaps attributable to raised levels of stress in the community resulting in jaw clenching.  My problem is manageable, and I have registered for cancellations.

On Thursday, after Pilates, I took my Hap Stretcher to a friend's place and helped her stretch a lace shawl she has just finished. It looks fabulous - and we got the hang of the stretcher. Each time will be easier.

I also visited The Yarn Trader, and bought a copy of Kate Davies' Yokes book.

The pattern I am interested in (left) doesn't have a traditional yoke but I get why it qualifies. The book also has a lot of background on the history of yoked garments in Shetland, Iceland, Greenland and Norway - all grist for a WES session later this year.  When I've finished the knitting projects I have lined up, I hope to knit this one for myself.  

                            

        

Friday was the quarterly lunch with a group of friends, this time at Fugazzi Cafe & Bar in the city. We chose the tasting menu, which turned out to be a good move. The food was really good. These were the main course plates, Ricotta Gnocchi, a pork and fennel sausage pasta, wood-grilled southern calamari with Cannellini Bean & Caper Gremolata salads and straw fries.

We took our time. I caught the city loop bus and got there and back before the late afternoon rain

It was the King's Birthday long weekend for most Australian States, including South Australia, so no school on Monday and no family dinner for me to cater for. I used the time to progress St Brigid and catch up on some reading.

I've been reading Salonika Burning  by Gail Jones, a fictional account of Macedonia in August 1917 drawing on the documented experiences of four medical volunteers, Australians Miles Franklin and Olive King, Grace Pailthorpe, an English surgeon and Stanley Spencer, a medical orderly/painter. I was drawn to read it because my maternal grandfather was posted to Salonika with the Royal Fusiliers from December 1915- May 1917. Although I am wary of fictionalised accounts of fairly recent lives, I'm very glad I read it. It is a powerful evocation of a surgeon and well-intentioned volunteers trying to make sense of a war that is destroying lives they are trying to restore.

Magpies have been active in the Square - and one has visited my balcony, perhaps foraging as winter sets in.  I've been feeding my plants and am pleased with the strong revival of the poinsettia from a few Christmases ago. It has been alive, but without red until now. Perhaps it is preparing for Christmas in July.

Today roofers were meant to be redoing the flashing on the southern wall of my back balcony, but weren't evident - perhaps put off by the wet and windy conditions. The postman delivered my latest indulgence - a  heavy (in all senses) book in preparation for a WES session later this year on cruelty-free textiles.

At the moment I am half way up the second sleeve of the St Brigid jumper. Unless something goes wrong, I should have it finished before I post next week. I'm pleased with it - and striving to finish it before our Winter solstice.

I also booked myself in to a half-day class on steeking at the Yarn Trader in August. In for a penny.....

 

Post 486 A wee soft

There was an eerie glow over the city at sunset yesterday when I drove Niamh to her football bus stop. Once we were out of the building, it was evident that this was rain. The roads were wet, windscreen wipers going full pelt and heavier than usual traffic, yet from the apartment it merely looked a bit misty,  with all the buildings grey. It reminded me of what was referred to as 'a wee soft' by those I taught with in Scotland in 1972 - barely visible rain that nevertheless soaked you through.

I've not encountered this in Adelaide before. Apparently, had I looked East rather than West,  I'd have seen  a rainbow. 

Winter rain (and only Winter rain!) is the norm for Adelaide - showery rather than torrential, and that's what we've been getting, with a few hours of sun in mainly overcast days. 

I have had plenty to occupy me at home - some research for my brother, reading and a concerted effort to finish St Brigid. The latter came a bit adrift last night when I discovered I had underestimated the number of pattern repeats I had completed on the front. I got one side finished to the shoulder before I had the sense to place it against the back, discovering I was out by 22 rows. There was nothing for it but to undo back to the neck decrease (the point shown here) and knit another 22 full rows before trying again. 

While I am using a row counter to keep track of where I am within the 22 pattern rows, I relied on my memory for the number of pattern repeats, which are not easily discerned from the finished garment. Memory is OK - but I should have checked against the finished back before decreasing. To catch up today I have stuck to my knitting, following the sun from the back to the front balcony and then inside.  I have made up 19 of the missing rows and am 2 days behind where I expected to be. Not disastrous.

Before our Sit'nStitch on Friday I ventured warily to the Grange Hotel for lunch. I have been having a problem with the left side of my jaw. I'm not sure if this relates to an operation I had in 1984, or something else. A week ago, chewing calamari set off a lot of pain and jaw restriction which gradually improved throughout the week but left me cautious. Opting for grilled fish without chips worked well and I enjoyed the meal.

Luckily, I have my annual appointment with my periodontist tomorrow, so will hopefully get some indication of the cause of the problem.

Still on the health front, I have read a bit about the injectables recommended by my nephrologist and I remain sceptical. I will certainly seek further medical advice.

I interrupted my knitting today to fertilise my plants. Those on the back balcony are mostly doing well from the rain. The wall garden is spreading nicely.

Again, I've been playing with shapes, tracing the outlines of these leaves to create embroidery patterns. This one has potential - when I've finished my knitting... oh, and the Phoebe Ann Traquair piece I'm planning for next year...

Did I mention the extra alpaca wool I ordered from Adagio mills? They had some black and browns in stock. It runs out quickly, so I ordered some for a shawl. When it arrived I liked it so much I ordered more (enough for 3 shawls) while stocks lasted. It arrived this week, along with a complementary ball of a new line. Now I've got an idea for that....