Post548 Birds, blue moon, blanket and bookmarks.

It has been mostly cloudy with periodic rain showers  all week, but the doves seem to find a happy balcony place in the short bursts of sun. On Friday they spent more than an hour making the most of a rare break in the gloom.

 

It was, however, pleasantly warm on Wednesday at the Guild. 

We had a very successful WES meeting, in which the 5 of us who had entries in the Guild's SALA Exhibition talked about our pieces. All had multiple pieces, three involved fabric hand-painted and dyed , using both acrylic and watercolour paints. One black  background involved bleach. All were really creative. Most involved some form of recycling or working with waste materials. Photos are not allowed, so I can't show.

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After Pilates on Thursday I dropped in on the friend newly out of hospital. Great to see him in recovery mode, looking much as normal as he prepares for the next round of treatment.  I visited again on Sunday and stayed for dinner.

I did my shop for Monday dinner at Frewville on Friday, timing it so I could have a very  late lunch at Mr Nick's, a very generous, freshly grilled flathead.

Family travel meant I stayed home on Saturday night. In the morning I made what I thought would be a quick trip to BigW at Cumberland Park to pick up  some Revlon lipstick on special for loyalty card holders and three recommended books. 

The lipstick was relatively straightforward (allowing for all the missing testers!) but,  as usual, I eventually needed help to find the books on the stands labelled by price, or by genre, or by popularity. My librarian brain was itching to impose a single organisational method and alphabetical order. I guess their ability to discount price depends on no employment of an organiser.  Maybe I need to pay more at a bookshop.

I thought I had well adapted to my new coffee machine. It is simpler to use but, on its maximum cup size settings, my double shot flat white ends up around 300 mls compared with about 400 mls in the old one. The taste is great and caffeine content  equivalent. For years now, while on my own, I have used about 5 of the coffee mugs I own - those that will hold 400 mls. Suddenly I can rotate through a wider range. It is uplifting to drink from mugs with memories, like this one, which was one of a pair given to me (I’m pretty sure, for my 21st birthday, but possibly wedding) by a friend whose name was very similar to mine, resulting in confusion when we collected our teachers' college pay cheques!.The pair of mugs were once used daily, which is how one got broken. I’m very glad this one survived.Others bought while travelling are also triggering happy memories.  

This morning I failed to notice the machine was out of beans, which triggered a symbol to add ground coffee. I eventually obeyed and drank the result but went into a mild panic when I couldn't get rid of the ground coffee mode. After reading the manual (no help) turning the machine on and off, walking away and returning a couple of hours later, I figured it out. Phew!  Living alone as I age seems to involve a frequent panics until I work out when I need help and when I can find my own way through a change. 

I've been racing to advance the healing blanket for my friend before he enters the next phase of his cancer treatment. I've aimed for 2 squares a day but have only managed that once. I am now managing 1-1.5 per day. The photo represents the halfway mark. The two columns on the right are stitched together but the left column is work in progress. The pattern dictates each motif is worked in only one colour and the placement is very regular. At the moment I am maintaining the colour sequence, but varying the motifs within each colour. It makes it more interesting to knit, and, I hope, for the user. I have completed two more squares since the photo was taken. I'm blocking each one as I finish.

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There were 9 of us for dinner last night and all managed to dodge the rain. There was, however, no chance of seeing the Super Blue Moon at 6 pm, even if conversation had been interrupted.

Today has remained fairly gloomy, but there was a cloud break tonight in time for a moon shot.

I was cheered by the arrival from the printer. of my latest bookmark efforts.  The Agave one on the left is for my Pilates classmates. The others are pure indulgence - for myself and anyone interested!

(Now how would that moon go as a bookmark?)

 

Post 547 Early signs of Spring

 

It was relatively busy at the Guild on Wednesday when I did 'hostess' duty. The SALA exhibition is on in the Gallery, staffed today by 3 members of the NoLimits Group. They directed visitors to the Museum display in the house, so showing them around, or directing them to the display, fell to me. To be a good example I embroidered at my station, rather than knitting, finishing another flannel flower centre for (yet another) bag (top). At home I finished another for the back of the bag.

Several visitors (including Lori, a wonderful ex-member of WESGroup) asked about the Ink&Spindle linen and I promised to send them the link. When I got home and checked it out, I&S had several bag-sized remnants on sale. Do I need to say more? 

These arrived on Monday. There's enough for 7 tote bags. I hope someone, somewhere, wants one.  I counted the pieces I already had earmarked for bags. With the new linens I now have 20 bags to make. 

I seem to have joined the ranks of those who undertake an activity because they can. Even so, I promise to buy no more linen.

I spent an hour at the dentist on Friday morning, with both dentist and hygienist working on and checking my teeth. I am full of admiration of their professionalism and thoroughness. A chipped filling was repaired and 3 ‘watch’ items added to the dentist’s notes. Afterwards I went for a walk in the nearby Himeji Garden. It is a beautiful, peaceful and contemplative place, always providing new points of interest.

This group of trees will look very different soon.

I've been following the dermatologist's instructions re the abscess diagnosed last week. The course of antibiotics is finished and seems to have had the desired effect. I'm still using antibacterial solutions and exercising caution.

Because of this, I have been at home a lot of the week.  This has enabled me to finish one of each of the 6 blocks in the healing blanket. I blocked them and put them together in the order recommended.  There will  be two more horizontal rows added below these, and five more vertical rows. It's good to get the schema clear in my head.

I have finished  and blocked two more since. 

The weather is warming and the first signs of Spring - increased bird activity - are evident.  Rosellas were active outside the dentist on Friday but I didn't manage to photograph. 

Around my eastern balcony the doves are very active.

I'm keeping an eye out for budding on the sticks behind. The lorikeets and rosella will spot them before me!

The town is abuzz with SALA (South Australian Living Arts) which occurs each August. Local artists exhibit in any available space, halls, shops, streets, businesses, studios, foyers. It has been a bit sparce during COVID but has returned this year with a vengeance. The A3 catalogue has 63 pages, listing 10598 artists over more than 700 venues. It's a  bit overwhelming. 

On Saturday, on the recommendation of a Guild member who is exhibiting there, I visited the backyard studio of textile artist Alli Symons. Her work is varied and very interesting - dolls from her own clothing fabric, collages, felt works, embroidered fabric. I spend the best part of an hour talking to her. 

That left Sunday as very much not a day of rest. I changed the bedding, did the washing and hung it out, prepared a moussaka and cleaned up the kitchen afterwards before falling in a heap. In short breaks I managed to read the lengthy Strata AGM agenda, email a question to our rep and work out what I now think I need to do to replace my bed. There's a way to go with the latter, but I think I now know the questions to ask of salespeople. 

Having made the moussaka on Sunday, Monday was fairly relaxed. Niamh arrived with a request to alter her winter school uniform. We worked out a new hem length and some tucks to reduce the waist size. Luckily I had brown thread in the machine, so did the tucks, shortened the lining, cut off the hem fold-over and overstitched the new edge. It was then easy to turn a new hem and stitch it by hand. Job done well before it was time to set the table for dinner.

This evening I ran up a fairly crude pencil case from the off-cut.

After a podiatry appointment this morning I returned home to tidy for the cleaners and go over my preparation for tomorrow's WES Group. We are going to discuss the group's SALA entries, on display around us. I need to remind myself of the detail of the lives of my Early Women of the Book.

I expect to take down my balcony sign tomorrow, when my friend goes home from hospital with instructions to build strength for chemotherapy in a few weeks time. It feels unlucky to take the sign down before he leaves the hospital. 

My other friend with cancer, is in respite care and a fair bit of pain.

It's been dry and fairly warm so far this week, but that's about to change to rain and lower temperatures in a few days, so we are all making the most of it. 

It's almost time to fertilise my plants. They are beginning provide a lovely cheerful display of colour on the eastern balcony. 

Now back to tomorrow's notes - and knitting!

Post 546 One foot up and one foot down

On Wednesday I had a fairly slow start, but got the washing out by 8.30 and eventually got back to the Jura shop to return 5 unopened filters for the old coffee machine which they swapped for the new machine’s filters. -

I took myself on to the parklands for a short walk, checking out the birds and tree growth. It’s a while since I’ve been. The eastern section of the creek is dry.  

The wattle is blooming on cue. 

August 1st was always Wattle Day to my mother, who had celebrated it at school, a curriculum item that no longer applied when I went to school, but the wattle doesn’t forget.

This tree is doing its best to imitate a reindeer. 

I had cancelled Pilates on Thursday in favour of a haircut followed by an afternoon performance by the Choir of Kings College Cambridge at the Adelaide Town Hall. 

I woke in time to capture the sun rise just following the moonrise. Around 8.30am I had several strange emails from Musica Viva, the sponsors of the choir, with new receipts and a reissued ticket. Eventually an email explained that the seat I had originally booked (from the Musica Viva website) did not exist and they had found me another seat!

Like many venues in Adelaide, the Town Hall is being renovated. It currently covered in scaffold. Inside there are new seats - iron backs with slight padding. The numbers are on the front edge of the base, so you have to raise the seat - or get on the floor - to see. I was there early enough to watch the confusion and join in the communal instructions as others arrived.

PROGRAM

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Zadok the Priest, HWV 258 (1727)

Giovanni GABRIELI (c. 1554-1612)O magnum mysterium (1587)

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992)Les Anges, from La Nativité du Seigneur (1935)

Morten LAURIDSEN (b 1943) O magnum mysterium (1994)

Olivier MESSIAEN Transports de joie, from L'Ascension (1933-34)

Edgar BAINTON (1880-1956)And I Saw a New Heaven (1928)

Damian BARBELER (b 1972) [music] and Judith Nangala CRISPIN (b 1970) [poem] Charlotte (2023)

NTERVAL

Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Requiem, Op. 9 (1948)

I’m a fan of this choir, and it's good to hear the organ being played. Photography during the performance is, of course, not permitted.

I enjoyed the first half but bailed at interval. I was uncomfortable on the seat, my sciatic was flairing and I couldn’t face another 45 minutes, so came home and found a recording of the Durufle Requiem to listen to.

It was lovely on the balcony in the sun - with a cup of coffee. Durefle hasn't touched the pedestal on which I have the Faure Requiem!.

I had finished the first pocket for the Cardigan on Wednesday. I knitted a small hem at the top, turned it under and stitched it down. I think the strengthening might be needed, but I wanted the pattern to match unobtrusively on the outside.

Before starting the second pocket I took a short break  to dip into my next project.

This is the first square of a healing blanket for my hospitalised friend, using Martin Storey's Midwinter Blanket pattern and Rowan Felted Tweed. It requires following a chart  closely, but maybe after 8 of them I might have it in my memory!

I like the result, so  satisfied that I returned to the second pocket of the cardigan before a relatively early night, waking to a sunrise that seemed to reflect the knitted square of the night before at least in colour terms!

I had plenty of time to knit over the weekend, in between preparing for Monday’s dinner. Saturday night was the fund-raising quiz night and auction for Veronica’s Cambodia trip, so no dinner. I supplied some items for the auction but did not attend. It raised $19,000, a huge credit to the 17 girls involved (and their long suffering parents)!

My hospitalised friend underwent a major operation on Saturday and is recovering in a room facing the other way. So far, so good.

I haven’t made pies for a while and I don’t think I have ever served these together before. Both are from my well-worn copy of The Food of Greece by Vilma Liacouras Chantiles (1979). The round one is Kotopita (chicken pie with cheese and herbs) and the rectangular Pastitsio Makatinia me Feta ( pastitsio with feta cheese). 

They were both well received, but there was too much liquid in the chicken one - I’m not sure why - possibly too much stock in the bechamel.

We had 8 for dinner. I made a batch of lemonade scones (in case we needed more carbohydrate, which, of course we didn’t). As always, great to catch up with the kids’ activities (parents, I’m afraid, didn’t get much of a look-in). I’m grateful for some gift chocolates which I sampled tonight.

I finished the second pocket. I will stitch them on next time the cardigan and I are in the same city! 

I am now focused on the healing blanket, beginning by knitting one of each of the six motifs which will appear in varying numbers in the 35 square blanket.  I've completed 3.

I had my annual visit to the dermatologist yesterday. She has frozen off a couple of harmless but itchy growths behind my right knee and given me antibiotics for an inflamed cyst. If this hasn’t healed by Friday she will arrange a visit to a surgeon.🤞🏼 

I woke this morning as the birds returned from their overnight roost and managed a quick photo from bed. I had had a very late night and managed to sleep another couple of hours before I faced the day.

I spent the afternoon helping a friend with an insurance claim, and managed to finish the third square for the blanket. 

I'm now tired and ready for bed. Tomorrow is my monthly Hostess day at the Guild and a daughter's birthday. I do hope she has a happy one. 

Post 545 The still point of the turning wheel.

First thing on Wednesday I made the dress repair for which I bought thread last week. It was a fairly straightforward job once I got the heavier thread in the machine.  I then posted the finished cardigan, bought milk, and  prepared entries for the Guild's SALA Exhibition. Details of the cardigan are in my embroidery blog.

I have a lot of wool left over, including 5 untouched balls (on the right of photo). Plenty for pockets.

As I had a very late toasted cheese sandwich lunch, I took the opportunity to have a cup of soup. Guild friend Lee had given to me a packet to try - pumpkin soup with croutons -  as she thought it was excellent. Of course, she was right. I've subsequently tried the same brand tomato and parmesan, which is OK, but I agree the pumpkin is better. I have a good supply.

On Thursday I gave in and took my coffee machine to be repaired. The selection dial has not been working properly for a week and I've lived in hope of a miracle but that morning it died altogether. It is a solid, heavy machine. I emptied the water tank, cleaned it, found a large box in which I could carry it and set off for the Jura service agent. As usual, there was no parking outside, so I parked over their driveway, and left my boot open while I carried it in. I hate being without my machine. 

From the Jura shop I went on to the Guild to drop of my 7 SALA entries and buy a few bits and pieces from the shop.  I have entered 3 tote bags embroidered on Ink and Spindle linen, the two embroidered faces bags and two printed bags derived from those bags. They fitted nicely in my large exhibition bag

I was now (unusually) early for Pilates, so called at Queen St Cafe for a scrambled eggs with salmon and mushroom lunch. Unusually there were two classes in the Pilates studio, so 7 students and two instructors. Afterwards I dropped the mended dress and Guild purchases off before returning home, abandoning my plan to look at mattresses. That process requires unpressured time, and by 2.30pm I had had enough. 

The cardigan arrived at its destination and was a success. Whew! I have started knitting pockets which will be added later. 

In the meantime I have progressed one of the large sashiko Galaxy Dreaming squares.

On Friday I visited a Guild friend. She is working a stunning silk and gold piece - an ecclesiastical style. I stopped on the way home to buy ground coffee for my plunger - my go-to fallback while my coffee machine is being serviced. I didn't yet have a quote, so I bought a kilo of ground coffee.

Back at home in the late afternoon, another friend rang from the hospital I can see from my balcony, to tell me they have been diagnosed with cancer. They are to be operated on as soon as blood-thinners wear off. It's another shock. They are in good spirits and will see it through. 

After Book Club on Sunday I made a sign for my balcony which I hoped can be seen from the hospital.  They can see the banner, but can’t read it. It does at least make me feel as if I have done something. I have blocked the name out in the photo for privacy reasons. On the advice of one of our Book Club members I painted it on green cloth. My neighbours may be more tolerant of a sign if they associate it with the Olympics! Unfortunately the gold glitter paint I have wouldn't show up! So far no complaints.

Yesterday the Jura technician phoned with a quote for fixing my coffee machine, which is 9 years old.  Replacing the worn-out dial is expensive. It is possible to do a service and lock the dial on to my usual setting, with no movement possible. On balance, I decided to replace it. This morning I called in, had a lesson, and collected my new machine. I set it up as soon as I got home and tried it out. It is simpler than the old machine - and the coffee is good! I have yet to accustom myself to the cleaning and maintenance routines, which will be the real test.  A friend called in and gave her coffee a tick of approval! (I have about 750gm of surplus ground coffee).

Today was capped off with a dinner guest - an old university friend's son who is working in Adelaide for the week. As usual, I only managed to remember to take photos of the food before it went into the oven. Haloumi slices were added ( and a bit overcooked by the time I served) but it went well and we found plenty to talk about.

It has felt a bit as if there is some wheel of fortune thing working for me over the last couple of weeks - the demise of  the bed, the coffee machine, a chair; two friends with cancer. My rational brain says stuff always wears out, gets replaced and we adapt.  I have a great renovated chair and a new coffee machine. The bed is working at the moment and I will get to replace it when things settle down.  Friends are getting the best medical attention possible. I'm finishing (and starting!) projects, connected to family and good friends and meeting new people. The wheel of fortune turns continually. If we cling on we go down but up again. Change - and decay - is normal and inevitable.  Yet after seven decades even small changes are a bit scary. 

At the moment I'm trying to hold myself in the still centre.

Post544 An odd kind of week.

There is not a lot to show for the last week. Following my back problem and the mattress rotation, I woke on Wednesday morning with no back issue at all. It has continued thus. Following the advice/urging/nagging of a couple of concerned friends (thank you!) I did some research, made several phone calls and identified a likely replacement mattress, and a company that a) has it on sale b) will remove the old mattress at the same time as delivering the new and c) will recycle the old mattress. I have not as yet visited and purchased, mainly because it has been a week when it seemed difficult to find a block of time to do it without pressure. Tomorrow is looking good.  

It has rained fairly steadily all week and a couple of days were very cold for Adelaide. On Friday afternoon I stitched with a friend, continuing my knitting. 

Much of my week has been spent racing to finish the Aztec cardigan, shopping/cooking for a Sunday lunch and Monday dinner and reading to work out what to recommend  for our Book Club August meeting.  

On Saturday the butcher couldn't supply the 12 chicken Marylands I asked for, so I settled for 9 Maryland and 8 legs. My intention was to cook 3 legs for Sunday lunch with friends and the remainder on Monday for family. I got the chicken marinade (olive oil, honey and lemon) organised on Saturday afternoon and cooked a big pot of rice to leave spread out in the fridge overnight, ready to make fried rice to go with the chicken.

Just as the chicken went into the oven on Sunday, a phone call brought the news that my lunch guests were in a doctor's surgery after a night of pain. One of them called me again a couple of hours later, on his way home with antibiotics, an appointment for an MRI and blood tests and instructions to eat little. You may remember this happened a few weeks ago, and yes, the same friends. I have got over the fear I am a Jonah!  There are no results as yet and I have my fingers crossed for my friend's health. 

Monday's dinner dealt with the bulk of the chicken and rice while I caught up with study, sporting and a little work news.It also delivered a ball dress with a hem to fix. It is a simple enough task, but does require matching thread.

 I have a match, but it is finer than the original, so today I visited Riverlea Quilts and got what I think is a match in a suitable weight. It's a while since I visited the shop. She has a fabulous range of Sashiko and Japanese fabrics and threads. I wanted to show a bit more support than a single spool of thread, so bought a book I've been thinking about for a while. 

I set it aside, however, to finish off the cardigan. this afternoon. I have needed to do quite a bit of adaptation and adjustment since construction, because the sleeve insets were too tight. I will write this up in detail in my Embroidery blog, but I'm hopeful this is now ready to wear, and it will be on its way tomorrow.

I have quite a lot of wool left from this project, certainly enough to add large pockets if required. There is also a Kaffe Fassett pattern in this month's Piecework  magazine for a bench cushion in a similar pattern that could be adapted. 

I'm debating whether to knit this year's Shetland Wool Week hat next, or to move on to one of my many waiting embroidery projects.

I had a couple of long phone discussions with friends during the week. Lorraine, who has been in and out of hospital, is in respite care in the care home in her retirement village. She is very pleased to be there and has asked me to visit next week.

It has been an odd kind of week, a lot of discussion and the unexpected, but not a lot that converts to image.