On my mind…

All things health,

Whats on my mind this week is exercise
or rather the need for some new exercise equipment

These very comfortable but rather well worn
runners/trainers/sneakers recently took a one way trip to the tip

They’d walked many miles here and overseas and had been lurking in the back of the wardrobe for a few years while others (I.e. newer ones) were having fun in the sun
Now I feel it really is time replace ‘the others’ – to trade them in (figuratively not literally)

So I am looking at new ones
BUT
Have you seen the price of them recently?!

One of my daughters is a runner/walker – for several years she took part in the Melbourne Oxfam Trailwalker event  – a fundraiser where teams have to cover 100km in 48 hrs, yes, she did it five times (yes, she became a legend who achieved her goal) and I have to say I admired her for doing it each year – anyway she had goodness knows how many pairs of runners.  I’m sure she told me each pair played a certain role – some were for use on bush and forest trails as well as those for general running – paid – and still does – what to me seems like the earth for them and actually keeps a check on the mileage that they do – seems there is a recommended lifetime for all of them so when they get close to that time out comes another pair.

That’s alright if you can afford it I suppose
but what options are there for the general public

Do you take the time and trouble of visiting a specialist shoe store where they will measure your foot and talk about what you doing  – bit  like going to a hairdresser for the first time or do you visit a large department store where you can try and buy much more cheaply and hope they are comfortable?

Every health practitioner I’ve seen about my spine has told me to ‘help my back’ and tone my body I need to eat a balanced diet and do more exercise.  This new fitness whatever that I’m on means I’m going to have to attempt a lot more walking,  locally in the park or by going to the gym

So I need to go shopping somewhere soon for new shoes to keep my feet moving in the style they deserve.

Wont be today though…..it’s Monday- pool day.
I can walk (run even) in there without the need for shoes.
Just have to finish my tea first – then let my brekky go down- then I’ll be off.

There are websites and there are deep rabbit holes……

All things books, All things craft

You know your friends know and understand you when they send you things like this


One also sent me a link to a section at Trove containing ‘very old’ knitting patterns – https://trove.nla.gov.au/about –

Trove is an Australian online library database owned by the National Library of Australia in which it holds partnerships with source providers National and State Libraries Australia, source

Vintage knitting patterns from newspapers & magazines : https://bit.ly/3NsUt1p

And….if you love old magazines, here’s a copy of The Australian Women’s Mirror dated 26 August 1953 to read
📷: https://bit.ly/3mhFyLL

And….as a treat perhaps this might interest you

Cosy knitted brassiere – using ‘silver sheen’ 2ply with UK size 11/3.00mm

The pattern can be found here – https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22174651

This is one rabbit hole I’m not going to want to come out of 😊
~ ~ ~

And talking of rabbits – we grabbed a quick photo
before my friend took these off to her house for safekeeping

I do have some other things on the go….
A bit of craft for those in need – back to the little ones….must use up some odds and ends before they breed 😊

And the new book club read – A Sand Archive – very Australian…not too far from here

Seeking stories of Australia’s Great Ocean Road, a young writer stumbles across a manual from a minor player in the road’s history, FB Herschell. It is a volume unremarkable in every way, save for the surprising portrait of its author that can be read between its lines: a vision of a man who writes with uncanny poetry about sand.

in the mean time, now my eyes are ‘under control’ again, I’m changing my name to Alice (which just happened to be my mum’s name😊) and am going back down, down down deeper than down….’you know where’

I’m sharing this post with ‘Unraveled Wednesday ‘ hosted by Kat


Forget the ‘yarn snobs’…it’s a Long Weekend!

All things, All things craft, ,

I should have known better….it’s not as if I don’t have enough to keep me busy during the week….anyway I said maybe when a friend asked …..and then allowed myself to be persuaded……to go along with her to a newly formed ‘drop in’ craft group…..held at one of our larger local libraries
That’s where I came across it again. It being almost a ‘wool/yarn one-upmanship’
A certain type of snobbery that lingers amongst some members of the craft community

Settling in for the morning I spent a lot of time fielding various questions

  • What are you knitting?
  • What are you using?
  • Why on earth are you using that?
  • Oh I wouldn’t use that in a million years!
  • My dear, you should be buying this, that and the other
  • I spin (and dye) my own…always have….always will!

It’s difficult explaining to some the needs and wants of charity knitting. Charities need knitters to provide something warm for someone/something to wear – some will accept items knit with wool (natural fibre) others prefer acrylic (man made). Pros and cons for each yarn. Some refugee charities want flame resistant wool only; because donations are sent to ‘camps’ where open fires are used. Some homeless/ disadvantaged charities ask for acrylic; because laundering and drying (when possible) is a great deal easier.

I’ve often spoken about my choice of yarn to knit with (for charities) and this was the first time ever I had to defend it (plus my choice of using straight needles rather than circular or even DPNs). It was all rather strange and a bit disappointing. I then discovered this was actually an established group (who mentioned they preferred to be called fibre artists). who’d moved to the library – a cheaper meeting place option for them but advertising the group was part of ‘the deal’. 
I said goodbye ‘nicely’ and left wondering if I’d return.
My friend had no issues and was all for it….
Somehow I think my answer is no.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All that is now at the back of my mind as I slowly wake up this early Monday morning here in Melbourne- the 2nd Monday in March is an annual public holiday to ‘celebrate’ Labour Day – giving us a long weekend…..which Australians never say no to😊
It’s been almost like BC – before Covid – so much to see and do, things going on in the city – statewide as well. Moomba’s been the main one, with the parade and the Birdman Rally back again this year, and there’s been festivals associated with (to name a few) Potato, Food and Wine, Light, Music (folk, jazz, bush, Celtic) plus cultural ones as well

https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/moomba-festival
https://secretmelbourne.com/things-to-do-melbourne-weekend/. 
https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/labour-day-melbourne

Labour Day celebrates the achievements of workers advocating eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.source

So why the photo of an umbrella – stapler – desiccated coconut and a pillow

Well these will be handy in some places in the world

Because it seems 13 March 2023 is

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/open-an-umbrella-indoors-day/

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fill-our-staplers-day/

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/coconut-torte-day/

and the pillow is especially for those who turned their clocks forward last night

National Napping Day

Oh and here’s a little gem about a March 13th happening
(from the days before professional soccer players ruled the game)

In 1875 March 13th was on a Saturday. The Royal Engineers played against the Old Etonians in the fourth Football Association Challenge Cup Final.

* ……The first match was notable chiefly because it was played in a “howling gale”. The conditions considerably favoured the Etonians team, which had the wind at its backs for all but 10 minutes of the 90, and all 30 minutes of extra time (teams in this period changed ends after every goal- this game was the last to feature this rule)

This game was a draw…..the replay(which The Engineers won) was 3 days later

Cuthbert Ottaway (Old Etonians) received an ankle injury and did not recover in time for the replay…

*…..Etonians also lost the services of three other players who had prior commitments. Unable to obtain adequate replacements, the Old Boys arrived at the ground an hour late and lost the delayed replay 0–2

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1875_FA_Cup_final

#enjoyeverymoment

Linking to  Wednesday’s Words & Pics hosted by Denyse. 

Gonna be a bear….

All things fun

Ladies – this will cheer you up.
Especially those in the Northern Hemisphere still feeling the cold

GONNA BE A BEAR.

In this life I am a woman. In my next life I’d like to come back as a bear.

When you’re a bear you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for 6 months of the year. I could deal with that!

Before you hibernate you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid.

I could deal with that!

When you’re a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) whilst you ‘sleep’ and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. 

I could deal with that!

If you’re a Mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.

I could deal with that!

If you are a bear, your mate expects you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS you to have hairy legs and excess bodyfat.

Yep! Gonna be a bear.

(Found online so take with a pinch of salt)

Fun Friday – the day you put all the worries of the week behind you

(A little info on black bears)

Almost like new again…..

All things

From the amount of photos I post from there
You must think I spend all of my a lot of time at the library.
That’s not quite true…. it’s just that things ‘catch my eye’ when I am there

Last November I was thinking how tired and weathered the outside seating looked
It’s no wonder when you think of all the rain we’ve had over the past couple of years

12 November 2022
6 March 2023

See what a fresh coat of stain can do…..looking almost like new again.
I wouldn’t mind a fresh coat of something if it’d make me new again!

My ‘dry eyes’ problem has re-emerged …..red & prickly – wet & watery – you name it It’s there plus running out of the optometrist recommend drops hasn’t helped either. It means a trip to a discount chemist or pay the earth at our local pharmacy so in the meantime I’ve been limiting book reading as well as screen time. Thank goodness for posts already scheduled then published over the past week

The other side of the lane…..

All things craft, All things travel

Was entirely different to the one I showed you last month.
https://cranethie.com/2023/02/06/mackay-street-art/

The light was different – it was in the shade
The ‘canvas’ the artists had to work with was entirely different
Large walls and the sides of two story buildings

These are just a few more of the murals in Fifth Lane Mackay

Sunny side
In the shade


If you want to see it best……Click/ tap or finger slide to enlarge

https://www.mackay.qld.gov.au/facilities/council_facilities/fifth_lane_street_art

Click to access 5th_Lane_Street_Art_DL_Final_ART.pdf

For more wonderful art – pop over to Monday Murals hosted by Sami
it’s a colourful world over there with lots to see

Would you do it….

All things books,

The Leisure Seeker ~ Michael Zadoorian. (2009)

Book Blurb.
The unforgettable cross country journey of a runaway couple in their twilight years determined to meet the end of all roads on their own terms

The Leisure Seeker” is the story of John and Ella Robina, a couple married 50+ years – she has stopped her cancer treatments, he has Alzheimer’s – who kidnap themselves from the adult children and the doctors who seem to run their lives, and steal off on a forbidden vacation…..”

A ‘small short’ easy to read book containing a lot to think about and digest.
It Is as described, about 2 seniors who, without telling their children, go off on a trip – making their way down Route 66 (or what’s left of it) to Disneyland – in their very old motor home.

Much of it is about how they relate to each other, how Ella copes with John’s dementia- the strains of illnesses progressing with no cure in sight for either of them.

There is lots of love shown by John when he’s lucid, bickering by both of them when things don’t go quite right. Accepting their children are worried yet determined to do this trip – to the end of the road.

And it’s at the end of the road that the touchy subject is raised. John didn’t know it but neither of them were going home.

Seemingly promoted as a romantic comedy….yes at times it’s a ‘fun humorous’ read – but it’s much more than that.

It makes you wonder about ageing, terminal illnesses, then (spoiler)‘…..’mercy killing aka murder/suicides’ – are they ‘loving or selfish’ acts.
As much as you loved someone- would you do it?
… … … …

Read February 2023.
I saw this recommended on another blog – true to form I’ve forgotten where!.
I’m wondering if anyone else has read this book – if so, how did you feel about it?

A professional review
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-feb-17-et-book17-story.html

Linking to  Wednesday’s Words & Pics hosted by Denyse. 

3 Large & 2 Small….

All things books, All things craft,

Sounds like something from a television show 😊

‘The Trio’ is finally finished and on its way to the charity. In the end I was quite pleased with them and maybe- just maybe- might be inclined to knit some more of that size…..sometime.

Sirdar 3213, 4265, 4273 – Size 26 chest


~ ~ ~ ~ ~

No sooner had I started to think about the Rabbit Project from last month than I had a call from a friend just returned from interstate telling me about her new Gt granddaughter.
Her very first Gt grandchild!


‘She was born just after the Lunar New Year- she’s a rabbit….her mother had a rabbit as a special toy when she was a child, I must see if I can find one for my little darling.’

And you can guess what happened after that😊

‘Cathy, if I provide the wool would you do me a favour – there’ll be no hurry- I was thinking, possibly for winter next year’

There was no need to think about it….of course I would.
Within days yarn in ‘deep’ soft colours arrived (not too light – not too dark), size (to fit 18mths) style (cardigan plus easy fit jumper) and chart design were agreed on

So all that was left was for me to start.

Much love is being knit into these garments – for the new life that will get to wear them and for the sweet sister who loved to wear hers


******

At the moment I’m listening to:-
Oscar and Lucinda – Peter Carey…….although I think maybe reading it might be better – I’m having a problem with the narrator’s voice.

At the moment I’m reading:-
The Tea Rose – Jennifer Donnelly…..just started and I think I’ll be at it quite a while. The copy I have is over 500 pages. If I fancy the other two in the series …..well, let’s just finish this one first 😊

And I guess I won’t be reading Jane Harper’s new release anytime soon. Exiles – Aaron Falk #3 – has an enormous hold list…..I’m there at 306…..bets on it could be May at least before I’m in the top 10!. I found The Dry a bit slow, enjoyed Force of Nature much more, hopefully this one (when I get it) is better still.


Wednesday is the day Kat hosts ‘Unraveled Wednesday ‘
I’m not sure where the month went but this is the first Wednesday in March so I’m sharing my post – pop over and discover what others are knitting, reading and talking about

#enjoyeverymoment

Say goodbye to February…..

All things

This might be of interest to some of you – I find it fascinating.
AI – artificial intelligence.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence

WordPress is trialling a new experimental ‘robotic’ feature
‘AI paragraph ‘
Enter a title and it will come up with some paragraphs relevant to those words.
I tried it several times and received a similar but different ‘post’ each time.
(I’ve copied and pasted some to form this one post but there were more
each slightly different to the other – skip to the end if you don’t want to read them all)
(geared to northern hemisphere)

There are other online ways and means to get similar results
No wonder schools and other educational organisations are concerned.
ChatGPT writes smart essays

~ ~ ~ ~
Say goodbye to February 1

February is finally drawing to a close and it’s time to bid farewell to the shortest month of the year.  As the days get longer we are excitedly preparing for the upcoming months and all the fun activities that come with them.

Even if the nights might remain cool for some time there’s no denying the promise of spring is already in the air   Now that February departures its time to welcome back blooming flowers lighter clothing and a sense of renewal that has been absent since the beginning of winter 

Let’s make the most of these last days. Whether you decide to hit the ski fields for one last run embrace a cozy evening at home or start planning for upcoming holidays make sure you take the time to enjoy what February has to offer before bidding this month farewell 

~ ~ ~ ~
Say goodbye to February 2

February is coming to an end, and with its end comes the welcoming of the new season, spring! It’s time to say goodbye to the winter blues and hello to the new green leaves of spring.

The March days ahead are full of possibilities and adventure, with warmer temperatures and longer days. This is the perfect time to break out your warm clothing, get outside, and enjoy the change in the environment. Perhaps you could pick some flowers or start your own garden – the opportunities are endless.

Take some time this month to make memories and explore the beautiful outdoors. Laugh with your loved ones and make plans for the days ahead. You will soon be surrounded with the colors of the new season – from the fresh blooms of vibrant yellows and purples, to the deep greens of trees coming back to life.

As February comes to an end, take some time to reflect and appreciate the beauty of the natural world around you. When you find yourself missing this winter month, remember the memories you created and all the exciting things to look forward to in the months ahead. Say goodbye to February and hello to the beautiful season of spring!


~ ~ ~ ~
Say goodbye to February 3

We bid farewell to February – a month of cold days and shorter days. But as we move into March, we can look forward to exciting new things and warm days ahead. Soon the birds will be singing, the trees will be budding, and the grass will be growing lush and green – a renewed and vibrant landscape.

As we take time to appreciate the beauty of Spring, let us take a moment to consider all that this month has meant both to us, and the world. February filled us with the spirit of love, joy, and togetherness, and amidst the winter weather we found creative ways to stay connected to each other and the world.

Say goodbye to February, but also thank it for all it has given us. Here’s to a wonderful start to March, a month that will no doubt be packed full of new experiences, exciting moments, and unbeatable beauty.

~ ~ ~ ~
Say goodbye to February 4

February has been a busy and eventful month. We said hello to longer days and new beginnings, celebrated Valentine’s Day and perhaps even enjoyed the last cold snaps of winter.

But now, it’s time to say goodbye to February and move into March with all of the new possibilities that it brings. As the days get longer with more sunshine, and the temperature begins to rise, so do our spirits. We enjoy nature that’s seemingly coming alive before our eyes as gardens and parks begin to bloom. The birds are singing. The sky is full of color. Oh, March!

It’s time to start thinking of warmer days and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, playing outdoor sports and simply taking some time to enjoy the beauty of nature. This is a great time of year to get active and promote wellness in our lives.

Let’s say goodbye to February and hello to the possibilities that March brings us.

~ ~ ~ ~

AI – artificial intelligence.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence

Something to think about on Monday morning as I enjoy my early morning cuppa.
A machine able to write my blog posts – interesting and on the surface FUN.
Hmm…I wonder if it’s clever enough to fix my commenting on other blogs problem???


Looking at life….

All things, ,

‘So how’s your February been’ someone asked at book club
‘Not too bad’ I replied. Getting used to some of those little changes I spoke about at the end of January and finding answers to others that had been bothering me.

The main one is all those blood tests came back normal- nothing to see there at all.
GP has been scratching his head, suggested that yes, maybe a sudden change in weather could put people off colour, I’m feeling much better so we’ll just plod along as usual.

The local gym being flooded in a January storm (planned reopening March) hasn’t helped the fitness intentions we discussed – means I’m back to using our equipment at home and we all know what that means. Those little 30/60 secs break between sets sometimes result in a longer than necessary sit down often with hot drink and…..don’t tell anyone

maybe even a sweet biscuit!.

So I’ve been using the pool more often which has certainly loosened up the back so much so there was a little bit of gardening going on. All that rain brought on another flush of roses – plus oodles more weeds. We enjoyed the last of them (the roses not the weeds) on the outside table and this week, just like the lady in Gilbert’s painting, I’ve been tidying up and dead heading

Gardening – Victor Gabriel Gilbert


Of course there has been knitting – the big boys jumpers are done! I’ll tell you about them on Wednesday as well as something new I’ve been tackling.

Now we’re back in the swing of things there are two book clubs to enjoy- one, the casual ‘what did you read’ the other, the ‘discuss the book we all read’ one….both different yet similar
My summer reading – which often involved just lounging around – not quite like the lady in Hettinger’s painting but not far off – has once again been sparse

* A Month of Sundays – Liz Byrski (bc).
* Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont – Elizabeth Taylor
* The Leisure Seeker – Michael Zadoorian
* The Flower Girls – Alice Clark-Platts

Reading – David Hettinger


The new choir rehearsals have been fun – with a new class conductor making it a different experience for returning members as well as new.






A very well ‘seasoned’ teacher/conductor – with a background in opera (and a liking for light entertainment), a new ‘program’, no previously used songs – this move for me is proving to be very interesting and I’m enjoying every minute…..first rehearsal Bette introduced this to the class. Something I knew from elsewhere but quite unknown to many of the others. It may not be everyones cup of tea (a simple round) but when it comes together (aka when everyone knows what’s what) with all four voice types in the choir (soprano, alto, tenor & bass) singing their part it will sound ‘superb’

Artist is Jennifer Cooke (Sing with Jen)

*****

There has been one little thing I’ve been coming to terms with this month.
Some might remember ‘our big girl’ and her partner leaving Melbourne back in 2021 – pulling their home behind them
eager to see parts of Australia they’d never been to before.
Well, they travelled and travelled, enjoying every minute – extended their leave
and travelled some more……then out of the blue decided they needed to put down roots
They’ve just taken possession of a new beach side home, way over on the far coast in WA. On the other side of the country – 3,489kms away!
With an hours drive to Tullamarine, 4hr flight to Perth plus an hours drive north – don’t think we’ll be popping in for a cuppa. Might need to stay a week at least😎
~~~~~~~

And that’s February (and supposedly Summer) all but over
We’re at the end of the last week…..next stop is Autumn (well the official ‘March 1st’ date that is)….hopefully the warm weather will continue but the fire risk go down. Many plants came to grief in some heavy rain early in the month – Agapanthus heads have been lopped, various ground covers cut back ….some are saying it’s time to slow down but there’s always an exception to the rule…..the roses and the flowering gum beside the library were still in bloom a couple of days ago. Big smiles all round.

Sharing with a new monthly link up – ‘What’s been on your calendar’
Looking at Life – February

U is for….

All things,

U is for Unload

A couple of definitions of unload are:
To dispose of, to dump
To relieve of something burdensome, unburden

Once or twice a year -depending on where you actually live
most shires and councils
have what we call hard rubbish collections

It is a service for every household
whereby you can leave all those things
enormous or small – broken or otherwise – that you want to get rid of
on the nature strip out the front of your house
and a big truck comes along and does the deed for you

It lets you get rid of it – to unload – to unburden – For Free

It frees you from the thought of having to organise all that moving
lifting and paying!!

This is what happens here at this time of the year
Starting this week in my local area

Thats it in theory
In practice its slightly different!

It’s when that old saying
‘One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure’
comes into play
and the Hunters and Gathers come out.

Little cars and big utes will glide by, suddenly stop and drivers pick through the piles.  Even when times are not hard like they are now it seems as though everyone is out for a bargain – turning into scavengers – in many cases utilising their skills
by upcycling their gains
Unloading others of their useable cast offs before the council truck arrives!

The going rate on scrap metal must have gone up lol
Anything that looks ‘metal’ goes in a flash – washing machines, dryers, bicycles, as well as various other metal bits and pieces are swooped on and removed almost as soon as it hits the nature strip.

Anyway, judging by my ‘nosiness’ while out walking
(yes, I’ve had a little squizzy at some piles here and there)
I think sales in TVs must have rocketed.  From what I’ve seen
just about every house I’ve passed has at least one sitting on the grass.
It surely can’t be the result of the switch to digital that so many older people with older sets were upset over – that happened over 20 yrs ago.
Obviously bigger and better is the way to go – or are those new ‘you beaut’ ones not lasting as long
I wonder if they will have a truck just for them (tvs) on their own.

The trouble with all this ‘trawling aka car window shopping’ and then unburdening is that it starts to get messy.  Instead of the nice neat (as per council guidlines) separated piles of junk we end up with something like this

A new version of urban sprawl 😊


I’m still wondering if (after breakfast) there’s time (before the garbos arrive) for me
to do a bit more cruising the streets with a view to window shopping
through my car’s window

Linking to  Wednesday’s Words & Pics hosted by Denyse. 

Dad jokes

All things fun

We all love Dad Jokes don’t we😊
so seeing as it’s Friday and I often associate Friday with Fun
here’s a few to start your weekend

~ ~ ~ ~

Why do fathers take an extra pair of socks when they go golfing?
In case they get a hole in one!
~ ~

What do cows dance to?
Moosic.
~ ~ ~

I wasn’t sure how comfortable the new couch would be.
But sofa, so good.
~ ~ ~

My grandfather was a baker in the army
He went in all buns glazin
~ ~ ~

What did the 0 say to the 8?
I like your belt.
~ ~ ~

What invention allows us to see through walls?
Windows.
~ ~ ~

I might have gleaned (borrowed/pinched) these from other blogs or just found them online
– whatever – just enjoy them for the smiles or groans they elicit

A little bit of fun this Friday – to help you forget the worries of the week.

Crochet like you’ve never seen before….

All things craft, All things travel,

State borders being closed in 2021 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic meant we had to extend our ‘winter break’ in Far North Queensland.
I’ve mentioned previously we spent some of that extra time visiting Mackay, learning about a small city 950km north of Brisbane but just a couple of hours (190km) south of Bowen.

Of all the many crafts I’ve tried to learn over the years
there’s one I’ve never been able to master
Crochet!
But I do recognise and appreciate skill when I see I see it
These are just a few items from another exhibition I/we went to at Artspace Mackay.
Which I’m sure will appeal to many of you.
(I’m sorry but I can’t locate the description plates that tell what each exhibit is)
However the subject was Lichen -that ‘strange stuff’ that grows on things
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen

https://www.anbg.gov.au/lichen/what-is-lichen.html
https://www.anbg.gov.au/lichen/what-not-lichen.html

Don’t Forget – if you want to see it best……Click/ tap or finger slide to enlarge

source

*****

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#enjoyeverymoment


https://mackaycreatives.com.au/user/traceyrobb/

Previous posts from Artspace Mackay
https://cranethie.com/2021/11/03/looks-can-be-deceiving/.
https://cranethie.com/2022/10/30/out-of-his-comfort-zone/.

On my mind….

All things

Has been a changing look at the children’s swimming lessons.

These are the ones for babies and preschool children that are held in the teaching pool when I’m doing my little exercise routine in the big pool.

Early last year 2022 (in fact up until we went north in July) it was like a ‘mothers and babies club’ – lots of women, lots of babies, lots of toddlers and upwards.

Since getting home in October and still now in the New Year it’s become more like a men’s club.
So many men (could be fathers, grandfathers, uncles or some other ‘allowable person’) have been turning up carrying a child, holding a little ones hand, pushing a pusher…..with no accompanying female in sight.

No matter what, they’ve all done the necessaries, got in the water as required with the young babies or sat on the sidelines, towel in hand, giving encouragement to the older ones. Then wrapped/dried/ clothed and disappeared out the door.

I wonder was it the continuous ghastly wet weather we had, mothers staying at home with other children rather than wrestle them all in/out of the car. Or are they the full time house father, or unemployed giving ‘mum’ a hand or are maybe both parents working and it’s on their list of grandparent ‘duties’.
There’s no way I’ll find out the reason but I do hope they’re all enjoying it.

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It’s Monday morning, so if you need me – – once my brekky’s gone down
I’ll be…..at the pool

Oh and here’s a little P.S. to let you know I’m having a whale of a time (not!) I’m having a real problem commenting on blogspot blogs again…..Wordpress too at times. Some take – others disappear, so if you haven’t heard from me….there’s your reason why

What’s in a name….

All things books

That little book I’ve been reading – Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont – has been a fun read…..as well as sad.

Sad because it highlights the problems that at times arose for a certain segment of the English population as they aged – fun because you wonder what misunderstandings will happen next because of their previous standards, expectations, attitudes, and way of life

They have a way of turning their noses down at some things and yet being very impressed by others.

So when Mrs Palfrey accompanied Mr Osmond (another resident) to the Masonic Ladies Night she was interested in the menu and the food presented, which was very unlike the meals they received each evening back at the Claremont

Dessert was called Pêches Denise, avec crêpes dentelle. Mr Osmond mentioned Denise was the name of the hostess

To have a pudding named after one ! Mrs Palfrey marvelled

When it arrived……” The pudding in her honour was no more than half a tinned peach sitting on a sherry soaked sponge cake and covered with a scoop of ice cream”…..basically a small trifle!!
Very disappointing indeed.

Oh yes, it’s not what you say but the way that you say it..….See my post from a few years ago also this one about the very same thing.

I’m sure you’ve all come across examples of this – do you have any you’d care to share

(Oh and a big thank you to Cathy for mentioning it in one of her book posts)

Mackay Street Art

All things travel

Fifth Lane Street Art – Mackay Queensland September 2021

A fun way to spend some time getting to know a strange city
I’ll let your eyes roam up one side of the alleyway the way ours (and our feet) did

Fifth Lane Street Arts Project is the culmination of 16 local artists and five visiting artist’s work in an outdoor gallery that has something for everyone. source

Lots of great information at these two links 👇

https://www.mackay.qld.gov.au/facilities/council_facilities/fifth_lane_street_art

Click to access 5th_Lane_Street_Art_DL_Final_ART.pdf

For more – pop over to Monday Murals hosted by Sami
it’s a colourful world over there with lots to see

And Don’t Forget – if you want to see it best……Click/ tap or finger slide to enlarge

I feel pretty…..I’m not sure what?

All things health

Some days I feel pretty good

Some days I don’t feel so good 

Then there are others when I feel just down right ‘orrible

Cold and bad tempered rude emotional touchy

I’ve been eating right

I’ve been exercising

(well, sort of )

I’ve been going to bed on time

(apart from recent tennis/cricket stay up late nights)

so why do I feel up and down all the time

Had blood taken the other day

maybe the results will tell a tale

Was also given the usual’ Diet – Exercise – Drink more water’ spiel

that Drs worldwide seem to think will cure all ills

Thyroid gland not working properly is a bugger

Hopefully a little bit more thyroxine will help
*******

Hopefully it will also help me become more observant

I spent well over 20 mins looking for this phone the other day
only to find it waiting there along with everything else ready to go in my bag
Time for a multi colour phone case I think!

But wait, there’s more….

All things books, All things craft, All things family, ,

The 2nd of the ‘big boy’ jumpers is finished.
And the 3rd in the trio is begun.
Another Sirdar pattern from the same era so I’ve just used the same measurements and adjusted the side panel stitches.
They should (hopefully) all be very similar in size


As simple as it looks
it took a little while to get the cable sequences right
and there were a few choice words spoken
and rows unpicked at one stage
so I might just chicken out
and do a plain back as well as plain sleeves


When all three are finished and finally on their way to Knit one Give one aka KOGO the time will have come to concentrate on something different- something close to my heart – something I’ve been thinking about for a while.

It’s two years to the day since Patsy my blond curly haired little sister died
Tribute – Sleep well my little one.

Next sister – Me – Little sister Patsy – Baby brother 1998

Take a look at this delightful photo (which I might have shown before) of Patsy (aged about 3)…….maybe just maybe, there might be some woolies coming up featuring little bunny rabbits. And as an aside it’ll be 20yrs on Saturday since my mum (she who knit Patsy’s rabbit jumper) died. These anniversaries are so hard on the heart.


I’m thinking my ‘2023 word to work with’ is going to be consider so I’ll have to think carefully about this one.
Cardigan or Jumpers (sweaters).
Size….can’t be too small or it will be dwarfed by the motif.
Colour……practical for children in unknown circumstances or ‘soft and pretty’ because that’s what she was.
I know there are graphs somewhere in amongst my patterns so guess what I’ll be doing today……if I don’t get sidetracked by my latest read .

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont is a very short book to begin a shorter than usual month. Hopefully this will rekindle enthusiasm after my short reading lull during the last month.

Apart from the two mentioned early last month there was just one more book finished during January.
The Commandant – Jessica Anderson.
Historical Fiction about Moreton Bay Penal Colony (later to become Brisbane), involving the strange combination of its real life controversial commander Patrick Logan plus his wife’s (fictional) sister Frances.
I didn’t make it to book club because covid had come visiting so after a reasonable pause this (January’s) book was delivered to my door. It would’ve been rude of me not to start it…….actually it turned out to be a very good read

Wednesday is the day Kat hosts ‘Unraveled Wednesday ‘
Today is also the first Wednesday in February so I’m sharing my post – pop over and discover what others are knitting, reading and talking about

#loveispatient