A couple of slightly stressed trees

Because it's been a slightly stressful week.

Firstly, the happy stuff....two trees were made.  A green tree with blue spots which could be raindrops, because we certainly had our share of rain last month.

Every Arboretum needs a blue and green spotted tree, yes?  The contrast is interesting; on its own it is a slightly pinkish tan, but set inside the bright green fabric it looks brown.

This bright fabric wasn't wide enough to cut the 6-1/2 in by 9 in piece for a tree....but it was wide enough to cut two, 3-1/4 in by 9 in pieces and join them using a contrast trunk.  Pat on the back for me too, because I even managed blend the foliage design.  The blue and green fishy print makes a fun contrast.

This week's trees, 73 and 74.  We won't quibble about which is which.

The weekly wattle.  It's difficult to get a close-up on a windy day as those thin branches wave and dance with every puff of air, but I managed.

How has everyone been this week?  We attended the anniversary morning tea at the library on Monday, and Hizzoner duly delivered his waffling rambling (fortunately not over-long, but long enough) speech.  I believe that councillors undertake some media training upon being elected; the mayor has been on council for over 30 years, so perhaps a refresher course would be a Useful Thing.  He and I did not need to speak so the dilemma of what to address him shall, for the foreseeable future at least, remain unresolved.

While there I was introduced to a woman named Joyce, "she's 90, you know".....Joyce started working at the library a few years after I left and continued there for several years.  Every time we hove in sight (or earshot) of Joyce we heard "I'm 90, you know....."  

The following day, Tuesday, was one of my two monthly quilt group days but as my tummy had been feeling a little unhappy for a few days, I decided to stay home.  Kevin wanted to catch up with a few things down town, so took the car and drove off.  Some time later, just as I was about to settle down for a rest, I answered a knock on the door which turned out to be the wife of a café manager.  Kevin had decided to treat himself to a coffee and, while walking from the car, tripped and sliced his hand open, it was bleeding profusely, so off we duly drove to the hospital.  Many hours later, several stitches in the hand, lots of padding and bandages, and we finally made it home again.  Back the next day just to get it checked - I'm not a medical person, I wasn't going to be the one to unwrap it - it was wrapped with new bandages, leave it on said the nurse, see your GP in a week to have the stitches removed, don't get it wet, etc., etc.  It's his right hand, and of course he's right handed, so all the chores which are usually split between two people are being done by one.  Never mind....it's my turn this year, Kevin did the chores last year when my arm was in plaster.

Over the past several years Kevin has developed what I call the Old Bloke Shuffle.  Have you noticed that old blokes don't pick up their feet?  I keep telling him to do so, you'll trip, I say......older women don't shuffle as much as blokes, perhaps because we wore higher heeled shoes in our younger days.  One cannot shuffle in a heel, even a low heel.  Old blokes are also likely, as is Kevin, to be taking blood thinners so a badly cut hand means pressing all sorts of panic buttons.

I still haven't had that rest......

Words have been read, stitches have been sewn and knitted.  (I wish I had taken my knitting or my hand-piecing to pass those interminable hours in hospital.)  Songs have been plinked and sung.  I hunted and gathered all by myself, and hey-ho, so passed the week, stress and all.

We have had some very pleasant mild days, but more rain is forecast for the coming week.  The washing is hanging out in the breezy sunshine as we speak; like many Ozzies I have never owned a dryer, something which to me seems like a useless extravagance.  We use a solar dryer - a wash line in the sun!

"An acceptable suitor.

Parents should always be able to tell from observation and instinct just how matters strand with their daughter; and if the suitor is an acceptable one and everything satisfactory, then, in this country, the most scrupulous rules of etiquette will not prevent their letting the young couple alone.  If the lover chooses to propose directly to the lady and consult her father afterwards he has a perfect right to do so.  If her parents have sanctioned his visits and attentions by a silent consent, he has a right to believe that his addresses will be favorably received by them."

You notice that many of these quotes refer to how the young woman should behave, and very few as to what the man should do?  The old double standard was alive and well in 1885.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer