Frustration and annoyance

Is what I am feeling right now.  The physio treatment for my arm, hand and wrist, which was to have started on Tuesday, has been postponed by two weeks due to staff being absent.  Hopefully when it does eventually get under way it will help with the stiffness; there is still quite a lot of bruising anyway, so I am telling myself the delay is a good thing.  Even though myself is not convinced.

Ah well.  Onward and upward.

These are the last of the pics taken during our holiday, from Mount Ainslie.  Canberra is ringed by hills, many of which can be ascended to admire the view.  Looking over the city....

Looking away from the city.....

Some of the Ozzie native plants, many of which are not lush and green like those in other parts of the world.

I love the muted colours.....makes me think of an impressionist painting.

Words have been read.  No medical appointments have happened.  Hunting and gathering did, however, and songs were sung.

The bruise under my eye has not yet gone, I have forgotten what my face looked like before the fall nearly eight weeks ago.  One day it won't be bruised any more, and then - oh, how happy I will be!

The coming week may - hopefully will - bring a chance to sew on a machine.  Pinning may still be beyond my right hand but one never knows, does one?  The fine motor skills required may not be there yet, but will return one day.

Some of the sights seen around town make one chuckle.....recently there was a young bloke who was wearing shorts, tee shirt and thongs.  (That is thongs for the feet, called flip flops by some people, but 'thongs' by Ozzies)  It was a mild day, hence the bare legs and arms......and.....he was wearing a knitted beanie.  That is somewhat akin to the young chickies we sometimes see in mid-winter who wear. shorts and a skimpy top with fleecy boots and a chunky scarf wrapped round the neck.  When I was a Sweet Young Thing we wore mini skirts, yes - but we wore a slip or lining under it, and thickish tights, and a warm jumper.  Never did we wear a top with spaghetti straps in winter, makes me shiver just to think about it.

I am waiting until the day when the brace can come off my arm so I can wear a warm jumper without the velcro fastening on the brace catching on the knitted fabric.  Several years ago I made a warm mohair cardy jacket which has been Very Useful these past weeks, and which fitted over (first) the plaster and (now) the brace on my arm without snagging.  Eye make up remover pads are helpful where the brace presses on my bruised wrist and hand; they provide just enough softness to cushion the pressure without being bulky, a tip passed on several years by a nurse.

Continuing on with Conduct in Opera, Theatre or Public Hall:

"In passing out at the close of the performance the gentleman should precede the lady, and there should be no crowding or pushing."

Indeed.  There is no need to crowd or push.  Everyone will make it outside eventually.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Well - that was fun!

Yesterday afternoon's performance went well....such a mix of performers, an old-style variety concert.  My poem was very well received and the audience loved my funny song; another performer said to me "Jennifer - you always do the best songs!" I really treasure such feedback, even more than winning.  And....I managed to play my three chords without my arm or fingers falling off.

Well, that's that for another year.....next year's pieces have already been chosen, there is a whole twelve months to practice......should be good to go by then......

The plaster was removed on Tuesday, my arm is free again!  The brace is much lighter than plaster but still supports my arm and stops my wrist from being floppy.  It's not doing much yet as it is quite stiff and tender, and I am surprised by how much it is still colourfully bruised after so many weeks.  Physio starts tomorrow, so no doubt it will be moving better soon.  The bruising on my eye is still evident, so much so that even yesterday's make up didn't quite cover it.

No progress to show for this week, but this is what I managed to get done while we were away before The Great Fall and Break.

Only eight completed, but then I did spend quite some holiday time playing music and socialising and attending exhibitions.  Another piece was started and will be finished in due course  Fabrics are mostly repros from years ago.

My snazzy new jumper (or perhaps a cardy....yet to be decided).  Love the yarn, love the colours, not so rapt in the way it is striping.  More or less stitches on the needle would change that, but that's the number needed for my size.  It also has more blue and less green than I had hoped it would.  Thoughts may yet be thought on it.

Words have been read.  Songs have been sung.  Hunting and gathering has been done.  Add in some medical visits, yet more X-rays, and that's been my week once more.

Winter has arrived with a vengeance, thank goodness for the fire!  Today's 'feels like' hasn't reached double figures, and it is 3.30p.m. so we are staying inside.

Continuing on with Conduct in Opera, Theatre or public Hall:

"The gentleman should see that the lady is provided with a programme, and with libretto also if they are attending opera."

Wise words.  However I have attended opera performances and never used a libretto to follow the plot; I keep my eyes on the stage, not on a book on my lap, even if the singing is in another language.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Two more days....only two more days

The appointment to have the plaster taken off my arm is at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, and you can bet anything you like that I won't be late for it.  It will be such a relief to be plaster-free again.

On to much happier things.

The last pic taken on our holiday was in Holbrook, a small town now bypassed by the highway.

This was mid-afternoon, early in autumn....I loved the golden trees against a clear blue autumn sky..

A few days after our return home (when we should still have been away....sigh) we celebrated fifty years since setting up house together, although we didn't marry for another two years.  Fifty year anniversary is gold, and Kevin cheered me up with these scrumptious - gold, of course! - citrine earrings, aren't they bewdiful?  I love them.

They were worn when we went out for an anniversary lunch at a posh restaurant.

While in Canberra I managed a visit to a quilt shop, and found these prints to add to the batik stash.

The next quilt to be started will be this one, Arboretum, which I really like; the original quilt was made in Kaffe Fassett prints, but mine will be in batiks.  The pale green print is lighter than I would usually buy, but will make a good contrast to the darker richly coloured fabrics in my batik stash. First, I want to finish one of the quilts currently in progress....but oh, those trees are calling.....

Next Sunday my big trophy will be handed back and will go to the performer judged to be the Most Entertaining, at the Mature Performers section of the Eisteddfod.  I have enjoyed having it for a year, and as it's a perpetual trophy it will pass to the next winner.  You can read about my triumph here.

The glass disc on the right, however, is mine to keep; it is engraved with my name, the date and details of my win last year.  It's difficult to photograph glass without reflection but you can make out the number '75'; it was the 75th anniversary of the competition.

So, you see why I am so keen to be able to play ukulele next Sunday....I have a reputation to uphold!  

Words  have been read.  Songs have been sung.  It has been a rare week without medical appointments, something which can't be said for the coming week.  Physio on Tuesday for plaster removal and exercises to get the arm moving again.....X-ray on Wednesday....specialist on Friday.....it's all go-go-go here, folks......the black eye hasn't completely gone but the bruise is much smaller and paler than it has been, thank goodness.

Continuing on with Conduct in Opera, Theatre or Public Hall:

"It is proper and desirable that the actors be applauded when they deserve it.  It is their only means of knowing whether they are giving satisfaction"

Believe me, it takes a whole heap of courage to get up in public and perform (especially solo) but that applause makes all the nerves worthwhile.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Save the date

In just nine days the heavy plaster on my arm will be removed, something which will make me a very happy woman.  When I saw the specialist during the week he said he pleased with its progress and told me to make the removal appointment; he also mentioned using a splint or brace for a while, but that couldn't be heavier or more awkward than the layers of plaster in which my arm is currently encased.

I'm sorry, I led you astray in last week's post!  The quilt which won first place for ten years was made earlier than my imperfect memory thought, from 1887 to 1897.  It's still quite an achievement, though.

While in Canberra we visited the Australian National Archives, as I had read of a photography exhibition which sounded interesting....and it was!  For nigh on sixty years the Australian government sent photographers out around the country to capture what they saw, and a selection of those 10,000 photos was on display at the Archives.  It was such a fascinating place that we went again, to check out other exhibitions....and to try out their café, where we partook of excellent coffee and yummo Cherry Ripe Slice.

For the non-Ozzies, Cherry Ripe is a cherry coconut bar encased in dark chocolate....and this year is its 100th birthday!  Cherry Ripe slice, or squares or bars, can have a biscuit or pastry base with a cherry coconut filling, and is topped with melted dark chocolate.  Should you feel inclined to try it yourself, there are any number of recipes to be found online.

One day we drove west of Canberra along Paddys River Road, and stopped at Lambrigg Lookout.

William Farrer lived near here, and it was here that his experiments with wheat led to the discovery of disease-resistant strains; we learned about him at school, as he was a very important figure in Australian agriculture.  For some years his portrait was on the $2 note; unfortunately due to sun glare the sign isn't as legible as I hoped.

The house, built by Farrer, is privately owned.  I found this article with pics of its beautiful garden.

Another week has passed.  Words have been read, medical appointments have taken place.  Songs have been sung.  

When the plaster is removed I am hoping to have approval from the physio to play three chords - just three - on my uke, as my annual Eisteddfod performance will take place just five days later.  I can sing unaccompanied and indeed plan to do so on the day, but a starting introductory note would be a help.  Just D - G - D - A - that's all I ask, it's not much is it.....

Continuing on with Conduct in Opera, Theatre or Public Hall:

"During the performance complete quiet should be preserved, that the audience may not be prevented from seeing or hearing.  Between the acts it is perfectly proper to converse, but it should be done in a low tone, so as not to attract attention.  Neither should one whisper.  There should be no loud talking, boisterous laughter, violent gestures, lover-like demonstrations or anything in manners or speech to attract the attention of others."

I wonder what the folk back in 1885, when these words were written, would think of the 'look at me' behaviour of so many people nowadays?  

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Plugging along

Still somewhat slowly and painfully, but as I keep telling myself - each day which passes is a day closer to having that heavy plaster removed from my arm.

There are no more pics from the antique quilt exhibition.  Some of the historic quilts have been published in books with much better photos than I could take, and a few just didn't appeal to me; for instance there was a large quilt in pastel pink, blue and cream which didn't really float my boat....although it had an interesting history.  It was made in a country town during the early 1930s and duly entered in the local show, where it won first prize.  No doubt flushed by her success the maker entered it again the following year, when it won first prize again....and again....each year for ten years it was entered, and each year for ten years it won first prize.  Can't you just imagine the conversations around the tea cups.....c'mon, Mildred, don't enter it this year, give someone else a go......

One place we usually call into on our annual trip down south is the Canberra Visitor Centre because they have all manner of interesting things for sale including honey from cold climate trees, which I really like; our local honey is different because our trees grow in a relatively mild climate, while those other honeys are darker in colour and richer in flavour.

On display is an exhibition about the National Carillon, which is currently closed for renovations.  This is a keyboard section.

This shows how it is played.

And this is the other side of the keyboard.

It was interesting to see, and would have been even more interesting if we could have heard a recording of the Carillon as we browsed.

Words have been read.  Medical appointments have taken place.  Songs have been sung.  Thoughts have been thought about how to play ukulele with a plastered arm; it was tried, but was not very successful.  More thoughts are being thought on the subject as we speak.

On Thursday Kevin took me out for lunch because it was my birthday, and I do not cook on my birthday.  Ever.  I managed my birthday meal one-handed; I'm getting better at that, but it's still not easy - although the pecan pie with butterscotch sauce was easier than the salad which preceded it.

Continuing on with Conduct in Opera, Theatre or Public Hall:

"There is no obligation whatever upon a gentleman to give up his seat to a lady.  On the contrary, his duty is solely to the lady whom he accompanies.  He must remain beside her during the evening to converse with her between the acts, and to render the entertainment as agreeable to her as possible."

This is true.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Slow and painful

That is me, typing on the computer.

I am trying to make the best of my enforced 'leisure', but oh.....it's boring; just imagine no sewing or knitting, no playing ukulele, no cooking or food prep or housework - well, that's a silver lining, isn't it.  So far my arm hasn't fallen off, my black eye is healing as are all the other bruises on my left wrist, right elbow, right ribs.....bruises in places I didn't know I had places.  The plaster on my right arm is heavy and cumbersome, but hopefully my broken bits are healing inside it.

On to happier things.

Another quilt I photographed at the antique quilt exhibition was this one, because I liked the fabrics.  

Some of the fabrics are similar to those in the Rajah quilt, not surprising given that they are nearly from the same era.

The backing fabric is very exuberant.

This, we were told, is 'Sir Loin' who stands proudly outside a pub just north of Canberra, where we ate a couple of times.

He's quite "incredi-bull", isn't he!  We admire people who make art pieces from old metal; I don't know what he's made from, but he is very well done.....and quite large.

One place we found to eat on our trip south from Canberra was a café in Gundagai, a small town with an interesting history.  I can remember, on trips to visit my Posh Melbourne Grandparents, calling into the Niagara Café....and it's still there!  Many Ozzie towns had cafés opened and run by Greek immigrants from the early 20th century onward, and this is one; although the original family no longer owns it it is still run by a Greek family, and still does good food and wonderful caramel milkshakes.  The decor has been restored to look as it would have done in the 1930s....talk about a trip down memory lane, and a slice of history.

There is not much to report this week.  Words have been read.  Medical visits have happened, more are to come.  That's about it, really.

Continuing on with Conduct in Opera, Theatre or Public Hall:

"If it is a promenade concert or opera, the lady may be invited to promenade during the intermission.  If she declines, the gentleman must retain his position by her side."

Indeed.  She may be feeling like quietly pondering on the music she has been listening to, or she may be feeling poorly.  She may even have a broken arm.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Home again!

We had a good time in Canberra catching up with family and friends, and enjoying some musical shenanigans.  The antique quilt exhibition was wonderful, as were other exhibitions we attended....Canberra has many venues for such things.

Or musician son had a gig that we were able to attend; he's a good player and we don't get many chances to hear him because we live so far apart, so we take the chance when it arises.  The One And Only Grandkid is shooting up and is a bit obsessed with superheroes and such phenomena - just like his father was at the same age.

We extended our stay in Canberra by a week due to wet and stormy weather (better to stay put than to travel in heavy rain if we didn't need to, we decided) and eventually crossed into Victoria.  Our plan was to travel to Shepparton....but we didn't make it.  We stopped in Benalla for fuel and when Kevin was filling the car I thought I would stretch my legs, climbed out of the car, started walking, and tripped on an unmarked bump in the forecourt.  Down I went....result, a badly broken right arm and bruising in places I didn't know I had, including a spectacular black eye caused by my sunglasses when I fell onto my cheek. 

Ouch......double ouch and triple ouch......

The staff at Benalla Hospital were lovely, the paramedics who ferried me around also great, and the staff at Wangaratta Hospital (my broken arm was deemed too complicated to treat in Benalla's smaller facility so I was taken to Wang, as the locals call it) were also terrific.  Back home after cutting our holiday short now, for the past week we have been running around from one medical appointment to another, but the good news is my arm, although badly broken, doesn't need surgery (although it was touch and go for a while there) and it hasn't fallen off.

A slight chuckle has been caused by the fact that Kevin realised, when we were on our way, that he had forgotten his hearing aids....so when I was squealing in pain on the Benalla forecourt being ministered to by two complete strangers, he was happily pumping fuel into the other side of the car not hearing a thing.  You may be sure I won't let him forget that.  Fifty years together and he ignores his poor wife's sufferings....

We did get to see the Rajah quilt in Canberra though!

Probably the best quilt label ever.

It's quite large.

It was a bit tricky to photograph as it was laid out tilted behind glass, so reflections are unavoidable.

Some of the fabrics used; I love that rich dark yellow.

There were other quilts in the exhibition.  I photographed one from this time period, but as typing is slow and laborious - and quite painful - I will save it for another post.

Continuing on with Conduct in Opera, Theatre or Public Hall:

"A gentleman should, on no account, leave the lady's side from the beginning to the close of the performance."

Indeed.  Especially if she is injured.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer