Saturday, September 05, 2009

NEARLY A MONTH?

I can hardly credit it's almost a month since I put something here. Silly thing about it though is that I really have no good excuse! I have been busier lately its true but somehow I didn't get to writing in this way.
What have I been up to?
Since I began to feel much more human again after surgery I decided to try to find something more constructive with my time rather than sitting around trying to keep warm. I got in touch with the U3A (University of the Third Age) again having tried to find vacancies in classes a couple of times before without success. This time I was able to secure a place in two group which interested me - family history and calligraphy. I think I mentioned a while ago that I had missed the first calligraphy class - another story.
I have since been a couple of times but am not entirely sure it's 'my' thing. It is quite difficult but doesn't phase me - everything new has an element of difficulty at first - I think I like to work at a slightly faster pace than this particular class. I don't mean to sound 'righteous' or 'better than the rest' but I just don't see myself practising the letters of one particular style for the rest of the year. I think I might be able to do that at home - and at the same time try out some other styles along the way. I'll see how it goes as the term comes to an end.
The Family History group doesn't bring me much joy either (am I sounding a misery?) - they are all except one, interested in Australian families and early history. I do enjoy the history bits that members bring to the group but I had hoped I would be able to get some assistance in my own research - which although I've been 'into' for well over 20 years now, still holds my interest and curiosity.
Oh well - I'll see what other groups have vacancies early next year and perhaps try something different.
What else have I been doing? Knitting squares - I think I'm about half way towards that rug I started earlier in the winter. It's becoming a little too warm here now to knit for much longer so I may need to put it away until next autumn/winter. I"ve done some smocking on a baby frock I intend to give away. Talking about baby stuff - there have been two new baby girls born into our extended family this week - one is Ruby Rose and the other is Ruby Mae! I guess names go through trendy periods and Ruby seems to be the flavour of the month just now! A third bub born to a young friend from church earlier in the week weighed in at 10lb 4ozs and has been named Isabelle. That's another name that seems to have had a revival over the past little while - variations of it as well including Bella. It's certainly been a week for the little girls!
My E17 grand-daughter is getting a puppy in a few weeks time. She has visited the pregnant mum and last week after the birth, went and chose Texas and took photos of her. A tiny bundle of brown and black dachshund - only just fitting in her hand. What a gorgeous little pup - shame they have to grow so quickly. E17 will be taking delivery of her when she's 8 weeks old. She's so looking forward to it.
Have been doing a little gardening also - not too much bending yet (actually I'm finding it difficult to get down) so have been making use of a small stool which we brought back with us from Zambia - most useful and low enough to make weeding a much more comfortable exercise - beans are up - both climbing purple and dwarf yellow butter - silver beet is doing well - blueberries are looking fabulous and just beginning to get a pinky tinge to them - a new variety of tomato plant, the oval fruit is said to have twice as much of the anti-oxidant Lycopene - is doing really well and has little flower buds already. I also purchased some alstroemeria corms and they have begun to shoot little green leaves. I will have to check out how long it takes before they flower. I really love the way they last for so long in a vase. Have done some tidying up and pruning back some shrubs but still have a long way to go. The garden gets away so quickly when not attended doesn't it?
Fathers Day here in Australia today. We are having lunch with family and friends at a brand new restaurant attached to a brand new golf course not far from where the family live. As I write, the sun is shining and it's predicted to be a very nice 21 degrees this afternoon. I'm looking forward to it.

Till next time - blessings!