Adelaide in a cuppla nutshells

With no Mum to visit, I had unanticipated time.  We went to the local library for some quiet browsing and community comfort.

This one leapt out at me because it is so beautiful and I've always been interested in calligraphy.  Last Friday I went to a finger painting class at The Village and, thinking about it now, this book may have influenced my attendance.

This is a book about Epicurus and his influence on philosophy.  It meshes nicely with my attitude to life.  The cover is so peaceful and I can see my reflection!

Of course, this one spoke to me.  You can see what beautiful books they have in the West Torrens library.  Sadly this one is only available as an online resource from our library service.  Part of the pleasure of the book is its delicate size and textured cover.

The cover of this one is not so beautiful but I was curious to know what Nikki Gemmell had to say.  Strangely until I started writing this I could not remember a thing about the book but it's coming back to me now - and I now remember enjoying it.  I also chose to read it because Steve had given me Wifedom, a book about George Orwell's wife (who knew?) and I was looking for parallels.  And found them.

Shortly after Mum's death I decided to have my haircut, not as an act of mourning but because I remembered that I had been growing it to show her there was still some curl.  I saw a man in Harbor Town with a style I liked (no photo - his wife was suspicious enough as it was) and asked him where he'd had it cut.  He said 'Madame Josephine's', which sent Heths and me into peals of laughter.  Back in the 1970s Madame Josephine and Arturo Taverna were The Place To Go for the sophisticated (older) woman.  We would never have dreamt of going there.  But go I did

and asked for George, as instructed.

I described the style to George, technically Giorgio, and asked if it would suit.  Yes, he said, it will look fabulous and also make you look    (bated breath)      taller.

You can be the judge - and I am sitting down.  It's not quite what I was after but it's getting there.  Back at Madame J's my curls looked wonderful on the salon floor.  I wish I'd taken a photo, and could have shown it to Mum.

However, you can see that my pursuit of pleasure led me to Mercato, a place Mum and I loved and where I feel totally at home.

Heths seemed pretty happy too.  She had a zeppole and I had the most curious mix of focaccia, pecorino, black pepper, kalamata olive oil and honey.  It was certainly a taste sensation, but the serve was far too big and it definitely required a glass of red.

Mum

Mum died at the nursing home on Wednesday 30 August.   The nursing home had been Mum's home for 2 years.  It seems fitting that she died there with Helly, Willowa and Daphne Greyhound with her.  For us, dogs are always part of the family and, to me, this seems the best way to go.

Helly, Willowa, Tamasin and I still celebrated her birthday on September 2nd.  As planned previously we had sushi and the rhum babas that Mum loved.  We went to the Botanical Gardens at Mt Lofty, and picnicked at the Magnolia Gully, a favourite place of Mum's, especially in early Spring.

We were not alone.

It was magic.  Mum would have loved it.  Perhaps she was there too.

Golly gosh

How time flies!!  Since I last blogged I've been to the dentist, got new tyres for the car, letterboxed referendum info, weeded Spanish Heath with Friends of Triabunna Reserves plus had a Gathering at The Springy, soireed at The Ladle Cortege and lunched at The East Coaster (we went for cocktails but the one we like best has risen to $28 so I opted for bubbles).

There was also Judy and Malcolm's concert at Friends School auditorium.

We were not a young crowd.  Suzie and I were amongst the younger set.  Some people struggled to climb the stairs to their seats.

But it was well worth it.  The singing was sublime.  Many of the choir members were silver coiffed.  I was bewitched by the shades of purple they sported in the glow of the downlights.  The programme did include Peer Gynt.

The following weekend was of a different ilk.  A Suicide Prevention Network conference

on Steele's Island, a rather speccy place.

In addition to the formal info and ideas swapping, we were treated to a pottery class under the sun

and a High Tea for 10 people that was almost obscene in abundance.  And a curse for diabetics.

Georgia brought some of her newly fired pots to show us before Friday pizzas.

I'm sure she'll be equally dazzled when I get my pottery back from Red Ochre after firing.

uni digs in Elizabeth Street, Hobart

In an amazing historical event, Steve and I drove into Hobart together.  Steve and Jill PD went off somewhere and I went to the Town Hall for a Van Diemen's Band lunchbox concert.

How I love these events.  There's the mingling with my grey-haired peers, and the virtuosic performances.  All for $10.

This concert was also to show off the new artwork by Deborah Wace on the harpsichord lid.  They are all Tasmanian wildflowers, some now extinct.

Back in Tribes there are signs of Spring:

walking to Suzie's place for tai chi

Suzie's driveway

My own garden has surprised with the emergence of some tulips I thought I'd got rid of.  I must admit I do like these small but still elegant ones growing amongst the wasabi leaf plant.

I came across this book by a circuitous route.  Gabrielle Carey co-wrote Puberty Blues with Katty Lette some time ago.  She died only fairly recently.  I'm chuffed that she was as captivated by Elizabeth von Arnim (aka Mary Beachamp) as I am.

I am currently very happy with my garden

broadbean flowers in afternoon sun

and house.  Photos for me to enjoy while I'm away in Adelaide for a cuppla weeks to celebrate Mum's birthday.  97!!

Heart and soul

Well, the week started with an invitation to a birthday party in St Davids next April!!!!  Of course I said yes. I've been unable to think about much else.  It is intended to be a family gathering and I'm so excited at the prospect of catching up with my remaining cousins.  Some are in their 90s now.  Cousin Christine, who will be turning 65, and I are among the younger ones.  I have spent much of the week revisiting my Blog Blodwyn and having such a wonderful time.  Not just reliving my holidays but reading the comments and feeling so close to yous.  Especially Corinne who sadly is no longer with us.  She often crosses my mind and I miss her, her sense of humour and her love of language, and it's been lovely to 'hear' her voice again.

Not withstanding the wallowing in nostalgia, I did have a cuppla adventures this week, though it's been otherwise a low vibe week, missing Zumba on Tuesday from not feeling well, and having a tooth extracted on Wednesday.  Bit of excitement on Wednesday night when The Floosie did her Fleurieu radio show.

Monday I set off for lunch with Madam Cyn and noticed that the native shrubs in our hideous carport are finally doing what I've always wanted them to:  flowering at the same time, with the hardenbergia nearly reaching the carport roof.  Hardenbergia is also known as Native Wisteria and my dream is that it will cascade from the rafters like a Tiffany leadlight window or the cottage in Grantchester.  Actually the perpetually blooming wisteria around the Grantchester rectory drives me nuts.  I'm sure it must be plastic.

The horticultural wonderment continued when I parked at the Cynbin and noticed the view of the Tasman Bridge through the gum trees.

Then I noticed the snow on Mt Wellington / kunyani.  Hobart continues to be a beautiful city.

After lunch I drove back to Triabunna via what I consider to be The Long Way, through Brighton.  It is the way I used to drive home from Bridgewater when I worked there in 2014/15.  Many people consider it a shortcut into Hobart because it bypasses Sorell.  I am not convinced.  But the countryside is lovely and I had to stop to photograph the single file sheep parade.

Despite living mostly in virtual Wales this week, I read this Heather Rose book which is in  much demand at the library so I thought I should pass it on ASAP.  I really enjoy her novels and it was illuminating to read the adventures and, ultimately, the philosophy of this Tassie born girl.

Having left Wales behind for a while, I am now reading Maus.

Ella told me about this book and I'm so glad she did.  It is not a book I would have picked up ordinarily, it being graphic and me being a snob.  Ella is studying Illustration at uni and explained to me the amount of work involved in producing a graphic novel.  It's obvious when you think about it, but I never had!

 The book was a high school text book for Ella.  No wonder that family is so well informed.

I have also just started Come in Spinner.  I learned about this one, written in the late 1940s, from my re-reading of Caddie.  There are times in my life when I just want to scream with gratitude for being born when and where I was, and the comfy life I've been able to live.

Friday morning I awoke to this amazing sight - a rainbow at dawn.  I wouldn't have thought it was physically possible.

Unbeknownst to me, while I was in the back garden capturing the rainbow finishing at the council offices, Steve was in the front garden taking this:

Despite the warning and cowering shepherds, Anne of the Ladle Cortege and I proceeded to lunch at The East Coaster.

The day had turned dull and we needed a little pickmeup.  The wine was from  McLaren Vale and I think I'll be visiting the winery next time I'm in South Australia...https://serafinowines.com.au/

Le jardin revisité

French, not because of Le Tour but because of la tour d'Eiffel virtually opposite our place.  The work on it is now finished and it looked magnificent one evening as I was driving home.

I haven't written much about the garden lately because there is not much to tell.  I have been reducing the area of productive garden and gradually converting it to predominantly Tasmanian eastcoast endemics.  I don't seem to have the time or energy to be growing lots of vegetables, and I do like the idea of making my garden as wildlife friendly as possible.

Fortunately the garden has a mind of its own so it's sent up broadbeans, silverbeet, mâche and heartsease on its own initiative.

I  altered this small area to be just garden stones and poa.  I'd forgotten about the jonquils, and the artichokes obviously decided to return.

I have learned that it is perfectly acceptable and useful to combine natives and exotics.  The japonica and Silver Princess may not do much more for the wildlife than provide nectar for birds, but they feed my soul.

I am proud of my poa and lichened stones, though can't say I've seen much wildlife hanging around.

All this backyard conversion requires a lot of of pruning and then chipping.  The pile never seems to diminish.

You may recall that when we first moved into this house, over nine years ago, I said the first thing I was going to do was take the heads of these palings to make a standard picket fence.  It will never happen, plus I think that these pickets are probably more appropriate.  Regardless, I like the lichen.

So let's open the gates (we keep them closed these days so Jill can use the doggy door safely day and night) and stroll along Melbourne Street towards George's place.

The footy oval is just about opposite Georgia's  house.  Last weekend there was a big match on and the oval was lined with cars.  I thought of taking a photo but was too lazy.  I believe there will be a big match next weekend and I may drop in to imbibe some atmosphere.  I doubt I'll stay long.  It's all a bit peripheral to me but the heart of Triabunna for many.

Back to the Tribes I love.  The evenings have been beautiful.

Today I finished reading this wonderful book.  I loved Eat, Pray, Love and read it twice at a time when it was just the sort of book I needed to read.  This book is nothing like it.  It is huge in scope, well researched, intellectually challenging, exciting and gratifying.  I wish I'd written it.