fiveandtwo

William Kentridge.

Yesterday Clare, Ally and I took the train to Melbourne to see the William Kentridge Five Themes exhibition at ACMI. A major retrospective of Kentridge's work. I'd been meaning to go since the exhibition opened in early March.

Reasons to see it: Unsettling and wonderful animation and artwork; Linsey urged me to see it; it closes on Sunday; children travel fee mid-week on the V-Line train from Bairnsdale (providing they're accompanied by an adult); Linsey finishes Uni at 1:30pm on Wednesdays (so we'd be able to catch up); I'll regret it if I don't see it.

Reasons not to see it:  Money. It's never just the cost of a train ticket and exhibition entry. I can take some food, but not enough for 3 people for what amounts to a 17.5 hour day (and I like having coffee/cake/food different to what's on offer in Bairnsdale). I like the shops, looking at all sorts of stuff, sometimes tempted to buy...

So, the twins and I went, in spite of the minuses. And I am so glad. William Kentridge's work...I've never seen the like of it. Sorry to use a hackneyed word, but it was awesome. As in inspiring awe.  We hung out with the eldest, which for me involves new stuff to talk about : books read, issues from ABC Insight TV program and other current affairs, how the work's going at uni, people she and I know and people unknown to me. Splendid, as always, to talk with Linsey. Splendid, too, to hang out with Clare and Ally and experience the William Kentridge exhibition with them.

I didn't take a camera, obviously. So, words without photos.

Where's The Camera When You Want It?

The camera? Hundreds of kilometres away at home, that's where (insert sound of teeth grinding). I remembered when we were already two hours on the road.

We went for a long weekend to Canberra and Goulburn. This is what I did:

- drove many kilometres

- had horrible fish and chips at Cooma

- bought Clare and Ally a manga book each in Canberra (bribery)

- bought a pair of red rubber garden shoes (French!) fron a Canberra oppy

- had a truly ghastly meal at the Queanbeyan Bowls Club (frozen mixed veg, soggy chips, strangely flabby- textured steak). The other meals were equally bad.

- went to the Renaissance exhibition at National Gallery of Australia. If you have the chance - go and see it (buy your tickets beforehand though). I was so excited to be there, all that art...the general collection, the special exhibition, the sculpture garden. I kept exclaiming over paintings, kept telling the twins about famous works and those by artists I admire. We frizzed our hair in the Fog Sculpture.

- went to the War Memorial and was confronted once again, especially by the "hands on" Lancaster bomber exhibit.

- had a good meal at Goulburn

- spent three hours reading and ignoring Clare and Ally bickering while Mister 5&2 perused the merchandise at a "motorbike only" swap meet at Goulburn Showgrounds.

- finished Roger Deakin's Waterlog (loved it, along with his other books), read Marion Halligan's Valley of Grace (lovely, if you've been to Paris it will resonate) and Kate Atkinson's Started Early, Took My Dog  (I made the Mister do more driving than me on the way home so I could finish it, a page turner)

- caught up, briefly, with my oldest friend

- took no photos, obviously, but it was a good weekend.

Edited to add: While Marion Halligan's Valley of Grace is lovely it does have its darker aspects. The discovery of a child who'd been kept locked in an attic all its life, for instance.

Good Fun Marketing

It was good fun, the Maker's Market.

There's my stall, with my splendid offsiders. Without them I wouldn't be able to go to the toilet or get coffee (I brought sandwiches). Well worth the money given for sausage-in-bread and sweet treats from the "cafe", things like tiny caramel tarts, bite-sized meringues, cupcakes...etc. Ally had her felt "mascots" and little packages of Christmas decorations of her own design. She sold about half. Clare had framed drawings. A series of Alice in Wonderland and some Manga drawings. She sold none (but people looked, and were interested). Still, it stung that, "Ally sold stuff and I didn't".  One of the senior art teachers at the local secondary college said the drawing was very good, so that kind of made up for lack of sales. This lady is a dear friend but I know she doesn't make these comments lightly.

It was a good day for me too, sold some stuff, caught up with people I know and sort-of know and other stallholders. A good social workout for me who usually avoids it if possible.

I need to make more: owls, reversible pinnies, mice, purses, birds and dogs.. It was a good day for sure.

Weekend Of Goodness

Oh, how I love these weekends with like minded women at Sewjourn. K, S, G, C, J, T, E, K and J who doesn't have a blog. These women enrich my life so much. At Sewjourn and on the internets.

I made two pairs of pants, lightweight for summer (another pair is in the offing) and a boat neck t-shirt, an Ottobre t-shirt, a successful experiment top and an unsuccessful experiment top. In the to-do basket is another top for summer. I'm going up north at the beginning of October, hence the sewing of warm weather clothes. I may or may not post about the tops and pants. Depends if offspring are around and the light is good when I'm wearing what I made.

 
This is the only photo I took at Craft Camp. Taken because I was trying to tell the husband about this dressing table-turned-into-vanity at Sewjourn. We need to replace our homemade falling apart vanity and I have a dressing table just like this. He knows what I'm rabbiting on about since showing him this pic. I have an avocado green drop-in basin from the tip shop ($5!). This is a goer!

Ahh, Sewjourn love.

A Bit Of A Flood

 
It rained a lot here on Wednesday, but it rained a helluva lot more in the Mitchell River catchment. So the river rose and rose...and flooded.

On Thursday Clare, Al and I went down to a spot called Picnic Point after school.

 
 The river lapping at its banks, rising as we watched.

 
Over there in the middle far left of the photo is Picnic Point, where we were yesterday. The trees mark the usual course of the river.

 
 
 
 
(Gratuitous photo of dog in her coat).

 
The willows follow the road.

 
 
Cattle forced upwards, their paddock on the river flats now inundated. They were complaining loudly. You know you're in the country when cattle are grazed and vegies grown on the river flats in town. Good land for agriculture but not for building. Floods of varying severity are regular here. The last one of this size was in 2007, but the twins, Linsey and I were visiting the oldies in Qld and we missed it. I think I still blogged about it but I am too slack to look it up and provide a link. I'd instructed Giles to "take some photos" and he took about 355 or thereabouts, plus a few three minute "movies". Lucky I have a gigantic memory card in the camera, and a spare, fully charged, battery.

The water will have receded by the time I walk the dog tomorrow, leaving behind debris and mud. lots of mud.

So...What've I Been Up To?

After a bit of a blog silence.

I made a jacket for Leah, at her request. The Jacket. First time I've ever made a lined jacket with a bit of tailoring thrown in. It turned out ...reasonable.

 
I thought it fitted really well but, looking at this photo, I don't think so. I've fixed that twisted sleeve, by the way. Fortunately it only required unpicking of the sleeve and lining at the wrist, repositioning the lining and re-sewing. Twistyness solved.

 
Pockets you can actually use. Also a nice feature of the jacket.

 
I do like this pleaty feature at the back. Fit is good across the shoulders.

 
The buttons Leah wanted were quite large and I didn't think large buttonholes would be a good feature so I put big snaps as closures with the buttons sewn on as decoration (the snaps are black in reality).

Stats: Pattern from Ottobre Design 5/2009 "Flower Vine" jacket. Changes I made: I made the jacket smaller in the waist by increasing the waist darts (and reducing the front peplum thingy accordingly). I used the snaps + buttons described above. Fabric is a lovely lightweight wool from the oppy. I've cut out a jacket shell for myself from the rest (must've been over 4 metres of fabric). The charcoal/black of the fabric is much more subtle than in the photos. Buttons from Spotlight, annoyed that I didn't have enough of the same button in my collection. Lining is that Bemsilk stuff from Spotty.

I'd like to make this jacket for myself but it doesn't go big enough. I know I could probably make the pattern bigger, but I can't be fagged. I'm using a McCalls pattern for my own jacket. In hindsight, with Leah's jacket I should have done a full bust adjustment for a smaller size. Tiny girl with full bust. I have to do this for myself. It's not hard but, you know, sometimes I just want to sew a pattern without all the alterations. Don't think it's going to happen any time soon.

So, what else? The fruit trees arrived by courier last week. Wednesday. I was able to plant them on Thursday. Very easy digging since new trees were being planted where stumps of old were removed. Some sited over animal graves and the only one I didn't dig - Hootie-rabbit's - was the one where I exhumed a bit of rabbit. Disgusting, I nearly threw up. I then chose the apple tree with the least roots for that hole...Then went to a local rural supplies place for star pickets and wire for the espaliers.

Working on a sculpture after a ghastly inspiration drought.

Spent a long weekend in Melbourne helping Linsey move and having a break from Bairnsdale. The move was executed in one go with the Tarago, Linsey's Camry and Lachie's Mum's car. From West Brunswick to Armadale. Much cheaper rent (truly), a lovely sort-of duplex place (1920's?) and closer to her Swinburne TAFE campus in Prahran. I much prefer Brunswick, I have to say. Armadale & Toorak are a bit fancy for me. Too many antique shops and bridal shops. Not interesting enough.

I got some fabric for hot weather clothes from Rathdowne Remnants & Fabrics. Clare and Ally bought some stretch knit stuff for "costumes". I bought a couple of books at Brunswick Bound and a number of CDs at Title.

And now, I'm back in Bairnsdale. Work today, work tomorrow etc etc. Weekend becomes a pleasant memory.

Hey, Thankyou

I really appreciate all your kind thoughts regarding my Dad's death. Thankyou.

Today's news: Took the dog to the vet to have a dew claw injury attended to. Don't know how it happened. Caught up on something and mostly wrenched out. The claw kept catching on things, and bleeding. Removed to a stump by the vet.

Is this a sad dog, or what?

Next: From the op-shop two new (to me) pairs of shoes. I have been looking for nice black flats for some time (even looking at new shoes). I encountered these at the local Salvos, and then saw the sparkly slipper ones. At two dollars, I risked the sparkles, and four dollars was a bargain for the black ones (all leather except for the sole).

And we're on flood alert. Nothing like what's been happening north of the ranges. It's always strange to have a flooding river with not much local rain.

Just some overflow on to the river flats. Grazing and vegetable growing. Hope it's not destructive of the major river flat vegetable growing area of Lindenow. That would mean local spring vegie crops would be washed away. Lack of local broccoli, cabbages and lettuces.

The road was closed, eventually. Minor stuff, but prevents people ploughing through in 4WD vehicles.

I missed a Sewjourn weekend with all the happenings. Damn and bugger. Much as my family is important - see, I let a Sewjourn weekend pass - that meant it was really important to hang with my family. And it is.

Family, Sewjourn, splendid women met via blogworld. Very important to me.

Where Was I?

Where am I? All over the shop.

After a rapid slide downhill, Dad died on the evening of 21 August. He was home from hospital for four days, home in his own bed, the final wish. I guess he could let go. My Mum and my sister were with him. When he came home an agency nurse was employed to provide physical assistance. My Mum was a nurse and it was intensely frustrating for her not to be able to care for Dad herself, she has the skills but not the mobility or physical strength.

Phone calls the next day saying the funeral was Thursday generated a frantic organising - going in to work to pay bills and set up wages, trying to contact Leah, searching for and buying accommodation, buying airfares for Linsey and Giles. trying to contact Leah, packing, working out travel food, trying to contact Leah - such a rush. Monday we were off on the trek to Qld. It takes us three days. I know people do the distance (approx. 2000km) in 1.5 or 2 days. Even with two drivers we just can't. We need to stop and eat, have coffee and let Clare and Ally out for a spin on the various playgrounds we encounter. We need time to go for a walk and stretch our legs (in daylight) when we stop to stay the night.

So we arrive Wednesday almost in time to pick up the elder two from the airport. My sister was there to do the honours. Question from Linsey and Giles, "How will we know what Aunty Cathy looks like?". "Much like me but her hair's longer". They haven't seen Aunty Cathy for a few years.

 
In Buderim Forest Park. Linsey's photo.

Dad's funeral was good. In his last days he was able to make decisions about the service, the hymns and prayers, pall bearers, even nominating the priest (there was one he really disliked and didn't want to preside at his funeral service). My brother wrote, and read, a splendid eulogy. A good meld of the  personal, anecdote and general fact. Linsey did the reading, Giles was a pall bearer. We all cried.

 
Linsey and Ally, Buderim Forest Park.

Dad's been cremated (his wish). Mum isn't sure what to do with his ashes because of the looming nursing home thing -her failing eyesight and severe mobility problems. She's undecided whether a place in Buderim or a place in Bairnsdale is the best option (assuming she has an option). I will put out feelers next week. She wants to have her ashes "interred" next to Dad's, hence the indecision.

 
Rear view, Buderim Forest Park.

About Leah. We texted, we phoned. No reply. The excuse was, "My phone was out of range". Hmmm. When she finally came home she wasn't interested in going to Grandpa's funeral. I was willing to buy another airfare but got, "Naaah". It didn't seem right when the rest of us were up in Qld and not Leah. An incomplete family.

I am sad and concerned that a boyfriend holds so much sway over her. With his influence (he's 20) I wonder if she'll go to uni. as she says she wants to. This whole thing warrants a post of its own but I doubt I'll write one. So torturous.

 
The little house over the creek. On Quorn Close. It really is over a creek. On a massive concrete pillar that has markings made on it to resemble scribbly gum. Linsey wants to live in this house. It's beautiful, probably too high for mosquitos...but I would need a little bit of ground to grow some herbs and vegies. This lovely house is too shady for that..

Buderim Forest Park walk was the right interlude between funerals and family. We've done this walk a few times. Giles was not keen at all. After we'd arrived back at the car he said, "Well, that was quick. I remember it took hours". I think last time he walked here he was maybe 8 years old. The walk takes about an hour, there and back.

So...I'm back in Bairnsdale. I've unpacked and put things away. I've done many loads of washing. I've been and spent hours at work generating income (aka doing accounts) and sorting other paperwork, generally catching up. I've bought more animal food. And milk (for humans).

And now...where was I?

 

Quick Trip

My husband buys a small crane from ebay. Think crane to be mounted on the tray of a ute.

It's pick up only from Kirrawee, far southern Sydney.

Thursday just gone we drove to Grasmere, near Camden, to stay with my buddy Liz (of road trip fame). Discovered one of the offspring (number one suspect: Giles) had changed the langauge on the SatNav to Spanish and the volume to 100%. There we were, driving around in the dark, being shouted at by a spanish lady. It was hilarious. Having been there before I was ok about finding the house, DH was less confident.

Now we have Direction Finding Karen. An Australian lady. Definitely not Strine. Strine would be funny for about half an hour and then get very annoying. Karen is very nice, even though DH persists in calling her Sheryl.

Had a catch-up and a spot of op-shopping. Came away with two kid's books of the Horrible Histories series, a book about raising twins and a good-sized rectangular terracotta pot (three basil plants size), chipped and gouged but intact. This was from the Tip Shop at Moss Vale, I think.

After collecting the crane we called in to Grasmere, then trundled on to Canberra and stayed the night. Took in the Old Bus Depot Markets the next morning. What a splendid market! So much beautiful handmade stuff. I bought two dozen bagels, two decoupage pendants on  leather thongs - desperately wanted by Clare and Ally, and a tile to stick close to our front gate. Based on a mosaic excavated at Pompeii, of a tethered (but snarling) dog. Cave canem is written on it. Beware of the dog.

We couldn't spend too long at the market. Still had a five hour drive home. Having two drivers (DH and I) makes it "easier".

I took my camera and it lay idle. No photos. One day I'll take a really slow journey on this route, I'll stop and take photos. I won't be constrained by a time frame.

Random photo from the archives. 

Dog Walk

I really wanted to do a follow up kitchen post. To show what the kitchen looked like when we bought this house 14.5 years ago.

No go. The printer/copier/scanner is dying, I think. For some time we've not been able to copy because the LCD screen used to do the settings is dead. Now the beast won't scan - just a scan fail message. This has been a really good printer, and I'm not enthused about researching and buying another. Heaves a great sigh.

Whinge over.

I've taken a couple of photos (actually about 25, you get to see the 3 or 4 I think worthy of posting) of one of my numerous dog-walking routes.

This is a path around what's called "the swamp". A small wetland behind the Secondary College and the indoor pool/recreational centre. From home and back, about 45 minutes at a brisk pace interspersed with sniff time (10 minutes, roughly).

Trees have been planted on the perimeter.

There's plenty of water  - we've had some regular rain. Water birds are feeding and the creaking of frogs and insects is quite loud.

It all looks quite lovely and "in the country". On the other side of the path is: a kindergarten, horse paddocks, school ovals, school buildings under construction, more school buildings, the recreational centre and vacant land.

My husband tells me that once upon a time this land was the racecourse and showground. Back in the early 60's I guess. He remembers going to the races there, when a little kid, with his dad.

It's a really pleasant walk, close to home, and the buildings aren't that ugly.

Another favourite walk is along the river. I also enjoy perving on people's gardens (and houses) on my up-and-down streets walks. I have been known to pinch "bits" from plants overhanging fences (source of all my geranium/pelargonium plants - heh,heh).

I think, if I didn't have a dog, I wouldn't walk as regularly. That's got to be a good thing.