Friday check-in

I am back in my little office/sewing room, it is freshly painted and all very bright and lovely. I am glad it was finished on Thursday afternoon because I really needed to get back in for my evening podcasting session. It is more quiet at the back of the house. Of course at 10:30 pm it is generally quiet anyway... yes, it was a late recording because the podcast home is in New York. It went well and I enjoyed myself. I have a most debilitating form of imposter syndrome so always worry about coming across as uninformed and inarticulate when talking science with eminent colleagues. 

Annie was also on air, live in her case. She was talking to Radio BBC2 Scotland about her experiences as a learner driver during the pandemic and the prospects of up to 8 months waiting list for a driving test. She sounded very grown-up. Funniest of all was that she mentioned her dad shouting at her while practicing her driving. Richard hardly ever shouts but it is good to hear that I am not the only flawed parent.

I might brave the world today and go to Ikea. I know, the excitement. I have two unframed little pictures that I would like to put in a frame. I also want to replace one tiny frame that is hold together by two rubber bands because it is falling to bits. I am rather fond of the photograph, which I picked up at a charity shop before I moved to Scotland (almost prehistoric).

I have been eyeing new sewing machines. I am using a second hand Janome CLX301 and I really like it. I also have a Janome Memory Craft 4800C that my mum bought me at least 15 years ago. Both work just fine although I tend to use the simpler model because I prefer the backstitch on that one. It is a simple as that. So in other words, I do not need a new sewing machine (but I am still looking). I fancy a machine that has an auto threader because I find threading the needle difficult. I also really want a machine that sews buttons on and one that has a bit more space to the right of the needle for quilting larger quilts. I added the most coveted models to my birthday wish list, along with two different tents that I also fancy, a few house plants and a shoe horn. For my birthday, I want the shoe horn most of all, thanks for asking. 

I started two new courses this week and it is awfully quiet on the virtual learning platforms. I hope things will get more lively as the courses progress. In the meantime, I am working on stuff that has been gathering virtual dust. I am delighted to tell you all that my contract is now open ended and I have returned the paperwork so all good until retirement (pending funding of course). A scary thought.

My basil and parsley finally germinated. I had given up hope. My cucumber plants didn't like being in the porch, I think it is still too cold. The plants look a bit faded and not quite right. I hope they recover because I have big plans pickling gherkins for the winter. I love a pickled gherkin. 

On that note, I'll sign off for the weekend. I plan to spend much of it doing nothing, preferably in the garden. It is vitamin D production time of year (not too hot to burn but warm enough to expose skin). Have a good weekend.