What’s top of my mind: Fortunate Frogdancer strikes again!

Last September, I travelled to Iceland and Greenland, determined to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen. Ah well… given a choice of seeing polar bears or the Northern Lights, I would choose the bears every time, so I wasn’t too upset.

Two nights ago, there was a huge solar storm, and when I woke at 2 AM and saw on FB that people were seeing the Southern Lights from beaches in Melbourne, I knew I had to act. Much to Hazel and Scout’s confusion, I threw on some clothes, left them alone in the house and drove 1 minute to my Backyard Beach.

There, I found a small group of Swiss tourists who taught me what I had to do to get the photos. Success!

Green and purple lights. Considering I was taking these shots in a major city, I was pleased with the outcome. How funny that I ended up seeing them so close to home! I was telling Tom34 about it yesterday, and he smiled and said, “You really do get what you want, don’t you?”

It seems that I do. I’m definitely not complaining about it.

Where I’m going: To Frankston hospital with Mum.

Exciting times. She’s being taken by non-emergency ambulance to get an x-ray on her broken arm to track if/how much it’s knitting together. She’s hoping the brace will come off. I’m less optimistic about that happening, but we’ll see.

Where I’ve been: to Mum’s place.

Georgia31 and Evan29 have moved in, and I’ve been listing Dad’s model car collection. I found an auction place in Dingley that handles collections like this, so I’ve sent them the list. I’ve got my fingers crossed that Mum will be able to earn some coin from them.

What I’m reading: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil – V.E. Schwab

I can’t remember who recommended this novel, but I’m enjoying it.

What I’m watching – Stranger Things and The Traitors UK.

Tonight I’m going to watch the series finale. I’ve heard mixed reports about it, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it won’t be another Game of Thrones debacle.

What I’m listening to: the sound of silence.

I had no true idea of how much the ‘clickety clack’ of the keyboard as Georgia31 plays her games was annoying me so much. Not EVER hearing it now is pretty nice.

What I’m eating: whatever I want.

Not having to consider anyone else for meals is delightful.

What I’m planning: Nothing much.

I should be planning for Taiwan. Blogless Sandy brought it to my attention that we only have 6 weeks to go.

Who deserves a ‘thumbs-up’: Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada.

When you compare Carney’s speech yesterday – where he pretty much makes it plain that Canada is divorcing the US – with Trump’s rambling, insane speech where he mixes up Iceland and Greenland, among many other things… oof.

It appears as if European leaders, along with Canada, have had a gutful of trying to work with Trump and are now backing away.

Like this.

On the other hand, a Danish politician came right out and told Trump to fuck off.

What has made me smile: Hazel and Scout.

Hazel’s now almost 5 months old. They’re playing together over possession of a toy, and making the weirdest ‘play-fight’ noises.

The best thing I ever did for Scout was bring home Hazel. That puppy has barely put a foot wrong, and Scout (mostly) likes the company. Haha!

Dad joke of the day: