Guggling

This is written on the evening of the 21st, so when you read it, it could be today for you or yesterday. 

Is there an autumn equinox? Yes.

Is there a winter solstice, like a summer solstice? Yes, and we've just had one today, the shortest daylight hours of the year. Our shortest Australia day has a sunrise about 7am and sunset about 5pm. The  summer solstice, without a daylight saving adjustment is sunrise at 5am and sunset at 8pm. 

There is a full moon tonight in our eastern skies. 

Does a full moon coincide with a winter solstice? It has this year, but no. It happens about once every two decades. 

Do I have moon photos to make my post more interesting? Yes. 

Just a day and a remembrance

I had two consecutive appointments at our major hospital yesterday. I was there from 12.30 to 4.45. One doctor was a customer at my workplace but of course I didn't remember him, nor him me. 

Today I have my six monthly skin cancer check at 12, then a CT scan back at the hospital at 1.00.

Friday I have an appointment at 9.15 with my GP, mainly to to get more repeat medications for ongoing issues. My GP met Ray just this year and I am sure he will be sympathetic when I tell him my Ray is no longer. I can stretch this grieving widower out for longer yet.

Before Ray said he did not want a funeral, he did suggest a couple of songs for his funeral. No one has done it better than Judy Garland.

But Iz Kamakawiwo'ole's recording is quite simple and just so nice.

The other track was Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World. 

Street Scandal

Take a look at this Google Map. Google Maps is far from perfect but calling St Kilda Road as Park probably arises from so many changes at the location as the underground Metro Rail Station is built, almost completed. Roads and tram tracks have been moved more than once. 

If you are travelling south to north along St Kilda Road, that is bottom to top almost vertically on the map, on the left you will encounter Albert Road where the green patch is and then Park Street.  

This is a very large sign facing south to north bound traffic and if you've followed what I wrote above, it is clearly wrong. Albert Road is first and then Park Street. I know the cost of some road furniture, but not a sign like this. However, I would not be surprised if it was in four figures. Clearly it will have to be replaced and indirectly taxpayers will foot the bill. What sheer bloody and unbelievable incompetence. 

Ray's Memorial

The two hour plus gathering of around thirty people went well, the music the food, the venue. I am $1,000 poorer.  My voice quavered at times as I read the speech and afterwards, a good nose blow was needed. Tradie Brother spoke about the connection between Ray and Mother with tears running down his face. Ex Sis in Law read a poem, and she too became quite emotional. Ray's ex workmate spoke with cheerful memories of Ray and her connection...for rather a long time, but that was fine. She is lovely.

Children had created art work with their memories of (great) Uncle Ray. I may show them later. 

Tradie Brother presented every attendee with a china mug. I knew there was something special about the mugs, but I didn't know what it was. I saw a black mug and a white mug. I ended up with seven to bring home. Three will be sent to Ray's sisters. I heard something about needing to make your tea or coffee in the mug for all to be revealed. 

Once home, I checked the seven boxes and they were all black mugs, no white. Ah well, the others took the white mugs, and I am left over with just black mugs. 

I no longer drink coffee or tea at home, but what if I just boil the kettle and pretend I am partaking?

I did, and the photos tell the result. 

The mug changed from black to white.

And look what was revealed on the mug once it had boiling water poured into it. How cool is that. Not quite perfect as Ray looks like his arm is deformed but what a brilliant thing for my brother to do. Oldest Niece packed up a box for me with the mugs and the children's artworks remembering Uncle Ray. Tradie Brother asked me for a photo of Ray a couple of weeks ago. I sent him some and then this one where I cropped out the rubbish bin in this photo, taken in Singapore. Today, Monday as I write this, I found the receipt in the bottom of the box. Mug @ $10 x 30.