May 4th, 2024
“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, an Eastern Slavic language spoken mainly in Ukraine. I have decided that the UJT will remain focused on Ukraine until we can all rejoice at the end of hostilities. It has been 822 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- This week I started my physical therapy for my arthritic hands. I have to do 2 sets of seven exercises twice a day. I also have to wear these copper compression gloves at night to reduce swelling. So far so good although some of the exercises are or get a little painful.
- This week, we started our new vertical garden. several years ago, I attempted a pallet garden. It was not a success. I have higher hopes for this one as there is a greater application of science. Keep your fingers crossed!
- I learned a new wonderful urban legend about Earnest Hemingway this week. As the story goes. Hemingway was drinking with his writer buddies in the bar of the Algonquin Hotel. He was challenged or proposed, depending upon what version you hear, to a $10 bet to write a novel in just 6 words. Hemingway took the bet and jotted down the following on a napkin and passed it around the table collecting his winnings: “For Sale: baby shoes. never worn.” I don’t know. It may be total bullshit but I like it.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- I came up with a new version of a dish I had tried before. This time it turned out very tasty. I hope you might try my Shepards Pie v2.
- The Home Page quote this week comes from a touching story about Franz Kafka and a little girl he met in Berlin Park. The unmarried and childless Kafka was walking in the park when he met a little girl crying over a lost doll. Please find and read the story. The quote is from the end: “Everything you love is very likely to be lost, but in the end, love will return in a different way.” .
Writing, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- The 2 bonsai trees I started last week are still alive!
- I began a repair on a Tulip stained glass piece I made for my granddaughter some time ago. It got dropped and some of the panels got broken.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- Accidental disparagement or perhaps conversational disparagement? This is what happens when you inadvertently enjoy arrogance without regard to your audience. Some would say “Political Correctness” is the alternative but even that can be done condescendingly if not truly felt. When I say, “ This is good”, I am also saying everyone should find this good, which may be presumptuous and untrue. A better way is, “ I really enjoy this.” That removes the inadvertent negative comparison- if you don’t find this good you must not be “normal”. We don’t even think about it. One of my favorites is, “It’s not rocket science.” What we should say is something like, “I never have trouble doing that.” Or “Doing this always seems easy for me”. That way you are avoiding making someone feel like a moron when all you want to convey is that is doable. I guess the message is, that your words count, so they should count towards what you really mean.
Music Update:
Here is some music that has crossed my path this week that I wanted to share with you.
For your listening pleasure: This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Tears for Fears — Everybody Wants to Rule the World — I think that this was one of the first records we got from ur Coupon money in Va. When the kids were little they would go with me on Sunday’s to do grocery shopping. This ritual began with coups clipping from the Sunday mewspaper all the couples we thought we could use. The grocery store we shopped at was great for 2 reasons. First, they totaled up the coupons after the sale and gave us back the cash. The second reason was they had a used record store right next door. This one is from their, “Songs from the Big Chair” released in 1985.
- Tom Petty — You Don’t Know What It’s Like — This just a great sone from his “Wildflowers” album released in 1994.
- Billy Joel – Only the Good Die Young — I always love the song even if I disagreed with the title! This is from his icon release from 1977, “The Stranger”.
- The Eagles — I Can’t Tell You Why — I loved Timothy B. Schmit .from back when he was paying base and singing with Poco. This is just a pretty song. This was released on their, “The Long Run” album in 1979.
- Boz Scaggs — Lowdown — Boz is another special player who I have followed all along. A founding member of the Steve Miller band who left when SMB took a sharp turn into commercial music. This one is from his “ Silk Degrees” album released in 1979. There is an very cool version of this song on You Tube featuring Micheal MacDonald and Donald Fagan. Check it out.
- Supertramp — Logical Song — This one is a favorite of mine from their, “ Breakfast in America” album released in 1979.
That’s it… Do the best you can; Laugh every chance you get; Always remember… The best is yet to come! As always, thank you for being my friend!