March 23rd, 2023
“ 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 in the end of hostilities. It has been 392 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
- The Prostate Adventure continues. The effects of the radiation seem to be lessening. Still struggle with frequent and urgent bladder activities. I got some gift cards for participating in UCSD’s Prostate Cancer MRI study so we are taking them to our favorite seafood joint this weekend to enjoy a seafood-feeding frenzy!
- We are meeting with the administrators of Murphy’s doggy college this week. Its not free but these folks appear to have a great solution for Murphy and us.
- March 23rd is the day in 1775 that Patrick Henry delivered his speech – “Give me liberty, or give me death!” – at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia; After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the Pacific Ocean, explorers Lewis and Clark and their “Corps of Discovery” begin their arduous journey home. today in 1806; On that same day, in 1857, Elisha Otis’s first elevator is installed at 488 Broadway New York City; Today in 1909, Theodore Roosevelt leaves New York for a post-presidency safari in Africa. The trip is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society; The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act of 1933, making Adolf Hitler dictator of Germany today in 1933; Today in 1977, The first of The Nixon Interviews (12 will be recorded over four weeks) is videotaped with British journalist David Frost interviewing former United States President Richard Nixon about the Watergate scandal and the Nixon tapes; Today in 2010, the Affordable Care Act becomes law in the United States; Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the United Kingdom into its first national lockdown in response to COVID-19. today in 2020; Today in 1862, Nathaniel “Texas Jack” Reed, American stagecoach, train and bank robber outlaw was born; Roger Martin du Gard, French novelist, and paleographer, Nobel Prize laureate was born today in 1881; Today in 1924, Bette Nesmith Graham, American typist, and inventor, invented Liquid Paper. She was also the mother of The Monkeys, Michael Nesmith; Mark Rydell, American actor, director and producer born on the same day but in 1929; Jimmy Miller, American record producer (Spenser Davis, Traffic, Rolling Stones) and musician was born today in 1942; Also born today but in 1944, was “The Cars’ Ric Ocasek, American singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer; David “Dawg” Grisman, American mandolin player (Old and In the Way band with Jerry Garcia) and composer was born today 1945; Chaka Khan, American singer-songwriter was born today in 1953; Peter Lorre, American actor passed away today in 1964; Friedrich Hayek, Austrian-German economist, philosopher, and academic, Nobel Prize laureate died today in 1992; David B. Bleak, American sergeant, Medal of Honor (Korea) recipient passed away today 2006; Today in 1998, Derek Barton, English-American chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate passed away; And lastly, Elizabeth Taylor, American-British actress, socialite and humanitarian passed away today in 2011.
This week’s Website Update:
- A New Vocabulary Quiz !!!! Yeah!
- Week two for the Musical Trivia Quiz
- This week I created a couple of new recipes for you. One is a veggie pasta casserole and I have replaced the existing Cajun Corn recipe with what I call Cajun Corn V2 which incorporates a tasty mayo sauce.
- Working on the Home Page quote for this week I remembered one of the toughest books that I ever read was by philosopher and author, Bertrand Russel. He had the most amazing vocabulary! He said, “The good life is one that is inspired by love and guided by knowledge.”. I am sure that is true as far as it goes but there are other definitions I like a little more. This advice comes from our old friend Jimmy Buffett who knows a little something about the good life. He said, “Take it all in… it’s as big as it seems. Count all your blessings. Remember your dreams.” That one works mo betta fo me!
Writing, Ceramics, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
- No painting or stained glass work yet and my Bonsai are in drastic need of pruning. I will try again to get something creative and productive maybe later this week.
- I am continuing my streak of slacking off on the paper edits of Grandpa Stories. I just haven’t carved out any time for more chapters.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
- For many years I have lusted after a Subaru. Way back in the 1970s they had this sexy little 4WD pickup truck called, “The Brat”. But when it came to making car purchases, I was reliably distracted by price or features. I was determined that our next car was going to be a Subaru. Especially, after my son bought Jenny her Forrester. But alas it appears I am going to be foiled yet again. I also said my next vehicle was going to be a hybrid. I want the flexibility of the gas engine and the environmental impact of a plug-in electric as well. After chasing my tail all over the internet and not the least of which was the Subaru site, in spite of the ability to “build” your hybrid online and lots of rumors of redesigned Crosstrecks and Foresters online. The dealer said they weren’t making any more hybrids this year and had no plans to build any in 2024. Oh well…so now I surf the alternatives which are many but not free.
Music Update:
Here we go again, following my musical taste buds through space:
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
- Jethro Tull — Aqualung — This is the title cut from one of my favorite albums of all time. This week way back in 1971, Aqualung was released.
- Pink Floyd — Us and Them — This is from their best-selling album, “Dark Side of the Moon ” released in 1973. This week in 2013, this record was registered by the United States Library Of Congress having received the highest number of public nominations.
- Bruce Springsteen — Streets of Philadelphia — This week in 1994, this song won an Oscar for Best Original Song. It also won 5 Grammy Awards that year.
- U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For — This album firmly planted the band in the supergroup category when it was released this week in 1987.
- Led Zeppelin — Black Dog — On this day in 1971, the bank kicked off the first tour where they played this song, “Stairway to Heaven” and “Going to California” live. These songs were originally released on their “Led Zeppelin IV” in 1971.
- Supertramp — It’s Raining Again — This seems appropriate as California tries to end 10 years of drought in one winter. This week the original frontman and songwriter of the band, Roger Hodgson turned 73.
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!