January 9th, 2020
“Sabahınız xeyir!” or “Good Morning” in Azerbaijani, a Turkic language spoken mainly in Azerbaijan.
Welcome one and all to the new and improved year- 2020. I hope this year is your most spectacular year yet! Bon Voyage! Mon Ami! The best is yet to come.
Our trip to TX was wonderful. We really enjoyed the time that we had with my son and his family. We didn’t get to see as many folks as we would have liked or perhaps do as much due to some health difficulties but we had an outstanding time in spite of the variations from the plan. We did manage to visit old town Denton and the Perot Museum but mostly we just hung out with the family for the first time in far to long.
I haven’t ever made any “New Year’s Resolutions” per say because I kind of make goals for myself all the time, the calendar not withstanding.
This week I learned some stuff:
• I learned how to do a corned beef brisket and back Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.
• January 9th is the 9th day of the year (leaving only 352 days till Christmas!). On this day in1788, Connecticut becomes the fifth state to ratify the Constitution; In 2007, Apple CEO, Steve Jobs introduces the iPhone at MacWorld; Good, Bad and Ugly actor, Lee Van Cleef is born on this day in 1928; In 1941, activist, singer and songwriter Joan Baez is born; On this day in 1944, Jimmy Page, English guitar player, song writer and founding member of Led Zeppelin is born; In 1967, South African singer, songwriter guitarist, Dave Mathews was born; We lost our favorite Matag Repair man, actor Jessie White in 1997.
Website Update:
• The next “New” Vocabulary Quiz will be next week.
• The Music Triva quiz will be back the following week.
• No new recipes this week. I tried to get my granddaughter, Chloe’s recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins but she was sworn to secrecy by her friend.
Writing, Ceramics and Painting Update:
• Back to school this week.
• Grandpa Stories is still not re-published.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• Back in October my daughter and her kids decorated our house for Halloween, not as much for Thanksgiving and went all out making our house festive for Christmas. When we got back, we found the Christmas stuff all gone but it was replaced by Valentines stuff. My world is covered with hearts of every size and shape.
Music Update:
I have no theme in mind for this weeks UJT Radio Selection. These are just a few of the musical textures that enrich our lives so much. Ain’t Life Grand!!!
Go to this week’s UJT Radio program.
• John Mayer — 83 — I think this might have been John’s first commercial hit. It comes from his “Room for Squares” album released in 2001.
• Bruce Springsteen – Blinded by the Light — From the Vinyl !!! This one comes from his amazing “Greetings from Ashbury Park” album released in 1973. That entire album is still one of the most impressive collection of original songs that I have heard.
• Men At Work — Down by the Sea — I always have been impressed by these guys. This is a deep cut from thier, “Business As Usual” album released in 1982.
• Hall and Oates — Kiss On My List — I know its kind of a schmaltzy song but on occasion I can be a little schmaltzy. This one is from their 1980 release, “Voices”.
• Ambrosia — Time Waits for No One — From the Vinyl!!! This music is just sooooo tight! I recommend a good set of ear phones and loud volume. If you aren’t familiar with Ambrosia, I suggest some investigation. This one comes from their first album, “Ambrosia released in 1975.
• Billy Joel — Piano Man — This one always takes me back to when I was a 17year old car park at my best friend’s dad’s restaurant. It had a a piano bar and a Piano Man. He drove a cherry 1955 orange Chevy with a 427 engine. It always amazed me that he knew so many songs any one requested. This is from the “Piano Man” album released in 1973.
• Lifehouse – Better Luck Next Time – This is a deep cut from their third studio album, “Lifehouse” released in 2005.
That’s it… Do the best you can; Laugh every chance you get; And always remember … The best is yet to come! As always, thank you for being my friend!