June 3rd, 2021
“Gude(r) Mariye”, or “Good Morning!” iin Pennsylvania German / Dutch (Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch), a variety of Pennsylvania German spoken in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana in the USA, and in Ontario in Canada.
Well, I failed my DMV vision test. My retina specialist told me that I might fail but my eyesight would not impair my driving for at least another decade if ever. It seems my kind of Macular Degeneration is slower in developing and often stops for long periods of time. Anyway, I got a temp license until he can complete the form. I suspect part of my reason for failing was that my breath coming out of the top of my mask fogged up my lenses just enough. Anyway, hope fully it will be ok soon.
This week I learned some stuff:
• Its birthday season around out house. From the end of April (Jessica’s birthday) till the mid August (Darrian’s) we have a birthday every other week or so. It’s mostly a lot of fun but some scurrying around and a lot of birthday cake can take its toll.
• June 3rd is the 140th day of 2021. Just 205 days till Christmas! Today in 1965, he launch of Gemini 4, the first multi-day space mission by a NASA crew. Ed White, a crew member, performs the first American spacewalk.; Today in 1989, the government of China sends troops to force protesters out of Tiananmen Square after seven weeks of occupation; On this day in 2013, tThe trial of United States Army private Chelsea Manning for leaking classified material to WikiLeaks begins in Fort Meade, Maryland; Today in 2017, London Bridge attack: Eight people are murdered and dozens of civilians are wounded by Islamist terrorists. Three of the attackers are shot dead by the police; Jefferson Davis, American colonel and politician, President of the Confederate States of America was born today in 1808; Ransom E. Olds, American businessman, founded Oldsmobile and REO Motor Car Company was born on this day in 1864; Josephine Baker, French actress, singer, and dancer; French Resistance operative was born today in 1906; Tony Curtis, American actor was born today in 1925; Allen Ginsberg, American poet was born today in 1926; Today in 1942, Curtis Mayfield, American singer-songwriter and produce was born; Anderson Cooper, American journalist and author was born today in 1967;Ozzie Nelson, American actor and bandleader pass away today in 1975; James Arness, AKA Sherrif Matt Dillon, American actor and producer died today in 2011; And finally, Muhammad Ali, American boxer passed away today in 2016.
Website Update:
This week we made the following changes:
• A New Vocabulary Quiz YEAH!!!!
• Week two for new Musical Trivia Quiz.
• No new recipes this week.
• This week’s Home Page quote comes from Muhammad Ali, “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” This was a bit of wisdom I learned on my own while I was in the Navy. I was committed dumb-ass when I enlisted. It took me a year or so to realize it was the smartest thing I could have ever done.
Writing, Ceramics, Stained Glass and Painting Update:
• My creative gear box has been and still is stuck in neutral. I haven’t figured out how to push start this particular VW!
• I didn’t attend watercolor classes this week via zoom. I hope we can go back to the classroom soon.
• Grandpa Stories is still not re-published.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• I consider myself an expert on sneezing. I have spent every morning of my life sneezing at least 6 times before I complete my first cup of coffee or milk or juice. Everyone sneezes. Some use what I call the compressor sneeze. This is the daintiest and least intrusive of the sneezes available to humans. It is unique to humans. You will never catch any other self respecting mammal “ ah ‘chewing”in to a hanky. Most of us mammalian sneezers fall into the horn-blast or trumpet sneezer category which is in turn is divided into the immediate delivery and the anticipated delivery sub groups. Any horn-blaster can deliver their sneezes either sub group given the cause and inspiration for that particular sneeze. For example, I personally have caused little old ladies to experience “leakage” with my rather giftedly resounding horn-blast delivered without warning from a full stop. While on other occasions, I have had so many anticipatory, “ah.. ah…ah… ah…”s that total strangers were cheering me on to get it over and out already. I personally prefer the later of the two subgroups as it tends to be less messy, all round.
Music Update:
Once again, yours truly takes you on another meander through the dusty cobwebs of my music library.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• War — Low Rider — There has always been something about this song that I liked. My bro sent me a link to it this week and brought back all these memories. This comes from their “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” album released in 1975.
• Casey Hensley feat. Laura Chavez — Hard Headed Woman — These hard rocking ladies came to me via one of my poker buds. Casey does not hold back! This is from her “LIVE feat. Laura Chavez” album released in 2017.
• Led Zeppelin – Bron-Yr-Aur — A beautiful 12 string instrumental from their 1975 release, “Physical Graffiti (Remastered)”.
• The Allman Brothers Band — Blue Sky — One of the very best bands ever! This was released on their “Eat A Peach” album released in 1972.
• Nickel Creek — When You Come Back Down — It is hard for me to believe that it has been over two decades since this song came out. I got to see them once. They broke up not long after but what skillful artist! This one comes from their first album released in 2000.
• Dire Straits — So Far Away — Some times its not just distance. This was released in 1985 on “Brothers in Arms.”
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!