December 1st, 2022 –
“ 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 278 days since Russia attacked Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
• We are waiting for the contractor and adjuster to work out the differences between the estimate and how USAA does business. Hopefully, they will get it worked out so we can start the work this week.
• The Prostate Adventure continues with our meeting with my radiation treatment doctor this week.
• December 1st is the 335th day of 2022! Just 24 days till Christmas! Today in 1862, in his State of the Union Address President Abraham Lincoln reaffirms the necessity of ending slavery as ordered ten weeks earlier in the Emancipation Proclamation; Shaw University, the first historically black university in the southern United States, is founded in Raleigh, North Carolina. today in 1865; On this day in 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes gets the first telephone installed in the White House; Also today in 1941, Emperor Hirohito of Japan gives his tacit approval to the decision of the imperial council to initiate war against the United States; In 1955 on this day, in Montgomery, Alabama, seamstress Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat to a white man and is arrested for violating the city’s racial segregation laws, an incident which leads to that city’s bus boycott; Today in 1969, the first draft lottery in the United States is held since World War II; Today in 1988, World AIDS Day is proclaimed worldwide by the UN member states; Today in 1991, Ukrainian voters overwhelmingly approve a referendum for independence from the Soviet Union;Marie Tussaud, French-English sculptor, founded Madame Tussauds Wax Museum was born today in 1761; Rex Stout, American detective novelist was born today in 1886; Mary Martin, (AKA the original Peter Pan) American actress and singer was born today in 1913; Born today in 1921, Vernon McGarity, American sergeant, Medal of Honor recipient; Martin Rodbell, American biochemist and endocrinologist, Nobel Prize laureate was born today in 1925; Born today in 1933, Lou Rawls, American singer-songwriter, producer, and actor; Sandy Nelson, American rock and roll drummer born today in 1938;Lee Trevino, American golfer and sportscaster was born today in 1939;Richard Pryor, American comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter was born today in 1940; Bette Midler, American singer-songwriter, actress and producer was born today in 1945; Mat Kearney, American musician was born today in 1978; Vance Joy, Australian singer-songwriter was born today in 1987; Zoë Kravitz, American actress, singer, and model was born today in 1988; George Stigler, American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate passed away today in 1991; And lastly,Ken Berry (AKA Capt Parmenter on F Troop), American actor, dancer, and singer passed away today in 2018.
Website Update:
This week:
• Last week for our Vocabulary Quiz
• A New Musical Trivia Quiz!!!! Yeah!
• We did test drive a new side dish – My Roasted Broccoli but this recipe needs some additional teaks before I publish it. I did finally write down what I call my Nifty Jiffy cornbread recipe. I hope you will try it.
• The Home Page quote this week is from Albert Einstein. He said, “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value”.
Writing, Ceramics, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass and Painting Update:
• I am switching back to my stained glass project. I may do some painting as well.
• 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:
I am not sure if you have ever watched The Shootist staring John Wayne. There are a whole lot of other great people in this movie. He gives his best work. I know everyone talks about his performance asRooster Cogburn in True Grit but this moving movie is about death, pride and honor in dying. This seems somehow seems more important to me. Ron Howard reminds us of what a tremendous actor he is in his role as Giliam Rogers. Rumor has it that Wayne and Howard did not enjoy each other’s company but you cannot tell it in their performances. Lauren Bacall manages to be hard and soft and everything in between as Gilliam’ widowed Ma.
Speaking of good performances, have you watched Tulsa King on Paramount+ ? This is a well written show that seems perfectly suited to Sylvester Stallone. He is still a serious actor. And he looks like he is having fun.
Music Update:
This week I am celebrating my good fortune with some remarkable music.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• Arlo Guthrie — Alice’s Restaurant Massacree — I had some trouble with my website management tool and was unable to get this song uploaded for the Thanksgiving UJT. I finally figured it out on Monday morning and added it to the sample list. This is one side of his album, “Alice’s Restaurant” released in 1967.
• Uriah Heep – Easy Livin — This is another flashback song for me. Larry Clayton and I were living on Tuna Subs and Ripple wine living in Ghent. This was a song we played on the juke box at the sub place. This is from their “Demons and Wizards” album released in 1972.
• Robert Plant and Alison Kraus — Please Read the Letter — This is a sweet duet from an album full of them. This one comes from their 2007 collaboration called, “Raising Sand”. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
• Super Session — Season of the Witch — This an amazing cover of a song by Donovan captured on a crazy album made by crazy. talented people – Stephen Stills, Mike Bloomfield and Al Cooper. The album was released in 1968.
• Tedeschi Trucks Band — Shelter — This beautiful ladleful of sexy blues is just such a fine example of why these folks are the real deal!! This is anther great cut from their 2011 release, “Relevator”.
• Alanis Morissette — Head Over Feet — This quirky poet songwriter kind of captured my heart with her deeply personal lyrics. This is one those iTunes Originals but it comes from her 1995 release, “Jagged Little Pill”. This was a favorite of my friend Jack.
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!
James
W: https://jfmccann.com
E: james@jfmccann.com
P: (858) 952-4241