March 30th, 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 784 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- We are adjusting to Jessica being the primary driver. And it is an adjustment. I used to get an idea and hope in the car and head off to local Lowes for stuff or if I forgot something needed to make dinner, I could just pop out indeed the car and pick it up. Movement has become more precisely planned and less spontaneous.
- A healthcare tip from me: Make sure the services and the service provider are “In-Network”. It can be an expensive mistake to assume the doctor’s office or the people who arrange for ordered services at your healthcare provider are current on the status of those things.
- You can find out all about today in history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- This week’s update includes some updated recipes. I found a mistake in our remarkably tasty Bacon, Egg, and Kimchi Ramen. This week my daughter and I went to a Ramen place that has a Michelin star and while the Ramen we got was good, we thought our recipe was better. * also assed a fixed Bok Choy recipe.
- The Home Page quote for this week’s wisdom is from former President Barack Obama: “ Those who think that their Social Security is sacred and the Republicans wouldn’t dare to destroy it, should ask a woman about Roe Vs Wade.”
Writing, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- I finished (albeit delinquently) pruning our rather massive wisteria vines. A nontrivial task in the best of times but with my shoulder, leg, and sometimes back pain ganging up on me … it took longer to finish than hoped. Yeah Team! The next step is typing down the runners to grow where we want the to and not where they are included to go.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- I am not really sure what to put here this week. It all feels a bit weird these days – politics, health, social and activity constraints. It is a tough time to be an optimist! 🙂
Music Update:
For your listening pleasure:
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Billy Joel — Only the Good Die Young (Single Version)— This is another one of the anthem songs from my years as a younger man. t always reminded me of talking to the girls walking home from St. Teresa’s Catholic School. This one is from Billy’s 1978 release, “The Stranger”.
- Bruce Cockburn — Last Night Of The World— This guy is really something special. I have not heard one song from him that I haven’t liked. This one is from his 2002 release, “Anything Anytime Anywhere”.
- Box Scaggs — Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl—Boz was one of Steve Miller’s classmates growing up. I loved the music they made together and still love their solo efforts as well. This one came out in 2013 on his “Memphis (Bonus Track Version)”.
- Venice — For a Dancer — This is just a beautiful cover of a beautiful song. This is just one of the great songs on their 2014 release, “Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne”
- Tedeschi Trucks Band — Everybody’s Talkin’ (Live) — Speaking of great covers!!! These folks are making some fine music. This is a Fred Neil song covered by Nilsson for Midnight Cowboy 1969, This is a live version of the title cut from their 2012 release.
- Grateful Dead — Truckin’— This is the first song that was a commercial success for a great band. This is off their 1970 release, “A, American Beauty”.
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!