June 29th, 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 878 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- It’s been a crazy busy time for the gang living under the Jacaranda Tree. Both my wife and I got COVID. This was just as she was scheduled to begin some treatments with her doc. So all that had to be put on hold for a bit. Her sister was scheduled to come in and we had to push that too. You get the idea. Our caregiver and erstwhile daughter was doing her energizer bunny act juggling all the schedules, meds and such. And of course, when I was contagious I couldn’t cook so we had to jump through those hoops too. But it settled down just as I started this update up but we were late anyway. Ain’t Life Grand!
- I got to take my new birthday griddle present on its inaugural smashbuger adventure. Everyone survived and the burgers were outstanding.
- Unintended Consequences. In the 50s, 50s and 70s the world and most especially the US went on a petrochemical binge. Garages became to car to house the gas guzzlers we drove, while the buses and semis continued to belch out their clouds of ozone-burning gases. As the whole in our atmosphere grew larger our cities, like Shanghai. Nee Deli and LA learned about thermal inversion-related smog. And it started to get hotter, everywhere. Today, our dog Murphy got his first set of Crocs because the sidewalks get too hot for safe daytime walks without burning his Tootsies. And do it goes….
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- I have some new recipes to add but ran out of time.
- The Home Page will have a quote from another of my heroes, ston Robert Louis Stevenson: “ Keep your fears to yourself and share your courage with others”.
- I am getting close to having a new Vocabulary Quiz ready.
Writing, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- Our garden is still going without any further casualties. We saw our first little tomato!
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- My sister-in-law, Sharon is visiting from Miami. We all love it when she comes to visit! She never stays long enough for all of us to get our, “Sharon Fix”. We seem to pick up right where we left off last time – playing lots of board and card games and laughing a lot. Tippy’s treatments rob her of some of her energy but we still have fun.
Music Update:
For your listening pleasure. This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Jack Johnson — The Horizon Has Been Defeated— This is the first song that I heard by Jack and it was love at first sight. This one is from his, “On and On” album released in 2003.
- Joni Mitchell — Free Man in Paris — This is a great song from her iconic Court & Spark album released in 1974.
- Louisiana’s LeRoux & Tab Benoit – For What It’s Worth— You gots to have you some Cajun on the menu!!!! This is a great song released on their, “Power of the Pontchartrain” album released in 2007.
- The Jimi Hendrix Experience — Hey Joe — This is a favorite from their first album, “Are You Experienced?” released in 1967. I got to sing along with him in concert several times.
- Doug Smith — Lost in the Here and Now — This is just a beautiful song ! It is from his, “Labyrinth” album released in 1992.
- Bruce Springsteen— Glory Days — I am really enjoying all the Snapchat.Facebook interview clips with Bruce lately.. He has so many funny stories about touring. Try to Google Springsteen, Locust and Texas. It was hilarious. This one is from his, “Born in the USA” album released in 1984.
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!