September 7th, 2024
“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, is 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 942 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- Our 20+ year-old pond is leaking. It was bound to happen but getting the liner replaced is neither free nor painless. I know my fish and I will be happier without the huge water bills and constant replenishment that disrupt their placid lives. And so it goes.
- I am “reading” (Is listening to an audio book reading?) a really good book called, “The Women”. It’s about the women who served in Vietnam. I have always considered the way Vietnam Vets were treated when they came home and it was doubly true for the women vets. This book traces the tracks of a young woman nurse who went. I share many of the same memories of 1966. Life in Coroado Island. CA and Coral Gables, FL were very similar for 14-year-old kids trying to understand our world in turmoil both at home and across the planet. For example, both CA and FL had men who rode around on special tricycles that had dry-ice-cooled coolers on the front with a row of jangling row of bells across the handlebars. Their 5-cent popsicles, 10-cent Dreamcicles, and nutty buddies were wonderful treats on hot sunny afternoons both locations enjoyed. That led me to remember the fruit and veggies truck that came by every weekday. Our neighborhood vendor was named Dominic. He was an old school Italian. He stopped coming after the Cuban Air Lift. I still remember his dark pock-marked face and giant white smile. Anyway, “The Women” by Kristin Hannah is a great book.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- I was surprised to learn that I had yet to post my recipe for Cedar Plank Salmon. I have cooked it several times. Jessica and I even attended a demo by Sam the Cooking Guy on how to do it. It’s very good. I am not even a salmon guy and I like it.
- A new Vocabulary Quiz!!!!
- This week the Home Page will quote Andrea Junker: “If you’re afraid that books might’ change someone’s thinking, you are not afraid of books, you’re afraid of thinking.”.
Writing, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- I keep thinking about these projects but lately seem to prefer listening to my books.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- One of the most consistent principles of the Republican Party is that if the government reduces the tax burden upon corporations and wealthy individuals, everyone benefits. The adage that. “All boats rise together” is often spouted from every orifice. They have talking heads who will explain in painful detail how the “trickle-down” economic engine works. The only problem with these explanations is that they are wrong. Historically, tax relief for corporations benefit wealthy individuals almost exclusively and at the expense of the standard of living at the middle-income level of the economy. Please! I encourage everyone to satisfy themselves with the facts. The research is not hard to do. The fact of the matter is that the work that the Labor Unions have done has been the engine that lifted all boats. Every benefit won by Labor Union action has resulted in changes affecting all workers and management to some degree. So when you were grilling your weenies last Monday, I hope you held a measure of gratitude for the men and women of Labor Unions who’s helped you and yours live richer lives. With all the noise about mob connections, Jimmy Hoffa and so on, the good that unions have done gets lost. Oh and by the way, at one time or other the mob has corrupted every enterprise with the possible exception of neighborhood synagogues. Just sayin’….
- “With Abandon” is a term I employ when discussing virtually any activity of my youth. I played sports, sang, danced or lived as a boy. I walked, ran, or rode my bicycle all over Miami and most of Dade County, FL when I was growing up. We could climb the jetties at Hallover Beach, hoping and jumping from one bolder to the next without a thought as to the consequences of falling, even when it came close to happening to us – With Abandon! Swinging on a rope into the rock pits because it was there on our walk home from school. Even watching the sea cows in the Coral Gables Canal munching on the water hyacinths on hot summer days. We waited for the sea cows to eat their fill and mossy on before we took our afternoon dip. We even rested with abandon, lost in thought as the big grey blobs in the water much the deep green leaves, and purple flowers floating below us. It makes me smile to think of those times as I shuffle my old guy’s bad knee shuffle around the house or store The beauty of our bodies, our world, and the joy we felt every day was taken for granted. I guess that is how it should be. Otherewise, how could be live with abandon?
Music Update:
This week’s selections took me on a fun stroll through memories – Enjoy the Ride!!
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Louis Armstrong — What a Wonderful World — I always enjoyed Louis Armstrong but when Robin Williams gave us “Good Morning Vietnam” helped us find something too mile about remembering the war in the movies. It was a hit single for him in 1967.
- Johnny Mathis — Chances Are — There were very few songs played at our house. I am not sure why but my mom had an aversion to radios or record players. The songs we did hear were mostly from Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. It was aways a tough call who had the more beautiful voice – Johnny or Nat. They bother good. This one is from his hit single released in 1957.
- Cold Play – Sky Full of Stars — The first time I heard this song it was a live performance on some huge stage on TV Something about it caught me and has not let me go yet. Recently I have seen clips of their concerts where the band cannot be heard over the audience’s singing. I just love it when that happens.This one is from their 2004 release, “Ghost Stories”.
- War — Low Rider — Another one of those songs that described a part of life I have never know but still meant something to me. This is from their 1975 release, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”.
- Dave Brubeck Quartet — Take Five — Thus one is another blast from the past. Released on their 1959, “Time Out” in 1959, it was a giant in the jazz world. I have washing a lot of Bosch lately and he loves his jazz.
- Dave Mason — Only You Know and I know — I fell in love with Traffic from the first time I heard their music. All of the players were giants and it was just a matter of time before they blew up into 5 shining soloists. This song is from his first solo album after leaving Traffic, “Dave Mason – Alone Together” album released in 1970.
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!