September 21st, 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 956 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- Our pond is back in action. I am going to rebuild the waterfall on my own. It will take a lot longer but cost a lot less than having someone else do it. But it will feel good to accomplish something on my own. Keep your fingers crossed.
- This week I started my annual homemade Christmas project. This year’s project is much more modest in scope than precious years but I hope the recipients enjoy the sentiment intended.
- I just found out that Lee Child (author of the Reacher series of novels) also writes short stories. He has started to publish them in collections. So far so good.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- I am sorry about last week’s update. In addition to the carrots recipe, I also published the Cedar Plank Salmon. I hope you saw it at the bottom of the page. No new recipes this week.
- This week the Home Page will quote from my Zen Guitar Sensei Philip Toshio Sudo: “Do what you have to, when you have to do it, and do it the same way every time.”.
Bonsai Tree and Stained Glass, Update:
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- Thinking it over I realized that I am never going to use all of the Bonsai pots that I have. I will donate the pots Jess and BJ don’t want to keep to the San Diego Bonsai Club.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- Do you have any pet peeves? I am not sure if it is because I have more time on my hands or that I am just getting grumpier with age. I suspect it may be a bit of both, but some things that people do just piss me off! Like the moron, who is shopping with his phone on speaker talking to someone or worse yet in the urinal next to you in the mens room! Another is when I am at the gyn trying to do the elliptical while listening to a book or music, and two guys come up and one sits down on the machine and the other stands next to him both talking as loud as possible. GGRRRR!! Oh yeah, another favorite peeve is that person who parks the love of their life – their car – across two spaces in a crowded parking lot or in the handicapped spaces. So we need automatic weapons after all!!!
Music Update:
This week I am continuing our celebration of just some of the amazing women who are making music. After making these selections (and even with adding a couple) I realized I didn’t even scratch the surface of the richness that women have brought to us through their music.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Jefferson Airplane — White Rabbit — For most of us this song was how we were introduced to Jefferson Airplane and their lead singer/songwriter, Grace Slick. It became one of those anthem songs that define a generation. This is from their 1967 release, “Surrealistic Pillow”.
- Sarah McLachlin — Angel— This one is almost always makes me cry as I do my best to sing along. Sarah wrote it upon hearing that Jonathan Melvoin, Smashing Pumpkins keyboardist, had died of a heroin overdose in a hotel in 1996.This song was released on her 1997 release, “Surfacing”.
- Bonnie Raitt – Have a Heart — I have featured this song on the UJT Radio many times. It’s an iconic cut from her “Nick of Time” album released in1089.
- Zephyr — High Flying Bird — We lost the soulful singing, playing, and songwriting of Candy Givens in 1984 when she accidentally drowned. She wasps the lead singer of the band until her death. This one is from their second album,” Sunset Ride” released in 1972.
- Samantha Fish —Kill or Be Kind — This lady is a new face for me. She is reputed to put on an ass-kicking live show. I have just started exploring her music but this one caught my ear. This is the title cut from her 2019 release.
- Tedeschi Trucks Band — Shelter — These folks are just amazing players!!! This one is from their, “Revelator” album released in 2011.
- Fleetwood Mac — Warm Ways — This is one of my favorite Christie McVie songs. Sadly we lost Christie in 2022. This one is from her self-titled album released in 1975.
- Fleetwood Mac — Sara — This is the other half of the band’s dynamic duo of talented women. Stevie Nicks gave this song on their 19799 release, “Tusk”.
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!