December 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 1,047 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- Just 4 more days until Santa hits the road! Our youngest child, Jessica has been decorating her butt off to get us ready for the big day. We have all manners of Christmas stuff judicially spread around out house. The beasts are intrigued but so far no one has tried to climb the tree or pee on it. All is good.
- We have our menu for the big day all sorted out. Unlike most years, our Christmas feast will be prime rib! We will also have roast carrots, and Brussels sprouts for sure. There is still some controversy over potatoes! The younger participants wish to a repeat of the wonderful Sweet Potato Casserole we enjoyed at Thanksgiving. The geezer in the bunch is pushing for baked potatoes instead. Stay tuned! Thankfully there is no dispute over pie – Pecan thank you verymuch
- My vision has diminished to the point where my cutesy little magnifier that I wear on a chain around my neck is no longer sufficient to enable me to read my phone. So now I am lugging around the clunky white one that the Braille Institute recommended. I drop the thing out of my seat shirt pocket more often than I forget my cane! My daughter is passing me to get a man purse or fanny pack. I have resisted that for a couple of decades now – got by with a brief case or backpack, but yesterday, the magnifier fell and now it has a big rubber band holding the pattern compartment together! And so it goes…. Ever, so slowly I am evolving into one of those Walmart trolls that you see in their track suits with their fanny packs. Running around Walmart. Not a pretty sight.
- You can find out all about today in history here.
This week’s Website Update: I
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- Ramping up for the holidays so I didn’t add a lot to the website this week..
- This week, the Home Page is from Saint Francis of Assisi: “For iit is in giving that we receive.”
Bonsai Tree and Stained Glass, Update:
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- The vast majority of the glass is cut. I need to pick up a few more pieces. Now comes the time for fitting, grinding, and assembly I have set up a workstation in the backyard for this task. Keep your fingers crossed.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- I have spent the holidays in many different parts of the world. I am happy to report that the vast majority of places celebrate with kindness and grace independent of their political or religious beliefs. For a kid raised in Florida, I seem to have found a lot of very cold places to be for Christmas. I still won’t pay money to strap on skis and fall down a snowy mountain but I’ve had the occasional enjoyment of snow in real life, though, I prefer to view it on TV. Whether you are a snowy person or warm weather person I hope you find that special warmth that comes when you’re with friends and family with nothing to do but enjoy each other’s company. Merry Christmas!
Music Update:
Again this week, I am stepping away from my top 50 song play list and focusing on Christmas music.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- The Chambers Brothers — Love, Peace & Happiness — This is not a traditional Christmas song but you have to enjoy the sentiment. This is the title cut from their 1969 release.
- Nat King Cole —The Christmas Song — Now this is more like it! I cannot recall a Christmas where this song wasn’t featured somewhere. I LOVE his voice! It was first recorded by his trio in 1946.
- Bob Seger and the Silver bullet Band —Little Drummer Boy — I think this is always been my favorite Christmas Carol. I remember seeing it in first grade do you think was the first time we had to everybody had to stand up and sing a Christmas Carol in front of the class was pretty embarrassing but I did it, and this was the song this version comes from a compilation album of various artists Christmas songs released in 1987 entitled “a very special Christmas”.
- Jimmy Buffett — Happy Christmas (Was is Over)— I love this song. The original and this cover of it. This version is from Jimmy’s “Christmas Island” album released in 1996.
- James Taylor — Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — It wasn’t until 2006 that James gave us some Christmas Music. For me there has always been something special about James Talor’s singing. There are others with greater technical skilll and range but there is a deep sincerity woven into his singing. I think I could listen to him sing for hours and hours .,, and I have:) The name of the album is, “James Taylor At Christmas (Bonus Track Version)”.
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!