July 20th, 2017
K’abį́ nezų ʔédúhų́n k’ą́mbį́ ɂedlánet’é !! (A “Good Morning” that you might hear in Chipewyan spoken in the northern parts of Canada.)
The deaths of the past 3 weeks are sinking in and I can feel the pain of being replaced by the dull ache missing those no longer with us. Trying to remember to get the tenses right when you talk or even think about them. This week 28 years ago, my dad passed away. It is hard to believe it has been than long but as they say, they are always with us in our hearts.
I have been trying to keep busy and distracted. I started my ceramics class. I was also reminded that I have failed to deliver some of my paintings promised when I did the MS walk about a century ago so I have started some of that work.
This week I learned some stuff:
• I have detected that I have developed a new habit, after each Trump soundbite I am unable to avoid, the words, “What a transparent load of crap!!” pops out of my mouth before I turn the channel. I am gaining a refined sense of what the old saying, “Trumped-up” means. My definition of this term has evolved from being something promoted but not based in fact to something more aberrant. 3
Website Update
• New Vocabulary Quiz!!! Woohoo!!!
• This week I also added the lyrics for “Unwritten ” from Natasha Bedingfield.
• I updated the site with all of the 2017 UJT Updates, numerous recipes, quotes and Interesting Humans. I also want to point out again (not to be an nag) but this Vial of Life thing is important and urgent as none of us know when we might be compromised medically. So take a look at my brand spanking new sexy and improved Vial of Life page on the UJT and follow the directions to certain peace of mind 🙂 Click here.
• This week’s “Interesting Human” is Aesop. Yep the ancient Greek fabulist and storyteller. I hope everyone has a favorite fable and got read more than just the ones assigned in Elementary School. My favorite is “The Ass & His Shadow” (Click here to see the Library of Congress illustrated version). What is your favorite Aesop Fable??
Writing and Painting Update:
• I got to all my classes this week!! Woohoo! Started a new painting and a new bonsai pot.
• I worked on Artifacts a little bit and felt really guilty about not getting Grandpa Stories republished yet.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• My new site appears different in Safari than it does using Firefox. Its purely cosmetic but it just struck me as strange. Firefox moves all of the content to a column on the left of the page making the page longer than Safari who uses the whole width of the page. Please let me know if you find anything “hinky” or even good about the site by clicking on, “Please Tell Us! ??” and sending any ideas or commentary on the site that you might have.
Music Update:
Click here for week’s UJT Radio program:
• Stephen Stills — Southern Cross — From the Vinyl!!! So many insights came to me while standing mid-watch. There are a lot of young sailors and soldiers out there tonight standing their posts, but their minds aren’t on their standing orders. They are thinking of those they have left behind and the ones they have yet to meet. The hours are long and lonely and you learn about yourself and about the world we live in.
• Natasha Bedingfield — Unwritten — I featured this smart music on UJT Radio almost a year ago but when it came up on this weeks rotation, it just felt right to share it again. This is important stuff..we all have a unique role and it is our job to find it and play it to the best of our ability and make a difference.
• Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers — Free Fallin’ — Every time Tom and the boys come up on my rotation, I just smile. Something about their music has always pulled me into a good place.
• Eric Clapton — Little Man , You’ve Had a Busy Day — Best Father – Son song written ever!!! Just a sweet old man remembering his little boy with a guitar in his hand and love in his heart. Sweet!
• Vance Joy — Winds of Change — This guy is my ideal Troubadour. I love his songs and his lone ranger delivery. “ When are you comin’ home my love?” I hope you do too.
• Jackson Brown — Rosie — Bob Seeger may be the king of “musicians on the road” music but Jackson does a pretty good job of capturing the feeling too. But of course, Rosie is not job specific:)
• Alanis Morissette — Out is Through — This lady is something special. She conveys angst and wisdom as good as anyone in the business. Reminds me of a younger Joni Mitchell.
• U2 – The Miracle (Of Joey Romone) — This one is from the Songs of Innocence album they gave away to all of us a couple of years ago. Its a great song, well played and Bono’s great voice comes across so good.
That’s it… Do the best you can; Laugh every chance you get; And always remember … The best is yet to come!
As always, thank you for being my friend!
James
Under the Jacaranda Tree URL: http://www.jfmccann.com