July 20th, 2023
“ 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 504 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
It is just been so great having Chloe with us! She is so smart and has grown so much. It’s fun to be around her. I wish the rest of her family could have come for a visit but was grateful that Chloe could come. Maybe sometime soon we can all be together.
This week I learned some stuff:
I learned about this site in my Cardio Rehab. They have over 70K books (public domain) digitized. You can get as many as you want for free. They accept donations too but it’s not required. Enjoy.
Covid is visiting us again. BJ, our grandson came back from his camping trip in Washington with a carful of sick people, and a couple of days later he tested positive. He doesn’t feel too sick but is bored and crazy waiting for his quarantine to end. So we are washing our hands every few minutes and disinfect everything he might have touched. And so it goes…
July 20th is the 201st day of 2023. Just 164 days till Christmas. On this day in 1807, Nicéphore Niépce is awarded a patent by Napoleon for the Pyréolophore, the world’s first internal combustion engine, after it successfully powered a boat upstream on the river Saône in France; Today in 1903, the Ford Motor Company ships its first automobile; California opens its first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway today in 1940; On this day in 1960, a Polaris missile is successfully launched from a submarine, the USS George Washington, for the first time; today in 1968, the first International Special Olympics Summer Games are held at Soldier Field in Chicago, with about 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities; Apollo 11’s crew successfully makes the first human landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the Moon six and a half hours later on this day in 1968; Today in 1976, the American Viking 1 lander successfully lands on Mars; On this day in 1997, the fully restored USS Constitution (a.k.a. Old Ironsides) celebrates its 200th birthday by setting sail for the first time in 116 years; Today in 2015, the United States and Cuba resume full diplomatic relations after five decades; Elliot Richardson, American lieutenant and politician, 11th United States Secretary of Defense was born today in 1920; Mike Ilitch, American businessman, co-founded Little Caesars was born today in 1929; Diana Rigg, English actress was born today in 1938; Today was John Lodge, English singer-songwriter, bass player, and producer’s birthday in 1945. On this day in 1947, Carlos Santana, Mexican-American singer-songwriter and guitarist was born; William D. Leahy, American admiral, and diplomat, United States Ambassador to France passed away today in 1959; Today in 1973, Bruce Lee, American actor, and martial artist passed away; Sandra Gould, (AKA Gladys Kravits from Bewitched) American actress passed away today in 1999; Finally, we lost Helen Thomas, White House Correspondent from the Kennedy to Obama administrations, American journalist and author in 2013.
This week’s Website Update:
Week two for our Vocabulary Quiz.
Last week for our Musical Trivia Quiz.
This week I came up with a new soup recipe. I have enjoyed Tom Kha Gai since 1976, the first time I went to Singapore. I had it at a place called Newton’s Circus. I tried this soup and another new favorite barbecued Skate Wings. Yum. Anyway, this is a pretty simple recipe for a pretty impressive bowl of flavor. This weekend I cooked a whole chicken on our gas grill. The skin was so crispy and tasty, I thought I would share my Chicken Rub this week. Lastly, I also came up with a nice Cilantro/Lime Rice recipe for you too.
The Home Page quote for this week is from, Carl Hiaasen, “He wondered if something was mentally wrong with him for being content with what he had.”
Writing, Ceramics, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
I have decided to combine the two stained glass methods (copper foiling and lead came) for my never-ending bathroom window project. This combination will allow me to use smaller pieces in the design than if I just used the lead came method as planned.
I am continuing my streak of slacking off on the paper edits of Grandpa Stories. I just haven’t carved out any time for more chapters. This might be becoming a habit!
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
Sometimes a song or smell or sight can vividly remind me of someone who has passed. A fond sadness just sweeps over me sometimes as the image of the lost person sharpens in my mind. You never really get over losing someone that you have loved. They invade our thoughts all the time. You think you have learned to live without them but it’s an illusion. I still talk to some of them sometimes. I think it’s mostly just to comfort me and make me feel less lonely or alone. It’s not something you can really talk about or share with anyone because there is nothing any of us can do to help. We just “endeavor to persevere”. One thing is for sure, I am grateful for all of the moments and times I had with those in my life who have passed. It makes each moment I spend with those who remain with me more precious. I hope when it’s my time, that others might think of me like that too.
Music Update:
Here is a new batch of music for you to try out. Enjoy.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
James Taylor — Line ‘Em Up — There is something about this song that moves me. Maybe because I watched the scene when Nixon left office on TV. I felt victorious but I could tell how sad they all were at his leaving. This one is from his “Hourglass” release in 1997.
Steely Dan — Everyone’s Gone to the Movies — I know that The Beatles are the premier band of my lifetime but Steely Dan has to be high on that list as well. Walter and Donald’s music was always so tight and creative. This one is from, “Katy Lied” released in 1975.
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band — Travelin’ Man (Live) — Is just another wonderful song from one of my favorites. This is a live version of a great song first released in 1975 on their “Beautiful Loser” album.
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole — Somewhere Over the Rainbow— I loved this song from the first time I heard it. It’s magic for me. This is from his album “Alone in IZ World” released in 2001, four years after his death.
Warren Zevon — Werewolves of London — The music world is missing an old friend these days. Warren was giftedly different. This one always made me smile. It’s from his “Excitable Boy” album, released in 1978.
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!