March 5th, 2020
“ꦱꦸꦒꦼꦁꦲꦺꦚ꧀ꦗꦶꦁ (Sugeng énjing)! ” or “Good Morning” in Javanese (ꦧꦱꦗꦮꦶ bạsạ Jạwi), a Malayo-Polynesian language spoken mainly on the Indonesian island of Java.
Well, my potting table has new legs, new stain and paint and looks pretty good for its 20+ years hanging out under the unproved Wisteria! It has a new home too next to the spigot, the pallet garden and the new barbecue island. It looks very nice there and is more convenient.
This week I learned some stuff:
• I learned the frustration of not having a primary early enough in my state. By the time my mailed in vote was counted, my candidate had lost in a previous primary and exited the race. Oh well.
• February 27th is the 64th day of the year (leaving only 296 days till Christmas!). On this day in 1872, George Westinghouse patented the first air brake; In 1946, Winston Churchill coin’s the phrase, “Iron Curtain”; Today in 1953, Joseph Stallin dies due to cerebral hemorrhage; American Country Music star, Patsy Cline dies in a plane crash in 1963; in 1958 Andy Gibb from the BeeGees was born; Micheal Irvin, American athlete and sportscaster was born in 1966; William Powell American actor passed away today in 1984; in 1999, we lost Richard Kily, American Tony nominated stage actor on this day in 1999.
Website Update:
• Week 2 for the new Vocabulary Quiz.
• A “New” Trivia Quiz!!!
• I added a rather strange but perfectly German/Slovic recipe this week, Bierochen (German Cabbage Burgers). My son told me about them and I was curious. My first attempt, I admit was rather bland but I tweaked the recipe and think this version will be a delightful change of pace dish for any weekly menu.
Writing, Ceramics and Painting Update:
• I am sort of finished with the Smudge pot painting (Sort of not happy with it but cannot think of anything that will fix it!) and made some progress on Chris Spain’s amazing image of some birds in a birdbath. Still assembling the VW Bus (Urge II image for the totem and have started the glazing of the Jacaranda Tree topper in ceramics.
• Grandpa Stories is still not re-published.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• Why is it I have been cleaning my ears with Q-tips and alcohol since I was treated for swimmer’s ear and told never to use Q-tips in my ears by a doctor who was literally using Q-tips in my ears at the time??? I have never had swimmers ear again, haven’t punctured my ear drum but I still feel a little naughty and guilty each week when I do it !!!
• Went to see my Fat Doctor this week and enjoyed being quietly yelled at for about 20 minutes. You know when someone you respect and admire seems disappointed in you and yet remains encouraging and supportive. I wish he would have just yelled at me. But noooooo he had to go and be very nice about it. So naturally, I felt like a shitheel. For the first time is several visits my weight went the wrong way, a bit. I will change, I promise coach!
Music Update:
Another tiptoe though the archives to share some things you might missed or never have heard or at least not heard recently.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• Bruce Cockburn — Islands in a Black Sky — This is a great instrumental by one of my favorite songwriters. It’s kind of like when John Denver did that intrumental suite on Rocky Mountain High. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. This song comes from his 1996 release, “The Charity of Night”.
• Tommy Emmanuel — Angelina — I haven’t featured Tommy much in the past year or so. He is an amazing musician. This one comes from his Endless Road album released in 2005.
• Rod Stewart – Forever Young – Every time I hear this song I think of my youngest sister. She is a life long die hard fan of the sexy midget. It comes from his 1988 release, “Out of Order” This one is for you, Doots and to me you will remain … Forever Young!.
• Rick Fines — A Stone’s Throw Away — Another song from this soulful player. Pay particular attention to the guitar work on this one. It is memorable! This one comes from his album, “Solar Powered” released in 2006.
• Bruce Springsteen – Empty Sky – Here is another old favorite from his “The Rising” album from 2002. This reminds me of 9/11 and chokes me up every time I turn it up.
• Unknown – Low Down Dirty Shame — I have no idea how I came to have this music but I have always liked it and still cannot find out who the artist is!
• Mark Knopfler — Stand Up Guy — This is poignant song from his newest 2004 release, “Shangri-La” .
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!