March 31st, 2022

“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, an Eastern Slavic language spoken mainly in Ukraine. It has been 35 days since Russia attacked Ukraine.

Things are getting back to normal here in McCannville. Returned to Pulmonary Rehab, visited with the Fat doc to try some new mojo to help make me half the man I am now and of course, doing my taxes. I woke up early on Friday morning to get a jump on my day and then realized that mean doing my taxes and went back to bed. When I finally did get up I dragged out other tasks till it was time to take the pooch to her doc. Got home just in time to cook some roasted veggies and a new recipe, “Jammed Pork Chops”. And every one knows, you cannot do your taxes during prime time on Friday night. And so it goes.

We have a wedding and a graduation coming this late spring and early summer. Trying to work out the arrangements for everyone and gifts etc. is challenging but kind of fun too.

This week I learned some stuff:
• March 31st is the 90th day of 2022. Just 278 days till Christmas! Today in 1521, Ferdinand Magellan and fifty of his men came ashore to present-day Limasawa to participate in the first Catholic mass in the Philippines; Today in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is officially opened; In 1914 on this day, daylight saving time goes into effect in the United States for the first time; Today in 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) is established with the mission of relieving rampant unemployment in the United States; Today in 1945, a defecting German pilot delivers a Messerschmitt Me 262A-1, the world’s first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft, to the Americans, This is the first of its type to fall into Allied hands; In 1951 on this day, the Remington Rand Corporation delivers the first UNIVAC I computer to the United States Census Bureau; Today in 1992, the USS Missouri, the last active United States Navy battleship, is decommissioned in Long Beach, California; Today in 1833, Mary Abigail Dodge, American writer and essayist was born: Born today in 1878, Jack Johnson, American boxer; Sargent Shoichi Yokoi of the Imperial Japanese Army who hid out in the jungles of Guam for 28 years(until January 1972) after the Japanese surrendered in 1945 was born today in 1915; Richard Kiley, American actor and singer was born today in 1922; Cesar Chavez, American labor union leader and activist was born today in 1927;Today in 1935, Herb Alpert, American singer-songwriter, trumpet player, and producer was born; Christopher Walken, American actor was born today in 1943;Al Gore, American soldier and politician, 45th Vice President of the United States and Nobel Prize laureate was born today in 1948; Ewan McGregor, Scottish actor was born today in 1971; Jesse Owens, American sprinter and long jumper passed away today in 1980.

On March 26th, Phil Collins played his last gig with Genesis at the O2 Arena in London, UK. Genesis was founded in 1975 by Phil on drums, Tony Banks on keyboards and Mike Rutherford on guitar. Health issues prevented Phil from playing the drums during the last gig but his son Nic filled in as the band played 23 songs in their finally. Phil gave his performance from a chair. I will always be grateful to Phil, Tony and Mike for all the great memories and music.

Website Update:
This week:
• A brand newVocabulary Quiz!!!!
• Last week for our Musical Trivia Quiz!
• Just one recipe added this week – Jammed Pork Chops. Yummy!
• The Home Page quote tis week is from the “other” comic book hero from the 1960s. Mr. Natural, ”Be what you is…And not what you ain’t. Cuz, if you are what you ain’t… you ain’t what you is!”

Writing, Ceramics, Stained Glass and Painting Update:
• I am painting again! But not as often as I should. My friend Lori Hernandez(AKA Zip Wagner) posted a beautiful photo of a country barn this week that I am going to attempt.
• I have paper edited 3 more chapters of Grandpa Stories. Progress towards being republished. Paper editing might be just a little fun as I relive the stories! Maybe it just sucks a little less.

Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• Are you into the Final Four and all that March Madness hoopla? I never have been. I watch pro basket ball when I am visiting my son because they are pretty big Mavericks fans but to be honest, I have never been interested in any kind of college sports. The closest I came was when we had a basketball nut in the Whitehouse for a couple of terms.
• What makes you feel special? Do you even know? Its not something I think about a lot. But today, I had a hummingbird make me feel very special. He was doing his hummingbird thing. going from flower to flower when he decided I was worthy of recognition. He flew right up to my chest and hovered going up to my face before he resumed his birdie duties. As busy as that little bird must be just to keep that fantastic metabolism going, he stopped to say hello and it made me feel special.

Music Update:
Today UJT Radio also returns to its normal waltz through my musical archives with a eclectic selection for your conteplative enjoyment (I hope!).

This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• Genesis – Taking It All Too Hard — This song is one of those song that I CRANK IT UP for singing to the steering wheel; I just love Phil’s voice! “ Oh no not this confused again… Oh no not the same mistakes again … You’re taking it all to heart… You are takin it all too hard”. This one helpsd me through some tough times. This one is from their “Genesis” album released in 1983
• Genesis — ABACAB — This is just a fun song. Mike’s guitar is so sweet with the interplays with Tony’s keyboards. This is the title cut from their 1981 release.
• Genesis — Tonight, Tonight, Tonight — This will always make me think of Miami in the 1980s when Crocket and Tubbs ruled the storylines about Miami Beach. This cut is from there 1987 release, “Invisible Touch”.
• Phil Collins – Another Day In Paradise – This is from Phil’s solo album, “But Seriously” released in 1989. I always cry listening to this one. I am ashamed to have been that man who just walked by. I try to make up for those moments by carrying granola bars for the folks on the street corners as my time runs out.
• Phil Collins – Take Me Home — Another singing to the steering wheel song for me! I always feel such joy harmonizing with Phil … “So take, take me home … ’Cause I don’t remember, take, take me home… Well, I’ve been a prisoner all my life. and I can say to you
But I don’t remember …,So Take, Take Me Home…” This one is from his “No Jacket Required” released in 1985.
• Phil Collins – Papa Was A Rolling Stone – This one comes his last album “Going Back” released in 2010. It was a great album of covers but this version is soooooo well produced and performed. Its JUST ALL GOOD – t9he trumpet, guitar, drums and bass…. soooo sweet!

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!