July 13th, 2024
“ 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 892 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- I hope the Fourth was with you over the holiday. I chose to clean out my office as a project. 2 bags of trash plus 1 bag of Goodwill and I can now see most of the surfaces! I am so proud! The toughest part for me is disposing of all the paintings, and drawings. and sketches. There must have been hundreds of pieces! The good news is that I could see progress in perspective and technique. And of course, I loved all of the subjects. After all, I picked them out. It may be just my failing eyesight but some seemed worthy of keeping, 20 or so out of hundreds.
- We are all excited about the upcoming visit of Chloe, our youngest granddaughter and future Wimbledon champion. She always brings such a fresh perspective to the gang. Darrian is apartment hunting. It is tough to find reasonably priced housing in San Diego. BJ is still working on his art and at the Hawaiian restaurant when he is not going to school.
- We had a spectacular 51st-anniversary celebration. Never done one of those sober before. It was different. I am proudest of my kids and their kids but staying together with Tippy all these years is high on my list. We had ribeyes, corn, baked taters, and Caesar’s salad. Did you know that Cesar’s Salad was created in Mexico City this month in 1924? Happy Birthday to the symphony of flavors in a bowl.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- I uploaded some new recipes this week – Shortbread Dream Cookies, and Semi-Traditional Ceasars Salad.
- I also accumulated enough new words to develop a new Vocabulary Quiz this week.
- The Home Page will have a quote from Kurt Vonnegut: “ You meet saints everywhere. They can be anywhere. They are people behaving decently in an indecent society”.
Writing, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- I am working on a new design for the stained glass piece for our kitchen window. It’s almost 4 feet wide and we want to cover the top half – about 20 inches or so. Right now I am thinking about 4 panels connected together. Flowers might be nice but I am also thinking about kitchen stuff too – baking stuff, cookie jars, oil and vinegar sets, etc.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- Fifty-one years!!!! Who’d thunk it??!!! Her mom and most of our friends said not to do it – we were too young to make such a large step into our future together. I am pretty sure none one thought we would make it and I am pretty sure we had our doubts as well. Not that we didn’t love each other. It was just our world in 1973, was not set up to support an “Ozzie and Harriet” like marriage anymore. And of course, we made tons of mistakes but we kept getting just enough right to keep it together. Two kids, and four grandchildren, all doing amazing things, later – I am so glad that we did. Thank you for 51 sublime, rough, and tumble years, Tippy. I love you and you made all the difference in my life.
Music Update:
Did you enjoy any of those tunes from 1973? Music can transport me like a time machine. I can feel my 1973 face smile when I listen carefully. Where were you in July of 1973?
They “updated” my web management tool so for the time being, you will have to use the details below vs what is on the site for each song. For your listening pleasure. This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- The Alan Parsons Project — Can’t Take it With You — This was a great record of amazing music! It was released on their Best of album released in 1982. The first time I heard it was in a hotel – Red Roof Inn (Cheap Sleep) on 11mile and Dequindre in Detroit in 1985.
- Bonnie Raitt — Have a Heart — I fell in love with Bonnie anther music a long time ago. Her “Nick of Time” album released in 1989.
- Sheryl Crow – I Know Why — Sheryl kind of snuck up on me and her music just stepped right into my heart. This is a great song released on her, “Wildflower” album released in 2005.
- Jack Johnson — With My Own Two Hands — This is a favorite from “Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film Curious George” released in 2006. Did you ever read Curious George books as a child? I loved them!!
- Bruce Cockburn — Deep Lake — Jimmy Buffet introduced me to Bruce in 1999, when he covered Bruce’s thoughtful song, “Pacing the Cage” on Beach House on the Moon. I had no idea at the time that Bruce was such a wonderful guitarist. This one is from his, “Speechless” album released in 2005.
- Derek and The Dominos— Key to the Highway— These boys got together and just kicked out the jams for on double album that could be arguably one of the best blues records ever released. It feature both Eric Clapton and Duane Allman at their best. Of course, I am speaking of their one and only album, “Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs” released in 1970.
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!