J
July 22nd, 2021
“ Góðan morgun”, or “Good Morning!” n (føroyskt), a Northern Germanic language spoken in the Faroe Islands and Denmark.
Hanging with my younger grandson is a little like opening a time capsule. I remember the me at his age. The me looking back is awed by this boy’s enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and genuine joy just from being alive at his age. There are similarities between us. Our looks are similar at that age – all long and thin. Our dispositions are alike as well. I have noticed that Asa seems happiest when everyone around him is laughing, which is not unlike myself especially at his age. I am having teenaged flashbacks in his presence! Do the words, Canoe, Jade East, British Sterling or English Leather remind you of anything. Those are all of the fragrances my teenaged body was splashed with anytime I was leaving the house or locker room. The time spent in front of my mirror, trying to get my hair to lay just right. It mattered!! It was important!!
This week I learned some stuff:
• I found another great reason to love my city! When I first moved into our “new” house in 2001, one of my first acts was to convert our cat box of a back yard into a Zen garden of sorts. Almost immediately there after I found and joined the Bonsai Club of San Diego. Every year I have paid my dues faithfully. I make a point and am proud every time I visit the Wild Animal Park or Balboa Park’s Japanese Garden and take in the beauty that my BCSD dues helped make happen. But I never attended a single meeting! Until this weekend. I was astounded! Unlike every other Bonsai society or club I have associated with over the years, this one is BIG!. There are over 348 members and most of them attend our first face to face club meeting since COVID. It was delightful. We had a detailed hands on demo of Jin by a local master that was as inspiring as it was educational. There was a lovely auction and even a raffle of so great trees! I spend 4 hours immersed in “bonsai-ness” and walked out with 3 new trees to start on!
• July 22nd is the 203rd day of 2021. Just 156 days till Christmas! Today in 1587, the second group of English settlers arrives on Roanoke Island off North Carolina to re-establish the deserted colony; Today in 1598, William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, is entered on the Stationers’ Register. By decree of Queen Elizabeth, the Stationers’ Register licensed printed works, giving the Crown tight control over all published material; Today in 1793, Alexander Mackenzie reaches the Pacific Ocean becoming the first recorded human to complete a transcontinental crossing of North America; Today in 1893, Katharine Lee Bates writes “America the Beautiful” after admiring the view from the top of Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs, Colorado; On this day in 1933, aviator Wiley Post returns to Floyd Bennett Field in New York City, completing the first solo flight around the world in seven days, 18 hours and 49 minutes; Today in 1976, Japan completes its last reparation to the Philippines for war crimes committed during imperial Japan’s conquest of the country in the Second World War;Rose Kennedy, American philanthropist, was born today in 1890; Bob Dole, American soldier, lawyer, and politician was born on this day in 1923; Tom Robbins, American novelist was born today in 1932; Today in 1944, Rick Davies, English singer-songwriter and keyboard player was born; Danny Glover, American actor, director, and producer was born today in 1946; Don Henley, American singer-songwriter and drummer was born today in 1947;Al Di Meola, American guitarist, songwriter, and producer was born today in 1954; Indigo Girl, Emily Saliers, American singer-songwriter and musician was born today in 1966; John Dillinger, American gangster passed away today in 1934; And finally, Carl Sandburg, American poet and historian passed away today in 1967.
Website Update:
Restarting the cycle this week:
• Last week for our “New” Vocabulary Quiz!!!!
• Week 2 of our New Musical Trivia Quiz!!!!
• This week was not a new recipe week although I did manage to make Vichyssoise and Gaspacho from scratch and create a tapas meal that was full of innovations but not note worthy on their own, I don’t think.
• This week’s Home Page quote comes from Norman Cousins, journalist, author, and word peace advocate, “History is a vast early warning system.”
Writing, Ceramics, Stained Glass and Painting Update:
• I finished up my lingering peace sign project. I really, really need to work on my soldering skills or lack there of. Restarting my watercolor this week, maybe; A classmate of mine shared a photo of his home town in China that inspired me so as soon as he can get me a copy I will start on the painting.
• Grandpa Stories is still not re-published.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• I have always been in awe of mother nature’s insistence on balance. Mankind has been messing it up since day one. It has nothing to do with good or evil. It’s about the balance of diverse properties. For example, Men were designed to use their typically superior strength, speed and endurance to over come obstacles to survival. Women were endowed with the strength to nurture even when unrecognized, appreciated and unvalued; AND the perseverance to do so for the good of the species, even though history has proven that given half a chance Men will mess it up. Again I believe mother nature has added balance to the mix by giving women monthly periods of time when they just can vent without remorse or regret in addition to the value of multiple orgasams in the process of continuing the species. MomNat bestows a wonderful (and terrible) euphoric haze within men’s frail egos that allows them to continue believing that they are the stronger of the species even though their own observations and prostate glans cause the illusion to flutter more often as they age.
• Do not discuss appliances in the kitchen or house!!! They listen! When the family was overheard disparaging our new dishwasher, it promptly decided to stop working in mid-cycle. We were only able to overcome this resentment, by pushing a chair agains the door to make it work till it was replaced this week. Our HVAC system has served us well for 20 years and as we contemplated its retirement on the phone and in person, allowing vendors to propose ways that eliminate virtually all aspects of the old system while reducing our energy footprint. Well, it was just too much for it! Our HVAC system committed suicide (ripped wires from the motor harness and dead shorted (emphasis on dead here) the fan motor. This is allowing me to enjoy room fan living and flashbacks to my childhood before A/C. The new system goes in next Tuesday. Moral of the story, short lead times on appliance replacement discussed preferably not on the premises. A word to the wise…
Music Update:
Once again, yours truly takes you on another meander through the dusty cobwebs of my music library. My bro Mike, sent me some sweet choices this week. I had already worked up this weeks list. I have said it before but if any of you UJT listeners have requests just send them to me and I will do my best. I got to thinking about it and realized that my bro texts me Pandora links when he is hearing something nice. If you would like to text your requests, the number is 01.858.952.4241. Give it a try!
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• Sting – If I Ever Loose My Faith in You — This is incredibly well written song sung and played well. It’a from his 1983 release, “ 10 Summoners Tales”. One my favs from the old English Don.
• Men At Work — Down by the Sea — I always have been impressed by these guys. This is a deep cut from thier, “Business As Usual” album released in 1982
• Vance Joy — Who Am I — This one comes from his 2014 release, “Dream Your Dreams”.
• k.d. Lang – Constant Craving – This one is her hit from the album, “Ingénue” released in 1992. She is a great songwriter with a remarkable voice..
• Prince — Purple Rain — This is the title track from the 1984 album of the same name. I always loved the passion in his play and singing on this song.
• Pink Floyd — Wish You Were Here — This one is the title cut on their album released in 1975. Another Alan Parsons great production. This record was tribute to Syd Barrett and a huge raspberry to the music industry!
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!