October 18th, 2018

“ Günaydın!” Wishing you a “Good Morning” in Turkish!!!

You can cast your Great American Read vote for your book if you get it in by tonight at at 11:59pm PT. The “Grand Finale” will broadcast the results on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 (8/7c) on your local PBS station.

Hurricane Michael created am estimated 8 billion dollars in privately insured damages in the south east corner of the US(Florida, Georgia, That estimate does not include National Flood Insurance losses. Nor does it include the losses of non-dollar items such as family photos and other items of sentimental value that can never be replaced. Eleven people have died at last count. The photos of Mexico Beach and Panama City, FL that I have seen are horrendous. Over a million Americans without power. There is terrible flash flooding from Florida to Virginia. Michael’s flooding just compounded the damages folks in the Carolina’s suffered when Hurricane Florence hit from the east. And all the competent scientific data says that this is just the beginning of effects we will feel due to man made climate change. We can help those hurt by Hurricane Michael by donating to the Red Cross, here.

This week I learned some stuff:

• October 18th is the NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CUP CAKE DAY !!
• The Turkish word for knots? Macrame!

Website Update:
• Second week for the “New” Vocabulary Quiz!!!
• Last week for the new “UJT Music Trivia Quiz” ! I was informed that one of the UJT faithful obtained a perfect score on the last quiz. Way to go!! I will try to make them harder:)
• I added a new recipe for you all – Tippy’s Stuffed Peppers.

Writing, Ceramics and Painting Update:
• This week I painted a couple of paintings and glazed one of my new coil clay pots.

Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:

• I have loved my country for my entire life but I am not sure I can live here much longer. For me its like watching an accident in slow motion. I keep looking for root causes beyond the obvious explanations for the current divisive behaviors of our citizens – something that can be adjusted to reunite our focus for the future of our children. It seems that everyone has defined being right as not being someone else. With this perspective, all introspection is lost and every one is on the offensive. It is disheartening to realize that the brief moments of unity our country has experienced have been surrounding tragedy – 9/11; The Boston Marathon Disaster and of course, on smaller scales, the various storms, floods and fires. At these times of terrible loss, we are able to put aside our differences and genuinely care for each other in spite of our many differences. Is that what it is going to take? Perhaps another world war or some terrible nuclear or plague like tragedy? I hope not.

Music Update:
Here is another musical smorgasbord for you to feast upon. I know that not every dish will be your favorite but I hope you will sample it all.

Go to this week’s UJT Radio program.

• Jethro Tull — Thick as a Brick(Edit No.1) — This 1971 title song version comes from their “The Very Best of Jethro Tull” released in 2001.
• Devil Makes Three — Gracefully Facedown — My son, Sean turned me on to these guys. This is a great song from their “Do Wrong Right” album released in 2009.
• James Taylor — Boatman — For me there is just something magical about what James does. He seems to pay attention to the same things that I value. This one comes from his wonderful, “Hourglass” album released in 1997.
• Joe Cocker — Do I Still Figure in Your Life? — “There was something terribly sincere about Joe’s music and performances. He would bring everything he had to the party. This is from his solo effort, “With A Little Help from My Friends” released in 1969.
• Little Feat — Texas Twister — If you look up the term “Tight Music” these boys will be on the list. When ever this one comes up on rotation, I just bust out in smiles. I hope you do too. We got this on their “Representing the Mambo” album released in 1990.
• CSN&Y — Country Girl: A Whiskey Boot Hill/ B. Down, Down, Down/C. “Country Girl” (I Think You’re Pretty) — A great medley from their “Déjà Vu” album released in 1970.
• John Mayer – Stop This Train – This is one of the first songs that I heard by John. It came out on his 2006, “Continuum”. This song has special meaning for me as I would love to stop this train….
• Andy Grammar – Fresh Eyes – This was a single released in 2016. I just find this guy so cool. His spartan sound is still filled with sweetness. Another one that makes me smile.

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!