November 9th, 2024
“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, is 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 1005 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- I am afraid that my son and grandson will have to complete the rebuilding of our waterfall. This week I fell 2 more times trying to “git er done”. My pride, dignity, and self-esteem were significantly bruised (especially the last time when my daughter had to come help me get my fat ass upright again!), but I am otherwise still intact. So I cam converting the sketches and stuff in my head so that they can understand what I had in mind. Not to be a whiner, but it seems that the list of things I can no longer do is getting longer. I recognize that changes in capabilities present new challenges, but that does not make it any easier to absorb. And so it goes….
- I always try to get or make meaningful gifts for my friends and family around the holidays. I always try to select things that will be useful and won’t end up in some junk drawer. Not doing the waterfall should give me some more time to focus on this years presents.
- I am making preparations to install the UJT countdown until that glorious day that “President” Trump leaves office. Again! Frankly, I am unable to express my disappointment in my fellow citizens. They have demonstrated the worst traits of a citizenry since 1933. I am not sure the America Trump and his cronies create will be recognizable by genuine patriots, women, people of color, non-christians or the LGBT community. I apologize to my children and their children for my generation’s part in changing America from something to be proud of and grateful for into whatever is left for them by the greedy, old white men that will permeate our government beginning 01/202/2025. The best that we can hope for is that America and the world will finally learn to separate church, special interest money, and state.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update: I
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- This week, I don’t have any new recipes. Some are in process but not ready for publication.
- This week, the Home Page will quote the great Robert Frost,“In tree words, I can sum up everything I have learned about life: it goes on.”
Bonsai Tree and Stained Glass, Update:
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- My waterfall project excuse removed from the playing board, I will return to stained glass work after the Christmas presents are done.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- I know that our fellow citizens have been frustrated with our country’s politics for a long time. I am not a member of any political party. I have always voted based on the character of the candidate. I feel we (meaning mostly anyone who is not white, rich, male, or straight) will suffer grave consequences as a result of this election. Even Nixon had a sense of honor and was dedicated to a cause that he believed in. My estimation of the new President-elect is that he is unencumbered by any sense of honor, principles, or cause other than self-promotion. November 8th, 2024, will be remembered as a very sad day for our county.
Music Update:
This week, I am celebrating a couple of giants in music. Quincy Jones was a huge talent that inspired so many others to greatness. We lost Quincy this week. The other person that I wish to recognize this week is Stevie Wonder. I hope that these songs will fill you with joy that I have always felt hearing them.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Michael Jackson — Thriller — It is impossible for me to say what the best record released in my lifetime might be but this album released in 1982 was the title track.
- Stevie Wonder — Visions — From the vinyl!!! Stevie’s music has never been background music for me. No matter how many times I have heard the song, when Stevie is playing, I am listening closely. This one is from Innervisions, released in 1973.
- Stevie Wonder — Superstition — This was a huge hit for Stevie in the 1970s. It was released on his album, “Talking Book” released in 1972.
- Stevie Wonder — Boogie on Reggae Woman — This one is just makes me smile every time I hear it. This was released on, “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” released in 1974,
- Stevie Wonder — Too High — This is a magical song for me. Even now when I am not trying to live up to the title, I feel connected to it. This is another great cut from “Innervisions”
- Steve Wonder — As — This may be the most beautiful sing Stevie ever released or at least I think so. This one is from his great album, “Songs in the Key of Life” which was released in 1976. This one has been covered by a lot of great people but this original is my favorite. I truly hope everyone feels this way in their lives.
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!