November 16th, 2023
“ 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 623 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- The contractor made his estimate but hasn’t heard from the adjustor yet so we are waiting. It turns out our insurance adjuster has been out a lot. They have reassigned our case and the lady seems to be making progress.
- I am back to the “retired life” again. Better hours!
- November 9th is the 320th day of 2023. Just 39 days till Christmas. Unless someone asks me to restart my “This Day in History” presentation, I am going to leave it to you all to find those nuggets of interest for yourselves. You can find the w data here.
- I am not sure what has happened. My version of MS Word will not open the Grandpa Stories source file so that I can apply the paper edits. I am going to consult with my Mac Goombas and see if we cannot get it solved. My MS Office was included on my Mac when I got it so if MS has changed their licensing rules I may need to (perish the thought) buy MS Word so I can edit GPS this last time.
This week’s Website Update:
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- A new Vocabulary Quiz!!! Next week I will restart the Trivia Quiz.
- While I was a 2023 poll worker, I had lots of time to troll the net for interesting recipes. In practice, many turned out to be more interesting than yummy but that is the nature of trolling. Anyway, I have a few recipes to share over the next few weeks.
- The Home Page quote for this week’s wisdom is from Tom Waits: “.The folks who know the truth aren’t talking. The ones who don’t have a clue, you can’t shut them up!”
Writing, Ceramics, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- Back to classes this week! I am looking forward to it.
- Started cutting glass for my never-ending Stained glass project!! Yeah!
- I have fallen in love with a show I found on Prime called “ Portrait Artist of the Year”. Another bored poll worker saw my watercolor sketches and suggested I might enjoy the show. I did indeed! If you don’t have Prime, you can view the episodes here. Evidentially, this contest has been going on for 10 years! Thousands of professional and amateur artists from around the UK submit self-portraits which are judged and if good enough 21 are selected to compete. The prize is a 10,000 £ commission to paint some celebrity. All mediums are accepted – oils, watercolors, acrylics, colored pencils, collages, and charcoal. The artists are each provided one sitter to paint in just four hours. Who knew that the UK had so many talented artists? Check it out.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- As you all know, I have struggled with a plethora of health challenges in 2023. I am grateful that I have overcome these challenges so far. But it is pretty clear to me, that I have outlived my warranty. I find myself daydreaming about how wonderful it felt to do anything I wanted when I wanted for as long as I wanted. It has been a very long time since I felt that way. I am not pronouncing doom and gloom, I am preparing myself and perhaps others that as this trend progresses, I can see a future where I will no longer be able to do many of the things I am still able to do. My hearing and eyesight are increasing limitations for me. I love the beauty and wonder of what I can see and hear every day. I am trying to accommodate reductions in audio-visual clarity. It just takes me longer to “git er done” these days. My adventure is not over just different.
Music Update:
Here is a new batch of music for you to try out.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Alannah Myles & Jeff Healy – I Can’t Stand the Rain —My younger brother rattled my Jeff Healy cage. I have enjoyed his playing and singing ever since I discovered him when he played in “Roadhouse”. On this cut, he teamed up with another Canadian favorite of mine, Alannah Myles. We lost Jeff in 2008 but this was captured on a composite album in 2011. Thanks, Mike!
- Allman Brothers Band – Statesboro Blues — These boys were made for the blues. This one came out in 1970 on their Idlewild South album.
- Gnarls Barkley – Crazy – This is just a great song with great vocals and a driving beat. This is a single from St. Elsewhere released in 2006.
- Hank Williams – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry — This is an old-timey country song. Mr. Allen, our 5th grade History teacher used to love to sing this in the hallways during his off period. We could hear his voice echoing. He sang this one and “Hey Good Looking” by the same guy. Anyway, this will not be everyone’s favorite but it brings back memories for me.
- Tedeschi Trucks Band – Shrimp and Grits (Interlude) – This sweet little ditty reminds me of my friend Randy, the friendly rat bastard who is our representative in Ghent! This one features Derek Trucks and his bride doing what they do best! It’s from their “Revelator” album released in 2011.
- Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention – Dinah-Moe Humm — You either get Frank or you don’t. There is no halfway or sorta or a little. You do not play this one with your tea and cucumber sandwich when the PTA ladies come to visit – or maybe you do? This one is from their, “Overnight – Sensation released in 1973.
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!