August 16th, 2025
“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, is an Eastern Slavic language spoken mainly in Ukraine. The UJT will remain focused on Ukraine until we can all rejoice at the end of hostilities. It has been 2,195 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week, I learned some stuff:
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- I really only have one thing to share this week. I’ve been reading an autobiography by Jorma Kaukonen entitled, “Been So Long: My Life and Music.” To summarize the experience, I have to say that his honesty conveys what a complete in total “douche bag” he was for much of his life. But if you just stop there, you’ve missed a great deal. Yes he suffered from massive bouts of self intelligence without any form of accountability. And his decisions hurt himself and others as well. But it is a Credit to him that he told that story. And then in between these rather dubious behaviors, there is a strength and wisdom that creeps out and slaps you around when you’re not looking. I grew up with this man his music filled my world. We shared the same interest, dreams and heroes in many cases and he could play oh my how he could play. Throughout this often repetitive and chaotic recount of his blurry history there are bright shining gems of wisdom for those willing to take the ride. I’m pretty sure that anyone reading my autobiography come to similar conclusions except I wouldn’t have those bright shining of wisdom to show for it. John’s life is a great story of Americana as we lived it.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- No new recipes or other ads to the website this week
- This week’s quote is from Jorma Kaukonen, guitar player : “Then one day I was no longer young, and each moment becomes more precious than the one before it”.
Bonsai Tree and Stained Glass, Update:
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- No progress during visits
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Late breaking news
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- No breaking news.
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Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- Right now, I am just basking in the joy that being around my family brings me. It’s not all bubbles and glitter. There are bumps and grumps and other things that make it all the more perfect because of the moments in between I’ve lived alive pretty much free of regrets. It may be self delusion, but I prefer to insert hope where regret might’ve been and if I’m still alive enough to regret then I’m still alive enough to hope for better things to come. But if I was gonna regret anything it would be the times I was not there when my family would’ve been better off with me present. It is a tribute to my partner that our children turned out as well as they did. And I’m grateful for all of them kind. Let me off the hook as an old fart thank you McKay.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
We are continuing with the artist whose names begin with the letter,”R”. But this week is special because we are featuring Sur Rod Stewart! There was one more song that I wanted to include in this list, but I’ll be damned if I could find it. A while back my sister told me that Rod did a cover of one of my favorite Cat Stevens songs, “father and son” but I couldn’t find it if you have it enjoy it.
- Rod Stewart —Maggie May — I fell in love with Rod Stewart’s music back when I was part of Jeff Beck’s music. The first song I heard Ron sing along with Jeff Beck’s “Truth” album. Before Maggie May, Rod was just a really good singer, but this song set him apart. There is something about Rod’s heartfelt lyrics that just grabbed a hold of me. This song was a huge hit from his 1971 release, “every picture tells a story”.
- Rod Stewart — Young Turks — This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it! I guess it’s because I’ve been that young and that and love I don’t know, but it got me and it gets me today. This was the title cut to his 1981 release.
- Rod Stewart — Forever Young — I I believe this song is true. I think there’s some part of us that always remain young. There’s a Clinton in our eyes even when they don’t see so good or a smile on her face when there’s no good reason that’s the magic of life. This song was released in 1988 on his, “out of order album”
- Rod Stewart — Have I Told You Lately—whenever I hear this song, I think of my mother it’s the kind of song. My mom would’ve liked. I don’t think she ever heard it but it’s a really nice song and it’s a great feeling. I always imagine it that I’m living life with so much gusto on my mind to say I love you or thank you to the person who made it so rich. Bro covered this great Van Morrison song on his 1993 release, “Vagabond Heart
- Rod Stewart — Some Guys Have All the Luck (2008 Remaster) — This it’s not one of his biggest hits, but I always liked it. Released in 1984 on his “Camouflage” album. It did pretty well.
- Rod Stewart — Love Is — I think this song makes the case that this old dog can still hunt. Released in 2015 on his, “Another Country (Deluxe)”.
- Rod Stewart — Tonight’s toNight— I’ve always liked this song. Like many of rods tunes that has a nice swing to it and a lot of innuendo. This one comes to us from way back in 1978, “A Night On the Town
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!