August 3rd, 2024
“ 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 906 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- The nasty stuff that I went to the ER for came back but not quite as bad. I saw my doctor and she explained that these things mostly run their course which is shorter or longer for different people. If it doesn’t stop by next week she is going to look into something else. And so it goes…. Except for feeling like I can’t find the red wire in my own body and may explode at any moment, I am not doing too badly and it will get better.
- Chloe is here!!! Yeah …I almost broke my pride bone because of her!!! Last week she finished a really pretty stained glass piece AND won several tennis tournaments too! All our offspring and their offspring make us very proud but she had a great week.
- We got our AC fixed. The parts were under warranty but the labor costs a bunch .. at least we are comfy again.
- Pretty much all my life between reading and fishing as a boy to my career in information service delivery I prided myself on being able to go on 4-5 hours sleep each night, After I retired I found out that is a bad habit to live with and 8 hours per night is the right number for a lot of reasons. So I have been trying to get closer to 8 hours for some time. I am making progress – averaging 8 hours and 24 mnites a night for the past 5 months. For me it came down to gong to bed earlier and paying attention when my body told me it was time to go to sleep. Our bodies will help up change if we let them. I pay much more attention to how I feel while eating too. I have slowed down my eating so I won’t miss the “your full” signal.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- I uploaded a new recipe this week – Salisbury Steak. I know. I know. Lots of people are not fans but for me – the discussion ha I have been trying to go with a bland diet but had a hankering to have me one Hot and Sour Soup. It was so good even iffin I do say so my self!
- The Home Page will have a quote from former President Barack Obama: “ You think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs”.
Writing, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- I know what I want to do for my next stained glass project but I just can’t seem to get started. I have a long list of excuses but thats all they are – excuses. Because I know its just procrastination.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- Do you remember your dreams? Dreams have always been important to me – inspire painting, ceramics, and stained glass projects or something a new recipe or way to approach a problem. Sometimes they just make me feel good. I really have had very few bad dreams.This week I got to chat with Michelle and Barack in my front yard when Michelle was dropping off something. They both were so friendly and unpretentious. Just chatting but I knew I was dreaming because my lawn was free of any weeds! And Michelle was driving a white Lexus SUV when everyone knows she would only drive a Subaru! It made me feel good.
Music Update:
This week’s selections was such a fun stroll though memories – Enjoy the Ride!!
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- ELO — Mr. Blue Sky — I have always enjoyed ELOs music. Their classical music trainmen and instruments created some of the most interesting rock music of our time. Their harmonies are excellent as well. This one’s from their 1977 release. “Out of the Blue”.
- Neil Diamond — Solitary Man— This singer/songwriter captured audiences from all walks of life. The song and “Coming to America” always moved me. Released on his album. “The Feel of Neil Diamond” which was released in 1966. This is one of those songs that I cannot help but sing along with when it comes up on the radio. I still know all the words!
- James Taylor –Mexico — This song always makes me smile. This was released on “Gorilla” in 1975.I think James shows off his prodigious guitar skills well on this song.
- Steely Dan — Aja — This is the title cut of one of the records ever produced. It came out in 1977. Our young family had returned to Miami with our new Hawaiian son.
- John Denver — Season Suite: Late Winter, Early Spring (When Everybody Goes to Mexico) — Speaking of guitar skills, I am not sure many of John’s fans knew how skilled he was. Every one seemed to just focus on his beautiful singing. This instrumental is from his iconic, “Rocky Mountain High” released in 1972.
- Jerry Garcia— Sugaree — Just a great cut from Jerry’s first solo album. released in 1972.
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!