Comrade JPZ reporting for duty. I have always had my tutu ready — starched with ideological fervor and stitched with the sinews of socialist realism. I dance not merely for art, but for the people! Swan Lake and Soviet Catastrophe Ah yes — the eerie, tragic pas de deux between Swan Lake and Soviet catastrophe. […]
Author: Texas Toast
I once went to the ballet, but no matter where I sat, I couldn’t hear a word they said.– Elder JPZ A Method in the Madness We found it very curious why tRump took control of the Lincoln Center. Why it was such a high priority? Well, it turns out that certain members of the […]
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Motivational Monday
April 21, 2025 – Helping others “Our job on earth isn’t to criticize, reject, or judge. Our purpose is to offer a helping hand, compassion, and mercy. We are to do unto others as we hope they would do unto us.” —Dana ArcuriAuthor, speaker “At the end of the day, it’s not about what you […]
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Celebrating ENGin!
ENGin, the non-profit that connects English speakers with Ukrainian students, is celebrating their 5th anniversary! OUR VISIONWe will use the power of conversation to connect a million globally-minded citizens of emerging democracies with English speakers worldwide, forging supportive, authentic relationships, building a foundation of English fluency, and opening doors to academic and professional opportunities. You […]
What can Vasyl Velychkovsky’s life teach us in today’s troubled world? That’s a deeply meaningful question, — and one worthy of time, reflection, and many conversations under twine-strewn stars. We do live in troubled times. We hear the old boots of authoritarianism echoing down new hallways, polished with modern excuses and rationalizations. And yet, in […]
After all that he endured in the Soviet Union—the interrogations, the years in prison and the gulag, the constant surveillance—Vasyl Velychkovsky’s final years in Canada offer a deeply moving chapter: a time of fragile recovery, quiet leadership, and enduring spiritual witness. The Turning Point: Release and Exile In 1969, after suffering a heart attack in […]
Fav Food Survey: Elder JJZ’s Email of 4/15/25 Gentle people – I would like to nominate the Chicago Style Hot Dog as the favorite of food choice of WLBOTT – I prefer to leave out the sweet relish but highly like the poppy seed bun and peppers on top. Would appreciate a WLBOTT list of […]
Let’s take a thoughtful turn into the life of Vasyl Velychkovsky. Vasyl Velychkovsky’s time in the Soviet gulag at Vorkuta stands as one of the most harrowing and powerful parts of his story. He had already endured interrogation, arrest, and sentencing for refusing to renounce his faith and his allegiance to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic […]
Today we look at the fascinating story of how a dissident Ukrainian Catholic priest ran a cathedral out of his small apartment in eastern Ukraine, and ended up in Winnipeg, Canada. Now considered a saint by the Catholic Church, Ukrainian priest Vasyl Velychkovsky was an amazing man. Among his accomplishments: Vasyl Velychkovsky’s life exemplifies steadfast […]
Yesterday at WLBOTT HQ, we had a situation. A 250 oz / 1.95 gal / 7.39 liter container of liquid laundry soap leaked all over the combination laundry room / garage / cheese curd aging facility. We didn’t notice the spill until it had flowed, like a gooey tidal wave, across the containment area. We […]