December 21st, 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 658 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- Today Scientists in California announced a breakthrough in energy production science. Nuclear fusion, probably the only single thing that can save our species and planet, has now been replicated 4 times! This is the hope of our children and grandchildren. Unlike fossil fuels nuclear fusion creates energy without pollution and unlike nuclear fission fuels, does not create nuclear waste. Humans may be able to create a world where the environment can recover from past pollutants and enjoy virtually free limitless energy. If we can keep from killing ourselves and the planet long enough.
- Our sprinkler system is back in working order.. Even the expert took a bit to figure this one out.
- December 21st is the 355th day of 2023—just 4 days till Christmas.
- Your first UJT Update in 2024 will be published on Saturday, January 6th, 2024. I am changing the schedule to accommodate my class schedule.
- December 21st is the 355th day of 2023—just 5 days till Christmas. You can find out all about December 14th in history here.
- Nuclear fusion, probably the only single thing that can save our species and planet, has now been replicated 4 times! This is the hope of our children and grandchildren. Unlike fossil fuels nuclear fusion creates energy without pollution and unlike nuclear fission fuels, does not create nuclear waste. Humans maybe be able to create a world where the environment can recover from past pollutants and enjoy virtually free limitless energy. If we can keep from killing ourselves and the planet long enough.
This week’s Website Update:
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- Last of the UJT Vocabulary Quiz. A new Music Trivia Quiz!!!!
- This week I realized that I never published my Sausage Stuffed Portobello recipe.
- The Home Page quote for this week’s wisdom is from an old Greek that you may have heard of, Plato: “Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly.”
Writing, Ceramics, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- No more ceramics class or watercolor classes this year.
- I have become a hoarder I think. My office is kind of packed to shoulder height with assorted crap- works in progress if you will.
- This week’s dream-inspired creativity was centered on cooking and prioritizing and planning my
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Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- I am in kind of a race with my warranty issues these days. I have had a long and pretty impressive career of meeting deadlines on time and within budgets (mostly, anyway). As my physical limitations increase, the urgency of finishing my “works in progress” becomes more urgent. I thought this a lot this weekend. I have prioritized the following projects to be completed ASAP before I cannot see well enough to do them – Finishing the edits on Grandpa Stories – Finishing the big stained glass project and painting what will probably last watercolor painting. All of these projects are a labor of love for me that I really cannot delegate. Besides doing this stuff has always been fun for me. I am not sure when, but the UJT Updates will probably not see 2025. Doing anything textual is increasingly challenging now. I am looking into various tools and techniques to help me continue but you plan for the worst and enjoy any improvements. I cannot complain. These old eyes have seen so much beauty over the years and have given me so much pleasure. I read a great quote the other day by an anonymous poet, named Atticus, “ I hope I arrive at my death, a little late, in love and slightly drunk.” Hear Hear!
Music Update:
Here is a new batch of music for you to try out. What did you all think of the newly released Beatles’ song, “Now and Then”?? I liked it. Perhaps, it enjoys the same loving nostalgia that “Equal Strain on All Parts” by Jimmy Buffett released just after his death. But the caliber of work on both is exemplary, in my opinion. I also wanted to apologize for the inadvertent addition to the posted playlist. I fixed it but it was out there for a bit.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Ambrosia — Time Waits For No One— From the Vinyl!!! This song has always reminded me of a poem I wrote in High School – “Time Ticks On”. This is from their iconic first self-titled album released in 1975. Their music is so tight! “ …. You know if you hurry it takes twice as long …”
- The Who — Happy Jack (Live At Leeds/1970)— This is a deep cu written by Pete Townsend from their live release in 1970..
- John Lennon — Happy Xmas (War Is Over) [Remastered] —Always one of our favorite Christmas songs. Originally released in 1971 on their “Shaved FIsh” album but remastered in 2013.
- Sarah Jarosz — Run Away — Just a beautiful song! I love her voice! This is from her 2011 release, “Follow Me Down”.
- Fleetwood Mac — Hold Me — This one is a deep cut from their 1982 release “ Mirage”. Linsey Buckingham is one of the most unsung guitar greats of my generation.
- Los Lonely Boys — Diamonds — Ever since my friend Randy played their iconic “Heaven” way back when it was new, I have enjoyed these boys’s music. This one is from their 2006, “Sacred”.
- Burl Ives — Holly Jolly Christmas — Another family favorite for the holidays. This is from a various artists compilation, “Now That’s What I Call Christmas!” but I can’t find out when it was originally released by Burl Ives. He used to do a Rudolf Christmas animated special each year too.
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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!