January 4th, 2025
“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, is 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 1,061 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week, I learned some stuff:
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- The last time I was out for the New Year was the Millennium. I just spent two years of my life working through the technical impacts of the century change, and I wanted to be outside when it happened so I could see if there were any major outages, etc. Generally speaking, I don’t like public festivities since the 70s. I make exceptions for concerts, but even those are few and far between these days. That’s a long way to explain that I went to bed by 9 o’clock, slept like a champ, and woke up in the new year. I hope whatever you did was joyful.
- Our son, Sean, is coming for a visit! We are all excited. Of course, as I become more limited, our Sean List gets longer. It bothers me to have a task for his help. We only get so much time with him on visits, and I hate to spend it overcoming my limitations. He is very sweet about it, but still.
- The streaming services are sometimes cruel. We wait for what seems like forever for the next season, and WHAM! They only put out 1-2 episodes at a time. Our binging is curtailed or at least postponed. My sister waits for all of the new episodes to drop before watching. I am not that patient. Maybe it is just retired geezers who get addicted to shows like that, but I suspect not. Blue Bloods is an interesting case. It read so long that its ending seems natural, like much of life, good things end, too. I will miss those Sunday dinners at the Regans.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- I have added a new recipe for Black-eyed Peas. Try it now. Don’t wait for New Year.
- This week, the Home Page is from Bob Dylan: “People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convent and then repent.” I think this quote is so timely, given the last presidential election. My wife and daughter went to see the biopic “A Complete Unknown” this week. I think Dylan has to be one of the most interesting people of our time.
Bonsai Tree and Stained Glass, Update:
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- The adventure continued, but I took a few more days off for New Year. No need to start the new year productively:).
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- Christmas cards are often the only contact made each year. I have a friend who was my best friend in High School, and we kind of fell apart after I came home from the Navy. I was close to his whole family. They took me under their wing during the dark days before I went into the Navy. My mom was in a bad place then, and my brother and I stayed away as much as possible. Dean’s family was so kind. No matter what time I showed up at their door, they would take me, give me something to eat, and a place to sleep till the storm passed at him. I drove their cars before I had one of my own. I worked at their restaurant and helped in any way I could around the house. The last time I saw Doc, Dean’s dad, he was in the final stages of colon cancer. I was home on leave and stopped by to say Hi and was shocked at the mere reflection of this always robust, larger-than-life man who answered the door. It broke my heart. We had already gone our separate ways when Dean’s mom died. I think I was on deployment. But I felt those losses as if I had lost my parents. So, every year, I dutifully sent out my card and waited to get his. Each year, I was relieved that it had arrived and saddened that it would be all we have until next year. A few times over the years, I have stopped by my old friend’s house and spent a few awkward minutes together. Then silence followed by the cards. And so it goes…
Music Update:
This week, I am starting something new in the song selection for UJT Radio. I am going to play songs whose performers’ first names begin with the same letter. This week, it is “S.” There are a lot of great players on that list.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Steve Winwood — While See a Chance— From the first time I heard Steve, I was in love. This one is from his “Arc of the Diver,” his solo album released in 1987.
- Shawn Mullins — Light You Up –—Another love at first sight or sound anyway. Shawn is an unsung genius. This is a single released in 2010 that did very well.
- Savoy Brown —Hellbound Train — This spooky song took us by surprise in 1972. This is the title cut for their album released that year.
- Sarah McLachlan — Angel — This is just one of the saddest, sweetest songs sung so well, it hurts me to listen. This one is from her “Surfacing” album, released in 1997.
- Shane Smith & the Saints — Coast — I don’t know very much about this band, but I like them! This is the title cut from their 2013 release. Get the record and listen.
- Shawn Phillips — Ballad of Casey Weiss — Another haunting song. My friend Dean introduced me to Shawn one time when I was home on leave from the Navy. This man is so impressive in his skill and talent. He taught George Harrison how to play the Sitar. This song comes from his “Second Contributions“ album, released in 1971.
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!