January 25th, 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 1,082 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week, I learned some stuff:
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- This week I I have been digging out from my to do list pile that was on hold while we had to visit. I feel pretty productive. I seem to have whittled most of it down. Of course there’s still more to do.
- oh joy oh rapture, it’s tax time again! I remember in the old days where I would get my W-2 and file sometime because they always owe me money. It’s not as simple nor as quick to resolve my tax burden these days and so it goes,,..
- Late this week a fire started east of our home. It’s name is Border Fire #2 and is currently somewhat contained. There are evacuation orders and warnings to those living nearest to the fire. So far so good, we have not experienced any problems from smoke yet (always a concern for folks with pulmonary issues. SDGE has begun shutting off power for high risk areas but we still have service. The power thing is less concerning because some time ago, I invested in solar energy generation and storage. So we charge our batteries during the day and us their power at night.Our O2 machine and AC should be stable even if SDGE decides to pull the plug. Keep your fingers crossed.
- Most of you know that I have been in a decades long fight with my weight. I have seen some success and some dismal failures. I think I have tried everything except not eating as much. The 2 times I have been successful at losing significant weight were when I lived on a Medifast diet and when I used Intermittent Fasting. The Medifast thing was not sustainable but the fasting technique is. So as of the first of this year, I have begun to fast from 7 pn to 11 am each day. Essentially, I only take in calories when I am using them. So far I am impressed with my progress. Once acclimated, you have little to know hunger pangs. I also count the calories I do consume and stay within limits and lastly, I have returned to the gym. Another reason to keep our fingers crossed.
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- No new recipes this week.
- The Home Page this week is from Albert Einstein: “Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow.”.
- There there are some changes coming to the website currently I’m unable to store these UGAT updates on the archive page period. I have some other work to do on the site as well so be patient and these things will be repaired.
Bonsai Tree and Stained Glass, Update:
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- I am starting back on my Stained Glass project today.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- As we enter a new era, driven by appearances pandering in living up to our worst ambitions I am frightened for a country. We manage to live through one administration by this individual. I’m not sure we can take two his newest high energy policies had to do with changing the name of the golf of Mexico and other highly important things that will help feed the homeless provide healthcare to our people and support our economy. It’s hard for me to work the rationalizations that made it possible for people to vote for this person. I just don’t understand and I’m pretty sure I never will.
Music Update:
This week, I am exploring music created and play by artists whose first name begins with “L”. Yes, I know that this is random and arbitrary but also fun. At least I hope so. There are a lot of great players on that list so they will b enraptured for a couple of weeks.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Leon Russell — A Song for You—” I agree with Elton John that this is one of the prettiest songs ever written. It was released in 1970 on his self title album and has been in my heart ever since I heard it the first time..
- Linda Ronstadt — Blue Bayou –—Linda’s beautiful soul continues to shine long pass when she could no longer sing her cover of this beautiful Roy Orbison song tug the heart strings are very one who heard it. Her version was released in 1977 on her album, “Simple Dreams”.
- Leonard Cohen — Suzanne — Most people remember Leonard Cohen for his beautiful song hallelujah. But Leonard Cohen before he was a famous singer was a wonderful poet. I like this poem before it was released on record as a single in 1968 it’s a beautiful poem. Let’s see what else you got
- Lifehouse —You and Me — one of my favorite musicians, Jess Cole stopped recording his music to produce Lifehouse. He also co-wrote this song, which is the first song I heard by Lifehouse as it became one of their biggest hits. It was released in 2005 on their self-titled debut album.
- Led Zeppelin — Dazed and Confused — I was 17 whey Led Zeppelin released their debut self-titled album, in late 1969 In my mind this is one of the best debut records ever.
- Little Feat — Spanish Moon — This is a tough choice! There are so many iterations of Little Feat but before and after Lowell George’ death in 1979. Lowe George had to be one of the most interesting musicians of our time a gifted, multi-instrumentalist, great songwriter and well respected throughout the industry. Started with the mothers of invention and Frank Zappa. We lost him to a heart attack caused by an accidental overdose of heroin. Damn this song comes from their, “Feats Do’t Fail Me Now” album released in 1974
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!