May 5th, 2022
“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, an Eastern Slavic language spoken mainly in Ukraine. I have decided to maintain the UJT will focus on Ukraine until we can all rejoice in the end of hostilities. It has been 70 days since Russia attacked Ukraine.
This week we celebrate some international remembrances. This Wednesday is Star Wars Day!! May the Fourth Be With You!. And the very next day is Cinco de Mayo! This is a Mexican holiday that has bleed over the borders as well. It commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. But has become a grand excuse for misbehavior involving Tequila, food, music and dancing. Fiesta Amigos!!!
Tesla is a visionary product set and is changing our world. But it’s not faultless. The very sexy Tesla Site and App both have plenty of glitches that deduct from its value proposition. I, for one, would prefer old Elon focus more on his products than Twitter. I mean I don’t get it. Most every thing that Musk has done has shown great vision. Tesla Cars, Solar Products, Tunnel Drilling services, it goes on but how does Twitter add value to anything. As far as I can tell, Twitter has automated Rumor Mongering and distribution of other misinformation. Which, by the way, in case you weren’t listening when your mom told you since before puberty, are not celebrated human endeavors. Makes no sense to me.
Speaking of visionary… My son shared with me a YouTube presentation of the new Diamond Battery technology.. just making it’s way from theory to practical application. I won’t bore you with all the scientific details and summarize by asking you to visualize our familiar Lithium Battery except, its self perpetuating for 28,000 years, is lighter, less volatile and unitizes spent nuclear waste (Carbon-14) as its catalyst the way solar voltaic cells on your roof use the sun. Now, while your eyes are closed, imagine a world where easy, low cost access to abundant fossil fuels no longer matters!!! Hmmm wouldn’t it be pretty!!
This week my gratitude journal noted that I am grateful to have learned about space from NASA, My Favorite Martian, “Uncle Martin” (AKA Ray Walston) Mork from Ork (Nanu Nanu!) and Will Robinson of Lost in Space (and Dr. Zackery Smith reminds me of Uncle Martin!). They all prepared me for Start Wars! We celebrated May the Fourth be with you this week!
I am registered at La Fitness and after a brief delay began my routine on Monday. WooHoo! It’s different. The cardio machines they use are different than the ones in Pulmonary rehabThis week I learned some stuff:
• May 5th is the 125th day of 2022. Just 243 days till Christmas! Today in 1809, Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread; Today in 1821, Emperor Napoleon dies in exile on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean; In 1886 on this day, workers marching for the Eight-hour day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin were shot at by Wisconsin National Guardsmen in what became known as the Bay View Massacre; Today in 1905, the trial in the Stratton Brothers case begins in London, England; it marks the first time that fingerprint evidence is used to gain a conviction for murder; In 1961 on this day, Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into outer space, on a sub-orbital flight; Today in 1973, Secretariat wins the 1973 Kentucky Derby in 1:592⁄5, an as-yet unbeaten record; Today in 1994, American teenager Michael P. Fay is caned in Singapore for theft and vandalism;Born today in 1818, Karl Marx, German philosopher, sociologist, and journalist: Born today in 1846, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Polish journalist and author, Nobel Prize laureate; Blind Willie McTell, American Piedmont blues singer and guitar player was born today in 1898; Arthur Leonard Schawlow, American physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate was born today in 1921; Tammy Wynette, American singer-songwriter and guitarist was born today in 1942; Adele, English singer-songwriter was born today in 1988; Clifton Hillegass, American publisher, created CliffsNotes passed away today in 2001;And lastly, today in 2013, Robert Ressler, American FBI agent and author, passed away.
Website Update:
This week:
• Last week for the Vocabulary Quiz
• Week two for our Musical Trivia Quiz
• We tried some new recipes were this week – Fish Milanese, Grandpa’s Spicy Dill Tarter Sauce and some Sticky Coconut Chicken and Rice – are all posted on the UJT
• The Home Page quote this week is from a famous hockey star, Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.
Writing, Ceramics, Stained Glass and Painting Update:
• I have been adding more colors and layers to Lori’s Barn and Chris’ Sunset in the mangrove images. I also am still experimenting with the neurographic images. I am not in love with it yet.
• I have been slacking off lately on the paper edits of Grandpa Stories. I need to carve out some time this weekend for some more chapters.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• Why do smoke detector batteries always fail at 3am? For as long as my sketchy memory tracks it, we have had the opportunity to enjoy our fire and smoke protection maintenance, one device at a time, during the early mornings hours before the sun comes up. And, of course, you used the last battery that fits. replacing them all that last predawn opportunity you had. So that ending that horrible incessant chirping becomes just step 4 in a multi step process. Step 1, let the frighted dog out, Step 2 find the ladder. Step 3 bring the ladder to the faulty detector and finally Step 4, stop the chirping by taking the cover off and disconnecting everything or smashing it to pieces which added many more steps to the process but feels wonderfully justified. Then you get it down, disconnected with the battery removed and IT STILL IS CHIRPING AAARRGGG! And then in the distance, a cousin device protecting another zone of he house chirps in sympathy..DOUBLE ARRRGGGG!!!
Music Update:
A faithful UJT reader and old friend of mine, reminded me that we got to see Joe Walsh back when he was with James Gang 2times in 1971 – once in Miami and the other in Virginia. Am I lucky or what??!! Good friends and good music! I am really pleased with this week’s mix too. I hope it reminds of friends you have had and the times you had with them.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• New Riders of the Purple Sage – Panama Red — This is the title song for NRPS’ 1973 release. A song that made us smile when smiling was easy.
• Bonnie Raitt — Made Up Mind — This is my friend’s favorite cut from Bonnie’s new album, “Just Like That” that came out this month. A great song and album!
• Brad Paisley — Kentucky Jelly — This one of my favorite songs by Brad. He is such a great guitar player. This from his album, “Play” released in 2008.
• Toby Keith – I Love this Bar – About a 1000 years ago, i was once a regular at a great bar called, “Sids” is Miami Florida. Every time I hear this song, I remember those wonderful times at Sids where I was enjoying one of my most painful periods of my life and how this group of strangers took me in and made me feel whole again.
• Blind Faith – Can’t Find My Way Home — This was the super group for about a minute in 1969. Eric Clapton, Steve Windwood, Ric Gretch and Ginger Baker came together for a magic moment of music,
• Dire Straits — Your Latest Trick — From the Vinyl!!! As chance would have it, I got the opportunity to see these guys in Dallas on their 1985 “Brothers in Arms” tour. I had never heard this song before. I was just totally blown away. Mark Knopffler’s guitar is always superb but the horns make this song. I think.
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!