September 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 567 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- Forest got his first bath this week. He looks so purdy!
- My front yard grass project continues. I got the weeds sprayed, the ground broken up and keep off new grass barriers up. I will reseed today.
- September 21 is the 264th day of 2023. Just 84 days till Christmas. On this day in 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor is unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate as the first female Supreme Court justice; Today in 2001, America: A Tribute to Heroes is broadcast by over 35 network and cable channels, raising over $200 million for the victims of the September 11 attacks; Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, Dutch physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate born today in 1853; Donald A. Glaser, American physicist and neurobiologist, Nobel Prize laureate born today in 1926; E Larry Hagman, (AKA J.R. Ewing)American actor, director, and producer was born in 1931; Leonard Cohen, Canadian singer-songwriter and poet was born today in 1934; Henry Gibson, American actor was born today in 1935; Don Felder, American musician and songwriter was born today 1947; The same day as Stephen King, American author and screenwriter; Bill Murray, American actor, comedian, producer, and screenwriter was born today in 1950; David James Elliott, (AKA Lt. Cdr. Harmon Rabb) Canadian-American actor and director was born today in 1960; Samantha Power, Irish-American journalist, academic, and diplomat, 28th United States Ambassador to the United Nations was born today in 1970; Chief Joseph, American tribal leader passed away today in 1904; Walter Brennan, American actor died today in 1974 as did Jacqueline Susann, American author and actress ;Finally, we lost Willie Garson, (AKA Stanford Blatch on Sex in the City) American actor today in 2021.
This week’s Website Update:
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- A new Vocabulary Quiz Yeah!!!!
- Week two for our Musical Trivia Quiz
- I uploaded a new Homemade Jambalaya and Cajun Seasoning recipes.
- The Home Page quote for this week is another pearl of wisdom from Jimmy Buffett, “Indecision may or may not be my problem!”.
Writing, Ceramics, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- I still haven’t gotten to the Juniper that BJ got me for my Birthday.
- I am actually getting busy with the stained glass project this week! I set up a work station in the garage but not much progress on the new design.
- I did manage to get some more of the paper editing done on Grandpa Stories”. My goal is 3-5 chapters each week till it is done.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- As much as I disagreed with our country’s nuclear policies for most of my adult life, I was comforted by the dedication and qualifications of our conventional warfare capabilities that made the use of WMDs less likely. However, during the past several decades, the United States’ conventional warfare capabilities have not been refreshed or sustained adequately, while the potential adversaries have been maintaining a high level of investment in their capabilities, both offensive and defensive. This is troubling for any number of reasons. Our nation’s financial position has continued to deteriorate due a number of very self-serving tax policies that lead to larger gaps in wealth, increased borrowing and reduced long-term investments in infrastructure and defense. Much like our “compromised” environmental policies seem to assume the rich folks will somehow be exempt from planetary phenomena, the constant drain of national resources (tax base) in favor of personal wealth will not afford the wealthy any greater safety should an adversary decide it is now time to inflict their military will upon our country. Don’t believe me? Check it out. Then ask yourself if you lived in a country that treated large segments of its population with disdain at best and hatred at worst, how willing would you be to defend her from enemies, foreign and domestic? For the most part wealthy people do not fight wars, poor people do but they have to be willing to do that.
Music Update:
Here is a new batch of music for you to try out.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Alan Parson’s Project – Can’t Take it with You — This comes from their theme album,“Pyramid” released in 1978. I agree. I think the pyramids were an excellent attempt to take it with you..
- Vance Joy – Riptide – This guy is an interesting contradiction. I love his whole gig right down to his inappropriate ukulele and most excellent lyrics.
- Steve Winwood — Back in the High Life Again — This is the title cut for Steve’s 1986 release. I love that James Taylor does the harmonies on this album so well often you cannot tell there is more than one person singing.
- Hiss Golden Messenger – Lucia – This guy kind of reminds me of Bob Dylan in the early days. His simple song kind of pulled me in. This one is from his “Lateness of Dancers” released in 2014
- Les Paul & Friends —Slippin’ Into Darkness — I think this was Les’ last album. It’s one of those ‘everybody is on it’ records. I just love it all – the backup vocals, guitar, and sax. Released in 2005, “Les Paul & Friends: American Made – World Played”.
- Eric Clapton/Santana — The Calling — This is a truly remarkable performance of these two Titans of Guitar. This was captured on Santana’s 1999 release, “Supernatural”. This a long one filled with joy! Enjoy….
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!