October 28th, 2021
“ངྲོ་པདེ་ལེགས། (Dobro delek)”, or “Good Morning!” in Dzongkha (རྫོང་ཁ), a South Tibetic language spoken in Bhutan.
Were you impressed by the billionaire’s space race in recent weeks? I was not. There are much more substantial ways to spend the money. Did you know there was a new Nobel-like prize established by Prince William and David Attenbourogh? The“Earthshot Prize” aims to inspire innovative solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges currently facing the planet. This was the first of the yearly awards. Each winner will receive 1 million pounds. This years winners are:
The country of Costa Rica, which won for its scheme to pay citizens to protect and restore rainforests and local eco-systems.
Indian organization Takachar, which created technology that attaches to tractors and reduces smoke emissions by up to 98% while converting the residue into new products..
Coral Vita in the Bahamas, which developed a method of accelerating coral regrowth to replant in depleted underwater reefs.
The city of Milan, which operates a city-wide plan to distribute food to the needy that would otherwise end up as food waste in restaurants and supermarkets.
A Thai, German and Italian group, which created an AEM Electrolyser, a “plug and play” module that turns water into emissions-free green hydrogen. This innovation makes green technology more versatile and therefore more accessible to lower-income countries and small businesses
These are not trivial accomplishments! A hearty UJT “Well Done” to the Prince of Wales, David Attenborough and this year’s 12 finalists for the EarthSpot Prize. While billionaires flagellate their wealth intergalactically, I am glad some remembered to look after the planet we are currently on.
This week I learned some stuff:
• The front porch furniture painting project is complete. I think it took me about 200% longer to do than it would have a decade ago. Ah well, such is life.
• We received an unexpected visit from our granddaughter who is now away at college. She got a free day last Friday and came home. It was good to see her. The beasties were a bit strange ..really happy to see her but also kind of like they were pissed at her for being away for so long.
• October 28th is the 301st day of 2021. Just 58 days till Christmas! Today in 1520 (last weeks date for the discover of the straits was incorrect), Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Pacific Ocean; On this day in 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony votes to establish a theological college, which would later become Harvard University; In 1725, Gulliver’s Travels is published; US president Grover Cleveland dedicates the Statue of Liberty on this day in 1879; Today in 1919, the U.S. Congress passes the Volstead Act over President Wilson’s veto, paving the way for Prohibition (and organized crime) to begin the following January; The Alaska Highway first connects Alaska to the North American railway network at Dawson Creek in Canada today in 1942; Today in 1962, Premier Nikita Khrushchev orders the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis; John Laurens, American Revolutionary soldier from South Carolina and critic of slavery , was born today in 1754; Jonas Salk, American biologist and physician, was born on this day in 1914; Jack Soo, American actor (Barny Miller’s Det. Yemana) and singer, was born today in 1917; Today in 1936, Charlie Daniels, American singer-songwriter, fiddle-player and guitarist was born; NYPD Blue Dot Sipowitz, aka Dennis Franz, American actor, was born today in 1944; Born today in 1955, Bill Gates, American businessman and philanthropist, co-founded Microsoft; Julia Roberts, American actress and producer, was born today in 1967; Ben Harper, American singer-songwriter and guitarist, was born today in 1969; Brad Paisley, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor was born today in 1972; Abigail Adams, American writer and second First Lady of the United States passed away in 1818;And finally, James MacArthur, (the original Dano on Hawaii Five O) American actor passed away on this day in 2012.
Website Update:
This week:
• Week 2 for our new Vocabulary Quiz
• A New Musical Trivia Quiz – Yeah!
• I have developed a nice new soup recipe for autumn soup and sweater weather. It’s very easy and fast to make and tastes wonderful! It even got the BJ seal of approval! Try making the Potsticker Egg Drop Soup. I think you will like it.
• The Home Page quote comes from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was overheard discussing the COP26 meeting to take place in Glasgow, saying, “It’s very irritating when they talk but they don’t do.”
Writing, Ceramics, Stained Glass and Painting Update:
• No change on the painting or stained glass front this week.
• Grandpa Stories is once again making progress towards being republished. It is going well.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• This week I was reediting a number of Grandpa Stories Chapters. It’s a bit of an eerie experience. I don’t want to be re-writing the stories. I just wish to correct writing related errors. To do that I have to read what was written and I have to refrain from adding new content that I have learned since or correct earlier faults, in wisdom, assumptions or character flaws. It feels like I have access to a time/space portal but there are rules about what to do when you go back.
Music Update:
Once again, yours truly takes you on another meander through the dusty cobwebs of my music library.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• Ben Harper — My Own Two Hands — This is a reggae song that is all about personal accountability for the world, love, and life we have. The guitar work is really nice. If you don’t like reggae, you probably won’t like this one. This is from his “Diamonds on the Inside” album released in 2003.
• Ben Harper — Diamonds on the Inside — This is the title cut from his 2003 release. I included it to demonstrate the diversity of this guy’s music. It reminds me a bit of a Dylan song, with the guitars being played by Mark Knopfler. I like it and I hope you do it too.
• Toby Keith — Baddest Boots — This one gave me a surprised smile, when it came up in my music rotation. It reminds me of a time when I got my first pair of grown up boots when I was like 16. They only made sense if you were gonna tuck your pants in or wear bell bottoms. George and I both wore bell bottoms on our skinny asses. Anyway, I like this silly song about a boy and his boots, I hope you like it too. Its from his, “Shockin’ Y’all” album released in 2003.
• The Beatles — Eleanor Rigby — This maybe the best known story telling song in the planet. It certainly enjoyed immense popularity. It was always one of my favorites. This comes to us from their great album, “Revolver” released in 1966.
• Quinn Sullivan — 11 Things I Won’t Forget — This came up in the rotation and just like always this kid just blows me away!!!. The guitar work is excellent and its just a good song. This one comes from his 2013 release, “Getting There”.
• The Everly Brothers — All We Really Want To Do — From the Vinyl !!!! This is a deep cut off an obscure album by two of the best harmonizers in ‘da biz’. This one comes from their 1972 release. “ The Stories We Could Tell”.
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!