Riley Leonard (#13) crosses the goal line for Notre Dame’s first TD against Penn State.

They will play the winner of tonight’s game between Texas and Ohio State.

I’ve been following Notre Dame football games since I was 4 years old.

Of course, there was no tv at the time, so we sat on the living room rug and listened to the games on the radio.

The man who announced the ND games was Joe Boland.

He had played on the 1924-1925 Notre Dame teams coached by Knute Rockne.

Growing up in South Bend, my childhood was a wonderland with Notre Dame football as the centerpiece.

SUCH FUN!

It’s another adjustment as the years go by.

The only way to explain it is that each death leaves a hole in your life.

For many years they were there and now they’re not.

I think of them from time to time..

My recollections help me remember various scenes of what we did and where we were.

Being the optimist that I am, they’re always good memories.

The arithmetic dictates that you lose more loved ones and friends as you go along.

I’m very fortunate, however, because all my memories are happy ones.

They were spent in happy times!

(Mount Qasioun overlooking Damascus, Syria)

President Bashar Assad of Syria deprived citizens of a favorite custom.

On weekends, many people climbed Mount Qasioun overlooking Damascus.

And they enjoyed roasted corn on the cob, smoking hookah and drinking coffee.

The mountain had been closed since the outbreak of civil war in 2011.

WE hope the Syrian people will be able to enjoy their new-found freedom!

(Rabbi Josh Fixler)

To members of his synagogue, the voice that played over the speakers sounded just like his voice.

But, he then explained that the voice they heard may have sounded like his words.

But, they were not.

“They were created by Rabbi Bot.”

During his service, he also asked questions and “Rabbi Bot” answered.

His and others’ use of Ai has spurned an industry of faith-based tech companies

These tech companies do theological research and write sermons. (New York Times)

It seems that Ai will eventually impact all walks-of-life.

NO RECESSION IN SIGHT                                                                                                                    Unemployment rate remains relatively low.                                                                                        Forecasters examining the fundamentals of the U.S. economy don’t see the obvious signs of a recession.          

GAS PRICES ARE UNDER WRAPS

The U.S. is pumping more oil than any nation in world history!

PAYCHECKS ARE BEATING PRICES

Price increases have slowed substantially while paychecks are growing faster than prices.

THE FED HAS DROPPED RATES

Now that inflation has cooled, the Fed has been able to cut rates in 3 consecutive meetings.

PRO-BUSINESS POLICIES

New administration will have growing the economy as a priority.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s father, Sonny, died early Saturday of complications from hip surgery after falling in New Orleans ahead of the Sugar Bowl, the school announced.

Sonny Smart, a longtime high school football coach in Alabama and Georgia, fell while walking on New Year’s Eve and fractured his hip.

He was hospitalized and had hip surgery at Ochsner Medical Center, where he died surrounded by his family, Georgia said in a statement that did not provide his age.

The Smart family was in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, which was pushed back a day because a man rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in the French Quarter, killing 14 people and injuring about 30.

Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs lost to Notre Dame 23-10 in the game, a College Football Playoff semifinal, on Thursday.

Sonny Smart, who coached Kirby when he was in high school, is survived by his wife, Sharon, and their three children, Karl, Kirby and Kendall.

The Smart family said in a statement issued by Georgia that it “expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the Ochsner hospital and medical staff for the exceptional care provided to Sonny. (CNNN)

We never know what fate has in store for us.

We pray for God’s blessing upon the Smart family.

Its name is Baldwin Center located in Pontiac, Michigan.

It actually provided 30,000 meals in the year just ending.

It’s also a place for local kids to learn and play in safe surroundings.

About half of its donations come from major donors,

The other half is made up of small donations from individuals.

The irony is that spending on items for themselves has increased each of the past three years.

These much-needed small donations, however, are falling off which jeopardizes the future of Baldwin Center.

Will you help?

Phone: 248-332-6101

(Saudi Oil Refinery)

In a year in which global efforts to tackle some of the planet’s most pressing crises — from climate change to plastic pollution — have ended in failure or bitter disappointment.

There is one country whose name comes up again and again: Saudi Arabia.

For years, the oil-rich kingdom has been accused of using its vast resources and savvy negotiating tactics to push against and delay climate progress, but multiple experts say this year it has been bolder than ever.

Saudi Arabia’s interference has been “blatant and in your face,” said Harjeet Singh, “They’re just blocking everything.” (CNN)

Hungover?

If so, I hope you made it home safely in that condition.

In today’s New York Times, there is an opinion by Nicole Stock.

How about committing yourself to a DRY JANUARY?

She suggests a technique to give up alcohol for the month.

Make it easier by telling friends about your goal.

If a DRY JANUARY is too hard, try to scale back with a DAMP JANUARY.

Decide drink-by-drink on a mocktail or a cocktail.

Are you ready to take control of your drinking?

If not today, when?

People are most likely to give up their New Years resolutions on the second Friday in January, known as “Quitters Day!”

DON’T BE A QUITTER!

The most common New Years Resolutions: Becoming PHYSICALLY FIT. Beginning MEDITATION. Drinking less ALCOHOL. BETTER WORK PERFORMANCE.

Other New Years Eve Statistics: 128 million Americans travel on New Years Eve. (65% are driving.) 42,800 people are injured in car crashes. Americans drink over 360 million glasses of sparkling wine. Average blood alcohol content is 0.095% making it the most drunken night of the year. (Google)

So, there you have it!

You’ll have fun tonight if you make good decisions!

Happy New Year!