Skye, the official Commonplace Fun Facts canine contributor, consultant, and — well, let’s face it — she basically calls all the shots around here — can’t wait to dive into the holiday […]
Happy Thanksgiving
That Time the President Gave the Pope a Strange Christmas Present
It is hard enough coming up with just the right Christmas gift when you have a year to plan for it. What do you do when you need to choose an appropriate […]
How to Become a Professional Santa Claus
All schools have a code of conduct, but some put a particular emphasis on keeping a list of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. If you want to make the spreading […]
If I Were the Devil
Paul Harvey was one of the most popular radio personalities for nearly sixty years. Starting his career at the age of 14, he continued to broadcast until his death at 90. His […]
Largest Rube Goldberg Machine Lights Up the Holidays
Cartoonist Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) achieved fame for his popular cartoons in which he depicted ridiculously complicated machines invented by Professor Lucifer Gorgonzola Butts. Devices of this sort are now known as Rube […]
On July 27 Take Your Pants For a Walk
Getting up and taking a walk is one of the best ways to improve your health. It burns calories, sharpens the mind, and strengthens bones. When walking, it is generally a good […]
How Many Ways Can Santa Arrange His Reindeer?
As of this writing, it is the middle of summer in our part of the world, but Christmas is just around the corner. That is if you define “just around the corner” […]
Why Was 2011 the Shortest Year for Samoa?
The year 2011 will be remembered by most of the world for its political and geological upheaval. Osama bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi were killed, the Arab Spring saw protests in Libya, […]
5 Fun Facts About Pancakes and Shrove Tuesday
Originally posted on The Strawberry Post:
It’s Shrove Tuesday today, the last day before lent in the Christian religion and for many, whether religious or not, that means eating pancakes! Eating pancakes…
Merry Christmas!
Skye, our official canine consultant, has remained awake throughout the night, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa. Although very sleepy, she is not too tired to join all of us at Commonplace […]
Thank the Creator of the Headless Horseman for Your Favorite American Christmas Traditions
There are certain people who figure prominently in the development of Christmas traditions. What would Christmas be like without Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Thomas Nast’s depiction of Santa, or Clement Moore’s immortal […]
Is Xmas an Attempt to Take Christ out of Christmas?
For all of the gift-giving, decorations, holiday music, delicious food, and festive traditions, there is no escaping the fact that the central element of Christmas is the recognition of the birth of […]
Don’t Spend Christmas in the Emergency Room
Christmas is a time to spend in church, shopping in stores, and visiting the homes of family and friends. For too many people, it is also a time to spend in the […]
How Much Do You Know About Santa Claus?
One of the most recognized people in the world is that jolly, old elf, Santa Claus. Everything about him — his beard, hat, coat, belly, and even his distinctive laugh — immediately […]
Enjoy the Tasty Christmas Dish of Putrefying Birds Buried in a Seal’s Decomposing Carcass
Are you still planning your Christmas menu? Looking for some special dish that will make your table stand out? Do you want to make sure your family and friends have a holiday […]
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