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 […]
If I Were the Devil
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 […]
The Charming Christmas Tradition of the Belly-Slitting Witch
The Ideas Department of Commonplace Fun Facts suggested a series of stories during the month of December about Christmas traditions around the world. “Great,” replied the Research Department. “We’ll find some charming, […]
What is the Christian Meaning Behind A Christmas Tree?
Does the Christmas tree have meaning beyond its decorative purpose? When setting up the tree, are you participating in the further secularization of a sacred day, or is there an element of […]
The Ghoulish Ghost Guardian of South African Christmas Cookies
Freshly-baked Christmas cookies can be so tempting! The sugary morsels, specially-decorated for the holidays are so inviting that it is almost impossible to resist the urge to sneak one or two. After […]
