Author Archives: dcaligari

January 3, 1952 –The ominous, four-note introduction to the brass and tympani theme music, then the staccato voice over intoned, Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. The first regularly scheduled episode of Dragnet premiered on this date (Badge 714 is the name of the syndication version of the series.)

Today’s gift count (220): you currently have 10 Leaping Lords, (the ten lords represent the Ten Commandments,) 18 Rockettes, 24 young milkmaid, 28 Swans making a racket, 30 geese a’ laying, 30 golden rings, 28 calling birds, 24 French hens, 18 turtledoves and 10 partridges in their respective pear trees. Today is also the feastContinue reading “By now, your neighbors hate you”

Today is Memento Mori Day, a tradition started in ancient Rome that serves as a reminder that we will all die, one day soon. It is said that in ancient Rome, when a victorious general would return to the city for his triumph (victory parade), a slave would walk behind him, whispering in his ear:Continue reading “The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.”

January 2, 1978 –The influential science fiction TV series Blake’s 7 premieres on BBC1 in the UK on this date. Paul Darrow (Kerr Avon), Michael Keating (Vila Restal) and Jacqueline Pearce (Supreme Commander Servalan) are the only actors to have stayed with the series throughout its entire run.

January 2, 1953 –NBC-TV premiered The Life of Riley, starring William Bendix on this date. The Life of Riley started as a radio program starring William Bendix on the Blue Network (ABC) from January 16, 1944 to June 8, 1945 later moving to NBC from September 8, 1945 to June 29, 1951.

January 2, 1971 –George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, his first album released after the breakup of The Beatles, begins a seven-week run at the top of the US albums chart on this date. Harrison had Phil Spector produce the album and brought in some outstanding musicians to play on it, including Eric Clapton, BobbyContinue reading “All Things Must Pass released”

Today’s gift count (156): you currently have Nine ladies dancing, (the nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. These fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.) It’s also the feast days of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen, both knownContinue reading “Stop answering the door when you see the mailman”

January 1, 1941 –The first Chinese animated feature film, Princess Iron Fan, directed by Wan Guchan and Wan Laiming was released in China on this date. It was directed in Shanghai under difficult conditions in the thick of World War II.

Today’s gift count (120 gifts): you currently have Eight young woman engaged in the dairy industry, 14 Swans making a racket, 18 geese a’ laying (fertilized goose eggs are going for about $82 per dozen), 20 golden rings, 20 calling birds, 18 French hens, 14 turtledoves and 8 partridges in their respective pear trees. TheContinue reading “Here’s some stuff, you may not know –”

December 31, 1958 –Rebels forces lead by Fidel Castro, marched triumphantly into Havana, Cuba on this date. Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fled the country with 180 of his supporters and personal fortune of more than $300 million dollars amassed through graft and payoffs. Meanwhile, Michael grasps Fredo tightly by the head and gives a kiss,Continue reading “Cuba falls to the rebels”