Author Archives: dcaligari

May 11, 12 and 13 are the feast days of Saints Mamertus, Pancras and Servais (or Servatuis or Gervatuis.) These three are known as the The Icy Saints not because they were cold during their lifetimes, but because these days are traditionally the coldest of the month. English and French folklore (and later American) heldContinue reading “Another page from the Lives of the Saints”

World Lupus Day was created to help us understand that this seemingly random grab bag of symptoms is actually a debilitating, chronic autoimmune disease suffered by approximately 5 million people worldwide, with 1.5 million of them living in the United States alone. Awareness events for World Lupus Day are held in most of the continentsContinue reading “A nap is nice for those who it’s a luxury”

Today is Lost Sock Memorial Day, the day that we take a moment out of our busy lives to mourn the lost of a sock while we do the laundry. After a proper amount of time; stop hoping it will appear to reunite with its mate. Focus on the only healthy choices before you: ThrowContinue reading “Try not to let this get you down”

In case you didn’t get you mom a great gift, you can remind her that you got your second shot of the vaccine just the other day and you can see her soon (so you have some extra time.) What your excuse will be next year is your business. The United States celebrates Mother’s DayContinue reading “Here’s to you Mrs. Robinson”

May 8, 1945 –Let’s face it, Harry S. Truman was a shlub for most of his adult life. He was a failed businessman. He was a minor cog in a a political machine when he was picked to be Senator for his home state, Missouri. Roosevelt picked him to be his Vice President to spiteContinue reading “Today in History”

The famous world conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte was once attacked and defeated by … bunnies. The emperor had requested that a rabbit hunt be arranged for himself and his men. His chief of staff Alexandre Berthier set it up and had men round up reportedly 3,000 rabbits for the occasion. When the rabbits were released fromContinue reading “And we were taught that Waterloo was the conqueror’s greatest defeat …”

May 7, 399 BC (according to Plato) –… Socrates, what is truth?’ ‘Socrates, what is beauty?’ Never once did any of you guys say ‘Socrates, hemlock is poisonous.’ Thanks a lot, you guys … Greek authorities forced philosopher Socrates to end his life by drinking a potion containing hemlock for his teaching methods which arousedContinue reading “Today in History”

May 6, 1937 –At 7:25 pm, the German dirigible The Hindenburg (Pride of the Nazi Zeppelin fleet) burned while landing at the naval air station at Lakehurst, NJ on this date. On board were 6l crew and 36 passengers. The landing approach seemed normal, when suddenly a tongue of flame appeared near the stern. FireContinue reading “Oh, the humanity!”

May 6, 1910 –Albert Edward Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, known as the ‘Uncle of Europe‘ because he was related to nearly every other European monarch, was not having a good day. Dealing with a case of severe bronchitis (brought on by his life long heavy cigar smoking and whore mongering) and urged by his family toContinue reading “Another episode of “Oh, Those Wacky Royals!””

May 5, 1821 –Napoleon died on the island of St. Helena on this date. After confession, Extreme Unction and Viaticum in the presence of Father Ange Vignali, Napoleon’s last words were, “France, l’armée, tête d’armée, Joséphine” (“France, army, head of the army, Joséphine“). Some suspect Napoleon died from arsenic poisoning. More likely, he died fromContinue reading “Another thing your teacher never told you”