Monthly Archives: November 2010

Today in History…At Least You Weren’t Hit by Meteors.

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Susan Spann

Unless you’re Elizabeth Hodges of Sylacauga, Alabama – in which case, you were. November 30, 1954:  Elizabeth Hodges was sleeping on a couch in her Alabama home when an 8.5-pound sulfide meteorite crashed through her roof, bounced off a radio, … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok | 4 Comments

Lessons From a Five-Foot Snowman

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Susan Spann

I spent most of last week in Squaw Valley with my extended family, enjoying a much-needed vacation and holiday.  Wednesday morning, my son and I decided to snowshoe out into the new-fallen snow (read: three feet of base and another … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok | 1 Comment

But Why is it Called Black Friday?

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Susan Spann

Now that I’m back in town* I thought I’d resolve a question that’s bothered me for some time. Why is the Friday after Thanksgiving called “Black Friday”? According to Wikipedia (aka, “the most reliable source of true reliable potentially made … Continue reading →

Posted in Shiny Dinglehoppers | 1 Comment

Today We Are Teaching Toddlers How to Fly!

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Susan Spann

Rather than post a dull series of Thanksgiving thank-yous to the many, many people who miraculously put up with me all these years love me for who I am, I thought I’d share a few memories instead. First up, Big … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok | 2 Comments

Friday Reads: All I Can Handle: I’m No Mother Teresa

Posted on November 19, 2010 by Susan Spann

Today’s review: All I Can Handle: I’m No Mother Teresa, by Kim Stagliano (“Kimoir,” Skyhorse Publishing, 2010) From Amazon’s product description: “How one woman raises three daughters with autism, loses one at Disney World, stays married, has sex, bakes gluten-free, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reads & Reviews | 1 Comment

Who’s DMB now?

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Susan Spann

Google has recently started correcting my searches.  Not content merely to suggest alternative options when it thinks I’ve misspelled or mistyped my request, the World’s Smartest Pigeons have now started replacing my search with Folgers Crystals auto-corrected terms…and yes, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok | Comments Off

And There Was Great Rejoicing Throughout the Land

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Susan Spann

Tuesday, November 16, 2010.  My husband’s birthday. In honor of the occasion, permit me to share a few things I’ve learned in the past decade-and-then-some since I said I Would: 1.  Men’s socks are migratory and prone to basking in … Continue reading →

Posted in Anything for a Party | 2 Comments

Let Them Write (About) Cake!

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Susan Spann

November 15, 2010 is official “I Love to Write Day.”  In honor of the occasion, I’m going to spend the day writing.  (Granted, I do that most days, but I’ll pretend today is special.) In fact, I intend to try … Continue reading →

Posted in Anything for a Party, Shiny Dinglehoppers | 3 Comments

Friday Reads: Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Susan Spann

Today’s review: Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder: Pronged Ants, Horned Humans, Mice on Toast and other Marvels of Jurassic Technology, by Lawrence Weschler (1996, still available in paperback). From the Amazon.com review (because they said it well and I’m too lazy … Continue reading →

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A Few Words on Veterans’ Day

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Susan Spann

First and foremost, heartfelt thanks to all the veterans who put their lives on the line for our country.  We owe you a debt of gratitude that we can never repay.  You risked everything you had in return for far … Continue reading →

Posted in Anything for a Party, Shiny Dinglehoppers | 1 Comment