In the silent movie era, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin were physical comedy giants who specialized in performing some amazing stunts long before CGI or special effects were utilized.
This short video shows how they were able to pull off some of their famous scenes with ingenuity instead of green screens or computers.
Today my little girl, my Princess, turns 50 years old.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since I wrote this post about her life until that point. Lots of history and photos in that one.
Here are some collages of photos that have been taken over the last 10 years. Lots of memories and life events in those photos.
Lots of things have changed.
But one thing that hasn’t changed is she is still my little girl. Still my Princess.
Happy 50th Birthday to my Princess.
Today is “Brother’s Day” so I’m taking this opportunity to wish a Happy “Brother’s Day” To The Bestest Brother!
I’ve written about growing up with my brother here, and some of the fun times we had later in life here, and here, and here, and here.
To celebrate Brother’s Day 2025 I put together a couple of photo collages of Mark through the years.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?
From top left clockwise:
Mark and I with Santa in 1962 when he was a couple of months shy of turning one year old.
Mark and I in front of our Christmas tree in 1967.
Mark with a leisure suit I bought him for Christmas, probably 1975.
Mark in his high school band uniform.
Mark in his chickmobile.
Mark with his wonderful wife Pia.
Mark and I with our parents at his wedding in 1985.
Mark with his hotties, year unknown.
Mark with his best friend Scott (on the right) and another friend I don’t know the name of.
Mark in his softball/baseball uniform.
From top left clockwise:
Mark and Pia in his home office, year unknown.
Mark in front of a Superman display at an event he and I attended in New York, mid-90’s I think.
Mark, year unknown
Mark and I in Clearwater in 2015.
Mark and I sometime in the last 7 or 8 years, lol.
Mark at his birthday celebration in January of 2025.
Mark and Pia visiting us at Hillsborough River State Park in 2022(?).
Mark and I in Clearwater sometime in the last 10 years.
Mark and I in Wesley Chapel sometime in the last 6 or 7 years.
Mark, cosplaying as Lex Luthor, when he and his family visited Disney World in 2009.
I know that trip down memory lane was more fun for me than you, dear reader, but it just made me more thankful for the bestest brother that I have.
Happy “Brother’s Day” to the Bestest Brother!
In 2018 “National Rescue Dog Day” was founded by National Day Calendar and Tails That Teach to recognize “all the benefits of allowing a four-legged canine to adopt you into their immeasurably lovable life on National Rescue Dog Day.”
A little over 14 years ago Cindy and I were rescued by Bella when she came into our lives via a rescue dog service in Asheville, North Carolina. We could never have imagined all the love, beauty and wonder she would bring to us just by her presence.
After we suddenly and tragically lost “Wolf” in 2010 I did want not another dog in my life. Wolf was the first living thing that Cindy and I had in our lives that neither of us had brought to our marriage from our previous lives. His unexpected death had torn both of our hearts to shreds and I did not want to even entertain the idea of opening mine to another chance of such pain. But Cindy was alone at the cabin while I travelled for my job and she wanted the comfort and presence of a dog.
And because, for me, the pain of loss I knew would come one day was not as great as the pain of not making my wife happy in the here and now, we began searching local rescue organizations to find another dog for her so she could have some companionship while alone at the cabin.
When we finally found the little puppy who we would name “Bella” we both knew it. She was so cute, and loving and full of energy. Once she became part of our family we discovered how incredibly smart she was. Smart enough, in fact, to try to make us believe she wasn’t smart when in fact she was, lol.
Through the past 14 years, she has brought so much love, happiness and yes, companionship to both of us. If you have a furry family member, you know what I’m talking about.
We are especially grateful to have her with us to celebrate National Rescue Dog Day this year because a little over a year ago we were told by a vet that she is suffering from Stage Three Kidney Failure and would not be with us much longer. Thankfully, that was not the case. She remains in Stage Three but is still enjoying life with us as we travel. For that we are SO happy and we hope to have her with us for as long as possible.
I hope you can find a way to celebrate National Rescue Dog Day, either with your own rescue dog or by volunteering with or donating to a rescue organization.
Today, in the world of Superman, it is Miracle Monday. If you’re not familiar with the celebration, I wrote about it back in this post 5 years ago.
Happy Miracle Monday to all who believe!
This cartoon hits home.
About a month ago Cindy and I were in a large retail store shopping. One of the things we needed was a brush head for our electric toothbrushes. This store had them, but they were in a locked case.
We asked four (4!) different employees for assistance but none could help until Cindy went to the customer service counter and asked for someone to come unlock the case.
It was 23 minutes later that someone showed up with the key. No apology, no explanation as to why it took a total of six employees to finally get the damn case unlocked, nothing. I thanked him but said it was ridiculous that no one in the department could unlock the case and he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.
But on the bright side; in about a month there won’t be anything to lock up in a case that no one can open.
Back in 1995, Marvel Comics declared April 28th to be National Superhero Day. At the time, it was meant to honor comic book superheroes like their own Captain America, Spider-Man, or Iron Man, among others.
And of course, if you so chose, those of their Distinguished Competitors (DC Comics) such as Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman, among others.
But over the years the celebrated day also came to honor anyone such as a teacher, police officer, or firefighter, among others, who might be a hero of super-proportions in their own right. I have no problem with that and know that there are those who find such people in their personal lives to be a hero to them.
I’ve stuck with the original concept of the day since, from the first time I picked up one of his comic books at the local drug store, Superman has been my favorite superhero. If you know me, you know that has always been. The very idea of Superman has always been something to strive for.; Truth, Justice and the American Way. Power combined with goodness, kindness and justice for all.
Something we are sorely lacking, but something we should all be striving for in our lives.
So take a moment on this National Superhero Day to think about and honor your own personal superhero, whether they be fictional or a real person in your life.
And if you’ve a mind to do so, I’d love for you to tell who your favorite superhero is in the comments below.
Happy National Superhero Day!
April 18, 1938 was the day Action Comics #1 (with a cover date of June 1938) hit newsstands across the country. Featuring the first comic book appearance of the superhero creation known as Superman as created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster.
Today, April 18th is celebrated as Superman Day. This year, Warner Brothers Studios, DC Comics and Discovery are all holding special events to celebrate The Man of Steel.
I’ve been a fan of Superman since I first spotted one of the comics when I was just a wee lad. I don’t read many comic books these days, but I still love the character and what he has stood for throughout the years.
And if you’re a Superman fan, like me, you’re eagerly awaiting the July 11, 2025 of James Gunn’s new Superman movie in theaters around the U.S. and world.
This year, I’ll be spending Superman Day in Metropolis, Illinois. More than just a namesake for Superman’s fictional city of Metropolis, it is also the home of the Superman Museum, Superman statue, Lois Lane Statue, and the annual Superman Celebration each year in June.
I won’t be able to attend this year, but I did attend my first Superman Celebration in June of 2023 and loved every minute of it. If you’re a Superman fan and haven’t been, you should make plans to go some year soon.
Happy Superman Day 2025!
