Celebrating real astronauts

This week, I prefer to honor true astronauts like Gus Grissom who, 60 years ago this week, almost drowned when his Mercury capsule landed in the Atlantic Ocean and water flooded in through the hatch (story here). A veteran of a hundred missions in the Korean War (having joined the Air Force late in the WWII and serving stateside), Grissom amassed thousands of hours flying experience and years of astronaut training, eventually returning to space as command pilot for Gemini 3. He would later die in the horrific 1967 Apollo 1 (as it was later called) accident. Please media, when you refer to heroes and astronauts, reserve those terms for men and woman like Lieutenant Colonel Grissom rather than self-serving, thrill-seeking billionaires who buy their aeronautical fame rather than earn it.

Presidential Pets

If it's early February, it's approaching Presidents' Day. A time to recognize all those beloved residents of the White House - the presidential pets. Updated to include Trump amd Biden. You can sniff out the story here.

What's in that presidential Letter?

Wondering what Trump may have written to Biden in that parting letter left in the Oval Office? Wonder no more.

Medical puns to groan for

I do enjoy a good medical pun. So let me look back at all the health professionals I've dated, like the radiologist who saw right through me. You can turn your head and groan here.

Hollywood Passing Parade of 2020

Adding to an already dreadful year, the loss of many great Hollywood stars. A few remembered here.

Grandma vrs the Reindeer

Love it or loathe it, "Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer" hits the radio playlists this time of the year. Elmo Shropshire, who sang the song, talks about the now classic Christmas ditty, right here.

A Christmas Carol

Coming up on TCM, one last broadcast for the year on Dec 21, the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol. Lockharts everywhere, right here.

When Nursery Rhyme Characters Sue

Updated: We wish to report on the current class-action lawsuit brought by many well-known nursery rhyme characters against various companies and individuals. These beloved literary figures are seeking compensation for injuries incurred fulfilling their roles in promoting children’s poetic literature. Read here. 

Remembering Malaprop Master, Norm Crosby

I’d hoped it was just a pigment of my imagination but no, comedian Norm Crosby passed away this weekend. So, a standing ovulation to the malaprop master often seen on the 70s/80s Dean Martin roasts. Make Norm proud: name your favorite malaprop. Be Pacific.

The Automobile Name Game

(Photo Credit)

Car names are important to automobile manufacturers. They are keenly aware that public recognition and acceptance of a name can influence the commercial success of a new automobile in a highly competitive industry. Consider the Jeep Wrangler – a great earthy name for a car. But the Kia Kickit probably wouldn’t inspire much consumer confidence. More