No, we’re not headed to Rome, as you might think, but to look at Roman ruins in England!
Today in history:
- 1877 – Thomas Edison demonstrated the phonograph for the first time. I wonder what he’d think of the iPod?
- 1896 – Actor/stuntman Yakima Canutt was born. His career spanned 63 years and I bet, like me, you’ve never heard of him.
- 1901 – Actress Mildred Harris was born. She began her career as a child actress but her star waned with the advent of the talkies.
- 1916 – Character actress Fran Ryan was born. Her career spanned 71 years!
- 1929 – U.S. Admiral Richard Byrd became the first person to fly over the South Pole.
On TV tonight: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and probably other Christmas specials and movies.
Reading: Still reading Portrait in Death.
We’re now off to Antwerp, Belgium! There has been a settlement in this spot since the Second Century. In the 16th Century, there were many wealthy citizens and their homes have been maintained throughout the years. They have one of the oldest zoos in the world. And the city is also well-known for its place in the diamond trade.
Today in history:
- 1895 – The first American automobile race took place over the 54 miles from Chicago’s Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois. Frank Duryea won in approximately 10 hours.
- 1907 – In Haverhill, Massachusetts, scrap-metal dealer Louis B. Mayer opened his first movie theater.
- 1925 – The Grand Ole Opry began broadcasting in Nashville, Tennessee as WSM Barn Dance.
- 1942 – In Boston, Massachusetts, a fire in the Cocoanut Grove nightclub killed 491 people.
We’re now into the holiday dearth of new episodes of our favorite shows. Mostly. But I’ll be watching the new episode of Terra Nova and the return of Rizzoli & Isles. Also, the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas is on. So I’ll be catching that too.
Reading: I’m still on my “In Death” binge reading. I finished up Purity in Death last night and tonight I’ll be starting Portrait in Death.
I’m still alive and kicking. Just had a doctor’s appointment on Monday. Yesterday and today I’m just very disorganized and not feeling inclined to write blog posts.
On the reading front, I finished reading Seduction in Death and I just started Reunion in Death.
