Good 31º frozen foggy morning.... and stay safe with that full moon!
Yesterday we got blue sky and sunshine and topped at 57º.
Picture of the Day
Interesting about Harry Houdini....
Harry Houdini (; born Erik Weisz, later Ehrich Weiss or Harry Weiss; March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-born American illusionist and stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape acts. He first attracted notice in vaudeville in the US and then as "Harry Handcuff Houdini" on a tour of Europe, where he challenged police forces to keep him locked up. Soon he extended his repertoire to include chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers, strait jackets under water, and having to escape from and hold his breath inside a sealed milk can with water in it.
In 1904, thousands watched as he tried to escape from special handcuffs commissioned by London's Daily Mirror, keeping them in suspense for an hour. Another stunt saw him buried alive and only just able to claw himself to the surface, emerging in a state of near-breakdown. While many suspected that these escapes were faked, Houdini presented himself as the scourge of fake spiritualists. As President of the Society of American Magicians, he was keen to uphold professional standards and expose fraudulent artists. He was also quick to sue anyone who imitated his escape stunts.
In 1893, while performing with his brother "Dash" (Theodore) at Coney Island as "The Brothers Houdini", Houdini met a fellow performer, Wilhelmina Beatrice "Bess" Rahner. Bess was initially courted by Dash, but she and Houdini married in 1894, with Bess replacing Dash in the act, which became known as "The Houdinis". For the rest of Houdini's performing career, Bess worked as his stage assistant.
Another of Houdini's most famous publicity stunts was to escape from a nailed and roped packing crate after it had been lowered into water. He first performed the escape in New York's East River on July 7, 1912. Police forbade him from using one of the piers, so he hired a tugboat and invited press on board. Houdini was locked in handcuffs and leg-irons, then nailed into the crate which was roped and weighed down with two hundred pounds of lead. The crate was then lowered into the water. He escaped in 57 seconds. The crate was pulled to the surface and found still to be intact, with the manacles inside.
Houdini performed this escape many times, and even performed a version on stage, first at Hamerstein's Roof Garden where a 5,500-US-gallon (21,000 l) tank was specially built, and later at the New York Hippodrome
seconds. The crate was pulled to the surface and found still to be intact, with the manacles inside.
Houdini performed this escape many times, and even performed a version on stage, first at Hamerstein's Roof Garden where a 5,500-US-gallon (21,000 l) tank was specially built, and later at the New York Hippodrome.
Buried alive stunt
Houdini performed at least three variations on a buried alive stunt during his career. The first was near Santa Ana, California in 1915, and it almost cost Houdini his life. Houdini was buried, without a casket, in a pit of earth six feet deep. He became exhausted and panicked while trying to dig his way to the surface and called for help. When his hand finally broke the surface, he fell unconscious and had to be pulled from the grave by his assistants. Houdini wrote in his diary that the escape was "very dangerous" and that "the weight of the earth is killing."
Houdini's second variation on buried alive was an endurance test designed to expose mystical Egyptian performer Rahman Bey, who had claimed to use supernatural powers to remain in a sealed casket for an hour. Houdini bettered Bey on August 5, 1926, by remaining in a sealed casket, or coffin, submerged in the swimming pool of New York's Hotel Shelton for one and a half hours. Houdini claimed he did not use any trickery or supernatural powers to accomplish this feat, just controlled breathing. He repeated the feat at the YMCA in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 28, 1926, this time remaining sealed for one hour and eleven minutes.
Houdini's final buried alive was an elaborate stage escape that featured in his full evening show. Houdini would escape after being strapped in a straitjacket, sealed in a casket, and then buried in a large tank filled with sand. While posters advertising the escape exist (playing off the Bey challenge by boasting "Egyptian Fakirs Outdone!"), it is unclear whether Houdini ever performed buried alive on stage. The stunt was to be the feature escape of his 1927 season, but Houdini died on October 31, 1926. The bronze casket Houdini created for buried alive was used to transport Houdini's body from Detroit to New York following his death on Halloween.
Harry Houdini died of peritonitis, secondary to a ruptured appendix, at 1:26 p.m. on October 31, 1926, in Room 401 at Detroit's Grace Hospital, aged 52. In his final days, he believed that he would recover, but his last words before dying were reportedly, "I'm tired of fighting."
From Mr. Food
Thanks to a few shortcuts, you can have Mama Mia's Meatball Bake on the table in no time. This is an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love!
- 1 (12- to 16-ounce) frozen garlic bread
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen meatballs, thawed, cut in half
- 1 cup spaghetti sauce
- 10 slices mozzarella cheese
- Preheat oven to 450º.
- Place garlic bread open face on baking sheet and bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 350 degrees.
- In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese and evenly spread on garlic bread. Place meatballs on top of cheese and evenly spoon spaghetti sauce over meatballs.
- Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until meatballs are heated through. Top with mozzarella cheese and continue baking 3 to 5 more minutes, or until cheese melts.
Special anniversary today... Joe (LASD ret) Kirk and his bride Jo Ann are celebrating. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!!
Historically this date....
1899 – The United States takes possession of Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean.
And births this date include...
1933 – Shari Lewis, American ventriloquist, puppeteer, comedian and children's television host (d. 1998)
All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Monday. Ciao.
xo Sue Mom Bobo
On National Classy Day, we celebrate those who are graced with the ability to live their lives with class, passion, and who are driven to share it with others. On January 17th, honor those class acts and commemorate the birth of one of the most legendary comedians ever to walk the Earth.
Classy people draw others to them. They have a grace and knack for bringing light into a room with humor, beauty, or inspiration. For example, American comedian, Betty White, was graced with a seemingly unlimited ability to make us laugh. Her humor transcended age, gender, and race, and her vibrant energy was contagious. Knowing her or someone like her is an unforgettable experience that lives far beyond a single moment.
“Everybody needs a passion. That’s what keeps life interesting. If you live without passion, you can go through life without leaving any footprints.”
Betty White in her book If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won’t)
We are not all graced with the same qualities as Betty White’s immaculate timing or delightful humility. However, we are all given traits that make us unique. We can exercise those abilities to the benefit of everyone around us. Other iconic women who shared their finer qualities with the world include:
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- Barbara Pierce Bush
- Sacagawea
- Diana Princess of Wales
- Julia Child
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Rosa Parks
- Nelly Bly
- Bessie Coleman
Those endearing traits that leave an indelible mark on our memories fall within a narrow spectrum of terms. Words like kindness, generosity, humility, knowledge, and steadfastness come to mind. Being classy magnifies these qualities and makes the person even more unforgettable. While we can’t always name the specific trait that charms us, we often understand when we’ve been in its presence. That’s why National Classy Day encourages us to recognize those talents and abilities in others.
HOW TO OBSERVE
On National Classy Day, reflect on those who’ve graced the world with their best qualities and made it a better place. Who would you recognize on January 17th? There are other ways to celebrate the day, too!
- Bring joy, laughter, or a smile to someone. Share a funny story, pun or joke.
- Remind someone of their goodness by complimenting them on a talent, skill, or accomplishment.
- Encourage someone to strive for their goals.
- Look for the positive in your day.
- Give someone a little grace. We all have bad days and a little kindness goes a long way.
No matter what you do, be classy. Share stories of graceful inspiration with the world by using #NationalClassyDay on social media.
NATIONAL CLASSY DAY HISTORY
On December 31, 2021, actress, comedian, and producer Betty Marion White Ludden passed away at 99. Born on January 17, 1922, White’s enduring career was so legendary that in 2018, Guinness World Records named her the female entertainer with the longest career. White was first cast in a radio broadcast in 1939 at the age of 17, and her career spanned 82 years. And for her entire career, White displayed grace and charisma that touched the world. She starred in numerous television shows and movies, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland, and many more, all of which showcased her quick wit and grace.
The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Classy Day on January 1, 2022, in honor of Betty White and all the women who bring their grace and gifts to their communities and the larger world.
