Category Archives: Holidays

Dannotated history

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Dan Bain

In 2020, I did my best to capture — and sometimes mock — historical highlights of each day. I am by no means a historian, but here’s a recap, for anyone interested: On January 1, 404: A Christian monk named … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Holidays, Nostalgia, Politics, Religion, Sports, Technology, Theatre, Weather, Writing | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Just (don’t) do it

Posted on July 4, 2019 by Dan Bain

The fireworks have really been flying, but not overhead — instead, they’ve been over a shoe design. By now, most people reading this should be aware that Nike had planned to release a red, white, and blue shoe with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Nostalgia, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Watching and learning…and wishing

Posted on June 16, 2019 by Dan Bain

Eighteen years ago, everything changed for us. That was the day we finally met Christopher, aka Doodlebug, aka Doodle McScootle, aka Scooter, aka CB, aka Mister Christer (those last two words should rhyme, by the way), after a long, nine-month … Continue reading →

Posted in Birthdays, Family, Father's Day, Life and how to live it, The Kids, The Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Silver lining

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Dan Bain

Twenty-five years ago, at 5:21 p.m. on January 2, our priest pronounced me and Kim “husband and wife.” I’ve already blogged the awkward love story that eventually led to that moment, and I’ve shared a lot about our life together … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Family, Holidays, Life and how to live it, Nostalgia, Religion, The Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The twelfth song of Christmas: Wonder and hope

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Dan Bain

One of the great things about Christmas is being grateful for everything we have. Another great thing is acknowledging what we don’t have, and resolving ourselves to strive for it. I’m not talking about gifts, I’m talking about ideals. Things … Continue reading →

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The eleventh song of Christmas: Miller’s tale

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Dan Bain

With the whirlwind that today and tonight are going to be, I chose a song that’s simple and pretty, and perfectly captures the tone of Christmas Eve (once all of the commitments are over). It has one verse, sung a … Continue reading →

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The tenth song of Christmas: Annunciation enunciation

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Dan Bain

Growing up Catholic in non-Catholic schools in the South, I heard all of the comments. Their families are huge! Their kids go to “Sunday school” on Wednesday afternoons! They have saints! They. Worship. MARY! That last bit isn’t true, by … Continue reading →

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Interlude 3: And the children shall lead?

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Dan Bain

The final interlude concerns a group of people who aren’t disenfranchised from Christmas one bit; in fact, the holiday is considered by many to be “just for them.” Children win at Christmas, hands down. But for all that, they’re somewhat … Continue reading →

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The ninth song of Christmas: Can’t polka hole in this one

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Dan Bain

If December’s weeknights belonged to Mom and Nanny and candlelight reverence, its Sunday afternoons belonged to Dad and goofy tunes by sunlight. That’s when we pulled a different set of albums from the stack, listening to big bands being a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Music, Nostalgia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The eighth song of Christmas: No words

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Dan Bain

It was the first and only time I lived alone. I’d graduated from college in spring of the previous year and accepted a job I didn’t want, out of sheer desperation. They began flying me to Raleigh, NC to work … Continue reading →

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