Extraordinary Year End Mega-Post

*Sing it with me!* Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ?  Should auld da da da laaa la la, bladeedaaaah da Auld Lang Syne! (I’ve never been able to remember the words, nor have I ever been to a New Year’s celebration wherein this song is sung, but they do it in [...]

Beautiful Opryland Nativity Scene

Each year, on the lawn in front of Nashville’s Opryland Hotel, Christmas comes to life in extraordinary ways. From amazing light shows to giant Christmas trees, the grounds are overflowing with holiday cheer. One of the most memorable parts of the Opryland Christmas display is the larger than life Nativity scene. I was fortunate enough [...]

Extraordinary Birthday Post: Charlie Brown Christmas

Hey hey it’s my birthday! That’s right, 34 years ago, during a horrible blizzard, Natalina was born. As per usual, I’m taking the opportunity of birthday immunity to post whatever I want on Extraordinary Intelligence.  This year, I’m posting something from my childhood that is very special to me. For those who belong to the [...]

Merry Christmas from the Animals of YouTube

This post isn’t about anything paranormal. It isn’t about spirituality or the supernatural. There is no conspiracy involved. I simply thought these videos were too cute to pass up! My husband and I got a good belly laugh out of these crazy critters. Merry Christmas!   For more Christmas kookiness, take a look at the [...]

Fire and Brimstone: Demons, the Devil, and Hell

Well folks, today is Halloween.  Normally, when this time of year rolls around, we discuss ghosts, poltergeists, phantoms, monsters and mayhem.  This year isn’t much different.  However, today we’re going to take a look at what are decidedly the most terrifying things in the supernatural realm… the devil himself, his minions, and the place they [...]

The Mother’s Ghost: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I wanted to do something special on Extraordinary Intelligence for Mother’s Day.  I tried to think of ways to celebrate moms, grandmas, aunties, etc… but no one can do it like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow did with The Mother’s Ghost. This poem is part of a larger Longfellow compilation called Tales of a Wayside Inn.  The [...]

Soylent Green is Peeps!!!

In honor of today’s holiday, I wanted to share with you this amusing shirt.  It invokes the famous Charlton Heston line from the classic film, Soylent Green. *Spoiler Alert!! (if you didn’t already know this however, I consider you a Philistine)* In one of my all time favorite cheesy/poignant films from the 1970′s, Soylent Green [...]

Cult of Cybele: Today is The Day of Blood

How’s that for a gruesome yet intriguing title?  And believe it or not, it’s completely true.  March 24 was designated as The Day of Blood for worshipers of the Goddess Cybele. The cult of Cybele is said to have originated in Asia Minor.  As a deity connected to the concerns of women, as a healer, [...]

April Fool’s Day: A History of Hoaxes

Each year, April 1st rolls around and causes a mix of emotions.  Pranksters plan their attack weeks in advance, hoping to catch unaware those of us gullible enough to believe anything on this day.  People like me go on high alert…prepared for anything fishy that may come our way, and remain skeptical of all news [...]

St. Patrick’s Day 2011

It is that time of year again… winter is finally in its last throws while spring begins to peek through the clouds, adding a hopeful electricity to the air that makes us think of freshness and renewal.  And of course, we kick off our springtime festivities with the St. Patrick’s Day bacchanalia that encourages people [...]

Holiday Cheer and Fear: Santa, St. Nicholas, Odin, Sinterklaas, and Krampus

Here in the United States, I’ve become accustomed to a pretty specific set of criteria for Santa Claus and Holiday festivities.  Santa, the jolly old Elf with a red suit, white beard, and a jiggle in his belly; is certainly one of the most recognizable figures around the world.  This is thanks to the innocent [...]

Bigfoot Ornaments for Crypto-Christmas!

I just found these too cute to pass up.  Loren Coleman of Cryptomundo.com has just posted some pics of new Bigfoot ornaments that are available right now via donation to the International Cryptozoology Museum. Here are a few of the fun Bigfoot bobbles! For information on how to get your hands on these cool Crypto-Christmas [...]

Remember, Remember the 5th of November: Guy Fawkes Day

On November 5, 1605, 13 men conspired to blow up the British Parliament, in an attempt to overthrow (kill) the oppressive King James.  This failed mission is known as the Gunpowder Plot.  The man guarding the gunpowder was named Guy Fawkes.  On that night… the night that could have changed History, Fawkes and his compatriots [...]

Spirits, Demons, and Monsters: An Extraordinary Halloween

Darkness falls across the land The midnight hour is close at hand Creatures crawl in search of blood To terrorize y’awl’s neighborhood And whosoever shall be found Without the soul for getting down Must stand and face the hounds of hell And rot inside a corpse’s shell The foulest stench is in the air The [...]

Easter Traditions of the World

When I was a little girl, my parents would sneak into my room the night before Easter and place an Easter basket next to my bed.  When I awoke, I found before me irrefutable evidence that the Easter Bunny was no joke.  He existed, and I had the goodies to prove it! Usually, we dyed [...]

Live Leprechaun Watch Web Cam!

Just when you thought you’d seen everything, we’ve happened upon something that will give you the opportunity to possibly see something truly Extraordinary! In a hidden location in a field in Tipperary, Ireland, a web cam has been placed that runs 24 hours a day.  It is a place which is believed by many to [...]

The Mysterious St. Patrick

Once again St. Patrick’s Day is upon us.  For most, it is a day of celebration, particularly if you are of Irish heritage.  Even if you aren’t, no one will fault you for fibbing a bit on this day, if only to earn a free kiss or two.  Revelers will drink green beer, wear green [...]