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Tamera Mowry-Housley Shares Powerful Sign She Received From Her Late Niece (Exclusive)

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 7:00am

With the premiere of Tamera Mowry-Housley‘s fourth Haunted Harmony Mysteries movie on Hallmark Channel, the beloved actress could not be more grateful for the opportunity to play lead character Gethsemane Brown. Not only because she loves portraying a wise music teacher and amateur crime solver, but because she treasures the chance to remind audiences about the power of love, even after friends or family members have passed.

Mowry-Housley knows a little something about that. In 2018, her family was devastated by the tragic death of her niece, Alaina Housley, to gun violence. An 18-year-old Pepperdine University student, Housley was among 12 people killed in a mass shooting at the Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks, California, per TIME.

In the years since, Mowry-Housley told Parade, she has found some comfort in being open to and receiving occasional “signs” and messages that feel Heaven-sent, much like some of the beautiful moments that unfold in her Hallmark franchise, inspired by Alexia Gordon‘s Gethsemane Brown Mystery book series.

Tamera Mowry-Housley and Risteard Cooper in “Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Prelude to a Wedding”

Steffan Hill for Hallmark Media

Mowry-Housley’s character, Gethsemane, has the gift of seeing and hearing ghosts, including Eamon, her crime-solving sidekick from the Other Side. In the new Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Prelude to a Wedding, one character experiences a miraculous moment of healing with the spirit of his late dad, without being able to physically see or hear him.

“I truly believe that our loved ones do, you know, send us these signs,” Mowry-Housley told Parade. “And I believe that God sends us these signs to just let us know that our loved ones are okay.”

Tamera Mowry-Housley with her niece, Alaina Housley.

Credit: Tamera Mowry-Housley via Instagram

The Sister, Sister alum said she has experienced moments like that with her late niece, Alaina. In one example, the actress recalled, “There was this song that she absolutely loved, and I used to always play it when I would fly because it brought me peace. I remember I was shooting a film, and I had this (music) playlist. I was having a challenging morning, and I was getting ready. I like to put on my music, and I pressed a playlist.”

Wide-eyed, Mowry-Housley then shared that she deeply felt Alaina’s presence when “that song came on, and it was not a part of my playlist. So it’s just little things like that, you know?”

Tamera Mowry-Housley Says She Can’t Help But Cry During Magical Moments On Set

Four movies into the mystery franchise, which debuted in 2023, Mowry-Housley said she still gets choked up during scenes when ghosts and the loved ones they’ve left behind share a powerful connection.

“Those are the special moments that I think our audience really resonates with,” she told Parade. “There’s always that heart(felt) moment at the end when you have these characters sense and feel each other, and say their final goodbyes. And no matter how many times we shoot it, even if it doesn’t call for me to cry, I’m literally over there crying!”

Laughing about how often the crew has to remind her she doesn’t need to cry in a scene, Mowry-Housley said that she can’t help but get emotional sometimes, noting, “Honestly, it’s really happening (to me), and it’s always beautiful. It’s just written very well.”

Hallmark Channel’s Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Prelude to a Wedding premieres on September 5 at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to stream via Hallmark+ the following day.

Freddie Mercury’s Final Queen Song Is Even More Heartbreaking When You Know the Story Behind It

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 7:00am

Freddie Mercury’s final song was released four years after his tragic death on November 24, 1991.

Fans were shocked when the 45-year-old died just days after announcing he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987. On September 5, 2026, the Queen frontman would have celebrated his 80th birthday.

While he is not here physically, Mercury’s music has lived on for decades since his passing, and his final song is extra heartbreaking when you know the story behind it.

“Mother Love” is considered the last song he worked on, and it was featured on the 1995 album aptly titled “Made in Heaven.” Written by Mercury and his bandmate, Brian May, he was only able to record two out of the three verses before becoming too sick to continue.

May recorded the final verse himself and spoke about Mercury’s involvement in the recording following its release.

“And Freddie at that time said, ‘Write me stuff… I know I don’t have very long; keep writing me words, keep giving me things I will sing, then you can do what you like with it afterwards, you know; finish it off,'” May wrote. “And so I was writing on scraps of paper these lines of ‘Mother Love’, and every time I gave him another line he’d sing it, sing it again, and sing it again, so we had three takes for every line, and that was it.”

He continued, “We got the last verse, and he said, ‘I’m not up to this, and I need to go away and have a rest, I’ll come back and finish it off…’ and he never came back.”

The band also paid homage to their late lead singer in a more subtle way. If you listen closely, at the end of the song, a snippet of every Queen song ever recorded can be heard.

The album’s cover art is also the famous statue of Mercury at Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The lyrics are also poignant following his untimely death.

“I don’t want to make no waves / But you can give me all the love that I crave / I can’t take it if you see me cry / I long for peace before I die.”

'70s Rock Band's Toronto Show Facing Major Problem

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 7:00am

AC/DC is currently in the final stretch of its global multi-year Power Up Tour but might be facing a major setback with its upcoming Toronto concert.

With only a few days left before the scheduled show at Toronto’s largest music venue, Rogers Stadium, a severe thunderstorm caused significant damage to the venue.

As mentioned in a statement by Live Nation via Rolling Stone Canada, a massive portion of the 50,000-person stadium, including rows of seats and parts of the arena, was heavily affected by the storm that swept through southern Ontario on Sept. 2.

Wind gusts exceeding 110 km/h and large hailstones lashed the city, leaving parts of the city without electricity and causing flooding in some areas.

Rogers Stadium, the newly built temporary outdoor concert venue that opened in June 2025, is scheduled to host AC/DC on Sept. 16.

Brian Johnson and Angus Young of AC/DC perform onstage during the “Power Up” tour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Following the storm damage, the City of Toronto has issued a formal order to Live Nation Canada, the entertainment company, to address safety issues after deeming the venue potentially unsafe for the public.

As for the upcoming concert, it remains scheduled and has not been canceled.

“Our teams are continuing to assess the extent of the damage. We will provide more information as it becomes available,” a spokesperson for Live Nation Canada said, as reported by CBC.

The Power Up Tour officially kicked off in 2024 with the European leg, followed by a series of shows in North America, marking the band’s first trip across the U.S. and Canada.

In 2025, the band return in Europe of a round of shows in the summer, then performed across Oceania, particularly in Australia and New Zealand in the later part of the year.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees had their South America and Mexico dates in early 2026 before the current North American run.

As for the final leg, AC/DC have seven remaining shows before the tour ends.

Sept. 4 – South Bend, IN @ Notre Dame Stadium
Sept. 8 – St. Louis, MO @ The Dome at America’s Center
Sept. 12 – Montreal, QC @ Parc Jean-Drapeau
Sept. 16 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Stadium
Sept. 20 – Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Princess Auto Stadium
Sept. 25 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
Sept. 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field

Related: 70-Year-Old Rock Legend Leaves the Public in Awe with Simple Gesture

1971 Pop Song, Covered by Bette Midler, Remains One of The Carpenters' Biggest Hits

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:40am

It only took a few minutes of late-night television in 1971 to change pop history.

When Richard Carpenter caught Bette Midler performing “Superstar” on The Tonight Show in 1971, he instantly knew he’d found a hit. Written by Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett, the melancholy ballad felt tailor-made for his sister Karen Carpenter‘s unforgettable voice.

Long before it became a soft-rock standard, “Superstar” was originally written in 1969 as “Groupie (Superstar).” The melancholy ballad found new life in early 1971 when Bette Midler delivered a mesmerizing performance of the tune on late-night television.

Richard recognized the quiet heartbreak embedded in its melody. He swiftly arranged a version tailored specifically to Karen’s voice.

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The song captured the heartbreaking, isolated point of view of a fan pining for a rock star after the concert lights went down. Its original title was “Groupie Superstar,” giving the song a more risqué slant than the Carpenters’ recording.

American Songwriter reprinted a quote from Richard, found in the liner notes of the group’s box set, From The Top, about the song’s origins. “Late one evening during the period in which we were recording our third album, I happened to tune in to The Tonight Show,” he explained.

“Bette Midler, who was then relatively unknown, was guesting and, on this particular show, sang ‘Superstar.’ I felt the song was a hit and a natural for Karen.”

When Karen stepped up to the microphone, her hauntingly tender delivery turned the track into a masterpiece of pop sadness. According to American Songwriter, she famously laid down the lead vocal in a single take, singing the lyrics off a handwritten napkin as she read them for the very first time.

To keep the song in line with the group’s wholesome image, Richard made a subtle line tweak. According to Songfacts, he changed the original, suggestive phrase “I can hardly wait to sleep with you again” to the more radio-friendly “I can hardly wait to be with you again.”

“For some reason that tune didn’t hit me in the beginning,” Karen said in an interview reprinted by Songfacts. “It’s the only one. Richard looked at me like I had three heads. He said: ‘Are you out of your mind?’ When I heard his arrangement of it, I fell over, and now it’s one of my favorites too.”

The Carpenters’ version soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, forever linking Bette Midler’s early rise with one of the decade’s defining ballads. Decades later, its legacy remains undisputed—earning a spot on a 2026 American Top 40 retrospective celebrating the greatest hits of the 1970s.

Related: The 1972 Carpenters Smash That Set the Stage for Every Power Ballad That Followed

'70s Rock Legend, Who Replaced Peter Frampton in an Iconic '70s Band, Turns 77

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:32am

In 1971, guitarist David “Clem” Clempson walked into what he thought was an audition for Humble Pie. There was just one surprise: Apparently, he’d already gotten the job.

More than five decades after replacing Peter Frampton in the celebrated British rock band, Clempson celebrates his 77th birthday on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Born Sept. 5, 1949, in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England, Clempson actually began his musical life at the piano. He studied classical piano as a child, starting at just 4 years old, but eventually rebelled against the lessons as a teenager. A couple of years later, he picked up the instrument that would define his career: the guitar.

“I’d always loved guitars, even when I was young,” Clempson recalled in a 2003 interview with DMME.

He first gained attention in the late ’60s as the guitarist and vocalist for blues-rock power trio Bakerloo before joining Colosseum in 1969. But his career took another turn two years later, when Frampton left Humble Pie.

Humble Pie had been formed in 1969 by Frampton and former Small Faces frontman Steve Marriott, along with bassist Greg Ridley and drummer Jerry Shirley. By 1971, the band was gaining traction in America, but Frampton departed to begin the solo career that would eventually make him a superstar.

That opened the door for Clempson.

“People in the Humble Pie camp thought I’d be a good replacement for him,” Clempson later recalled, adding that Marriott was “THE singer I had wanted to work with for years.”

Years later, Clempson revealed that his entrance into the band was even more unusual than it sounded.

After Marriott heard Clempson playing on Colosseum Live, the guitarist was invited to come play with Humble Pie. Clempson believed he was auditioning. When he arrived, however, members of the music press were waiting for him.

“It had already been announced that I was the new guitarist in HUMBLE PIE,” Clempson told DMME in 2003.

Clempson said the situation was particularly awkward because he hadn’t even spoken to his Colosseum bandmates yet.

But musically, the fit worked. Clempson’s arrival helped push Humble Pie toward a heavier sound, something he said Marriott specifically appreciated about his playing.

Related: 1976 Rock Classic, Named No. 1 Greatest Live Album, Spent 97 Weeks on the Chart

“I think that was what Steve liked about my contribution to the band,” Clempson explained. “It made the band heavier.”

Their first studio album with Clempson Smokin’ arrived in March 1972 and became Humble Pie’s biggest commercial studio success, reaching No. 6 in the U.S. It included “Hot ‘n’ Nasty” and one of the band’s best-known songs, “30 Days in the Hole.”

For Clempson, though, Humble Pie’s greatest attraction wasn’t necessarily what happened in the studio.

“Playing live was what the band was all about,” he later said, “and it was a big thrill everytime we did it.”

Humble Pie disbanded in 1975, but Clempson’s remarkably varied career was nowhere near finished.

He worked with musicians including Jack Bruce, Roger Daltrey, Jon Anderson and Bob Dylan, among many others.

His Dylan connection came through the 1987 movie Hearts of Fire. Clempson recalled spending three days filming concert scenes with Dylan, with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood also in the band.

“We jammed a lot,” Clempson remembered of working with Dylan.

Clempson also came close to adding another enormous rock band to his résumé. During the ’70s, he spent time with Deep Purple while the group was searching for a guitarist following Ritchie Blackmore’s departure. Clempson later clarified that although he jammed with the band, he wasn’t formally offered the job.

Through it all, Clempson’s ability to move between musical worlds became one of the defining characteristics of his career. He reunited with Colosseum in the ’90s and continued performing with various projects for decades.

And while “guitar hero” would seem like an obvious description for someone with his résumé, Clempson has never seemed particularly interested in playing the part.

“I love to play, and I love to play live, I love to play to an audience,” he told DMME, “but I’m not really a performer, if you know what I mean, I’ve never been the showman.”

Related: ’60s Rock Legend, From the Band Behind Bob Dylan’s First No. 1 Hit, Turns 82

Costco’s New Deli Find Makes an Easy Dinner Feel Fancy

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:20am

Some weeks, getting dinner on the table feels like an accomplishment all by itself. And this time of year can be especially hectic, as summer winds down and school, sports, and packed schedules start taking over again.

That’s when a Costco shortcut can really come in handy. And the warehouse’s newest deli find does most of the work for you while still feeling a little more special than the average grab-and-go dinner.

The new Kirkland Signature Burrata Salad with Balsamic Dressing combines creamy burrata with fresh vegetables and plenty of Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Pair it with one of Costco’s famous rotisserie chickens, and you can have an easy dinner on the table in minutes.

You can see it in this September 2 TikTok shared by @costcoexperts:

@costcoexperts

New Costco Find! This Burrata Salad with Balsamic Dressing comes loaded with grape tomatoes, spring mix, Kalamata olives, fresh parsley, and balsamic vinaigrette — but obviously the burrata is the star of the show. #Costco #costcofinds #costcohaul #burrata

♬ September – Earth, Wind & Fire Costco’s New Burrata Salad Is an Easy Side for Busy Weeknight Dinners

The new burrata salad, Costco item #16942, is sold by weight for $7.99 per pound, with most containers coming in at around $18, depending on weight.

And this isn’t a skimpy side salad. Each package comes loaded with spring mix, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, fresh parsley, and generous rounds of creamy burrata, with balsamic dressing included for finishing everything off.

Related: Costco’s Returning Bakery Favorite Pairs Perfectly With Coffee

That combination gives you plenty of options beyond simply opening the container and serving it as-is. On a particularly hectic night, grab a $5 rotisserie chicken while you’re there, and you have the makings of an easy dinner for around $23. Add some crusty bread, and you have a meal that requires very little effort but still feels like something you’d happily order at a restaurant.

The salad would also make an easy accompaniment to grilled chicken breasts, steak, salmon, or pork chops. And while the weather is still warm, it offers a fresh alternative to the heavier sides that tend to take over once fall is fully underway.

Burrata is really the ingredient that makes this one feel a little special. Unlike standard mozzarella, the fresh Italian cheese has a soft outer shell surrounding a creamy center, adding richness to the juicy grape tomatoes, greens, and briny Kalamata olives. A drizzle of the included balsamic dressing brings everything together with a little sweetness and acidity.

Elena Noviello / Getty Images

That makes Costco’s latest deli addition particularly well suited to this in-between time of year. It’s fresh enough for the lingering warm days of late summer, substantial enough to help round out dinner, and requires virtually no preparation when the week gets busy.

And sometimes that’s exactly what you need: grab a main dish, open the salad, and dinner is done.

1974 Rush Song, Recorded by a 20-Year-Old, Remains the Ultimate Ode to the Working Class 52 Years Later

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:12am

It’s been 52 years since Rush released their debut album, featuring the  standout track “Working Man.” The Canadian prog rockers’ self-titled debut put them on the map, but it was that breakout closing song—with its portrait of everyday working life—that helped introduce the band to a larger audience.

Written by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, “Working Man” features heavy guitar riffs and a 20-year-old Lee’s soaring vocals and bass, rounded out by John Rutsey’s pounding drums. The seven-minute epic delivers lyrics about a working man’s long days on the job to earn a paycheck, with little time left for living his life.

In a 2014 interview with Radio.com, Lee confirmed that “Working Man” was written in tribute to the hard-working class who longed for a better life.

“Our parents were hard-working,” Lee explained “Life was a struggle for most people, no one was wealthy. You thought a lot about your future, and what kind of life do you want to live? Is it going to be enough for me to have that kind of life, where it’s all about work, and a beer at the end of the day and a hug from your kids, and do it all again? So, it’s kind of an ode to that guy who we worked so hard not to be, in a sense. We wanted to be musicians, and that was our ticket out of there. That was our escape for what was sort of inevitable for all of our friends and the world that we came from.”

“Working Man” got a lucky push in the United States. In an interview with Classic Rock, Lee noted that the song put Rush on the map in America after a Cleveland radio station picked it up.

“It was a very different time, before the consultants took over American radio,” he said. “So you hear a song like ‘Working Man’, seven minutes long, on the radio. And that led to us singing with Mercury Records. Whether that deal would have come some other way, who knows? But certainly that was the breakout.”

RELATED: ‘80s Rocker Calls Out Former Bandmates Amid Reunion Tours

The singer also noted that the song really stood the test of time.

“’Working Man” is one of the first songs we wrote that people started to respond to,” Lee told The A.V. Club in 2015. “It was very influenced by our earliest influences—Cream and people like that. It was just sort of a bluesy kind of jam song. We used to be big fans of Cream’s long version of “Spoonful” and things like that, you know, where you had this kind of bluesy song that went into this long jam thing. That was just kind of our version of that idea, and it stood the test of time pretty well. It’s aged pretty well.”

More than 50 years after recording “Working Man,” Lee, now 73, is on the road for Rush’s Fifty Something Tour with Lifeson, touring keyboardist Loren Gold and drummer Anika Nilles—and he’s still playing the classic song, according to a setlist posted by Billboard.

It’s no wonder. In a Rolling Stone Q&A with fans, Lee was once asked to name his favorite song to play live. “’Working Man’ for me,” the Rush frontman replied. “I love playing ‘Working Man.’”

Related: 1973 One-Hit Wonder, From Dutch Prog Band, Was Written in Three Minutes and Defied Every Rock Rule

Dolly’s Smokies: A Guide to the Country Icon’s Hometown Roots

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:10am

I have loved Dolly Parton since I was a little girl, back when I understood almost nothing about her except that she was the most glamorous person I had ever seen. She had the biggest hair, was always donning rhinestones, and her laugh was so contagious I cracked a smile every time I heard it. To honor my longtime love for Dolly, we took our daughter to Gatlinburg to introduce her properly last summer. She was old enough to sit through “Coat of Many Colors” without wriggling, and just the right age to appreciate most of the attractions in Dollywood.

UNITED KINGDOM: American singer, songwriter and actress Dolly Parton, performs with a guitar, 1976. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)

Dolly died on August 25, at age eighty. She was buried three days later beside her husband, Carl Dean, in a private service she had arranged herself, with no public memorial. Her family also asked that anyone wanting to send flowers give to her Imagination Library instead. She founded it in 1995 in honor of her father, who could not read; and it has since mailed more than 300 million free books to children across fifty states and five countries. When wildfires tore through Sevier County in 2016, her My People Fund paid roughly 900 families who lost their homes $1,000 a month for six months, no conditions attached, delivering about $12.5 million in total. Her $1 million gift to Vanderbilt in 2020 helped fund the research behind the Moderna vaccine. She also paid for a birthing unit at the county hospital and gave again after Hurricane Helene. She’s one of the rare pop stars who is known more for her philanthropy than her music.

She’s also the reason the economy in and around Gatlinburg has boomed the way it has. Dollywood opened in Pigeon Forge in 1986 and became one of East Tennessee‘s largest employers in a county short on sustainable options, and more than eleven million people visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park last year. The morning after she died, LeConte Lodge posted that the mountain’s effect on her life was small next to her effect on it, and asked readers to consider how many of them had never heard of the Smokies until they heard of Dolly.

In the week after, people drove hours to stand in front of a bronze statue on a courthouse lawn in memoriam of such a larger-than-life personality. If Dolly played a role in shaping who you are, or you’re just a big fan of her tunes, here are some can’t miss places to go if you’re searching to feel closer to Dolly.

Related: 25 Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg, TN (and Pigeon Forge) for Parents and Grandparents Planning a Trip

Pittman Center: The Riverbank Where She Was Born

She was born January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin on the banks of the Little Pigeon River, the fourth of twelve children, delivered by Dr. Robert F. Thomas, a traveling physician and minister who rode to families across these hollows. Her childhood cabin, not the same place she was born, is honored in “My Tennessee Mountain Home” and sits up on Locust Ridge. Even though many people desperately want to see it, it’s private property, and the owners are not open to visitors. Pittman Center is a great pivot. It’s open to visitors and sits eight miles east of Gatlinburg on US-321.

Walk the Emert’s Cove Covered Bridge, one of the few remaining covered bridges in Tennessee, then follow the river through Pittman Center. The water Parton was born beside is the same water running at your feet. When you are ready to eat, head to Trish’s Mountain Diner on East Parkway between Gatlinburg and Pittman Center. Order the country Benedict, which swaps the usual English muffin for biscuits covered in sausage gravy. Make it a morning or early lunch stop, since the diner closes at 2:30 p.m. and is closed all day Sunday.

Related: The Smoky Mountain Dream That Dolly Built Turns 40 Today

Dollywood: The Tennessee Mountain Home

To see what her home looked like as close to real as possible, head into Dollywood to see the replica her brother Bobby built. Her mother Avie Lee, even furnished it from memory. You can look through a glass partition at the family’s actual belongings, including floral wallpaper pasted over newspaper, which is how mountain families insulated a wall, hand-knit rugs, and a table laid with plates and aluminum coffee cups. You’ll also see a bed with a couch shoved against it. The calendar is turned to 1946 with January 19 circled, and somewhere in the room there’s a box of chocolate-covered cherries, which were something her parents exchanged every Christmas, and she kept the tradition up with Carl.

Give the cabin 15 unhurried minutes before doing anything else, ideally right at opening, for a quieter look at Parton’s life before Dollywood became what it is today. Then, spend a few hours on some of the park’s fan-favorite rides, from the wooden Thunderhead coaster to the high-speed Lightning Rod. You can also eat your way through the park, starting at the Grist Mill in Craftsman’s Valley for its famous cinnamon bread (my daughter’s absolute favorite), a pull-apart loaf drenched in butter and served with apple butter or buttercream on the side. For more of Parton’s own favorites, stop at Granny Ogle’s Ham ’n’ Beans for the pinto beans or Front Porch Café for the Mason jar banana pudding, made from her recipe.

Related: How Dollywood Plans to Keep Dolly Parton’s Spirit Alive Across Its Resorts

Downtown Sevierville: The Statue on the Courthouse Lawn

Dolly’s famous bronze statue went up May 3, 1987, on the lawn at 125 Court Avenue. It depicts young Dolly, barefoot on a rock, guitar across her lap and a butterfly resting on the strings. She came to the unveiling and told a crowd of five hundred fans that it made her feel they were proud of her. One of the most heartwarming stories of this statue is the fact that her father would load a drum of soapy water and a broom into his pickup and drive down at night to scrub the pigeon droppings off her statue. In the days after she died, people left flowers and notes at the base, and the courthouse bell tolled five minutes the following morning.

Come to the Dolly Parton statue at dusk, when the crowds around the Sevier County Courthouse begin to thin and the courthouse lights come on behind her. Fans still leave flowers, notes, and other small tributes at the statue, so bring something of your own if you would like to add to them. Afterward, walk directly across the street to Red’s Soda Fountain at 114 Court Avenue. The original Red’s Café opened in 1946, the year Parton was born, and she ate there as a child, reportedly ordering a burger and fries. Today, you can order those along with a hand-mixed float or banana pudding ice cream. Note, Red’s is closed Sundays, so be sure to visit any other day.

Related: Dollywood Site Temporarily Crashes After Fans Rush to Honor Dolly Parton

Wings of Wander: The Butterfly on Bruce Street SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 25: Dolly Parton fans are seen taking photos at the Wings Of Wander mural on August 25, 2026 in Sevierville, Tennessee. Parton passed away on August 25, 2026 at the age of 80. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Pinkie Mistry painted Sevierville’s first modern downtown mural over a single week in June 2020, and it was her first outdoor work, commissioned to open the historic district’s revival. It’s a monarch, roughly sixteen feet by twenty, wings spread with smaller butterflies drifting off to one side. It’s symbolic of many things, including the monarch migration that crosses the Smokies each autumn, Dolly’s lifelong attachment to butterflies and her song “Love Is Like a Butterfly,” and henna-style patterning inside the wings that nods to the artist’s own background. Find it at 136 Bruce Street, behind the white gazebo, with free parking around it and color-changing lights after dark.

Stand between the butterfly wings for a photo before walking a few minutes down the street to see the Red’s Café mural. My daughter posed between the wings twice, and I swear the light twinkled a little in the second image. For dinner, The Appalachian is essentially next door at 133 Bruce Street, where chef David Rule cooks over wood-fired oak and names the local farms that supply his ingredients. Order the butter bean hummus, fried chicken skins (which I still drool over), or cornbread, and make a reservation in advance. The restaurant serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

Related: Dollywood Unveils New Look At ‘NightFlight Expedition’

Caton’s Chapel: The Family on the Hill Brunswick Stew

To understand Dolly Parton’s story, it helps to see the place where much of it began. Caton’s Chapel is a small, unincorporated community off Birds Creek Road, where Parton was raised and attended elementary school. Two burial grounds sit side by side here, separated by an old wooden fence and Caton’s Chapel Cemetery, where generations of the Parton and Owens families are buried, and Angel Hill on the rise above it, where her parents and two of her brothers were laid to rest.

Dolly is not buried here, however. She was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, an important distinction as people have been searching for her grave in Sevier County. If you visit, go on a weekday, stay on the mown paths, and leave nothing on the family stones.

Drive Birds Creek Road with the windows down and take your time weaving through the landscape where Parton grew up. Her church, school, family farms, and cemetery are all within a few miles of one another, which helps make sense of the places and stories behind many of her songs. When you are ready to eat, head to Preachers Smokehouse at 2929 Pittman Center Road, just a few minutes away in a former church space. Order the burnt ends or Brunswick stew, usually made with smoked or pulled meat, tomatoes, corn, and beans or other vegetables.

Related: A Look Back at Dolly Parton’s Decades of Iconic Appearances at Dollywood

Cades Cove: The Mountain Home Itself Hyat Ln, a gravel road, in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

John Baggaley via Getty

Cades Cove gives you a sense of the East Tennessee landscape behind so much of Parton’s music. The eleven-mile one-way loop winds through a wide valley past log cabins, old churches and graveyards, and a working grist mill, all remnants of the farming communities that once settled here so many years ago. Go early or late in the day, when deer are often grazing near the road and black bear sightings can bring traffic to a stop. On a summer morning, when mist still hangs over the fields near the John Oliver cabin, it is easy to understand the landscape behind songs like “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”

Drive the Cades Cove loop right at opening, or come on a Wednesday morning between May and September, when the road closes to cars and is reserved for cyclists and walkers. Without traffic, the valley is much quieter and easier to take in at your own pace. Afterward, head out through Townsend for a fried apple pie at Apple Valley Mountain Village & Cafe (you will want to buy multiples to take home, trust me), where the crimped pies are fried and filled with apples cooked down until dark and soft. If you would rather sit down for a meal, stop at Riverstone for fried green tomatoes, another dish Parton was known to order at Dollywood.

Related: The Cozy Mountain Town Near Asheville You Need to Visit This Fall

Kohl's 6-Piece Pyrex Set Adds a Pretty Pop of Color to Food Storage

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:10am

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Food storage doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can actually be kinda chic! Take, for example, this six-piece Pyrex set Kohl’s is currently selling. It has the most vibrant pop of color while also being super functional, too.

Pyrex’s Simply Store Green Tinted 6-Piece Rectangle Food Storage Containers Set With Plastic Lids is a game changer for meal prep and leftovers. It comes with six pieces total, including three different-sized rectangular storage containers, made complete with accompanying lids. The sizes in the set include one three-cup container, one six-cup container and one 11-cup container. This gives you plenty of options for storing different portions of food.

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Pyrex Simply Store Green Tinted 6-Piece Rectangle Food Storage Containers Set With Plastic Lids, $30.59 at Kohl’s

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While the tinted green glass adds some color to your food storage situation, it’s still see-through enough that you can easily see what is inside. Speaking of the glass material of the containers, it’s a tempered variety that’s super durable and built to last.

The glass containers are dishwasher-, freezer-, microwave- and preheated oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The lids are top-rack dishwasher-safe as well as microwave-safe. When not in use, these food storage containers nest neatly together, making them super easy to stow away.

Related: Target Is Selling a Charming 1,399-Piece Lego Set Dedicated to This Classic Disney Character

Shoppers love this Pyrex food container set, giving it an average rating of 4.6 stars on Kohls.com, with 88 percent of reviewers saying they would recommend the set to others. Reviewers rate it highly for its quality, value and durability.

“Pyrex containers that serve the purpose,” wrote one fan in a five-star review on Kohls.com. “Stackable containers that fit well into our refrigerator. Nice green-tone to tell them apart from our other glass storage containers.”

“I had these in the clear with blue lids that I used for many years. I wanted the new beautiful colors and they did no disappoint me,” said another happy reviewer in a five-star review on Kohl’s website.

You can find this Pyrex food storage set on Kohls.com or in select Kohl’s stores. It retails for $30.59.

Related: Kohl’s Is Selling a Pyrex Kitchen Staple That’s Perfect for Baking Fall Desserts

The 9 Best Italian Groceries To Buy at Aldi (and 4 To Skip)

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:04am

I first discovered Aldi in my early twenties when a store opened in my hometown. My mom became an instant fan and she still visits the store every so often to find whatever hidden gems they have in stock. When I met my husband and moved about a half hour away, Aldi kind of fell off my radar since we don’t have one in our area. We also live right down the street from another major grocery store, so we haven’t really had a need to go out of our way to shop at Aldi.

Over the years, I’ve written about Aldi from time to time and thought I should make it a priority to stop by the next time I’m visiting my mom, just for fun. So when I got this assignment to come up with a list of the nine best Italian groceries to buy at Aldi (and four to skip), I was excited to have an excuse to go.

I’ve always loved visiting different grocery stores and Italian food is my absolute favorite, so I was really looking forward to this fun experiment. To get started, I began researching which Italian foods Aldi shoppers swear by. Then, I visited two Aldi locations to see what they had in stock.

Read on to find out which Italian staples you should stock up on during your next trip to Aldi.

What Italian Products Do They Sell at Aldi?

Aldi has a wide variety of Italian foods. From breads and pastas to sauces and oils (plus meats, cheeses and pizza), you can find just about everything you need to whip up an Italian meal at home. Aldi stocks both fresh and frozen Italian foods.

9 Best Italian Groceries To Buy at Aldi 1. L’Oven Fresh Garlic Bread

Chrissy Callahan

L’Oven Fresh garlic bread comes in two varieties: Garlic and Parmesan Romano Garlic. The Parmesan Romano version features a blend of shredded parmesan and romano cheeses in addition to garlic.

Aldi shoppers on Facebook describe the garlic bread as “really delicious.”

“We make pizza and pepperoni boats with it,” one commented. Another called it “one of my favorite Aldi items!!”

2. Specially Selected Marinara Sauce

Chrissy Callahan

This marinara sauce is made with a mix of sweet Italian tomatoes, onion and garlic, with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

One Reddit user said the sauce “tastes just like” Rao’s marinara sauce. Another agreed, writing, “Specially Selected is the one that people say is most comparable to (and some have speculated actually -IS-) Raos.” Another Reddit user called the sauce the “best I’ve tried at Aldi.”

Aldi also sells a wide variety of other sauces under its store brands.

3. Mama Cozzi’s Pepperoni & Cheese Calzone

Chrissy Callahan

After trying a pepperoni calzone from Mama Cozzi’s, one Facebook user said they were “so impressed” and called it “a delicious treat.” Several other social media users agreed.

“We buy these everytime we go,” one wrote. Another commented, “Our son loves those.”

Related: 7 Best Items To Buy From Costco’s Produce Section (and 5 To Skip)

4. Appleton Farms Spicy Italian Dry Salami

Chrissy Callahan

If you’re craving salami, it’s worth checking your local Aldi to see if they have any of this brand’s products in stock. One Facebook user described the salami as “incredible…like it was imported by an authentic Italian deli.” In the Facebook thread, many other social media users weighed in, saying they “love” the product.

5. Priano Potato Gnocchi

Chrissy Callahan

Store-bought gnocchi can be hit or miss sometimes, but many Aldi shoppers are fond of this potato gnocchi from Priano, a brand that also sells plenty of other pasta varieties.

“I’ve used them to make copy cat olive garden chicken gnocchi soup. Very good,” one Facebook user commented. Another weighed in on the same chain, writing, “I boil them first .. then bake them in the chosen sauce and they reconstituted beautifully… tender and fluffy.”

6. Bremer Mini Meatballs

Chrissy Callahan

There’s nothing quite like homemade meatballs, but when you’re short on time, frozen meatballs can come in clutch. Many Facebook users have expressed their love for Bremer’s meatballs in particular.

“These are delicious! I used them in a tortellini soup,” one commented. Another weighed in, saying, “They are also good in a wedding soup or sautéed with escorale and garlic over pasta.”

One shopper said they prefer the larger meatballs to the mini ones, but my local store didn’t have those in stock.

7. Mama Cozzi’s Rising Crust Four Cheese Pizza

Chrissy Callahan

Mama Cozzi’s Rising Crust Four Cheese Pizza features a fluffy crust that’s topped with mozzarella, asiago, parmesan and romano cheeses. Aldi fans say they like several varieties of the brand’s pizzas.

“Mama Cozzi sure knows how to make a killer pie!” one Facebook user commented. Another wrote, “I’m learning all the Mama Cozzi’s are good ! Even the veggie one.”

Reddit users are also fond of the brand. “This is the only frozen pizza out of the oven that smells like you have been making pizza all day! Frozen fantastic!” one commented.

Related: 6 Items to Buy From Walmart’s Produce Section (and 6 to Skip)

8. Specially Selected Panino Tray

Chrissy Callahan

Whether you’re throwing a party or just hosting a few friends, this snack tray can come in handy. On Facebook, many shoppers have expressed their love for the product, with one saying it’s “very good,” especially for holiday get togethers.

“It’s one of my favorite things to buy at Aldi,” another commented.

9. Priano Stuffed Shells

Chrissy Callahan

When you’re craving Italian food but don’t feel like eating out, Priano stuffed shells are a solid option to make at home. One Reddit user described them, saying they’re the “only premade/frozen stuffed shells I’ve found that I liked.”

Another commented on the same thread, writing, “They are in right now but sell out crazy fast, I put out a few cases a few days ago and they are gone already.”

Related: I Tried 9 Canned Pastas, and Ranked Them Worst To Best

4 Italian Groceries To Skip at Aldi 1. Specially Selected Garlic Provola Wood-Fired Flatbread

Chrissy Callahan

Aldi shoppers have mixed opinions on this flatbread that features a cheesy garlic sauce and cheese. One Reddit user described it as “a little meh.” Another described the experience of eating the flatbread as “one of those times where the product looks better than the picture on the packaging.”

One Reddit user said the flatbread was “hard to cut up and generally very sloppy to eat.” At the same time, they said they preferred the veggie version of the product.

2. Priano Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Chrissy Callahan

If you’re not particular about your olive oil, some Aldi customers say this squeeze bottle is quite convenient. However, olive oil aficionados that frequent the store steer clear of this plastic bottle.

“Glass bottle olive oil…only,” one Facebook user commented.

Luckily, the store sells Priano olive oil in both varieties.

3. Priano Four Cheese Alfredo Sauce

Chrissy Callahan

The reviews on Priano’s Four Cheese Alfredo Sauce are pretty mixed among Aldi fans. When one TikToker posted a video of herself sipping it through a straw, many of her followers found it comedic. However, a few weighed in and expressed their aversion to the sauce, with one saying it’s “really bland.”

Over on Facebook, social media users have also debated the merits of Priano’s Alfredo Sauce, wit one person calling it “average” and another saying they “did not like it at all.”

4. Carlini Pure Olive Oil

Chrissy Callahan

Reddit users aren’t all that enthusiastic about this olive oil brand. In one Reddit thread, one shopper said, “I use it as well, but I am not a huge fan of it. I will not purchase any more once I run out.” Another said, “I tried it. It is useable I suppose.”

Final Takeaways

Compared to the other grocery stores I typically shop at, Aldi stores aren’t huge, which makes it even more impressive that they have such a large selection of Italian foods. The prices were quite reasonable, something many shoppers typically applaud when talking about the grocery chain. Walking away from this experiment, I definitely have a few new items on my must-try list.

Pamela Anderson Ditched Makeup for the Red Carpet—and Her High-Fashion Look Still Stole the Show

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:00am

Pamela Anderson is perfection with a bare face and high fashion on the red carpet in Venice.

Anderson, 59, who rose to stardom on Baywatch and earned critical acclaim for her role in The Last Showgirl, has thrived recently with a career resurgence. But in a new appearance in Italy at the Golden Globes x Aman Beverly Hills Cocktail Party at the Venice International Film Festival, the blonde beauty did the unthinkable by baring her makeup-free face with red carpet glamour.

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

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Anderson is a Proud Mom of Two Sons

Anderson shares her two sons with former Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. In a new video for her skincare line, Sonsie Skin, Anderson plays a round of “Who’s More Likely To” with her boys, and the results are hilarious. It’s also hard to miss how handsome Dylan, 28, and Brandon, 30, are! While they heavily resemble their father, you can see the similarities to their mother in their faces.

View this post on Instagram Dylan Lee Just Got Married

Dylan Lee just got married in Saint-Tropez, and the entire family looks absolutely stunning at the wedding. Naturally, Anderson shined brightly at her son’s French wedding to Paula Bruss.

In an exclusive story in Vogue, Dylan noted that he and Bruss grew up on the same street in Malibu.

“She was my real ‘girl next door,’” Dylan told the publication. “We’d see each other around. Then one night in 2017, when my mom left town, my friends and I threw a little 

get-together at the house—as boys do—and invited her over.”

Check out the stunning photos of the nuptials below, including Pamela Anderson beaming alongside her sons, Dylan and Brandon, in a gorgeous lace dress.

View this post on Instagram What Do Pamela Anderson’s Sons Do Professionally?

Last year, Anderson launched And-Her-Sons Productions, a production company alongside her sons. Deadline reported that the group will bring one of Anderson’s most iconic characters, Barb Wire, back to life in a TV series from UCP and Dark Horse Entertainment. Originally based on Dark Horse Comics’ 1990s comic book character, the series will serve as the company’s first project.

On his Instagram page, Brandon shared how excited he was to bring the character his mother brought to the big screen back to life.

“Barb has become an iconic, celebrated character and we are thrilled to partner with Universal and Dark Horse to give her a second chance on-screen.  ‘Barb Wire’ was my mother’s first lead role in a major feature and the perfect project to launch my family’s And-Her-Sons production company. We are committed to Barb’s legacy and ensuring she gets the moment she deserves. DON’T CALL ME BABE!” he wrote.

View this post on Instagram

Related: Pamela Anderson’s Son Dylan Turns Heads in a Sharp Tux During Romantic European Getaway With His New Wife



1975 Film, With Al Pacino, Became One of the 'Greatest Heist Movies' of All Time

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:54am

Nearly five decades after its release, Al Pacino’s 1975 crime drama Dog Day Afternoon continues to stand among the most respected heist films in movie history. 

The Sidney Lumet-directed film was recently ranked No. 2 among the greatest heist movies of all time by Collider, putting the classic alongside other major films in the genre.

Unlike many heist movies that focus on carefully planned crimes and successful escapes, Dog Day Afternoon centers on a robbery that quickly falls apart. The film turns a failed bank robbery into a tense hostage situation involving police, the media and a growing crowd outside the bank.

John Cazale as Sal and Al Pacino as the bank robber ringleader Sonny converse about their situation in the 1975 based on real-life movie, ‘Dog Day Afternoon,’directed by Sidney Lumet and shot on location in Brooklyn, New York.

Photo by John Springer Collection/Getty Images

Pacino stars as Sonny Wortzik, a first-time bank robber whose desperate plan takes an unexpected turn. John Cazale plays his accomplice, Sal Naturile. The cast also includes Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon, Penelope Allen, Carol Kane, James Broderick and Lance Henriksen.

The film was directed by Lumet and written by Frank Pierson. Its story was based on the Life magazine article “The Boys in the Bank” by P. F. Kluge and Thomas Moore, per El Pais. The article covered the real 1972 robbery and hostage situation involving John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile at a Chase Manhattan bank branch in Brooklyn.

Al Pacino Leads a Real-Life Bank Heist Story

Dog Day Afternoon follows Sonny and Sal as they attempt to rob a Brooklyn bank. Their plan goes wrong almost immediately. A third person involved in the robbery leaves, and Sonny discovers that the bank has already had its daily cash pickup.

With little money available, Sonny takes travelers’ checks and burns a register in a trash can. The smoke draws attention, and police soon surround the building. Sonny and Sal then find themselves trapped inside with the bank employees.

What begins as a simple robbery becomes a hostage standoff.

Police Detective Sergeant Eugene Moretti, played by Durning, tries to communicate with Sonny. The situation grows more complicated as television cameras arrive and crowds gather outside the bank.

One of the film’s best-known moments comes when Sonny shouts “Attica!” to the crowd. The reference connects the story to the Attica prison riot and adds another layer to Sonny’s conflict with authority.

The media attention becomes an important part of the story. As the crowd watches the events unfold, Sonny begins to attract public attention. The robbery becomes more than a crime scene. It becomes a live spectacle.

Roger Ebert’s review of the film also focused on this unusual relationship between criminals, hostages, police and television coverage. The presence of cameras changes how people behave, making the hostage situation feel like a public event.

At the center of it all is Sonny, a complicated character who does not fit the usual image of a movie criminal.

His reason for committing the robbery is eventually revealed. Sonny wants the money to help pay for his lover Leon’s gender reassignment surgery. At the same time, he is married to Angie and has children, creating a difficult personal situation behind the robbery.

That emotional conflict helped make Pacino’s performance one of the film’s defining strengths.

The movie’s reputation goes far beyond its 1975 release. Dog Day Afternoon was a major critical and box-office success and received multiple award nominations.

At the Academy Awards, the film received six nominations and won Best Original Screenplay for Frank Pierson. It also received seven Golden Globe nominations and six BAFTA nominations, with Pacino winning BAFTA’s Best Actor award and the film winning Best Editing.

Pacino’s performance as Sonny became one of the most celebrated parts of the movie. In 2006, Premiere ranked his performance as the fourth-greatest performance of all time.

The film itself also earned recognition from the American Film Institute. It ranked No. 70 on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills list.

In 2009, Dog Day Afternoon received one of its highest honors when the Library of Congress deemed it culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

The film has also remained highly regarded by modern audiences and critics. Rotten Tomatoes lists a 94% Tomatometer score from 125 critic reviews, along with a 90% Popcornmeter score based on more than 100,000 ratings.

Its lasting reputation is also tied to the way it handles its characters. Rather than presenting the robbery as a stylish criminal operation, the film focuses on mistakes, pressure and the people caught in the middle.

That approach separates Dog Day Afternoon from the traditional heist formula. There is no perfectly executed plan. Instead, the story follows what happens when an inexperienced criminal makes one bad decision after another and becomes trapped by the situation he created.

Related: 2015 Tom Hardy Movie Ranked ‘Most Exciting Action Movie’ Ever

Country Star Behind History-Making Kane Brown No. 1 Hit Lands 6th Billboard Career Milestone

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:46am

Country music powerhouse Lauren Alaina is officially celebrating a massive new career achievement this week. Years after making history alongside childhood friend Kane Brown on their Diamond-certified mega-hit “What Ifs,” the Georgia native has blasted back onto the mainstream charts with her high-octane new single, “All My Exes.”

This time around, her song features a blistering collaboration with rising genre-blending star Chase Matthew. The anthemic track has officially captured the attention of music lovers nationwide, securing Alaina her sixth elite lifetime entry on the prestigious, all-genre Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

The fiery new duet made its grand entrance on the Hot 100 at No. 92, marking a major milestone for the fan-favorite vocalist. While cracking the all-genre chart is an honor reserved for the industry’s most consumed tracks, the single is performing even more explosively on terrestrial country radio.

The song simultaneously charged all the way into the Top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week, locking in at No. 10. This impressive achievement officially marks Alaina’s 14th career entry on the country radio charts, further cementing her legacy as one of modern country music’s most reliable hitmakers.

For Alaina, this chart milestone serves as the perfect launchpad for her highly anticipated new musical era. “All My Exes” serves as the driving lead single for her brand-new, 16-song studio album, Stages. The project highlights her evolutionary artistic journey since first capturing the hearts of millions as the teenage runner-up on season 10 of American Idol.

By pairing her powerhouse vocals with Chase Matthew’s viral streaming energy, Alaina has crafted a definitive, modern country anthem that honors her traditional roots while pushing commercial boundaries. With radio momentum continuing to surge, “All My Exes” is well on its way to joining her past chart-toppers at the very peak of the music world.

The Birth Month You Should Avoid, Based on When You Were Born

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:45am

Your birth month may reveal a lot about astrological compatibility, including which people you’re most likely to clash with based on when they were born.

Energetic mismatches are more common than you think, and it’s for a reason. Whether you’re not clicking with a coworker or a friend of a friend, your birth month influences why you’re not aligned with someone else. Spiritual experts agree that there’s a birth month you should avoid, based on your birth month. No matter how hard you try, you may find more aggravation and frustration as opposed to harmony with another birth month.

Every birth month is home to two zodiac signs, so no two birth months share the same cosmic combination. Since all twelve birth months have distinct characteristics and attributes, the months’ unique cosmic vibrations can create polarizing relationships. Some birth months catch on like fire, while others fizzle out or feel a spark of tension.

Which birth month should you avoid, according to your birth month? Read on to find out!

The Birth Month You Should Avoid, Based on Your Birth Month

Check for the month you were born for pro insights.

MORE: Your Most Compatible Friendship, Based on Birth Month

January, You Should Avoid April

People born in January are known for their serious personalities, thanks to being ruled by the Saturnian signs, Capricorn and Aquarius. Being co-ruled by these zodiac signs means all January-born are stoic, hardworking individuals who take their goals and lives seriously. January’s known for being slow yet methodical to ensure their success. Unfortunately, this means January doesn’t get along with April. They might initially mesh based on shared ambition, but April’s methodology completely goes against everything January stands for. Those born in April are too brash, stubborn, and impulsive for January.

February, You Should Avoid August

February is beloved for their whimsy and eccentricity, since they’re co-ruled by Aquarius and Pisces. People born during this month are uniquely individualistic. They march to the beat of their own drum. February doesn’t care about what anyone else thinks. They relish being weird and wonderful, which is why February doesn’t click with August. Individuals born during August are very self-concerned. August strives to be popular, put-together, and above all else, normal. As a result, February could never be around this birth month as long as August hides who they truly are for the sake of being well-liked.

March, You Should Avoid December

Those born in March are beloved for their passion. March embodies Pisces’ dreaminess and Aries’ ambition, so they have what it takes to accomplish their wildest dreams. People born during this month are creative visionaries. They aren’t afraid to go after what they want, and to learn along the way. This might initially attract December, but March and December won’t get along for long. December’s drive and open-mindedness pulls March in. However, March eventually struggles with December’s limiting belief system, self-righteousness, and desire to control the outcome. Ultimately, March is too fluid and free-spirited, and December is too rigid and authoritative.

April, You Should Avoid July

April’s determination and passion is unwavering. This birth month is home to ambitious Aries and willful Taurus, so April is known for their perseverance. Nothing gets this birth month down. Once April has made up their mind, they’re ready to rock and roll. Their excitement and vitality is infectious, which initially appeals to July. Both April and July can bond over their strong emotional energy and loyalty. However, July and April are too temperamental to work long term. July’s moodiness dampens April’s enthusiasm. Not to mention that both birth months are self-focused, so April and July don’t know how to share the spotlight with one another.

May, You Should Avoid November

People born in May are easygoing, fluid souls. May shares Taurus’ grounded energy and Gemini’s flexibility, so this birth month is known for their temperance. But don’t get it twisted—May can be tenacious and focused. However, this birth month prefers to go with the flow, since May prioritizes harmony above all else. Their characteristics draw in November, a birth month known for having an intense, larger-than-life personality. The line between love and hate is thin between these birth months. Unfortunately, May feels overwhelmed by November’s vibrancy while November feels underwhelmed by May’s relaxedness. 

FUN: Your Rom-Com, According to Your Birth Month

June, You Should Avoid September

All June birthdays are known for their mental agility and emotional depth. This birth month is home to Mercurial Gemini and lunar Cancer, meaning that June is incredibly intellectual. June isn’t afraid to switch from light-hearted to deep topics at a moment’s notice. They’re sensitive to the flow of conversation, as well as others’ energies and feelings. This initially appeals to those born in September. In some ways, June and September might feel like they’ve found a mental and communicative match in one another. But as time goes on, June will feel overwhelmed by September’s analysis paralysis and occasional shallowness. Likewise, September won’t jive with June’s fickleness and moodiness.

July, You Should Avoid October

July is known for their vivacious spirits, thanks to being ruled by the luminary signs, Cancer and Leo. Lunar-ruled Cancer lends depth and sensitivity, while solar-ruled Leo provides brilliance and confidence. July’s luminosity is imminent in all they do, so they attract a lot of people, including those born in October. July might enjoy October’s company in the beginning, because October also embodies unique star power. Their connection dwindles the more intense October becomes. July might feel like October is a little obsessed with them, and this might be true! October’s level of commitment can become possessive, so this won’ t work for July in the long run.

August, You Should Avoid March

Those born in August share Leo’s self-assurance and Virgo’s precision, so everyone born during this birth month strives for perfection. August works hard to be successful, beautiful, and well-liked. They take themselves very seriously, since August wants to be the very best. At first, this appeals to those born in March. August and March connect over their artistry, passion, and talents. However, their connection falls off when March is too lackadaisical to either get started or follow through. August becomes increasingly aggravated with March’s fluidity, and March gets annoyed with the pressure that August puts on themselves and others. What they initially like about each other drives these birth months apart.

September, You Should Avoid February

September is arguably one of the most put together birth months. They share Virgo’s perfectionism and Libra’s refinement, so all September-born are clean-cut, polished individuals. September takes immense pride in having their life together, because this brings them peace and fulfillment. However, September is still drawn to the more free-spirited birth months, like February. Those born in February are an enigma to September, which can be just as enthralling as it is annoying. February is messy, authentic, and changeable. Although September admires these qualities from afar, September knows February would never fit into their perfectly curated life.

October, You Should Avoid January

October isn’t for everyone. Individuals with this birth month embody Libra’s charm and elegance, as well as Scorpio’s depth and passion. Both zodiac signs make October magnetic. They easily draw attention from other birth months, especially those born in January. At first, October and January might just get along. They share a determined spirit and unwavering loyalty. But as time passes, January might be too aloof and detached for October. Unfortunately, this comes across as avoidant, which amplifies October’s intensity. These two birth months don’t work long-term, because October needs companions who aren’t afraid to express themselves and be vulnerable in a relationship.

November, You Should Avoid June

November’s larger-than-life personality comes from being co-ruled by passionate Scorpio and exuberant Sagittarius. People with this birth month are intense, but this isn’t a bad thing. They feel very strongly about everything they do, from the connections they make to the adventures they pursue. November is either all-in or all-out, which doesn’t mesh with those born in June. At first, November and June might bond over how expressive they both are. Both birth months are in touch with their feelings, but June tends to be more changeable than November. As a result, November ends their relationship if June’s too inconsistent and fickle to handle something deeper.

December, You Should Avoid May

Individuals born in December share Capricorn’s work ethic and Sagittarius’ insatiable appetite. December wants it all, and they know they can have it, too. They’re not afraid to work hard to experience everything life has to offer. December’s work ethic, enthusiasm, and determination is admirable to people born in May. Both birth months initially connect over their desire for a beautiful, luxurious life. They may even share similar tastes. However, May’s easygoingness and stubbornness is a turn-off for December. Likewise, December might be too intense and serious for May. Unfortunately, this connection won’t thrive because of their mismatched work ethics and ambition.

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Tiny Pale Spots on Your Plant Leaves? Don’t Ignore Them, Warns a Houseplant Expert

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:30am

Not every plant problem announces itself with wilted leaves or dramatic discoloration. Sometimes, the first clue that something is wrong is so tiny you could easily overlook it: a scattering of pale, pinprick-sized spots across otherwise healthy-looking leaves.

If you notice what looks like tiny, pale pinpricks appearing across your plant’s leaves, it’s worth taking a closer look.

The #1 Sign of Spider Mites to Look Out For Spider mites bites can leave tiny, pale spots on your plant’s leaves.

Lina Kivaka

According to Justin Hancock, a horticulturalist for Costa Farms and author of The New Complete Guide to Houseplants: Expert Houseplant Growing Advice, those tiny spots can actually be feeding marks left behind by spider mites. Those barely-there marks could be evidence of spider mites feeding on your plant—and catching them at this stage may help you identify the problem before the damage becomes much more obvious.

Spider mites feed by piercing plant cells and sucking out their contents. As they feed, the damaged cells can leave behind tiny pale dots on the foliage. At first, the marks may be so subtle that you mistake them for ordinary discoloration—or don’t notice them at all.

That’s exactly what can make this particular sign of spider mites so helpful though, he explains. You may be able to notice the damage spider mites leave behind even when the pests themselves are too small to easily see. And don’t just inspect the top of your plant and call it a day. Hancock says spider mites tend to congregate on the undersides of leaves, so flip affected leaves over and examine them closely, too.

Why You Don’t Want to Ignore These Tiny Pale Spots

A couple of pale dots might not look particularly alarming, but spider mite damage can become much more noticeable as an infestation progresses. As more plant cells are damaged, those individual feeding marks can collectively make foliage look faded or discolored. Eventually, a heavily affected plant may develop yellowing, browning, drying leaves or leaf drop.

You may also eventually notice the fine webbing spider mites produce. But according to Hancock, visible webbing can be a sign that the spider mite population has already grown considerably. That makes those easily overlooked feeding marks especially worth learning to recognize.

So, if one of your houseplants suddenly looks a little speckled, don’t immediately chalk it up to a quirky leaf. Grab it, turn over the leaves and take a closer look. Those teeny-tiny pale pinpricks may be your plant’s way of telling you it has some unwanted guests—and spotting them now could help you catch the problem before it becomes much bigger.

Drew Barrymore’s ‘Gorgeous’ $24 Scalloped Wood Tray Is a Pretty Home for Jewelry, Perfume, and Keepsakes

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:30am

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If you’re the type of shopper who brings home every cute vase, candle, or trinket you see, eventually you run into the same problem: Where do you put it all? You don’t want your favorite pieces hidden away, but putting everything out at once can make a room feel busy. The trick is finding ways to display those smaller pieces together so they feel thoughtfully curated.

A tray can do just that. It gives a handful of decorative objects a shared home and makes it easier to create a little vignette without having to think too hard about the arrangement. If you’re in need of one, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Oversized Wood Tray is $24 at Walmart. Its scalloped edges add a pretty and on-trend touch to whatever you decide to display.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Oversized Wood Tray, $24 at Walmart

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Pieces that make the random stuff sitting on your counter look like it was styled there on purpose earn their keep, and this tray absolutely does that. The warm wood finish is pretty on its own, but those big, swooping scalloped edges are what make it feel special. They curve around all four sides rather than appearing as a small decorative trim, giving the 18-by-10-inch rectangle a wavy, picture-frame effect. There’s also a raised lip that follows the scallops and dips down into a recessed center, so the shape has a lot more dimension than your standard flat wooden tray.

In the kitchen, there are numerous uses for this tray. There’s enough room for olive oil, salt and pepper mills, a butter dish, and a few favorite seasonings without everything being crammed together. It would be equally cute as a coffee station with syrups, sugar, and mugs, or on the kitchen island with a candle, vase, and bowl of fruit.

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Personally, I wouldn’t limit it to the kitchen. Imagine it on a coffee table with a candle, matches, coasters, and the remote, or on a vanity lined with perfume bottles, makeup, and jewelry dishes. In the bathroom, it could corral hand soap, lotions, skincare, and rolled washcloths. I’d even use it in an entryway for sunglasses, keys, and mail.

Walmart shoppers shared the same enthusiasm for this “beautiful” and “unique” tray, noting that “it holds quite a bit of stuff” and finding plenty of ways to put it to work around the home. “This gorgeous, sleek wooden tray is hefty, which makes it feel luxurious,” wrote one shopper, who even uses it as a lap desk for crafting.

Related: The Pioneer Woman’s 7-Piece Scalloped Stoneware Serving Tray Set Is a $15 ‘Hosting Essential’ With Farmhouse Charm

The scallops had us at hello, but all the styling possibilities really sealed the deal. Shop the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Oversized Wood Tray for $24 at Walmart!

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1972 Bob Seger Track Endures as One of Rock’s Most Powerful Road Songs

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:28am

By late 1972, Bob Seger wasn’t living out a rock-and-roll fantasy. He was grinding through a tough tour schedule, playing clubs for little pay and even less sleep.

Sitting at a late-night truck stop in Dubuque, Iowa, exhausted and staring back at local drivers eyeing his long hair, he channeled that weariness into a brutally honest look at life on the road. The result was a raw snapshot that told the real story of life as a touring musician.

“Turn the Page” remains one of the most unfiltered looks at road life. Instead of glorifying the rock-and-roll dream, it captures the exhaustion of a musician just trying to survive another night away from home.

American Songwriter reported that Seger first began working on the song in 1972. He was inspired to finish it after an incident at a truck stop where he and his band were harassed by locals for their looks.

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The publication quoted Silver Bullet Band Road Manager Tom Weschler in the book Travelin Man: On the Road and Behind the Scenes With Bob Seger. He told the story of how the song’s iconic second verse came to be.

“I think we were in Dubuque, Iowa, in winter and stopped at a restaurant. We stood out when we entered a store or a gas station or a restaurant en masse,” Weschler explained.

“At this restaurant it was particularly bright inside, so there weren’t any dark corners to hide in. All these local guys were looking at us like, ‘What are these guys? Is that a woman or a man?’ — just like in the song.”

“Turn the Page” was eventually released in 1973 on the LP Back in ’72. However, it didn’t really become a hit until Seger’s 1976 album, Live Bullet.

Seger told Songfacts, per Music Connection: “I hardly ever wrote on the road. I was more of a field general, and there wasn’t a lot of time for writing on the road back then. The only two songs that I can think of that I wrote on the road are ‘Night Moves’ and ‘Turn The Page,’ but those were basically cases of getting an outline of verses over three-hour periods. The songs weren’t finished until I had a week or two off the road to really knuckle down on them.”

Ultimate Classic Rock ranked “Turn the Page” at No. 22 of their list of the Top 100 Classic Rock Songs in 2012. Ironically, it never hit the Billboard Hot 100 despite its legacy.

Related: 1976 Live Performance Ranked Among the ‘Top Classic Rock Songs’ of All Time Remains a Timeless Anthem 50 Years Later

1989 Power Ballad, First Recorded by Bonnie Tyler, Became a Career-Defining Hit Despite Never Reaching No. 1

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:21am

Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock and Roll, delivered one of the most enduring hits of her career in 1989. 

The power ballad, “The Best,” continues to resonate decades later, despite never reaching No. 1. It became one of Turner’s biggest hits, emphasized by raw emotion and an anthemic chorus that matched her larger-than-life personality and stage presence. 

However, many listeners may not realize that the song’s history actually began a year prior, when it was first recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler.

The track was originally written by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight for Paul Young, whose management team passed on it, before Tyler recorded it for her 1988 album Hide Your Heart, per Song Facts.

Tyler’s version introduced the song to audiences, but it didn’t take off, only becoming a Top-10 hit in Norway.

It wasn’t until Turner’s reimagining, highlighted by her raspy and soaring vocals, that it was transformed into something much bigger, both commercially and culturally. 

Despite its massive popularity, “The Best” never topped the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 15 in the U.S. It also achieved plenty of international success, reaching No. 5 in the UK and No. 4 in Australia. 

The late musician’s signature song was even recognized as one of Billboard‘s top of all time with the word “love” in its title.

The chart position didn’t make or break the song, as 37-years-later, it’s still instantly recognizable, becoming a staple of radio, film, television, and sporting events, including Formula One. 

Tyler, who died at the age of 75 this past July and is remembered by her signature track, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” previously told Smooth Radio that seeing Turner’s success across the globe gave her the “confidence back about my choice in material.”

She even admitted, “And I have to be honest, she did it much better than I did.”

Some of the changes to Turner’s powerhouse cover of empowerment included the addition of a bridge, along with a key change. 

The song’s longevity speaks to the global appeal and the fact that hitting No. 1 isn’t required to leave a lasting mark in the music industy.

And Turner’s cover was, well, simply the best. 

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How I’m Packing for a Special 2-Week Cruise With a Single Carry-On as a 70+ Traveler

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:10am

Packing for a two-week Mediterranean cruise with nothing but a carry-on sounded like a perfectly reasonable challenge when I first started planning what I’d wear on this trip. I travel often, I know what I actually wear, and I’ve learned that shlepping an oversized suitcase through airports, hotels and cruise terminals can take some of the joy out of traveling.

At this point in my life, I want my travel days to feel easier. I don’t want to struggle with a heavy suitcase, wait at baggage claim as I miss my suitcase that went by on the carousel, or worry that my luggage might not make it to Athens when I do (which happened to my husband in Alaska). But, at 72 years old (and 5′ tall) I also have to be realistic about what I can comfortably lift into an airplane’s overhead bin.

So, of course I planned everything meticulously.

I chose pieces that could be mixed and matched using my favorite toddler method of packing. I coordinated my colors. I thought about warm days in Greece, cooler evenings on the ship, sightseeing, dinners and the long flights back and forth. I even thought out how many times I could wear each piece without feeling as though I were wearing the same outfit over and over again.

I had it all figured out.

Then they threw me a curveball.

You see, I didn’t have the entire itinerary until after I had laid it all out and suddenly, the itinerary included a cocktail party with “cocktail attire” and a gala at the foot of the Acropolis where evening dress is required.

Well, that changes things!!!

It’s one thing to create a small capsule wardrobe for sightseeing and casual dinners, adding a nice top to go with a simple skirt like I always do for dress-up nights. It is quite another to fit a cocktail dress and something worthy of an evening at the Acropolis into the same little carry-on.

I sat and pictured formal gowns, evening shoes and all the accessories that usually go along with them. I was excited to be going and at the same time worried that I’d have to ditch my usual way of traveling and actually check my big suitcase. Then I reminded myself that I don’t need a different dress for every occasion. I just need the right pieces and a bit of creativity.

Related: I’m a 72-Year-Old Cruise Expert—Here’s the ‘Toddler Method’ I Use to Pack a Carry-On

One Cocktail Dress, Multiple Evenings

My first solution is to pack one cocktail dress that I can wear to the cocktail party and any dressier evenings onboard. That’s right. I’m not afraid of wearing the same dress more than once. As a matter of fact, with a ship with thousands of passengers, the only one who’s going to notice is ME and I’m perfectly fine with that.

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Truthfully, most people don’t look at what you’re wearing, only you do. And, even if someone notices, changing the jewelry, wrap, shoes, or even your hairstyle can make the same dress feel different. Besides, I would much rather repeat a beautiful dress than carry three dresses that each get worn for only a few hours.

The key is choosing a cocktail dress that feels special without being bulky. I want something that looks polished, photographs well, and doesn’t require me to shimmy into uncomfortable shapewear (something ELSE to pack, and the thought of being miserable as I adjust and readjust is out of the question). It also needs to pack easily and come out of the suitcase without looking as though it has been folded into a carry-on for several days.

One dress. Several occasions. Very little suitcase space.

This Elegant Bubble Skirt Does Double Duty Bubble Skirt and Off the Shoulder top

Zippy Sandler

The other piece which is something I was already planning on bringing is a bubble skirt.

Now, a bubble skirt might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of practical travel clothing, but this one gives me options because it’s floor-length. Paired with an off-the-shoulder top, statement earrings, and gold sandals, it is dressy enough for that gala, a special dinner, or an evening event.

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Mine is white, and I usually wear the same skirt with a simple T-shirt or striped top for a completely different look. That takes it from dressy to casual without adding another bottom to my suitcase.

This is exactly what I look for when packing light. Every piece needs to have more than one purpose. If something can only be worn one way, I have to think very carefully about whether it deserves space in my bag.

The bubble skirt does.

It gives me yet another dressy option without having to pack a full dress. I can even wear it during the day, depending on how I style it. That versatility makes it so much more valuable than an outfit that’s simply for evening.

From Beach to the Ball in Gold Sandals

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From years of experience as a cruiser, I can tell you that shoes are usually the fastest way to lose the carry-on packing battle.

They make your suitcase heavy, are awkwardly shaped, and take up an unbelievable amount of room. If I had someone to carry my suitcases for me everywhere – to check in, from the carousel, to the ship, and to the cabin I’m one of those people who’d pack an entire suitcase just filled with shoes for every occasion, but even an extra pair can turn a carefully planned carry-on suddenly impossible to close.

My solution is to skip the heels and pack flat gold sandals.

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At 70+, I have nothing to prove by wobbling across cobblestones or standing through a cocktail party in uncomfortable shoes anyway. I want to enjoy the evening, not spend it wondering when I can sit down or spending the next day looking for blister patches.

The right pair of flat gold sandals can take me from the beach to the ball…literally. They work with a sundress, the bubble skirt, my cocktail dress, and even a more casual pair of pants. The metallic gold makes them look festive enough for evening, while the flat sole keeps them practical for travel.

Comfort does not have to mean giving up style. In fact, I think that walking into a gala in beautiful flat sandals looks much more elegant than wobbling in a pair of heels that hurt.

FYI, I always make sure to wear my sneakers on the plane because they are the most awkward to pack. That leaves room in the suitcase for the sandals and possibly one additional lightweight pair of either sandals or flats, but nothing that only works with a single outfit.

Building the Rest of the Wardrobe

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The easiest way to make a small travel wardrobe work is to choose a color story and stay with it. I do not pack random tops, pants, and skirts and hope they somehow work together when I arrive. Each top needs to coordinate with more than one bottom (a skirt, slacks, shorts, a skort, or even as a cover-up over my bathing suit). Every layer should work with several outfits. My shoes should go with almost everything.

My color story is usually black, white, and a few coordinating colors that make mixing and matching easier. A striped shirt can be worn with the bubble skirt one day and a pair of pants or a skort another day. A simple white or black T-shirt can work for sightseeing, lunch, or underneath a cardigan at night.

Accessories will keep the outfits from feeling repetitive. Scarves, jewelry, and a belt take up very little room (and can be tucked INSIDE your shoes in the suitcase so they don’t take up any room), but they can completely change the way an outfit looks. And, if it’s one of those cruises when photos are part of the trip, and I don’t want Monday’s outfit to look like Tuesday’s.

Related: I Was Panicking About a 2-Week Cruise With Only a Carry-On. Then, I Remembered My Cruise Loyalty Perks.

Planning for Mediterranean Days and Cruise Ship Evenings

For certain regions, like a Mediterranean cruise, you’ll need clothes for different types of experiences. There will be warm days, walking tours, ancient sites, seaside stops, meals onboard, and nights when the breeze off the water may have you running for that cardigan. There may also be churches or historic sites where shoulders and knees should be covered out of respect.

Lightweight layers solve many of those problems. A scarf or wrap can cover my shoulders during the day and become an evening layer later over my cocktail dress at night. A lightweight cardigan works on the plane, in air-conditioned restaurants, and on the ship. Simple, comfortable slacks can be dressed up for dinner but still work for travel days.

Rather than packing for every imaginable situation, it’s more important to pack pieces that are easily adaptable to whatever the situation is. That is the real secret to carry-on travel.

Related: The Golden Rules of Stress-Free Cruising, According to a Lifelong Traveler

Packing for Reality, Not Fantasy

Zippy Sandler

One of the biggest packing mistakes I have made in the past is packing for a fantasy version of what I think I want to look like when I travel.

The imaginary me changes outfits three times a day, wears every beautiful pair of shoes I own, and somehow never spills anything on a white blouse. I also don’t mind carrying a suitcase that weighs twice as much as I do.

The real me wants to be comfortable. I repeat my favorite outfits. I reach for the same shoes and crossbody bag because they’re comfortable and easy to walk in. I’d rather spend the morning enjoying Athens than standing in front of my hotel room closet deciding between six nearly identical outfits. So, I pay attention to what I truly wear when I travel.

I don’t need a different outfit for every dinner. I do not need several “just in case” dresses. I don’t need heels simply because the words “cocktail attire” and “evening dress” suddenly appear on the itinerary. I need clothes that make me feel attractive, comfortable, and appropriate for the occasion.

The Beauty and Toiletry Edit

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But as women, we know that clothing is only part of the carry-on challenge. Toiletries and beauty products can quietly take over an entire bag if I let them.

So, I bring smaller sizes of the products I actually use and leave the extras at home. This is not the trip for six lipsticks or three different face creams.

One or two good lipsticks, a few multipurpose makeup products (for me that’s a bronzer that doubles as a blush and even eye-shadow), and travel-size skincare will cover most situations. The same makeup can work during the day and become evening-ready with a stronger lip color or a little more eye makeup.

I also use whatever the hotel and cruise ship provide when it makes sense. I never bring a full-size bottle of something that will already be waiting in the bathroom, like soap, shampoo, or conditioner.

Related: Is a Balcony Cabin Worth the Upgrade? This Cruise Expert Says It Depends on One Thing

Leaving Room for the Unexpected

The hardest part of packing a carry-on is resisting the urge to fill every available inch. But I know myself. I will probably find something during the trip that I want to buy. It might be a scarf, a piece of jewelry, or something small from one of the ports (I love Greek jewelry and clothing, so I’m already planning for this to happen).

If my suitcase is bursting at the seams when I leave, I will have no room for anything I discover along the way. I use packing cubes to help keep everything organized and compressed, but my goal is not to stuff them until the zippers beg for mercy. I want to know where everything is, and I want to be able to repack without sitting on the suitcase.

The Carry-On Test

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Before I leave, I do a final test.

Everything has to fit in the suitcase. I need to be able to lift it. Every piece of clothing must work with the plan, and anything that makes me say, “I might wear this,” gets tossed. “Might” is dangerous when you are packing for two weeks in a carry-on.

If I cannot think of at least two ways I’m going to wear something, it probably stays home. The exceptions are the cocktail dress and any truly essential specialty item. Even the cocktail dress, however, will be worn more than once.

The goal is not to pack the smallest wardrobe possible, but to prove to myself that I can. The goal is to bring enough to enjoy the trip without letting my luggage become a burden.

The Glamour Still Fits

Packing light does not mean giving up glamour. I will still be properly dressed for the cocktail party. I will still have an evening look worthy of a gala at the foot of the Acropolis. I will still have outfits that make me feel like myself.

I will just not have a completely different wardrobe for every hour of the trip.

My cocktail dress will step in for multiple elegant evenings. My bubble skirt will go from an off-the-shoulder top at night to a simple T-shirt or striped shirt during the day. My flat gold sandals will carry me from the beach to the ball, without leaving my feet aching before the evening is over.

That is how I am handling the curveball.

At this age, I have learned that style is not about how much you bring. It is about knowing yourself well enough to bring the right things. If I can walk onto that plane with one manageable suitcase, arrive in Greece without worrying about lost luggage, and still feel fabulous, I will consider this packing challenge a success.

Related: 8 Fall Carry-On Essentials Every Traveler Needs

Iconic Singer-Songwriter, Who Paved the Way for Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, Vanished Without a Trace 52 Years Ago

Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:04am

She’s often credited as the first modern singer-songwriter, but hardly anyone knew her name. Connie Converse, born Elizabeth Eaton Converse, was a pioneering musician in the 1950’s Greenwich Village music scene, years before Bob Dylan showed up; in fact, she left the Village in 1961, the same year Dylan arrived, according to Pitchfork. One might say that Converse walked so Dylan and Joni Mitchell (and so many others) could fly. So what happened to her?

At a time when most folk songs had been passed down for generations, Converse was writing complex, introspective tunes and recording them in her bedroom.

“Connie had a dramatist’s eye — the ability to conjure a fully inhabited world from a single detail,” English folk musician Martin Carr told the BBC earlier this year.

“The fact that she named a song after a J M Synge play, or was capable of lyrics such as ‘Spring seemed to linger in a little bunch of flowers he pressed into my hand,’ tells you she was reaching well beyond the American folk tradition.”

In a 2023 interview with NPR, Howard Fishman, author of To Anyone Who Ever Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse, chronicled the enigmatic artist’s journey.

“She grew up in New Hampshire, went to college at Mount Holyoke, dropped out, and moved to New York City to pursue being a writer,” Fishman explained.

“After being there for a few years, Converse began delving into making music at a time when the music she made really had no context” he continued. “Although she had a fanbase among people that heard her in living rooms and in salon settings, she was never able to break through commercially because record company executives didn’t feel like there was any way to market her music. Then in 1961, convinced that the music industry was not going to be able to do anything with her after all, she left New York and moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., to start a new life.”

That new life included a series of non-musical jobs related to social justice, including a position as the editor of the Journal for Conflict Resolution. In letters sent to her loved ones, she wrote of struggling in life to find “a place to plug in.” Then, in 1974, at the age of 50, Converse completely disappeared.

“She wrote letters to family and friends saying that she was going to start a new life somewhere and not to come looking for her, and she has never been heard from again,” Fishman said.

Some thought Converse moved to Brazil, others theorized that she drove her car off a cliff in Canada. Whatever really happened, her music might have been forgotten entirely if not for the late music producer Gene Deitch, who played some of her songs that he recorded at private dinner parties during the ’50s on WYNC radio in 2004. Listeners wanted more, resulting in the release of the album How Sad, How Lovely in 2009. A second album called Musicks, featuring 32 songs Converse recorded at home in 1956, was released in 2023.

“It’s like her entire life was spent as an invisible woman who was able to see the future by giving us these gifts and thinking and writing and composing in ways that are so common to us today, but were not at all common in the 1950s,” Fishman said. “And then I think of how, at age 50, she decided the world doesn’t want me and I don’t want it. And she chose to go. We don’t know what happened to her. Her body was never found. Her car was never found.”

Whether it was an eerie coincidence or a prophecy, it’s worth mentioning that back in the ’50s, Converse attempted writing a folk opera which contained the following lyric:

“Never had a husband, never had a son / Dead at the age of 51.”  

Related: 1969 Rock Classic, Written by the ‘Female Bob Dylan,’ Spent 14 Weeks on the Charts

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