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Decades after walking away from Hollywood, beloved 1970s teen icon Kristy McNichol is giving fans another reason to smile.

Following a wave of fan excitement over her recent appearances with Christopher Atkins and Carnie Wilson, the two-time Emmy winner has surfaced in a sweet new video update. Looking radiantly happy and healthy, she appears entirely at ease with the peaceful life she built outside the Hollywood spotlight.

For fans who fell in love with her in Family, Little Darlings, and 1982’s cult favorite The Pirate Movie, seeing McNichol smile feels like a warm gift from the decade that defined a generation. Her genuine warmth in the clip proves why, despite years of stepping out of the spotlight, her hold on pop culture history hasn’t faded one bit.

The video promoted her upcoming appearance at Chiller Theater Expo in Parsippany, New Jersey. The event takes place from October 30 through November 1, 2026.

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McNichol promoted the event in the clip, discussing her upcoming appearance alongside her Pirate Movie co-star, Atkins. The film continues to hold a special place in fans’ hearts more than four decades after its debut.

She greeted her fans by saying, “Hi! It’s Kristy McNichol.”

“Why don’t you come join us at the Chiller Theater on October 30, 31, and November 1st?” she added. “Chris Atkins is going to be there,” McNichol quipped, before bursting into laughter.

Fans reacted to the brief, sweet video clip.

“OMG my favorite actress growing up I cried my eyes out when she left acting. Beyond excited. And she looks fabulous. Best news I’ve heard in a long time,” wrote one Facebook follower.

“So great to see you! Thank you for all of your wonderful work that continues to entertain us until this day!” penned a fan.

A third admirer exclaimed, “I met Kristy at a convention in NJ and it brought out the adolescent in me. She was as sweet as could be and she looks FABULOUS!”

The biannual Chiller Theatre convention takes place in Parsippany, New Jersey, every April and October, bringing together stars from iconic movies and classic television to meet fans, take photos, and sign memorabilia.

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The former actress is promoting her appearance in The Pirate Movie alongside Atkins. The film was originally released on August 6, 1982, and was a loosely based, ’80s-style take on Gilbert and Sullivan‘s classic 1879 musical comedy, The Pirates of Penzance.

RELATED: 48 Years Ago, Kristy McNichol Stole Burt Reynolds’ Heart With an Unforgettable Serenade of a ’60s Girl-Group Hit

The film took a playful approach to the material, swapping its traditional Victorian slant for ’80s pop-infused numbers. In fact, one of those songs, Atkins’ and McNichols’ duet, “First Love”, became a massively popular pop-rock single from the film’s soundtrack.

Kristy McNichol will be joined by celebrities such as the cast of Three’s Company, Andrew McCarthy, Denise Richards, Randy Quaid, Sean Cassidy, Ernest Lee Thomas, and Haywood Nelson from What’s Happening, Nancy Kerrigan, Billy Baldwin, Chynna Phillips, Bijou Phillips, and Brad Savage.

RELATED: Two Rarely Seen ’70s Teen Superstars to Reunite For Historic ‘Family’ 50th Anniversary Gala

Also appearing is Ronnie Schribner, Chuck Zito, Frank Whaley, Julie McCullough, Tia Carrere, Thomas Waites, Brian Geraghty, Larry Hankin, Scott Valentine, Butch Patrick, Mackenzie Phillips, Patti D’Arbanville, and others.

Related: Rarely Seen ’80s Teen Icons Reunite for Beloved ‘The Pirate Movie’ Screening

Randy Travis has something exciting up his sleeve.

The 67-year-old country icon took to social media this week to tease something exciting on the horizon, but he left fans guessing what exactly the big news might be.

In a mysterious post uploaded to Instagram on Wednesday, Sept. 2, Travis teased a “special announcement” that he will be making soon — but for now, fans are being left in the dark. The only clue Travis provided was a photograph of a cassette tape, labeled with the title, “The Same Old Way.” The tape also featured Travis’ name, along with that of his longtime producer, Kyle Lehning.

The date “9.04” could also be seen in the corner of the photo, signifying that fans will only have to wait until Friday, Sept. 4 to find out what Travis is plotting.

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“Let’s go back to the Same Old Way… 📼” Travis teased in the caption, while telling his followers, “Tune in this Friday for a special announcement! What do you think it is?👀”

A number of fans have already started guessing what the big news might be, including theories that “Same Old Way” may be the next single Travis will be unleashing from “the vault.” He has already dropped two previously unreleased original songs in anticipation for his upcoming new album, slated to arrive later this year.

Other fans wondered if “Same Old Way” could be the name of the new album, for which an official title hasn’t yet been announced.

The new record will be Travis’ first album of new material in more than 18 years. He has already dropped two singles from the album so far — “Fish On” and “I Don’t Care” — which were both recorded before he suffered his life-changing stroke in 2013. The original recordings of both songs were restored, remixed and remastered by Lehning, leading fans to believe that “Same Old Way” could be the third single to be released from the vault.

Related: 1955 Johnny Cash Classic, Later Covered by Bob Dylan, Is Still One of Country Music’s Most Iconic Songs

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There’s nothing quite like pulling out your favorite sweaters and jackets when fall arrives, but those cozy layers can make a closet feel crowded in no time. A freestanding clothes rack is an easy way to keep your favorite pieces organized and within reach, whether you need more room in the bedroom, laundry room or entryway — or simply don’t have much closet space to begin with.

Right now, the Giantex Clothes Rack With Pants Hanger at Amazon is on sale for $30, down from $37. Its versatile design has room for everything from dresses and tops to jackets, plus a dedicated section for keeping pants neatly organized. Shoppers called the rack “convenient” for keeping their most-worn clothes within easy reach and said it was an easy way to add more storage to their wardrobe.

Giantex Clothes Rack With Pants Hanger, $30 (was $37) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Measuring 16 inches long, 14 inches wide and 63 inches high, this slim clothes rack makes the most of vertical space without taking up much floor space. It comes with six hanging rods at varying heights that give you plenty of room for everything from sweaters and dresses to T-shirts, scarves and accessories. Additionally, it has ten detachable pants hangers that can each hold two pairs of pants. The hangers can be removed or rearranged, so you can customize the setup to suit your wardrobe. 

Amazon shoppers say the rack is a smart choice for smaller spaces. One reviewer called it “perfect” for their small space, while another highlighted its easy assembly and said they were able to “hang a lot of clothes.” They also noted that the rack helped make their room feel cleaner and more organized. 

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• Rumia Crewneck Sweatshirt, From $10 (was $25) at Amazon
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Related: Walmart Has a Stackable Shoe Rack Set With 12 ‘Sturdy’ Tiers for Taming Back-to-School Footwear Clutter

At just $30, the Giantex Clothes Rack With Pants Hanger is an affordable way to add extra storage in any room. The sale will last for a limited time, so Amazon shoppers should hurry and grab one while the discount is still on!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

In 1965, the Beach Boys scored their second No. 1 hit with “Help Me, Rhonda,” knocking the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” out of the top spot. But the voice out front didn’t belong to Brian Wilson or Mike Love.

It belonged to Al Jardine, who celebrates his 84th birthday on Sept. 3.

Jardine, born Sept. 3, 1942, in Lima, Ohio, co-founded the Beach Boys with brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson and Love. A rhythm guitarist and harmony vocalist who only occasionally took the lead, Jardine nevertheless wound up singing one of the band’s biggest records.

“Help Me, Rhonda” was one of just three Beach Boys singles to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, along with “I Get Around” and “Good Vibrations.”

And Jardine almost wasn’t the man singing it.

Brian Wilson Had Al Jardine’s Voice ‘in His Head’ for ‘Help Me, Rhonda’

Written by Brian Wilson with additional lyrics by Love, “Help Me, Rhonda” first appeared on the 1965 album The Beach Boys Today! as “Help Me, Ronda.” But that wasn’t the version that became a smash.

“We did two versions of ‘Help Me Rhonda,'” Brian recalled in an interview with Goldmine. “We did one with the ukulele and we did one with guitars. We chose to use the guitar version.”

And Jardine wasn’t initially supposed to sing lead.

“I heard myself singing lead on it originally and then I turned it over to Al,” Brian explained. “I produced the Beach Boys so I decided who would sing lead. I just had a sixth sense about who should sing what songs.”

Decades later, Jardine remembered the process much the same way. Speaking to Goldmine in April 2026, he recalled Brian calling him from Big Sur to sing another song, “Honkin’ Down the Highway,” because Brian thought his voice was right for it.

“Just like ‘Help Me, Rhonda,’ he had my voice in his head,” Jardine said. “He could take our individual voices and turn them into instruments.”

That idea was central to Jardine’s role in the Beach Boys. In a 2000 interview with Goldmine, he described himself and Carl Wilson as “the anchors in the back” and said he never craved more recognition.

“No. No way. I was happy,” Jardine said. “We locked, our harmonies locked, that’s all I cared about. Carl and I had a really good blend.”

‘Help Me, Rhonda’ Became One of Only 3 Beach Boys No. 1 Hits

The original version of “Help Me, Rhonda” appeared on The Beach Boys Today!, but Brian heard greater potential in the song.

In “The Heart of Rock & Soul,” critic Dave Marsh writes that Beach Boys collaborator Gary Usher became so convinced the song could be a hit that he talked about recording his own version. Brian quickly assembled the group to remake it, shortening the song by 22 seconds, increasing the tempo and streamlining the arrangement.

Jardine remembered the original recording rather skeptically.

“I thought it was odd because Brian kept messing with the fader,” he told Goldmine in 2010. “It went loud then soft, then loud and soft… and I thought, ‘This is never gonna work.'”

The single session was another story.

“For the single we had a highly charged session,” Jardine recalled. “All the families came and sat around with refreshments.”

Jardine was also the co-writer and lead singer on the Beach Boys’ 1971 environmental anthem “Don’t Go Near the Water.”

Related: Lost 1967 Album Just Named No. 1 ‘Ghost’ Album in Rock History

Al Jardine Wanted to Keep the Beach Boys’ Music Going

After Carl Wilson’s death in 1998, Jardine stopped touring as part of the Beach Boys and later performed under his own name. He reunited with Brian for numerous projects and tours, including the Beach Boys’ 50th anniversary reunion in 2012.

Speaking to the Dayton Daily News in 2013, Jardine reflected on what he and Brian had created together.

“People are still catching up to the greatness we created in those early days, even myself,” Jardine said, adding that the vocals were “what The Beach Boys are all about.”

He was disappointed that the 50th anniversary reunion didn’t continue and made clear that, for him, preserving the music mattered more than who was standing onstage.

“It’s real important to keep our focus on making new, vital music and continuing the legacy,” he said. “It’s not about the messenger, it’s about the music.”

Jardine continued performing alongside Brian for years, including what would become Brian’s final tour in 2022. After Brian died in June 2025 at age 82, Jardine carried on with planned shows featuring the Pet Sounds Band in his longtime friend’s honor.

Today, Jardine and 85-year-old Love are the two surviving co-founders of the Beach Boys. Dennis Wilson died in 1983 at 39, Carl Wilson died in 1998 at 51, and Brian Wilson died in 2025 at 82. Member Bruce Johnston, 84, who joined the group four years after it was formed, is also still around—in fact, he just stopped touring with the Beach Boys earlier this year.

Related: Meet the Newest Beach Boys Member — and The Crazy Way He Got the Gig

The waterpark opened this month on Great Stirrup Cay. Credit: Erica Lamberg

There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with standing on a beautiful private island in the Bahamas, turquoise water all around you, while something brand-new is about to open. I had been excited to visit Great Tides Waterpark at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, and after being there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, I can honestly say I was beyond impressed. After the local dignitaries presented remarks, and the ribbon was cut, a colorful Junkanoo performance brought music, drums and Bahamian spirit to the moment, and watching the venue officially open felt like one of those “Wow, I’m really here” travel moments. What stood out even more was how quickly the space went from big construction project to a place where guests could have fun and make memories.

If you’re a woman over 40 like me, you may hear “water park” and immediately picture screaming kids, long lines and not much for adults. I wondered the same thing. But honestly, Great Tides surprised me. It’s not just a place for families with young children, the attraction is a smart, fun addition that gives grown-ups a good excuse to play a little, too.

The new attraction was designed for travelers of all ages and includes:

• 19 waterslides
• The cruise industry’s first cliff jumps
• A dedicated kids splash zone
• The immersive Wandering River
• Family-friendly and relaxation-focused experiences throughout the park

The “Drive to the Port” Advantage

Before we dive into the slides, let’s talk about a money-saving way to experience this: homeport cruising. There is an underrated, blissful luxury in being able to drive your own car to the port, or take a ride share, whether you’re departing from Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville or even Philadelphia or New York.

For many of us, flying can be the least relaxing part of a trip and a big cost consideration, plus the security lines, the delays and the constant worry about whether your luggage will make it. That’s why cruising from a homeport feels so easy and a vacation starts right away. By the time you reach Great Stirrup Cay, you’re already relaxed, which makes the water park feel like a fun bonus instead of one more thing to figure out.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Next Mega-Ship Is Bringing a Massive Dining First to Sea – Parade

The 3 Best Features for Adults Fun for the young and young at heart at Great Tides Waterpark. Credit: Erica Lamberg

Erica Lamberg

As I walked around the nearly six-acre park, I realized it’s not just about big slides and loud music. There are plenty of spots that work well for adults who want some fun, but also want comfort, shade, food and a drink nearby. Here’s where I’d spend my time:

The Wandering River & Floataway Bar

This isn’t the lazy river you may remember from family vacations years ago. It stretches more than 800 feet and feels like an actual experience, not just a slow loop. I spent most of my time here because it was relaxing without being boring. And the best part is the Floataway Bar. You can stay right in the water and still order a drink. Floating along, dipping in and out of the shade, with a cocktail close by? That’s my kind of water park.

A Culinary Scene That Doesn’t Cut Corners

Theme park food can be hit or miss, but the food here was better than I expected. My advice is to skip the basic options and head for the food trucks. For an added expense, Catch of the Cay has amazing seafood like breaded shrimp platters and overstuffed lobster rolls and Low Tide Smoke is a solid choice if you want barbecue after a morning in the water. It’s casual and easy, but it still feels like a real lunch, not like the included BBQ buffet that you grab because you’re hungry.

Approachable Thrills

I’ll be honest: I saw the 15-foot cliff jumps at Cliffside Cove and immediately thought, “That one’s not for me.” But Tropic Spiral and The Great Slide are approachable for the adult demographic. You can laugh with your partner or friends as you go down together. It’s the right amount of thrill for adults.

Related: We Asked 3 Cruise Travel Agents How to Best Spend Onboard Credit—Here’s What They Said

The One Thing to Skip (And My Pro-Tip)

Here’s my honest take: don’t plan to spend the entire day there. It’s still a water park, and it’s still the tropics, so it gets hot. By early afternoon, you may be ready for something calmer and a little more comfortable.

Spend the morning enjoying the slides, the Wandering River, the jumps, and the delicious food truck lunch. But early afternoon, pack up your things and head to the Vibe Shore Club.

Yes, the day pass costs extra, but if you’re looking for one splurge, this would be mine. Vibe is adults-only, with nicer loungers, umbrellas and a quieter feel than the main beach areas. To me, that makes it the perfect second half of the day. You get your water park fun in the morning, then switch to a slower pace in the afternoon with a cold drink and a cozy place to relax. It’s a perfect balance for your day at Great Stirrup Cay.  

Related: Is This The Best New Cruise Cabin for Families? A Look Inside the Norwegian Luna

Ready to Book? Cool off with cold drinks throughout the park. Credit: NCL

When you book your cruise, keep an eye on your myNCL account, or your app, that’s where you’ll be able to reserve your water park pass. I’d book the shore excursion early, because space is limited and you don’t want to miss out. Pack your swimsuit, a cool hat and maybe a book for that quiet afternoon at Vibe. You deserve a day that’s exactly as fun, or as relaxing, as you want it to be. Hope you enjoy Great Tides as much as I did. I can’t wait to return.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Next Mega-Ship Is Bringing a Massive Dining First to Sea

In the early 1970s, Danny Bonaduce was a star on The Partridge Family, playing middle child/bass player Danny Partridge on the music-themed sitcom for four seasons. But when the show was canceled in 1974, someone forgot to tell the young actor—and he got the news when he showed up for work.

During a Sept. 2 appearance on The Scott Baio Podcast, Bonaduce, 67, told host Scott Baio that The Partridge Family was shot at Columbia Ranch, and that the first day of shooting each week was allotted to the show’s weekly musical number. Tuesday through Friday, the cast shot the rest of the show with the dialogue. But one day in 1974, he arrived at the studio’s security gate and was told The Partridge Family was over.

“That’s how I got the news The Partridge Family was canceled,” Bonaduce revealed. “I pulled up with my mom. The guy’s name was Scotty, the security guard. We pulled up like we’d done every day for four years, and the guy looked mortified and he said, ‘Oh, didn’t anybody tell you the Partridge family doesn’t live here anymore.’”

“And that’s how we found out we were canceled,” the actor continued. “But I thought it was good news. I get to go ride my bike, play around for whatever. I didn’t realize that that was a truly cherished moment in my life.”

Starring Bonaduce alongside David Cassidy, Shirley Jones, Susan Dey, Dave Madden, Brian Forster and Suzanne Crough, The Partridge Family was a massive hit fueled by the bubblegum pop music that accompanied it. Cassidy, who was the only Partridge besides Jones who really sang on the records, was knee-deep in a grueling solo touring career at the height of the show’s popularity.

By the time the show’s fourth season aired, Cassidy wanted out. And new competition from CBS’ hit show All in the Family ultimately did the show in.

“Our show was out of style, and we wouldn’t be able to compete with a show like All In The Family,” Jones once said in an interview with Television Academy Foundation. “I think David, at this point in time, had had it on the show. He wanted to do a different kind of music than just The Partridge Family kind of music. And I think they made the decision [to cancel] with those two things in mind.”

RELATED: Danny Bonaduce Shares Details of On Set Clash That Got ‘Partridge Family’ Star Fired

On Baio’s podcast, Bonaduce clarified that he “loved” working on The Partridge Family but didn’t watch it when it was originally on TV.

“I watched the first episode at my neighbor’s house. We lived in Little Hills in the San Fernando Valley, and I watched the first episode there, but, you know, it was on at 8:30 at night on Fridays, and I was 10, 11, 12. So, I found other things to do besides watch The Partridge Family. And I don’t watch myself on TV at all.”

The actor also revealed that The Partridge Family house was later torn down to make way for a supermarket.

Related: ‘Partridge Family’ Star Danny Bonaduce Gives Rare Update on Susan Dey and Shirley Jones

“Gray divorce is on the rise” is both a true statement and a sort of scary-sounding headline—but it doesn’t need to be. If you’re not familiar with the term, “gray divorce” refers to long-term couples who end their marriages when they are 50 or older. Sometimes these breakups coincide with children leaving the home and the couples becoming empty nesters. But it’s not as simple as people sticking with their marriages “for the kids”—though some people do that, too. Instead, married couples can come to realizations about their relationships and themselves after their children are gone that make them reconsider staying together.

As reported by Cleveland Clinic, there are nearly triple the amount of divorced people aged 65 and older in 2022 as there were in 1990. And while there are plenty of good reasons to separate—and the increase in divorce, in general, shows more independence for women and that more people are prioritizing their needs rather than sticking with a marriage for the wrong reasons—becoming empty nesters is not necessarily something couples should fear due to gray divorce statistics. If you are committed to your marriage and hoping to see it through this transitional period, there are some habits that can help a marriage thrive during this time. 

To dive deeper on the topic, Parade spoke to two psychologists who focus on relationships. Dr. Molly Burrets, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles, CA. She runs a private practice and is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California in the Marriage and Family Therapy program. Dr. Brandy Smith, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in Birmingham, AL, who works with mental health provider Thriveworks.

Dr. Burrets and Dr. Smith share why becoming empty nesters can trigger gray divorce, as well as tips on how to keep relationships solid before and after children fly the coop. 

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Usually Causes Divorce Over 50—They All Said the Same Thing

The Empty Nest Revelation: What Is the #1 Habit of Couples Who Stay Together?

Both Dr. Smith and Dr. Burrets agree that the number one habit of couples who stay together once they become empty nesters is investing in their connection before their children move out. 

Dr. Burrets calls it “prioritizing intentional connection.”

“Couples who stay together don’t just ‘happen’ to stay connected; they maintain a consistent ‘check-in’ habit even amidst the chaos of parenting, which keeps the emotional foundation strong for the transition to empty nesting,” she explains.

Dr. Smith emphasizes staying connected, as well.

“Knowing one another and having connections as a couple, not just parents, before becoming empty nesters,” she answers as part of the habit that helps couples stay strong. “This involves spending time together before then and investing in the couple’s relationship on its own.”

Related: Relationship Psychologists Are Begging Couples To Stop Using This ‘Toxic’ 7-Word Phrase

The Danger of the Child-Centric Marriage: Why the Empty Nest Triggers ‘Gray Divorce’

The reason an empty nest can trigger divorce is that couples end up facing a harsh reality once they no longer have their children to focus on.

According to Dr. Smith, if couples don’t stay invested in each other and their relationship, they can end up realizing that “they are co-existing rather than connected” and decide they “do not want to continue that dynamic any longer.” 

Kids aren’t just a distraction in the most literal sense; taking care of them together can also make a bond seem more solid than it otherwise is.

“Overfocusing on the children or another loved one that is being cared for can make it seem like there is a stronger connection than is felt once the parenting or caregiving responsibility is no longer present,” she continues.

Spouses can also face “a loss of shared identity and a refusal to adapt to the changing life stage,” which can lead to separations, according to Dr. Burrets.

“When partners stop viewing each other as teammates and instead start living parallel lives, the resentment often builds until they reach the empty nest and realize they no longer know how to relate to one another,” she notes.

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Couples Over 50 Fight About Most—It Wasn’t Money

3 Tips To Keep Your Marriage Strong Before the Nest Is Empty

Getty Images

Clearly, the key is to invest in the marriage before children move out, which will ease the transition and keep partners close. Here’s what the experts suggest in order to do this.

1. Plan dates

Both psychologists suggest planning dates, which naturally allow for specific time to be alone and focused on each other.

“Start dating each other again before the kids leave,” Dr. Burrets suggests. “Don’t wait for the ‘free time’ to appear; carve out non-child-focused time now so that your relationship is already the priority when the house is quiet.”

2. Seize other opportunities to spend time together

Date night can’t happen all the time, though, so taking other opportunities to spend time with one another is very important, even if it’s just hanging out together at home without the kids.

“Not every connection has to involve lots of money or even any money,” Dr. Smith says.

3. Don’t take your partner for granted 

Dr. Smith says to remember that even in long relationships, don’t take each other for granted; be grateful for them. 

“Do not take one another for granted or assume that your partner will always be there without you doing your part,” she states. “Remember, this is someone you value and who deserves your time, effort and attention. Show one another appreciation in small ways, and continue to let one another know you matter. Keep actively listening, reflecting and clarifying, as well as working to compromise.”

Related: 9 Things Adult Children Need From Their Parents and Grandparents—but Won’t Ask For, Psychologists Share

Reconnecting in an Empty Nest: A Couple’s Roadmap To Rediscovering Each Other

We now know what the experts suggest couples do before becoming empty nesters, but what about after? 

If you’re feeling a little lost with your relationship after your kids moved out, Dr. Smith’s advice starts with one simple word: “Talk.” 

“That can involve knowing who each other is at this phase of life, what each other needs and wants at this time and then working to meet those needs and wants together,” she continues.

She also suggests regularly “doing something enjoyable” together.

“It can be sharing a meal, leisurely lounging together reading or listening to a book, going for a picnic, volunteering together, going on a walk or chatting over a coffee or tea,” she states. “More involved activities are also helpful, such as going for a day trip together or saving up for a vacation.” 

Married couples may go through phases as their kids move out. As Dr. Smith explains, this can mean anticipation before it happens and uncertainty once it does.

“Aspects of grief can be present,” she shares. “It is important to find ways to maintain connection with the child or children outside of the home without making the child or children your whole life.”

Dr. Burrets offers the following rundown of what couples may experience in the first few months after becoming empty nesters and what they should do to keep their relationship strong during this time: 

Phase

Common Pitfall

Recommended ‘Repair’ Habit

First month

Feeling lost without your children at home.

Focus on “decompressing” and processing the loss/change.

Months 1-6

Not really connecting with your partner, maybe even pulling away.

Focus on re-establishing a shared schedule—finding activities you both enjoy that have nothing to do with children.

6 months+

Taking your spouse for granted and not spending time with them.

Building a new vision for the next chapter of life together.

Becoming empty nesters is, of course, going to bring up a lot of emotions. But with a stable foundation, there’s no need to be scared by the rise in gray divorce. It’s all about continuing to adapt and figure out life together.

“It can be helpful to remember that some of this is developmental in the sense of figuring out how to interact with young adult children, then middle-aged children and so forth along with different phases of life your child or children may go through,” Dr. Smith notes.

Essentially, everyone is continuing to grow together. And for couples, that can even mean becoming stronger. 

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Happy Couples Over 50 Do Right—They All Said the Same Thing

Source:

• Dr. Molly Burrets, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles, CA. She runs a private practice and is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California in the Marriage and Family Therapy program.
• Dr. Brandy Smith, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in Birmingham, AL, who works with mental health provider Thriveworks.
• Loo, J., & Brown, S. L. (2024). Marital status distribution of U.S. adults aged 65 and older, 1990-2022. National Center for Family & Marriage Research (NCFMR).

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Fall decorating doesn’t have to mean covering every surface in your house with pumpkins, leaves, and plaid. Sometimes, one well-placed decoration is enough to make your home feel like the season has arrived — and a wreath on the front door is about as easy as it gets. Put it up when September rolls around, leave it through Halloween, and let it carry you right into Thanksgiving without giving it a second thought.

If your door hanger from last season is looking worse for wear, take a look at the Myecovie Fall Autumn Harvest Wreath at Walmart. It’s currently $24, marked down from $35, which means you can snag it for 31% off. It’s festive enough to immediately give your front door that autumn look, but not so Halloween-specific that you’ll feel like you need to take it down as soon as Oct. 31 passes.

Myecovie Fall Autumn Harvest Wreath, $24 (was $35) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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This wreath packs nearly every signature of the season into one lush, layered arrangement. Small orange pumpkins are tucked throughout the foliage at different heights, while large rust-colored sunflowers add bold focal points with their dark centers and golden-yellow details. Rather than sticking to one type of greenery, the wreath mixes rounded eucalyptus leaves with elongated leaves, delicate fern-like sprigs, berries, and branching stems. The foliage shifts between burnt orange, brick red, burgundy, muted green, and dusty mauve, giving the arrangement depth.

Shoppers said the design doesn’t even need to be “fluffed” thanks to its “full” construction. Leaves and stems extend beyond the circular base in different directions, creating an organic, freshly arranged appearance instead of a perfectly uniform edge. Larger eucalyptus leaves fill in the background, while finer sprigs and smaller leaves peek out between the pumpkins and flowers to create dimension.

At roughly 22 inches in diameter, it’s large enough to make an impact on your front door without overwhelming it. The wreath arrives pre-assembled, so you can hang it right away rather than having to arrange individual stems from scratch. It’s made from fade-resistant artificial materials and can be displayed indoors or in a covered outdoor area, making it a natural choice for a sheltered porch or entryway. You could also hang it above a mantel, over a console table, or on a dining-room wall to create a focal point.

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• Myecovie Fall Maple Leaf Wreath, $18 (was $25) at Walmart
• Yastouay Fall Peony and Pumpkin Wreath, $36 (was $70) at Walmart

And because the design leans heavily into harvest imagery, it has a particularly long decorating window. Put it up as summer winds down, leave it through Thanksgiving, and let the pumpkins and richly colored foliage carry your space through the entire fall season. It’ll deliver plenty of autumn color on its own, but the layered botanical look would also pair nicely with potted mums, pumpkins, lanterns, or dried corn stalks around an entryway.

Fall decorators couldn’t wait to get their hands on this “gorgeous” and “bold” wreath, calling the design “shabby chic” and “rustic.” One shopper wrote, “The colors are very vibrant, and it looks even nicer in person.”

Others praise the decor’s “durable” construction, with another reviewer calling it “weatherproof,” saying it resists “rainy days” and should “hold up for years” to come.

Related: Walmart’s ‘Very Pretty’ $30 Leaf and Pumpkin Wreath Is an Easy Way to Get Ahead on Fall Decor

Fall is calling, and the Myecovie Fall Autumn Harvest Wreath is a simple way to answer. Shop it at Walmart while it’s 31% off and under $25!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

For more than four decades, visiting Dollywood has felt like stepping into the warm, generous embrace of Dolly Parton herself. When she envisioned building a theme park nestled into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, her dream wasn’t just about roller coasters or world-class entertainment—it was about creating a sanctuary where families could leave the worries of the world outside the gate and focus on being together.

Now, Dollywood Parks & Resorts is unveiling a series of thoughtful, permanent additions designed to celebrate the extraordinary life, faith, and enduring values of their beloved Dreamer-in-Chief.

Rather than a single static memorial, the park is introducing a collection of reflective spaces, storytelling installations, and interactive experiences that will weave Dolly’s spirit even deeper into the fabric of the park for generations to come.

As Eugene Naughton, President of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, shared during a press conference: “Many of us had extensive conversations with Dolly through the years about how she would want us to carry her vision forward. Dollywood will always be a place where families find fun, kindness and joy—a place where they can make memories that last a lifetime, just like she would have wanted. We will carry her dreams forward by continuing to grow, welcoming even more guests, and sharing the warmth and hospitality of which she was so proud.”

Related: Dollywood CEO Addresses Park’s Future After Dolly Parton’s Death

View this post on Instagram A Peaceful Mountainside Waterfall and Stained Glass at Robert F. Thomas Chapel

One of the most touching updates centers on the Robert F. Thomas Chapel, an inspirational anchor for Dolly and generations of park visitors.

Just outside the chapel’s front steps, craftsmen will construct a cascading mountainside waterfall. The running mountain water is designed to create an organic, peaceful setting where guests can pause, sit, and take in the natural landscape that inspired so much of Dolly’s songwriting and Appalachian storytelling.

Inside, the chapel will receive newly commissioned stained-glass windows depicting the changing seasons of the Great Smoky Mountains. The artwork is inspired by one of Dolly’s most cherished scripture verses, Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

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

Wildwood Grove Welcomes the ‘Dream Maker’ in 2027

While Dolly’s musical catalog is legendary, few accomplishments meant more to her than founding the Imagination Library. The program has gifted more than 330 million free books to children across the globe, becoming the largest children’s literacy effort in the world.

To honor that legacy, Dollywood will introduce an original character named the Dream Maker to the whimsical Wildwood Grove area in 2027. Traveling through the grove with her colorful Dream Wagon, the Dream Maker will host storytelling circles and interactive moments where kids can share their own hopes, listen to inspiring tales, and discover how lifting others up through courage and kindness brings dreams to life.

Throughout Wildwood Grove, visitors will also find interactive note-sharing kiosks where guests of all ages can leave handwritten messages about how Dolly inspired them to chase their own goals.

Related: Grand Ole Opry Honors Dolly Parton After Country Icon’s Death at 80

New Park Portals and an Off-Property Pilgrimage

Guests visiting the park today can already pause at a memorial garden in the welcome plaza to pay their respects, but more permanent wayfinding is also on the horizon. A grand new entryway portal will soon welcome visitors into The Dolly Parton Experience, providing an elevated gateway to the attraction’s extensive collection of performance costumes, handwritten lyric sheets, and rare family memorabilia.

The tributes will also extend beyond the park gates into Dolly’s hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee. In partnership with the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, a new historical walking trail called “In Dolly’s Footsteps” will debut soon. The route features historic commemorative markers placed at childhood landmarks, church sites, and local storefronts that Dolly and her family frequented, allowing visitors to take a self-guided journey through the roots that shaped one of the world’s most beloved cultural icons.

Whether listening to the rush of mountain water by the chapel steps or watching little ones gather around the Dream Wagon, each addition ensures that the kindness and joy Dolly brought to the Smokies will continue welcoming travelers home.

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

While Bob Dylan is one of the most critically acclaimed lyricists of all time (he even won the Novel Prize in Literature in 2016), not all of his songs were poetic or profound. In fact, some were pretty silly…case in point, “Mighty Quinn.”

Dylan originally recorded the song as “Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)” during The Basement Tapes sessions in 1967 but didn’t initially plan for the track to be released. Eventually, a live version came out on Dylan’s 1970 Self Portrait album as “The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo). But before that happened, the British band Manfred Mann (who had a #1 hit with “Doo Wah Diddy Diddy” in 1964) released “Mighty Quinn” as a single in 1968: First in the U.S., where it peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, then in the U.K., where it went all the way to #1 on the UK Singles Chart.

Years later, Mike D’Abo of Manfred Mann opened up about how the band came to cover “Mighty Quinn.”

“We met in a publisher’s house as Bob Dylan was making some new material available to other artists,” D’Abo said, according to 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh.

“We heard about 10 songs and I thought ‘This Wheel’s On Fire’ would be the one to do, but Manfred [Mann] liked ‘The Mighty Quinn,’ which was called ‘Quinn The Eskimo’ then,” he continued. “It was sung in a rambling monotone but Manfred had recognized its potential. He sold me on the idea of doing this song, but I had to make up some of the words as I couldn’t make out everything he was saying. It was like learning a song phonetically in a foreign language. I have never had the first idea what the song is about except that it seems to be ‘Hey, gang, gather round, something exciting is going to happen ’cause the big man’s coming.’ As to who the big man is and why he is an Eskimo, I don’t know.”

So what is “Mighty Quinn” actually about? Dylan himself apparently referred to the song as a “nursery rhyme,” per the Untold Dylan, though it was also rumored to be inspired by the 1959 Nicholas Ray movie The Savage Innocents, starring Anthony Quinn as an Eskimo named Inuk, as Songfacts reported.

The lyrics definitely do have a nursery rhyme sort of feel to them:

A cat’s meow and a cow’s moo, I can recite ’em all
Just tell me where it hurts yuh, honey
And I’ll tell you who to call
Nobody can get no sleep
There’s someone on ev’ryone’s toes
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Ev’rybody’s gonna wanna doze
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn

Of course, everybody knows a song doesn’t have to make sense to become a classic. While Manfred Mann’s version of “Mighty Quinn” was the most commercially successful, they weren’t the only band to cover this song; the Hollies released their own cover in 1969, and the song became a live staple for both the Grateful Dead and Phish.

Related: 1975 Bob Dylan Hit, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time,’ Took ’10 Years to Live and Two Years to Write’

In a 1993 interview with Keyboard magazine, Manfred Mann (the individual, not the entire band) admitted that the success of “lightweight” songs like “Mighty Quinn” and “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” might have overshadowed the “side of the band that was truly exceptional.”

“Bands like the Stones managed to make their best stuff, in one sense, successful,” explained Mann (who had a massive #1 hit in 1976 with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s “Blinded by the Light”).

“We never quite managed to get the blues stuff to be successful, and I think that is what happened to that memory of the ’60s,” he continued. “I must say I personally don’t bother too much about it. The ’60s isn’t a period I remember with any great affection. I have to be careful about what I say about that time because I have a great respect for the people I worked with in that period, and they’re all very fine musicians, but somehow I don’t think we ever produced the best that we could do on record.”

Fans might disagree with Mann’s assessment of his early hits. After all, it might not have been the band’s “best,” but it was good enough to top the charts.

Related: 1969 Classic Ballad, From Bob Dylan’s Favorite Country-Rock Album, Became a Timeless Breakup Anthem

As travelers continue to look for ways to maximize their vacation budgets without compromising on bucket-list destinations, cruising remains one of the strongest value propositions in travel. Unpacking once while visiting multiple countries, having dining and entertainment built right in, and taking advantage of low deposits make an all-inclusive voyage hard to beat.

MSC Cruises has officially unveiled its full winter 2026/2027 season, spanning 168 destinations across 72 countries. Between the debut of a brand-new flagship, sunny island getaways, and crowd-free European voyages, here are the five standout itineraries I have my eye on for the months ahead.

Related: This Brand-New Mega-Ship Features the Longest Dry Slide at Sea

1. The Quick Long-Weekend Reset to Ocean Cay on MSC Seaside MSC’s new ship, Seaside.

If you need a spontaneous break that won’t burn all your PTO, a short three- or four-night Bahamas sailing out of Miami aboard MSC Seaside is the ultimate quick fix. It’s often cheaper than booking a weekend hotel stay on land, and it takes you straight to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Unlike typical commercialized cruise private islands, Ocean Cay feels like a natural, untouched Bahamian sanctuary with quiet lagoons, ocean-side beaches, and authentic island food trucks. If you book into the MSC Yacht Club, you can head out to private stretches like Ocean House Beach and dine at the Ocean House Restaurant right at the tip of the island for total peace and prime water views.

2. The Western Caribbean Route on MSC World America The vibrant World Promenade on board MSC World America features LED ceilings, boutique shopping, and bustling indoor-outdoor dining.

MSC World America

Having already sailed MSC World America’s Eastern Caribbean run through Puerto Plata and San Juan, the ship’s alternating seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary is the one to book next. Sailing roundtrip from Miami, this route heads toward the vibrant coasts of Mexico, Central America, and Grand Cayman before wrapping up with a stop at Ocean Cay.

Aboard the mega-ship, there is something for every travel style: multigen families have the high-energy Harbour waterpark and Lego kids’ spaces, while adults can retreat to quiet specialty dining, the sprawling Aurea Spa, or the exclusive enclave of the Yacht Club.

Related: The New Megaship Delivering European Style and Big Value for the Whole Family

3. The Northern Europe Festive “Coolcation” on MSC Preziosa

If your dream winter getaway involves storybook medieval towns rather than palm trees, MSC’s seven-night Northern Europe holiday route aboard MSC Preziosa is a festive standout. Sailing between Hamburg, Rotterdam (for Amsterdam), Zeebrugge (for Bruges and Brussels), Le Havre (for Paris), and Southampton (for London), this itinerary lets you experience Europe’s legendary Christmas markets at their peak.

You can sip hot glühwein beneath twinkling lights in Hamburg, stroll along Amsterdam’s illuminated canals, and browse Belgian chocolate shops in Bruges without navigating snowy train platforms with heavy winter luggage.

Related: Why Everyone Is Swapping the Mediterranean for a ‘Coolcation’ Cruise This Summer

4. The Inaugural Mediterranean Season on the New MSC World Asia A close-up night view of the futuristic, illuminated architectural tree structure and top deck promenade aboard the MSC World Asia cruise ship, featuring glowing red and purple LED lights.

MSC Cruises

For travelers who want to be among the very first to sail a brand-new vessel, MSC’s newest flagship, MSC World Asia, makes its official debut on December 4, 2026. The ship will sail seven-night Mediterranean itineraries visiting cultural heavyweights like Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Messina, and Valletta.

The ship introduces design elements inspired by Asian art and landscapes, featuring a dedicated Pan-Asian street food concept, over 40 bars and lounges, and the longest dry slide at sea stretching 266.7 feet. Plus, sailing the Mediterranean in winter means experiencing iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and La Sagrada Família at a relaxed pace without the stifling summer heat or peak-season tourist crowds.

Related: Why Everyone Is Swapping the Mediterranean for a ‘Coolcation’ Cruise This Summer

5. The Slow-Paced Island Escape to Funchal and the Canary Islands on MSC Fantasia Spain, Lanzarote – Playas de Papagayo

MSC Cruises

For an escape that balances slow travel with mild subtropical weather, MSC Fantasia’s seven-night voyage through Madeira and the Canary Islands is an under-the-radar gem. The route calls at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario, Arrecife, Las Palmas, and Funchal.

It’s the perfect antidote to winter blues, offering dramatic volcanic landscapes in Lanzarote, beach strolls along Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas dunes, and the lush, terraced mountain scenery and historic wine cellars of Funchal. It delivers an unhurried, European island-hopping experience at a time of year when everyone else is shivering at home.

Related: The 3 Dreamiest Itineraries I’d Book for MSC’s 40% Off Labor Day Flash Sale

Thirty-six years ago today, George Michael put out an album and then did everything he could to keep his own face off it.

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 landed in the U.K. on Sept. 3, 1990. It went in at No. 1 and then sat in the Top 10 for another 18 weeks. Columbia put it out in the U.S. four days later. That part did not go the same way.

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It Was Never Going to Be Another ‘Faith’

Faith had been a machine. Four different singles off it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Monkey”. So the follow-up could have been more of the same. It wasn’t. Ten tracks, mostly acoustic, and a lot quieter than anything on the record before it.

The songs still worked. Lead single “Praying for Time” went to No. 1 in the U.S., his seventh American chart-topper. It was also the last solo single of his career to get there.

He Left Himself Out of His Own Video

Then came “Freedom! ’90,” and Michael is not in it. He gave the whole video to five models at the height of the supermodel era: Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington, with David Fincher directing. They mouthed his words. He never showed up.

He was at the peak of his fame when he made that call, and already in a fight with his record company.

Then It Went to Court

American sales came in soft, and the argument stopped being about music. In October 1992, Michael sued Sony over an eight-album, 15-year contract he called “professional slavery,” saying it was an unlawful restraint of trade. Justice Jonathan Parker ruled for Sony on June 1, 1994.

He made a record to prove he was not a product. It took four years to find out the contract disagreed.

For almost four decades, The Terminator stood as the only Arnold Schwarzenegger movie to hold a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. Even at 90%, it sits as one of the best sci-fi movies ever made.

Rotten Tomatoes placed it in #52 on the list of 150 most essential sci-fi movies everyone should watch. This is one of those cases where the sequel is “better,” with Terminator 2: Judgment Day ranking in No. 50, but you do need to watch both movies in order to fully appreciate the story.

Setin 1984, Schwazenager’s titular character is sent from the year 2029 to kill Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton. It was a story that came out of a fever dream, and one that Cameron sold the rights for just $1 with the condition that he got to make it.

When speaking about its creation, Cameron said in a 2024 interview, “Terminator was my first film, and it’s near and dear for that reason. But I think I can look at it pretty objectively now as a creature of its time, both in terms of how it sits in the zeitgeist of that moment, and also how it sits in my career as a first effort. I don’t think of it as some holy grail, that’s for sure. I look at it now and there’s parts of it that are pretty cringeworthy, and parts of it that are like, yeah, we did pretty well for the resources we had available.”

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger as Terminator points his gun in a diner during a scene in ‘The Terminator’, 1984. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

On top of that, the role wasn’t originally set to go to the Austrian actor, with the studio wanting O.J. Simpson to take on the role, with Schwarzenegger taking on the role of Kyle Reese, a role he was interested in. James Cameron objected to that, believing that Simpson came across as “too nice,” making him unbelievable as a ruthless killer. It’s hard to imagine what the movie would have been like in the end, especially considering there’s only one we can imagine saying “I’ll be back” now.

Despite the studio backing, the budget was tiny. The idea of making the metal endoskeleton of the cyborg was wild, and instead, plastic, plaster, and styrofoam were all painted and used. Yes, it was a styrofoam head that was crushed during the movie!

For almost four decades, the movie held a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, and then in late 2024, everything changed. The site expanded its database, bringing in legacy archive reviews from the 1980s, leading to older negative reviews making their way into the system. By adding those reviews, it pulled the rating down to 90%.

Coincidentally, this is the same rating that the sequel, Judgment Day, holds. The sequel would see Schwarzenegger’s character become the protagonist, returning from the future to prevent another cyborg from killing the Connor family. So, make sure you make it a full movie night to capture both parts of The Terminator story.

Related: 1993 Liam Neeson Movie, Which Holds a 98% Rotten Tomatoes Score, Named One of the Best Movies of All Time

Which Starbucks drink is your perfect cosmic match? According to birth date numerology and astrology, your perfect cup of joe may be written in the stars.

You might love making your own coffee at home with beans from a local roaster, or you could be someone whose local barista knows your iced tea order by heart. Either way, it’s hard to resist the allure of the custom cafe experience.

From cold foams to creamers, sweeteners to syrups and sauces, dark to light roasts, matcha lattes to tea refreshers, there’s a perfect cup for just about everyone. But which order, specifically at Starbucks, known to be the worldwide mecca of customized cafe drinks, is most reflective of your personality? Look to your birth date for that intel, as it offers intriguing intel on your perspective, strengths, and taste.  

Each Birth Date as a Starbucks Drink

Read on to learn which Starbucks drink best reflects your personality, based on the date you were born.

Born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, or 28th: Cold Brew 

You were born on a date associated with the sun, the luminary that rules self-image, confidence, and purpose in astrology. That said, you’re capable of standing strong in your sense of self, unabashedly direct approach to claiming what you want in life, and self-assured, mirroring the bold, high caffeine, go-getter vibe of Starbucks’ cold brew. Plus, it is so beloved that people regularly buy jugs of it to make their own icy drinks at home. That kind of unflinching adoration is something you, as a devout lover of the spotlight, wouldn’t mind one bit at all.

RELATED: Rush to Starbucks To Join the PSL Society With This Festive Fall Merch Drop

Born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th, or 29th: London Fog Tea Latte

You were born on a day that’s connected to the moon, which rules intuition, instincts, and emotions. In turn, you’re cozy, family-oriented, and likely a bit of a homebody, which goes hand-in-hand with the vibe of the London Fog Tea Latte. Made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and a dash of vanilla syrup, the citrusy, floral, and sweet drink echoes your ethereal, heartfelt nature. It’s a drink that was made for cuddling up on the couch with a luxe, soft blanket on a rainy day—something you probably daydream about when you’re not actually getting to do exactly that.

Born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, or 30th: Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino

As someone whose birth date reduces down to three, a number ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system that oversees abundance, expansion, and good fortune, you believe in going big or going home. This devotion to making the most of every moment by embracing aspects of life that are thoroughly over-the-top feels in line with the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, which incorporates dark caramel sauce, whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, caramel crunch topping, and of course the caffeine that you can expect from any Frappuccino. It’s decadent, theatrical, and capable of serving up a much-needed buzz—just like you.

Born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, or 31st: Iced Matcha

Your birth date reduces down to four, which is associated with Uranus, the planet of futuristic, forward thinking, electricity, and electrifying, sudden change. You love being innovative, striking out on your own, and going against the grain. While you might be into one of the many inventive, brightly-hued refreshers, as well, you’re most like the iced matcha, which stands strong as the clear alternative to coffee for anyone needing a caffeine fix. Whether you add a lavender cold foam, make it a protein matcha, or blend it up with lemonade, matcha is a less conventional order that you can also put your own unique twist on—all of which is very Uranian.

NEWS: Starbucks Is Finally Bringing the Aerocano, a Viral Iced Coffee, to the US This Fall

Born on the 5th, 14th, or 23rd: Iced Shaken Espresso

Because you were born on a day that reduces down to the number five, your numerological planetary ruler is Mercury, the planet of technology, transportation, storytelling, and cerebral energy. In turn, the iced shaken espresso, which is trendy, buzzy, and packs a super high caffeine punch, mirrors your way of moving through the world. You’re also innately adaptable, just like the shaken espresso, which can be made with brown sugar syrup and oat milk, horchata, vanilla protein cold foam, or any other combination that strikes your fancy.  

Born on the 6th, 15th, or 24th: Strawberry Crème Frappuccino 

If you came into the world on one of these dates, you were born with the influence of Venus, the planet of romance, beauty, art, and music. One-on-one bonds, magical romance, balance, pleasure, sweetness, and light are all priorities of yours, which is why the Strawberry Crème Frappuccino feels so in line with your personality. After all, what better, more harmonious combination can you think of than sweet strawberries and luxurious cream? This drink’s lack of caffeine also feels in tune with your desire to be in your own energetic flow versus pushing for forward movement (like someone born on a number that reduces down to 9!).   

YUM!: I Tried Disneyland’s New Halloween Treats—and This One Alone Is Worth the Price of Admission

Born on the 7th, 16th, or 25th: Pink Drink

Your empathic, dreamy personality is informed by the fact that your birth date reduces down to seven, a number aligned with Neptune, the planet named for the God of the Sea that rules mysticism, spirituality, and illusion. The trending, aesthetically-appealing, Instagram-worthy Pink Drink feels like it was inspired by you, given how much of a rose-colored glasses idealist you tend to be. Concocted with a Strawberry Açaí base, coconut milk, and a scoop of freeze-dried strawberries, the iced Pink Drink is imaginative, whimsical, slightly romantic, and a little bit dreamy—much like you, thanks to your Neptunian influence. 

Born on the 8th, 17th, or 26th: Pike Place Roast

Because you were born on a date that boils down to the number eight, you’re industrious, mature, and practical, because this number is associated with Saturn, the planet of boundaries, limitations, and work. A cup of a quality medium roast coffee like Starbucks Pike Place Roast, served hot, mirrors your traditional, dedicated M.O. Named for the company’s oldest storefront, the smooth, balanced medium-roast blend of Latin American beans also reflects your commitment to putting your nose to the grindstone to hit your goals, day in and day out. 

Born on the 9th, 18th, or 27th: Nitro Cold Brew 

If your birth date reduces down to nine, you’re driven, intense, competitive, and bold, as you were born on a day associated with Mars, the planet of energy, sex, and action. Look no further than the extremely caffeinated Nitro Cold Brew as the Starbucks order that best reflects your go-getter nature. With 280 mg of caffeine in a grande, the smooth, bold iced coffee alternative powers you up to go to bat for all of your most passionate aspirations and wildest dreams. Nothing could be more reflective of your ambitious, assertive Mars-fueled style. 

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Life can be unpredictable, but having a backup supply of food on hand can make stressful situations feel a lot more manageable. With Tropical Storm Edouard touching down in the mainland U.S. earlier this week and multiple hurricanes (Lowell and Karina) threatening to impact Hawaii, having a plan in place for natural disasters feels all the more important right now. One of the easiest ways to prepare without overthinking it is with a pre-made emergency food kit.

A great option that’s especially affordable right now is the ReadyWise 120-Serving Emergency Food Supply. It’s currently on sale for 79% off at Walmart, bringing the price down from $330 to just $69. For a kit that includes a wide variety of meals and long-term storage benefits, it’s a surprisingly strong value.

ReadyWise 120-Serving Emergency Food Supply, $69 (was $330) at Walmart 

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

This kit is designed to provide a mix of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beverage options so you’re not stuck eating the same thing repeatedly. Inside, you’ll find items like pancake mix, beans and rice, cereal, soups, pasta dishes, and other hearty meal options.

Each pouch contains between six and 16 servings, which helps make the kit flexible for families, couples, or individuals. Altogether, the bucket provides a total of 120 servings. Since the meals are freeze-dried, they’re lightweight, shelf-stable, and easy to store for long periods of time.

One of the biggest selling points is the shelf life. The food is designed to last up to 25 years when stored properly, and none of it requires refrigeration. That makes it convenient not just for emergencies like hurricanes and wildfires, but also for cabins, RVs, garages, basements, or vacation properties where you want reliable backup supplies on hand.

The meals come packaged inside a sturdy bucket with a carrying handle, making transportation and storage simple. It’s also peanut-free, which is especially helpful for households managing allergies. Instead of having to piece together dozens of separate pantry items, everything is already organized in one compact container.

With more than 150 five-star ratings, shoppers seemed impressed by both the quality and variety. One reviewer shared, “All of the food tastes great! It also contains a variety of foods and my kids love the food, too.”

Another reviewer called it a “great value for the number of servings in the bucket,” writing, “We keep this on hand for extended power outages and other emergency needs. Hearty food is a necessity in difficult times and having this gives me comfort knowing we won’t be hungry.”

While emergency preparedness is the obvious use, this kind of kit can also be surprisingly practical for everyday situations. It works well for camping trips, fishing weekends, backpacking adventures, and long road trips where access to restaurants or grocery stores might be limited. Since the meals are lightweight and easy to prepare, they’re convenient for outdoor use.

It can also act as a low-effort pantry backup at home. Keeping shelf-stable meals around means you’ll always have something available on nights when cooking feels impossible or when your fridge is running low. Because the shelf life is so long, there’s far less pressure to use everything quickly compared to traditional groceries.

Related: Shoppers Say This Freestanding Cabinet Is ‘Great for Bathroom Storage’ and a Stylish Way to Declutter Your Space

If you’re looking for an easy way to stay prepared while saving money, the ReadyWise 120-Serving Emergency Food Supply is worth considering. And with Walmart’s nearly 80% discount, you can save more than $260 on this comprehensive kit right now.

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For some people, supernatural stories about vampires and witches only come around October and Halloween. But for a writer like Anne Rice, those tales were her bread and butter—not just a fall-time thing—making her the well-known Gothic writer she is today. As EBSCO reported, she was “influential” and is known for her Gothic fiction as well as a slew of other stories, ranging from retellings of Catholic Bible stories to erotica. And our quote of the day comes from Franz Kafka‘s influence on Rice, and how Kafka inspired her to be herself and not reject her uniqueness.

Speaking of being unique, Rice came into this world with an unconventional streak right off the bat; she was born on Oct. 4, 1941, with the name Howard Allen O’Brien, after her father, per Britannica. She did, understandably, hate that first name and chose “Anne” on her first day of school in her hometown of New Orleans, LA. Rice came from a family who loved to spin tales; it was a hobby for her father (which rubbed off on Rice and her sisters), and her mother loved to tell stories that involved supernatural and fantastical elements, per EBSCO.

From her upbringing to her place of birth, Rice was surrounded by inspiration to create one of the most well-known vampire novels of all time. According to Britannica, Rice wrote Interview with the Vampire in a little over a month (five weeks), and it was published in 1976. 

Her experience with grief and death also influenced her writing; Rice’s mother died when she was a young teenager, and her daughter, Michele, died of leukemia at only five years old, which inspired the character of Claudia, a child who becomes a vampire and gains eternal life. As Rice told The New York Times in 1988, the story wasn’t make-believe for her: “For the first time, I was able to describe my reality, the dark, gothic influence on my childhood… My childhood came to life for me.”

This well-known book went on to become a best-selling series called the Vampire Chronicles, which consisted of 13 books. Famously, the first novel inspired the 1994 Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt film of the same name, as well as the AMC series. Rice died in 2021, but her legacy still lives on today.

Related: Quote of the Day: James Baldwin’s Timeless Advice for Confronting Life’s Challenges—’Not Everything That Is Faced Can Be Changed…’

Quote of the Day by Anne Rice

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“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”

This statement was written by Anne Rice in the foreword she penned for a 1995 collection of Franz Kafka’s stories that included The Metamorphosis and In the Penal Colony.

Throughout the foreword, Rice wrote about how Kafka’s surreal, out-there, sometimes-nightmarish stories inspired her. In the paragraph in which she writes this line, she calls the German-language Czech writer a “model” for her and “a continuing inspiration.” She said:

“Not only did he exhibit an irrepressible originality—who else would think of things like this!—he seemed to say that only in one’s most personal language can the crucial tales of a writer be told. Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly. Only if you do that can you hope to make the reader feel a particle of what you, the writer, have known and feel compelled to share.”

As Quote Investigator reported, many people misattribute this quote to Kafka. It’s most likely due to where it originated and also because Rice is detailing a concept or idea that was shaped by Kafka’s writing.

Related: Quote of the Day: Roman Poet Ovid on the Power of Determination and Perseverance in Life

Deeper Meaning of Anne Rice’s Quote—Embrace Your Uniqueness

Vampire novels aren’t new, and Anne Rice didn’t invent them. However, it does take a lot of imagination and a desire to be true to writing something a little weird in order to create something as good and groundbreaking as Interview with the Vampire. Becoming a Gothic writer in the ‘70s is no small feat, nor is it conventional, so it makes sense that Rice was inspired by Kafka’s strong sense of his visionary talent and resolve in his uniqueness.

As Rice says, Kafka’s work showed he didn’t care about conformity or what was “normal”; he forged his own path, even inspiring his own adjective based on his stories. He also died relatively unknown in 1924, with a lot of his work published after the fact. So he was writing for himself and doing it because he was passionate, not for fame or fortune. Rice’s quote is a sentiment to what she took from his life and work: don’t conform, your writing doesn’t need to “make sense” and don’t let others shrink you down.

Taking the quote at face value without the Kafka influence, Rice is still urging readers to be themselves. Don’t “water” yourself down to be more digestible to others. Don’t make yourself fit into some box society has carved out for you so you’re more palatable. Don’t ever allow yourself to contort into something you’re not, just for societal consumption. 

She says to “follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly,” meaning to be unabashedly you. Love what you love, even if it’s not “cool” or popular. Be into your niche—maybe weird—hyperfixations, hobbies or likes. When you are entirely yourself, living and creating authentically, you rid yourself of the burden of caring what others think, and it frees you up for immense joy and happiness. All the things you can do and make when you’re free are endless. 

Related: Quote of the Day: ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ Author L. Frank Baum on the Power of Learning

More Quotes from Anne Rice

• “To really ask is to open the door to the whirlwind. The answer may annihilate the question and the questioner.”
• “I’d thought I knew what beauty was in women; but she’d surpassed all the language I had for it.”
• “We all suffer under a curse, the curse that we know more than we can endure, and there is nothing, absolutely nothing we can do about the force and the lure of this knowledge.”
• “There is one purpose to life and one only: to bear witness to and understand as much as possible of the complexity of the world- its beauty, its mysteries, its riddles.”
• “You reach deep down and bring up what feels absolutely authentic to you as you move along with the book, but you don’t know everything about it. You can’t.”
• “To really ask is to open the door to the whirlwind. The answer may annihilate the question and the questioner.”
• “None of us really changes over time. We only become more fully what we are.”
• “Evil is always possible. And goodness is eternally difficult.”

Up Next:

Related: Quote of the Day: Shakespeare’s Powerful Advice for Living up to Your Potential—‘Be Not Afraid of Greatness…’

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Fall may mean cooler temperatures and changing leaves, but it also brings plenty of unpredictable weather. Hurricanes and tropical storms can continue through November, bringing heavy rain, high winds, flooding, and power outages. The best time to think about storm preparation is before the forecast gives you a reason to, stashing a supply pack somewhere easy to reach so you won’t have to make a last-minute trip to the store or dig through cabinets. 

Ahead of storm season, Amazon is knocking 31% off the Ready America 72-Hour Emergency Kit, bringing the usual $36 price down to $25. It’s an inexpensive way to make sure you’re not caught completely off guard when severe weather strikes.

Ready America 72-Hour Emergency Kit, $25 (was $36) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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At the center of the 72-hour emergency kit are some of the most basic necessities: food and water. It includes a 2,400-calorie emergency ration food bar, along with six sealed 4.25-ounce water pouches, each with a five-year shelf life. The kit also includes several pieces of gear designed to provide basic protection when conditions outside aren’t ideal. An emergency blanket and poncho can help provide coverage from cold, wind, and rain, while a pair of nitrile gloves can protect your hands when you’re dealing with debris. 

For minor injuries, there’s an 18-piece first aid kit with essential supplies for basic care. The included safety whistle adds another layer of preparedness, giving you a simple way to signal for help or communicate if visibility is limited. There’s also an emergency lightstick that provides up to 12 hours of light, which can be especially useful during a blackout or other low-light situation. 

All of those supplies come packed inside a lightweight, bright-red backpack, making the kit easy to spot and grab quickly. The backpack keeps everything together so you shouldn’t have to gather individual supplies when time matters, and its compact design makes it suitable for keeping at home, in a car, or at the office.

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• Ready America Emergency 2-Person 3-Day Survival Backpack, $39 (was $55) at Amazon
• Ready America Deluxe 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Backpack, $83 (was $110) at Amazon
• Autodeco Car Roadside Emergency Kit, $25 (was $32) at Amazon

The kit is designed for one person and is intended for a range of situations, including hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, severe weather, and power outages. If you’re preparing for a household with multiple people, keep in mind that one backpack isn’t meant to supply everyone; you’ll want to order one kit for each person in your family so everyone has their own food, water, and emergency essentials ready to go.

Amazon shoppers were “thoroughly impressed” with this kit’s “all-inclusive” stock, calling it “a must-have for every household.” One reviewer wrote, “This comprehensive emergency kit is nothing short of a peace-of-mind package.”

Related: Walmart’s ‘Durable’  Tent Is a Fall Camping Upgrade With Space for 10 People, and It’s $100 Off

As one reviewer summed it up: “Whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, or any other unexpected event, the Ready America 72-Hour Emergency Kit ensures that each member of your family has the essentials to weather the storm.” Shop it for 31% off at Amazon!

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The 2024 limited series One Day has been ranked the No. 1 most heartbreaking Netflix show of all time, putting the British romantic drama above eight other emotionally heavy series on the streaming platform.

Based on David Nicholls’ acclaimed 2009 novel, One Day follows Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew as their lives continue to cross over nearly two decades. Played by Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall, the pair begin as friends after meeting at their university graduation and continue to find their way back to each other at different points in their lives.

Collider places One Day at the top because of its story about love, friendship, missed chances, grief and the unpredictable turns of life. The series was described as an emotionally weighty and realistic portrayal of love, with its story eventually becoming a deeply painful watch.

One Day is built around a simple idea. Emma and Dexter meet on July 15, 1988, after graduating from the University of Edinburgh. Each episode then returns to the same date in another year, allowing viewers to see how their friendship, careers, relationships and personal struggles change over time.

The 14-episode limited series follows the pair from their younger years into adulthood. Dexter comes from a privileged family and becomes a television presenter, while Emma works toward becoming a writer after spending time as a teacher.

They become close friends, drift apart, reconnect and face new problems as they grow older. Their feelings for each other remain an important part of the story even when their lives take different paths.

The Guardian praised the format for turning the 20-year love story into 14 episodes, with each installment showing another stage of Emma and Dexter’s lives. The review described the series as a story about the “poetry of day-to-day life and the power of nostalgia.”

That structure also gives the characters room to grow. Variety described the series as a story about friendship, grief and expectations, while noting how the show explores the painful parts of being a young adult. Family members die, careers change, friendships are tested and romantic relationships become more complicated.

The series also spends time showing the mistakes made by both main characters. Dexter’s confidence and privileged background affect the way he treats people around him, while Emma struggles when her plans for her life do not happen as expected.

Rather than making their journey a simple fairy tale, One Day shows how people can change over time and how decisions can affect relationships years later.

The performances from Mod and Woodall were also important to the series’ reception. Roger Ebert’s review praised the two leads, describing Woodall as “perfectly cast” and Mod as “winningly” portraying Emma.

The review also noted that the series gives viewers more time with Emma and Dexter than the 2011 movie adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. That longer format allows the audience to see the characters as they grow, make mistakes and deal with the consequences of their choices.

Although One Day is often described as a romantic drama, its story is also centered on friendship. Emma and Dexter do not simply spend the series trying to become a couple. 

The series premiered on Netflix on Feb. 8, 2024. It was also reported as the most-watched series globally during the week of Feb. 12, with 9.9 million views.

Its emotional impact is closely tied to the way the story handles loss. Without relying only on romance, One Day shows how quickly life can change and how people may not get the future they expect.

Related: 2022 Amazon Prime TV Series Ranked ‘Greatest Show’ With Less Than 20 Episodes

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Perfecting your capsule wardrobe is a must — especially when layering in the fall and winter months becomes a necessity. Your staple wardrobe should include pieces that you can consistently turn to so that you don’t have to sweat over what to wear each morning. One of our favorite styles that you can easily mix and match are Henley shirts, and luckily, Walmart is selling the Ronuti Henley Blouse for nearly 50% off.

The blouse initially cost $29, but has been marked down to just $15 during a flash deal. The bestselling shirt is available in four colors and patterns: black, blue, plaid, and bohemian (a fun multicolored option). We particularly love the plaid offering, which includes brown, white, black, and gray hues that provide the perfect blueprint for a fall outfit. Just pair it with jeans, a roomy tote bag, and boots, and you’ll be ready for the season. 

Ronuti Henley Blouse, $15 (was $29) at Walmart

Courtesy of Wlamart

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The available sizes range from medium to 3XL, with shoppers saying that it’s true to size. One customer added that the top is “stretchy and has enough room” to easily layer shirts underneath when it gets colder. If you’re really looking for that trendy oversized look though, you always have the option to size up. The style is made from polyester that reviewers described as “thick,” “super soft,” and similar to fleece. 

Ronuti Henley Blouse, $15 (was $29) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The top features the classic Henley button-down neckline with cuffed sleeves and a cut that falls below the waist. The styling options are practically endless. Shoppers said the blouse helps them “stay warm” and pairs particularly well with a fall coat, like a short wool-blend coat or a fashionable barn jacket. One customer even wrote that you can pull up the long sleeves and fold them over for added style. Other reviewers described the cozy shirt as “comfortable,” “great-quality,” and “very pretty.” At just $15, you can even purchase the top in a few colors to rotate through during the week without breaking the bank. 

Another bonus? Maintenance is easy. The top can go in the washing machine, or you can hand wash it in cold water. It “washed and dried beautifully, like more expensive tops,” one shopper wrote.

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• Clarks Cloudsteppers Solevana Knit Sneakers, $56 (was $70) at Walmart
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If you’re as eager to go apple-picking as we are, then investing in this fall-ready Henley shirt is a no-brainer. The crewneck top will easily become a go-to in your wardrobe for years to come. Make sure to add the shirt to your Walmart cart while it’s just $15! 

Related: Walmart’s $80 Wood-Burning Fire Pit Makes Chilly Fall Nights So Much More Inviting

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To solve today’s NYT Connections Sports Edition puzzle, you’ll be exploring everything from pre-kickoff activities and West Coast venues to Florida college players and destinations connected to places of government.

Get excited—there’s another New York Times game to add to your daily routine! Those of us word game addicts who already play Wordle, Connections, Strands and the Mini Crossword now have Connections Sports Edition to add to the mix.

So, if you’re looking for some hints and answers for today’s Connections Sports Edition on Thursday, September 3, 2026, you’ve come to the right place.

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Today’s NYT Connections Sports Puzzle for Thursday, September 3, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

What Is Connections Sports Edition?

Connections Sports Edition is just like the regular Connections word puzzle, in that it’s a game that resets at 12 a.m. EST each day and has 16 different words listed. It’s up to you to figure out each group of four words that belong to a certain category, with four categories in total.

This new version is sports-specific, however, as a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic.

As the NYT site instructs, for Connections Sports Edition, you “group sports terms that share a common thread.”

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Hints for Today’s Connections Sports Edition Categories on September 3, 2026

Here are some hints about the four categories to help you figure out the word groupings.

• Yellow: Are you ready for some football?
• Green: Golden State places.
• Blue: Hurricanes.
• Purple: Olympia Dukakis would be another one.

Here Are Today’s Connections Sports Edition Categories

OK, time for a second hint…we’ll give you the actual categories now. Spoilers below!

• Yellow: EVENTS BEFORE A FOOTBALL KICKOFF
• Green: CALIFORNIA SPORTING VENUES
• Blue: MIAMI (FL) ALUMNI
• Purple: STARTS WITH A STATE CAPITAL

If you’re looking for the answers, no worries—we’ve got them below. So, don’t scroll any further if you don’t want to see the solutions!

The answers to today’s Connections Sports Edition #710 are coming up next.

Related: 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day

What Are the Answers to Connections Sports Edition Today?

• EVENTS BEFORE A FOOTBALL KICKOFF: COIN TOSS, NATIONAL ANTHEM, TEAM ARRIVALS, WARMUPS
• CALIFORNIA SPORTING VENUES: INTUIT DOME, LEVI’S STADIUM, PEBBLE BEACH, TORREY PINES
• MIAMI (FL) ALUMNI: DEVIN HESTER, ED REED, REGGIE WAYNE, VINNY TESTAVERDE
• STARTS WITH A STATE CAPITAL: AUGUSTA NATIONAL, AUSTIN REAVES, MADISON KEYS, PIERRE GARÇON

Don’t worry if you didn’t get them this time—we’ve all been there.

Up next, catch up on the answers to recent Wordle puzzles.

Related: NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Wednesday, September 2, 2026