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Lamps do a lot more than simply brighten a room these days. The best designs also act as decor, helping define the style and atmosphere of a space. Even better are options that let you adjust the lighting to suit different situations, since reading a book, hosting friends, and winding down for the night all call for different levels of brightness. When you find a lamp that delivers on style, function, and value, it's worth paying attention to.

One standout option is the Wio Mio Industrial Glass Shade Floor Lamp. Right now, it's on sale for up to 40% off on Amazon, bringing the price down from $50 to just $30. For a statement-making floor lamp with customizable lighting features, that's a hard deal to ignore.

Wio Mio Industrial Glass Shade Floor Lamp, From $30 (was $50) at Amazon

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Standing 66 inches tall with a 14-inch-deep by 10-inch-wide footprint, this lamp offers a substantial presence without taking over your space. It features a reinforced base designed for added stability, making it a smart choice for homes with kids, pets, or high-traffic areas. The sturdy construction helps prevent accidental tipping while maintaining a sleek, streamlined look.

The lamp is available in four finishes — black, nickel, bronze, and gold — making it easy to coordinate with a variety of decor styles. Its metal frame is paired with a clear glass shade that creates a clean, airy look while allowing the light to shine through beautifully. The design strikes a nice balance between industrial, farmhouse, and modern minimalist aesthetics.

The upgraded glass shade isn't just stylish; it also helps create a warm, inviting glow. The transparent finish softens the light without dulling it, making the lamp equally suited for living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, or reading corners. It's an easy way to add both ambiance and visual interest to a room.

Convenience is another major highlight. The lamp includes both a remote control and a foot pedal switch, giving you multiple ways to operate it. Use the remote from the couch or bed when you don't want to get up, or simply tap the foot switch when you're walking into the room. It's a practical feature that makes everyday use feel effortless.

The included smart LED bulb is fully dimmable and highly customizable. You can adjust brightness from 5% to 100% and choose a color temperature anywhere between 3000K and 6000K. Whether you're looking for warm lighting while relaxing, bright light for reading, or something in between for movie night, it's easy to find the perfect setting.

One reviewer highlighted the “sturdy” and “well-made” construction, sharing, “The glass shade gives it a modern, elegant look, and the adjustable brightness is perfect for creating the right ambiance. I love the convenience of the remote; it makes dimming or turning the light on and off effortless.”

Another shopper described it as “beautiful,” writing, “I have been wanting a farmhouse style or industrial floor lamp for a while now and this lamp completely checked every box for me! It’s the perfect height and I love that it has adjustable brightness for the perfect light setting.”

Related: Amazon's $22 Solar Elephant Statue Adds an 'Adorable' Whimsical Touch to Patios and Gardens

For a stylish, versatile floor lamp that won't break the bank, the Wio Mio Industrial Glass Shade Floor Lamp is a great pick. And with Amazon's current 40% discount, you can save $20 on this popular piece right now.

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If you're looking for an excuse to get your heart rate pumping and scream at the top of your lungs, mark your calendar for Sunday, August 16. National Roller Coaster Day is officially around the corner, and theme parks across the country are gearing up to celebrate the thrills, hairpin turns, and mega-drops that make coasters an iconic American summer tradition.

Enchanted Parks—which operates a creative collection of 39 coasters nationwide, ranging from classic wooden out-and-back tracks to high-flying steel hypercoasters—has just revealed its full lineup of special events, giveaways, and exclusive ride times for the big day.

“National Roller Coaster Day celebrates the rides that bring people together — through every twist, turn, climb and drop,” said Franceen Gonzales, chief operating officer of Enchanted Parks. “Our coasters create shared excitement that guests remember long after the train returns to the station.”

Whether you're an absolute coaster enthusiast or planning a family weekend outing, here is what is happening at local parks on August 16:

Related: Six Flags Is Replacing Its Legendary 456-Foot Coaster With Something Even Bigger

Special Events & Perks by Park

• Great Escape (Queensbury, NY): Season passholders can jumpstart the fun with exclusive morning ride time on The Bobcat from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by early splash time on Raging River from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Plus, all park guests can grab one-day discounts on The Bobcat ride photos and collectible nano coaster models.
• Six Flags St. Louis (Eureka, MO): If you love riding in the dark, Six Flags St. Louis is keeping its entire coaster lineup open exclusively from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. for night rides under the stars. The evening includes live DJ entertainment from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and chances to win retro coaster merch.
• Michigan’s Adventure (Muskegon, MI): The first 500 riders to take on the massive Shivering Timbers wooden coaster will score a free commemorative pin.
• Valleyfair (Shakopee, MN): Early birds get early access! All park guests can enter an hour early for exclusive ride time on Wild Thing from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., with the first 500 riders receiving a free commemorative pin.
• Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, MO): Throughout the morning (from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), ride operators will randomly surprise lucky guests right on the coaster loading platforms with free single-day Fast Lane passes.
• Water Safari (Old Forge, NY): Celebrating its newest—and very first—roller coaster, Paul Bunyan’s Log Haul, the park is handing out free commemorative stickers to the first 500 riders.

Related: This Amusement Park Just Ranked No. 1 for Daredevils, According to a New Study

How to Save on Admission

All National Roller Coaster Day activities and giveaways are included with standard park admission.

If you are traveling with a group, you can take advantage of the Enchanted Parks Family Fun Pack deal. Priced at $59 per person on weekends, the bundle covers four park tickets, four meals, four single-day souvenir refillable cups, and group parking.

For park-specific schedules and ticket details, head directly to your local park's website or check out Enchantedparks.com.

Related: Busch Gardens Says Goodbye to Iconic Coaster After 33 Years

Parents who use SNOO products may want to check the size of their baby's sleep sack.

Happiest Baby announced a voluntary recallThursday, Aug. 7, for its extra-small (XS) and extra-large (XL) SNOO Sacks after the company was informed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that those two sizes required FDA premarket authorization.

The company is asking customers to discontinue use and discard any XS or XL SNOO Sacks they have.

The recall does not include the SNOO Smart Sleeper or the small, medium and large SNOO Sacks, which received FDA De Novo authorization in 2023. It also does not affect Sleepea swaddle sacks, including the XS and XL sizes, because those products are designed for use outside of a SNOO.

Why Are the XS and XL SNOO Sacks Being Recalled?

According to Happiest Baby, the XS and XL SNOO Sacks were introduced after the company's original FDA De Novo submission and therefore were not included in that review.

The sizes also differ from the FDA-authorized versions. The XS SNOO Sack is ¾ inch narrower and 2 inches shorter than the authorized small size, while the XL SNOO Sack is ½ inch wider and 3 inches longer than the authorized large size.

The FDA told Happiest Baby that those differences could result in a fit that is either too loose or too tight.

Happiest Baby said it has not received any reports of injuries related to the use of the XS or XL SNOO Sacks.

What Should Customers Do?

Anyone who purchased an XS or XL SNOO Sack in the U.S. through Happiest Baby's website can apply for a refund or exchange for a small, medium or large SNOO Sack through the company's support page.

Customers who purchased an XL SNOO Sack through Amazon should contact Amazon directly at 888-280-4331, according to the recall announcement.

Parents with questions can also contact Happiest Baby's Customer Care team through the company's help center.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that parents regularly check for recalls involving infant products and follow safe-sleep guidance. The agency advises placing babies on their backs and keeping cribs, bassinets and other approved sleep spaces free of loose blankets, pillows and other soft objects.

For families using a SNOO, the important takeaway is that this recall is limited to the XS and XL SNOO Sacks. The SNOO Smart Sleeper and small, medium and large SNOO Sacks are not part of this recall.

RELATED: Jamba Launches New Summer Smoothie With Chance to Win Costa Rica Trip

In 1974, a Sheffield schoolboy named Joe Elliott heard Queen's Sheer Heart Attack for the first time. He was 15. He'd later tell Classic Rock that "Now I'm Here" from that album is "still one of the best rock songs ever written." He loved it so much that when Freddie Mercury died in 1991, he performed it alongside Brian May at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in front of 72,000 people. The Sheffield schoolboy had grown up to front Def Leppard. The song had traveled with him the whole way. Joe Elliott turned 67 last week. He first heard "Now I'm Here" at 15. The song's been with him for 52 years.

There's a reason "Now I'm Here" hit Elliott harder than anything else on that album. Brian May wrote it while recovering from hepatitis in the hospital after Queen's 1974 US tour supporting Mott the Hoople. Buried right there in the lyric is the line that brings it all together: "Down in the city, just Hoople and me."

Elliott didn't just love Queen. He loved Mott the Hoople too. Their album Mott was on his list of life-changing records right alongside Sheer Heart Attack. The song he fell in love with in 1974 was, literally, written about his two favorite bands. Queen and Mott the Hoople had just toured America together that year. May was writing from life. The lyric wasn't a metaphor. It was a memory. He just didn't know it yet.

Related: Freddie Mercury’s Alleged Daughter Just Died at 48 - She Had His 17 Secret Journals

Sheffield 1974 wasn't the most obvious place to become a hard core rocker. It was industrial northern England. But in those days, as Elliott later recalled, you bought records because the cover looked cool and hoped the music matched the sleeve. Sheer Heart Attack matched. Then some. He described the album as sounding like "four different bands on one record with four different personalities making the music."

Two years later in 1976, Elliot formed Def Leppard in Sheffield with a group of teenagers. The band that'd produce Hysteria in 1987 and conquer both sides of the Atlantic was built partly on what Elliott heard in 1974. This past June, Def Leppard played an emotional homecoming concert in Sheffield. The schoolboy came back.

The Song That Traveled From Sheffield to Wembley

On April 20, 1992, Joe Elliott stood on the Wembley Stadium stage and sang "Now I'm Here" with Brian May. Freddie Mercury had died five months earlier. Seventy-two thousand people were in the stadium. An estimated billion viewers in 76 countries watched on television. Def Leppard had their own reasons to be on that stage: guitarist Steve Clark had died just ten months before Mercury on January 8 1991.

Two bands grieving at the same time on the same stage performing a song one of them had loved since they were 15. The Sheffield schoolboy who'd fallen in love with the song at 15 was now performing it at the biggest tribute concert in rock history with its composer. That live performance was later released as the B-side to Def Leppard's single "Tonight."

Elliott's Classic Rock description of Sheer Heart Attack is one of the most exact things any musician's ever said about another band's record. "It was very varied, very Queen in the sense of setting a standard that they then had to follow. It wasn't like an AC/DC record where you get ten songs that are very similar. This could have been four different bands on one record with four different personalities making the music." He's describing what he wanted to make. Def Leppard at their best — from Pyromania to Hysteria to Adrenalize — sounds like precisely that. Multiple personalities. Multiple registers. Nothing quite like anything else. The blueprint was Sheer Heart Attack. The foundation was "Now I'm Here."

Def Leppard are currently working on a new album due out in 2027. The band that started in Sheffield in 1976, partly inspired by Queen's eclecticism, is still making and playing music for beloved fans 50 years later. Elliott's instincts haven't changed.

Joe Elliott bought a Queen album in Sheffield in 1974 just because the cover looked cool. The music was better than he could've imagined. Inspired partly by what he heard, he started a band two years later. He performed his favorite song from that album at Wembley Stadium in 1992 alongside the man who wrote it. This year Def Leppard played Sheffield. The schoolboy came home.

The song was always with him.

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Released in June 1991, “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Bryan Adams is a power ballad that became a global phenomenon.

Originally written for the Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, it was the lead single on the film's soundtrack, ultimately featured in the credits of the film, with the instrumental woven throughout the movie’s score.

Still, the sweeping love song, dubbed the "song of the summer" that year, quickly took on a life of its own.

The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States for seven consecutive weeks, a record at the time, becoming the longest-running number one since 1983.

Its international performance was even more impressive, as it reached No. 1 in at least 19 countries.

In the United Kingdom, the track dominated the charts, spending a record-breaking 16 weeks at No. 1, making it one of the longest runs in chart history, a record that still holds 35 years later.

It took home an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, losing out to the title song from Beauty and the Beast, but earned the Grammy for Best Song Written specifically for a Motion Picture or Television in 1992.

The song, which went on to become one of the best-selling singles of the ’90s, selling 15 million copies worldwide, also became Adams’ most successful, helping propel his sixth studio album Waking Up the Neighbours to massive commercial heights.

The tune, with emotional lyrics and a slow-building arrangement, has become a staple for weddings, romantic film scenes, and playlists, both then and now. 

“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” has also consistently ranked among the best love songs of the decade.

Billboard ranked it the number-one pop song for 1991. It came in at No. 2 on Smooth Radio’s list of the "greatest love songs of the '90s," with the outlet writing, “You can't argue with 16 weeks at number one, which is still the record for consecutive weeks at the top to this day.”

It continued, “People may have got sick of this power ballad at the time, but it perfectly summed up the kind of love songs we loved back in the early 1990s.”

It was edged out only by Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose.”

Adams previously told Songwriter Universe that he wrote the song with producer Robert 'Mutt' Lange, noting, "Writing 'Everything I Do' with Mutt took about 45 minutes and it was a moment that I've only felt a few times - it's the moment when you know it's a good song, you don't know if it's a hit, you just know it's good."

Smooth Radio reports that composer Michael Kamen wanted the song to come from the perspective of Maid Marian rather than Robin Hood, but the version was reportedly “too bland," getting turned down by Kate Bush and Annie Lennox.

In 2026, it even passed the billion views mark on YouTube.

The final version went on to make history, as three decades later, and despite the evolving music landscape, the universal message of devotion continues to resonate with new generations of listeners.

One of Bob Dylan's most bittersweet songs was once covered by none other than Miley Cyrus.

Just 19 years old at the time, Cyrus released a version of Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" in 2012, introducing an entirely new generation of fans to the masterpiece that is Dylan's songwriting.

Cyrus recorded the 1975 Dylan hit for the 2012 charity compilation album, Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International, which features 76 covers from a wide array of different artists.

Cyrus' version of "Lonesome When You Go" was just one of the artists who delivered impressive renditions of some of Dylan's most beloved songs, along other music legends like Patti Smith, Carly Simon, Elvis Costello, Adele, Johnny Cash, Sinéad O'Connor and so many more.

For Cyrus, who teamed up with the musician Johnzo West for her rendition of "Lonesome When You Go," she said that she grew up listening to Dylan, thanks to the music taste of her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.

"My dad always played Bob Dylan, but it wasn't until two or three years ago I got the respect I have for him now," Cyrus said in a behind-the-scenes clip from her recording of the song. "I was going through a bunch of stuff and I listened to his album over and over and over again."

Cyrus was of course referring to Dylan's iconic Blood on the Tracks album, which hosts some of the folk legend's other classics like "Tangled Up in Blue," "Idiot Wind," "Simple Twist of Fate," and many, many more. The album came out in released in January 1975, with "Lonesome When You Go" as the fifth song on the tracklist.

Cyrus said she had a particular connection to the song once she was able to relate to Dylan's powerful lyrics and vivid descriptions of loneliness. "I think the worst feeling in the world is feeling alone, and when you hear an artist sing a song and you know that they feel the same way you do, it's really inspiring," the "Flowers" singer said at the time.

Related: 1976 Folk-Rock Ballad, Nearly 6 Minutes Long, Remains a Haunting Classic 50 Years Later

For fans who watched the Brown family of TLC's Sister Wives navigate the ups and downs of polygamy, the public version of their lives didn't always match what went on when the cameras stopped rolling.

Now, one of the show's stars is pulling back the curtain on the quiet reality inside her mother's marriage. They're offering a rare, unfiltered look at the private struggles and hidden dynamics that defined their household while the world was watching.

In an Instagram post, Madison Brown Brush shared a video where she spoke of breaking generational patterns within her family. "Nobody throws you a party for breaking a generational pattern," the clip began. It concluded with, "But I'm going to be hear clapping anyway."

Fans shared their thoughts about Brush's remarks. Their commentary led the reality television star to further explain herself in her responses.

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One fan wrote, "Her mom [Janelle] and Christine have been open on both TV and online that huge mistakes WERE made, and they have apologized and made amends to their kids. The other parents involved have not acknowledged their share of fault and/or blame. Just my thoughts."

The TLC star clarified her statement further. "I don’t know how you could possibly know that, considering I don’t believe you’ve ever had a conversation with my mom about it. I have, many times, and it’s something we’ve discussed openly. I think I have a better understanding of where she stands than a stranger on the internet."

She continued, "I also can’t help but wonder how different my mom’s marriage might have been if, on the rare occasions she stood up for herself, someone had encouraged her instead of belittling or berating her into staying quiet. So no, I won’t stop sharing my experiences. There are people who grew up like I did, and they deserve to know they aren’t alone. They deserve encouragement, not silence."

Brush's response was also shared on Reddit, where other fans shared commentary.

"The lack of sympathy for the kids (who are now adults) is wild to me. They should be able to share their experiences and feelings about how they grew up. Silencing them doesn’t help the people currently living through the same situation or the people trying to heal from that past," penned one follower.

A second viewer wrote, "These wives made lots of TLC dollars talking about how the Brown family wasn't like THOSE polygamist families; they were independent as women blah blah blah. If they would have stuck together, they could have tried to hold Kody's feet to the fire about how he treated them. Instead they competed with each other and way more children than they could afford in order to try to be top wife.  And then it all fell apart."

Madison Brown Brush appears on Sister Wives alongside her mother, Janelle, father Kody, and spiritual mothers Meri and Robyn Brown. Further details about Season 21 have yet to be announced.

Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" has quietly become the defining song of her entire catalog, and this week, on what would have been her 63rd birthday, it's proving that all over again.

Released in 1987 when Houston was just 23 years old, the song became her fourth consecutive No. 1 hit and her first platinum single in the U.S. Nearly four decades later, it's now doing something none of her other songs have: anchoring a wave of new milestones tied directly to her legacy.

A Streaming Record Unlike Any Other

The song has surpassed 1.7 billion streams on Spotify, making it not just Houston's most-streamed track, but one of the most-streamed songs by any artist on the platform. It's a distinction none of her other hits, including fan favorites like "I Will Always Love You," have reached.

A First-Ever Barbie

This weekend, Mattel released Houston's first-ever Barbie doll, modeled directly after her look in the "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" music video, curls, colorful styling and all. Pat Houston, executor of Houston's estate and her sister-in-law, said the idea for the doll actually dates back more than 20 years, to conversations she and Whitney once had long before it ever became reality.

A New Album Built Around Her No. 1s

The song also anchors WH1TNEY, a new compilation released Friday that gathers all 11 of Houston's Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles into one collection. Pat Houston called putting the project together "a no-brainer," saying the songs were more than chart hits, they were the soundtrack to millions of lives.

The Theme of Her Own Tribute

The song also served as the title theme for the fifth annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love gala, held August 8th, with 13-time Grammy winner Babyface as the headline performer.

Taken together, the timing is hard to ignore. Nearly 40 years after its release, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" isn't just a song people remember, it's the one still doing the most work to keep Houston's legacy alive.

When the Bay City Rollers dropped "Yesterday’s Hero" back in the summer of 1976, it felt like Rollermania would last forever.

Fresh off a string of global hits, the Scottish band paid homage to the George Young and Harry Vanda track by turning it into a heavy-hitting anthem built for packed arenas. But underneath all that driving beat and crowd noise was a weird piece of irony.

The lyrics practically screamed about how fast pop fame disappears, literally asking, "Haven't I seen your face before?" For five guys sitting at the top of the music world, the song wasn't just a hit. It was a spot-on warning about how fast their own reign was about to crumble.

"Yesterday's Hero" was the second-lowest-charting Rollers song in the United States, per Billboard. It peaked at No. 54 in January 1977.

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Australian pop singer John Paul Young first recorded the song in February 1975, but when the Bay City Rollers put their own spin on it a year later, the track took on a much heavier meaning. The Scottish teen idols were riding a massive wave of global stardom. However, Les McKeown, Alan and Derek Longmuir,  Eric Faulkner, and Stuart “Woody” Wood (later adding Ian Mitchell) chose to record a song that explicitly warned how fast the public moves on to the next big thing for their LP Dedication.

The song includes prophetic lyrics such as, "We don't wanna be a yesterday's hero. Yesterday's hero. That's all we'll be."

According to an interview with Bay City Rollers member Ian Mitchell, for Goldmine, by the time the Bay City Rollers' popularity came to a close, things were tense within the band.

"Eric, who was writing most of the songs, wanted more financial security than he actually had. Les was going totally against the image, and there were a lot of upheavals regarding Tam. Everyone was arguing and fighting and kicking each other in the head, stabbing each other in the back just to get an inch. And all of us realized the era of the Bay City Rollers was coming to an end."

The band had a resurgence at the tail end of 1977, which landed at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. "You Made Me Believe in Magic" lingered on the charts for 17 weeks in total.

The Bay City Rollers continue to perform with founding member Stuart "Woody" Wood, alongside musicians Ian Thomson, John McLaughlin, Mikey Smith, and Jamie McGrory. They are scheduled to play at Party at the Palace, Linlithgow Palace (The Peel), in West Lothian, Scotland, on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

Related: Beloved '70s Teen Superstars Reimagined a '60s Smash 13 Years Later—and Scored a Rare Chart Feat

Don Most just celebrated a big birthday—and shared new behind-the-scenes stories about his years on Happy Days.

The actor and singer, who played Ralph Malph on the classic TV sitcom, turned 73 on August 8 and celebrated his birthday weekend performing at the Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville before taking the stage at the Mulehouse in downtown Columbia, Tennessee.

The birthday appearances showcased Most’s current focus as a jazz and standards singer, but he also looked back on his acting career in an interview.

On Happy Days, Most played class clown Ralph Malph, one of the best friends of Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) and Potsie Webber (Anson Williams) for seven seasons, from 1974 to 1980. While it took him a long time to break free from being typecast by the role, Most revealed he was nothing like his character in real life.

“I was not like Ralph Malph,” Most told Yall 106. 5 in a new interview. “When I was in high school, I was not the class comedian. I was more the audience for some people I knew that fancied themselves as comedians. I was closer to Richie Cunningham in real life than I was Ralph. But that's what I loved playing this part, you know, there's freedom. There's a certain freedom in that where it's not yourself, you're somebody else and you could explore that and go anywhere.”

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Most also confirmed that before Fonzie (Henry Winkler) took the lead, the Ralph Malph character was originally created to be more of a "cool” guy than one of Richie’s “nerdy” friends.

“In the very beginning he wasn't one of Potsie and Richie's best friends,” Most shared. “He was a friend, but he was kind of the guy, he was almost a little bit cool. He had this great car, and you know he was showing off his hickey in the pilot, and so he was in a little different vein. But then what happened was when they liked what I was doing, and they had me become more and more friends with Potsie and Richie.”

Most noted that Happy Days director Jerry Paris was a “comic genius" who served as a mentor.

“He was kind of like Ralph,” the actor shared. “I mean, he was always trying to score, you know, get the laughs on a joke and stuff. So, I would borrow things from Jerry, you know, I would take some of his personality and I put it in. …So, some of my own character crept in, but it was probably more a combination of the original Ralph and Jerry Paris.”

Most also knew from the time that he filmed the pilot that Happy Days was special.

“Most of the pilots did not get on the air, but I said, 'I think this is gonna go, I just have a really good feeling,'” he recalled. “I really felt like there was something special going on. ... Now, did I think that it would become one of the top shows in TV history, or would become number one for the years that it was on and be so popular? No, I wasn't imagining or seeing that. But… the creative energy that I was feeling and what I was seeing, I  just felt that it was going to be successful.”

More than 50 years after he turned Ralph Malph into a breakout TV character, Most continues to work as an actor, singer and director, with several projects currently in post-production. The beloved star most recently appeared in a stage production of On Golden Pond at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center in California.

Related: ‘Happy Days' Fictional Band Was Actually a Real-Life Rock Group Fans Remember 50 Years Later

When you picture the ultimate American wine getaway, chances are world-famous California heavyweights like Napa Valley or Sonoma immediately spring to mind. But according to wine experts and thousands of travelers, the single best wine destination in the country right now isn't in Northern California at all.

USA Today 10Best recently released its official rankings for the Best Wine Region (2026), and taking the coveted No. 1 spot is Oregon's sun-drenched Rogue Valley.

Tucked into the majestic mountains of southwestern Oregon near the California border, Rogue Valley claimed the top crown thanks to its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant microclimates, and ultra-versatile winemaking scene. While many famous AVAs specialize in just one or two grape varieties, Rogue Valley's dramatic shifts in elevation and soil allow local vintners to produce everything from delicate Pinot Noir and crisp Pinot Gris to bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo.

Paired with incredible outdoor recreation like white-water river rafting along the Rogue River, historic gold-rush towns, and world-class theater in Ashland, it’s easy to see why voters crowned it America’s favorite grape escape.

Related: North Carolina's Best Wineries and Wine Regions

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The rest of the 2026 leaderboard proved that incredible wine travel can be found in almost every corner of the country. Landing right behind Rogue Valley in the No. 2 spot was Colorado’s West Elks, a Rocky Mountain paradise home to some of the highest-altitude vineyards in North America that yield crisp, high-acidity, and intensely aromatic wines.

Down south, Texas Hill Country took third place, drawing visitors to its sprawling landscape of over 60 wineries nestled around Austin and Fredericksburg that specialize in warm-weather varietals like Viognier and Tempranillo.

California’s Central Coast was well represented by Paso Robles in fourth place, celebrated for its five-star hospitality, sweeping vineyard views, and remarkable grape diversity, while Augusta, Missouri secured the No. 5 spot—a charming Midwestern destination steeped in German heritage that holds the distinction of being recognized in 1980 as the nation's very first official American Viticultural Area.

Related: Why Everyone is Suddenly Obsessed With This 'Airstream' Wine Region

Rounding out the top 10 were several other standout regions that offer wildly different tasting experiences. California’s cool-climate Anderson Valley landed in sixth place for its world-renowned Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewürztraminer, followed closely by Loudoun, Virginia at No. 7, which brings small-batch boutique winemaking to DC's picturesque backyard.

Oregon made a second appearance on the list with its iconic, Pinot Noir-rich Willamette Valley taking eighth place, while Washington’s sunny Yakima Valley grabbed the No. 9 spot for its fertile rolling hills and rich winemaking pioneer history. Finally, Southern California's Temecula Valley closed out the rankings at No. 10, earning high marks for its rural agricultural roots, luxury boutique lodging, and dozens of tasting rooms pouring exclusive local bottles.

Related: This Northern California Gem Is Becoming the West Coast’s Next Big Wine Destination—And It’s Not Napa

Deborah Norville just turned 68, and the legendary Inside Edition journalist is looking better than ever.

Norville joined the popular American tabloid television program in 1995 and is known as the longest-serving female anchor on national TV. While she chose to step away from the series in 2025, she’s still a news icon who inspired legions of young people to pursue journalism careers. And at 68, she's every bit the stunning blonde she was when she started on Inside Edition. Sporting a strapless white top and a cowboy hat, Norville rang in her 68th year with a smmile on her face.

"It’s my birthday! This is what (gulp!) 68 looks like! 😊," Norville captioned the stunning photo.

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Norville Visited Her Alma Mater

Norville recently returned to her alma mater, the University of Georgia, to speak with students about her lengthy career. From the stunning photo of her standing in front of the school, it’s safe to say she’s still the iconic blonde beauty she was on TV.

View this post on Instagram Norville Left ‘Inside Edition’ Last Year

Last year, Norville announced on Inside Edition that she would be leaving the show after 30 years.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be here at Inside for all these years,” Norville shared. “A milestone like this is a time for reflection and on reflection, I’ve decided that now is the time for me to move on from Inside Edition.”

 The TV icon went on to say that while the network tried to keep her, she hoped to pursue other things that her role on the show wouldn’t allow.

“There are things I’d like to do, places I want to do them that continuing here don’t permit,” she noted. 

Reflecting on Some of Her Biggest Stories

Norville later took to Instagram to reflect on her lengthy career with the series, and reflected on what American culture was like at the time she joined the show in 1995.

“When I started this job, Bill Clinton was president, O.J. Simpson was on trial for murder and Forrest Gump was about to win big at the Oscars,” Norville shared.

In the caption, she elaborated on why she decided to leave.

“30 years doing anything is quite the milestone and after 30 years anchoring Inside Edition, it’s time to do something new. I have declined the offer to continue at IE and will move on at the end of this season. It’s been an amazing ride and I will leave with gratitude for the people I have worked with and for – and the viewers who have watched,” Norville wrote. “Twice before I made career moves for personal reasons (Chicago to NBC News in NY, CBS News to Inside Edition) and they were the right decisions. This decision is also motivated by family … and I know it it’s a good one. There’s lots more to come from me … just from a new place.”

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Related: Deborah Norville Reveals What She Told Her 'Inside Edition' Replacement (Exclusive)

Joe Jonas is opening up about a period of his career he's never spoken about so candidly before, the emotional and physical toll his 2011 solo debut took on him after it failed to find an audience.

Jonas shared the story on a recent episode of Hey Jonas!, the podcast he co-hosts with his brothers and bandmates, Nick and Kevin Jonas. He explained that he'd gone into his debut album, Fastlife, expecting it to match the massive success the Jonas Brothers had reached at their peak. Somewhere along the way, he tied the album's outcome directly to his own sense of self-worth.

Fastlife peaked at just No. 15 on the Billboard 200, and its lead single, "See No More," stalled at No. 92 on the Hot 100, far from the results Jonas had hoped for. He said the disappointment hit him harder than he expected.

"I started having panic attacks and started having physical pain," Jonas recalled. Doctors ran tests but couldn't find anything physically wrong with him, leaving him confused about what was actually happening to his body. A doctor eventually suggested therapy, a recommendation Jonas initially brushed off entirely.

"I was like, what do you mean a therapist? I don't need a therapist," he said, admitting he instead turned to long bike rides just to get away from his phone and clear his head.

He eventually did seek therapy, a decision he now credits with helping him work through the emotional weight of that period.

Jonas eventually found the mainstream success that had eluded him as a solo artist, just not in the way he expected. In 2015, he formed the funk-pop group DNCE, whose single "Cake by the Ocean" became the kind of radio hit that had never quite materialized for him before. Four years later, the Jonas Brothers reunited entirely, topping the Billboard 200 with Happiness Begins and landing their first-ever Hot 100 No. 1 with "Sucker."

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Makeup has the ability to enhance, rather than mask your natural beauty. Take eyeliner, for instance. When you find just the right shade, it instantly highlights the unique flecks of color in your eyes.

While chatting with makeup artist Markphong Tram recently, we learned that the popular product is also quite transformative when you're looking to create a more youthful look. We were so impressed with his five-minute eyeliner trick that instantly lifts mature eyes that we knew we had to share his secrets.

The professional makeup artist, who is based in New York, has worked with Marilu Henner, Mariah Carey, Tan France and a range of other celebrities throughout his career. While working with women over 50, which Tram does quite frequently, he's developed a few pro tips to provide an instant lift to the eye area.

Here, he shares step-by-step instructions for how to recreate his anti-gravity eyeliner lift and explains why traditional winged eyeliner fails on hooded or crepey lids. Tram also weighs the pros and cons of using gel, liquid and pencil eyeliner on mature eyelids. Lastly, he offers up a few other pro makeup tip to instantly brighten and lift mature eyes.

Related: The 12 Best Eyeliners for Older Women, Tested by Celebrity Makeup Artists

The Eyeliner Trick to Instantly Lift Mature Eyes: The Anti-Gravity Effect

Texture and fine lines are par for the course as you mature, and they require more precise eyeliner application.

"If we're not careful with the shape of the wing, eyeliner can settle into those lines and wrinkles. The goal isn't to create a dramatic wing. Rather, it's to subtly lift the outer corner of the eye, giving the illusion of a more lifted, awake look," Tram says.

To achieve this goal, Tram recommends drawing a thin line of eyeliner and angling it slightly upward.

"As we get older, the outer corners of our eyes can naturally start to droop, and heavy eyeliner can make that even more noticeable. Keeping the liner thin and angled helps visually counteract that downward pull, making the eyes look more lifted, elongated and refreshed," he says.

Above all, Tram says it's important to work with your natural eye shape rather than fighting against it.

"I personally like extending the liner from the lower lash line because it creates the illusion that the outer corner of the eye is lifted. Keeping the liner thin also helps prevent it from emphasizing hooded lids or textured skin, while the soft upward flick gives that instant anti-gravity effect," he says.

The moral of the story? Less is more.

"A fine, precise line with a subtle upward flick can make the eyes look brighter, more open and naturally lifted in under a minute," Tram says.

Related: The Eyeliner Mistake a Professional Makeup Artist Says Is Especially ‘Unforgiving’

Why Traditional Winged Eyeliner Fails on Hooded or Crepey Lids

Since everyone has a different eye shape, there's no one-size-fits-all eyeliner technique. However, there is one approach that women over 50 should avoid.

"Traditional winged eyeliner doesn't always work well on hooded or crepey lids because the liner can transfer, settle into fine lines or disappear when the eyes are open," Tram says. "A thick wing can also make the eyes look heavier instead of more lifted. Keeping the liner thin and working with your natural eye shape creates a cleaner, softer and more flattering lifting effect."

Related: 8 Best Eyeliners for Hooded Eyes, According to Celebrity Makeup Artists

Markphong Tram

How To Do the Anti-Gravity Eyeliner Lift Step-by-Step

Ready to give Tram's anti-gravity eyeliner lift a try? Here are some step-by-step instructions.

• Look straight ahead into a mirror with your face relaxed before drawing your wing. This helps you place the liner where it will actually look lifted when your eyes are open.
• Imagine an invisible line extending from your lower lash line toward the tail of your eyebrow. Use that as your guide for the wing.
• Don't angle the wing too high because it can look disconnected from your eye shape. But don't make it too flat either, or it can drag the eye downward.
• If you want your lashes to look fuller without adding extra weight to the lid, tight-line the upper waterline.
• Finally, finish with mascara, focusing on the outer lashes to enhance the lifting effect.

Related: Makeup Artist Says 2026 Is All About 'Ghost Lashes'—So, See Ya, Mascara

Gel, Liquid or Pencil? The Best Eyeliner Formulas for Crepey Eyelids

With so many eyeliner formulas to choose from, finding the best option for your eyes can be confusing. In general, Tram recommends opting for a gel or waterproof pencil eyeliner for crepey eyelids.

"They give you more control and are easier to work with before they set," he explains. "A soft pencil creates a smoother, more forgiving look without emphasizing texture, while a gel liner provides better staying power because once it sets, it tends to stay in place much longer."

You don't have to swear off liquid eyeliner forever, but it's best for times when you're creating a precise wing.

"I recommend choosing a flexible, long-wearing formula and applying it in a thin layer. Some liquid liners can smudge throughout the day or settle into fine lines, so the formula you choose is very important," Tram says. He especially likes Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner and L'Oreal Paris Infallible Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner.

Related: The Eyeliner Mistake a Professional Makeup Artist Says Is Especially ‘Unforgiving’

4 Other Pro Makeup Tips to Instantly Brighten and Lift Mature Eyes

Tram has a few other tricks up his sleeve, and he was happy to share four more to help you brighten and lift mature eyes.

1. Brighten the inner corners of the eyes

"One of my favorite tricks for instantly waking up mature eyes is adding a soft highlight to the inner corners," Tram says. "Use a light-reflecting champagne or soft ivory shade and gently tap it into the inner corner of the eye. This helps reflect light, making the eyes appear brighter, more open and refreshed."

2. Lift the brows with strategic highlighting

"Another simple way to create a lifted effect is adding a subtle highlight underneath the highest point of the brow," he explains. "This draws the eye upward and creates the illusion of a more lifted eye area. I recommend avoiding heavy shimmer and choosing a soft satin finish instead, which brightens without emphasizing too much texture."

Related: The Best Way to Smudge Eyeliner for a Smoky Look, According to a Makeup Artist

3. Curl lashes and focus mascara on the outer corners

"Never underestimate the power of curled lashes. Curling your lashes before applying mascara instantly opens up the eyes. I also like focusing mascara on the outer lashes to create a more lifted, elongated effect. This helps pull the eyes upward and outward without adding unnecessary weight," Tram says.

4. Create a soft, lifted eyeshadow shape

"Instead of following the natural downward shape of the eye, try blending your eyeshadow slightly upward and outward toward the temples. Keep the deepest shade concentrated on the outer corner and blend upward for a soft lifting effect. This helps redefine the eye shape and creates a brighter, more youthful appearance," Tram says.

Up Next:

Related: How To Apply Concealer When Rapid Weight Loss Makes Your Under-Eyes Look Hollow

Source:

• Markphong Tram, professional makeup artist based in New York who has worked with Marilu Henner, Mariah Carey, Tan France and a range of other celebrities throughout his career

For nearly six decades, Sam Elliott has been one of Hollywood's most recognizable actors, thanks to his unmistakable voice, rugged screen presence and memorable performances in Tombstone, Road House, The Big Lebowski, A Star Is Born and 1883. On Aug. 9, the legendary actor celebrates his 82nd birthday.

But long before the awards and iconic roles, Elliott was told his Hollywood dream was all but impossible.

After growing up in Sacramento, California, Elliott moved with his family to Oregon as a teenager. He attended college before leaving school to pursue acting, a decision his father strongly opposed.

Recalling that conversation years later in an interview with the Register-Guard, Elliott said his father delivered a prediction he never forgot.

"He gave me that proverbial line, 'You've got a snowball's chance in hell of having a career in (Hollywood),' " Elliott recalled. "He was a realist, my dad. He was a hard worker. He had a work ethic that I've fashioned mine after, and I thank him for that every day."

Rather than abandon his dream, Elliott relocated to Los Angeles, where he studied acting while supporting himself with construction work and serving in the California Air National Guard.

Elliott's persistence paid off.

He made his film debut in The Way West in 1967 before landing his first leading role in the horror filmFrogs in 1972. His true breakthrough followed four years later with Lifeguard, launching a career that would span nearly six decades and make him one of Hollywood's most enduring stars.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Elliott became synonymous with Westerns and rugged American heroes, appearing in films and television projects including Mask, Road House, Gettysburg, Tombstone, Conagher and The Big Lebowski. His deep voice, towering frame and unmistakable mustache made him one of the industry's most recognizable character actors.

Despite becoming closely associated with cowboys and Westerns, Elliott admitted it wasn't always easy being cast in similar roles.

"I used to kind of bristle at it, being put inside that Western box," he told Sactown Magazine in 2019. "When you're young, you have this vision of, 'I can do it all' or 'Why is that not coming my way?' "

Over time, however, he came to appreciate what made him unique.

"The truth is, if it weren't for that perception of me as an actor or as a person, then I probably wouldn't have the career that I've had," Elliott said. "If it's a Western character, so what? I'm not going to spend time worrying about it anymore."

Elliott's career reached new heights later in life.

His performance opposite Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born earned him his first Academy Award nomination, along with nominations from the Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice Awards. Asked about finally receiving an Oscar nomination after decades in Hollywood, Elliott offered a characteristically blunt response.

"I think the thing off the top of my head might be, 'It's about f---ing time!'" he joked in an interview with Deadline, adding, "Beyond that, it’s really about the work; it’s just about the creative process. It’s great to be recognized for that, that’s really all it’s about.”

More recently, Elliott won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his starring role as Shea Brennan in Taylor Sheridan's acclaimed Western 1883. In 2025, he joined the second season of Landman, proving that he remains one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors well into his eighth decade.

As Elliott celebrates his 82nd birthday, the prediction that he had only "a snowball's chance in hell" of making it in Hollywood has become one of the entertainment industry's most memorable misfires. Nearly 60 years after making his screen debut, he continues to embody the rugged authenticity that has made him a beloved star across generations.

Related: Memorable 'Seinfeld' Guest Star, Who Became a Horror Icon, Turns 84

In 1958, Paul Anka wrote a song that would change his career. The then-17-year-old penned “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” which became one of his biggest early hits and helped to establish him as one of the most enduring singer-songwriters of all time.

The romantic song featured a doo-woo feel with intimate lyrics, making it the perfect 1950s love ballad. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1959 and also solidified Anka’s status as a teen idol.

“I was a young kid with this dream,” Anka, now 85, told People magazine in an interview. “I didn’t have any great looks. I didn’t have any height. I was an athlete, but it stopped because then I stopped growing. So, I found something that really turned my life upside down.”

The song found new audiences in the 1970s

“Put Your Head on My Shoulder”gained new audiences over the years, sometimes in unexpected ways. In 1975, the song was performed by Anson Williams on the hit sitcom Happy Days. The episode, titled “They Call It Potsie Love,”  featured Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran) falling hard for Williams’ Potsie Webber after he serenaded her with the love song during a band practice.

It was Williams’ idea to feature a ‘50s-style rock band on the show, and it's no wonder "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" was chosen as the perfect love song for the scene.

“One day, it dawned on me that David Cassidy got a record contract by singing on his show, and The Brady Bunch did, too,” Williams told Milwaukee Talks in an interview. “I thought, ‘I can sing, sort of, I just need to convince [showrunner Garry Marshall] to put me in a band on the show."

“I asked to talk to him, and he was really busy and said, ‘You have 60 seconds,’“ Williams recalled. “I said we needed to have a band on the show that played at Arnold’s. He stopped in his tracks and said, ‘A band? Do you sing?’ And I said, ‘I’m OK.’”

The Happy Days band went on to perform multiple times on the show, but the “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” serenade remains the show’s most memorable musical moment.

In 1978, the classic song found even more fans when teen idol Leif Garrett released a cover version that climbed the Billboard charts.

RELATED: 1953 Rock Classic, Reimagined by a 15-Year-Old, Became a Hit Twice

More than six decades after Anka wrote “Put Your Heart on My Shoulder,” the song continues to find new fans. In an interview with Ballinger Publishing, Anka noted, “’Put Your Head on My Shoulder’ had gone through the roof on TikTok, and I got this whole new fan base of 16 to 20-year-olds.”

The legendary singer-songwriter also ranked the song as one of his favorites from his very prolific catalog.

“All these years I’ve told people that my songs are like my children,” Anka said in 2021. “It’s tough to like one over another.  ‘My Way’— because of that song and the participants—that’s probably my favorite track. I think ‘Put Your Head on My Shoulder’ comes after that."

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If you’ve ever wanted to channel your inner metalhead while walking down Main Street, U.S.A.,Disney just answered your heavy-metal prayers.

The Mouse House has officially dropped a brand-new Disney Villains apparel collection—and instead of the usual pastel fairytale aesthetic, these pieces are going full thrash, doom, and black metal.

Over the last several years, extreme metal band logos and jagged, aggressive typography have exploded across mainstream fashion. As music publication Loudwire observed when reporting on the surprise release, heavy metal fonts have become a massive trend across pop culture, and "now, Disney has entered the chat."

Related: Disneyland Resort Drops New Starbucks Collection Packed With Classic Fall Nostalgia

View this post on Instagram A Darker Aesthetic for the Bad Guys

The edgy new line features iconic bad guys like Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), the Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Hades (Hercules), and fan-favorite scheming duo Yzma and Kronk (The Emperor's New Groove).

Rather than standard Disney graphics, each T-shirt, hoodie, and sweatshirt in the collection gets its own distinct metal subgenre treatment:

• The Evil Queen: Features her classic line "Mirror Mirror" written across the top in a jagged, unreadable black-metal font.
• Hades & Ursula: Both sea witch and underworld deity pieces sport a heavy, moody gothic-and-doom-metal aesthetic, with Hades' hoodie proclaiming him "Lord of the Underworld".
• Yzma & Kronk: Styled after classic thrash metal logos, highlighting Yzma's iconic command to "Pull the lever!"
• Maleficent: Designed like an authentic vintage rock concert T-shirt for a fictional "Villainous Tour."

First spotted in the Disney Parks and previewed via WDW News Today, the shirts were initially exclusive to physical park shops before rolling out online.

Related: Disney Fans Are Officially 'Freaking Out' Over BÉIS' Nostalgic New Travel Line

View this post on Instagram Catering to the Alternative Fanbase

The heavy-metal collection isn't an isolated drop—it marks a broader, deliberate shift toward embracing Disney's darker side.

Between the ongoing construction of the massive, highly anticipated Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line's heroes-and-villains-themed Disney Destiny, and new park entertainment like the Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After show at Hollywood Studios, Disney is leaning heavily into its darker lore.

As Loudwire points out, between the new attractions and this metal-inspired gear, Disney is actively "catering more to their alternative fanbase who desire a darker aesthetic than their traditional character and princess merch."

Whether you're gearing up for Halloween Time at the parks or just want to swap out your pastel spirit jersey for something a little more headbang-worthy, this villainous drop is proof that it's good to be bad.

Related: Disney Shares New Look At Its Latest Storyliving by Disney Community in North Carolina

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If you’ve been spending more time outside lately, you know how quickly a backyard can turn into your favorite “room” of the house. Between morning coffee on the patio, afternoon garden check-ins, and evenings spent grilling, it’s the small things that make the space feel like a true retreat. A few planters, wind chimes catching the breeze, a string of lights overhead, and your yard starts to feel like more than a patch of grass.

When you want an outdoor accessory that adds both charm and function at once, Walmart has an easy upgrade. The Cocobela Solar Lantern Bird Bath is currently just $27, marked down from $50 with a 46% discount. It brings together a decorative bird bath for visiting wildlife with a built-in solar lantern that charges during the day and casts a warm light at night, making your outdoor space feel alive from after sunset.

Cocobela Solar Lantern Bird Bath, $27 (was $50) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

This bird bath brings a touch of charm and whimsy to any outdoor space, turning a simple garden corner or backyard nook into something more inviting for both you and your feathered visitors. Painted butterfly and hummingbird antennas decorate the basin, and as the sun goes down, the built-in solar light softly illuminates the design, casting a gentle glow that feels warm, welcoming, and just a little magical. 

The built-in solar panels charge throughout the day using sunlight and then automatically power on at night, delivering soft illumination that lasts through the evening. It’s designed to do more than sit in the yard, functioning as a bird bath, a feeder, or even the base for a solar-powered fountain pump (not included) if you want to add a bit more movement and activity to your outdoor setup.

Built for all-season use, it sits securely on durable metal prongs that anchor into the ground, finished with a double layer of anti-rust coating to help it withstand changing weather over time. Standing 42 inches tall with a 12-inch diameter bowl and a 2.4-inch depth, it offers plenty of space for birds to bathe and drink comfortably, while the wide base helps keep the structure steady. The smooth basin and removable bowl make upkeep simple, allowing for quick cleaning and easy refilling so you can keep fresh water or seed readily available with minimal hassle.

While the birds may not be leaving reviews themselves, their gardeners certainly have plenty to tweet about in the reviews section. Shoppers described it as “very cute” and “so pretty,” with many noting that “birds love it” and return to it often. One reviewer also pointed out that it’s “easy to assemble,” with clear instructions and no extra tools or hardware required.

Related: Walmart's Waterproof Platform Sandals Are 'Super Cute,' 'Comfortable,' and Available in 5 Colors

Easy to set up and low maintenance once placed, the Cocobela Solar Lantern Bird Bath is an affordable way to bring movement, light, and life into your outdoor space. Take advantage of this 46% off Walmart deal while the warmer days and longer evenings last!

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Even before the release of the two-part film adaptation of Wicked in 2024 and 2025, the legacy of the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, has lived on in strong ways throughout the decades. And even before that, the creation of this land of Oz in 1900 is what jumpstarted this fantastical realm and its characters along with it. That’s all thanks to L. Frank Baum, the American author who created the Oz books and wrote the original 14 of them. Today's quote of the day comes from one of those books, and it highlights the importance of and power of learning.

According to Britannica, Baum was born in Chittenango, NY, in 1856. EBSCO reported that he had German immigrant parents and a big family, but he had health issues as a child, which required him to be tutored at home until the age of 12. As an adult, he began his writing career as a journalist in South Dakota and then Chicago. 

Baum first published Father Goose, a kids' “nonsense verse” book with funny poems or limerick-type verses, in 1899, and it was successful. He followed this up a year later with his most famous work, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was a major hit. As mentioned before, he wrote a total of 14 Oz books, and after he died in 1919, his book publisher chose another children’s writer, Ruth Plumly Thompson, to continue on with the stories, per EBSCO. She wrote 19 more in the series, and then it canonically continued with other writers after that.

Baum was just as imaginative and whimsical in his real-life persona as his books were. As EBSCO reported, the author wrote in prologues in his stories that he communicated with Oz, Dorothy and Princess Ozma via wireless telegraphy. With this, he also made himself the "Royal Historian of Oz" and brought the characters and this world to life in a way that didn’t exist at the time.

His highly successful Oz series was not just high fantasy and fun for kids—Baum put many lessons in these stories. While his characters embarked on adventures, he also made sure to imbue good values into his heroes for kids to learn. And that’s where today’s quote comes from: a line from Baum about knowledge being the greatest gift in life.

Related: Quote of the Day: Carl Sagan on Why Imagination Is the Key to Progress

Quote of the Day by L. Frank Baum

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“The more one knows, the luckier he is, for knowledge is the greatest gift in life.”

This quote can be found in the seventh book in Baum’s Oz series of books, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, published in 1913. The series started in 1900 with the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which covers the events we saw in the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz. The next two novels follow two other stories that happen in the magical world of Oz, with the return of fan-favorites such as the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman in the second book, and even Dorothy comes back in book three. 

Once you get to the seventh book in the series, where this line comes from, Baum focuses on an adventure revolving around a Munchkin boy named Ojo whose uncle was turned into a statue. He sets off to find a cure for this magical spell, and on his journey he meets Scraps, aka the Patchwork Girl, who is a patchwork doll come to life.

This is also the book where he states that he communicates with Ozians via telegraph, inserting himself into this magical world in a fun way.

In Chapter 2, “The Crooked Magician,” Ojo is traveling with his Unc Nunkie when they stop at Dr. Pipt’s house (aka the Crooked Magician). They’re welcomed in by his wife, Dame Margolotte, and eventually meet the doctor, who is an old friend of Unc Nunkie. 

Ojo tells them that he knows very little of Oz and its history or people because he’s only ever lived with his uncle, who doesn’t speak much—he only really says one word at a time—and therefore didn’t teach Ojo about anything in Oz.

To this, Margolotte tells Ojo that this is why he is “Ojo the Unlucky,” because: “The more one knows, the luckier he is, for knowledge is the greatest gift in life.”

Related: Quote of the Day: Albert Einstein’s Words on Imagination Being ‘More Important Than Knowledge’ Is an Inspiring Way To Look at the World

Deeper Meaning of L. Frank Baum’s Quote—The Power of Learning

With this quote and through this character, Baum shares a nugget of wisdom with those reading his books, especially children. He’s saying that if you yearn and search for meaning and truth, you’re some of the luckiest people around because the greatest gift in life is being knowledgeable. It encourages kids who are already growing their minds through reading to continue seeking out wisdom.

This quote points kids in the right direction when it comes to intelligence. It’s not saying a more modern sentiment like “school is cool,” but it’s saying that learning and knowing things are gifts and you’re lucky if you’re able to do that. 

Related: Quote of the Day: Joyce Brothers on Why Success Begins With Believing in Yourself

More Quotes from L. Frank Baum

• “Imagination has brought mankind through the dark ages to its present state of civilization… Imagination has given us the steam engine, the telephone, the talking-machine, and the automobile, for these things had to be dreamed of before they became realities.”
• “I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folk are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed.”
• “Hearts will never be practical until they are made unbreakable.”
• “A little misery, at times, makes one appreciate happiness more.”
• “I never deal in transformations, for they are not honest, and no respectable sorceress likes to make things appear to be what they are not.”

Up Next:

Related: Quote of the Day: Stoic Philosopher Epictetus on Embracing the Unknown and Letting Go of Control