Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year
No, Dictionary.com. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
The site has chosen “67” as its “Word of the Year.” Now, to be clear, that’s not “sixty-seven,” it’s “six-seven.” Why the two numbers aren’t separated by a dash or a slash is a mystery.
It’s actually one of the many mysteries about the phrase that has completely taken over the minds of kids today, to the point where some schools have actually banned it. It annoys adults, which is probably a big part of its appeal, and kids use it though even they are a little murky on what the definition is. It (probably) comes from a song released last year but has taken on a life of its own.
Sing the 50 United States
That’s the title of a new Dr. Seuss book that will be published next year. It’s from a newly discovered manuscript by the late author. Though some experts aren’t sure how “new” the illustrations are.
Is It Too Early for Christmas Music?
We can all agree that there is such a thing as “too early” when it comes to playing Christmas music, right? St. Patrick’s Day? Too early. Easter? Too early. The Fourth of July? Still too early. National Tofu Day (September 1)? That’s too early too.
But what about November 1?
The answer? No! At least I don’t think so. The day after Halloween, for me, has always been the start of the holiday season. It’s now sweater weather, it’s getting darker earlier, the Christmas commercials are airing, and my sister asked me her annual “what do you want for Christmas?” question. So, it’s a good starting point for two solid months (November 1 to January 1) of holiday celebrations.
I’m not saying you have to put up your tree this week (though Pittsburgh did it in October), but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the sounds of the season. And to kick things off, here’s Dean Martin.
Uploaded to YouTube by Dean Martin
Headline of the Week
“Can Decorating Early for Christmas Make You Happier?”
RIP Dick Cheney, Diane Ladd, Tchéky Karyo, Bob Trumpy, Ralph Senensky, Adam Greenberg, and Donna Jean Godchaux
Dick Cheney was vice president under George W. Bush. Before that he was defense secretary and a congressman for ten years. He died Monday at the age of 84.
Diane Ladd received Oscar nominations for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, and Rambling Rose. She also appeared in Chinatown and The Reivers and TV shows like Chesapeake Shores, The Fugitive, Naked City, and Perry Mason. She died Monday at the age of 89.
Tchéky Karyo appeared in such films as La Femme Nikita, Goldeneye, The Patriot, The Core, and Bad Boys, as well as such TV shows as The Missing and The Name of the Rose. He died last week at the age of 72.
Bob Trumpy was a star player for the Cincinnati Bengals and then a football broadcaster for WLW-AM and NBC. He died last weekend at the age of 80.
Ralph Senensky directed such TV shows as Star Trek, The Waltons, Dynasty, Dr. Kildare, and The Fugitive. He died Saturday at the age of 102.
Adam Greenberg received an Oscar nomination for his cinematography work on Terminator 2: Judgment Day. He also worked on the first Terminator, Ghost, La Bamba, Three Men and a Baby, Rush Hour, Snakes on a Plane, and many other films. He died last week at the age of 88.
Donna Jean Godchaux sang with the Grateful Dead in the 1970s and also provided backing vocals for people like Elvis Presley (“Suspicious Minds”), Percy Sledge (“When A Man Loves a Woman”), Cher, and Boz Scaggs. She died Sunday at the age of 78.
This Week in History
Good Morning America Premieres (November 3, 1975)
The original hosts were David Hartman and Nancy Dussault.
The show has been looking back this week, which included an interview with Hartman and other past and present anchors talking about their time on the show.
And don’t forget, Erma Bombeck used to do segments on the show too.
“You Don’t Have Nixon to Kick Around Anymore” Press Conference (November 7, 1962)
That was the line uttered by Richard Nixon after he lost the 1962 California governor’s race. (Spoiler alert: we did indeed have Nixon to kick around again.)
This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Del Monte Spinach (November 2, 1929)
Unlike many people, I loved spinach when I was a kid.
November Is National Spinach and Squash Month
I’m not sure why these two vegetables were combined into one celebration, but I don’t know who decides these things.
Here’s a recipe for a Baby Spinach Omelet from Allrecipes, and here’s one for Creamy Spinach Chicken from The Kitchn. Delish has a recipe for a Butternut Squash Casserole, Country Living has Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese and Poached Cranberries, and Good Housekeeping has this Instant Pot Beef and Barley Stew that includes squash.
And if you think you can’t combine the two foods, you can! Here’s a recipe for Creamy Butternut Squash and Spinach Soup from Cooking Chat.
Spinach and squash are sooooo 67. I have no idea what I just said.
Next Week’s Holidays and Events
ATP Finals (November 9-16)
The women’s year-end finals are currently being played, and the men’s finals – where the eight top-ranked singles and doubles play in a round robin tournament – start this Sunday and can be seen on the Tennis Channel.
Veterans Day (November 11)
It was originally known as Armistice Day. The name was changed in 1954.
Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. Subscribe now
Comments
67 is sixty-seven and only a number for me. Period. It’s sad the idiots are turning a number into something subversive or alter-meaning, kind of what is done with the number 69 sixty-nine. I’m a financial person and numbers are simply numbers to me and nothing else. Get your minds out of the gutters and onto something productive and useful.
Christmas music, Christmas commercials, and Christmas television specials or movies begin too soon to suit me. Thanksgiving, my favourite holiday becomes only a passing thought where it gives people a chance to be gluttonous and lazy while watching football or other events overlooking the facts that they may have much more to be thankful for and appreciative of what they have. Of course, the over-commercialization of the Christmas season is the reason for most of this. But at my household the real reason to celebrate Christmas is the Birth of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Period. If you don’t like what I said, that’s your problem.
Finally, I used to enjoy watching GMA when it first debuted in the 1970s. David Hartman was the perfect host and it was devoid of the political angles the show is becoming know for nowadays. ABC needs to bring that back like it use to be and rid itself of hosts like George Stephanopulous who is a left-leaning political hack.
Thank you for the GMA links! I loved starting my mornings with David Hartman and Joan Lunden back un the day.
“Six-seven” is one of the stupidest things yet to become a “thing”. Only in a day and time as moronic as this could this even BE a thing, but here we are. I’m dog sitting Vikki again this weekend. A high-energy white American bull terrier. She’s 4 years old, and likes to visit Larry, a low-energy 5 year old Basset hound. What could possibly go wrong?
Not much, fortunately. Keeping her on the leash (with the padded harness) there’s some sniffing until he growls and ‘snaps’ as if to say, “I’ve had enough and want to go back to sleep. Be gone with you, girl!” Okay! I had milk bone treats for both dogs of course, then we left.
It’s not too early for Christmas music. I’ve cut back on going into stores, so I won’t hear it as much anyway. Thanks for Dean Martin’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Remember the ridiculous controversy it stirred up several (or more now) years ago? I have the annoying hot to cool to hot again (today) in Los Angeles, making it hard to stay well.
Nice spinach ad from 1929—the same week as The Crash. I liked spinach too, and still do. Hot with butter, some crushed onion and Italian seasoning sprinkled on? For sure.