Sunday Nights

You know, I hated 60 Minutes when I was growing up. The tick-tick-tick reminded me that Monday morning was just one sleep away, and I normally would have to start working on homework that I should have done on Friday, or Saturday. I mean, Friday afternoon is so far removed from Monday that you really can't really concentrate on school work that early. Saturday is the perfect day. No school the next day, no real responsibilities. Saturday is the perfect day. Sunday was compulsory church – not that I did not like church, but you know, when you have to go, it can be a bit of a chore. By the time you get out of your church dress, it is almost lunchtime on Sunday. A good day, but not the best day.

60 Minutes, for me, was not really a show. It was a signal that the weekend was almost over. We all view the world in our own way, and I see the world in patterns. Seasons are important to me, and so are patterns of the week. Mondays felt one way, Friday another. Well, growing up, Friday always included eating fish. Catholics don't abstain from meat on all Fridays anymore, but when I was growing up, that's what our family practiced.

Back to Sunday nights.

In the fall and winter, my father would watch football. He would watch the afternoon game, that, as I recall, was from 4 PM to 7:00 PM. We normally would not eat around the television, but occasionally, if the game warranted it (overtime), perhaps he would bend the rule on Sunday night.

My dad did not always watch 60 Minutes. He would when his father was visiting, but not on his own. He would leave on the television on through the start of 60 Minutes. The ticking, and then turn it off.

At that point, on regular weekends, I would start worrying. Generally we would have dinner, and I would try and eat really quickly. Dinner was always a family affair, each day of the week, but on Sunday nights, I would excuse myself to "do my homework."

My mother would always ask, "Oh, Leesa, you have not finished your homework for the weekend." Well, sort of a question/statement than an actual question, but she would say this every Sunday night.

I don't have homework anymore, and, you know, my husband does not watch football games or 60 Minutes. So this is more of a memory than anything.

Is 60 Minutes still around? The clock has been ticking for years, and I wonder how many 60 Minutes fans have not outlasted the television program.