The Demise of Decent Television (Streaming) Viewing

Geeze Louise!  I am in the kitchen this afternoon, baking, and I have my iPad to "listen" to a good movie......NOT!  (We have Prime, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, ......) and everything I scrolled through was vile, vulgar, rude, crude.....at 72 do I really want to see people squirm having sex?  NOT!...

I want a good mystery to keep me captivated while I am measuring the flour and the sugar!  OR give me a good human interest story!  

What I did see in my scrolling was violence, serial killings, aliens, futuristic, .....not at all what I want to "listen" to on a Sunday afternoon!....I say "listen" because Netflix offers some really intriguing Polish, German, French, Swedish mysteries BUT they all have subtitles!  And, I am NOT sitting, aimlessly, watching!  I am cooking and "listening"..... so these are of NO good to me!!!! 

I finally ended up "listening" to "American President" with Michael Douglas and Annette Benning on TUBI!......which is free and this movie is quite pleasant, as I have viewed it several times before.

This whole genre of violence, mayhem, etc. is a key to our current society.....one which I do not subscribe to.....I feel this is not beneficial.  Bring back the Frank Capra movies of the 1930's and 1940's.....what is wrong with "feeling good" when leaving a movie?  (When you feel good, you act good....toward everyone you encounter.....when you are angry and upset, that is how you behave to others)

Netflix, Hulu, Prime, HBO Max.......please take note!!!!

Attempting to Return to Pre-Pandemic "Normal"

 Our entire Family has had both shots (with just three with only one shot) so we had a most anticipated Easter Celebration!  I had prepared most of the Easter  foods earlier and froze what I could or at least made a couple days ahead as I wanted to only hug and hug and hug and stare at my Grands!!!!!

(And Dr. Fauci said I could hug these precious angels!!!!)

It truly was a most magical experience!  Who could possibly believe that we would go more than one year without being with each other?  This from a Family that is always in touch and concerned with one another.

When my Grand Daughters arrived, I actually broke down in tears! They were taller and smarter than when I last saw them and I felt so "left out"!  I used to know who their friends were, what they liked to eat, what they didn't like to eat, etc.  and I felt so adrift!!  When my small Grand Son arrived, I experienced the same feelings.....he seemed so grown up!!!!!

However, after a short period, we were all back Pre-Pandemic with our love, concern and caring for one another!

I have mentioned this before but I will do so one more time:  I think we have all "suffered" and learned from this Pandemic Experience........we have had scandals involving politicians; we have suffered division among the states of the United States; many, oh, so many have experienced loss of jobs and money......the list of sacrifices and loss can go on and on......but what I wish most fervently is that we do learn from this and NOT FORGET!......we keep this close to our heart and react and behave accordingly...... 

There are so many things we can do.....my 93 year old Mother felt she did not need the stimulus monies so she donated to the Food Bank!....there are so many ways we can all help to unify this country and get us all back on track......but we must NEVER FORGET!...............

Remember 9/11?  We were all unified and one......let us be that once again!!!!

That is my most fervent  prayer!!!!

Easter, 2021

 I am filled with such anticipation, I can hardly contain myself!  

We have not been together as a family since March 1, 2020!  

We had to cancel Easter last year because of the Pandemic.......

But, now!!!! we will all be vaccinated and will gather this weekend for the Easter holiday!!!  I am truly beside myself......might have to send a photo of me hugging the Grands into the Today show!!!!.....

Instead of setting a beautiful table with the antique, gold painted china and delicate linens, the BOB bought disposable plates so I can sit with the family and just stare at them and enjoy!

I prepared a large amount of meatballs for the first night.....rigatoni, meatballs, antipasti, bread......and have homemade chicken stock for the Grands to enjoy chicken soup.....macaroni and cheese all made and frozen....picked up the ham today.....we are scrubbing the house so everything is shiny!.....we are just so excited!!!!!

I am sure that every grandparent who has not been able to see and hug their Grands feels exactly like we do!  This Pandemic has been such an experience!  

There are some traditions I just could not pass on.....such as Italian Easter Pie!  Usually my granddaughter Madeleine prepares these with me and last year my sister in law came to help.  This year I am alone but that is just fine and I will prepare these with much love!

Pandemic Realities

We are now in the eleventh month of the Pandemic.

There are so many thoughts, feelings and actions associated with this Pandemic.

Of course, number one is the missing family, grandchildren, friends.....having to isolate or stay within a small "bubble" has proven quite challenging.   While some people have been able to go about their business without missing a beat, an invitation, a trip or a visit with family, many of us with pre-disposed conditions (or age)  have not been able to take that "chance" and, therefore, have been very strict regarding our activities.  We have now "lost" almost one year of our grandchildren's lives and to those of us who are close to our Grands, this has been devastating.

Zoom and FaceTime have proven to be a true God-send but it still cannot replace a HUG!

In my opinion, those around us have proven to be quite resilient and innovative.  

I do not have to go physically to Mass.  I can do so in the safety of my home via Facebook!

Our local restaurants (God Bless Them!) have adapted to 'take out' and many of us have supported our local eateries.

Unfortunately, organizations based on volunteerism have suffered. (With some of that pandemic money how about giving to those organizations! My 93 year old Mother said she did not need the stimulus money and gave hers to the Food Bank!)

I must admit I am now turning into a slug. 

I was in the throes of cleaning, organizing, purging initially........now I keep thinking, "tomorrow"...... and I am not reading, knitting......doing anything productive!  Just like when you are on a diet and have hit that "plateau", I am now in a limbo-like state.

The situation with the vaccinations for the citizens of the United States has proven to be a disaster......depending on in which state you reside.  (or, apparently, who you know).

Being a resident of the state of Pennsylvania, I can only speak for us.......deplorable, inefficient, disorganized, inept.  Gee, did I miss any adjective for "Not Good"?

Our vaccination process has been a cluster from the beginning.....even the local, state and federal representatives in our government agree and are helpless in the whole application and procedural process of vaccinations.

Being a child of the '50's, I remember the polio vaccinations and how seamless and efficient it was to get our shots.....is this just childhood reflection or is it an accurate remembrance?

With the "loss" of our loved ones near us for almost a year, the loss of commingling with our dear friends, the interruption of our lifestyles, I can only pray and hope that we REMEMBER this time......when 911 occurred we were a united unit and patriotism and love for one another was at an all time high......please, please, I pray, that we do not move on from this Pandemic and become jaded again  and not remember the sacrifices, the loneliness, and  the isolation, 

Sex and the City, Again

Back in the day, we were all watching Sex and the City on HBO.....Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP to her fans) was adorable, looking for love - everywhere!- and don't you just love her shoes???

Well, now fast forward to 2021.....we are in the midst of a Global Pandemic (that has continued way longer than anyone could imagine!!!). ...we cannot socialize with our family and friends, we have cleaned out every closet in the house......Geeze Louise!!!!

And, now, they announce a new Sex and the City!

I am up for anything positive!  So,.....I begin to view the original series on HBO to reminisce and, quite frankly

I am a bit perturbed.........the actions of these women now, today, seems a bit......appalling!  

I had loved, loved this series!  

I had loved, loved SJP......yes, I felt we were on that level!

But throw a global pandemic into the mix and, what mixed feelings emerge!

They are just now filming the new Sex and The City and it will certainly be interesting!

I have had a love affair with New York City since I was nine years old!  The Stanhope?  Yes, been there always and it was lovely!  

Algonquin?  Oh, yes, late night dinners!

There was a wonderful restaurant near the Met called Uzie's that served the best Gorgonzola Bread!.......]

I could go on and on.......fond memories, but New York City is no longer the City of Dreams that I enjoyed.....I  can't tell you how excited I would get rounding the bend and seeing the skyline as we would descend into the tunnel.....ok, ok, let's see what the new movie is about and then we can talk.

But, I must say with this global pandemic and the extreme political correctness and the animosity of our citizens, the New York City I knew is not the same and will probably not be for a long time to come.