Got entertainment?
Do you have your afternoon cocktail? Good!
Nature asseverates its place by tossing us a global curveball to which we respond in myriad ways. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to escape Covid-19’s wrath, there are many reasons for which to be grateful. Having the children connect with each other during the day and again at the dinner table is as much of a blessing for our family as are nightly board games and movies which makes me feel as though we have stepped back in time...
We miss hugging our friends and yet feel connected to the tune of Zoom, an ounce of anxiety and pound of laughter. The desire to be social is enhanced by the presence of a barrier which is why communities become more unified during hardship. So if you haven’t reached out to your friends, especially the extroverts who are likely struggling the most, there is no time like the present.
Last week I was moved by a friend who brought a mobile birthday party to our driveway with all the trimmings including the social distancing etiquette which California and much of the world is embracing. Earlier that day, I was humbled by notes, gestures and gifts from those who had made their stealthy appearance noticed only by the tidings of joy and soulful gifts they left behind. It may seem counterintuitive to think that a lockdown birthday could be a favorite, but I would counter that simple acts of kindness are all one really needs. The icing on the cake was passing the baton the following week to the next birthday girl with a socially distant serenade.
You need a refill already? Go right ahead, and when you return, I’ll have a slew of recommendations in which I hope you and your loved ones will find respite.
Photo courtesy of Variety
There is no question that this time in human history would have been unfathamable to us a century or two ago, but modern technology enables us to bring the outside in so let’s cut to the chase, literally, Mr. Ripley!
Film Recommendations
Dramas: The Talented Mr. Ripley, Shawshank Redemption, Schindler’s List, Parasite, The Green Mile, Kolya, Life is Beautiful, Stand by Me, The Shape of Water
Family Motivational: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Pursuit of Happiness, Blindside, Green Book, Up, Million Dollar Arm, Dead Poets Society
Comedies: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Birdcage, Home Alone, Meet the Parents, National Lampoon'‘s Vacation, Mrs. Doubtfire
Mother Daughter favorites: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sense and Sensibility, Little Women, Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes
Good Reads Old and New
What is that they say about the Apple and the tree? I owe my penchant for reading and writing to my father who would usher us into the living room to read from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and mother, a self-published poet who at any given time is in the midst of reading three books in just as many languages. If a good book can calm your soul during this trying time, here is a stack of oldies but goodies.
Other favorites either read on Kindle of left behind in one of our moves are:
Wishing you, yours, and our global community, health and much peace during these trying times. xx, Alina