You have to be able to act effectively and use your imagination in difficult situations. Life in Elsewhere (America today) is difficult for every human being. Those of us who are resourceful will survive. We will find ways to make our lives palatable and even grow from our experience.
I am living a purposeful and positive life in Elsewhere because I want to. I won’t let myself drown in my fear and anger of COVID-19 or the violence of thugs destroying the history of my country and the property of its innocent citizens. And, I won’t allow myself to stop living and loving and learning and even gathering (you know we women love to gather). I am determined to remain adaptable, inquisitive, and positive. This is my Mantra. I hope it is or will become yours.
Learning to Conquer Life’s Crises
Of course, I am not as carefree and happy as I was before COVID-19 and the violence I see spreading across my beautiful America. I am filled with fear and rage, I don’t let myself block these feelings because I am a realist and I know I am not overreacting. I try and confront my fears and anger by staying well informed. Don’t push your true feelings under the rug and be idealistic. Staying informed gives comfort.
Foreign Words and Foreign Thoughts
We have been confronted with foreign words and foreign thoughts. Our vocabularies have grown and so are the issues we confront. Our conversations are laced with the words COVID-19, Marxism, Hydroxychloroquine, Chaz, Zoom, Antifa… Then of course some of our issues; Ban the police, ban our history, wear our masks, keep our 6ft distance, Black Lives Matter instead of All Lives Matter, and buying our groceries online. As well we talk about what we have watched on Prime, Acorn, Apple TV, Netflix, Sundance…
Here is a profound statement: “Should the Pyramids be torn down because they were built by slaves?” Yes, I am angry about these mobs of Marxists. Aren’t you?
Resources For Escaping Elsewhere
We have many restrictions to abide by. Some of you are more cautious and will continue to self-isolate. That is a good idea. Others of us are venturing out.
My Ultimate Concierge and I are venturing outside. We wear masks, keep our distance, eat only outdoors, and listen to the rules. I carry a hand disinfectant and we don’t kiss or touch our family of friends. Hopefully, we will continue to be healthy.
I have gone for a manicure, pedicure, and haircut. I have not gone to the market (I order by phone and online) or gone ‘girly’ shopping (I order only online). We have not traveled. We stay home at least five nights a week and most days.
Our life at home, as long as we don’t turn on the news, is happy. There are changes because we are staying home and our social life is nil. We now Zoom with family, business people, group meetups with women friends, and men friends. As well, we cook together and watch different entertainment series during the day (new to us) and evening. We are reading the same novel. Life at home is good.
For those women living alone, I feel your sadness. You are being put to the test and will have to use your resources and will to fill your wants and needs.
Below, I have given everyone wonderful resources to fill the hours of your day with many hours of different types of stories.
Escape Into the World of Ireland, Australia, Spain Sweden and St. George Island, Canada
Here is what I do when I need to escape from Elsewhere. I hand the clicker to my Ultimate Concierge and together with bags of popcorn, escape into the marvelous world of Netflix, Prime, Acorn, Sundance, On Demand, etc.
As a team, we highly recommend the following different shows.
OUTLANDER (Netflix Series): A historical drama based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon. The movie begins in 1945 in Scotland and goes back in time to 1743. It is a historical love story. My Ultimate Concierge and I rank it a 5-Star.
MONEY HEIST (Netflix Series): A criminal mastermind by the Professor to pull off the biggest heist in recorded history in Spain. My Ultimate Concierge binged on Money Heist. We rank it a 5-star.
THE RESTAURANT (Sundance Series): A chronicle of love, conflict, hope, and politics involving a family-run restaurant in Stockholm. Subtitles. My Ultimate Concierge gave it a 3. I gave it a 5.
ANNE WITH AN E (Netflix Series): 98% loved it. After the first minute, my Ultimate Concierge and I fell in love with the series, Anne with an E. It is the reimagining of the classic book and film of the coming of age of a young orphan, Anne, who goes to live with aging siblings on Prince Albert Island. She is seeking love, acceptance, and place in the world. It is another binge series. My Ultimate Concierge and I loved it. We rank it a 5-star.
A PLACE TO CALL HOME: (Acorn TV): It is an OMG series that takes place in Australia; a drama set in South Wales just after the 2nd World War. It is the story of Sarah Adams who returns to Australia after 20 years abroad and it is a family saga. It is a don’t miss! 5 stars by my Ultimate Concierge and me.
Send Me Your Recommendations!
Now, darling, you owe me big time. Please send me movies, podcasts, and YouTube videos that you are enjoying or have enjoyed. I would be ever so grateful.
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Last year we started watching Britbox. They have tons of shows if you like stories that continue through multiple seasons/episodes. Some of our favorites include Midsummer Murders, Father Brown, Rosemary & Thyme, inspector Morse, and on and on. One of my other favorites was The Guardian but I cannot recall if it was on Netflix.
We’ve given up on network tv for now, in fact I have a fit when my husband turns on the news. Like you, I have little or no tolerance for what’s going on in our country. My son came for a visit from Florida but both he and his significant other were tested prior to coming. We’ve had contact with my other son and daughter in law who has been working from home, all of us with limited exposure. We did venture out to a few restaurants but we are in areas with little to no numbers of cases. We wear our masks and use sanitizer and hope for the best knowing that our mental health and ability to cope with our current situation is just as important. Of course, I still spend time reading my favorite blogs!
Thank you for the compliment and the name Britbox. I have never heard of it and will Google. I have written down the names of the shows and am looking forward to sharing popcorn and a great evening with my ultimate concierge. We are living life as you are. Warmly always, Honey
Very very well said Honey!
Thank you so much. Lois. I appreciate your words. Warmly, Honey
Honey,
Please realize there are no statues of Hitler
and his henchmen. The War between the states
has been over for sometime now. All the repercussions of slavery have held on for Black People. I grew up in Chicago on the north side ,
I never had friends that were Black. They were all
Jewish; however I taught school in Chicago. At one time, on the west side. There is a lot about life I didn’t
know.
Yours, Drina
Hi Drina, I grew up in a small town, Kankakee by the Sea ( I gave it the name to romanticize it!) I was a minority in a blue collar town composed of Blacks and Whites and Christians. I was a little Jewish girl who learned early on the importance of the word, inclusivity because I always felt a bit excluded.I agree that Blacks have suffered for centuries and I don’t like it. I don’t believe that tearing down America’a history in a violent destructive manner will solve their problem. Would I erase a member from my family tree because he or she was a killer or scoundrel? No.I would make that person’s bad character an example of poor behavior to my children and grandchildren. History is history. It is a story thatin my opinion should not be erased. Its poor behavior is a lesson further generations should pass on and tell themselves and their families…Never again. You know what I mean. Sending sisterly warmth, Honey
Have you seen “Last Tango in Halifax,” a delightful series for us of ‘a certain age’? It is delightful. I believe it was on Netflix. I agree with your recommendations. The problem is that they are SO good that most others pale in comparison!! Estelle
I wrote Last Tango in Halifax down. Thank you for future nights of happiness! Warmly, Honey
Thank you Honey. I loved whst you wrote.
You are so welcome, Valerie. Have a lovely day. Warmly, Honey
You might consider Yellowstone season 1 and 2 on Netflix and season 3 has just begun on TV station Paramount ….
…And ofcourse Justified is a must!!!
I have heard of Yellowstone, not Justified. Writing them down now. Many thanks. Warmly, Honey
Honey I have always enjoyed your blogs and admire your spirit. This is a crazy time we live in. This is a free country so we all have a right to our opinion. I was perplexed about some of your comments particularly the Black Lives Matter. During this time I have looked past news casting these Americans as thugs , looters and other negative terms and have seen many innocent people fighting for what is right. We have had all kinds of movements in the US over our history and this moment is a time for Black Lives Matter.. to address the nations prejudice that lingers in our society today.
One example a young man ( White) who killed multiple people in three states On a shooting spree and when arrested a photo of a policeman offering him water to drink.
Then you see images of George Floyd being suffocated for trying to cash a bad check.
Our nations prejudices run deep. There are many reading lists on racism in America. It may be helpful do look into some.
Dear Xena, I grew up in a small town I nicknamed Kankakee by the Sea.The town was a blue collar town and I was a minority; a little Jewish girl from an affluent family. Fortunately affluent where it counts. My parents instilled in my brother and me life long values I hold dear. Kankakee by the Sea instilled in me a life long positive characteristic, inclusivity. Being inclusive to all peoples of all walks of life is one of my better traits. I can’t be any other way because I know the feeling of being excluded. Black families lives do matter to me. The organization Black Lives Matter is a group that is not helping Black lives. Please do some reading on this group’s history. Please read the story of Carol Swain a Black woman of substance. She and other Blacks have expressed that Black families need school vouchers, not food stamps.70% of Black children do not have a father. Food stamps will keep them in poverty.School vouchers and other social needs is a gift. One last note, of course I am not an authority but I don’t think most white people and Black people are predudiced. We elected a Black President not once but twice. I want to live in a peaceful USA, like you do. Educationg ourselves on facts gives us reason to speak up and reach out. Thank you for writing to me. Warmly, Honey
it’s light hearted but exellent is another British series “Doc Martin” with Martin Clunes.
it’s light hearted but excellent is another British series “Doc Martin” with Martin Clunes.
Dear Honey,
Very thought provoking message ! This is such a difficult time in so many ways. On a lighter note… Thank goodness we live during a time where there are such things as Apple TV, Acorn, Netflix, etc. My husband and I have watched most of the shows you mentioned. We LOVED A Place to Call Home and did not want it to end. The actress who played Sarah Adams is in another series (which she won an award for) called Janet King, also on Acorn. She plays a special prosecutor. Very entertaining!
I loved the video of you and your hubby! It made me smile.
Please understand my very late response is because we sold our second home in California and I have been inundated with so many responsibilities. I am back!!!! My hubby and I adored A Place to Call Home. We did not want it to end either. We will watch your recommendation. Thank you. Yes, times are difficult in Elsewhere. I have found my mask comes in handy. It is cold in Chicago and it keeps my face warm!!! We have to look for the positives in life, right? Warmly, Honey