Just When You Thought You Could Take A Breath....

So, here we all are! Vaccinated and Unmasked! Hugging and Kissing after so many months-Geez, doesn't it feel great! It no longer matters where we eat-inside; outside; with 10 people, or right next to ten tables....It's all so good. Truly, it's Heaven! But Wait!!! Those of us who were just beginning to feel safe and confident are masking up again. I had to dig my clorox wipes and masks out of the cabinet. I'm making sure I have lots of hand sanitizer in my purse and in the car! I haven't stocked up on toilet paper yet. And, I'm gearing up for a possible lockdown, or at the very least, a new set of CDC recommendations. So just in case you find yourself staying in a bit more after the summer, I have a huge list of what to watch on the television. Don't ask how I watch so much t.v.! You all know I only sleep 3 hours a night! WHAT I'M WATCHING NOW The End-Showtime. Dark comedy about a six months-widowed Woman who attempts to take her own life. This is so well acted and I am hooked. The Unforgotten-PBS Masterpiece/Prime Video. Two detectives trying to solve a murder that happened 39 years ago. This is the 4th season, but I never watched the previous 3 seasons, and it doesn't matter. Really like it! Catch and Kill-HBO. Documentary by Ronan Farrow that interviews whistleblowers and journaliststalking about the Harvey Weinstein debacle. Very interesting. My Unorthodox Life-Netflix. The story of Julia Haart who is now the CEO pf Elite World Group and was a former housewife in an ultra-Orthodox community in Monsey, N.Y. Gave me better insight into the Orthodox way of life, and why someone felt trapped and her need to leave and start a new life. The White Lotus-HBO. The adventures of the guests and employees of a tropical resort. So much fun! Made For Love-HBO Max. Dark comedy about a woman married to a tech billionaire whom she hates, and he has implanted a device to track her locations and her emotions. Annoying... Dr. Death-Peacock. Based on a podcast about a prominent doctor in Texas whose patients do not survive his surgeries or they are permantly disabled. I can barely get through 10 minutes! I am terrified of spine surgeries now, or for that matter, any surgeries. VERY VERY SCARY. Alec Baldwin and Christian Slater. Animal Kingdom-TNT. I have watched the previous 4 seasons. Without the gangster matriarch, Ellen Barkin (who was killed last season); her 3 sons and grandson aren't keeping me interested. Don't Bother. Kevin Can F**K Himself-AMC+ or You Tube. Annie Murphy from Schitt's Creek is married to an insensitive buffoon and she is struggling to figure out her life in Worcester, Mass. She is terrific. Watch. Godfather of Harlem-Epix or Amazon Prime. Forest Whitaker is fabulous as Bumpy Johnson. He has served his time in Alcatraz, and returns to Harlem to take back control. This is the second season. Excellent. This Way Up-Hulu. Comedy about a woman recovering from a nervous breakdown with the help and support of her sister. Covers the themes of lonliness, family, and mental health in a brilliant way. Like this! WHAT TO WATCH NEXT: THE NEXT BINGE Seaside Hotel-PBS Masterpiece/Amazon. Resort on the North Sea follows the regulars returning each summer and the staff. Watched 2 episodes and really enjoyed. The Vigil-Prime Video. Sounds intriquing. Orthodox Man is called to watch over a deceased member of his former community. Test Pattern-Hulu. A woman's relationship with her boyfriend is put to the test after she is raped by an assailant. Ebert website gives it a thumbs up. Seems like it would be difficult to watch. McCartney 3-2-1-Hulu. Intimate one on one interview between music producer Rick Rubin and Paul Mccartney. Six episodes. I hear this is absolutely amazing. Lisey's Story-Apple TV+. Based on a Stephen King novel, this is the story of the widow of a best selling novelist. While going through her husbands manscripts and papers, she discovers dark secrets. It's Stephen King-it's got to be petrifying. Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Joan Allen. Mr. Inbetween-Hulu. Comedy about a man juggling family responsibilities and being a "criminal for hire". This is the 3rd season. So, there will definitely be a few weeks of binging. Summer of Soul-Hulu. Questlove directs this documentary about the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969. I've seen a little of this and it looks cool! Foyle's War-Acorn/Prime Video. This was highly recommended to me but it's six seasons. Might have to wait until a snowstorm. Big investment of time. British detective drama set during the second world war. Lupin-Netflix. Story of a famous thief and master of disguise. Two Seasons. RECENTLY FINISHED WATCHING Shiva Baby-HBO MAX. Movie about a bisexual Jewish woman who attends a shiva with her parents and encounters an ex-girlfriend and an ex-boyfriend at the shiva. Cute, a good distraction, and not a big investment of time. Us-PBS. Only two episodes. A combination of a travelogue and a family drama about a couple who takes one last vacation before getting divorced. LOVED. Younger-Hulu. One of my favorite shows! Just finished season 8 and there will not be any more seasons. A 40 year old woman pretends to be 26 in order to land her dream job. Sutton Foster, Hillary Duff and Peter Hermann(I have a crush!). So sad it's over. Cruel Summer-Freeform. 10 episodes. A teen drama. Takes place over 3 years in the 90's about a girl who goes missing and another girl takes over her life. Totally held my attention-an easy binge. Love Victor-Hulu. Another teen drama. Struggling with his sexual identity and his new high school, we follow an endearing Victor figure it out. Very good. Sex/Love-Netflix. Terrible, but steamy drama filled with tons of sex. About a suburban housewife wishing she could go back to her carefree days as a party girl in NYC. Meanwhile, her husband is so cute. And he's right there! Soft porn. Who Killed Sara?-Netflix. A murder mystery that has lots of twists and keeps you guessing. Just okay. Dirty John/Betty-Netflix. The story of Betty Broderick. Is it possible to really know the person you love most? Scorned housewife left by her husband. Amanda Peet is fabulous. Fun to watch. Handmaid's Tale-Hulu. An amazing series based on Margaret Atwood's book. This is about a totalitarian society in what used to be a part of the United States. Elizabeth Moss is beyond outstanding in this series. This is something that I had no desire to watch and ultimately, I found it to be mesmerizing. COMING SOON... Succession-HBO. Season 3 in Autumn 2021. Scenes From A Marriage-HBO. Jessica Chastain, Michelle Williams, and Oscar Isaac. September. Yellowstone-Paramount. Season 4 in November. One of the best shows on t.v. Kevin Costner! Respect-Film coming August 13 in theaters. Jennifer Hudson stars as Arethra. WHAT TO LISTEN TO WHEN YOU ARE WALKING Smartless Podcast-every interview is fun, but Stephen Cobert and Conan O'Brien were hysterical. Enjoy these summer months. Stay outdoors as much as you can. Go swimming or running. Go to the gym. Go to restaurants. Take a vacation. Visit your relatives that you haven't seen in 15 months! Socialize with friends. Now is the time-enjoy every moment. BUT, still mask up when you go into stores. Wash your hands often. Be safe. Protect our children and grandchildren. PEACE OUT-ONE B

CAREGIVER SYNDROME: WHEN YOUR PARENT BECOMES YOUR CHILD

Caregiving and needing care will happen to all of us. One day a parent will need our help just as we once needed theirs. Noone told us that having children will drastically change our lives; just as noone warned me that caregiving would often be hard and thankless work. Initially, it begins with small things: requests for groceries, picking up prescriptions from the pharmacy, an occasional doctor's appointment. No problem. But, as your parent physically declines, their situations and care needs change daily. Now you are dealing with hygiene issues, memory issues, administering medications, and a host of other things such as nutrition, proper hydration, exercise, etc. For me, eventhough my mom is in an assisted living facility, I feel overwhelmed and stressed all the time. I am emotionally and physically drained and close to burnout. Not always, but often it's the daughters who bear the brunt of responsibility when caring for aging parents. I know all the advice that is given to alleviate my stress: Set boundaries, accept my limitations, stay active, meditate, find a balance between your kids, your work, your friends, and your grandchildren. And self care. "Caregiver syndrome" strongly manifests as exhaustion, insomnia, anger, rage, resentment, guilt, and anxiety when dealing with a chronically ill parent. In the past year, I have had thryroiditis, various bouts with chalazions which led to surgery,a pinched nerve in my neck, high blood pressure, and a blip on my ekg which led (thankfully) to 2 normal stress tests. I recently read that there is a 63% higher risk of mortality in caregivers than non-caregivers of the same age. My mother is 94 and she may very well outlive me! My immune system has surely declined since my mom moved here! Yet my 94 year old mom who is in heart failure is doing fine, except for her daily falls! Brothers and Sisters offer some relief, but generally they are best at giving you support and advice while running in the other direction. They do not talk to the doctors for hours on end. They do not get the phone calls in the middle of the night when mom has fallen. They do not oversee that all medications are being ordered by hospice. They do not visit on any regular basis. They do not pay bills. As a result, I have given up time with my husband, my children and my grandchildren and declined social activities with friends in favor of time spent on caregiving activites. And, when I finally do have a little free time, I'm too emotionally drained to do anything or see anyone. I just want a bed and Netflix. It's not any easier for the aging parent either. They feel a loss of independence and rightfully struggle to maintain some sense of control. Parents rebel and do not want to be told what to do. This fosters anger and resentment towards the caregiver. This past year of Covid bred isolation which in turn resulted in lonliness, depression, and more health decline for the aged. It's a difficult dilemma for both the parent and the child who is the caregiver. I feel I have an ethical responsibility to make sure my loved ones are safe, secure, and getting the attention they need. We have a duty to help loved ones as they age, but there are limits. I must learn to set limits and accept my limitations. Because at times, I feel I just can't continue on this path. I am blessed to have had my dad here for 95 years, and I am blessed to still have my mom here at 94 years. Hopefully, I will continue to keep her well, and at the same time find the road to my sanity! "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these." George Washington Carver PEACE OUT-HAPPY 4TH! ONE B