Happy Sunday morning, my DU friends. I have to say it - I simply can't do it.

[NewHendoLib]

I can't pay attention to the news any longer (it has been hard for some time). I check out various news sites - and it makes me sick how they've raised "both sides do it" to an art form, comparing Biden's recent document adventure with TFG's crimes - elevating the idiocy of republicans into something akin to a desire to actually govern (now, that's pure fiction). CNN and NYT websites and Op Eds really raised this to a foul art form lately.

I do check in here a few times a day, just to get a sense of the pulse of things.

This simply continues to be an unreal time on so many levels - the Democrats are fighting upstream against a MSM that is only in it for the clicks and eyeballs and money, the speed of the spread of lies, the totally inappropriate so-called repub politicians that are in it to destroy, not create.

So - now that the Belgian waffles and coffee are gone, the NYT crossword partially completed - we are off for a walk. Our COVID symptoms are just about gone (what a relief to get that foul taste of Paxlovid out of our system).

After that - returning to planning my garden for the upcoming year.

I will start to pay more attention when things start to make actual sense again. I am not holding my breath. Spring is coming and a multitude of possible hikes lay ahead!

Be well, all

[badhair77]

1. I'm right there with you.

Watching the news is not good for my physical or mental health.

I thought the WH reporter on GMA this morning was going to need oxygen. I hope they had an emt nearby. She was breathless and worked up over 5 more pages being discovered. Then she was even more crazed that she didn’t know what they involved. I’ve had enough.

Your plan for a walk and working on your garden choices sounds excellent compared to being exposed to the negativity the tv brings.

Enjoy your day.

[cilla4progress]

2. I am on the same track, NHL!

Surround yourself with people and practices that are aimed at improving, connecting, sharing, including, growing, combining, exploring, questioning, changing, LOVING!

We are here! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Beachnutt]

3. Me too

[moonscape]

4. Understandable. I go through periods of

total news blackouts, one lasted several months. The first was before tfg went to Helsinki and during Kavanaugh hearing. Like you, spent time in nature hiking, restoring my equilibrium as much as possible, and it was an enormously healthy break.

Friends knew not to mention anything in the news unless tfg stroked out or something.

Enjoy your hiking and Spring garden. I grew up in Western NC and will be coming back in the Fall to hike the Mt LeConte of my youth . Some of the greatest hiking anywhere!

[2naSalit]

5. Me too.

My anxiety levels have been sky high the last several weeks and it's just come to a point where I have to severely curtail my exposure for my mental health.

[ratchiweenie]

6. I read DU, The Washington Post, The Guardian, etc. I don't watch TV news at all.

It's so dishonest and disgusting it is so bad for my mental health, I just can't take it any more. MSNBC is not much better than the rest. Everyone is chasing headlines, now news.

[MagickMuffin]

7. My local NBC affiliate "news" DFW, did a segment on the docs last night

They mentioned the new info about more docs were found at President Biden’s residence.

Mentioned Biden’s response to the Loser’s documents, yet failed to mention or inform the public that team Biden turned everything over once found, but the Loser’s docs were intentionally stolen and he refused to turn them over, or that they were not locked in a secure room.


I never watch this news station I prefer another channel or none at all.


Good luck on your garden planning. Good time to do so 🌾🎋

[peacebuzzard]

8. I know how you feel,

I felt the same years ago about MSM and disconnected completely.
I pick up bits and pieces here and there but the most important thing for me was to not elevate blood pressure.

[snowybirdie]

9. With you

Only we had pancakes and scrambled eggs. No am Sunday shows. A day of NFL to follow. P.S. Anyone say the Biden stuff is outdated, over six years old and apparently happened right around the death of his son?

[twodogsbarking]

10. Protect your sanity or you may end up Republican.

[Evolve Dammit]

22. I can't imagine unless I went stark, raving insane. Even then, I can't imagine. Self-care is vital.

[mnhtnbb]

11. I still have the print copy of the Sunday NYTimes delivered

and I can't remember when I've actually read the whole thing. I will record Rachel's show on Monday nights to watch the next morning with coffee, and occasionally turn on Nicole Wallace, but rarely watch her entire show. I get bits and pieces of news from DU. That's it. It's been a long time since I've followed the news the way I did 10 years ago, and for much of my life. It just creates too much anger and anxiety in me.

Glad to hear you are recovering from COVID. It's all over my new neighborhood.

Enjoy your walk!

[NewHendoLib]

12. Us too. Weirdly, delivery here is more reliable than it was in Raleigh!

My wife heads for the book section, me the magazine with the puzzles. The Arts and Style sections are not at all aimed at us...we are old and obsolete!

[yellowdogintexas]

13. Never watch the Sunday Shows.

Last edited Sun Jan 15, 2023, 03:30 PM - Edit history (1)

I have also cut down on my news. I catch some stuff on You Tube, like highlights of Lawrence and Rachel or a particularly interesting (to me) topic, and tend to avoid anything that is longer than my attention span or time allotment.

I never miss Stephanie Miller!!!

I like Texas Paul because he gets so worked up and speaks the truth. Of course, DU is my preferred source.

Podcasts are my preferred media anymore. Bob Cesca & Frangela are my must listen favorites. I enjoy their take on things and having a good laugh at the same time.

[skydive forever]

29. Don't forget Stephanie

Stephanie Millers show has kept me sane for years now. I'm not sure what I would do without her.

[maspaha]

40. Steph is the best source for news...and fart jokes

[pandr32]

14. I totally get it.

We pulled the plug on cable several years ago now and just in time for the presidency that should never have been. I found that bad enough reading about it here. Every time I check a major news web-page I feel sick, but at least I can skim past the dishonest headlines when I do.
The press used to be for the people.
Once upon a time we had newscasters like reported actual news without bias. They didn't give their opinions or read talking points.
Sigh.
We need to remain impervious to the garbage and stay strong. There are more of us than the corporate and conservative owned media can reach. Hopefully, one day they'll get a clue.
Spring is coming.

[hunter]

15. I'll confess, most of DU is just noise to me and I ignore it...

... so many echoes of the television and twitter machines.

I ignore those too.

[NewHendoLib]

66. I tend to scan headlines, and look for those I know for OP postings

I confess - the twitter reposts, video posts, etc - no time spent on them for the most part.

I think DU has of course run victim to the impact of social networking in general.

It is certainly different than it was in the DU2 days (pre twitter!)

[Shermann]

16. It's a big story because Trump gets a pass on his classified documents

It is what it is, that issue has been de-weaponized for 2024. Nuanced differences are strategically unimportant.

[Evolve Dammit]

23. So far, he sure has. Don't get it. Guess anything he does is okey dokey

[MiHale]

17. Walking along the same garden trail...

Got a little kitchen remodel to finish then on to the garden. Difficult to know when to start stuff because of the weird springs we’ve been getting. Got two grow tents, one occupied now but will be free in about a month after harvest, winter cannabis.

Sometimes a little preplanned ignorance is bliss in relation to the news.

Should be doing miles of snowshoeing but, alas, no snow in Northern Michigan, yet.

[Magoo48]

18. I'm with you as well.

[in2herbs]

19. I seem to be with the majority. I have started to leave my phone off until early

afternoon and shut it down by 6 pm. I also leave the TV off and don't listen to the news on the radio -- only music without commentary. It has made a big difference in my attitude.

[Traildogbob]

20. I have to agree with you

Since 2016 I get up each morning to check headlines here and other tolerable media to see if he is in jail or dead yet. That’s a lot of days disappointed. I retired in 2012. So as of now he and them, GQP and media, have shat on my retirement.
Lost my dad to Covid 3.5 weeks ago. Taken to hospital one afternoon and gone by morning. He was GQP brainwashed, barely surviving on SS, Medicare, Medicare and Meals on Wheels. Worrying about what he could lose under GQP Kept me furious.
I have a 31 year old daughter, I worry about, but she hates politics. I survive on lowest middle class income with SS, tiny 30 percent Vet disability and an embarrassing state pension. But I planned on that budget, and survive fine. (God forbid a medical emergency)
So lifting my dads casket into the hearse, told me one thing. Not another day of fretting for others and hoping to see trump gone or any justice.
Gotta be aware, just in one day I can be gone like dad. Damn if GQP and bull shit media will control every day for me and the retired days I spent a life to get to.
He will never die, (he will live forever like Elvis in media and cult brains) and there will never be justice for rich and famous.
So like Tim McGraw write in a song, “Live Like Your Dying”.
Cause we are. Gotta stop scanning the net to see if he is dead or there is justice for GQP. I think our phone alarms will blow up if that happens, so live it up and wait for the phone alerts and avoid any other media news.
Happy New Year, if you make it one.

[Elessar Zappa]

21. Take an extended break from the news.

The world will keep turning and your mental health will thank you. Keep going on those hikes and walks and forget about the negative things for a while.

[NewHendoLib]

64. my break from TV news is going on over a decade!

[Elessar Zappa]

81. Yes but

I mean cut off everything for a while, including newspapers, DU, etc. I’ve done it in the past and it’s helped so much. Even a two week break will do wonders.

[NewHendoLib]

82. ah, understood your point.

I do that often during the gardening season when I pretty much get lost out in our yards or on the hiking trails.

[iluvtennis]

24. I feel you. I just turn to watch sports when the news starts with the whataboutism. :-( n/t

[Evolve Dammit]

25. Like a moth to a flame, I somehow need to know. Of course my brain is singed but hey, my hatred

and anger keeps me going somehow. I wish I could do what "Brad from Maine" is doing in Ukraine.

[nini]

26. I quit watching that swill years ago.

It’s a national enquirer way of reporting the ‘news’ - they need the drama to keep people engaged and it works.

It hasn’t been about reporting the facts only for decades. Try PBS or BBC news once a day and leave the manufactured news alone.

[wnylib]

32. Even NPR is on the both sides bandwagon over the Biden documents.

On their hourly newscasts and on All Things Considered yesterday they kept referring to the "classified documents" that Biden's attorneys found as if ALL of the documents were classified ones. In reality, only 6 of them were and nobody has reported that any of them involve nuclear weapons secrets or foreign weapons capabilities like the Trump documents do.

So, I have been binge watching videos that I picked up from the public library. They are the Call the Midwife series. After that I'm moving on to Law and Order Special Victims. Sometimes I just find online documentaries on history and other subjects of interest to me. Also have 2 new book purchases to read. Plus a redecorating project in my apartment. Better use of my time than listening to or watching corporate news.

[nini]

46. NPR has always bugged me for some reason

I could never really put my finger on it but am not surprised to hear that.

I LOVE Call the Midwife. I binged all 11 seasons over a couple months. So engaging and the characters are awesome. I hope you enjoy the journey they’re all on.

[wnylib]

75. I'm enjoying the videos, but by now I've heard enough

birth screams to feel like a midwife myself.

It's basically a British soap opera, with characters coming and going, plot twists, and things going wrong to plunge the viewer into the next crisis.

[nini]

84. Good description 🙂

They definitely draw you in to their stories.

Sister Monica Joan is my favorite

[wnylib]

85. Mine too.

[usonian]

27. Just shut down the TV. I did. Cheapest and best mental health therapy ever!!

I use D.U. as my general news aggregator (with filters) and HackerNews as my tech news aggregator.

Haven't missed anything important, nor have I had to suffer through B.S.

It's all abuot CHOICE.

[NewHendoLib]

63. we stopped watching TV years ago

we just use it for streaming movies, series, etc.

and mute the ads!

[Upthevibe]

28. NewHendoLib................

I'm right there with you.

I'm watching true crime shows for a relief................

[KPN]

30. Been feeling the same way the past few days.

Like “we are screwed”. I just don’t see this going away soon. Hard to be optimistic about my kids future at this point. Maybe that will change in time, but right now -/ sigh.

[SheltieLover]

31. It's taken a real toll on my health, NHL.

I read headlines & watch cutd animal videos & read pet stories.

Haven't watched tv in many years. Zero tolerance for spineless bs.

Be well!

[NewHendoLib]

62. we just finished binging the entire Great British Bake off series again

and yesterday made my first Victorian Sandwich cake. Fun...and pretty yummy!

[SheltieLover]

68. Good for you!

Never heard of a Victorian Sandwich Cake. I'll have to look it up!

Enjoy!

[NewHendoLib]

70. yellow sponge cake - filling of strawberry jam and whipped cream!

Simple, clean flavors. We are doing Sticky Toffee Pudding for our birthdays at the end of this week.

[SheltieLover]

74. Happy Birthdays!

Cake sounds delicious!

Enjoy!

[MyMission]

33. Happy Sunday afternoon to you

I totally understand and agree with you about "the news" and get much of it here on DU. I stopped watching TV over 10 years ago, have gotten news from various sites that changed over the years. I'd like to share some observations.

When I look at headlines on CNN or MSN, they often repeat the same news from multiple sources, different headlines reporting the same thing for days, while actual current, important news is hidden, buried, ignored, or filtered based on my web and search data. And the opinion sections are a free for all, which I ignore at this point. I find the AP a good source of current and breaking news, when I'm seeking it out, and here on DU whenever I visit. I appreciate the links to articles and videos, which help me stay in touch with the workings of the world. Earl G is adding a news alert feature, I saw the post last week. Probably all we need!
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1013&pid=12658

Many sites I visit are news magazines, with interesting, informative, thoughtful stories about humanity, culture, health, science, environment. Some of them get mentioned on these MSM sites, but if so they are buried under the repetitive garbage that I see whenever I visit, which I'm doing less and less of.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day, and continue to recover from covid. I had it in early December; for me it was a very mild cold, consulted my MD who said I didn't need paxlovid unless symptoms worsened. I felt fine after 5 days, tested negative after a week, but my boss (who gave it to me) took longer to recover. I'm 61, he's 74, both of us current with boosters. And my foster brother in NJ (who has multiple medical problems) got it too, he took paxlovid and something else and recovered quickly. His partner, who has liver problems, caught it from him and ended up in the hospital on a ventilator. He's off it now, but will be in rehab for several months. I don't think they gave him anything when it hit, which is why he ended up in the hospital. Both of them only had one J & J vaccine, in May of 2020. Apparently their MD did not encourage them to get boosters! I will get another shot in several months. Need to research how long after covid one can and should get the booster.

That's another slice news we rarely get and must seek out. I've seen briefly, about new covid variants and surging and spiking cases, mostly combined with reports of flu and RSV numbers, which are dwindling as covid numbers rise. And possibly truthful or misleading reports on vaccine performance. I tried to report my case on CDC site but didn't know which test I used, and that information was required to report a positive test. I actually got a runny nose several days after I recovered, retested and I was negative. I felt fine, figured I just needed to expel more stuff...

Glad you and your wife had a mild case and are feeling better. Enjoy your hike (And I must add, don't overdo and stay hydrated with water, tea, fruit juice and soup.)

[NewHendoLib]

61. all good advice - thanks!

Not a long one today - just around the neighborhood. Heading to the Pisgah for a slightly longer one tomorrow.

We are big time hydrators...and soup makers/lovers!

[Ms. Toad]

34. I'm checked out of a lot of the things I usually do, as well.

I haven't checked out of news yet - but I'm doing things that bring me joy, rather than feeling like I need to solve the world's problems. (Leaving that to my 91 year old father for the time being - which gives me hope that perhaps after a period of rest I'll feel like diving back in.) I'm still doing discrete things (like voter protection), but I'm mostly out of politics/world-saving for now.

This year I get to see if my seed-saving from last summer's heirlooms worked, assuming I can find a greenhouse to start them in! When I get off my rear end I'm going to go outside and take B&W pictures using color filters so we can create a color picture from teh B&W ones, make some soup, and - if time is left in the day I'll do a bit of coding.

Enjoy your gardening, hikes, crossword puzzles.

[NewHendoLib]

60. thanks, my friend - we did!

Nice day - and these types of days in mid January just bring spring fever! Bulbs (daffodils, tulips) are already appearing - nature is impatient!

[Botany]

35. Make sure to plant some late figwort it is the bees knees ... Scrophularia marilandica

The flower is just so so and the plant is not that much until fall when it is awesome .... bronze red color
and a neat structure ... but the real show is the pollinators and other critters it will bring in is a great show.
All kinds of bees from bumble bees, to green body bees, to little mining bees, to honey bees, to metallic
green sweat bees, to Syrphid flies, to humming bird moths, to butter flies, to white faces hornets, to
little vespids, to humming birds, and so on. The show starts in June and goes onto late October/early
November. Some of our native song birds eat the seed pods too along with critters like caterpillars that harvest
solar energy by eating the figwort's leaves.

A home is not a home w/out a figwort.

the plant can take a little shade and some damp feet too.

[WestMichRad]

39. Now there's a plant that only botanists and entymologists can love!

Not really... but given they aren't showy, most gardeners are likely to shun figworts. But you make the great point that plant species with more modest flowers can offer a real show in another way, as a food source to myriad of insect species. Just takes a little time to stop and observe!

Early figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata) is similarly attractive to lots of insects, esp. a host of bee species. And, like late figwort, is tolerant to some shade and a bit of wet.

[Botany]

44. The "critter show" that figworts put on is amazing.

Last edited Sun Jan 15, 2023, 04:14 PM - Edit history (1)

I have seen humming birds, damsel flies, monarchs, and bees all at one time on mine.

BTW I have some early figwort planted next to some late figworts on some projects.
Late figwort is a better looking plant but both are real "critter getters."

One neat thing is that the wasps and hornets that native plants bring in do not sting
(except if you tried to hold it in your hands or put it into your mouth) because they
use their stingers to paralyze insects which they then push into the nest of a fertilized
egg so "their babies" have food as they grow.

Where I live in OH the native Coral Berry (Symphoricarpos) bring in Big Blue or Black Wasps



which are really neat.

[NewHendoLib]

59. I will check that out - thanks!

Today I sent through my flower seeds - deciding which I need to start early.

My tomato/pepper/eggplant seed!starting target date is March 1 - lots of time to sort that out. LOTS of choices

[Botany]

71. Figwort is 2 years from seed

I would suggest you get started plants. Prairie Moon Nursery has them. (I get nothing for this bump)
Two or three is more than enough.

And if you have the room smooth sumac is an awesome plant.

Sugar Snap Peas are great too ... early season and then a second crop started in early August and planted
in late Sept. I like Amish Snap from Seed Savers.

The best hot pepper is Serrano ..... hotter than a jalapeno but not as hot a habanero

Joe's Long Red Pepper is a great pepper for drying and using in the fall, winter, and spring

BTW my Tomato epiphany ... as per the best tasting tomato. It is more a case of picking them @ the
exact right time versus the variety.

[NewHendoLib]

73. thanks. LOVE sugar snaps - they never yield enough (lots get eaten raw on the way into the house)

After growing over 4,000 different varieties of tomatoes, there is indeed a strong genetic (aka variety) factor. I've now grown Cherokee Purple dozens of times - it is always superb (two gardens in PA, two in NC). Then again, I am really good at flavor nuances - not a super taster (I've done the test) - but pretty good at it. I did a blind tasting last year with Joe Lamp'l, for our course. Now that was a fascinating experience. Winners - Captain Lucky Cherokee Purple, Lucky Cross and Cherokee Chocolate (out of 15 varieties).

[Botany]

76. Sugar Snaps are meant to be eaten in the garden.

as per Tomato taste I think much has to do when they are picked.
Tomato taste is function of when it is picked, when it is cut, and how it is eaten.

I think almost all heritage tomatoes are great but the best I have ever tasted was a Black Krim (one day)
Brandywine, Jet Star, and Cherokee Purple are all winners too.

[Ferrets are Cool]

36. I'm with you as far as the news and visiting DU.

There is NOTHING fair about the so-called News reporting. It's all about money and ratings.

[Joinfortmill]

37. I hear you. I'm limiting myself too.

[LittleGirl]

38. Glad you're feeling better

I’ve turned my tv into a documentary provider. I’ve stopped watching the news and get updates here on DU. My BP is much calmer. Enjoy the walks!

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

41. Yup.

[Cha]

42. Understand.. I haven't since

November 2002. My tolerance for Bullshit Propaganda is LOW.

[Warpy]

43. DW, France 24 and Al Jazeera all have streaming in English at YouTube with in depth reporting

Stories from CNN International are also pretty good, they never seem to make it to the crappy domestic channel. BBC's OK, but just. ABC (Australia) has some decent Pacific news. The Straits Times (Singapore) has good stuff on China. If you can read other languages, your horizon expands considerably. Plus, there is DU, which occasionally scoops everybody.

The one thing I haven't bothered with since 2004 is broadcast news, it's absolutely useless, whether it's that half hour in the evening or the 24 hours a day of drivel on cable. You can be well informed with very little digging and in English but the first step is turning the TV off during the "news" hour. Or turn it to Simpson's reruns, you'll find more current events there than on TV news.

[NewHendoLib]

58. I don't want to watch any of it. Important things end up here at DU

Just watch movies and series - and I watch an occasional sports event on Sling (but have the mute button ready for the ads!)

[Warpy]

79. I haven't watched TV since last June

The only sport I like is Battle Bots, a blood sport with no blood, just sweat and tears. I suppose I'll have to hook up a set soon, it starts on Feb 3.

I like the in depth reporting of the 3 services I mentioned, especially al Jazeera, it's stuff you won't find on DU or anywhere else.

[SimplyHadEnough]

45. I'm right there with Ya!

I can't do it anymore either. I'm re-watching Game of Thrones.

[True Blue American]

47. Food Network and remodeling shows.

[love_katz]

48. I quit watching television in 1984.

Reagan got elected for a second term. I was so furious that I nearly kicked in the screen. Since the set was an old fashioned one, with picture tube, it would have made a huge mess. When Jerry Mander's book, "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television" came out, I read it. The author did a great job of explaining the problems created by the main media companies being purchased by the wealthy few. The view points expressed are only what supports the agenda of the oligarchy. Like the rest of you, I get my news from alternative sources: DU; podcasts like The Cornfield Resistance with Drift Glass and Blue Gal; Stephanie Miller; Texas Paul; Hal Sparks; and The Mary Trump Show (she hates her uncle); Democracy Now; Pod Save America; The Trouble with John Stewart, etc. Mary Trump has an excellent interview with Brian Kem ( not sure if I spelled it right), which explains why the mainstream media is such a failure and propaganda machine. And yet, I have also been feeling like I need a break from the news cycle. Going for walks/hiking; working in the yard; decluttering my house and garage; listening to music or fun podcasts like humorous books or nature programs is a better use of my precious time. Thank you for this post! Sending healing vibes your way.

[housecat]

50. We tape every nature show and watch them again

[housecat]

49. Yeap you said what a lot of us feel

[llmart]

51. Count me as one who rarely watches TV news.

I gave up cable about 14 years ago and never miss it. I turn on the morning local news just to catch the weather report mostly and then the TV goes off. I don't listen to NPR any longer since their days of salivating over Dubya and 9/11. I check in on DU but other than that I honestly don't think much of what is reported these days affects my life in any way. I still think it was better when we didn't have access to 24/7 "news". I'd go so far as to say that too much news watching contributes to our division in this country.

[NewHendoLib]

57. we tossed cable/tv watching in 2010 or so -

We just watch a lot of movies and series. Can't stand the lies or the ads!

[SouthernDem4ever]

52. I've been there since the not-so-supreme court

handed the 2000 election to bush. I knew democracy was on the ropes even then.

[58Sunliner]

53. That garden isn't going to plant itself! Ha. Looking forward to my first peas.

[MustLoveBeagles]

54. I'm the same

I can't watch like I used to. Your sanity is more important.

[herding cats]

55. There are times when we need to step back and enjoy the beauty around us.

This is definitely one of them.

I'm so happy to hear you're both doing better! Enjoy the peace, beauty and serenity around you. Self care is vital in our overall wellness.

[NewHendoLib]

56. lovely post - thanks so much!

[herding cats]

77. You're very welcome.

Just take care of you two.

If we live to fight another day, sanely and on our own terms, we're still winning.

Over saturation doesn't make us any better I've come to learn. It distracts and makes some of us (me!) weaker. It's better when we can refuel our hearts with why we're alive and take some time to appreciate the beauty around us.

We're all different, but we all need whatever it is which feeds our inner peace. Embrace it, and feed you. Self care is a real thing and there's no one but you to make sure yourself is being tended to. We make it sound bad and selfish to care about ourselves. It's not, and we need to shake off that antiquated mindset.

Then come back out fighting when you're back to good.

[MLAA]

65. So glad you guys are starting to feel better and part of your recovery should be going

Easy on the news. I can’t watch it either and prefer to read it.

[NewHendoLib]

67. Appreciated!

[GoodRaisin]

69. As for "the news" we exist in an ocean of lies, regarded as a "market" for their advertising shit.

MSM news strikes me as being probably about 90-95% propaganda plus advertising lies. I used to turn it on in the background but can’t even stand that anymore. The endless insurance company and Pharma commercials in the background are about as appealing as listening to an old rattling refrigerator.

If I want news I come here and scan the site to see what’s going on in the world.

[NewHendoLib]

72. Exactly this.

I just can't stand the lies and ads.

[Samrob]

78. I with you.

Binging a lot of pretty good series on Netflix, Prime, Hulu, and paramount.

[barbtries]

80. Me too.

the frustration is overwhelming.

[Hortensis]

83. Wish everyone knew the pleasures of planning their garden in winter.

Gardening forces perspective and long views too. It makes you look ahead, doesn't allow anyone to believe that what's happening today could possibly just continue without change into the future. Everything changes constantly.

In any case, wise move. No one loses a thing by abandoning the daily boxing match and influence-delivery coverage of politics that seems to provide information yet, by itself, amounts to disinformation.

Happy January, everyone.