The news of late has become more and more depressing. Korean missiles holding the world for ransom, corporate tax cuts designed to further enrich the pockets of the extremely wealthy, presidential orders signing away the protections of federal monuments, men in politics and entertainment being accused of actions that took place 40 years ago, a Commander-in-Chief overriding military justice and don’t get me started about climate change, measles epidemics, impeachment hearings or Democratic debates…I hesitate opening the newspaper or turning on the news channel.
So there is only one answer. Television. Not just television…movies. And by movies I mean Hallmark Christmas movies. Reruns started in October and the new movies preview before Thanksgiving. For eight weeks I am whisked away into a world where single/divorced/widowed women with/without children meet the handsome single/divorced/widowed man of their dreams. These always young, handsome folks with loving parents, siblings and children mostly live in Christmas bedecked snow covered small towns in America**. Despite various impediments including, but not limited to weather, travel, old girl/boyfriends, jobs, the occasional prince/princess playing at being a commoner, there is always a romantic kiss at the end promising happilyforeverafter. And what’s even more magical, the whole meeting the new love to kiss takes place in the space of 3-4 weeks, sometimes days.
Ahhhh, fairy tales.
**although I’ve read they are generally filmed in the summer in Canada