Accepting any and all Netflix recommendations…

“You’ve got to watch this show on Netflix called Lilyhammer, it’s the best one on the channel.”

“Dude, you have to check out Peaky Blinders.  I love this show.  It’s on Netflix right now.”

“Chuck, you need to watch Stranger Things on Netflix.  Trust me on this.”

A couple of months ago, I blogged about acquiring a Netflix account, in that I figured the litany of TV shows on the streaming channel would help pass the time while I went through surgery and recovery.  And although I binge-watched and completed all 61 episodes of Breaking Bad – and have gotten partway through the first season of Better Call Saul – it’s amazing how much loyalty other Netflix users have in that they recommended so many different comedies and dramas on the channel.

So I tried a few recommendations this week, while my left leg was still cocooned.

First show I tried was Lilyhammer, in which Steve Van Zandt plays a Mafia wiseguy who relocates to Norway.  I tried it.  I really tried it.  But it didn’t catch my fancy.

Then I tried Peaky Blinders, a drama about a group of British gangsters in post-World War I England.  Liked the first episode, maybe I’ll keep watching it.

Then I tried Orange is the New Black, but for some reason I couldn’t get used to seeing Donna from That 70’s Show as an prisoner, or Captain Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager as a prisoner.  Might take a while before I watch that show again.

I tried Daredevil and Marvel’s Jessica Jones, but for some reason both shows were so dark and depressing that I haven’t gotten past their premiere episodes.

But then I found a soothing, relaxing TV show that I was not expecting would capture my attention.

Yeah, they’ve got a couple seasons of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.  And do you know how soothing and relaxing that show is?  You sit there watching it, and all of a sudden you want to go to the craft store and buy a palate and a canvas and some oil paints and create artwork.  It’s calming, and I find myself watching this show just before I fall asleep at night.  Of course, there’s no way I could paint those beautiful landscapes as well as Bob Ross can… but maybe someday…

And those beautiful landscapes… oh man, they look just like my photos in the Adirondacks.  I need to get back up to the Adirondacks and photograph the snow-capped trees and mountains.  I need to do this right now … oh wait, my left foot is saying no Chuck, you’re not going anywhere.  Not right now.  Watch Bob Ross paint and you’ll photograph the Adirondacks in the springtime, if you’re a good boy.

Still… I was able to queue up some other programs on my Netflix account, and I’ll give them a try.

But finding these classic shows like The Joy of Painting is an added treasure indeed.

Hey… I wonder if they also carry The New Yankee Workshop, I used to love watching Norm Abram build stuff in his little work area… especially the animated weathervanes, those were super-awesome…