ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT GENTLY UP THE STREAM...

Since early July, I don’t need a boat, a canoe or paddle when I go streaming - not when I have Stan as my guide and my Netflix bag of tricks.   

I don’t need a waterway, in any way or course, of course.

Bingeing can be very enjoyable.  It is very enjoyable – no “can” or canoe about it!

My two furry mates and I are addicted to series worth bingeing upon. 

Remy and Shama keep nagging at me.  Both reckon they could easily find Nemo and Dory, if I’d only let them. We have an ongoing battle over who has control over the control.  (It’s one of the few battles I manage to win - so far)!

They’ve given me their miaowed promise if Tweety Pie appears they’ll just watch him, not eat him.   

Their explanation is valid because every afternoon, through the screen door, they calmly watch the birds, only inches away, out on the patio as said native birds eat the meat I toss out for them.  

This is a daily afternoon ritual...for me, the birds, Remy and Shama...each feeling safe and secure in one's own skin, feathers and fur.

Furthermore, Remy and Shama are indoor cats, so preying on prey is not part of their daily, or nightly, activities.  Anyway, why would they want to go in search of food when they're fed chopped,fresh meat for dinner each night; prepared seafood of a variety of sorts for breakfast each day, and always a bowl of dried "munchies" at the ready for them to snack on when the mood for food to snack upon takes hold.

Both my cats are eager to watch “The Adventures of Puss in Boots”, so much so they’ve been eyeing off my shoe cupboard, to the point of trying the contents on for size.   

Nothing is sacred in this household.  I have no say.  

They refuse to watch “Paw Patrol” because it’s full of puppies, not kitties.  They spit and hiss when “Hey Duggee” appears on the screen, howling, “Where’s Hey Pussie?” 

 “Buddy Thunderstruck” has also struck a raw nerve with them. 

While wringing their paws they wail, exclaiming it’s a dog’s world, demanding Sylvester or Felix (or both) makes an appearance...and soon! 

As mentioned above, at this point in time, I’m still the one who holds the power...the remote control is mine, and mine alone to operate!

Once I got with the flow, I overdosed on “Suits”, catching up on the last three seasons (I began again from Season One), after having sulked for the past couple of years because it was taken off free-to-air TV. Obviously, it didn’t suit their budget, or was at the dry cleaners.   

I’d sorely missed the shenanigans of Harvey and Mike, and had become so wretched I even missed quirky Louis Litt, too.   What a terrific character he is, and one expertly played by the actor, Rick Hoffman.  Hoffman has the role down to a "tee".

More so, fearing she might need some right royal dating advice from me I needed to know what Harry’s girl, Meghan, had been up to during my absence from the office. 

We'd become so distraught in this household no amount of popcorn or Whiskas was going to fix the problems caused by our withdrawals over “Suits”. 

That’s where “Ray Donovan”, being the fixer that he is, should have stepped in to sort it out, but no, the fixing was left up to me, per usual. I had to call on Stan and his mate Netflix to be the fixers. 

As far as the gene pool is concerned those in “Bloodline” plunged into the deep end, no goggles, flippers or air tanks required - undeniable proof that "you can choose your friends, but not your family" . 

“Peaky Blinders” couldn’t even keep the "Bloodline" family afloat.  No matter how fast and hard they paddle, sadly, they’ll never re-surface after what they went through in three drama-filled seasons.  It probably would be safer for them if they remain under water, anyway; but, then again, one never knows what’s lurking beneath the surface.  I dare not look under my bed for fear of what I might discover. 

While bingeing on the brilliant “Billions”, which stars Damian Lewis of “Homeland” and “The Forsyte Saga” fame (he gets around that fellow), I binged on grapes, strawberries, mandarins and raw nuts.  Now I’m chewing on my nails impatiently waiting for the next season to begin.  

I’ve stepped carefully into the “House of Cards”, hoping not to cause it to come crashing down.  I’ve only a couple of episodes to go, and, no doubt, I will suffer, once again, withdrawal symptoms, when I come to an end of this particular binge.

I’ll let it slip I became involved with Stan in “The Affair”.  No! Not an affair, silly – the TV series!  I thoroughly enjoyed “The Affair”...who wouldn’t?  Dominic West is enough of an enticement for any red-blooded girl!  I'm eagerly awaiting our next tryst.  However, I’m not sure when “The Affair” is due to commence again. I’ll be ready for it when it does.

And, just for the hell of it, because I can and because I want to, I’m bingeing on “Mad Men” all over again - Round Two.  I have seen all episodes in every season, but being a dedicated follower I just had to have another dose of Don Draper and his mates.  For me it’s mandatory I get involved with all the mad men once again.

There are many interesting characters waiting on the dock; more stories needing my undivided attention.  I might be up the stream without a paddle or canoe, but, I’m not concerned.  I don't need either.  Tossing cares aside, I’ll float and go with the flow; go where the stream takes me.  

I might be "Crossing Lines" , but I feel it's "Justified".  I really don''t have to justify my habits to anyone...only to me and my two roomies.  

Furthermore, we've placed a bookmark against "Ozark"...and are looking forward to the second season.

As long as I’ve ample supplies of raw mixed nuts and fresh fruit (and Whiska, for my two furry rascals), all will be well. 

My oranges never turn black - and Ray Donovan and Co., are far more entertaining than “Yummy Mummies”, and all the other similar “reality” brain-numbing rot that's taken over free-to-air TV!

Corn-Pumpkin Chowder: Finely dice 1 med onion; chop 3 carrots, 1 sweet potato and 1-1/2kg peeled pumpkin into bite-sized pieces. Heat pot on med-high heat; add 1tbs olive oil; sauté onions; add carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, 500ml passata (optional) and 4c chick/veg stock. Bring to boil; reduce heat to med-low; simmer 15mins, uncovered. Add 125g cream cheese, 1 can chickpeas, drained, 2c frozen corn; season.  Increase heat to high; boil 5-10 mins.

Mandarin Chicken: Place 8 chicken thighs, skin on, in bowl. Cut 4 mandarins in half; squeeze the juice and juice of 1/2 lemon over thighs.  Add 2tbs soy sauce and 1 large chopped onion; add mandarin and lemon skins. Cover; marinade 2-3hrs. Remove thighs from marinade; pat dry. Melt 2tbs butter and 3tbs olive oil in pan; brown chicken; remove to plate. Add 3 mashed garlic cloves and marinated onion; sauté until translucent. Add chicken; mandarin/lemon juice, skins and 1 bay leaf, and cashews, if desired; season. Cover; cook about 30mins. Remove fruit skins and bay leaf before serve with rice.

Fruit & Nut Bread: Put 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, 1tsp honey and scant cup muesli cereal in bowl; let soak 15mins. Dissolve 1pkt yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.  Add yeast, 1-3/tsp salt, and 3c bread flour to bowl with muesli and 1-2tsp cinnamon; mix on low 3-4mins, until dough comes away from bowl. Dough will be sticky. Turn onto floured surface; form into rectangle. Spread surface with 1/2c roughly chopped dried apricots and one cup combination of whole pistachios, whole hazelnuts, dried currants and dried cranberries; add a few chopped dates and/or crystallised ginger, if you like. Fold dough in from each side; add the same amount and combination of fruit and nuts; knead dough to incorporate evenly. Place in oiled bowl; cover; set in warm place to rise 1hr. Turn onto paper lined baking sheet; form into rectangle loaf, as smooth as possible; brush with beaten egg; sprinkle with rolled oats. Cover; let rise, 30mins. Bake in 220C oven, 35-40mins.