One of my favorite activities these days is to settle into my recliner with a warm blanket and watch an hour or two of people struggling to stay warm and stay fed in the wilds of Alaska.

I cancelled my cable TV a few weeks back and am now very contented with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Mostly Netflix.  One of my favorites is Life Below Zero, a reality show about individuals living in Alaska and showing the things they do to survive.  A few decades ago I wouldn’t give nature shows a second look.  But then I guess peoples’ tastes change over time.  I can remember when Peyton Place was a night time soap opera and I’d never miss an episode.  But then I pretty much watched every single thing television had to offer in those days.  Even with black and white and no remotes, TV was the best thing ever invented, in my opinion.  But that was then. Now, computers are the best thing ever invented.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the lives of these folks you follow on a regular basis. Tonight I went to the Facebook page of Life Below Zero to read the bios on the half dozen folks they feature.  It tickled my funny bone to read the comments that viewers had about some of these stars. Remind me to never sign up to be on a reality show. While some comment on how much they adore so and so, others aren’t shy about showing their displeasure. Like these three who wrote:

 “Must admit I always flip channels when that Sue comes on--not my cup of tea at all. She should have a toilet roll wrapped round her neck, there's that much sh… comes out of her mouth!”

And on the other side:     “I just love Sue...I loved it when she went flying through the air when she was on the snow machine. I laughed till I cried...good stuff.”

“Funny how people complain about these people; try doing what they do for one day. You won't survive without your smartphones, grocery store, and heat. Go kill for your next meal and let's see how well you do.”

Reading the comments viewers have on the stars of various programs is a never-ending source of entertainment.  I’ve never been to Alaska and never really wanted to go, although my daughter tells me I’d love an Alaskan cruise. But it’s doubtful I’ll ever go. Traveling has become something I only like to watch on television.