Okay, so I lasted less than a month into my self-challenge to go a year without television. Sometimes we make plans and God laughs. I suppose the idea that I had to do without something made me obsess about it to the point where I gave in. Like being on a strict diet. Whatever the doctor says to avoid becomes the only thing you crave, like bacon or chocolate.

I had great intentions. The hope was that by spending zero time rotting my brain in front of the blinking box, I would spend the time on loftier pursuits–such as reading through my 198-book to-be-read list, writing, going out with Handsome, and spending time with the grandchildren.

The time with grandchildren became five hours every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday so that my daughter could complete her night classes. Her husband is a truck driver and often comes home about 8 p.m., so he certainly couldn’t pick up the darlings from school and daycare, feed them, and supervise homework. I was volun-told that this would be my responsibility.

By the second week, Giana wanted to watch television after homework, so I relented and tried to stay in other rooms to avoid watching Casey Undercover, and other Disney series. Soon, she wanted me to sit with her, so we played Uno and turned off the tube.

Television has become toxic. Biased news, mean reality shows, shows with laugh tracks, no thank you.

Let us spread love, kindness, forgiveness, patience, and personal responsibility. Let’s spread forgiveness to extinguish the fires of hatred and division.

More reading. More interacting with live people, like the grandchildren. More love. Less television.