Staying Apart, Together: A virtual cheers to 50 years

On Sunday my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary alone. 

Physically alone, that is. As we've all come to realize in the past five months, it is possible to celebrate and find community while we stay physically apart. My parents' friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and more all sent in video messages of love, celebration and support for the landmark anniversary. There were three original songs with lyrics commemorating the anniversary, adorable children trying to remember their lines, dogs interrupting the messages in their sweet way, cameras held too close to faces or too far from them, a "Star Trek" background, champagne toasts and a re-creation of a 1970s hairdo worn at the original wedding.

My talented sister edited the videos into one, with photos from my parents' life together intermixed with the messages. On Sunday we all gathered on Zoom and watched the video as a group, tears streaming down the faces in the tiny "Brady Bunch"-style boxes. 

So my family didn't get to gather for a big party at the Jersey Shore like we originally planned. Big whoop. As wonderful as that would have been, there's something just as great (or maybe even moreso) about the fact that my parents get to have this video for the rest of their marriage, something lasting they can return to when times are tough and they need a boost. 

As far as silver linings on the pandemic go, I'll take this one gladly. 

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Today's furry joy

Who needs a celebrity baby bump watch when we can have a celebrity PANDA baby bump watch?

Zookeepers at Washington’s National Zoo announced that giant panda matriarch Mei Xiang is pregnant and could give birth as soon as this week.

“We need this! We totally need this joy,” said zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson. “We are all in desperate need of these feel-goods.”

At 22, “she is an older bear,” Baker-Masson said. “But she has been a great mother in the past.”

Mei Xiang has successfully given birth to three cubs: Tai Shan, Bao Bao and Bei Bei. 

As you might expect, viewership on the zoo’s infinitely adorable panda-cam has increased – it's up a whopping 800%. But who wouldn't want to catch the first glimpse of a baby panda?

Read more about Mei Xiang's beary good pregnancy here. 

Today's reads

• Are you looking to buy a house because interest rates are low? We have a list of the top 10 hottest zip codes in the country for buyers right now. 
• We are all afraid to make unnecessary trips outside our homes right now, but you know what is necessary? The dentist. Don't put it off. While we're at it, don't put off kids' vaccinations, either. 
• Our Paste BN movie reporters really miss going to the multiplex, and not just because they're paid to do it. Here are the 15 things they miss most. 
• Too hot to go outside? Sometimes I like to watch intentionally chilly TV (think: "Frozen Planet" or "Game of Thrones") in the air conditioning to cool down.
• LeBron James talks going for a fourth championship in the middle of a pandemic at the NBA bubble campus. 

Today's TV recommendations 

Which streaming services do you have? 

HBO, Amazon Prime Video, CBS All Access, Showtime, Hulu, Netflix

Which shows have you watched in quarantine?

"The Last Kingdom," "Ozark," "The Good Fight," "The Good Wife," "Homeland" and "Billions."

What's your favorite TV show (or shows) of all time?

"Ozark," "The Last Kingdom," "The Good Fight," "The Good Wife" and "Homeland." 

– Laura Van Duyn

You should watch ...

If you love "The Good Wife" and "The Good Fight" as much as I do, you should watch CBS's "Evil" (Season 1 streaming on CBS All Access). It's from the same creators – married couple Robert and Michelle King – and has their same smart dialogue and ripped-from-the-headlines themes. It's a spiritual and supernatural series in which a priest-in-training and a forensic psychologist investigate demonic possessions, miracles and the like for the Vatican to see if they're real or fake, sort of like "The X-Files" with a religious twist. It can get weird, but it's so smart and scary you can't stop watching, and stars "Good Wife" and "Fight" alum Mike Colter. Also if you want something in the same vein as "Billions," try "Succession" (HBO) for more lifestyles of the wealthy with soapy drama and intrigue. 

Keep sending in requests for TV suggestions to klawler@usatoday.com! All I need is what streaming services you have, what you've watched in quarantine and what your favorite shows of all time are! 

Today's pet

Meet Thelonious Coltrane.

Says owner Tracie Gieselman-France, "He will be answering all my work emails from now on." 

Hey, Thelonious, can you help me get to inbox zero?

That's all for this Tuesday. Stay safe, stay well, and the newsletter will be back in your inboxes on Saturday morning. If you'd like your pet featured, have a coping tip or want TV recommendations, email me at klawler@usatoday.com.

All my very best,

Kelly Lawler