A new addiction has caused me to spend more time in front of the TV.

It’s the Hallmark Channel’s holiday movies.

They aren’t my usual who-done-it movies, or series about doctors, lawyers, fi refi ghters or cops.

There isn’t a looney tunes neighbor or boyfriend who goes stalking or killing people on those Hallmark shows. Ditto for nutsy-squirrel talking heads and politicians who want to vent their ire, or women wearing blouses cut down to their navels.

In other words: the stories are kid-friendly and old people worthy.

Yes, the shows are predictable: the story always has a happy ending; guy always gets the girl, or vice versa, and Santa or a sweet friend or neighbor may sprinkle a little miracle dust here and there. But those feel good shows are relaxing, comforting and on 24/7.

They’ve even caused me to spend only an hour or two a day playing solitaire on my electronic game pad. That means I won’t need carpal tunnel surgery on my wrists as soon as I thought.

However, I am proud to report that my solitaire win rate is 74.38%. That’s after four years of play, and 21,452 games.

Yes, I looked up those numbers and resisted the urge to play a game, or two, though I am one of those competitive people who loves to win.

Win at anything.

You’d think I’d get my fill in playing pitch at the Lacy Community Center every other week, but I want to check out one of the Dover card games. I guess no one plays bridge anymore so I’ll just keep challenging myself with the daily newspaper bridge column.

Yep, reading newspapers is also an addiction. It doesn’t compare with my obsession for Dr Pepper, chocolate chip cookies and solitaire. And I thank goodness for computer solitaire because I always worried years ago that I wasn’t playing with a full deck.