AI for Dummies

by sssmahh303, posted in Reviews

Mary Ann

I am sure that you have battled with your phone when texting.  You spell please and the phone spell Louise.   You repeat it, and it does the same thing.  By the third try, the phone may begin to cooperate.  Does this sound familiar?   Another scenario – you are trying to contact the bank, and you are in a verbal game of ping pong with the “person” at the bank continually asking for clearer instruction.  By this point you are totally frustrated and may just hang up or you fall on your knees after being directed to a real person.  This is now our world, and AI or artificial intelligence is the new “person” in our lives.  I am sure you have doubted making a new friend with AI that you didn’t ask for.

You are all aware that my friend Lisa and I do our non-fiction book club.  I have shared several of our selections with you in reviews and such.  Well, Lisa thought it would be good for us old ladies to learn about AI.  I bulked at first, but she was gung-ho!  We settled on reading AI for Dummies by Mueller, Massaron, and Diamond.   It seemed like a good start because we were AI dummies. The edition we read was 2025, a recent update, but as we began to read, we realized it was already outdated.  AI is moving fast – a lot faster than Lisa and I were moving.  It was laborious reading like a college science text.  However, I must admit I did learn some new vocabulary.  Tokens was the key word.  Tokens are bits of information.  The tokens are stored in the data centers.  That is why your phone texting takes the beginning of your intended word and finds something else that could fit which of course is not what you wanted.  We both could see how AI could help doctors or lawyers, but the information you are searching for is only as good as the data input.  It is sort of true for everything.  

Then we got braver since we now knew three new vocabulary words and decided to take an online class with the Princeton Adult School.  It was ZOOM class with an AI guy from the University of PA.  It was a Q and A format.  However, no one knew enough to even ask questions.  Since I am an educator, I was concerned about how AI would be used with students.  I was also concerned with creativity – I didn’t want the world cheating on original ideas.  We did learn a few things.  For example, Claude is the best system to use to support you with research or formatting materials.  I have a writer friend who uses Claude as his staff.  It saves him so much time with his self-publishing work.  AI is a tool.  I just don’t want it to become my best friend. 

Most people don’t know anything about AI and are afraid of it.  I get it.  That is me for the most part.   I did however explore further.  Christ Hayes of MS NOW has a pod cast called Why is This Happening?  He recently hosted several AI experts in an 8-episode series called The AI End Game. Chris is bright journalist who asked many questions that I had, and the experts did clearly explain their responses.  The episode on ethics with Timnit Gebru was excellent and the episode, Boom to Bust with Ed Zitron explained AI economics. The episode on AI consciousness was a bit scary.  If you want to take a short course, these podcasts will educate you. It was worth the eight-ish hours I dedicated to it.  They are more entertaining than AI for Dummies.  Who needs a textbook when you can listen in your car or while exercising?  You can get these podcasts wherever you get you podcasts – I sound like a TV commercial.  It is free – that is always good. 

I must say that Lisa and I haven’t really stopped talking about AI.  She send me articles from the NY Times all the time.  AI is here, like it or not.  Is it here forever?  That is the question.  This all reminded me when home computers came into our lives or the Internet.  It is a blessing and a curse. I just really want to know if something is true.  One lady in the Princeton Adult Class asked how to tell if a picture was real.  Our professor explained several steps to verify a photo.  NO ONE has time to do that for each picture we encounter.  I guess we are going to have to trust.  Not an easy thing to do! 

This has been my journey with AI so far.  I hope that it might help you if you are as confused as I was and still am on many levels.  I have given you some good direction for your journey.  Travel safe and put your seat belt on!   

Gathering Wellness Information

by Cynthia, posted in Wellness

How many times have you gone to the doctor, already assured of the cause of what is ailing you? If you are like me, you enjoy doing preliminary research. You feel assured when you believe you are informed.

In the past we relied solely on the doctor for medical advice. Yet now, with so much information available to us, the doctor has become the one who validates what we already know. The doctor has the authority to prescribe medication or treatment. If you ask medical professionals, most will say that internet searches are their worst enemies as patients come into their offices, already having answers.

Elderly woman speaking to a stressed male doctor in NHS scrubs in a medical office

I have personally experienced this myself.  I went for a consultation before agreeing to an invasive medication, armed with a long list of questions.  The doctor was so exasperated with my questions that he actually walked out on me, almost slamming the door behind him.  In my defense, my questions were based on reading the results of a clinical trial that were published by the company that sold the treatment. I felt the doctor had “god syndrome” – that is, he believed a patient should take his word as gospel and not question his authority. Of course, I wasn’t questioning his authority; just his experience in administering the medication. Oh, well.

All this to say, be discerning when turning to YouTube, websites, and social media for answers. Please understand, I am not blaming the social media platforms. Online health information can be helpful. It can also be misleading or even incorrect. Ultimately, talk to your doctor and hope s/he has the patience to answer your questions.

Following are some thoughts about searching for and using online health information.

Start With a Healthy Level of Caution

Remember that online medical content can be useful for learning basic information, but it should not replace individualized medical advice. Be especially careful with advice about diagnosis, medication changes, supplements, diets, procedures, or stopping prescribed treatment. Each person has a unique chemistry, lifestyle, and history. Work with your medical professionals to discern the best treatment for you as an individual.  Assume that any dramatic claims need verification before acting on them.

Check Who Is Providing the Advice

Video call between a man and a female AI health specialist in white coat

This is a big one! Look for the author’s name, credentials, professional role, and organization. Just this week I watched two online videos by AI doctors! While the information shared may have come from reliable sources, AI’s ability to filter those sources is still in its infancy.  Opt instead, for sources connected to government health agencies, major medical centers, universities, professional medical organizations, or established nonprofit health organizations. Be especially cautious if the content creator does not clearly identify her/his qualifications or uses vague labels such as “health expert,” “wellness coach,” or “researcher” without verifiable details.

Evaluate the Purpose of the Content

Ask whether the goal is to inform, sell, persuade, entertain, or build an audience.  Watch for sponsored products, affiliate links, paid memberships, supplement sales, coaching programs, or “exclusive” cures.  Be careful when fear, urgency, outrage, or miracle language is used to keep your attention.

Look for Evidence, Not Just Opinions

Reliable medical information should provide the source indicating from where the evidence comes.  Look for references to peer-reviewed research, clinical guidelines, medical organizations, or expert review.  Watch out for personal stories presented as proof, limited trials and studies, or claims that “doctors do not want you to know this.”  Check whether the information is current, because medical guidance can change as new evidence becomes available. How often have you seen information that is one, five, even twenty years old? Once information is posted online, it never goes away!

Searching for answers is a way of life these days. A wealth of good information is in cyberspace awaiting our perusal. It is great to have valuable information at our fingertips. The important thing is to be mindful, cautious, and discerning.  Then, search to your heart’s content!

Expired

by sssmahh303, posted in Taking Care of Business

Mary Ann

Just like expiration dates on your produce and canned goods, I think we have expiration dates on other aspects of our lives.  I am not talking divorce or death, but indeed they are endings.  I think that we outgrow certain facets of our lives.  In recent years, two come to mind that were big steps for me to take to say goodbye to features that were a big part of my life in the past. 

When I was young, I would read the Time Magazine, and there was a section called People. I would read it each week to see what the celebrities were up too.  Sometimes it was the only segment that I was interested in.  Then in 1974, People Magazine was launched with Mia Farrow on the cover.  I was beyond thrilled.  I got a whole magazine on famous and not so famous people.  It was a step up from the grocery store tabloids.  

I read just about every issue for over 50 years, but I did not renew it this past year.  Surprise, I haven’t missed it.  It no longer held the magic it once did for me. I still liked the reviews of movies, TV, and books, however The Find the Difference photos came to be the only thing I really liked doing.  I realize that as I have gotten older, the world of influencers or WB stars are not in my orbit anymore.  You can hardly keep up with who is in and who is out.  However, I just don’t find the articles interesting anymore.  I don’t really need true crime stories or features highlighting people who do not have sterling characters.  So, it doesn’t seem worth the $100 plus just to play a photo game.  Bye-Bye, People!

Another goodbye that I thought I would never say is Saturday Night Live!  When it began in the fall of 1975, it was the most original piece of comedy ever produced.  Not Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett that I watched in my youth, but it had political satire and clever skits about slices of American life.  I could hardly wait for the next episode.  The original cast with Chevy Chase or John Bulshi or Gilda Radner and company were hysterical.  It was funny without being cruel.  Remember Cone Heads?  SNL was a launching pad for so much comedy talent, and I admire the show for that.

I watched for nearly 50 years but in the last few years, SNL was becoming mean – I guess reflecting the general society.  Frankly, I was bored.  I am old, but I like to laugh.  I still enjoyed Weekend Update and the cold openings especially during Presidential election years.  Then it became cruel as well.  I have a hard time watching Colin Jost say crude things about his wife, Scarlett Johansen.  You lose respect for those individuals. I don’t really need that in my life anymore.  So goodbye Saturday Night Live!   

There are a few things that I wish I could say goodbye to now.  However, they don’t seem to be fading in popularity. I don’t like crypto currency.  Call me old fashion, but I want to see my money.  It seems like a Ponzi scheme to me with the people at the top getting rich and the people at the bottom losing their life’s savings.  

I hate naked dressing.  Maybe it is my mother whispering in my ear that I needed to wear a slip because my dress was sheer, and you could see the outline of my legs.  Remember the scandal when this happened to Lady Di before she became a princess?  I love to see an awards show and see the participants dressed in beautiful clothes as they walk the Red Carpet.   I especially love Marchese – if you could wear a fairytale, you would be wearing Marchese.  Naked dressing doesn’t leave much to the imagination.  You lose the romance of beautiful clothes, and a little mystery is always good.  

And for now, I trying to figure out if I like AI.  It is here but the jury is still out for me whether it is something I am going to unitize.  It is in my life whether I like it or not.  I have a blog coming out on my adventure with AI, so I look forward to sharing that with you. 

For now, I have expired some things in my life.  I have that power to do just that if something isn’t adding to my life.  If something is taking away from my life, it is time for it to expire!   

Mona’s Eyes

by Cynthia, posted in Reviews

The Barnes and Noble book of the year by Thomas Schessler has had mixed reviews, most of which are negative. I feel that to be a sad commentary on today’s readers. I found this book to be an excellent source of learning with a sweet story propping up the lessons.

Schessler provides several essential elements which underscore the artistic adventures of Dade’ and Mona and allow insight into the challenges facing a little girl.

Preserving Memory. Upon observing the trivial objects in the ten-year-old’s room, the grandfather embarks on a quest to provide her with a mental repository of art, imagination and wonder to draw upon should her eyesight fail permanently.

Life Lessons.  Each selection of art is explained not only in terms of the painter/sculptor but includes emotional or philosophical or historical context. Dade’ provides these lessons to assist Mona in navigating the harsh realities of life; lessons that her parents are not equipped to share with her.

Emotional Growth. The grandfather’s treatise regarding each piece of art is, in fact, a form of therapy. Giving Mona perspective on the world and drawing out her own inner strength helps Mona overcome the terror of darkness and blindness.

Focus. Mona is charged by her grandfather to look at the art each week – to really see what is in the painting/sculpture. At first, she gets bored after only a few minutes. Yet as time goes on, she becomes enthralled with the elements in each piece. Learning to focus her attention on the works of art she becomes curious about the meaning of each piece. She wonders about the artist and why s/he expressed her/himself in this way. She learns to take time to observe rather than to rush through an assignment, thus enjoying and better understanding what is before her.

Create a Structure. Mona knows that every Wednesday after school she will spend time with her Dade’ viewing and discussing a work of art. She looks forward to the visits, even though they may at times be tedious. Having structure helps us navigate our days. And enjoying one day per week, knowing what our task will be gives us a sense of purpose.

While many of the reviews find the book boring as each chapter is basically a review of works of art (see https://monaseyesgallery.com ) ,I find it intellectually rich while easily accessible. Critics focus on the “unrealistic” conversations and understanding of a ten-year-old.  Have they met many ten-year-olds these days? Many are quite capable of understanding concepts that some of us may not have contemplated in years gone by. Young people are exposed to all manners of knowledge and information. Teaching young people to discern what is real would be a tribute to any grandparent.

While this book is a novel, I would describe it more as a lesson in art history with a side story about a young lady who is navigating the sometimes-harsh realities of life. Schessler has provided us with wonderful, sometimes intense information in an easy-to-read format. I, for one, appreciate the opportunity to revisit masters’ works of art in a delightful and rich compilation. Each short chapter can be savored. If you are looking for a light, summer read, this may not be your best choice. Yet if you want to learn about art from a new and engaging perspective, give Mona’s Eyes a look.

Le Temps des Cerises

by sssmahh303, posted in Lifestyle

Mary Ann

I was travelling in Provence in early August with a group of friends.  We were driving down a country road when we came upon a field of lavender that was surrounded with hedgerows of cherry trees.  You know the kind with big, black, sweet Bing cherries.  They are delicious and as you devour them, they stain your fingers and lips a dark red.  We stopped the car to take pictures of lavender, but I ended up taking pictures of the cherries and tasting one or two.  Scrumptious! It was Le Temps des Cerises – the time of cherries!

I did not know that phrase, but I came across it later in a book.  The time of cherries is a happy time.  Life is good.  It was defined as the time in summer that is carefree and full of love.  Since I was last in France, the phrase has morphed into a clothing line, restaurants, and wine labels.  The phrase reminded me of our American catch phrase,” Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” capturing that life is going well. (Did you know that phrase came from a 1930 song?) 

One Christmas, I took the pictures of cherries that I took in Provence and framed them as gifts.  I made a border in fancy script of Le Temps des Cerises, The Time of Cherries, Life is a Bowl of Cherries, and Life is Good that surrounded the picture. I put the photo on a small easel, and I then found glass cherries that I placed near the easel.  A little bit of France with wishes for happiness.  

When I visited Cynthia once, we went to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art to see their glass exhibits.  Dale Chihuly, the Master of Art Glass, has permanent exhibits there.  As a parting gift, Cynthia gave me a glass cherry that I place by my cherry photo.  It is so Cynthia, and the cherry represents the happy time I had with her.  It is always a reminder of her when I look at the cherry photo. 

Since we are talking about cherries, let me share with you one of my favorite desserts, and it is French. Clafoutis is a fruit custard dessert that is like a flan with fruits. It is usually made with Bing cherries. Though, I have made it with peaches and pears and is equally as good.  Just use the fruit that is in season. 

Here is the recipe from the Linousin/Augergne (south central) region of France.  I am not sure where I got this recipe so if I have stolen this from Julia Childs, please forgive me.  I have seen several Clafoutis recipes online, so I am not sure any recipe is scared anymore.  

CLAFOUTIS

1 ½ lbs. ripe black (Bing) cherries, not pitted (warn guests about the pits)

2 eggs

1 egg yolk

½ cup (4 oz.) sugar

2 ½ oz. butter, melted

2/3 cup of all-purpose flour

1 cup of milk 

Vanilla sugar (vanilla bean in regular sugar) or 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees; wash, dry, stem the cherries 

Butter an oven proof dish large enough to hold the cherries in a single layer.  Place cherries in dish.  Combine the eggs and the yolk in a bowl, add sugar, and whisk until the mixture is pale in color.  Whisk in the butter.  Sift in the flour and mix well, then add in the milk.  Pour the mixture over the cherries. 

Bake for 40 minutes @ 400 degrees or you could bake @ 350 degrees for 50 minutes until golden brown and a knife comes out clean. 

Your house will smell delicious as the Clafoutis bakes.  It is really an easy recipe and so French.  You will have your very own Les Temps des Cerises, a happy time with friends and family as you enjoy the Clafoutis together.  Bonne Appetite!  Joie De Vivre!

The Bible Recap

by Cynthia, posted in Reviews

My grandson is studying interpersonal communication as a precursor to a career in ministry. Since high school he has led a youth group each week and facilitates Sunday morning gatherings for youth. He has been vested in this calling for quite some time and his enthusiasm is unwavering. Prior to getting married this past February, he lived with me, as my home is less than a ten-minute drive to the parking lot at his college. So that I may get my facts straight when we discuss religion, I decided it was time to reread the Bible*. Frankly, it has been a very long time since I sat down and went through the entire Bible and I don’t think I’ve ever completed the reading within a year.

I visited Mardel, the Christian Bookstore that is owned by the Greenes who also own Hobby Lobby. I was in search of Christian leadership books for my grandson. During my visit I decided to look at Bibles, too. Admittedly, I was overwhelmed by the selections and, frankly, surprised by the price tags. In addition to Bibles and related books I searched for Read-the-Bible-in-a-Year plans. Back at home, I continued my search online.

For Christmas, my grandson gave me an Amazon gift card to apply to the purchase of a new television in the family room. The one I had was having trouble with all the streaming. I was not ready to expend the money for a new television, but I wanted a new Bible for accomplishing this year’s quest. I asked him if he would mind that I use the gift card to purchase a new Bible. I have several but the most-read ones also have highlights and notes from days gone by. This goal would be approached in a different manner. Needless to say, he was thrilled!

I purchased an artfully covered Bible and matching tabs which I painstakingly applied. Then I settled on the plan that I would begin on January 1. The plan is called “The Bible Recap” (TBR) and is published by founder Tara-Leigh Cobble. The approach is reading the Bible in a year in biblical chronological order. It is a delightful way to accomplish my goal.

Each day I open the app on my smart phone. The day-of-the-year and the date are highlighted in a box. The reading for the day is listed by book and chapters to be read for the day. Ahead of the list is a “devotional.” Multiple methods exist towards the same outcome. The passage may be read in a hard copy Bible or the selection can be read on the phone. Yet I discovered after a few days that I can listen and follow along. The gentleman’s voice is soothing and his pronunciation of difficult names is delightful. I don’t have to struggle through those unfamiliar sounds.

Upon completion of each day’s readings, I go back to the devotional where Tara-Leigh Cobble recaps the day’s readings. Her seven-minute review highlights important passages as she talks about the culture of the times in which the scrolls were recorded. On Wednesday’s she does a “check in” with additional information. During this review I take notes and sometimes highlight passages with my fancy new Bible markers, which are designed not to bleed through the thin pages.

Each time a new book of the Bible is begun, a video from The Bible Project does an overview of the book. These videos are fun as the author/narrator draws while explaining. I have found these invaluable in understanding the totality of the book, so much so that I am recording the day that a book is introduced so I can refer to the videos again if necessary. (See https://bibleproject.com/ )

Honestly, when I set this lofty goal, I feared I would fizzle out. But The Bible Recap is an excellent guidepost and makes reading even the challenging stories more palpable. To date I can boast I am on target!

Whether or not you are religious or Christian, if you want to explore the Bible in its totality, I highly recommend The Bible Recap. https://www.thebiblerecap.com/

*The author has read other religious and spiritual texts over the years. It is the author’s philosophy that to understand humanity it is helpful to have a broad knowledge of various teachings.

Brain Games 

by sssmahh303, posted in Wellness

Mary Ann

When you suddenly can’t remember a name or recall a word that is on the tip of your tongue, you begin to panic that you are getting early onset Alzheimers.  At our age, it probably would not be early onset.  It is just old age. 

It is frightening to think that you might be losing your mental faculties.  It is hard enough to deal with the aches and pains of aging and then be fearful that you will fall for a scam giving all your money away or be in a permanent brain fog.  So, what can you do about it?  

The experts would tell you to learn new things, get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, have social connections, and challenge your brain in novel ways.  Even in old age, the brain can adapt, learn, and build new connections between nerve cells.  This is called neuroplasticity. 

People with mild cognitive impairment can do many things to improve their mental skills.  They can “exercise” their brains with activities that require thinking, remembering, focusing, learning, and problem solving.  The secret is to challenge yourself.  There are lots of computerized cognitive games that you can do on your computer, iPad, or phone.  You can learn a new language or a musical instrument. Take up any new artistic endeavor.  Write a journal and read everything.  Take classes.  I Zoom classes all the time – a previous blog detailed this. The activity should be novel, test you, and be enjoyable so you will continue with it. 

Crossword puzzles are always mentioned.  However, I cannot spell so that makes it doubly hard for me.  I can look at a word and know it is misspelled, but if I must generate the word, it will take me several tries if I ever get it.  I have taken to doing Word Searches or Find-A-Word puzzles which I find relaxing.  After years of teaching, I can read words upside down and backwards which is necessary to do the searches. This comes from looking at students’ papers from the other side of the desk.  That learned skill has finally come in handy.  Who knew?  

I also like to do Hidden Picture Puzzles.  I guess I always loved the Highlight magazine’s Hidden Pictures that we found in the dentist office. The company Brain Games has a wonderful selection of all kinds of brain games.  The Scavenger Hunt books from them are challenging but lots of fun.  The Find the Cat books are hard.  Kitties are tricky.  

If you like numbers, there is sudoku.  I have a variation of the puzzle that is a wooden board with colored balls.  It looks easy, but it is very thought-provoking.  There is a game for every interest and attention span.  You just need to find something of interest to you.  You can sign up for expensive online courses or go to Dollar Trees and stock up on Word Searches. And of course, Amazon has endless brain games.

I start everyday with prayers, meditations, readings, and brain games.  I am hoping that it is all helping my brain.  At least, I am trying, and it is all enjoyable.  It is nice to kill two birds with one stone – exercising the brain and having fun doing it!  Join me in making a difference in your brain and in your life.   

Goalie – Check

by Cynthia, posted in Taking Care of Business

Okay. By the title I selected I bet you were thinking this post would be about the FIFA World Cup. If you were following the sport, I apologize for the teaser. We have arrived at the 204th day of 2026 with only 161 days to go – so we are a little past half-way through the year.  For me, that means it is time to check in with my goals and task list that were created in January.

I want to see how true I have been to completing those items that were important to me six months ago. And if they are no longer relevant, it is time to adjust. Hence, an update!

Elderly woman reading handwritten notes in a notebook at home

Overall, I have the physical aspect of my goals down to a science. My emphasis on the Mediterranean and Portfolio dietary guidelines have served me well. I feel healthy and satisfied when I stay close to those suggestions. I drink a lot of water and exercise daily. I find that, as a writer, I tend to sit too long at a time. So, I wear a smart watch that encourages me to move every hour if I haven’t done so. When I get those reminders, I jump into an exercise snack (which Mary Ann wrote about earlier this year).

My friendship circle is expanding. Yes, it takes a lot of effort yet interestingly this year the friends are reaching out to me at the same rate that I reach out to them. This seems like a first as I have always felt that I must be the one to initiate visits. Maybe it is the people with whom I am now interacting opposed to sometimes-friends of the past. My heart is warmed with the people whom I see regularly and share a few moments.

I am on target with a part of my spiritual goal. Using the Bible Recap app, I have finished 23 books of the Bible, reading in chronological order, with the goal of completing the entire Bible in one year. The Bible is not included in my goal of reading 24 books this year. So far, I have read eleven books and am currently reading four others. I know that sounds crazy but two of the books require writing, one is a weekly reflection, and the fourth is an art-related novel about which I will post a review upon completion. All that to say, I feel I am on target to complete the reading objective.

In the “occupational” or “professional” category I had but one goal – to update my estate plan.  The legal part of that is complete but the personal part is taking a lot more time. Still, I am moving forward. I think one’s “estate plan” for lack of a better moniker is really never complete. Life offers many and constant changes.

Elderly woman reading documents at a table with a dog lying on the floor

One of my creativity goals will span years, but I have made some progress. I am attempting to select the best or most relevant pictures from various time periods and events and create Shutterfly books. Those take time and are not inexpensive. Thus, I am pacing myself.  Still, I have completed a few this year.

Admittedly, the one goal for which I seem to fail is writing. I write all the time, but I want to finish at least one book! I have several chapters started for four books! I think about them frequently yet don’t sit down and work on them. I have a tendency to think I need to get the little tasks out of the way first. Doesn’t sound like this is an important goal, does it? I will reflect on that.

All in all, I feel I am accomplishing what I set out to do this year.  Did you set goals or New Year’s resolutions?  If so, how are yours coming along? Hallmark is showing Christmas movies in July as this is half-way through their year, too. Now is the perfect time to check in on things you want to complete before the year’s end.  Good luck with your goals!

The Correspondent 

by sssmahh303, posted in Reviews

Mary Ann

Dear SSS Reader,

I am writing to share a unique book with you, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.  In the last few years, there have been several books written in the letter format, so I decided I would write the review in the same manner.  Let’s see how this goes.

The Correspondent is the story of Sybil Van Antwerp.  Sybil is a woman of letters, that is, letter writing. The story progresses through her letters and emails that she writes each day.  Sybil is in her 70s, and this is another trend in some recent literature with Theo of Golden and Remarkably, Bright Creatures with Tova’s story.  All older people who share their wisdom thorough the stories.

Sybil writes her brother, her best friend, her children, her neighbor, and famous authors such as Joan Didion who do answer her. There is a continuing battle with her garden club. You can identify with Sybil and her fellow characters as they live life just like you.  She has a charming exchange with Harry, a young man who needs a friend in his corner.  We watch Harry grow up in Sybil’s letters. 

There are some romances in Sybil’s golden years, and secrets from her past that unfold with the evolution of the story.  Sybil was adopted, and her DNA opens new avenues to investigate. The Correspondent is full of surprises and is a good lesson for us all to learn.  There are surprises waiting for all of us that are just around the corner. 

As you join Sybil by reading her story through her letters, you will find a book of memorable characters and witness a life well-lived.  The Correspondent has been a selection for many book clubs and questions are provided at the end of the book.  Cynthia read it as a selection for her club.  

The Correspondent is being made into a major motion picture. Won’t that be fun!  Maybe Helen Mirren will play Sybil?  It is fun to imagine who will have the lead role.  As I read books, I often cast the movie in my head, and for the most part I never get it right.  I guess I do not have a future career as a casting director.   Do you do this as well?

I have enjoyed sharing this review with you through a letter.  I hope you have enjoyed it too.  The Correspondent is a quick read, and maybe it will encourage you to write an old friend or your grandchildren.  It is nice to get a letter in the mail.  

Fond Regards,

Mary Ann

Why Book Clubs?

by Cynthia, posted in Lifestyle

Book clubs seem to be at every turn. Celebrities and large organizations are getting into the act of hosting book clubs. Many of the popular publications produce lists of must-reads.  Is it any wonder people are gravitating towards book clubs?

In my professional days I had little time to read random genres or books simply for pleasure. As a university executive, I read books on leadership, universities, government, and technical and legal publications. The reading was interesting but rarely light and fun. So, once I retired, I was free to start reading for enjoyment. The question was, “where do I start?” Honestly, I didn’t know what kind of books I would like to read at this juncture.

Hence, I started a book club! Of course I had ulterior motives, too. I needed some intellectual stimulation and a chance to foster friendships. A book club seemed to fit the bill. There are articles, blogs, and websites galore about managing or participating in book clubs. Many are what I would call theme based. Mary Ann for instance has a nature-oriented book club. (She has written about her club previously.) I invited friends whom I believed would enjoy the camaraderie and whom I thought would actually read and discuss the selection.

Group of six people discussing books around a wooden table in a café.

Setting expectations was my first mistake. At first, everyone came and most read the book of the month – or at least some of it. Over time, however, people became less reliable.  In fact, one of the first to drop out, after having little commitment in the first place, started her own book club a couple of years later. That fizzled out too. But that is a different story.

I joined another book club. It is small but members are committed to the process and to each other. It’s wonderful to see the value in coming together for a common purpose. The thing I enjoy most is the variety of genres we read. This particular book club is not theme-based. We have read fiction and non-fiction; Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winning books and beach reads; best sellers and barely known; and well-known and debut authors. Some books are short, some are easy, some are thick, and some are more challenging.

Reading a variety of titles and authors is expanding my thinking and knowledge. How fun it is to seek out the “next read.” The Literary Lattes work well together. The club is self-managing – no one person is in charge – we all share the load, so to speak. What a great group of women and man (yes, only one man in our group!) Since we determine what we will read at least six months in advance, I can have the book on hand.

The Literary Lattes meet at a Barnes and Noble café one morning a month to catch up. Then we discuss the selection of the month. There is no pressure to host (meaning we don’t have to worry about cleaning the house, putting out hors d’oeuvres, or sending someone out after having had too much wine!) Our selections come from some of the recommended reading lists, or from recommendations of friends and family.

I enjoy most of the books but occasionally I don’t care for one of the reads. Still, I am usually glad I read the book. A lesson is to be learned in every experience and books are no exception. I am grateful for the opportunity to read and to discuss with others.  It’s a Reading Rainbow!