Cheese Man of Aix-en-Provence

by sssmahh303, posted in Lifestyle

Mary Ann

While traveling in the South of France with friends, we decided to take a cooking class.  It was held at a winery, and it all seemed so romantic and adventuresome. First however, we were going to the Farmer’s market in Aix-en-Provence to get the food we needed to prepare for our dinner.  It was farm-to-table which is most of the meals in France. 

The market was full of stalls that held produce of fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, red meat, breads and pastries, and of course, cheese.  It was a feast for the eye!  The cheese monger was an older gentleman whose white hair and beard looked like an unruly goat with hair sticking out everywhere.  He was beautiful.  Just the kind of picture you want to take to remember a day at the market.  So, I was sneaking around trying to get the perfect shot.  He, however, was on to me and kept ducking or turning his head.  I just was not going to get a picture of this” beautiful” man. No luck!

We met up with the chef who took us to the various stalls to buy the ingredients.  The chef explained how to choose the perfect ingredients for our dinner such as selecting a monk fish – boy, one ugly fish!  Then we moved to the cheese stall where the “goat” man reigned.  I was coming face-to-face with the man I was trying to photograph.  He looked me in the eye, and I looked him in the eye.  We totally recognized each other.   I was so embarrassed turning every shade of red, because he knew what I was trying to do.  I spoke to the chef asking him to apologize for me.  I was just plain rude to this man getting into his personal space regardless how enticing the picture would have been.  The chef told the cheese man how sorry I was.  As it turned out, the week before, he had been manhandled by a lady from Germany who took “selfies” of this poor man who just wanted to sell his cheese. The German woman shook him so when I came around with camera in hand, he thought I would do the same things.  The goat man and I smiled at each other, but I don’t think he really trusted me.  He went on to explain through the chef how the cheese was aged, and we tasted the difference – all very interesting!  I then slinged away. I never did get a picture of the cheese or the cheese monger. 

We continued shopping and then departed to the winery cooking the afternoon away in the creation of an excellent meal.  We sampled their delicious wines, and it truly was a memorable meal. As we departed, they sent us off with three bottles of wine and the recipes.  Yummy!

I did learn a valuable lesson that day about photographing native people.  Tourists are the paparazzi of the average man.  You must respect them.  They are not a building or vista that is there to photograph.  They are living, breathing people with feelings.  Since then, I have always asked if I could take a person’s picture.  I did always ask for permission to photograph children – too many weird adults out there who could use the pictures in a bad way.  For the most part, people like to be photographed and some of my most interesting shots from any trip are of the people who live there. 

This blog has been a lesson not to be the paparazzi of the native people of any country.  It makes tourists live up to the ugly American reputation or in this case, the ugly German!  Just ask and accept the answer they give you.  You will find most people are kind. Smiles are universal!   

Annalee Dolls

by sssmahh303, posted in Friends and Family

Mary Ann

When I was a young girl, my job at Christmas was to decorate the top of our piano.  We first put down some fake snow that was quilt batting.   Then, we would add Santa’s sleigh and various Christmas characters to the snowy scene.  The featured stars of the display were four elves that were Annalee Dolls.

Annalee Dolls started in 1934 by Annalee Thorndike in Meredith, NH.  It was a cottage industry growing out of the Depression. During the 1950s and 1960s, the felt dolls with the charming hand-painted faces began to take off around the country.  With each decade the company grew bigger and bigger adding little characters for all the holidays in a variety of sizes. They ran limited editions and collecting fever hit the nation. Each year new characters are introduced, and suddenly, you just must have the Mardi Gras elf!

My mother began collecting the Annalee Dolls in the early 1960s. She would get them from a lovely gift shop in our hometown called The Studio Shop.  She slowly grew her collection and decorated for each holiday with them. The catalogs would come, and she would place lots of orders 

 When I had my own family, I began to collect as well, but not nearly as many as my mother had.  I love the elves and have several of them for all the holidays.  However, I have a large collection of Christmas elves that are scattered all over the house.  They peek around every corner and will surprise guests at every turn.  I always seem to miss one or two when I put them away.  They surprise me!

When my mother passed, we had to find new homes for hundreds of Annalee Dolls.  I added several of hers to my collection. I gave relatives specific ones that I knew would have personal meaning to them.  In the end there were still about 200 plus dolls.  Then the hard part began – what do you do with them??  I tried to sell them to collectors who were also trying to find homes for their own collections. This went on for several months.  In the end we gave them to a Women’s Thrift shop that helped abused women.  They sold them at their auction and in the store.  I know this would have made my mother happy helping other women.  

Any of you that have collections from your own mothers such as Byers’ Carolers or Hummels or Jim Shore figures or Christmas Villages know what I mean about downsizing family collections.  No one in the family wants them anymore.  Once I am gone, I am not sure anyone in my family will want the precious Annalee Dolls.  I hope someone will want the original four elves from the top of the piano. 

 When I unwrap my dolls to display for a holiday, it makes me happy to visit with them again.  I know that my mother would be happy that they bring me joy.  Most importantly, “playing” with the Annalee Dolls is like I am visiting with my mother.  It brings a smile to my lips and a tear to my eye remembering her.  

Checklist for Healthy Holidays

by Cynthia, posted in Wellness

This time of year can be fun and exciting. As the holiday season rolls around, we can also feel the pressure of more spending, additional calendar entries, richer food – all leading to an unhealthy feeling. Let’s revisit some tips for “sleighing” the holidays, as the youngsters might say.

You could go to a wellness retreat, starting at $6,500 … or you could review the following suggestions:

  1. First things, first. Take care of yourself!

We can get quite caught up in the holiday spirit. We want to say “yes” to every invitation, activity, event, and seasonal only opportunities.  I get it. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Still, as throughout the year, taking care of your physical needs is important. We push ourselves to meet the self-imposed (or other-imposed) deadlines, putting our own needs aside. At our age, it is acceptable to prioritize the need for rest.

I find my list has a lot of “carry overs” because I get tired before the end of the day. When I push myself to do “just one more task” I end up overexerting and feeling exhausted. Most of those tasks are not as important as they seemed at first. A little exercise is invigorating and helps reduce some of the stress your body is experiencing.

Good physical health leads to better mental health.  Make a plan. Set priorities. Participate in only those things you really want to do. You’ve earned the right to say “no”!

You don’t have to say “no” to all the rich and yummy food that appears this time of year. Again, make healthy choices. Eat a cookie and a piece of cake and enjoy every morsel. Just follow your preset quality and quantity goals to avoid overindulging.

  • Know the stressors.

Be aware of your limitations: Not only your physical but also financial. Set a budget and stick to it. If you are as I am, Christmas brings out the uber generosity.  I want to pay the repair people extra for their trouble. I want to buy the grandchildren everything they want. I want to treat friends to coffee, lunch, and cocktails. But I also have to remember that the income I have is the income I have. No more is coming in and I’m not looking forward to an annual raise. As my children and grandchildren get older, they actually want less. They, too, have budgets. Keeping the spending down helps them to feel less pressure.

  • Set boundaries.

The year has been somewhat contentious. Holiday gatherings are not the appropriate places to have political or other controversial conversations.  Even when it is someone else broaching an uncomfortable subject, you can arm yourself with “topic-changers.” Be prepared to tell a story about a funny childhood memory, or a new food you tried. Ask about their further holiday plans or a recipe they might have made as a contribution to the buffet. On occasion, someone may push the topic, even after you have attempted to steer away from it.  Be prepared to say some like “I would appreciate it if we didn’t discuss this right now” or “let’s find a lighter topic to discuss.”  Other people at the gathering will appreciate your ability to set the stage for pleasant interactions.

  • Do something meaningful.

Meaningful is different for each of us.  You may engage in a walk. Visit a neighbor. Call or Zoom a distant friend. Write holiday cards.  If you are lonely or missing a loved one who has passed, you might try an adult coloring book or journal your feelings.

Non-profits especially appreciate volunteers this time of year. Helping a registered organization reminds us that with all of our aches and pains and occasional sadness, we are still fairly well off and have a lot of blessings.

Sit back for a moment. Relax. Think of three things you for which you are grateful. Then put a smile on your face and take in a breath of cold December air. Enjoy the holiday season. Spring is just around the corner!

Storing Holiday Decor

by Cynthia, posted in Taking Care of Business

Decorating for the holidays can be a bit overwhelming. Still, it is exciting to pull out treasures from years gone by, prompting memories of friends, family members, and events. Opening the tubs of decorations is almost like Christmas itself. I never tire of seeing gems that have been hidden away for a year.

One such memory comes up every year while decorating the “family” tree, which consists of ornaments from my daughter’s childhood and my daddy’s Santa ornaments. My seven-year-old participated in a gift exchange at school. (Needless to say that was more than 40 years ago!)  I sent a Barbie doll. She received a small handmade wooden mouse ornament.  Every year she tells the story about how she was “robbed” because she really wanted the Barbie. I tried to instill in her the sacrifice of the family who gifted her the ornament.  Yet, every year her children roll their eyes at her story.  Finally two years ago, I gave her a gift right after she told her story – a “professional” Barbie complete with a briefcase.  We all had a good laugh … and last year we didn’t get the story. So much for memories.  All that to say, it’s nice to store holiday décor and benefit from it year after year.

For those of you who have followed our blog for quite some time, you may recall I wrote about storing holiday items in the summer of 2024. Well, I couldn’t help myself after reading “Essential Holiday Storage Tips” by Lauren Kim in American Lifestyle Magazine.  I felt validated! Her tips mirror my practices and are worth repeating.  Following just a few storage guidelines will help preserve your favorite items and make it easier to find next year.

Designate a Location

Having a specific location for all of your holiday décor saves time and frustration. Rather than wondering where a certain item is, you can go to the place where you store all of it. Knowing where you will store items helps you determine the type of container. Mine are in the garage on commercial shelves. At my age, the attic that is access via a pull-down ladder is not practical. (Safety first!)

Consolidate Like Items

Since I have always been a “theme-girl” it is easy to gather the décor for each theme into one tub (or more if you need them). The Santa figurines are in a tub; nutcrackers in another; decorative baking molds in a third; and so on.

Packing the Container

In many cases I kept the original box. This is especially essential for collectibles as having the original box makes the item more valuable when it’s time to sell or donate. For unboxed items, I wrap them carefully in tissue paper. Heavier items go on bottom, lighter and more delicate objects on top. In some cases, an ornament storage container is handy. They are great for more than just ornaments. [I bought a three-tiered one several years ago and use it to store napkin rings.] As I remove the items from its display, I wipe them down assuming they have collected a little dust while out.

Making a List; Checking It Twice

I already have an inventory with a notation of the type of container.  But a few years ago I came upon the bright idea (a-hem) of taking a picture of the items in each box when I emptied the box. It was simple – I just unwrapped each piece and placed it on the table. When all items were out, I took a picture. I printed the picture and placed it inside the box. When it was time to put things away, I just looked at the picture and knew what would fit into that tub. So much easier! However, if you are not that ambitious, just keep a list of what you have and where it went. I code my labels. Since tubs are in my garage I figure I won’t make it easy for someone to know which box to steal if they happen to walk by when the door is open (which is not often).

All this sounds like a lot of work. Well, putting away your holiday décor *is* a chore. Yet we enjoy getting it out every year, so putting it away in an organized fashion makes next year’s access quick and painless. You will be able to spend more time enjoying your possessions.

Happy Decorating! I mean Happy Storing!

The Lost Bookshop

by Cynthia, posted in Reviews

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a captivating novel that weaves together elements of historical fiction, mystery, and a touch of magical realism. The narrative unfolds across multiple timelines and perspectives, inviting readers into a world where books hold secrets, and the past continually shapes the present.

At the heart of The Lost Bookshop lies the story of Martha, a woman escaping her troubled past, who stumbles upon a mysterious bookshop in the heart of London. The shop, filled with rare and forgotten tomes, becomes a sanctuary and a puzzle. As Martha delves into the shop’s history, she discovers the intertwined stories of Henry, a bookseller from the 1920s, and Opaline, a woman from the 19th century with a passion for forbidden literature. The narrative unfolds in alternating chapters, gradually revealing how these characters’ lives are linked by the legacy of the bookshop and the enduring power of stories.

Each character in the novel is vividly drawn and richly complex. Martha’s journey from vulnerability to empowerment is particularly compelling, as she confronts personal demons and uncovers her own strength. Henry’s arc is one of quiet resilience, as he navigates societal expectations and personal loss. Opaline’s story adds depth and historical perspective, highlighting the challenges faced by women who dared to defy convention. The supporting cast—fellow bibliophiles, adversaries, and enigmatic figures—add color and intrigue to the narrative.

The author excels at evoking a sense of place. The bookshop itself almost becomes a character, with its labyrinthine rooms, creaking floorboards, and shelves bursting with forgotten wonders. The shifting settings—from Victorian England to post-war London to modern times—are rendered with careful detail and atmospheric prose. Readers are transported into dusty archives, candle-lit parlors, and rain-soaked city streets, fully immersing them in the story’s world.

A central theme of The Lost Bookshop is the transformative power of literature. Books are portrayed not just as objects, but as vessels of memory, rebellion, and hope. The novel also explores themes of identity, belonging, and the ways in which the past haunts the present. The author’s writing style is lyrical yet accessible, blending suspenseful plotting with moments of quiet reflection. The use of multiple timelines and perspectives is handled deftly, ensuring that each narrative thread enhances the overall tapestry.

The Lost Bookshop is a love letter to bibliophiles and an ode to the resilience of the human spirit. It invites readers to question what they value, and to consider the stories that shape their own lives. The novel’s conclusion is both satisfying and bittersweet, tying together the fates of its central characters while leaving space for wonder and interpretation.

Overall, The Lost Bookshop is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant novel that may linger with readers long after the final page. I found the characters “stuck with me” long after I finished the tome. I recommend this novel for those who cherish stories about books, history, and the magic that dwells within the written word.

Fahlo

by sssmahh303, posted in Lifestyle

Mary Ann 

I got the best birthday present, and I am sharing it with you as it could be a great Christmas gift as well especially if you need a gift for an animal lover.  It is a beaded bracelet featuring an animal such as a polar bear, an elephant, a giraffe, a cheetah, or manatees. There are 19 animals to choose from and new animals are added frequently.  The bracelets are from a company called Fahlo.  I got a polar bear bracelet.

When your purchase a bracelet, you also adopt a real animal that you can track in its habitat on your phone or tablet. You just download the app which is free.  I received a polar bear bracelet with a card telling me about Bobbie, my gifted bear.  She is a mother who has raised several cubs to adulthood.  Bobbie lives near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada – the Polar Bear Capital of the World.  Churchill has been on my bucket list for 30 plus years, and now, I have a little bit of it on my wrist.  I check on Bobbie every day or two, and she does move around.  You can see everywhere she has been over the last few months.  She is waiting right now for the Hudson Bay to freeze, so she can go seal hunting to survive the winter and provide for her cubs.

Fahlo has partnered with various conservation groups that they support with a share of the profits from bracelets and other merchandise.  My bracelet supports Polar Bears International.  This company makes the public aware of the various animals, many that are endangered, and then supports the group who study and protect the animals.  The animals are tagged with very humane protocols, and you can read about all of this on the website and on your app once you sign up for your animal.  Animals such as elephants give you tracking info that is a few weeks old to keep the poachers from locating a vulnerable animal in real time – smart!

The bracelets are each $16.95 which I think is a very fair price.  There is a wide array of beads to select the perfect gift for someone.  They have sales all the time so you can get them even cheaper.  I plan to give a cheetah bracelet and a manatee bracelet for Christmas gifts this year.  They are interesting and unique gifts that help animals.  You can make a difference, however small, with your bracelet purchase, and it will keep your animal or animals top of mind.  Have fun shopping and making the world a bit better. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

by Cynthia, posted in Friends and Family

As autumn leaves paint the landscape in warm hues of red, orange, and gold, families and friends across America come together to celebrate one of the most cherished holidays—Thanksgiving. It’s a day marked by gratitude, togetherness, and traditional food choices that bring people closer, reminding us of the importance of reflection and appreciation for the blessings in our lives.

Thanksgiving’s roots trace back to 1621, when Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a meal to commemorate a successful harvest. While the holiday’s history is complex and has evolved over the centuries, it remains a powerful reminder to pause and give thanks for what we have—our loved ones, health, home, and the opportunities that come our way.

What traditions do you enjoy on this day?

  • Gathering Around the Table: The centerpiece of Thanksgiving is the meal itself, with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie bringing warmth and comfort to the holiday.
  • Expressing Gratitude: Many families share what they’re thankful for before digging into the feast—a tradition that fosters connection and appreciation.
  • Watching the Parade: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become an American institution, delighting viewers with colorful floats and performances.
  • Football and Fun: From backyard games to NFL showdowns, football is an enduring Thanksgiving staple.
  • Giving Back: Volunteering and community service are ways people share their gratitude by helping those in need.

Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or enjoying a quiet day, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to connect with others and reflect on the year. Here are some ideas to make your celebration meaningful:

  1. Cook Together: Involve everyone in meal prep, sharing cherished recipes and creating new memories.
  2. Craft a Gratitude List: Encourage guests to jot down things they’re thankful for and read them aloud.
  3. Reach Out: Call or video chat with distant friends and family to share the holiday spirit.
  4. Donate: Consider supporting local food banks or charities in honor of the season.

This year, let’s celebrate not just with food and festivities, but with open hearts and a spirit of kindness. Whether you are near or far from loved ones, may your day be filled with joy, laughter, and gratitude. And may you remember to carry that spirit of gratitude with you each and every day. Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and memorable Thanksgiving!

Angel Phone Operators

by sssmahh303, posted in Wellness

Mary Ann

When we were children, there were phone operator – a real person – who would help find a telephone number or other information.  They were the good old days.  Boy, do I miss real people.  I bet you do too.  This brings me to a story about being thankful, making this Thanksgiving time of year even more meaningful. 

My mother use to say that God had two angel phone operators.  One angel was the please prayer operator and the other was the thank you prayer operator.  She would say that the please operator was constantly busy. People would ask for things all the time – please, please, please!  The thank you operator was hardly ever busy.  Apparently, people didn’t thank God for his help.  My mother told me that it was my job to keep the thank you operator busy.  I needed to thank God for all my blessings.  I took her at her word.  I always thanked God.  I still do at the end of each day.  

During the Thanksgiving season, we do think more about our blessings and are thankful for them.  If we could just keep those feelings throughout the year, we would all be better off.  There are all kinds of studies that support that gratitude brings peace to our souls. It keeps us both mentally and physically healthy.  

When I said my prayers as a little girl, my mother and brother and I would say three prayers.  Now a Lay Me Down to Sleep which is well-known, but we would say two other prayers that I have never heard anywhere.  I am going to share them because they are sweet, and I hate to think they will be lost when I am gone. Here they are:

Prayer 1

When I kneel down to say my prayers,

Each word goes climbing on the stairs,

On wind and ear to God who listens and rejoices 

 to little children’s thoughts and voices.

Prayer 2

Jesus, I kneel down to pray 

Thank you for another day

With hands to feel and eyes to see

And all my loving gifts to me.

Help me in the way I walk. Teach me the way I talk

Guide and bless me from above

Jesus, it is you I love. 

Do any of you know these prayers? They will both keep the thank you angel operator busy as they both say thank you to God.  Maybe the little angel will help you to remember as well to count your blessings and say thank you!

Selecting a Planner

by Cynthia, posted in Taking Care of Business

Each year, usually in August, I begin my search for the coming year’s planner. My planners serve as a mini journal, chronicling my activities, thoughts, and musings day-to-day.  It’s a very serious process.  Okay, maybe not too serious, but I do agonize over which one to purchase. After all, I will spend more than 365 days with this little compilation of printed sheets.

The first entries will be subscription renewal reminders and birthday and anniversary notations (complete with stickers, of course!). Next, I record any meetings or appointments that fall on consistent days. (Book club meetings, volunteer activities, board meetings, and so on.) I enter my new year’s goals and list tasks I hope to complete in the coming year. Finally, I can begin to make daily notations – coffee and lunch appointments, medical appointments – you get the picture.

All that to say, my planner is truly a companion. Each day I make notes, once January 1 rolls around. So my planner needs to be sturdy and logical – my kind of logical. A-hem.

Over the years I have come to enjoy a particular style, often staying with a brand for several years in a row. Too often, however, the brand ceases to exist or the calendar style I have come to depend upon is no longer available. Some years I decide I want an 8.5” x 11” and other years I want a 7” x 9”.  For the past two years I have had layouts that I’ve come to appreciate. The goals pages are a double spread, and each turn of the page reveals the week ahead, with plenty of room to write, doodle, mark, and sticker. Unfortunately, however, that particular brand is extremely proud of their work. The 2026 planner is $40. Do I really need a $40 planner?!

Proudly this year, I am turning my back on the over-priced options. Determined to find a reasonably priced calendar journal I have searched for hours at a time.  Happily, I have settled on a $10.00, 6” x 8.5”, metal spiral-bound book that I believe will serve my needs. The smaller size requires a smaller footprint on my desk and can easily be tucked into a purse or bag making it easy to accompany me on errand-running days (opposed to rewriting the ToDo list).

Yes, I was in technology for over 30 years and yes, I still use my electronic calendar. But there is something satisfying in selecting a colored ink and highlighters and adding fun icons to each entry. Using a physical planner allows me to slow down and consider my day. Filling the blank slate shows me at a glance what I value in life (that’s for another missive).

As I traverse the holiday season, I find solace in stepping back and thinking about what is in store in the coming year. Penning this missive at the end of a full week of activities, I know there will be a time when a planner will no longer be necessary. Yet for now, I can rejoice in the knowledge that I still have “things to do, places to go, and people to see” as my daddy would say.

James

by Cynthia, posted in Reviews

James by Percival Everett is a bold and inventive novel that reimagines Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man at the heart of Twain’s tale. Everett’s work offers a fresh lens on a classic American narrative, exploring themes of race, freedom, language, and humanity with characteristic wit, depth, and empathy.

The novel closely follows the events of Twain’s original book but with a definitive shift: Jim – who prefers to go by James — is the narrator. Everett delves into James’s inner life, granting him a voice and complexity that Twain’s version left unexplored. The story traces James’s escape from slavery down the Mississippi River alongside Huck, but with new dimensions of awareness, agency, and survival.

Everett’s portrayal of James is deeply nuanced. No longer a mere sidekick or comic relief, James is depicted as intelligent, resourceful, and emotionally rich. The narrative voice is both insightful and sardonic, often highlighting the ironies and dangers of life as an enslaved man in the antebellum South. Everett skillfully uses code-switching to show James’s mastery of language—speaking in dialect when necessary for his safety, while revealing his true intellect and feelings in private thoughts and narration.

James explores the absurdities and cruelties of American racism with biting satire and humor. Everett does not shy away from the violence and indignities of slavery. Still, he celebrates the resilience, cunning, and humanity of his protagonist. The novel highlights the power of narrative — who gets to tell the story, and how stories shape our understanding of people and history.

Percival Everett’s James reframes an American classic. For readers interested in the intersections of literature, history, and social justice, this novel is well worth reading. While it reclaims an historical narrative it challenges us to think anew about the stories we tell and who gets to tell them.