The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Photo by Mary Vee I heard a report worth our conversation on the morning news today.  The reporter stated social interaction, face to face, is just as important to your health as a good diet and exercise. The problem is, according to Shankar Vedantam, the older we get, the smaller our social circles tend to be, leaving us with a lot of alone time. I disagree with that. I know many social older individuals. They gather together, travel, laugh, share. It's what each individual tends to do with their life. So, let's consider those who have found themselves in this alone world. Vedanta pointed out that social media interaction is not a viable substitute. I agree with that. Although I enjoy staying in contact with friends and family who live far away, there is nothing like the initial "Hi!" followed by a hug, handshake, or simply a smile. None of which can be done in social media. Today is a unique day for me. Hubby and I are going ...

Novelist Chimamanda Adichie I heard an excellent presentation given by novelist Chimamanda Adichie on NPR. If, by the end of this post, I have intrigued you to want to listen to her 18 minute presentation, click on this link:  Novelist Chimamanda Adichie's presentation This post is based on that interview. Chimamanda Adichie grew up in Nigeria, Africa. Her parents were educators and passed their love for learning on to their daughter. At a very young age, Chimamanda showed a love for reading and writing.  The books she read were mostly English books containing characters with yellow hair, who saw snow, rejoiced over a day without rain, and drank ginger beer. These stories formed her first impressions of what to write in her own books including characters with yellow hair, who saw snow, rejoiced over a day without rain, and drank ginger beer. Yet, Chimamanda and those around her had beautiful chocolate skin and black hair that could not be pulled back in a...