Remember this picture, it was taken when we were traveling in NY State, I was so taken with the charm found in the small towns and villages. This gentle façade brings to mind another period in time. When I was in San Francisco I was drawn to the “Victorian ladies” that SF is known for. Architecture that is visually poetic in its appearance.
I noted in the last year or so that my delight in finding a book that I really would enjoy and maintain the desire to stay with the writer, till the book’s end had all but disappeared from my “leisure” pleasures. So, I didn’t read, I busied myself with other hobbies, and “passions”.
I’m not big on most television programs.. tending to watch a select few from time to time. I like being entertained if I am going to sit down and watch something, I want it to be interesting, and provide “food for fodder” while having a storyline that provides a balance of entertainment and drama … without the need to bombard me with sexual innuendos, connotations or half naked persons, oh and let’s not forget the bloody killings, senseless murders and vicious attacks on an other human being or beings.
Looking through row upon row of books to stage a photo scene with the dolls, I found copies of the Nancy Drew mysteries, and Hardy Boys. What I was looking for were the books put out by the American Girl division of Mattel* for the American Girl dolls. At first they were simply cute, adorable dolls, with clothes. The more I found out about the company, the more interested I became in their purpose. The marketing has been well researched and developed.
As an adult looking at this “doll culture” it has been a fun educational project, that I didn’t go looking for, but discovered it by accident, have found a “passion”. I’m reading about the lives of young girls from very different backgrounds, who grew up in different eras. Each doll has his/her own storyline. The owner of the doll can learn about the doll’s cultural background, and what it was like to grow up in America during the various years she is purported to have been growing up in.
To quote from the book jacket of the book I am reading now, in the Beforever series, A growing Suspicion, A Rebecca Mystery American Girl celebrates a girl’s inner star The Rebecca Doll is 1914…. I chose this book because it is a mystery that takes place in and around a Japanese Garden, (growing up with chopsticks, I hadn’t thought about what they look like to others, who see them for the first time, our foods are different in how they are served, and how to some, having to use a knife and fork is challenging =^_^=)
I am so enjoying it. There are no murders, no vicious attacks, no sex, and it is written in a way that my imagination takes over, and I am with the girls, as they learn about Japanese gardening, life, and friendships.
You can discover more about American Girl products, stories and games by visiting americangirl.com/play If you are in Canada, you can find information on the Indigo.ca site. Look up Pleasant T Rowland the woman who dared to dream and then make them come to life.
For Canadians, YES there is a Canadian doll, the MapleLea doll, unfortunately she is not found in stores, the company based in Ontario, decided to sell only online. This way, enabling them to concentrate on the quality of the doll and her clothes. Again, the main dolls, come from different provinces, and thus you learn about growing up in Canada, what it is like in the different Provinces.
Whatever way you are celebrating this long week-end, Canada Day in Canada and Independence day in the United States., be happy, enjoy each and every moment of your day. It only comes by once.
Oyashikiri
- Mattel acquired Pleasant Company in 1999
- for some reason Josefina Montoya 1824 us not sold up here. Anyone out there, have her? Her pet goat is Sombrita…
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