We have no more "new" news. We've had the garage sale, had the party, we've been closed for more than two and a half years — it feels like time to say goodbye. Our Joie email will be good for the next year or so, so if you want or need to be in touch, you still can. And our facebook page will continue, at least for awhile. Joie de Vivre is not really "over" though. It will live on in the homes, hearts, traditions and memories of all of us who loved it. And its name is chiseled into a stone paver in front of our former location. And it will also live on in the book that I finally finished writing and is now out in the world. Below is a poem I wrote to read at our closing party. With much gratitude, au revoir!

Once upon a time
There was a girl without a dream
She worked a bit at this and that
She had no grander scheme

But inspiration finally struck
When she was thirty-four
And she found a little courage
And she opened up a store.

She wasn't sure if it would last
But right place and right time
The store did very well for years
She made more than a dime.

And years and years and years passed by
Then it was time to close
Sometimes she really misses it
But that's just how it goes.

And she loved working for herself
And bringing Joie to all
But the best thing in all that time
Was people, yes, you all.

I'm switching here from "she" to "me"
To finish up this ditty,
I'm happy that you all loved Joie,
And thought that I was witty

And now the time has come
That we must toast the story's end
I want to thank you all with these
Few lines that I have penned,

I couldn't have done it without you,
Thank you for supporting the store
You made it possible, you really did
And that's it, I will say nothing more!