I have two rotund, 9-inch tall, happy chef dolls sitting on my desk.

I don't pray to them, but I DO look at them with utmost admiration.

They are my “Voo Doo for Good” dolls.

They give me inspiration, confidence and, sometimes, even tell me that they are proud of the way I cook dinner.

How did this all begin?

A couple of months ago I was roaming through Ross-for-Less, looking for some gifts for my wife's birthday. I couldn't think of a thing to buy for her.

All of a sudden, I spied these two chef mini-statues.

I Get a Deserved Break

To be perfectly honest, I must have surmised that she would want me to return them.

And to be even more honest, I surmised that I would tell her that I'd like to keep them because they would help me to want to cook, to enjoy my cooking.

Besides, wouldn't she be happy not to “bug” me all the time about “What is cooking for tonight?”

It worked.

I got to keep the dolls.

And somewhat to my amazement, I allowed their magic to change me — I now wanted to cook — to get my hands into my preparations — to Google new recipes — and frankly, to find a way out from hearing my wife complain that I'm not doing enough cooking now that I'm retired.

What's the point here?

In a sentence: When you get lemons, make lemonade — with the help of a little magic. The dolls provided me with the magic — or, if you will, the magical “excuse” to make a positive change in my life, and in my wife's life as well.

Now my wife praises my cooking to her friends. She probably can't make sense of what came over me. She's not into magic the way that I am.

Next, I'm going to shop for some mini witches with brooms.

I wonder what they'll do for my desire to mop the floor.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com