(I bet I have your attention with that crazy title!)

It is no secret that I miss Chip, and anyone who knew us could plainly see that I never had much patience for violent ‘man movies’. Chip, on the other hand, was a good sport who sat through the Hallmark movies and every other romantic film, even if he inevitably drifted off halfway through. My earlier Travels With Chip adventures have taught me a thing or two, so in the spirit of payback and compromise, I thought I could push through and force myself to watch The Matrix, starring Keanu Reeves.

I’ll admit, the premise alone made me uneasy. I’ve never been a fan of violent or scary movies, and The Matrix falls into both categories. Described by IMDb: A computer hacker discovers his entire life is nothing more than an elaborate simulation run by an evil AI.

See what I mean? Evil AI? It does make you wonder…are we living in The Matrix? Hmmm.

Long story short: I made it to the 1:04:40 mark before I could not take another minute:

• Now I know why Chip kept telling me to be quiet, because there were so many details.
• They put a bug in his belly button? Seriously? And Chip thought it was unrealistic that a prince from a faraway land fell in love with a gardener?
• My heart rate hit 105! That rivals a warm-up ride with Sam Yo on my Peloton.
• I have decided I might not be smart enough for The Matrix. Too many details and far too dark a screen.

How to Bear Something Unpleasant? Eat Cheese!

So I thought to myself, how do I do this and make it as enjoyable as possible? Cheese. (and wine, of course) So I turned to my friends at Murray’s Cheese and Wegmans.

Mousetrap Andean Creamery Flor De Montaña (Murray’s Cheese)

The description of Mousetrap Andean Creamery Flor De Montaña intrigued me and tempted me to place an order: Exquisite Flor De Montaña—exclusively available through Murray’s in the U.S. This cheese is indeed quite earthy, as described. It is a natural rind cheese, meaning the rind is formed in temperature- and humidity-controlled rooms where the air naturally dries the outside of the cheese with little intervention from the cheesemaker. The result is earthy and a bit mushroomy.

The cheesemaker: Mousetrap Andean Creamery has been making unique artisanal cheeses in Colombia since 2014. They craft cheeses rooted in cheesemaking tradition from across the world in the verdant Northern Andean Highlands, located 2,600 meters above sea level. They get their high-quality milk from nearby small farms, capturing the mountain terroir in their cheeses.

Origin: Andean Highlands (Colombia), spanning the Andes Mountains on the western side of South America

Price: As a Mother’s Day gift to myself, I sucked up the cost at $23.50 per half pound

Calories: Estimated at 100-120 calories per ounce

Fromagerie Jacquin Buche de Lucey Goat Cheese (Wegmans, Dewitt, NY)

Special thanks to the cheese team at the Wegmans cheese counter in Dewitt, NY.  They explained this cheese to me and opened a package so I could experience it. The cheese monger said the cheese aged from the inside out, and I see it now that I have cut it open. This cheese features a distinct dual texture: a dry, crumbly center surrounded by a creamy, silky, “oozy” flow beneath the rind. Very creamy and just plain wow.

The Cheesemaker: Made by Fromagerie Jacquin in La Vernelle, France, a family business established in 1947 that specializes in goat cheese maturation.

Origin: France

Price: $21.00 per pound. My slice of heaven was a little under $6.00

Calories: (ouch), but so worth it- 310 calories per ounce

Paired with a Sauvignon Blanc

Please note, with urgency, that it is wise to purchase Cheese Paper Bags.  I swear by them, and it’s well worth the investment.

So, was The Matrix and Cheese party a success?

Sorry, Keanu, but I’m going to have to decline. Cheese seems far more at home with a swoon worthy romantic film, even a tear jerker, than with loud, action packed scenes. If I ever do sit down to watch The Matrix, it’ll only be if Keanu Reeves himself is there beside me, sharing a beer and some popcorn. Then, and only then, might I be convinced!

Next up: Wuthering Heights

In the end, I opted for Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. “A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.”

The popcorn is popping, and Miss Tillie and I are tucked under a cozy blanket, perfectly content on this cool early May Sunday afternoon. (PS: my heart rate returned to 72 bpm)

Karen

Happy reading! Here are the links to previous Travels with Chip:

• Travels with Chip- Luminaries Light up the Night
• Travels with Chip- It’s Soft Shell Season
• Travels with Chip- Watching Die Hard on The Sofa
• Travels with Chip- Whistle Pig Tasting Room
• Travels with Chip- Burgers and Beer in Vermont
• Travels with Chip- you guessed it- Wegman’s Cheese Department