Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 03-17-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

There have been times in my life when it was my turn to volunteer for the crummy stuff. It was a strange feeling, because I knew from the moment I told myself 'I'll do it,' that I was signing up for heartache down the road and in the end, the memories would probably be bittersweet. But I did it anyway, because I thought it was the right thing to do.

It's a tug of war with my insides when I'm nudged to speak up, pick up the phone, or get involved in a messy situation. I really just want to run the other way. Can't someone else step up to the plate? If I made my apologies, "I'm sorry, but I can't get involved," and took the easy way out, other people probably wouldn't even notice. But I always do.

It may not be the right choice from the onlookers view, but sometimes when I'm in the middle of muck with my waders pulled high up over my knees, I find something I needed, too. And I realize that my life wouldn't have been complete without that stop in the journey.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Enter the Chocolate Chip Readers Cookie Giveaway. I'm baking homemade chocolate chip cookies for a lucky reader. It could be you, but you've got to enter the drawing. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookiewin.html

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*Read the Classics: DAVID COPPERFIELD, by Charles Dickens, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path16-1.html

Dear Reader Column 03-16-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I had to go shopping for clothes the other day. It was a requirement for my job. I love it when that happens! We're designing a new website for the book clubs and the photographer gave me a list of photos that needed to be shot, and my job was to find the clothes to fit the photo.

Almost everything I needed, I found in my closet (oh, darn) except a dress for the opening shot. So on Saturday morning, I got up early, and was waiting outside the door when my favorite dress shop opened.

Shopping guilt-free--it was a dream come true, until about 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. I'd been shopping for almost two days for one crummy dress, but no luck. So I decided to try an "uptown" store. I couldn't actually afford to buy anything in it, but I was hoping I'd get some ideas and I could revisit the clothes in my own closet.

I was a little uncomfortable walking in, but I quickly reminded myself that "they" have no way of knowing that I'm shopping out of my league.

"Can I help you find something?"

The helpful clerk looked liked she belonged in the store, I did not. I was wearing a $16.99 skirt and $8.99 T-shirt...the specials at Target last week. The well tailored clerk, was modeling some "discounted" fashions, too, but the price tag hanging from her sleeve said $600.

"No thank you," I told her. "I'm looking for a dress for a photo shoot, and I won't know it until I see it."

"A photo shoot? One of our dresses might be in a photo? Let me get the manager."

Oh no. And before I could explain (not that I would have...what would I have said?) the manager was presenting every dress in the shop for my inspection. I felt so embarrassed. I couldn't even afford to buy a purse in this store--the cheapest was $450--let alone a dress.

"And would you like some chocolate? Or champagne? What did you say this photo was for?"

Hey, I figured I was in deep already, so I told her I wasn't at liberty to say.

Apparently, the manager felt she had breached some kind of celebrity photo shoot protocol, because she started apologizing profusely, "Oh I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I should never have asked."

But I was thinking I was so sorry I ever came into this store.

And by the way, I still need a dress.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Watch an interview with an author and a certain famous cat and enter to WIN signed free books from these terrific authors: Rita Mae Brown, Sour Puss; Vickie L. Milazzo, RN, MSN, JD, Inside Every Woman: Using the 10 Strengths You Didn't Know You Had to Get the Career and Life You Want Now; and Father Albert Cutie, Real Life, Real Love: Seven Paths to a Strong and Lasting Relationship. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

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*Read the Classics: DAVID COPPERFIELD, by Charles Dickens, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path16-1.html

Dear Reader Column 03-15-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I always love to hear from readers. When I read your emails it feels like you're writing a "Dear Reader" back to me. Thanks for taking the time to write. I sure do appreciate it.

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, my son and I are constantly trying to out prank each other on April Fools Day. Living in Ohio, I can relate to (your snowstorm column). Several years ago, I taped the school closings for about 10 minutes. On March 31st, I slipped the tape into my son's VCR in his bedroom. On April 1st, I turned his TV/VCR and played the school closings. He jumped on his bed shouting with joy, and when he settled down, I said, 'April Fools'. That is when he tackled me to the floor!"-- Debbie

"Suzanne, I am sure you get tons of emails a day, but I wanted to drop you a note about your column today. I too am from the Midwest and know exactly how you feel about snow. I live in North Carolina now, but I went to school in Platteville, Wisconsin and I think you are the first person since I left Wisconsin that would even know where Cuba City is, let alone be from there. When I read that I had to say hello."-- Michele B.

"Having been brought up in Cuba (the country) I never experienced a 'snow day' until we got booted out of the country and landed in Rochester, NY (talk about weather and culture shock!) where snow is pretty much a constant. I missed more school that one year I was in Rochester than I ever had in my entire 13 years of life...even when I had the mumps!. Needless to say, when we moved to Venezuela I was very disappointed because I got used to those 'snow days'. But, alas, I was saved when we moved back to New York's Westchester County two years later and we had a huge snow storm that closed school for darn near a whole week. Made up for those two years in Venezuela!"--Sandi

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Enter the Chocolate Chip Readers Cookie Giveaway. I'm baking homemade chocolate chip cookies for a lucky reader. It could be you, but you've got to enter the drawing. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookiewin.html

*Read the Classics: DAVID COPPERFIELD, by Charles Dickens, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path16-1.html

Dear Reader Column 03-14-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Kim, a reader at the book clubs, asked me the other day if I thought I'd found my passion. I told her yes, but now I need to have the common sense to enjoy it.

I love my work. I'm blessed in so many ways, but sometimes I feel the need to try to do bigger, better, and more important things. But what is bigger, better, or more important than what I do now?

I'm my own worst irritation some days. In my heart, I know I was put here to do the little things, yet for some reason, I'm always flirting with bigger ideas. It's embarrassing, but one of my early business goals was to see if I could play with the "big boys". The problem is that the small town girl in me really enjoys working with the "little guys"--little people like me.

When I let myself relax and do my thing, I feel grounded and in touch with why I'm here. Life is pretty good. But then I see someone over there doing something, and I wonder if I could do that. Maybe I should shoot for something bigger?

I've been living this "Suzanne life" for 51 years now, and you'd think I'd quit messing with what I know works so well for me. Why do I insist sometimes on trying to do things that deep down, I know are not a good match for me?

Have I found my passion, Kim? You bet. And thanks for reminding me.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Enter the Chocolate Chip Readers Cookie Giveaway. I'm baking homemade chocolate chip cookies for a lucky reader. It could be you, but you've got to enter the drawing. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookiewin.html

*Read the Classics: DAVID COPPERFIELD, by Charles Dickens, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path16-1.html

Dear Reader Column 03-13-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I try to offer a lot of variety at the book clubs. Today, in addition to your regular book for the week, I have three opportunities for you.

The Chocolate Chip Reader Giveaway is back! Every month I'm baking two dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies for a lucky reader. Meet last month's winner and find out how to enter the March drawing. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookiewin.html

There's a new Penguin Classic to sample. This month's book is David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Read the sample, enter the free Penguin Classic's Giveaway. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path16-1.html

And of course, there are new authors to sample and free books at AuthorBuzz. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Watch an interview with an author and a certain famous cat and enter to WIN signed free books from these terrific authors: Rita Mae Brown, Sour Puss; Vickie L. Milazzo, RN, MSN, JD, Inside Every Woman: Using the 10 Strengths You Didn't Know You Had to Get the Career and Life You Want Now; and Father Albert Cutie, Real Life, Real Love: Seven Paths to a Strong and Lasting Relationship. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 03-10-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

When I went outside this morning, there were smashed oranges and grapefruits all over my front sidewalk and yard. At first, I was mumbling under my breath, "Those darn kids," but then I started to laugh, because I had the feeling I was cleaning up the spoils of a "Florida" snowball fight. Even though it's 80 degrees here in Florida where I live, it's still winter. And since there isn't any snow, but there are plenty of orange and grapefruit trees in the neighborhood, I imagine that kids have to improvise. (Work with what you've got. Those kids will probably be great innovators when they grow up.)

It always amazes me when I meet someone who was born and raised here, because they think it would be so exciting to see snow. I grew up in the cold midwest, and I can't say that I was ever too excited about snow--but I do remember getting excited about "snow days".

When the snow was piled too high for the buses to safely pick up the kids, school was cancelled. Ah, snow days--a kid's dream. An unexpected day off, no homework, nothing to do all day except watch television, read, and eat chips.

Whenever there was a chance that a big snow storm was coming to Cuba City, I'd get up early in the morning, even before my parents, and turn on the local radio station to hear the verdict. Will I have to go to school today or not? It was a kid's snow lotto. Glued to the radio, I anxiously listened to the announcer's every word.

"And now for the local school closings."

Okay, this was it. I was hoping, wishing. The listings were usually in alphabetical order, so Cuba City was always near the top. But I could hardly stand the wait. I'd even plead with the radio announcer as he got closer to the c's.

"Please say it, come on, come on, let me hear it."

"Cuba City Schools will be...(here it comes, yeah!)...starting two hours late today."

What a bummer. I already had the whole day planned in my mind. I couldn't believe it. What was I suppose to do with two crummy extra hours at home? But I never had to worry because my mother was a great innovator, too. "Suzanne, since you'll be going to school late this morning you can vacuum the living room, do the dishes..."

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 03-09-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I always appreciate hearing from readers. Thanks for taking the time to write.

From my Email Bag:

"Hi Suzanne, I just wanted to tell you that chocolate cake was a winner! The frosting was especially good. I've never had any like that before." --Cindy

If you missed the chocolate cake recipe, go to:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cake4.html

And if you ever miss a daily book club read, use the handy "Missed Read Link". Scroll down and you'll find it after my column: http://www.emailbookclub.com/miss

Or send me an email and tell me which read you need. A simple request will do, but book club reader, Irene, was feeling particularly creative...

"I got up this morning and fixed my tea,
Turned on my computer to fix my need.
All I need to get started is your copy to read.
IT WASN'T THERE!

Work felt all wrong, my day was askew,
I didn't know what to do--
Now I'm home and you're still not here.
Just where in Sam Hill are you dear?"

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Amazing contests this week! WIN a magic pen, read a third of a book for free and of course signed free books from these terrific authors. Anne Ursu, The Shadow Thieves; Tobias Buckell, Crystal Rain; and Laura Ruby, The Wall and the Wing. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

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*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 03-08-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I don't mind sharing my space with creatures, because I realize they're probably thinking they're the ones that are tolerating me. But the big black snake--the "bigger around than a garden hose" snake, the one that's been hanging around my house lately--we have to come to some sort of an agreement, because he's scaring the bejeebers out of me.

As far as I know, black snakes are harmless. (Usually I want to hear from you if you know something I don't, but not this time. Please don't write and tell me I'm wrong--I think I'd rather be in the dark about what this snake likes to eat.)

Black snakes, at least the one that likes to sun himself on my porch, are docile. He doesn't rattle and he doesn't rise up and hiss at me. We haven't discussed it, but I get the impression that I make him just as nervous as he makes me. There's plenty of sun to go around, so I don't understand why all of sudden this snake wants to sunbathe on my back porch.

Once you nearly step on a snake, then everything that moves, means snake. But after a couple of days with no snake on the steps, I forgot about him--until today, when I went out the back door, stepped down, and put my foot right beside his head. Snake and Suzanne, side-by-side on the same step, he side-winded off, insulted that I'd almost tromped on him--and I was screaming.

There's always a reason for everything and since I've seen some little baby black snakes around lately, maybe this is really a mother snake in desperate need of a few minutes away from her demanding children. Maybe she's searching for a day at the spa--a little sun, and a little snake cocktail, topped off with one of those fancy umbrellas.

I raised four children, and heaven knows, I can relate.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html 

Dear Reader Column 03-07-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I never know what day it is anymore. I'm on deadline every day, but it's not for the day I'm on. See how confusing things can get?

I'm supposed to write my column at least two days before it's published at the book clubs, so it can get all tidied up and loaded into a software program, in time to show up in your email. So on Monday I'm writing Wednesday, on Wednesday I'm writing Friday, on Friday I'm already into next week. Sometimes things get even more confusing if I'm going on a business trip and I have to write further ahead. Then I'm not in this week, or next week, but in the week after that.

And that's probably why I showed up for a doctor's appointment, two weeks early. When the receptionist asked me what day my appointment was supposed to be on, I told her, "Today, Tuesday."

"No, it's Tuesday, two weeks from now," she pointed out, but I insisted that I'd already traveled through those days....

My husband's been searching for a new high-tech clock that he guaranteed would solve my "What day is it?" problem. It's not a tell you what time it is clock, it only displays the day of the week. When my husband first saw it in the magazine he said he thought it was a stupid idea. Who in their right mind would need such a thing? (And then he thought of me.)

But I'm an old-fashioned kind of girl and I think I've found an old fashioned solution instead. When I was a kid, everybody wore them, "Day of the Week Underwear." Monday through Sunday, each pair came in a different pastel color and the day of the week was decoratively stitched on the outside left-hand corner.

It's perfect. I'll always know for sure what day of the week it is because my underwear goes everywhere I go.

Want to know what day it is? Hang on a second, let me check.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Congratulations to the 25 winners of Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement: Susie S., Kara R., Elaine C., Shanna H., Sanki V., Donna L., V. Wurgler, Sandra A., Margie M., Diane S., Robyn T., Peggy E., Christine L., Darlene W., Valerie B., Joyce L., Amy R., Cindy G., Marilyn R., Bev W., Joan T., Terry L., Diana W., Tom H., and Gwen D.

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*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html 

Dear Reader Column 03-06-06

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

When it seems like the task before me is impossible, and I'm feeling like the underdog, that's when I haul out my collection of moments.

It's a hope chest filled with moments that inspire me, when I desperately need a dose of, 'You can do it, Suzanne.' They're nothing fancy, these moments, but that's part of their inspiration.

Some are simply sentences from books, notes from my husband, letters from friends, an email from a reader, or a clip that I've recorded--something I saw on television. I've collected and saved these moments to remind me that when others think I can't, maybe I can. When they least expect it, I just might shine.

A couple of weeks ago, when I was watching a story on the CBS Evening News, I hit the record button so I could save another moment. Maybe you saw it?

It was about the autistic boy who loved basketball. He couldn't make the team, but he was a dedicated team manager-- handing out towels, water bottles and cheering the team on.

The last game of the season his coach told him to put on a uniform, so he could feel what "it's like" to wear a jersey. But near the end, when his team had a huge lead, his coach put him in the game. And in the last few minutes that boy made six three-point shots, one after another, followed by another two points. The crowd in the gymnasium went wild and so did I in my living room. Tears in my eyes, I jumped up out of my chair and was cheering him on.

What a moment! It's one I won't forget because that young man's moment will be cheering me on the next time I'm having trouble believing that, 'I'm the girl who thought she could, who decided to try and who's succeeding.'

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Amazing contests this week! WIN a magic pen, read a third of a book for free and of course signed free books from these terrific authors. Anne Ursu, The Shadow Thieves; Tobias Buckell, Crystal Rain; and Laura Ruby, The Wall and the Wing. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

*    *    *

*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html