Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 07-02-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Skunk Beans, Siesta Key Hats, Money Mazes, if you've never entered one of my weekly giveaways, you should. Someone always wins and it might as well be you. Ruth was one of the winners in last week's Money Maze giveaway and since she lives in Sarasota, just like me, I'm delivering her prize in person.

My Skunk Bean recipe is on the back of our new Book Club Calling Card. Help spread the word about your book club. Enter today's drawing for a leather calling card holder filled with cards that promote the book clubs. Hand them out to your family and friends. Thanks for spreading the word. I sure do appreciate it. To enter today's drawing (I have 5 calling card holders for readers) and to see the lucky Siesta Key Hat winner from Tuesday's column, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/hats063009.html

From my Email Bag:

"Dear Suzanne, I made your Skunk Bean recipe yesterday for a church dinner and they went over big. I only had a little to bring back home with me, but what I brought home was enough for my son and me, and we both loved them. So different from your ordinary baked beans. Love it! By the way I made a double batch."--Always a Reader, Loretta Blimline

*You'll find the Skunk Bean recipe at:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/susandemo/mweb/path1-23.html

"Dear Suzanne, I have printed the Weekend Crossword Puzzle and plan to enter. I very seldom win anything but I really, really like that Money Maze. It would be perfect to send my grandson for his 20th birthday on July 8. Of course with a little gift inside! I also live in Sarasota, so I would truly appreciate knowing where you purchased it. My walking is limited and this would eliminate going to umpteen toy stores before I would find it. I have been a fan of your column for several years and can honestly say you give me more chuckles and smiles than a lot of people. Thank you."--Ruth Farello

(Response from Suzanne:)

Ruth, I'll personally be knocking on your door soon, with your winning Money Maze!

"Thanks for the fabulous Siesta Key hat as well for the books you introduce us to, and the inspiring and funny daily column--it's my favorite part of the morning!! Hugs from your devoted reader."--Sabine

*Be sure to enter today's drawing, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/hats063009.html

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Nate Kenyon, The Bone Factory; Emilie Richards, Happiness Key; Carla Neggers, The Mist; Hank Phillippi Ryan, Prime Time; and Gaelen Foley, My Wicked Marquess. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-25-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

My husband loves it when I spill food on my shirt, because for years he was the slob. It was one of his amusing trademarks. He never seemed to notice, but I could spot lunch leftovers on his shirt, from way across the room. But now the table has turned. If I want to know what we ate for lunch, I look down at my own shirt. Today's menu: Cream of tomato soup, (yep and there's the orange smudge to prove it) and that Dove Bar I tried to secretly eat for dessert, a sliver of chocolate makes a huge statement on a light blue, dry clean only blouse.

Even when I caution myself, "Be careful, you're an adult, eat slowly and you won't spill anything," that reminder apparently isn't anymore meaningful than when I'm wearing good shoes, decide to pull a few weeds and twenty minutes later my flower garden looks pristine, but my shoes are ruined. I really should change my shoes and I really should eat slower--but I never listen. After all, I'm only going to pull a 'few' weeds--but we all know that never happens. And there-in lies the answer to why even though I ate today's lunch with the best of intentions, it ended up on my shirt anyway.

The worst part about being a lunch slob is I'm never the first person to notice. It doesn't really bother me when my husband gets that silly grin on his face and points to the chicken salad on my shirt. But then it makes me wonder, "Just how long has it been there?" Was it hanging around when the mailman asked me to sign for the package? Was it there when my neighbor stopped by to say hello? I bet during our entire conversation she was debating whether or not to tell me.

Maybe the solution is to only buy clothes that have a patterned design. Who knows, maybe the women in the Scottish town who invented paisley used to be lunch slobs, just like me.

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: George Rabasa, The Wonder Singer; Joanna Hershon, The German Bride; Pamela Samuels Young, Murder on the Down Low; Steffan Postaer, The Happy Soul Industry; and Sabrina Jeffries, Wed Him Before You Bed Him, Book 6. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-24-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's been my favorite hat for the past 22 years. Whenever I wear it I still get compliments. The hat has ambiance. Years ago, when my husband and I lived in Wisconsin, almost every summer we'd go to Door County for an extended weekend. My favorite hat was one of the "finds" I discovered there.

My favorite is showing its age, so for the past five years I've been on the lookout for a similar hat. I tell myself it's aging with style, hopefully just like me. Shabby chic, I think they call it? A classic, clean, vintage look. A few wrinkles, (that's me) some little holes in the brim, (that's my hat) but in my mind, we both look as good as the day I bought it.

If you'd like to see "my favorite" and enter a hat giveaway, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/hats-0609.html

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 winners of Monday's "Just Because Giveaway": Elizabeth Brewster, Linda Houdeshell, BJ Cordray, Lee Ann Degele, Elva Elisa Escobar, Teresa Lawrence, Alina Migeed, Lillian Glickman, Joy Prevost and Marina Carlin.

Dear Reader Column 05-18-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I'm back, well at least for a brief appearance today. My plan was to return full time to writing this week. My mind loved the idea--jumped on board right away--but the rest of my body parts seem to have a mind of their own. I was recovering nicely from my hysterectomy surgery but then two days ago an infection showed up. So this girl will be out for one more week. The surgery and recovery bit hasn't been one of the most pleasant experiences I've ever had, but your cards, emails, flowers, calls and the big box of homemade chocolate-chocolate chip cookies that showed up in my mailbox a couple of days ago have surrounded me with warm, caring feelings that only friends can deliver. Thank you very much. Your thoughtfulness has been so kind.

As with any experience there are stories to tell and some of the notes I've been jotting down are pretty funny. I'll be back next Monday. In the meantime, sign up for my bubble machine giveaway today, check out AuthorBuzz (the link is right after today's column) and continue to enjoy the voice of my friends, authors Blaize Clement and M.J. Rose. Bye, bye--see you next Monday, have a wonderful week.--Suzanne Beecher

*To enter Suzanne's Bubble Machine Giveaway, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/bubble051309.html

Suzanne will return next Monday, today's column is written by Blaize Clement.

You could plunk me down in the middle of a meeting of Queen Elizabeth, Oprah, and Michelle Obama, and I wouldn't be the least bit intimidated. I'd yak my head off and have a fine time. But put me in a hairdresser's chair, and I'm struck dumb with fear. I know from sad experience that a bad cut can turn my fine, wavy hair into a hopelessly frizzy mop. I'm not only scared of hairdressers, I don't speak their language. I've been trying all my adult life to learn it, but every time I've sort of caught on to hair patois, it changes. While I wasn't paying attention, "frosting" turned into "streaking" and then it became "highlights." And then there's "product," which seems to have become a code word for all the gels and sprays on the market.

I hear other women discussing their hair preference with their stylist, and they sound like they know what they're talking about. The only instruction I can manage is, "Don't cut it shorter than my earlobes." Even while I'm saying that, I know I haven't told them what I want, because the word "cut" has different meanings. If they reach for a razor, I know to stop them because a razor cut makes my hair look like I've stuck my finger in a light socket, but I'm hazy on the difference between a bob, a shag, a tapered cut, and a layered cut. And then there's a "stacked" cut, which as far as I can make out is very short and tapered in the back and long and not tapered in the front. But maybe not. It's all very mysterious and dangerous, because I may ask for a particular style and use a word that I think means one thing, but really means something different, and end up with Lyle Lovett's worst hair day.

Today I told my hairdresser that I wanted the back of my hair jagged at the neck instead of straight and even. I made diagrams in the air with my finger when I said "jagged" because it was the only word I could think of that meant something sort of saw-toothed and spiky. He nodded and said, "I'll chip the ends." When he saw that I didn't know what "chipping the ends" meant, he said, "You know, I'll point-cut it." I didn't know what point-cut meant either. Turns out it meant little bitty points cut out of the ends, not the big points I'd had in mind. But it will grow and I'll eventually learn the word that means great big wide points, and the minute I do, they'll invent a new word for that look. Somebody really should write a hair dictionary!

Blaize Clement

* Blaize is the author of the Dixie Hemingway mystery series. The latest book, Cat Sitter On A Hot Tin Roof, was a December mystery book club feature. You can email her at: Blaize@BlaizeClement.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: John Hart, The Last Child; Melanie M. Jeschke, Jillian Dare; Sherry Thomas, Not Quite a Husband; Charlotte Greig, A Girl's Guide to Modern European Philosophy; and Joe Lamacchia, Blue Collar & Proud of It.  Go to:  http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is The House Behind The Cedars by Charles W. Chesnutt. To comment on the book and enter the Penguin Classics Drawing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/MayClassics

Dear Reader Column 04-30-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

For the next couple of weeks I'll be featuring some Guest Writers. Friends of mine who have graciously offered to fill in for me while I'm gone. I'm having surgery tomorrow (Friday), but not to worry. It's minor and I've probably scheduled too long of a recovery time, but I always try to plan for the unexpected. I'll still be reading my email, just not writing for a few days.

It's weird how my mind works. For the past week I've been pruning and prepping as if company were coming. You know how that goes--when folks are coming to visit, you clean the house and attend to all of those little details you've been meaning to get around to. And that's what I've been doing, fixing up Suzanne, getting ready for company--the surgical team. After all, I certainly wouldn't want someone to shout out after they've put me under, "Look at the hair on that woman's legs and look at those nasty split ends!"

So every inch of me is groomed, my son and daughter-in-law bought me a beautiful new nightgown to lounge around in after the big day, and I even treated myself to some new 400 thread count sheets. I'm ready! Bring on the company!

I know you'll enjoy my guest writers; you've met them before, so in a way it will feel like company is coming to visit. Don't be shy about emailing, writers always love to hear from readers.

I'll be back soon. Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to know I'm reading with friends like you.

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Win free copies of books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors; Sean Dixon, The Last Days of the Lacuna Cabal; Philip Baruth, The Brothers Boswell; John Pipkin, Woodsburner; and Judy Duarte, Entertaining Angels. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 04-29-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

If I'm supposed to attend a meeting at 3 p.m., I'm killing time in the lobby at 2:30, just in case. Just in case I get stuck in traffic, or I show up at the wrong building. It's happened.

A few years ago I had an appointment at the corporate offices at Saks in New York City. The woman I was meeting didn't give an address, so I assumed it was SAKS on 5th Avenue, the fancy building with the clothes in the window I can't afford unless they're on a sale rack. Our meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m., but when I showed up at 9:30 looking for an open door, the only way to get in the building was through the employee entrance. And that's when the security guard informed me that the corporate offices were around the block.

Around the block in New York City can be a 20 minute walk, 25 if you're wearing "presentation heels." The heels I bought at Saks the night before. But those stylish, stupid shoes hurt my feet so badly that I couldn't stand to have them on more than 30 minutes, and going for a walk was out of the question. But a cab had dropped me off and the only way to get to the corporate office was to put one foot in front of the other. Limp, limp, stop and adjust the heels, with the pointy toes that were digging into my feet, moan and groan a bit--only seven minutes before my appointment--so I took the pain in stride and sprinted the last few feet. I made it on time, but just barely. It was a great appointment, but I was sorely disappointed that no one commented on my shoes.

Can you tell that being on time is one of my pet peeves? And it's one of the traits that my husband and I have in common, except when it comes to meeting friends for an informal occasion.

If the party starts at 7 p.m., then my dear husband expects us to be walking through the door in harmony with the big hand on the 12 and the little hand on the 7. Now if this were a job interview or a first date, punctuality would make me stand out in a good way. But when you show up on the dot for a party, the first to arrive, it's an awkward feeling. So I try to find ways to stall. For instance, my husband thinks I'm typing column notes this very minute, (and I am) but really it's a ruse. We have a dinner date with our neighbors this evening and we offered to drive to the restaurant. My husband is hurrying-me-up because it's eight minutes to lift off. "It's time to go, Suzanne, we'll be late!"

But it's only a two minute walk to our neighbor's house and we're driving, so you do the math.

"I'm coming Dear, still typing column notes."

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

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

 

Dear Reader Column 03-17-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Too many books in your house, too many clothes in your closet? Book club reader Joan and I might be able to help.

From my Email Bag:

"My bedroom is overloaded with books and I am beginning to feel overwhelmed. Do you consider me a collector in the bad sense of the word, or do I just love books? Should I curtail my contest entries and purchases until I have read everything I now have? Sounds like a dull life, doesn't it?! By the way, thanks for the recipe for porcupine meatballs. Haven't had those in ages."--Joan

(Suzanne replies:)

Dear Joan,

Some people can handle a home filled from top to bottom with books, but that's not me. When I finish reading a book, I pass it on. If I don't finish a book in six months, I pass it on anyway. Because whenever I have too much of anything, too many books, or too many clothes, my life feels out of balance, which is why I finally attacked my clothes closet last week.

Just like your shelves and shelves of books, there wasn't any shortage of clothes in my closet--in fact I'd run out of room. I live in a historical home and folks just didn't have big closets 83 years ago. So my closet is really a small, separate room off of my bedroom. My clothes are displayed on antique racks like you'd see in a clothing store. One of the racks was so overloaded that it collapsed, and as I was picking 50 hangers up off the floor and re-hanging every piece of clothing, most I hadn't worn in years, (some were in sizes I'll never get into again in this lifetime) I asked myself why were all of these tops, skirts and suits still taking up space in my closet? I wrestled with that question for a couple of days and finally, I think I understand "why." This is my story...

When I was a kid my mother worked at the Five and Dime Store, so that's where she expected me to buy all of my school clothes. But the Dime Store's fashion statement was A-line cotton skirts and plain shirts in assorted colors, how boring. The point is the trip down memory lane made me realize that having a lot of clothes in my closet brings me a sense of security. That's why I couldn't bring myself to get rid of anything. I was hanging onto childhood ideas: if my closet was filled with clothes I wouldn't have to go shopping at the Dime Store.

Since I finally understood my crazy reasoning (and there aren't any Dime Stores within 100 miles of me) I packed up my perfectly good clothes and donated them to a resale shop that supports women's needs in the community. Clearing out my closet set me free! Two days later I bought a couple of new outfits and just yesterday, when I was wearing one of them, I realized how good it felt to be wearing something new.

That's my story, what's yours? Maybe you should mix up a batch of those Porcupine Meatballs and take a walk down memory lane? Maybe your mother worked at the Five and Dime and they sold books? Let me know what you discover. I've got the feeling that pretty soon, you'll be shopping for some new books.

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

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

* This month's Penguin Classic book is The American by Henry James. Tell me what you think of the book, and I'll put your name in the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclass&V=Q1AFEA39A127&c=CLASSICS

Dear Reader Column 03-06-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

"Hawareya?" I'm wearing o' the green today thanks to book club reader Debbie Furtrell. What a surprise yesterday when I opened a package and inside was a lovely green four leaf clover apron and oven mitt. Debbie's from Kentucky, but the apron and oven mitt traveled all the way from Ireland.

Two years ago I was lucky enough to be in New York City on St. Patrick's Day and I got to see the big parade. No floats or automobiles are permitted, yet it's one of the most exciting parades I've ever seen. Bands and more bands and over 150,000 marchers passed by while the crowd went wild.

I've got my Irish apron on and I'm ready to cook some corned beef and cabbage or a tummy-warming Irish Stew, but I need some reader recipes. Would you please do me a favor? If you have a time-tested recipe you use to celebrate St. Patrick's Day would you send it to me? I sure would appreciate it.

You can reach me at Suzanne@Emailbookclub.com and of course I have a photo today. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/b7gonh

What a thoughtful gift Debbie. "You shouldn't have...but I'm so glad you did!"

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

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

P.S. Don't miss this week's bonus book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Sample the book and enter the drawing for one of 15 copies I'm giving away. To read and enter, go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=mystery&V=T1A3E55A533A&c=SUZ

 

Dear Reader Column 02-18-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

A few years ago a marketing person from a Fortune 500 company contacted me because they thought I could help them with a promotional campaign. The marketing guy said they were interested in having me work with them because they liked my book club concept, I seemed to be able to speak to readers, and I was hokey. Quickly adding that hokey was a compliment. So I wasn't a bit offended when Diana, a relatively new book club reader, sent me this delightful email. Hokey, corny, a woman who wears an apron, bakes cookies and walks down Main Street carrying a bubble machine. Guilty as charged--that's me!

"Suzanne, I love the picture of you and your very tall rose. [from Tuesday's column] How unique! But not only is the rose unique, but you are unique as well. I love that you share yourself so freely with all of your readers. I've been reading with you for about 6 months now and at first I thought you were kind of corny and I went straight to the book. But once I started reading what you share, I realized you're not corny, you're just a really warm, caring person. Congratulations on your own [upcoming] book. And I love your apron!" --Diana D.

Diana, if you're reading today's column please email your mailing address to me. I'd love to send you one of my aprons. Thanks for taking the time to write. You made my day.

* I'd love to meet you. Come on down to our Birthday Book Club Bash at the St. Pete Beach Library, this Sunday February 22nd. Food, giveaways, and chocolate chip cookies for the reader who traveled the farthest. For more information call the library at 727-363-9238.

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 02-06-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

"You can't write about that," my husband told me after yesterday's embarrassing situation at the doctor. But I assured him I couldn't possibly be the first woman who'd reached for her wallet, but instead grabbed a hold of her underwear.

Frequently my book bag doubles as a purse. Big and roomy, it's perfect for carrying books and writing journals, but not so user-friendly when I'm trying to find my itty-bitty wallet, so I can pay my insurance co-pay. It's a black hole inside my book bag. When I need something I just dive in and start feeling around. Yesterday I realized I was "feeling" for a wallet, but when this silky material met up with my fingertips, curiosity got the best of me and my underwear was half out of the bag before I realized what was happening.

Whoops, quickly stuff that "find" back in! Probably not something I needed to share with the receptionist. Granted they were nice undies, actually one of my best pair. But to my knowledge the doctor didn't work on a barter system and anyway, I don't think she and I even wear the same size. So I kept digging for my wallet, eventually finished my transaction, then returned to my seat in the waiting room and started sorting through my memory bank--how the heck did my underwear end up in my book bag?

Underwear, book bag? Underwear, book bag? Oh, now I remembered. When I decided to sort my underwear drawer the other day--out with the old, go shopping for new, I needed a place to temporarily put the "keepers," ah, there's always a logical reason.

Adrenaline still pumping, my eyes darted around the waiting room. 'If these people only knew I was carrying an extra pair.' A harmless, exciting flirt with possible disaster for this 54 year-old woman...so I kept packing my extra undies the rest of the day.

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

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

P.S. You can still enter this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookie0109.html