Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 12-15-09

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,

There's a white fainting couch sitting in my living room. It was a mistake. My husband and I realize that now, but at the time, when we were answering the ad: "Fainting couch, priced to sell--today!" We felt like adventurers in search of an eclectic looking piece of furniture.

The address was a short drive away, and when we rang the front doorbell, instantly the garage door opened instead. A beanpole man and a muscular man--I mean muscles popping out all over the place--walked out of the garage. My husband jokingly commented, "Hey, did you know when you ring your doorbell it opens the garage door?"

But beanpole man breezed right past the joke, and sternly announced he had security cameras. "I don't trust anyone, I was kidnapped once." (A very strange greeting; too strange for me to pursue.)

The fainting couch was on display in the garage. "We're entertainers; illusionists, and we're moving to Las Vegas because we're going to be opening a show."

How intriguing, so of course I wanted to hear more. The muscle man, a very personable guy, said he used to be a trapeze artist. His family is circus folks. He grew up performing, flying high in the air, but when he injured a muscle in his arm, he had to leave the circus. Being in the "business" he'd had the opportunity to be introduced, and become friends with Siegfried and Roy, which I assumed had helped the two of them network their way into a show in Vegas.

The couch looked good, my husband gave me a nod, and I announced, "We'll take it. Can one of you help me carry it over to the trailer on the back of our car? My husband isn't supposed to lift something this heavy."

"That will cost you $25.00 more." Typical garage sale humor, I chuckled, but beanpole man's face looked unfriendly, no smile there, and no gesture on his part to lend a hand either.

"Well, how about if I give you a thank you and a smile?" I replied.

"I'm an entertainer, I see smiles all the time."

"Okay, how about if you pick up that end of the sofa, I'll pick up this end, then you can feel important, and we'll be on our way?" (I didn't actually say any of that, it's just one of the various thoughts that went through my mind.)

As we were loading the sofa on the trailer, other furniture buyers pulled up, so away we went. We'd driven almost a mile, when my husband started laughing hysterically. "Suzanne, I just realized we didn't pay those guys! The money is still in my front pocket. Now, that's some kind of illusion!"

But as we were turning the car around, I told my husband, "This is hilarious, but beanpole man isn't going to appreciate the ironic humor. In fact, I predict he'll probably be rude."

Unfortunately I could tell by the look on my husband's face as he was walking back to our car, that beanpole man hadn't found anything humorous about our "illusion." No "thank you," just a mumble that he had our phone number on his caller ID, so he would have tracked us down.

My husband looked a little sad, but I quickly reminded him, "It is funny and we don't have to let someone steal our joy." And we didn't--but we do have a fainting couch sitting in our living room. Yes, it was a mistake in judgment, but at least it turned out to be a humorous adventure, a fun story we'll be able to share with our friends.

In the meantime, "White Fainting Couch, priced to sell, and I'll help you load it in your car, with a smile--for free!"

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

* Find recipes for the holidays: http://tinyurl.com/yuf6aq

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

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Sandra Brown then read about great thrillers from: Vincent Zandri, Stephen Coonts, Gina Robinson, Bob Doerr, Al Roker & Dick Lochte, Deborah Shlian & Linda Reid, Patrick Woodrow, Linda O. Johnston, Richard Doetsch and Heather Graham. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

 

Dear Reader Column 11-20-09

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 can't thank you enough for taking the time to write. My email box has been overflowing lately with wonderful emails from readers. What a treat!

A reminder, if you're still looking for some great holiday recipes, try my Crock Pot Dressing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/27y4rg

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, I was reading your column about your Crock-Pot Stuffing recipe. I have used it for couple of years. I use the recipe twice a year. Once for the Seniors Thanksgiving Dinner we have at our church the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and then again for my family and guests when I'm hosting. This year I am [doing both]. I have to work on Saturday, but it is great to know I can put it together in the crock-pot and drop it off at the church on my way to work. Last year there was not a drop left and many were looking for more. Several of your recipes have been a hit with my family, they especially like your pineapple chicken recipe. Thanks for your book club, if I don't have time for the book I don't miss your column."--Sincerely, Sherry Stevens

"Dear Suzanne:(In response to your columns this week.) Guys get stressed out too. Before retirement, I was the owner of a small, family-owned and operated funeral home, on call 24/7, 365 days a year, in the days before cell phones. Many a holiday, I had to leave a festive family celebration to help another family in need. I'm sure many other guys have similar stories. I look forward eagerly each week to your book suggestions. Thanks for providing me with a positive reason for turning on the computer Monday mornings."--Warm regards, John Walkinshaw

"Suzanne, at least you found something productive to do (when you couldn't sleep in the middle of the night). One time when my husband couldn't sleep, he turned the TV on and started flipping channels. Several days later I came home to find a large box on my doorstep--it was our new, deluxe (!), Ronco dehydrator. All that's on TV in the wee hours are infomercials and my husband was convinced we would be making our own jerky in no time! We tried once and it was awful. If you wanted the recipes and instructions on how to actually make it--that cost extra! After keeping it tucked away in the kitchen for a couple of years, I unloaded it at a White Elephant gift exchange. Beware of gifts in large boxes!!"--Debbie Williams

"Suzanne, About this lack of energy--it reminds me what my 4-year-old granddaughter does to try to help me have more energy. When I visit her, she wants to play, play, play, and I am a willing playmate, until I get so tired, I tell her I have to lie down for a little while because I don't have any more energy. Then she says a little prayer and says, "Please give some of my energy to Grandma." Then she looks at me and waits and says something like, "Let me know when you have some of my energy." Looking at her waiting, I can only muster any energy left, and begin playing again. And somehow, I am able to."--Suzanne Meik

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

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

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Andrew Gross then read about great thrillers from: Hamilton Wende, Steve Perry, Caridad Pineiro, Sam Cole, Todd Strasser, Heather Graham, Craig Larsen, Jordan Summers, H. Terrell Griffin and Derek Gunn. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 11-18-09

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,

It's one of those mornings when I feel a little on the confused and grumpy side, so it's difficult to write. I didn't get enough sleep last night. Too hot, too cold, too hard, too soft, I even went into the guest room hoping to find Baby Bear's "just right" bed, but nothing could help me get back to sleep.

My internal clock seems to still be off with the change in daylight savings time. When it gets dark, that's my signal to put on my pjs, grab my quilt and pillow, and start snuggling in for a good night's sleep. But when I'm thinking sleep at 6 p.m. (that's when it gets dark here now) and I'm asleep by 6:45 p.m., my internal clock is ready to roll out of bed eight hours later, but it's only 2:45 in the wee hours of the morning.

What does this girl do at 2:45 a.m.? Last night she came up with a hilarious idea for today's column. Wrote every word, but only in my mind, and now my mind's too tired and the funny isn't within reach. So I'm turning over the rest of today's column to book club reader Mary Ellen Weiler.

Mary Ellen responded to this week's Energy Fairy and multi-tasking columns and her email was just way too funny not to share. (And she saved my writing behind today, but that's what reading friends are for, right?)

Take it away Mary Ellen, I'm off to take a nap. . .

"Dear Suzanne,

My idea of multitasking is chewing on a cookie while swallowing coffee. Your list exhausted me by reading it. By the time you described the second 8 minute and 30 second time period, I was fanning myself while rooting for you. 'Go Suzanne!'

I used to be better at the multiple tasks. I could dress my daughter, make breakfast, and get the gum out of her hair. Now I am amazed if I can get myself dressed and find the hairbrush.

Christmas. Wasn't it just Valentine's Day? I'm not ready for this. I am still eating chocolate bunnies, and candy corn. Now where did I put the box with the tree. It's a small tree-about 3 feet, it can get lost. Maybe it's in with the curtains? No, that's where the printer is. It's got to be behind the snow shovel in the spare room.(don't ask.)

Yesterday you spoke of Energy Fairies and such. I say we mate the Energizer Bunny with the Fairy and get some serious help out here. Enjoy those flowers. I can smell the cookies from here, and isn't Monk cute?"--Mary Ellen Weiler

Thanks for filling in Mary Ellen. Could you email me your phone number in case I can't sleep again tonight?

If you missed Monday or Tuesday's column, you'll find them at: http://dearreader.typepad.com/

To enter this week's free book giveaway The Power of Pause, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ygs9mxw

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

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

KIDSBUZZ: This week, books for all ages about fitting in, magic and adventure, humor, and reconciliation from: Rose Kent, Kimchi & Calamari; Charlotte Kandell, The Scarlet Stockings; Randall de Seve, The Duchess of Whimsy; and Valerie Patterson, The Other Side of Blue. For a chance to win free books and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 11-17-09

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,

It's that time of year again. Time to start holiday multi-tasking, a mind set that unfortunately I'm way too talented at doing. If one hand's free, put a glue gun in it and start making napkin rings for the dinner table. Simply sit on the sofa and watch Monk? Why it's out of the question! Watching a favorite television show is permitted in the Multi-tasking Rule book, but only if I'm also ironing tablecloths and napkins, or taking the plastic off of the card table chairs, my husband and I bought yesterday. We'll need those extra seats for Thanksgiving dinner.

Relax and bake cookies for book club readers? I don't think so Suzanne, not unless you're planting pentas and begonias, too. This past weekend as I baked for readers who won chocolate chip cookies, (UPS will deliver them to you today) I also filled my Florida garden with five trays of flowers. Plant while I'm baking, how do I do it?

Once the cookie sheet goes into the oven I have 8 minutes and 30 seconds to devote to planting. My cookie timer sits next to me on the ground and when the bell goes off, I drop the spade, jog into the house, soap up and wash my hands, grab the potholder, turn the cookie pan around, set the time for 2 minutes 30 seconds more, then plop 12 scoops of cookie dough onto another fresh cookie sheet. When the cookie timer goes off again, I take the pan out of the oven, put the new pan in, set the timer for another 8 minutes 30 seconds, and head back outdoors to do a little more planting...and I've been wearing my pedometer again, so the extra steps running in and out the front door are counting towards my 10,000 steps a day.

Don't ya' love the holidays?

Working on slowing down the pace here in Sarasota, your reading friend...whoops, I almost multi-tasked my signature line right out of the column.

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

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

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Andrew Gross then read about great thrillers from: Hamilton Wende, Steve Perry, Caridad Pineiro, Sam Cole, Todd Strasser, Heather Graham, Craig Larsen, Jordan Summers, H. Terrell Griffin and Derek Gunn. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

 

Dear Reader Column 11-16-09

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,

Wanted: new Energy Fairies for Suzanne and book club reader Misty Eubank.

Job requirements: full time, ready to work 24/7 and just in case, built-in emergency back up batteries. Must love multi-tasking, skipping meals, little time for exercise, or lounging in a chair with your feet up, and be willing to work over time on holidays--sort of a work-till-you drop commitment. A cheery disposition is a must, no complaining, no sick days allowed, and absolutely no long bubble baths--only showers--they're quicker.

Okay, so the Want Ad may be wishful thinking, but Misty and I really do need a little help.

"Dear Suzanne, I must admit I was so surprised when I read your column today [about how an acupuncturist is helping you with anxiety]. You never appear to be anxious in your columns and I confess that in the past, I have been envious of your seeming ability to juggle cooking, gardening, writing, grandkids, husband, etc. effortlessly. I am a woman about the same age as you and I CANNOT DO ALL OF THAT!!!! The energy fairy has left the building. So while I am sympathetic to your anxiety, at the same time I am somewhat reassured that you are not 'Super Woman' and neither am I. Thanks for sharing this story. I needed to hear it. Now if I could just find a good acupuncturist."

...Misty Eubank

(Suzanne replies)

Dear Misty,

Sounds like you have trouble with your energy fairy, too. Isn't it frustrating? I know the feeling. Frequently Ms. Energy Fairy and I need to have a little heart-to-heart about why she isn't holding up her responsibilities. As far as I'm concerned it's Ms. Energy Fairy's job to be charged and ready to roll on a moment's notice. Just because I've dealt with a stressful problem earlier in the day and I'm feeling emotionally drained, she better find a way to make sure I'm perky, perky, perky all day long. We each have a job to do. Mine is to see how many activities I can stuff into one day, Ms. Energy Fancy-pants is suppose to make sure I have enough energy to do them. "No excuses," I tell her. Make friends with the Energizer Bunny, offer to do his laundry, or give him a foot rub--his feet must be killing him by the end of the day. I don't care what it takes, my Energy Fairy better be charged and ready for whatever and whenever I want to do something. Yet, I assure you she isn't, but we can still dream, can't we?

If your Energy Fairy has been letting you down, here's a great book I discovered, The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less by Terry Hershey. I love the book, it's on my holiday list to buy for friends and I have 12 copies to give away to readers. To enter the drawing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ygs9mxw

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: Barbara Pope, Cezanne's Quarry; Graham Garrison, Hero's Tribute; Shannon Van Roekel, Desert Fire; Jean Davies Okimoto, The Love Ceiling; and Tim Downs, Ends of the Earth. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 10-30-09

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,

Today's the last chance to enter this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway! I'm ready to bake, are you ready to eat two dozen of my homemade chocolate chip cookies? I ship them overnight right to your front door, or your office. To enter the cookie giveaway and to see happy, satisfied, past winners (the photos this time include kids and they're adorable) go to: http://tinyurl.com/ylkyo9o

If you've never entered one of my giveaways, please do. Somebody always wins and it might as well be you! Watch for next week's giveaway drawing in my column.

Congratulations to these 44 book club readers! They each won a vacation souvenir in this week's drawing.

Drum roll please, and the winners are...

Diane Croft-Doane, Maureen Frommelt, Cheryl Davis, Gayle Skeens, Teri Torian, Yvette Lozano, Jeanne Sheats, Margaret S. Friend, Katie Barrett, Teresa Liebl, Patrick Banks, Kristal Breeze, Wayne James, Katina Scarbrough, Vicky Kellen, Rosemary Houser, Andrea Hornsby, Elisa Yuter, Theresa Albert, Jinjin Chai, Kim Barany, Sandy Paris, Marion Lillie, Dawn Fleetwood, Caroline Michel, Marie Bradley, Cheryl Brooks, Elizabeth Covino, Betty Schwede, Brooke Dale, Nancy King, Claudia Mundell, Linda Call, Pearl Berger, Becky Peterson, Josie Roetemeyer, Lisa Loope, Hilda J. Ciaramitaro, Linda Randig, Marie Brywka, Whitney McHenry, Joyce Sightler, Jennifer Huddleston and Michelle Ogletree.

Have a wonderful weekend.

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

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

KIDSBUZZ: This week, picture books, middle-grade and teen novels about dinosaurs, expressing anger, gorilla suits, and true love from: Laura Rennert, Buying, Training & Caring for Your Dinosaur; Gail Silver, Anh's Anger; Amy Gordon, The Gorillas of Gill Park; and Nancy Werlin, Impossible. To find out more from the authors go to: http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

Dear Reader Column 10-29-09

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,

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

A Question from my Email Bag:

"Hi Suzanne, did you ever have an idea that seemed great in your head, but flat when you put it on paper? How do you get around it? As wonderful as your columns are it is hard to believe you have this problem, but maybe you did when you started?"--Jenn Doyle

(Suzanne replies:)

Dear Jenn,

Thanks for your email and your vote of confidence, but absolutely "yes" I experience the falling flat problem you've described. The more experience I've gained as a writer, the more frequently it happens to me, because I take more chances with ideas. But it's really just part of the writing process.

A great idea might be humming around in my brain for days, but when I sit down to start writing--hey what happened? Suddenly the idea that felt like pure creative genius, I can't even come up with the first line.

This very thing happened to me a few weeks ago when I was in New York City having lunch with my agent. I was trying to tell him about an idea for my second book (my first won't be out until June 2010) but in the middle of explaining the concept I realized not only wasn't he "getting" it, I didn't even know what the heck I was talking about anymore.

So what's a girl to do? If I really love an idea and I'm not willing to give up on it, I let it percolate for a while. Sometimes the timing isn't right. I need to spend more time with the idea, so every chance I get I continue talking about it (no matter how disjointed I sound), and eventually everything comes together. Well, most of the time.

I imagine every single writer would admit to having the same problem, so if you discover a solution, please send the "fix" to me first--thank you very kindly--then hurry and produce one of those late night infomercials. "Call now and for only $19.95 this secret 'fix' will guarantee your writing ideas will never fall flat again!" I can see it now...hundreds of thousands of sleepless writers (including me), up in the middle of the night trying to get that flat idea to work, will pick up the phone. You'll make millions!

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: James D. Stein, The Right Decision; Linda Lael Miller, A Creed Country Christmas; Terri DuLong, Spinning Forward; Laura Brodie, The Widow's Season; and Terry Brennan, The Sacred Cipher. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 10-28-09

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'd just been under the weather for a week during my recent three week staycation it wouldn't have interfered so much with my plans. But my vacation illness included a good old-fashioned cold sore on the left side of my lower lip, and a string of healthy fever blisters running down from my nose, to the top of my lip on the right side of my face. At least things were balanced!

There aren't a lot of things you can do when you are clearly a "marked" person. Even after I wasn't contagious my vacation activities were limited. I couldn't even enjoy simple pleasures like baking cookies and giving them away to strangers, or friends. "Here I baked today and I thought you might enjoy these cookies. Oh, that 2-inch scab thingy on my face underneath my nose, nothing to worry about. I assure you I'm not contagious--anymore. Well, I guess unless one of those little devils breaks open...but let's not even go there. My doctor gave me the 'all clear' yesterday. And anyway the cookie dough is sterilized--baked at 375 degrees for 12 minutes or until golden brown--so you have nothing to fear. Just because my doctor turned down the bag of cookies I offered him, that doesn't mean a thing, he's trying to lose weight. But just in case you're having trouble working up an appetite, here's a bottle of hand sanitizer to go along with the cookies."

When you live with "thingys" on your face for days, they start to feel familiar, kind of like one of the family. Now I understand a little better why the last time I visited Uncle George and Aunt Alice (who I hadn't seen in over a year) after hellos and hugs, and the coffee was poured, the conversation moved on to Uncle George's latest surgery. "I'm feeling pretty good now, but boy you should see the scar they left when they took the vein out of my leg." And without a second thought he's standing up, unzipping his pants, sliding them down so everyone can get a good look, "It's healed pretty good, don't you think?"

Well, I'd do a little show and tell, before-and-after, but take my word for it--I'm all healed now. So with that in mind, let me announce this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie contest. My oven's preheated and I'm mixing the batter. Do you dare to go where others are squeamish?

To enter this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway, and to see past satisfied and "healthy" cookie winners, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookie091809.html

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

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

KIDSBUZZ: This week, picture books, middle-grade and teen novels about dinosaurs, expressing anger, gorilla suits, and true love from: Laura Rennert, Buying, Training & Caring for Your Dinosaur; Gail Silver, Anh's Anger; Amy Gordon, The Gorillas of Gill Park; and Nancy Werlin, Impossible. To find out more from the authors go to: http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

 

Dear Reader Column 10-27-09

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,

Three weeks of vacation was way too long for me. Next year I'll make it two. But thank heavens I'd booked a long stretch of time this year, because I spent half of my vacation with a bug. I think I acquired the daycare bug. No need to place blame, I just always like to try to figure out the "why" behind something. Why did I seem to feel better after a couple of days and then get re-infected? Because I'm a grandma softy. When my grandson, called and asked, "Grandma can I come over to your house?" Of course I melted and said yes. What grandma wouldn't? Who cares if he's wheezing and sneezing and other kids at his school are out sick? A grandma's love can conquer everything--except the flu!

So I haven't been able to do everything on my vacation list yet. I'm still planning on setting up my card table on the corner of Main Street, with a sign "Writer looking for stories." I put that idea on hold because I felt it would be socially unacceptable to ask someone for a story and give them the flu in return!

I'm happy to report I'm fully recovered, so don't shy away from entering today's giveaway. If you're a winner, I'll only be sending you the souvenir, not the flu. I have 44 items to share with you from my stay-at-home vacation. My grandson's favorite "Let's Go Fishin' Game," books, colored bubbles, purple Christmas lights (the same kind that are in my yard) retro aprons, and tins of papers tags that help keep me organized. To enter the Vacation Giveaway, go to:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/giveaway102309.html

** Authorbuzz had a whoops yesterday, the authors and giveaways they advertised were not on the page. Everything is working today so be sure to visit the site. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

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 10-26-09

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,

Hello, hello, it's so good to be back from vacation! I missed you!

This year I booked a staycation. I stayed at home for my entire vacation, but I planned an itinerary in advance to ensure I'd be relaxed and entertained. Originally my idea was to get up every morning and go out in the community searching for a story. Say hello to strangers, find an exciting story every day, and type it up--deadline midnight! The idea sounded intriguing initially and my adrenaline was pumping, but the closer it got to day one of my vacation, the more it started feeling like I was planning a working vacation. So I nixed that idea in exchange for these.

1. Spend an afternoon on Siesta Key Beach.

2. Set up a table downtown on Main Street with a sign: "Writer looking for stories" and see what kinds of interesting people I'd meet. I realized it was "iffy" whether or not I needed a permit to set up a table and chair on a public sidewalk, but I figured even if I got arrested I'd certainly be guaranteed one good jailhouse story along with a mug shot I could share with you.

3. Invite my family to an Eat-and-Run dinner. (Eat-and-Run means after they finish eating they don't have to stick around, just say thanks and head out the door.) Scattering Eat and Run dinners in-between normal dinner invitations means we find the time to get together more often.

4. Spend time with my grandchildren.

5. Hang outdoor Christmas lights.

Every year, for the past four years, I've announced to myself that I was going to string Christmas lights over my bushes and palm trees, and every year for the past four years, I haven't put up one single strand of lights. I realize putting up Christmas lights before Thanksgiving is a social faux pas, so surely stringing Christmas lights before Halloween must be an outright holiday transgression. That's why I chose the color purple.

Purple covers any possible social gaffes--at least this year--because New York fashion designers have designated purple (Purple Heart, Pantone color 18-3520) as one of the "in" colors for Fall 2009. And since the first day of Fall was on September 22nd and winter doesn't officially begin in the Northern Hemisphere until precisely 7:42 a.m. EST on December 21, my yard is legally covered in Christmas lights even though it's only October 26th, and it's wearing the latest fashion trend!

Tune in tomorrow for more vacation escapades and I'll be giving away vacation souvenirs. It's so good to be back!

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: James D. Stein, The Right Decision; Linda Lael Miller, A Creed Country Christmas; Terri DuLong, Spinning Forward; Laura Brodie, The Widow's Season; and Terry Brennan, The Sacred Cipher. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader