Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 12-15-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, I laughed heartily when I read [your column] about you and the lint roller! It reminded me of the time I was washing my hands in the Ladies' Room in the airport and some lady exited the toilet with a long piece of toilet paper hung up in her elastic waisted pants. As she stood at the basin washing her hands I said, "Ma'am", with the intention of telling her about the paper but she haughtily shot me a dirty look, dried her hands and swished out the restroom door. As I left the restroom I could see her swishing down the hall, toilet paper flying high behind her. I'm sorry - I laughed until I cried!!" --Ann Hilton

"Suzanne, I am enjoying the non-fiction book club so much, because it has enabled me to find and read so many interesting books that I never would have discovered on my own. I was able to find Joel ben Izzy`s book through our library consortium of three counties. My daughter, who lives nearby, read it, her husband read it also, and they ended up buying several copies to give as Christmas gifts. I think every public library should have it on their shelves. I think of 'The Beggar King'.......as a 'must read'."
--Irene Buckingham

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-14-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

There were just a few things that I wanted to do this year to celebrate the Christmas holiday: bake cut-out cookies and take them to my neighbors and friends; trim a tree; send out holiday cards; finish sewing the quilt I'd started months ago (it was going to be a gift to myself); buy Christmas presents, then get out my glue gun and do some fancy wrapping; invite the family and cook Christmas dinner; plant poinsettias in my yard (I live in Florida); and go to candlelight services.

When I made this mental Christmas list in mid-November, I didn't think it was unrealistic. But today is December 14th, and I've only had the pleasure of wrapping gifts and sending out holiday cards. And at this point, it looks as though that may be about all I'll get to do. I'm leaving Thursday to visit my mother for a few days and when I leave her house, I have business appointments in Manhattan and Michigan. Weather permitting, I'll make it home just in time for a candlelight service on Christmas Eve. And if I'm real lucky, Santa's reindeer and I may cross paths in the sky.

I put too much pressure on myself this time of year. "If I don't do it now, I'll miss the moment and have to wait another whole year." That's what I tell myself, but it's not true. There is a day after Christmas. And there's another after that. In fact, there are 364 other days in the year, and I'm sure that on any one of them a friend would love to eat my cookies, or read a letter from me. And no doubt, if I invited my family over for dinner on any day of the year, they'd love to come. So this year, I think that's what I'll do. And maybe Christmas, for me, will last all year long.

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

Happy Holidays,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com
P.S. Congratulations to our winners of a copy of "You Are A Dog" Kathy Bretschneider, Mary Murck; Mary Garrett; Pat Swaney and Carol Whittaker.

Dear Reader Column 12-13-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I hate it when it happens. The clerk swipes my credit card; she's tapping her pen waiting for the "approved" response, but instead "deadbeat" flashes across the terminal. Well, that's not really what the message says, but that's what I feel like it says.

"Really, there is money on my card. Believe me--I pay it off every month. The credit card company has made a mistake."

But by now, everyone in line and within 10 feet of me has taken a shopping respite, quite entertained by my pleas of innocence. I deliver a stellar performance, ratcheting each line up a notch. (Somehow I think that volume increases believability.)

My purchase is voided, and I'm led away to the service desk, so I can contact my credit card company. And 20 minutes later--ten minutes of that time spent on hold--I'm proven innocent. All charges are dropped. But by this time the original spectators have all left the gallery and my story is no longer front-page news.

Boy, my friend better like this Christmas present.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-10-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Remember, if you get overwhelmed this holiday season, hit the delete key if you need to.
Read at the book club--guilt-free!

From my Email Bag:

"Dear Suzanne,

I recently joined the book club through our Public Library system in Arlington, TX. I joined in the hopes of being introduced to books that I would have otherwise never read. Fortunately, it has done just that. One of the first books I found was Into Africa. I finished it within only a few days of borrowing from the library. I had never ventured into the non-fiction section much before then, but now I find myself routinely wandering through to see what I can find. I read the excerpts and became very intrigued with The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness, too. So, THANK YOU for all your excellent suggestions, and keep up the good work!!" --Sincerely, Julie A.

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

Happy Holidays,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-09-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I was a grumpy girl the other day. I hadn't had enough sleep; things were busy at work; I was upset with someone. And when I went out to do a little holiday shopping, the traffic was unbelievable.

I had an opinion about everything I saw and everyone I came into contact with. I didn't share my criticisms, but no doubt, anybody who stepped in my path picked up on my vibes and quickly headed the other way.

"Oh, what a stupid driver that woman is. Look at that idiot--he keeps speeding up and slowing down." I certainly wasn't any fun to be around, but I didn't realize just how obnoxious my behavior really was until I ran into "me" in the office supply store.

I was buying some computer labels and the clerk was being very helpful--making sure that I got the best discount they offered--but it was taking some extra time. Then my credit card wouldn't work in the automatic slide machine, so my number had to be hand-keyed in, and all of this hoopla was driving the man behind me nuts. He was pacing, scowling, rolling his eyes, exhaling with that little emphasis that said, "Lady, you are a pain." He was acting like an ill-mannered fool. It was almost too much for me to take--even in my own cranky state. I thought about stepping aside and asking him if he would like to go ahead of me, because I could hardly stand it. What a negative person to be around.

And when I walked out the door, it dawned on me that I'd encountered myself.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-08-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

"Who wins this stuff?" That's what a reader wrote and asked me the other day about all the books that I give away.

It's a fair question, but because I give away so many books, the list of winners would be too long to include in my column. If you're curious about who's won a book in our recent giveaways, click on "Winners" on the right-hand side of this page. And be sure to enter the next contest. Somebody has to win--it might as well be you.

Remember, if you get busy busy busy during the holidays and you get behind in your reading--that's what the delete key is for. Keep it fun!

Happy Holidays and add a line about the book club in your holiday cards.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

BOOK WINNERS

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Recent Winners of Free Books

Bryson City Tales, by Walter L. Larimore

The winners were: Linda Hunt, Karen Moore, Shirley Tucker, Marie Lazaro, Marlene Kolasa, Donna Hoy, Benae Duff, Linda Divan, Dennis Williams, Sherry Davis, Hermi Combs, Candice Michalik, Dr. Trudy Yukl, Lori Mentzer, and Rich Rockwood.

Positively Outrageous Service, by T. Scott Gross

The winners were: Joel Schafer, Robin Roumeliotis, Jennifer Farley, Christos Zafiropoulos, Debby Kratovil, Danny O'Keefe, Jo Anne Mackin, Kristine Benoit, John Lemen, Diane Sandbrand, Kathy Powers, Rick Conley, and Maryellen H. Lewicki.

A Redbird Christmas, by Fannie Flagg

The winners were: Janet Snider, Sally Percifull, Fran Collis, Jane Selover, Tom Buchanan, Donna White, Tommie Robertson, Jan Hackenyos, Ann L. Dahl, Eva Brandt, Barry Hunter, Leslie Nack, Suzanne Murdico, Melissa Dabe, Naida Melendez, Marie Vesper, Christina Humphreys, Pamela Cable, David Edberg, and Angela M. Brant.

Coward's Guide to Conflict, by Tim Ursiny

The winners were: Tim Hornberger, Nancy Korpal, Angie Hurlbut, Joetta Kuhn, Peggy Pettis, Bonnie Stepanek, John Petty, Marty Watts, Diana Wyckoff, and Pam Pellegrene.

Thanks for reading with me at the book clubs. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12--07-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 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 always a compliment when someone asks for my business advice. So I was delighted when Mary, an employee of mine, brought her son into the office the other day. He wants to start his own business and she thought it would be helpful if he told me about his idea.

I could tell Mary had "talked me up" as a business expert, someone that he should be sure to consult, and I didn't want to disappoint her. So I was doing my best to deliver "the goods." I have to admit that this puffed-up, fifty-year-old woman was enjoying offering tips and personal experiences. And I think I was pretty impressive, too--until I got up out of my chair.

Do you point out to someone that she has a piece of lettuce clinging to her front tooth? Should you bring it to a gentleman's attention that he may have forgotten to zip up? Toilet paper stuck to your boss' shoe--do you broach the subject or leave it alone? Tricky judgment calls for sure.

But Mary made the judgment call. She politely pointed out to me, as I was retrieving a book to give to her son, that I was carrying unwanted accessories. A lint roller was stuck to my butt. I'm here to tell you it's pretty tough to impress someone with your wisdom when you have a lint roller attached to your derriere. You tend to lose credibility.

I bring both of my cats into the office with me, so I keep a lot of lint rollers handy. Maybe a little too handy?

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-06-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

If you don't own a kitchen timer, buy one. Heck, buy two of them--one for your kitchen and one for your office. A $10.65 kitchen timer is the secret to an efficient and productive meeting. Satisfaction guaranteed. It's such a little handy, dandy device that I'm sure it'll be prominently displayed in an aisle at your favorite office supply store soon.

Take a kitchen timer to your next meeting and set it down in the middle of the table within eye-shot of everyone. Get a group consensus that each topic will be allotted a 15-minute block of time. Whatever can't be explained, debated, signed, sealed and delivered during those 900 seconds has to wait until next week's get-together.

You know how people tend to drone on and on? They make their point and feel the need to take it around the block again for emphasis--except when the buzzer is about to buzz. Tick, tick, tick.

When people know the clock is ticking, it alters their thinking dramatically. No meandering. They choose their words wisely. The pressure's on, because the seconds are ticking away right before their eyes. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6... "You'd better cut to the chase, Charlie, time's a wastin'."...4, 3, 2, 1...beep, beep, beep.

Feel the need to argue a point? Don't even think about it. The rest of the group will quickly remind any pugnacious person to "Do it on your own time." The clock's a tickin'.

Only the really important things are brought to the table when time's....beep, beep, beep....

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-03-04

Join my email book club. Over 280,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I love what I do, but every now and then I need to take a detour. It doesn't require a major life change. I simply need to go down a different path for an hour, an afternoon or for a day. And that's what I did a couple of weeks ago.

A friend of mine owns a retail store, and when she told me that she'd rented booth space at an upcoming holiday show, I offered to help. I rattled off my credentials: experienced in doing trade shows, a great smile, I love her products and I'd work for free. Did she need help setting up? What time should I be there, and what would she like me to wear?

Initially she thought my offer was a bit strange--even for me--and she knows me well. But then I explained that I was looking for a "detour." And I was "hired."

I arrived promptly Saturday morning, thirty minutes before the show opened. But after a couple of hours it was apparent that business was going to be slow--real slow--unless the exhibitors decided to start buying each other's products.

I felt terrible for my friend. She looked exhausted, her work schedule had been crazy lately and now she was stuck spending the day at a show that probably wasn't going to be profitable. "Go home and get some rest." I told her. "Leave the booth in my hands. I'll treat it like my own."

I got a teary-eyed smile and a big hug. I think we both needed a detour.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com