Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 03-31-10

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,

"Suzanne, just be yourself." Considering how many times I've said those words, you'd think they'd have worn out their usefulness by now. But it's still the best advice for me. When I'm shakin' in my heels, and all else fails to calm my nerves, those four little words bring me back to the reality of what makes life more fun.

For a long time instead of calming me down, those words didn't do a thing except create more anxiety, because I didn't believe I was good enough. Especially when I compared myself to other people. But thankfully, I've learned to listen to the truth. It doesn't always come easy, might not be the first thoughts I reach for, but eventually I get around to remembering the best advice for me, "Suzanne, just be yourself."

**Congratulations to the winners of last week's book giveaway Lisa Kroft, Debbie Durst, Kathleen Hanselmann, Jody Pearch, Emily Oswald Coffey, Kay O'Dell, Lydia Gartner, Millie Scott, Linda Hitchcock, Anne Kush, Rachel Himmelberger, Doris Suggs, Kim Spurgas, Nancy Reynolds, Loretta Blimline, Shelly Thompson, Nancy Breece, Susan Biggs, Teresa Pitts-Moore, Jeanna Edaburn, Stephanie Kempf, Joan Bendall, Gina Jiron, Debra Blumberg, Marie Giongo, Elise Devlin, Krista Wilson, Anna Rogers, Robert Renwick and Rebecca Kanan.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: This week, books for child and teen readers about aliens, secrets and dancing, and a teen environmentalist from Johan Olander, A Field Guide to Aliens; Christine Fletcher, Ten Cents a Dance; and Abby McDonald, Boys, Bears and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots. For a chance to win free books and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

 

Dear Reader Column 03-30-10

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,

Mary Lee and Mike Bauer put their stamp of approval on two of my favorite recipes. If you're looking for something different for dinner, check out our book club's recipe blog, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yuf6aq

"Dear Suzanne, just wanted to tell you that we had your smothered enchiladas last night for dinner. We have had them quite a few times since I found them in your recipes. They are amazing--we love them. A couple of weeks ago our 18-year-old grandson was here for dinner, and I made them for him. He had never seen them served with a creamy sauce, but decided he loved them--and even more than the ones his mom makes with a red sauce. Thanks again for your recipes. I have used several of them, and while I have had good responses to any I have used, this one stands out."--Mary Lee

* The direct link to the enchiladas recipe: http://tinyurl.com/y8jgu7m

"Suzanne, I've been following the SF club for a while. I finally looked up your website recipes. Tonight, gripped by the cold hand of [March], I decided it was time for a tropical-theme dinner and your Chicken Waikiki Beach fit the bill.

It turned out great, thanks for the recipe, the kids loved it. 'Dad the Cook' has another hit for the meal rotation [grin].

For groups (club potluck dinners)...I'd probably slice the breasts into bite-sized pieces before cooking, which should reduce cooking time from 60 minutes. Pineapple chunks rather than slices, perhaps boiling the sauce longer?"--Mike Bauer

The direct link to the Chicken Waikiki Beach recipe: http://tinyurl.com/yufq48

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

Dear Reader Column 03-29-10

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 luxury in being a grandparent that I didn't have when I was a parent.

Paul, my three-year-old grandson and I were walking through the woods the other day when I noticed how fascinated he was by a stick. Grandma had planned on a scenic walk, but Paul wanted to stay in one place so he could twirl a stick in the dirt and stab a few leaves. He was quite amused. I couldn't imagine what make-believe story Paul was crafting, because the stick looked so plain and ordinary to me.

Grandparents have time to stop and play with a stick in the dirt. Parents are busy buying groceries, cleaning up the messes that Paul and his one year old brother James continually make, stressing about doctor appointments, getting kids to preschool on time, working jobs, and trying to carve out some time for themselves, so they can be good parents.

My husband and I--we can tag-team when the grandchildren come to visit. So when Paul wants to "wash" dishes for an hour, and James wants to take everything out of Grandma's kitchen cupboard, that's okay. Our time is completely devoted to the boys and we can clean up as we go. Parents don't have that luxury. And they don't always have the luxury of letting Paul stop in the middle of a scenic walk in the woods so he can twirl a stick in the dirt, or lean over a sign marker that's so low to the ground, that my grandson thinks it was put there just for him to play on and pretend.

"Stay on the Trail" the sign says, and Grandma and Grandson do stay on the trail. But isn't it wonderful that grandparents have the time to venture off a trail, building castles, fighting dragons and twirling sticks along the way.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Carla Neggers, The Mist; Judy Duarte, The House on Sugar Plum Lane; Mary Sharratt, Daughters of the Witching Hill; Tatjana Soli, The Lotus Eaters; and M. J. Rose, The Memorist. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

Dear Reader Column 03-26-10

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 couple of weeks ago, I asked readers to imagine all 375,000 of our book club members meeting together in-person to discuss the featured book. Of course we'd also dunk some of my homemade chocolate chip cookies into coffee or soda (yes, some readers report they dunk cookies into Dr. Pepper!) and then our meeting would wind down to talking about the little every day things of life. Chit-chat is what I asked readers to share. Send an email talking about whatever's on your mind, or a tip for your fellow book club friends.

Thank you to everyone who sent in some chit-chat. Grab another cup of coffee, or save the conversation for when you need a break later today. Have fun reading today's reader chit-chat. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/yz7g9ua

When you go to the chit-chat page you can also enter to win a free book. I have several copies of: The Girl Next Door by Elizabeth Noble; A Letter to Annabelle by Larry J. Tracy; and A Soft Place to Land by Susan Rebecca White, to give away to readers.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

 

Dear Reader Column 03-25-10

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,

Tuesday's Cancer Crazies column brought mountains of email, including this hilarious story from my dear friend and syndicated columnist William Duncan. Years ago a doctor told my friend that he had cancer--the no hope kind--so he might as well go get his affairs in order. William's a tough old bird. Obviously "hope" didn't know who it was tangling with, because my friend continues to be cancer-free. But William does get regular screenings, and his guest column today about one of his checkups is hilarious.

You're gonna love William Duncan's story...

Once a person has had cancer they go through life searching their body for knots, bumps, bruises and anything that is there today that wasn't there yesterday.

Most of the time whatever you find is benign, but there's always that lingering doubt. I never knew I had so many moles and in the oddest places until I had to start tracking them.

Narcissus probably didn't look at his reflection as often or as carefully as I do in the mirror each day to see whether something has developed overnight.

It is a constant surveillance of one's anatomy.

When I'm not peeking some medical person is going through the same poking and probing in search of new discoveries.

Even with 30 years after my last cancer surgery, scans have to be done periodically. The scan aided by a bit of radioactive dye is poking and probing on the inside just as it is done externally in search of things that weren't there the last time.

During one of my scans, which was done in Portland, I lay on a table as a massive scanner passed over my body. A young woman technician operated a console nearby giving keyboard commands to the machine. I could see an image on a fuzzy green TV screen at the console, but it didn't look like anything I could recognize. I had been in this position many times before and each time the result was that everything was in its proper place. Then the woman at the console, cried out:

"Oh, damn! There it is again."

Oh, damn is right.

I lay there silently as she completed her tasks. My mind raced through all the things I had left undone and unsaid.

The woman left the room and while she was gone I mentally mapped out how I was going to deal with this new trauma. When she returned she told me everything looked good.

"What do you mean?" I said.

"It appears to be a routine, normal scan in comparison to your last scan," she said, "but we'll know more after the doctor completes his report."

Is this some medical cover-up? I thought, so I asked her point blank, what about the, "Oh damn."

"Did you hear me say that?"

"Yes," I replied. "I did."

"I'm sorry," she said. "That had nothing to do with your scan. There is a rough spot under the console and I keep ripping my pantyhose on it."

I was so elated over this medical miracle, I asked for her pantyhose size went to the hospital retail store and bought her several brand new pairs of pantyhose.

If you'd like to reach William Duncan to comment or in hopes he'll send you pantyhose, you can reach him at: [email protected]

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

** WIN a $25.00 Gift Certificate to your favorite bookstore. Check out AUTHORBUZZ at http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader then enter the drawing at http://tinyurl.cm/yflbhjn

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Sibella Giorello, The Clouds Roll Away; Kathleen Fuller, An Honest Love; Gayle Lynds, The Book of Spies; Alexey Pehov, Shadow Prowler; and Cathy Liggett, Beaded Hope. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

Dear Reader Column 03-24-10

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,

When my husband emailed photos of our grandchildren to two of his brothers a few weeks ago, on a whim, he also sent them to a friend. We don't normally email grandchildren photos to friends; we keep them in the family. (Too many memories of watching a neighbor's home movies years ago.) But sometimes "whims" happen for a reason. Later in the day our friend sent this email: "It's been rough going here the past few days. Too many problems, too much worry. If you don't mind, could you continue to email photos of your grandchildren every day for a week or two? Their smiling faces put a smile on my face this morning--actually had me laughing out loud--and reminded me of the love and joy in life."

Yes indeed, photos of grandchildren and the silly little things they say, can do wonders to mend a big person's heart.

An email my daughter-in-law sent to me is tucked away in my "emotionally rainy day" file. The day she sent the email my husband and I were supposed to take our grandchildren, Paul and James, to the fair. But earlier in the day, some bad things showed up in my life. My first thought was to cancel the afternoon with our grandsons. How could I think about going to the fair, when I felt so miserable. So I emailed my daughter-in-law, hoping she'd provide some sort of easy-out, but instead I broke down and cried when I read her reply--and suddenly, I couldn't wait to go to the fair!

"Oh, my yes! Paul is really looking forward going to the fair today. He was talking about the fair all last night and early this morning. He wants to show James the rides. And...Paul insists that 'Grandpa is going to buy me a hot dog, and Grandpa is going to eat an Icee, and James will be eating milk.' So I'm giving you a heads-up that Paul is going to wear you out, because he's in a 'going-to-the-fair, with Grandma and Grandpa' hot dog frame of mind."

*Photos to save for an emotional rainy day, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ybejgo6

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

 

Dear Reader Column 03-23-10

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 back. I thought I'd gotten rid of it, but here it is again. I'm paralyzed with fear and can barely stand to write the word. For some reason going through my mother's illness three years ago, and being at her side when she died, has changed the way I react to other people's news about their health if it includes the word cancer.

For a long time after my mother passed away, it seemed like everywhere I turned--there was cancer. A friend of mine got cancer, a relative was diagnosed, driving around town suddenly I noticed a cancer treatment center on every corner and every other billboard I passed advertised, "Come to our clinic, we offer the latest in cancer technology." And thank heavens for TIVO--so I could speed through the barrage of television commercials for cancer centers, drugs that might help cure your cancer, or make radiation and chemo treatments more bearable. I couldn't get away from it. The big C got a hold of me real good. Every little ache and pain in my body, things I wouldn't have given a second thought about before--suddenly became a symptom.

A grieving cancer hypochondriac, two months after my mother died from lung cancer, I went to the doctor, certain the pain in the left side of my chest was cancer. Sympathetic to my situation, after examining me, even though the doctor assured me I was fine, she ordered a chest x-ray to ease my mind. "You're not crazy, and you're not the first person whose parent recently died who suddenly feels similar symptoms."

Over the years I've worked through my cancer crazies but every now and then, especially when someone I know receives bad news, I relapse. Then for days, even though my body is cancer-free, my mind isn't. I don't know how other folks work it all out, but when the cancer crazies get a hold of me, which eventually leads to replaying the scene of my mother's death, I realize it's not my body or my mind I need to tend to, it's my heart.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

Dear Reader Column 03-22-10

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 write a column and a book club reader sends one back to me. (In response to last Friday's column about coincidences.)

"Dear Suzanne, my husband, who passed away in December of 2006, used to say 'There is no such thing as luck, you make choices, and you reap what you sow in them.' I agree. For every choice I have made--thinking I only effect me--I have found ripples going out to others. I choose to stop and chat with an elderly friend, he tells me of his life, I tell him of mine, and we share a moment in time. We relieve burdens, and gain joy. Or I give my used (very lightly-sometimes not at all) clothes to the church giveaway. A woman who is discouraged and down finds something she can wear, and feels better about herself. My effect is feeling better about myself. Blessing others blesses me.

I come home from a chat with my friend to find a message from my homeowner's insurance--I overpaid this year, leaving me with a surplus. I do not have to pay again until June. Someone won a raffle and comes by to give it to me--it's enough food to feed my daughter and I for a week, maybe more. Coincidence? Luck? Reaping what I sowed--that makes much more sense. Thank You God.

Also Suzanne, you have been a bearer of good things. Some mornings I am down, and your column lifts me, or makes me laugh. I am reaping the joy you have sown. Thank you."--Mary Ellen

Thanks for taking the time to send an email, and for reading with me every day. It's so good to read with friends.

Gratefully,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

** WIN a $25.00 Gift Certificate to your favorite bookstore. Check out AUTHORBUZZ at http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader then enter the drawing at http://tinyurl.com/yflbhjn

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Sibella Giorello, The Clouds Roll Away; Kathleen Fuller, An Honest Love; Gayle Lynds, The Book of Spies; Alexey Pehov, Shadow Prowler; and Cathy Liggett, Beaded Hope. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

PENGUIN CLASSICS: This month's book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

Dear Reader Column 03-19-10

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,

Book club reader Shirley Tucker wrote...

"Suzanne, every time I read your morning column, I have a desire to reply. Today, I am giving in to this feeling. Of all the topics, I have read, I have never heard you mention coincidences in your life. I have experienced so many in my 92 years of living that I think I could write a book. I enjoy our morning read, and because I live on the west coast (Vancouver Island) I often read the next day's column the night before." -- Shirley Tucker

(Suzanne replies:)

"How did it happen?" someone might ask.

"Well, I don't really know. One thing just led to another."

But the truth is I do know. Because when I take the time to look back at the string of events leading up to a "coincidence" in my life, I realize that for me, coincidences are all about choices. Cause and effect; tallying up the choices I made along the way. Saying "yes" or "no" to opportunities, even little things. Every decision I made led me to one of life's strange little coincidences.

I really believe I know the best choices for my life. The answers are tucked away inside of me, if I'd only listen. So I spend a lot of time trying to connect the loose wires in my brain. Because when I stay-the-course and really listen, then those wonderful coincidences show up in my life.

Have a wonderful weekend! I'll be making a cooking video for my Whoops! Banana Bread, one of the recipes in my book, Muffins and Mayhem. Wish me luck!

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: This week, books for child and teen readers about making the world a better place, spies, salamanders, and martial arts from Gayle Brandeis, My Life with the Lincolns; Y. S. Lee, The Agency 1: A Spy in the House; Sarah Marwil Lamstein, Big Night for Salamanders; and Chris Bradford, Young Samurai: The Way of the Sword. For a chance to win free books and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

Dear Reader Column 03-18-10

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,

Geckos run rampant in Florida, (where I live), but that's okay because they're kind of cute. Well, maybe they have a face only a mother could love, but they eat bugs. So I'd be happy to make up the guest room for them, if it weren't for my cat Abby. She's a hunter, who loves to chase geckos and do things to them. By the time I spot a gecko in the house, it's still alive, but minus a tail. (Not to worry, their tails grow back.) I can understand Abby's attraction for geckos, because they're constantly on the move.

When my husband and I first moved to Florida, from (gecko-less) Wisconsin, it was a bit scary seeing lizards scurrying back and forth on the sidewalk, especially when I was out for an early morning walk. But then one morning when I reached for a shirt in my closet, and a gecko (who I've since named Fred) was sitting on top of the hanger, smiling back at me--it was love at first sight. So that's why now I do whatever I can to look after geckos, but sometimes I get a little carried away.

My husband and I had only driven a few feet to the first stop light in our neighborhood, and while we were waiting for the light to turn green, I noticed a gecko on the windshield--hanging on for dear life! The poor guy must have been sun bathing, fell asleep and didn't hear us start the engine. But now, wide awake and petrified, two people were staring at him through the windshield, noisy traffic surrounded him on all sides, and I imagined him screaming, "Yikes! How did I get here and how can I get off of this car?"

My husband's first thought was to turn on the wipers, so they'd push the gecko off. I pointed out that our new friend might get squished, or whisked off into on-coming traffic, so no solution there. But we needed to come up with an idea quickly, because any minute the light would turn green and I doubted if our gecko could hang on even if we drove slowly. I've never been fond of this particular traffic light, because it has to be the longest light in the entire city of Sarasota. But today, I was thankful. Because it gave us time to open the sunroof, then I stood up, leaned over and yelled, "Jump off the windshield and over to the grassy part of the curb--and hurry!" He was one smart gecko, because he did exactly what I told him to do.

Whew! What an adventure, our gecko friend was safe and secure, the light turned green and my husband and I continued on down the road. But then I got to thinking, (which isn't always a good thing for me to do). Even though the gecko was safely on the ground, maybe he was too far from home. Could he find his way back? Would his family come looking for him?

"Maybe we should turn around, dear?"

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: Rebbie Macintyre, A Corner of Universe; Amanda Cabot, Scattered Petals; Sarah Sundin, A Distant Melody; Cara Black, Murder in the Palais Royal; and Richard Broom, Cocked & Loaded. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics