Dear Reader Column 01-24-11

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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Dear Reader,

A police officer knocked on my front door and it's probably a good thing my husband answered the doorbell instead of me. I was busy in the kitchen, so the hoopla was all over by the time I heard the news.

I own a bubble machine. To me, bubble watching is one of life's simple pleasures. It brings me joy. I turn on my bubble machine whenever I need cheering up, to add fanfare to celebrations, and on weekends bubbles are floating in front of my house for the walkers, joggers and parents pushing kids in strollers to enjoy. I've been entertaining folks with bubbles for so long now that I've gotten quite a bubble reputation. If my bubble machine isn't turned on, I get requests, "Where's the bubble machine today Suzanne?" Bubbles seem to give folks an excuse to spend a few minutes in child-like play. People passing by enjoy the bubbles so much that they do an about face, so they can walk through the bubbles again.

And sometimes I turn on my bubble machine late in the day, about the time folks would be driving home, hoping that after a hard day at work, seeing a few bubbles would make them smile. But there's always one. And that one called the police to report me and my bubble machine. "The bubbles could be a driving hazard and they should be stopped!"

So my husband went outside, turned off the bubble machine and gave me the news. It's a good thing I wasn't the one who spoke to the officer, because when it comes to protecting my joy, I'm like a mama bear defending her cubs. My first reaction was: killjoy, drag, party pooper, spoilsport, wet blanket and bubble-hater. But even silent name calling steals my joy, and puts me in the same league with the person who filed the complaint.

Joy is all around me in this life. It's there for the taking, but sometimes it's tough to hang on to because one is all it takes. One cranky person who's looking for a way to unload their crummy day. I should be forgiving, because sometimes when I've had a challenging day, I catch myself heading down the same road. And who knows for sure? Maybe seeing bubbles in the air is a hazard to drivers? After all, how can a person text message friends and family, drink a soda, read paperwork they didn't get to finish at the office, keep at least a couple of fingers on the steering wheel, sing along with a tune, and watch for the light to change--how can a person properly multi-task with bubbles floating in the air? (Whoops, there I go again, stealing my own joy.)

Watching bubbles wafting out over the sidewalk, floating high across the street, over top of the neighbor's house, a few adventurous bubbles even heading up towards the clouds--it amazes me that seeing such a glorious sight wouldn't make someone smile. But alas, there's always one who tries to ruin the fun. But in this situation, there's also one who refuses to give up her joy. I'm heading outside to turn on my bubble machine (I'll set it back a little farther in my driveway--I'm willing to compromise--not looking for a fight.) Nevertheless, if I end up singing, "Nobody knows the bubble trouble I've seen" from my jail cell, my dear friend, author Blaize Clement, assures me she'll bail me out of my bubble trouble.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE LEAVENWORTH CASE by Anna Katharine Green. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/January11Classics

 

 

Comments

[***]

It seems to me that too many people work very hard to make sure that others cannot enjoy their lives. They have to try to stop people from participating in whatever religion, habits, food, etc. that they choose. Enjoy your bubbles and to heck with the fuddy duddies!

[***]

I was so relieved to hear you say you were going to continue bubbling! Don't ever stop, even if you end up doing it from your back yard! It was divine intervention that your husband answered the door. Living, as I do, with no close neighbors or passers-by, I have relied on you to do my bubbling for me. Long live your bubble machine and your incredible love of your fellow man/woman! I love reading with you!

[***]

There is always one, but don't go down without a fight! Let the good bubble times roll, just a little further from the road. I'll be glad to help with the bail.

[HZ]

I love bubbles, too! I'm sure many of your regular readers do also. I may be going out on a limb, but you would have lots of friends willing to bail you out, so don't you worry about the bubble maching party pooper.

[VS]

You sound like a wonderful neighbor. You and your bubble machine can move into my neighborhood anytime!