Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily column at: DearReader.com
AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader
Dear Reader,
If you're lucky in this life, you are surrounded by people who sincerely want the best for you; cheering when your dreams come true, and encouraging you to pick yourself up and try again when your heart is filled with disappointment. Three years ago, one of those folks in my life, writer and frequent guest columnist here at the book club, Bill Duncan, was killed in an automobile accident the Friday before Thanksgiving.
Bill was a columnist for more than 30 years and a journalist all of his life. As a tribute to Bill, and as a gift to his readers, his family has compiled two hundred of his columns about life, family, gardening and quiet heroes. You Had to Be There has just been released and I encourage you to get a copy for yourself and for holiday gift giving. It's a book you can pick up and jump into any time you need a humorous break or for a bit of reflection about your life. You'll find Bill's book, You Had to Be There at: http://williamjduncan.com/ and it's on Amazon, too.
Below is one of Bill's columns. It's a favorite of mine. Enjoy!
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.
--Bill Duncan
In honor of my friend Bill, sign up for today's crazy, pantyhose giveaway. Email me your name and mailing info (including the size pantyhose you wear in case you're a winner), and you're entered in the drawing. (Don't worry I won't ask for a photo like I usually do.)
I'm sure Bill is having a good chuckle right now!
Enter: [email protected]
Put PANTYHOSE on the subject line.
To find out more about Bill Duncan's book, You Had To Be There go to: http://williamjduncan.com/
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
AUTHORBUZZ: A STAR CALLED LUCKY (Fiction) by Bapsy Jain
The intrepid Lucky we came to love in best-selling Lucky Everyday is back in a multinational pursuit, searching for the cure to a world-threatening disease. Lucky is tricked into using her talents and connections to track down a Tibetan doctor guarding the mysterious ice mushroom, a nearly extinct remedy that grants immunity and longevity. The suspense is laced with hilarious friendships, an awkward computer savant and an unworldly Buddhist monk.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on A STAR CALLED LUCKY to read more and to email author Bapsy Jain, you'll get a reply.
KIDSBUZZ: Meet new authors--send an email, ask questions and they will reply. Plus enter to win a free copy of these books for children and teens: LUG: DAWN OF THE ICE AGE by David Zeltser; GOLLYWOOD, HERE I COME! by Terry John Barto; THINGS TO REMEMBER by Janna De Lathouder; and THE (ALMOST) PERFECT GUIDE TO IMPERFECT BOYS by Barbara Dee. For a chance to win, say hello to the authors and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.
* This month's Penguin Classics book is CHILDHOOD, by Jona Oberski. Start reading now and don't forget to enter the drawing for your chance to win a Penguin tote bag: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqZ1AFE3FA7EF5&c=CLASSICS
Comments