Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 02-14-19

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Dear Reader,

It's a Valentine keepsake, so every year, I like to revisit Abigail's Heart.

Abigail was a girl in Ms. Anderson's second grade class, who I exchanged letters with throughout the year. For Valentine's Day, along with a handwritten letter, Abigail sent me a map of her heart. A hand drawn heart with 15 spaces for the things she holds dear.

Abigail may have been just a little girl, but she had a big heart, with plenty of room for people and the little simple things in life. The color pink makes her smile, spring and summer were her favorite seasons, aunts, uncles, Mrs. Beecher (that's me!), friends, books, family, Ms.. Anderson (her teacher) and the Globetrotters. (Abigail said she'd just recently went to see them.)

Looking at the map of Abigail's heart inspired me to fill in a heart of my own. Yes, it's a childish, silly task, trace a heart on construction paper and cut it out. But when I mapped out Suzanne's heart, filling in the things that were dear to me, there were some surprises.

My life gets busy, now and then my heart feels heavy, and when I need to sift through things to remind myself what's really important, thanks to Abigail, now I have a map of my heart.

To see Abigail's heart and to print out a heart of your own to fill in, click here. 

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

Celebrating 20 years at the Online Book Club!
Get ready to party, starting the week of February 25th!

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these titles deserve your attention:

(Fiction)
WICKED WITH THE SCOUNDREL by Elizabeth Bright

(Fiction)
PRINCESS OF SKY, EARTH, FIRE AND WATER (Fiction)
by Cassandra Finnerty

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 02-13-19

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Dear Reader,

Instead of making a dinner reservation this year or exchanging cards and gifts, my husband and I are going to cook together on Valentine's Day--a romantic dinner at home for two.

We've been married for 41 years, so we dug through my recipe files for dishes that "used-to-be" our favorites, but for some reason we stopped making them. We found two of our (used-to-be) favorites, so we'll be cooking Pasta Verde with Broccoli, broiling a Marinated Flank Steak, and adding a tossed salad.

For our Valentine dessert we're going to each buy two pieces of exquisite handmade chocolates from the chocolate store on St. Armands Circle. The chocolates are pricey little things, dark chocolate for me and milk chocolate for my husband, but they taste divine!

Broiled Marinated Flank Steak

1 flank steak about 1 1/2 pounds, tenderized with garlic-seasoned meat tenderizer
4 to 6 T mustard (honey mustard, regular mustard, whatever kind you like)
2 to 3 T Worcestershire sauce

Put steak on cutting board and with sharp knife, score surface of steak in diagonal criss cross pattern. Don't cut too deeply. Turn and score the other side in the same way.

Sprinkle both sides of steak with meat tenderizer, mix together the mustard and Worcestershire sauce, then spread mixture lightly on both sides of the steak. Cover with plastic wrap and leave for several hours, or overnight in refrigerator.

Broil 4 inches from heat for four to five minutes on each side, depending on thickness and desired doneness. (Should be pink in the middle) Slice very thinly and serve.

Pasta Verde

4 eggs
1/4 cup whipping cream
3 T butter
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3 T butter
1- 10 oz frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and well drained
12 oz hot cooked linguine or fettuccini
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
pepper

Let eggs, whipping cream and three tablespoons of butter stand at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. In skillet cook mushrooms and onion in three tablespoons butter until onion is tender.

Stir in cooked broccoli, heat through. Beat together eggs and whipping cream just until blended. Toss pasta, pour egg mixture over and toss until pasta is well coated. Add broccoli mixture, parmesan cheese and pepper. Toss to mix. Serve immediately.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 02-12-19

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

Bestselling author Travis Thrasher is visiting the book club today. Travis has written over 50 books, spanning genres in fiction, nonfiction and children's literature. His inspirational stories have included collaborations with filmmakers, musicians, athletes, celebrities and pastors.

Travis' storytelling ability has also allowed him to work with others on their books, from musicians like country musician Scotty McCreery and Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain to the Robertsons of Duck Dynasty. Travis lives with his wife and three young daughters in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.

His new book, being released today, is American Omens.

Please email, say hello and welcome Travis Thrasher to the book club. Authors absolutely love to hear from readers. Email travisthrasher@mac.com

Thanks for visiting our book club, Travis Thrasher...

I need to thank the snow.

Today is a snow day for our girls. Working at home now ever since we moved up to the Grand Rapids 16 months ago, I've grown accustomed to not being as productive on these sorts of days. That's okay. I'm fortunate to not have to brave the frigid winds and slippery roads in order to make it to work. I just walk in my office, sit in my chair and start tapping away like I'm doing now.

I love winter and the snow it can bring. As I stare out my window and see the flakes flying around in a hundred different directions, I think about why I love this time of year. It's a vital part of my past and my profession. The seasons are like songs. Certain times of the year can spark a memory just like hearing an old tune might. I can remember the feeling of being fifteen again or I can picture a scene from the year I turned 40.

Second through fourth grades, I lived in Munich, Germany, and I learned to ski in the Alps. Later on I lived on top of a mountain in western North Carolina. Snow days back then were times when the two feet of fresh powder kept the snow plows away. Being snowed in meant you were stuck. During my childhood, phones weren't smart, and there was no Internet to explore. Our family didn't even have an Atari, nor did we have cable of any kind. So I had to entertain myself.

As someone who struggled with reading but not with imagining, I would write. Back then I couldn't binge watch an entire season of my favorite show, much less watch anything on the three channels we had. So I made up stories I wanted to experience.

I don't think I'd be as productive and prolific of a writer if I lived in California or Arizona. The love of being outdoors wouldn't drive me into the sunshine; it would be the guilt I had for not taking advantage of it. On days like today, it's easy to stay inside and watch. And maybe eventually take a break to venture out with the girls and build a snowman.

-- Travis Thrasher
Email travisthrasher@mac.com say hello and welcome him to the book club.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

** AUTHORBUZZ **

PRINCESS OF SKY, EARTH, FIRE AND WATER PRINCESS OF SKY, EARTH, FIRE AND WATER by Cassandra Finnerty

This story brings to life the mystical themes from Celtic folklore, where goddesses exerted powers over man and nature. The novel begins in western Ireland, in 1772, amidst the ancient ruins and standing stones. A young woman who inherits an army, a fleet of merchant ships and special powers must prove herself worthy of these gifts. Her journey to the East Kingdom explores the fusion of vastly different cultures. She battles with herself, society, nature, magic--and ultimately, love.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on PRINCESS OF SKY EARTH, FIRE AND WATER to read more and to email author Cassandra Finnerty, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 02-11-19

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Dear Reader,

I've always said that age didn't bother me, but okay I admit it, I can't get it out of my mind lately. I'm really quite surprised that I'm walking around thinking about how old I am. About three times a day, for the past week, I've had a conversation with myself trying to figure out why I feel so much older than two weeks ago. I'm ambivalent about spending extra time in front of the mirror. And instead of saying to myself that I look pretty good, I'm starting to say, "I look pretty good for my age."

This is a type of emergency--a 9-1-1 life event for me. These feelings are foreign to me. I've always taken the attitude that age made no difference whatsoever to me, and in the past, it didn't. In fact I would always tell people that I was a year older than I really was. Because then when my birthday rolled around it wasn't anything new; I'd been telling people I was that age for an entire year. That was my method, always one year ahead of the age game. (Interesting, that I'm not the only one. My son mentioned the other day, that he always tells people he's one year older than he really is, too. It must be in the genes.)

But for me, the 'one year older than I really am trick,' I'm losing ground and I can't seem to shake it. I'm thinking my life is half over or God forbid, possibly more than half over. And I just realized that everyone I work with is younger than me. When did this happen?

Oh well these feelings will pass. In the meantime I'll take heart in the fact that I do look real good for my age and as the saying goes: Getting old is just a part of life--but hey, how about you go first!

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

Celebrating 20 years at the Online Book Club!
Get ready to party, starting the week of February 25th!

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

** AUTHORBUZZ **

WICKED WITH THE SCOUNDREL (Fiction) by Elizabeth Bright

Lady Claire and Colin Smith are complete opposites. She's wealthy, optimistic, and titled, and he's grouchy, pessimistic, and the illegitimate byblow of a viscount. But opposites do more than attract--they incinerate. And maybe, just maybe, they are stronger together than they are apart. I hope you enjoy this story of a woman who believes anything is possible--and is just determined enough to make it happen.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on WICKED WITH THE SCOUNDREL to read more and to email author Elizabeth Bright, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 02-08-19

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KIDSBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

Sometimes bizarre things just pop into my head. Like today I was thinking about the saying, "taken to the bed."

I don't think that anyone uses that phrase anymore, but my grandma used to say it a lot, especially when she was talking about her friend Alice. Whenever Grandma would tell us that Alice had "taken to the bed," we just accepted it as fact and never questioned it any further.

But why did Alice "take to the bed" every now and then? I think it was because she needed a time-out from life, and her family (four children, a husband, two dogs and a cat), and it was the only way she could legitimately get one. Think about it, if you're not feeling like yourself, and you want people to cut you some slack and lessen the demands they make on you, you can't keep walking around the house doing your normal routine, because they'll expect the usual output. But if you tell everyone within earshot, that you think you need to stay in bed today, that's a signal for them to leave you alone. There's power in "taken to the bed."

When you "take to the bed," people around you automatically behave differently. They're quieter; more soft spoken. They silence their phones so you're not disturbed and a miracle takes place...suddenly they can find things for themselves, and they can make a sandwich, and do their own laundry.

Yes, Alice discovered one of life's little treasures, how to get a day off, guilt-free. All you have to do is tell people you've "taken to the bed."

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDS BUZZ: Full of friendship and adventure, and featuring a palpable Texas setting, FINDING ESME, by Suzanne Crowley - for kids ages 8-12 - is a moving, heartfelt story about family and friendship, and "a brave appealing heroine with the odds stacked against her." (BCCB starred review). For a chance to win a free copy, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

Dear Reader Column 02-07-19

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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KIDSBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

I can't believe I've done it again. As I was working on today's column, I looked down and noticed I have my T-shirt on inside out. I even pinned a dragonfly to my shirt this morning, so how could I not see the stitched seams were on the outside?

My husband isn't any help. He's seen me several times this morning, he gave me a kiss and a hug, and didn't notice anything was out of place. My dear husband even gave me an out-of-the-blue compliment, "I've probably never said it, but I sure love the way you dress, Suzanne!"

Geez-louise, I've filled the bubble machine--I run in front of my house everyday--three times already this morning, and even chatted with a husband and wife who were riding their bikes and stopped to "play" in the bubbles. It was the first time these people had seen the bubbles. I can only imagine what they thought. Here is a woman who's been running a bubble machine daily in front of her house for eight years (which is a bit strange), and she doesn't seem to be aware that some of her clothes are inside out either.

I wish I could say this inside-out-shirt thing is because I'm getting older, but now that I think of it, I've had this problem before. Years ago, the first time I ever went to a shrink, and she asked, "How can I help you today?" I looked down in horror at my inside out shirt and pointing to it said, "Well this is a big clue, isn't it?"

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise this title deserves your attention:

(Fiction)
HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS by Heather Graham

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 02-06-19

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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KIDSBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

I have a rat. Well, my husband calls it a rat, I keep correcting him, "It's a mouse, Dear." The mouse used to be afraid of me. A knock on the window would send him scurrying. But now when I knock, I swear he looks at me and waves. The other day I think he was even smiling.

I must admit either that mouse is pregnant, or it's just too well fed. I think it could be the latter. I have two bird feeders in our yard. Cardinals, tiny, gray-tufted titmouse birds, and several other species of birds live in my backyard. We also have mom and dad yellow-bellied woodpeckers, but they don't go for the seeds, they seem to be more interested in keeping our old oak tree bug free. We have squirrels in our yard, too. The bird feeders I installed are on a pole, and they're supposed to be squirrel-proof, and I'd say for the most part they are. But, there seems to be only one squirrel (I recognize her because her tail is thin and hairless in the middle), whose parents must have grown up in the circus, because that squirrel is so flexible, she twists and turns, then hangs on with one foot and kicks the other leg up and latches on to the bird perch. The perch that birds are supposed to be sitting on enjoying a meal. The other day there were two squirrels on the feeder. Mama squirrel (with the thin tail) was teaching her youngster how to get a free dinner at Suzanne's house.

The birds, squirrels and the "mouse" all coexist. They seem to know how to take turns at the bird feeder, which is more than I can say for some people. There's a lesson for us all in my backyard.

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

Celebrating 20 years at the Online Book Club!
Get ready to party, starting the week of February 25th!

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDS BUZZ: Full of friendship and adventure, and featuring a palpable Texas setting, FINDING ESME, by Suzanne Crowley - for kids ages 8-12 - is a moving, heartfelt story about family and friendship, and "a brave appealing heroine with the odds stacked against her." (BCCB starred review). For a chance to win a free copy, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

Dear Reader Column 02-05-19

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
"meet" the authors and enter to win.

KIDSBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
"meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

Every Tuesday I feature a guest author. Today please welcome Thomas Christopher Greene. He lives in Montpelier, Vermont, and is the founding president of Vermont College of Fine Arts. Thomas has penned six novels, including the national bestseller, The Headmaster's Wife. His latest release, The Perfect Liar, is a psychological thriller set in Vermont.

Please welcome Thomas Christopher Greene. You can contact him here.

On Winter:

As I write this, the actual temperature outside is minus six degrees, but the wind chill is almost 30 below here in northern Vermont. The sun, somewhat paradoxically, is shining and turning the snowpack into small diamonds. The 30 inches of snow we got over the weekend, on top of a season's worth of snow, is piled up against the side of my house and so deep that when my 90 pound Labrador, Hugo, walks out in the backyard, he wades through it and returns to the back door with his face covered in it. I confess I don't love winter, but I've come to terms with it. I'm not a skier, and never have been. I don't get excited when I see a foot of snow in the forecast. And in these dark days of January, I often find myself dreaming of July, when I am at my little cabin north of here in the woods on a lake, and the days are long and hot and languorous, and where I write on the deck while watching my daughter and her friends jump off the dock into the clear blue water over and over again.

But winter has its charms if you give in to it fully. For one, it's no secret that those two or three weeks of summer (a Vermont joke there) take on heightened significance. We like to ask ourselves: how do people who live in, say, San Diego, actually appreciate what they have if they don't know this?

Then again, winter is wonderful for writers. There is something romantic about being inside working with the snow falling and the fire going on days when even the dogs and the cats want to be inside. And you can cook differently in winter, slow-braising things all day on the stove, the aromas filling your cozy house and suggesting the end of the work day to come, when you will sit down with a robust wine and something that time itself has made taste beautiful. When you do go outside, which, for me, means long walks on groomed, snowy trails through the woods near my house, there is a stillness to everything, a quiet so great that when the birds return in the spring it feels like they are all around you, and you know soon that the days will get longer and longer, and the land will be transformed into the lush green of a rainforest, even if it's only for a short period of time. Then it's time to do it all over again.

-- Thomas Christopher Greene

Please do welcome him to the bookclub, click here.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 02-04-19

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
"meet" the authors and enter to win.

KIDSBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
"meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

It started with a piece of Dove milk chocolate candy with caramel. It's not my favorite, I'm really a Dove dark chocolate lover, but I decided to change things up a bit. Not only do I love the one-bite treat, I confess I read the little message on the inside of the wrapper, not as a fortune, but for a little bit of inspiration. And the other day, the message inside didn't disappoint. In fact it hit home so much--felt like something I would say--that I kept the wrapper. It read, 'The magic is in the mess.' -- Dorothy S., Louisiana

Dorothy S.? Who was this person? Were these words of wisdom from Dorothy S., herself, or did Dove have a contest asking people to submit their favorite quotes? So of course I immediately Googled, "The magic is in the mess." and discovered that Brene Brown (another person I'd never heard of) was given credit for the quote. From there I went on a bit of a treasure hunt discovering Brene Brown, PhD, LMSW was a New York Times bestselling author of multiple books. From that clue, I went to my library's catalog, and found Ms. Brown's listing and reserved a copy of Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution. But the tagline on the front cover is what really confirmed that it would be a good match for me. "If we are brave enough, often enough, we will fall. This is a book about what it takes to get back up." Hey, been there, done that. I didn't particularly feel brave, at times in my life when I failed, but I could certainly jump on board with that kind of thinking.

I'm halfway through Rising Strong and I can confirm, my eyes have been opened. Every single fall, heartache, and feelings of shame, I've experienced in my life, I can see, yes, indeed, there was "...magic in the mess."

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

** AUTHORBUZZ **

HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS (Fiction) by Heather Graham

Kody McCoy has left her home in Key West to head to the D.C. area. She's happy to plan her marriage to Brodie McFadden and she's ready to settle in helping at a theater owned by Krewe of Hunters founder, Adam Harrison. But, when the wonder of the theater is threatened by murder, they must work with every possible assistance to solve murders--those of the past, and those of the present--even if that assistance come in the form of the dead.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS to read more and to email author Heather Graham, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 02-01-19

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

"It's a pleasure to serve you," is really what I love doing in this world. Creating situations that bring others joy--and of course when that happens, it creates joy for me, too. You see it's impossible for me to give and not receive.

I find my joy and the meaning for my life, when I share my talents and creations with someone else. I enjoy waiting on people, creating feelings that make them feel pampered and cared for. "It's my pleasure." And it really is. Taking care of others, waiting on people and making them feel special, is really what I love doing in this world.

I'd rather be the server at a party than a guest. I used to wonder if I felt that way out of some lack of self esteem. But for some time now, I've realized without a doubt, that caring for others is the perfect life "assignment" for me.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com