Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column - October 13, 2022

Dear Reader,

I'm ready to bake if you're ready to dunk and munch some of my homemade chocolate chip cookies. Every month (except during the summer because chocolate doesn't travel well), it's Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway time at the book club. Three lucky book club readers receive a box of my homemade cookies, delivered to them via FedEx. Be sure to enter today's Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/Cookie-Contest-2022.html

When I get up early in the morning, I always turn on a soft light, sit with my coffee and read.  Recently, I was rereading an old book, about a woman who went through a crisis. 

Reading the book made me think about my own life and the most frightening crisis that I've faced so far. But at times, these thoughts can bring me great comfort, because I emerged stronger.

When something frightens me now--money, loss, my own sense of well-being--I can draw from that crisis. In some strange way, I long to be in the midst of it again because of the feelings  I experienced after I came through it, and saw that I was on the other side. I realized what I was really made of, what I could endure, and that a friend who is always there helped me through it.

When I need to set an anchor, when I'm feeling disoriented and lost, I think back to that crisis and rethink through it, from beginning to end. I keep it for emergencies only because I don't want to replay the tape too often. I'm afraid if it becomes too familiar, the magic of it and its rescuing power will fade.

Sometimes I need to drop two anchors: setting one where the old familiar story started and one where it ended, so my personal boat can stop shifting back and forth. I need time to regroup and think.

Sometimes the anchors get so deeply embedded that I have to cut the lines in order to move on, but that's ok. Anchors can be replaced and the foundation of my story is always there to set anchor again.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column - October 12, 2022

Dear Reader,

I’m ready to bake if you’re ready to dunk and munch some of my homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Every month (except during the summer because chocolate doesn’t travel well), it’s Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway time at the book club. Three lucky book club readers receive a box of my homemade cookies, delivered to them via FedEx.

Be sure to enter today's Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway.  Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/Cookie-Contest-2022.html

When I give someone cookies I've made from scratch, I'm giving them the best of me. Most people wouldn't believe it, but if I'm not in the mood to bake, then baking feels like a chore and my cookies don't turn out. They fall in the middle, or taste strange, like I forgot one of the ingredients--and I did. I wasn't able to add the joy I usually feel when I'm baking. 

At some point when I'm mixing up cookie batter, I picture the person I'm baking for, I can see the smile on their face after they open the bag of cookies, and my hope is that they feel special.

Cooking is a powerful thing, especially baking. Because when most people think of homemade chocolate chip cookies, they're remembering their mom or grandma wearing an apron--somebody who loved them. In the kitchen a bag of flour was out, the counter was a mess, and something that smelled good was baking in the oven.

Baking cookies is like writing for me. When there's joy, I'm into the task at hand, not thinking about anything else, giving it everything I have to give. Giving my best to someone else.

I’m ready to bake. If you’re ready to dunk and much, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/Cookie-Contest-2022.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column - October 10, 2022

Dear Reader, 

Tomorrow, October 11th, is the last day to submit your entry for this year's Write a DearReader Contest. You'll find all the contest info, including last year's winning entries at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2022/index.html

When I was a teenager I washed dishes in a supper club and I liked my job a lot. It was very rewarding because at the end of the night I could see that I had accomplished something.

The tubs of dirty dishes that had been advancing on me, infiltrating the counters and the floor around me at the beginning of the night, were now stacked on the other side of the automatic dishwasher, all sparkling clean.

Most of the things that I do at my job now are abstract--phone conversations, implementing ideas, working on new concepts and troubleshooting problems. I also read books and I write the daily "Dear Reader" and yes, those are things that I can tally up and visually see, but there are a lot of days when most of my time is spent talking on the phone, and I feel a little unrewarded at the end of the day. 'How can I possibly feel exhausted? After all, all I did was talk on the phone today?' Rationally, I know that conversations are "work", and they take a lot of energy, but sometimes I still long for my dishwashing days when there wasn't any doubt in my mind what I had done all day, and why I was tired, because everything was neatly stacked up right in front of me.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

 RUIN: A Novel of Flyfishing in Bankruptcy (Fiction) by Leigh Seippel

This novel was inspired by true events, though not my own, a story of a couple who suddenly become broke and homeless. This novel is about the unpredictable progression of character in a world of chance.

I'm giving away ten copies of Ruin: A Novel of Flyfishing in Bankruptcy, to enter the drawing, click on the link to Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter or email: cmpdavid@gmail.com

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on RUIN to read more and to email author Leigh Seippel, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column - October 7, 2022

Dear Reader,

Tuesday, October 11th, is the last day to submit your entry for this year's Write a DearReader Contest. You'll find all the contest info, including last year's winning entries at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2022/index.html

As I was getting dressed the other day, I realized that I hadn't been wearing my watch for a couple of weeks. I was really surprised because I never go anywhere without it. In fact, I have four watches. If one breaks down, I'm always prepared. This new realization really bothered me the rest of the day, because I'm the type of person who wants to understand why something happens or changes. When I thought about it, I realized that retiring my watch was probably a reflection of what's happening in my life right now. Why wear a watch? It doesn't matter what time it is, because I'm always out of time.

I feel like I've reached my "time-competency" level. I've had to stretch some deadlines lately, which I take as a personal failure. I'm always on time. I usually show up 10 minutes early for appointments. And I always meet my deadlines, even if I need to muster up a second or third wind at midnight to do it. But it doesn't matter how determined I am to get something done when I'm working against a lack of time. When 24 hours are gone--another day goes by--that's it. I'm out of time.

Whenever I'm trying to solve a problem, I first trace things back to see if I did anything different when the problem first started. Well, come to think of it, I did do something different--I stopped wearing my watch. Maybe all I need to do is put it back on?

On second thought, "Get real, Suzanne." Maybe I need to write something else after I finish this Dear Reader. "HELP WANTED: Book club editor desperately needs rescuing. You must be computer savvy and be willing to give me some of your time."

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column - October 6, 2022

Dear Reader, 

Due to Hurricane Ian, I've extended the deadline for this year's Write a DearReader Contest until October 11th. You'll find all the contest info, including last year's winning entries at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2022/index.html

A few times in my life, when I did something without thinking at all--when I lost all sense of self--the task somehow became effortless. When that's happened, it's always proved to be some of my best work.

I used to sing in public. Nothing fancy--in churches, at funerals and weddings. I had some moments when I was quite good, but most of the time I felt like I was going to throw up for days in advance and consequently my singing suffered. I finally accepted the fact that singing just wasn't a good match for me. But my final performance, on a Good Friday afternoon in a church service, turned out to be one of those effortless, magical moments.

I was a nervous wreck all the way to the church and things got worse when I was sitting in the pew waiting for my turn in the program. But somehow when my accompanist started playing, I lost all sense of the fact that I was standing up in front of a church filled with people--and I sang like I'd never sung before. I didn't have to work to remember the words, I could feel them. They effortlessly came to me. I almost brought myself to tears.

After the service, a friend of my mother's--who knew me when I was a kid--walked up to me and said, "Suzanne, I never knew you had that in you." "To be honest," I told her, "I didn't either. I'm just as amazed as you."

The ongoing challenge for me is to figure out how I can get to 'that place' more often. But it's an ironic quest, because if I 'make the effort' then I won't be able to get there.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column - October 5, 2022

Dear Reader, 

When a hurricane is coming you get a heads-up days in advance. But that can be one of those good and bad things. The good news is we had days to prepare. Before Ian arrived, my husband and I, along with our handy man’s help, boarded up every single window of our 100 year old house. But there are so many tasks to take care of on a Hurricane prep list, it’s staggering.

I was so exhausted (physically and emotionally), by the time the hurricane arrived, the overwhelming fear of what might happen didn’t really set in until my husband and I were heading back home after Ian had moved on. I had to brace myself for what I might find. 

The tears flowed as I walked through our house. We were one of the very, very fortunate ones. No damage to our house, just a yard full of tree debris. My husband and I are taking our time putting everything back in its place. 

I find myself grieving for people who’ve lost everything. I can’t imagine losing your house and everything you own, except the clothes you’re wearing. I don’t know where a person begins. So we are doing what we can to help others, which doesn’t seem like nearly enough.  

Thank you to everyone who emailed checking on me and my family and our cats since Hurricane Ian made landfall.

“It really is so good to read with friends.”

From my Inbox:

“Suzanne, I have been thinking of you. I have been going to Sarasota since 1960 when my grandparents moved down there from New Jersey. We now go to Siesta Key where our vacation villa is located and every summer when I am down there I drive by your house to see the bubbles. I accidentally came across your home while taking a drive through what I think is the prettiest neighborhood in Sarasota! I am praying you, your family, and your home are safe after Ian!” – Lisa M.

“Have been thinking of you all week. Hope your 100 year old home and you and your family  have survived the hurricane. So much destruction. We have a 100 year old home, too, and I am sure ours would not survive too much. Luckily, we live in Southern Ohio so our effect from your hurricane will be small.  Be well, safe, and strong.” --  Dawn R.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* Due to Hurricane Ian, I've extended the deadline for this year's Write a DearReader Contest until October 11th. You'll find all the contest info, including last year's winning entries at:
http://www.dearreader.com/contest2022/index.html

Dear Reader Column - September 30, 2022

Dear Reader,

If you come to my house for dinner you just might be eating my famous Pasta Verde off of a state plate from Delaware, Iowa, Indiana, Texas, or my personal favorite--a plate from Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

I love to roam through second-hand and antique stores looking for unusual dishes. When I saw the state plates in a stack on the floor--only $1.50 each--(they're the kind that tourists buy to put on their walls for souvenirs), after making sure they are actually food-safe, I just had to have them. My table settings have never matched for a long time now. I go for the eclectic mix--a little bit of this, a little bit of that. Kind of like my taste in books.

I used to save my favorite dishes, like my state plates, or my antique turkey plates for special occasions but not anymore. I've opened the cupboard doors and set my dishes free!

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

* Monday, the 26th, at midnight was the deadline for entering this year's Write a DearReader Contest. But the tropical storm and the hurricane have made it impossible for many readers to finish their entries. (I know my husband and I are exhausted from boarding up our 100 year old house.) So I'm extending the contest deadline to October 11th. Stay safe. You'll find all the contest info, including last year's winning entries at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2022/index.html

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

This month's Penguin Classics book is Mr. President by Miguel Angel Asturias. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win

Dear Reader Column - September 29, 2022

Dear Reader,   

It's a sad day. I have a troubled mind because I have to let go of something. I know it's the right thing to do and frankly I'm surprised and a little ashamed at the way I feel, because it's not about a relationship with a person. I have to let go of a "thing," an object. Notice I can't even bring myself to tell you what it is, because it seems like such a trite and silly way to feel. But I guess that people can develop close relationships and feel strong emotions toward places and things, just like they do with each other. 

I comfort myself by thinking about what I know to be true: that usually in order for change to happen I have to let go of something. So I'll grieve today and remind myself that this is part of a process; that I'm making room for something new and wonderful to come my way.

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

* Monday, the 26th, at midnight was the deadline for entering this year's Write a DearReader Contest. But the tropical storm and the hurricane have made it impossible for many readers to finish their entries. (I know my husband and I are exhausted from boarding up our 100 year old house.) So I'm extending the contest deadline to October 11th. Stay safe. You'll find all the contest info, including last year's winning entries at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2022/index.html

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

This month's Penguin Classics book is Mr. President by Miguel Angel Asturias. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win

Dear Reader Column - September 28, 2022

Dear Reader,

Monday, the 26th, at midnight was the deadline for entering this year's Write a DearReader Contest. But the tropical storm and the hurricane have made it impossible for many readers to finish their entries. (I know my husband and I are exhausted from boarding up our 100 year old house.) So I'm extending the contest deadline to October 11th. Stay safe.

You'll find all the contest info, including last year's winning entries at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2022/index.html 

It's another form of meditation--making scalloped potatoes. Not only does my recipe make a tasty casserole, that keeps for days, but cooking the white sauce from scratch, standing at the stove and continually stirring so the sauce doesn't burn--it relaxes me. There's no rushing the sauce; there's nothing I can do but wait for the sauce to do its thing. If I turn up the heat, the sauce burns. So I must be patient, slow down, and enjoy the moment.

You'll love this casserole and you can double it, too--no problem.

Scalloped Potatoes with (or without) Ham

2 lbs potatoes (translated 5 or 6 medium potatoes)

4 T butter

3 T all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 1/2 cups milk

1 medium onion, 

chopped Leftover ham, or 3 or 4 slices, or ham from a ham steak

Peel potatoes and cut into thin slices enough to measure 4 cups. Heat 3 tablespoons butter in saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. (This is the therapy part of the recipe.) Then remove from heat. Stir in the milk and heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for one minute.

Grease a two-quart casserole. Arrange three layers in the casserole: potatoes, onion, ham and some of the white sauce. Repeat this two more times. Dot the top with the remaining one tablespoon of butter. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake 60 to 70 minutes longer until the potatoes are tender. You'll get six very healthy servings. Enjoy!

Remember, the mantra, 'Slow down or burn the sauce.'

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

KIDSBUZZ: Two highly praised books for middle-grade readers! Check out ENEMIES, the latest graphic novel in Svetlana Chmakova’s bestselling Berrybrook Middle Schools series which touches on the intense emotions of middle-graders (self-esteem and expectations among others). And LITTLE GARLIC: ENCHANTED TALES FOR ALL AGES, a collection of timeless stories about friendship, resilience and kindness by Avideh Shashaani. For a chance to win free copies, talk with the authors, and more, see www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

 

 

This month's Penguin Classics book is Mr. President by Miguel Angel Asturias. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win

Dear Reader Column - September 27, 2022

Dear Reader,

Monday, the 26th, at midnight was the deadline for entering this year's Write a DearReader Contest. But the tropical storm and the hurricane have made it impossible for many readers to finish their entries. (I know my husband and I are exhausted from boarding up our 100 year old house.) So I'm extending the contest deadline to October 11th. Stay safe. 

You'll find all the contest info, including last year's winning entries at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2022/index.html

Please welcome today’s guest author, Laurie R. King. She’s a NYT bestseller and MWA Grand Master, lives in a part of the world where the '60s linger on. It's also a part of the world that had a bizarre cluster of serial murders during the '70s. The two opposites form the basis for Back to the Garden, a cold-case investigation by Inspector Raquel Laing, who suspects that a back-to-the-earth 1970s commune may have been visited by a serial killer. 

Say “Hello” to Laurie at: info@LaurieRKing.com

Quilting a Story

Like many young women in the Seventies, I went Back to the Earth in all kinds of ways. I planted a garden, competing for zucchini with the deer and gophers. I meditated, went to lectures by Anaïs Nin and Alan Watts, learned to bake bread and bottle applesauce.

And I quilted.

Most women I knew sewed their own clothes--I didn't buy pre-made until I had kids, and even then, my store-bought things were in the minority. Any seamstress has a lot of scraps, which traditionally get turned into patchwork quilts. Not that my scrap-basket looked much like that of a pioneer woman--my wardrobe was bright--but quilting fit in with the hippie vibe, so quilt I did.

A quilt has two stages. First is sewing the pieces together, either by hand (I have a red-and-white quilt my mother pieced during WWII) or by machine. When the top is finished, it is fastened to a plain bottom layer, with warm filling in between. The easy way is to tie it--a heavy stitch here and there through all three layers. More ambitious is to quilt it, with all-over running stitches that follow the seams or make a pattern on their own. Because I needed to finish by the end of summer, I took a short-cut, alternating intricate pieced squares with plain and adding a generous frame around the sides. Each square was different, marked and cut around precise cardboard templates. The fabric was me over the years--this dress, that blouse--with solid colors for contrast. The sewing machine got a workout that summer, and must have been relieved when time came to put the squares together with longer seams.

Then came the quilting. I built a wooden frame, pinned the quilt into it, and got out my needle.

Unlike the old-days, when quilt frames were lifted out up to the ceiling with pulleys and ropes, mine needed propping in the corner whenever the room was in use. But I did finish my quilt by September. And I loved the story it told--still does tell, for those who can read it--about the clothing I wore, and the person I used to be. I've made and given other quilts since then, pieced from the scraps of baby rompers, tiny dresses, and the shirts worn by parents and grandparents: stories of who they used to be.

I will admit, however, that I no longer keep a quilt frame propped in the corner.

-- Laurie R. King

Say “Hello” to Laurie at: info@LaurieRKing.com

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

This month's Penguin Classics book is Mr. President by Miguel Angel Asturias. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win