Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column - June 8, 2022

Dear Reader,

I believe the worst thing about being stranded on a desert island would be that there wasn't any coffee. I was visiting a friend of mine in Madison and she was supposed to pick me up at 8:30 a.m. We were going to Starbucks for coffee. 

Coffee is a big deal to me in the morning. I'm usually up and at 'em for only a mere 15 minutes before I get my first coffee infusion, and since I'd already been up for an hour and a half I was starting to experience coffee withdrawal. 

Every thought I had, had a cup of coffee attached to it. I was surrounded by coffee. There was even a coffee table for guests in the hotel's lobby. I was sitting outside, and every time someone walked through the front door, a big whiff of freshly brewed coffee would taunt me. 

Oh boy, what time is it now? I could really use a cup of coffee. Maybe I should call her? But maybe then I'd sound desperate. But I do feel desperate and I'm feeling more desperate every minute. Tall, insulated, coffee to-go cups are dancing in my head. The only reason I started writing this column was to try to think about something other than coffee. Obviously it's not working. 

Relax and breathe, Suzanne. I wonder if Lamaze breathing would deliver me from these coffee pangs. 

Okay, we said we'd meet at 8:30 it's now 8:34. Where is she? I know I'm a little over the edge this morning, but aren't you supposed to be prompt for job interviews, business appointments, and a coffee rendezvous? 

All smiles and looking totally put together, my friend showed up at 8:35. She looked so good. How did she do it? I just had to ask, "You must have already had your first morning cup of coffee?" 

No, she hadn't. In fact she doesn't even drink coffee anymore. And therein lies a valuable coffee lesson: Make sure the early morning designated coffee driver "actually" drinks coffee. 

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

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

KIDSBUZZ: Looking for a can't-put-it-down summer read for your middle grader? If your 8-12 year old likes mysteries, puzzles and pick-your-own-path books, then Lauren Magaziner's Case Closed #4: Danger on the Dig is the answer. For a chance to win free copies, talk with the authors, and more, see www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

Dear Reader Column - June 7, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today's guest author, Cleyvis Natera, was born in the Dominican Republic, migrated to the U.S. at ten years old, and grew up in New York City. She holds a BA from Skidmore College and an MFA from New York University. Her writing has won awards and fellowships from PEN America, the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, The Kenyon Review's Summer Writers Workshops, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Cleyvis lives with her husband and two young children in Montclair, New Jersey. Her first novel is, Neruda on the Park, an exhilarating debut novel following members of a Dominican family in New York City who take radically different paths when faced with encroaching gentrification.

Please email and welcome Cleyvis to the book club: [email protected]

ARRIVALS

My three siblings and I left the Dominican Republic on Feb 15, 1988. I was ten years old, my younger sister Evelyn was eight, while my older brother Lindo was twelve and my older sister Shany was fourteen. According to weather data, there was a light rain that fell throughout the day in JFK, temperatures rather mild hovered in the mid to upper 40's. But for a bunch of kids from the Caribbean--we might as well have landed in the Arctic. When we stepped outside onto the JFK sidewalk, to locate the uncle who hadn't shown up as expected at baggage claim with our coats, we hollered and screeched like we were getting murdered. Mami, who'd been living in the US three years by then and had gone to the DR to get us, laughed, delighted at our exaggeration. It's not that cold, she said. In that moment I thought of how I would describe this new sensation to my father, who remained in the Dominican Republic, who would never travel to our new home.

When we arrived at my grandmother's apartment in Washington heights, we were enfolded into so many arms--aunts and uncles and my grandparents offered the warmth of family, ensuring we knew we'd just arrived at a place where we were all so deeply loved.

The day went by at high speed. There was so much food, so much to drink, we ended our first meal sated and awed. But as night descended, we came to find out our family would be further splintered--no one's apartment could accommodate four children.

We glanced at each other, worried. We'd never been apart. I asked Mami where she would go? She struggled to find the words. She reminded us she worked 24 hours a day as a home health aid in the Bronx. She would be saving as much as possible, so we'd all be living together before the start of the school year. I suddenly felt very small, cold, sad. I missed my father. When I asked about calling Papi, she said we'd have to wait until she came back--calling centers were already closed, there was no long distance calling in anyone's apartment.

When my mother came to see us the following weekend, she made good on her promise. We traipsed to the nearest calling center--a series of tempered glass covered walls with a tiny compartment that hardly fit two of us along with Mami, a phone that had no buttons, no rotary dial. When it was my turn to speak, I stepped up ready. I'd been paying attention--practicing how I would describe all that was new. But when I held the phone, all preparations flew out the window. I found myself shy and embarrassed.

Que te pasa, Papi said, knowing I was quiet on the other side. I told him I was scared I'd never learned English, that I'd never be let into any school. Then, I quickly remembered what I'd been practicing, and like a gorge falling apart, I told him all about our new life, the plentitude, but the sadness that hovered over everything with so much missing him. All in all it was only a couple of minutes, but with his laughter, and his sighs, I suddenly had the power of collapsing space. He and I were near each other, and Mami, who was listening nearby wiped away a tear. Even my siblings quieted down as if with my words we'd all been reunited, together for a precious moment.

This, then, was the day I realized I'd arrived at my true calling which from then on would be found among words.

-- Cleyvis Natera

Please email and welcome Cleyvis to the book club: [email protected]

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column - June 6, 2022

Dear Reader,

My husband never gets up before me, but this morning when I walked into the kitchen to make my coffee, he was already sitting at his desk studying something on his computer screen. Apparently he'd been up for over an hour working on a strategy to defend himself against the traffic ticket he got the other day when the two of us were out picking up trash in Sarasota. (Keep Sarasota Beautiful--we try to do our part.)

We were driving on an unfamiliar road, spotted some trash, turned onto a side road, drove a little ways and then my husband did a U-turn to get us headed back in the direction we needed to go. But almost immediately after the U-turn my husband saw flashing red lights in his rear view mirror.

"License and registration, please." My husband handed the officer his driver's license while I was digging through the glove box for our car registration.

"I'm sure it's in here somewhere, officer." Plastic fork and spoon, extra napkins from the deli, anti-itch cream, baby wipes, two little packets of ketchup and three insurance cards all from different carriers.

The officer was getting impatient, "If the car's registered to you, I can look it up on my computer." And away he went.

And then we waited--a very long time. I knew what the wait meant, especially when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the officer filling out a piece of paper. Once they start writing the ticket, there's no turning back. (I know this from experience.)

Back in the kitchen, I wanted to make my morning coffee. But my kitchen counter had been  transformed into the scene of the crime: the CVS Store on the left-hand side of the road (a bag of flour), a gas station on the right-hand side of the road (a can of string beans), the No U-Turn Sign (handcrafted with a straw and construction paper), the painted lines in the road (represented by a line of white candy sprinkles that I use on top of cupcakes) and of course our car--a Blue Toyota--was respectively represented by our grandson's little red triangle block. And my husband had several sheets of paper in his hand--including the county government's rules about deciding where a U-Turn sign is needed.

"Let me guess, Dear, you've decided not to pay the ticket and go to Traffic School and avoid being assessed three points?"

And my husband began to present his case, but I stopped him.

"Yes Dear, I'm dying to know how you're going to explain that you're Not Guilty when there was a No U-Turn Sign posted in the road, but right now I need to make my morning coffee. Judge Suzanne can't listen to any testimony until after she's had her caffeine. (And by the way, you might get rid of the sarcasm when you tell your story before a real judge.)

I wasn't buying his story, for one thing the tiny, red, triangle block was heading in the wrong direction and my recollection of how it all took place, where the flour was located (CVS store), and the string beans (gas station) were, was and how it all happened was totally different than my husband’s. Upset that I didn't believe him, my husband grabbed his camera and said he was going back to take pictures to prove his side of the story. 

"Great idea, you go take pictures and I'll drink my coffee. And remember, no U-Turns." 

It's been proven that eye-witness testimony is unreliable and my husband proved it again this morning. There wasn't any gas station, the driving lanes were positioned totally different from the white cupcake sprinkles on my kitchen counter, the bag of flour was actually on the opposite side of the street, and in addition to "our" No U-Turn sign, there were five others lining the road. 

My husband is back sitting in front of his computer. He's signing up for traffic school.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column - June 2, 2022

Dear Reader,

I'm on vacation this week, but I'm featuring some recipes that are guaranteed winners for summer.

When I was a kid, once a week fish was on the dinner menu. My dad loved to fish, his father and mother loved to fish, too. They owned a trailer by the Mississippi (they spent every weekend there), and everyone who lived in the little community were also very serious fisherpeople.

Crappie, walleye, bluegill, catfish, and carp (that nobody ate unless it was smoked), were plentiful in the Mississippi. So I learned to like fish at a young age, but I can't stand to cook them. So my husband does all the cooking when it comes to fish, and today I'm sharing one of his favorite fish recipes, fish tacos. 

It’s a great tasting dish for a light summer meal.

Fish Tacos

(Serves 4)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 pound skinless fish filets

1 tablespoon canola oil

8 corn tortillas

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups thinly shredded green cabbage or lettuce

1 cup fresh tomatoes, mixed with cilantro/ or your favorite light salsa

Mix olive oil, lime and orange juices, garlic, oregano and onion slices together. Put fish filets in a baking dish, pour the marinade mixture over top, turning the fish so that both sides are coated. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.

Heat the canola oil in a skillet (cast-iron if you have it). Medium-high heat. Remove the fish from the marinade. Reserve the marinade, including the onions. Arrange the fish in the skillet in a single layer. Don't crowd the fish or it will steam. Cook for 3 minutes. Carefully flip the fish over and cook on the other side until it is done, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer fish to a platter to keep warm.

Add the marinade, with the onions, to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently until the onions are caramelized and tender (about 7 minutes). Set aside. Warm the tortillas and fill with the fish and

cheese, cabbage and tomato fixins. Enjoy!

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column - May 31, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today’s guest author, Sheila Roberts, who’s written more than 50 books is best known for her holiday stories, women's fiction and romance novels in small-town settings. Sheila’s On Strike for Christmas was a Lifetime Network movie, and her The Nine Lives of Christmas is a perennial Hallmark channel movie favorite. 

A long-time Washington resident, Sheila and her husband recently moved to a beach cottage with a picturesque view not unlike that of Moonlight Harbor, the fictional setting for her current series.

Sheila is giving away 5 copies of the latest book in her series, Sand Dollar Lane.

To enter the random drawing, send an email with your mailing address (in case you win) to: [email protected], with "DearReader Sheila Roberts Giveaway" in the subject line.

(All messages will be sent along to Sheila.) If you'd like to be added to her reader list, be sure to include a note to that effect.

When I Grow Up

Once upon a dream I wanted to be a songwriter. Music was a huge part of my family's life. My mother taught me how to harmonize when I was a little girl. We'd practice while she curled my hair with this vintage curling iron she'd gotten from who knows where. She'd set it on a stove burner to heat up and then proceed to burn my straight hair into curls. Looking back, I think the whole singing thing was to distract me from the torture of getting my hair singed!

Whatever the reason, it took. I sang in choirs, at church, in school talent shows and entered vocal competitions. In college I majored in music and dreamed of becoming a famous songwriter, all while working my way through as a singing waitress.

Falling in love and getting married didn't end my love affair with music. Somewhere along the way I discovered country music. And Nashville! Songwriter Mecca. I began to get serious about this songwriting thing, taking trips to Nashville, spending money on song demos. I look back on the money I spent trying to make that dream come true and realize I could have remodeled my house several times for what I spent.

But raising children and constantly running off to Nashville to try to peddle songs didn't go together like words and music. What to do? Keep dreaming, of course, but be open to other possibilities. Like writing, something I'd been doing since I was a child. One day I got an idea for a book and thought, why not write it?

Who'd have thought that would have turned the direction of my creative life? It did, and I've been happily making up stories ever since.

Of course, music is still in my bones. Over the years I've played in bands, served as a church musician, owned a singing telegram company and, yes, written more songs. I was finally able to enjoy seeing one I co-wrote with a friend make it onto an artist's CD. And I've even been able to make a music video--one of the most fun things ever! (Want to see me getting hauled off by Santa? Check out my song (written as Sheila Rabe), "Merry Christmas Mama," on YouTube.)

My career path didn't go exactly where I thought it would take me, but I think I'm living proof that if you walk through the doors that open in life you'll end up where you're supposed to be. And I like where I am.

-- Sheila Roberts

Enter to win a copy of Sand Dollar Lane. Send an email with your mailing address (in case you win) to: [email protected], with "DearReader Sheila Roberts Giveaway" in the subject line.

Here’s the YouTube link to Sheila’ song, click here.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column - May 27, 2022

Dear Reader,

While I'm on vacation, I’m sharing some of my own and readers’ favorite recipes. Jane R. sent in four recipes, and I can’t wait to try them all. I’m a fan of peaches, so today I am sharing her Peachy Keen Cobbler recipe.

“Hi Suzanne, here are a couple of recipes you might enjoy making with your grandson.  I apologize for sending more than one. Too many to choose from! I remember how much fun it was to cook with my two kiddos way back when. Now, our daughter has developed into quite a good cook and a few years ago we started getting together to try new recipes and techniques, including hollandaise sauce and handmade pasta. Our Octoberfest was epic, including made-from-scratch Bavarian pretzels and chicken schnitzel. It’s still fun to cook with my (now grown) children! I hope you enjoy these recipes.” – Jane R.

PEACHY KEEN COBBLER

 Serves 8

(Texas Hill Country peaches are a springtime treat but this is a recipe that can be made anytime. It can easily be cut in half, which is what I often do)

½ cup butter or margarine

1 cup flour 

1 ½ cup sugar  

1 ½ tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

2/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1-29 oz can of peaches

 Preheat oven to 350

Melt cube of butter in 9x12 dish in oven

In medium bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, and vanilla

Remove dish with melted butter from oven and pour peaches with juice over top - DO NOT STIR

Pour batter over peaches and sprinkle ½ cup sugar on top - DO NOT STIR

Bake 40 minutes – serve warm.  Tastes great with vanilla ice cream! 

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

* This month's Penguin Classics book is People from Bloomington by Budi Darma. 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 - May 26, 2022

Dear Reader,

It’s my birthday today! And every year I give myself the gift of rereading the story about my one-of-a-kind, romantic, loving husband...

He looked handsome in his black suit, white shirt and dark tie. His shoes were polished, there was a black chauffeur's hat on his head and dark shades covered his eyes. Every woman in the hair salon was staring at the mysterious man that walked through the door, and so was I.

"Is Suzanne Beecher just about finished?" the handsome man, who sounded like my husband, asked the receptionist.

And when the receptionist told him it would be 10 minutes before I was ready to go, the handsome man, who resembled my husband, thanked her and said, "Would you please let Suzanne know that her driver is waiting outside?" And out the door he went.

I was shocked, and within minutes every woman in the beauty shop, including me, was pressed up against the front window staring at my husband, dressed in chauffeur attire, standing beside a stunning old-fashioned MG Roadster sports car.

It was my birthday and as a gift, my husband was in "character," playing the part of my personal chauffeur, and he had rented the MG Roadster for the weekend. It was a birthday I'll never forget.

After we left the hair salon, for the rest of the day my "driver" chauffeured me around town to all of my favorite boutiques and galleries. Every time we made a stop, my husband jumped out of the car, hurried around to open my door, then he took my hand and ushered me inside the store.

My personal chauffeur never went inside the store with me, that would have been a driver's indiscretion. Instead, my "guy" would go back to his "post," with his chauffeur's hat tipped ever so slightly, legs stretched out, and he'd lean up against the side of the MG Roadster and publicly wait for me. It felt like a Cinderella birthday--everyone inside the store and outside in the parking lot was dying to know, 'Who was this woman with the fancy car and driver?'

Today's my birthday, I'm not sure what my husband has planned, but wouldn't it be fun if my driver magically reappeared? To see a photo of me and the Roadster click here. 

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

* This month's Penguin Classics book is People from Bloomington by Budi Darma. 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 - May 25, 2022

Dear Reader,

I'm on vacation this week, but I'm featuring some recipes that are guaranteed winners for a summer potluck.

Today’s recipe is easy to make, a guaranteed winner and it keeps in the refrigerator for one week--not that there's usually any leftovers.

If you've never read the story behind my Skunk Bean recipe, get out a deck of playing cards and get ready for a treat.

For forty years Skunk Beans has been one of my go-to recipes, but I never knew the story behind the beans until I was looking through some old recipes, I'd found in my mother's kitchen cupboard after she passed away. The recipe was written on an old folded piece of paper and read the heading, "Beans for Skunk Party" instantly I started smiling because at that moment, I realized how the Skunk Beans got their name.

Almost every other Sunday evening the Tindell clan (including my dad, his four sisters, and grandma and grandpa Tindell), got together to play some serious Euchre. The kitchen in  Grandma's house was so small when the table was pulled open to seat everyone, you could barely walk around it. But that didn't matter. Get out the blue and red chips, which represented pennies--but it wasn't about the money--it was all about winning the game and trying to "skunk" your opponents in the process.

Euchre isn't a complicated game, but until you've played awhile, the table talk can sound like a foreign language. "Fishing out, dead-set legend, the ribbit, farm hand or no ace/no face, follow suit, trump, and skunked--which means that you and your partner lost the game without scoring one single point. Rumor has it that in some Euchre circles a team that gets skunked, also gets a "bum run." (If you and your partner get skunked you must run around a predetermined route--naked!)

I was an only child who sat by herself in the living room watching "The Wonderful World of Disney" (because none of my dad's sisters brought their children along), and there was a wall between the kitchen and me, so as far as I know none of my relatives ever did a bum run. Instead, whoever got skunked had to bring the Skunk Beans to the next Sunday evening Euchre party and I remember my mother bringing them almost every week!.

SKUNK BEANS

8 bacon strips - very crisp

1 onion, chopped & sauteed

1/2 cup vinegar

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp dry mustard

dash garlic salt

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 tsp salt

1 can kidney beans (drained)

1 can lima beans (drained)

1 #2 can pork and beans (drained) (#2 can = 20 oz can or 2 1/2 cups)

Combine all ingredients. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Uncover and bake for another 1/2 hour.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

* This month's Penguin Classics book is People from Bloomington by Budi Darma. 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 - May 23, 2022

Dear Reader,

I'm on vacation. Hopefully I'm cooking, sewing, gardening and doing a bit of nothing in between. While I'm away, I'll be featuring some of the summer recipes sent in by readers, and recipes of mine that are guaranteed winners for a summer potluck. 

Today’s recipes were sent in by book club reader, Joanne. I love that the first recipe can be made three ways.

“Hello Suzanne, this recipe can be used in a variety of ways–as an appetizer when rolled into 1" balls, as a side dish ready to be spooned out a baking dish, or put into a pie plate (with or without a crust) and served as a quiche with a salad. I've added a 2nd recipe that is also based on a vegetable that my daughter has loved since she was 8 years old (this year she'll be 50!) and there are never any leftovers.” – Joanne 

SPINACH BALLS 

4 - 10 oz packages CHOPPED spinach (works okay with 9 oz pks)

4 cups HERB stuffing mix - Pepperidge Farm is good

2 or 3 diced onions

8 eggs - beaten well

1 cup Locatelli cheese (or other Parmesan cheese)

1-1/2 cup melted butter

1 tablespoon thyme

2 cloves of garlic crushed

Salt & Pepper to taste - I use white pepper 

Defrost and drain spinach–squeeze dry and mix well with all other ingredients

Chill at least 3 hours–I usually chill overnight 

Roll into 1" balls and bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees until golden brown 

These are great to make ahead and freeze–after making the balls but before cooking, lay on a cookie sheet and place in freezer–once they are frozen you can put them in zip-lock bags and they can be cooked frozen–just lower the oven temp to 300 degrees. 

This also makes a great crust-less quiche–just press into a greased pie plate and cook at 350 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes. Of course if you like crust and don't have to watch your carbs this is a wonderful quiche filling.

ZUCCHINI PIE 

1 cup Bisquick mix

4 large eggs

1/2 oil

3 cups peeled and diced zucchini (2 to 3 zucchini depending on size)

1 cup diced onion

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup diced or shredded mozzarella (optional) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Grease or spray a 8 x 8 square pan or oven proof glass dish. 

Place zucchini, onion, grated cheese, parsley flakes, salt & pepper and mozzarella in prepared pan. 

In blender blend Bisquick, eggs and oil thoroughly and pour over the other ingredients in the pan. 

Bake for 25 - 35 minutes until golden. 

Can be made the day before and reheated before serving. 

Note:   Last time I made this I placed the zucchini, onion, cheeses, parsley, and salt & pepper in a bowl first, then added the blended items and stirred until all was moistened and then poured into the prepared baking pan or pie plate.  

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

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

THE MURDERS AT FLEAT HOUSE (Mystery) by Lucinda Riley

The sudden death of a pupil in Fleat House at St Stephen's--a small English private boarding school in deepest Norfolk--is a shocking event that the headmaster is very keen to call a tragic accident. 

A fresh and compelling crime novel written by Lucinda Riley who sadly died in 2021. She and her son, Harry Witaker, created the Guardian Angels series for children. He says, "I'm sure it will interest you to know that at the time of writing, my family lived in the vast, mysterious landscape in which the story is set. As you might expect, hidden secrets from the past strongly influence present day events, and we are treated to some typically superb
characterisation in the form of DI Jazz Hunter."

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE MURDERS AT FLEAT HOUSE to read more and to email author Lucinda Riley, you'll get a reply.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is People from Bloomington by Budi Darma. 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 - May 18, 2022

Dear Reader,

 

Congratulations to the winners of the May Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway: Maryann C., Jefferson Parish Public Library, Bonnie M. Indian River County Main Library, Sally S., Contra Costa County Library.

 

And the winner of the Angled Measuring Cup Giveaway is Jennifer G. Thanks to everyone who sent in recipes. I’m going to have fun trying them out this summer.

 

Last week I shared a photo of baby birds in their nest and asked you to name the bird and share some of your bird stories with me. The baby birds were blue birds.

 

Emails from readers:

 

“I work at the beach at Spring Lake, New Jersey. It's $10.00 for a badge. Children are free. We have a strict no food policy on the beach. Our beach remains in pristine condition. A woman came with a dozen children. I told her no food on the beach. She told me ‘I spent $10.00 on a badge, I'm bringing my food down.’ After working at the beach for numerous years I have learned to not argue with people. She took her food down and the kids opened a bag of chips. A huge Sea Gull swooped down and grabbed the entire bag and flew away. The kids chased the Sea Gull but obviously couldn't catch it. Karma.” – All the best, Mary Ann C.

 

“Suzanne, One morning, a number of years ago, I looked out the window and found a tiny bird sitting on our front porch. Immediately I thought something was wrong with it but left it alone. All morning long I would check on the bird who had not moved. As the morning progressed it had left little deposits on the porch, but not moved. By lunchtime I began to really be concerned about it not being fed or watered. But not long after, it was gone. Mom must have come by to check and her baby followed her and was released from solitary. Nature knows its own and we concerned humans need to trust them.” – Barbara N.

 

“Suzanne, I think that there’s nothing like nature to lift our spirits. On one of the hot days I found two baby deer sheltering in the shade of our trees. They looked so content! And yesterday we spotted a bunny who hopped right up to one of our stone bunnies and sniffed it. So cute! Hope that you continue to enjoy the great outdoors!” –Linda F.

 

“We have a Holly tree up against our dining room window and because of it being so dense, birds usually make a nest every spring in its branches. We have a front row seat and no binoculars needed.

 

One spring we noticed that a nest was being made and when we checked the nest the next day, the mama bird had found colorful balloon ribbons (we assumed they were from helium balloons)  and wove them into the nest. What a colorful nest that was!  Bright blue, green and pink ribbons decorated her ‘baby's room’ that year!” – Julia T.

 

“Hi Suzanne, we had a bird build a nest in one of our window boxes. It was great, because we could sit inside at the window and see the babies up close. I did take some great photos, but they are the old-fashioned kind so I can't send any to you! Thanks for your daily words of wisdom and insight!” – Diane R.

 

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

* This month's Penguin Classics book is People from Bloomington by Budi Darma. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.