Beryl's way overdue Winter now summer 2025 Newsletter
More than a year has passed and I have not connected with you since December 2024!
I began writing this on January 2, 2022, the second anniversary of my beloved Bill's death. For some reason, the second year of losing a loved one has always been the most difficult for me. I am missing Bill, busy but lonely, with a series of accidents claiming space as well.
Compressed spinal fractures plague me. Seven of them during the past two decades. This fracture was not triggered by a fall but by attempting a Yoga posture known as "the plow" that I hadn't done in six years.
I was still recovering from the fracture when I fell and hit my head on the lip of our walk-in shower. As I suffered only a bloody nose, I thought no more about it until I started seeing two of everything. A trip to the emergency room and a series of brain scans revealed little brain wise, but did result in the discovery of recently acquired atrial fibrillation which can trigger strokes. A near collision with a white truck convinced me that I did not want to put others' lives at risk, so I stopped driving the RAV4 hybrid that Bill bought so I'd be safe after he died and gave it to my son and his wife.
Today, I am back at my computer, attempting to fit all my undone to-does into an extremely busy schedule. Primary on that list is to start writing again, which includes this letter and might include my third book, which while finished needs tightening. While I look forward to writing again, the thought of sending a new book into the world where so many excellent authors are nurturing books rich with creativity and beauty seems daunting, especially at my age when marketing is painful and time consuming.
I miss Bill terribly. He was such a wonderful, helpful, generous, funny, and encouraging spouse. His presence is still so real to me that last night I dreamed he was walking toward me, his arms filled with books. I moved to make room for him and woke myself up. I know Bill would want me to start writing again, if only for the enjoyment of messing around with words.
We live in confusing and threatening times. My in-box overfills with requests for money and demands for action keeping abreast of the news is daunting. I've unsubscribed to most political emails and text messages but continue to access The Guardian Newspaper, David Brooks from the NYTimes and Richard Reich from Substack. I am very aware I will turn 86 this October and want to make the best use of aware of every blessed moment I've been gifted. While I cannot resolve the huge issues confronting us, I am trying to live a hopeful, loving and involved life.
My books The Scent of God and A View of the Lake are out in new editions and available at Amazon.com. If you would like a signed copy, send an email to bsbissell@icloud.com. I can send directly to you or mail as a gift.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth – that the moment one commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. --Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
The Minneapolis Star Tribune named Beryl as a "Best of 2006 Minnesota Authors." Her book The Scent of God , published in 2006 by Counterpoint Press NY was a "Notable" Book Sense selection for April 2006. Her second book, A View of the Lake, published by Lake Superior Port Cities Inc in 2011 was named a best regional book by the Minneapolis Star Tribune in 2013..
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