Bonni Brodnick Blog
A Blurb-ologist's Perspective
April 15, 2024
Pound Ridge Authors Society to Celebrate 10th Anniversary!
April 12, 2024
"My Stroke in the Fast Lane": The Author Talk @ Bedford Playhouse
April 8, 2024
"My Stroke in the Fast Lane": Tix to Bedford Playhouse Author Talk are almost sold out!
April 2, 2024
"My Stroke in the Fast Lane": Asked to be on "Survivors' Wall'" @ NYC Event
At this big hoopla event in NYC celebrating 100 Years of the American Heart Association and 20 Years of Go Red for Women, I was thrilled and honored to be invited to be part of their "Survivors' Wall."
They asked for a 150-word blurb that sums up my experience as a survivor, my connection to "Go Red for Women," and my message to others in the community. Here goes . . .
"I was driving on Interstate 95 at 65 miles an hour when I had a stroke. (Everyone's worst nightmare!) I looked down and was mesmerized by my right hand shaking on the console. Luckily, my 86-year-old mother was in the car, grabbed the wheel, and crashed us on the side of the highway. I was left unable to walk or speak. In my memoir, 'My Stroke in the Fast Lane: A Journey to Recovery,' I reveal what it is like to be in the body of someone who has suffered from a stroke. After several hospitals and much physical, occupational, and speech rehabilitation, I was able to resume my magnificent life. In my book appearances, I discuss how cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, killing more women than all forms of cancer combined. I support the American Heart Association and 'Go Red for Women' message: we must all educate ourselves about cardiovascular diseases and strive to live heart-healthy lives."
The beat goes on.
March 26, 2024
On MEDIUM: "Woman Overboard WIth Watching Ships & Surfers on YouTube: Who gets the biggest wave?"
WHEN THINGS GET FISHY
Woman Overboard With Watching Ships & Surfers on YouTube
Who gets the biggest wave?
You know those people who can spend hours on YouTube on any subject? I am one of them. I am obsessed with big waves. The more massive, the better.
I love watching ships on stormy seas (especially with a view from the helm of a Russian cargo ship where you can look out and see the 50-foot wave coming). Then you’ll find me deep into the rabbit hole with anything pertaining to boats in general: day sailors, cargo ships, luxury liners, tugboats, and vessels of any sort in foul weather. There is something thrilling about watching ill-tempered waves crash over the bow. The higher and scarier the wave, the better.
I can watch these YouTube clips, and others like them, for literally hours:
When I watch them, I feel exhilarated, like an electrifying fixation. I feel a heightened rush and madness all while sitting at my desk. That’s when the rabbit hole thing takes over, which, I’ll admit, is a problem in our household.
Husband: “Hon, what did you do today?”
Me: “I watched surfing clips on YouTube.”
Husband: “The entire day?”
This zealousness for surfers and surfing is shared with the venerable Diana Vreeland. (Check out my blog, “Diana Vreeland: A Wannabe Surfer”). In it, she states:
"I'm really only envious of one thing, and that is a surfer. I think it's the most beautiful thing. See, I'm mad about water. I think that water is God's tranquilizer.
To be in it, to drink it, to look at it, and to be a surfer -- oh, between the sky and the water -- that would be to me, the most wonderful thing."
Before you go, click here to experience the rush that D.V. and I share when we watch surfers.
Whether you're on a boat steering into a wave, or a surfer riding on top of a wave, if you put it on YouTube, think of me; armchair traveling from my home computer, far from any splash, feverishly sharing the titillation and excitement from afar.