Bonni Brodnick Blog

  Eleven years or so ago, I handed the reigns to my weekly  Record-Review Pound Ridge "Talk of the Town" column over to Ellen Best, journalist extraordinaire. She is doing an interview about my book, "My Stroke in the Fast Lane," so we had a chance to chat. But before that, take a look at this photo that I treasure and look at every single day. Ellen took it back in August 1992 ... 31 years ago!!! I love the caption. And how about those two cutie pies? David at 3 years old and Annie at 19 months old. P riceless.

           Ken, me, and Stephanie at The Outpost after my six-year journey of healing and writing the book. It was quite a celebration  to finally give them printed copies.        On page 134, in the "Acknowledgements" of My Stroke in the Fast Lane: A Journey to Recovery , I  give a shout-out to Ken Marsolais and Nancy Vick, co-producers of the documentary film, 'The Bullish Farmer," the last project I was working on before the stroke.      About a year after "the incident" (doctors' parlay for what happened to me), Ken and I met for lunch at The Outpost in Bedford, New York. I was still on the weak side, self-conscious about my aphasia and slow speech.      In the book, I write:      "... Ken was one of the people who encouraged me with the project and put me in touch with his friend Stephanie Susnjara, writer/editor/content strategist.     "Do you want me to call her...

  "Just letting you know that your chapter about Ambien made me quit cold  turkey!  I did an  all-nighter, not intentionally, but because my body wouldn't fall  asleep all night ... and then I  slept without it.  Ambien is such a crutch, and I am so  glad  I took the dive. I'm  writing to you because maybe it will help someone else  afraid to take the leap." #My Stroke in the Fast Lane

Many, many thanks to dear friends for hosting a book launch. Everyone selected a section of the book that inspired them.  They spoke about the message of the book:  "Show courage and strength! Be optimistic! Never give up!" As my husband (and hero) reminded us, " Carpe fucking Diem ." [ Seize the #%?!+# Day! ]   #My Stroke in the Fast Lane

 Page 1   Page 2  #My Stroke in the Fast Lane  

A note from my good Samaritans, Janie & Joe:   #My Stroke in the Fast Lane

 It was a wonderful evening! Susan Hodaro, my memoir mentor, was all smiles when I gave her a signed copy of My Stroke in the Fast Lane: A Journey to Recovery.    It was a significant victory for me because when I started her memoir class at Hudson Valley Writers Center, it was the fall after my stroke. I knew after David's wedding, I had to tell the story. But, I could hardly speak. In the workshop, fellow writers had to read their pieces, and then we'd critique it.  I remember going up to Susan one day after class, so embarrassed for the strokiness of my voice.  What is the "strokiness of my voice"? I spoke  s l o w l y,  and the tone of my voice was so        L            O                W,  almost whispering.  At some of the workshops, fellow writers were crying after some of my readings. It gave me the quiet self-confidence that I had a good story ...

I am truly humbled by these early comments on the book: Piaras VINE VOICE 5.0 out of 5 stars   A remarkable story of courage ... With a narrative that radiates authenticity and candor, Bonni's tenacity, unyielding determination, and her unique sense of humor become beacons of hope in the darkest corners of ‘Stroke Land’. Her exceptional bravery and unwavering determination are profoundly inspiring, rendering this book a deeply engaging and emotionally charged journey into the limitless resilience of the human spirit. I wholeheartedly recommend it and gladly award it a well-earned five-star rating. Palmer Davis 5.0 out of 5 stars   An honest, heart-wrenching journey from the edge of death back to evermore glorious living. Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2023 The author literally puts us in the driver's seat of this harrowing swerve out of the fast lane of her happy world into a car wreck of debilitation, loss, pain and despair. All the while, she never loses her ...