Steve, send up a flare for those brave souls who are opening bookstores. I am thrilled to find stores that carry different books from Barnes and Noble. But at the same time, I’m so glad B&N has stuck it out. I wouldn’t have even known about such magazines as Artful Blogging if it weren’t for B&N’s newsstands.

As always, thanks for your kind words. Hope you are having a great spring!

It’s fantastic to hear about your article and photos being in Artful Blogging. I can’t wait to go to Barnes and Noble and get a copy. I have loved reading your blog for years and have read everyone.

You offer such meaningful heart felt perspective in sharing your thoughts.
Each one makes me think, feel and see the world in a special way.

There was an article in the Washington Post today about how the Independent Bookstores are making a comeback after the 2008 financial crisis. They are offering a sense of community such as Barnes and Noble has been doing through the struggle.

Keep writing and blogging. All of your fan’s are rooting for you.

Melissa! I’ve missed you! I’m glad you’re back–computers are frustrating creatures, aren’t they? I’m actually considering buying a refurbished IBM Selectric to do first drafts on . . . yes, I’m daft!

Thanks for reminding me of the Ben Stiller movie–I had it on my list for a while, then forgot about it. At the top of my list again!

Mary, I began in this business in magazines and am also heartbroken at what the Internet has done to magazines, newspapers, and book publishing. I still want to page through a magazine, cut out pictures and recipes. I still want to spread The Washington Post on the floor and pore over the articles and features.

And yet, when I go to the B&N newsstand, there are so many magazines! Just yesterday I saw one called Everyday Living. A magazine to tell us how to live our daily lives. Imagine that! Truthfully, I pant around the shelves waiting for very special magazines to come in: Orion, Oxford American, Writer’s Chronicle. I still buy print . . .

Only you would be sweet enough to run right out and buy a copy immediately, the mark of a true friend. It’s a gorgeous publication, one to enjoy with a cup of tea or glass of lemonade, outside in your lively garden.

Thank you, Melodye, for being Melodye, sharing your big heart with someone you know only through a blog.

My whole career has been in magazine publishing and it’s heartbreaking what the internet has done to the industry. But how ironic that online blogs have spawned a print magazine. I’ll definitely pick it up in B&N.

We have both grown and changed in the last three years–a time of transition for both of us. Our different passions–photography for your, writing for me–intersect on many levels which keeps our conversations so lively we don’t let each other finish sentences half the time!

I can’t wait to see your essay and photos in the Fall 2015 Artful Blogging. Yes, indeedy. We’ll both be Dorothea Lange for six whole months!

Your photographs grace the cover of Artful Blogging because you take pictures from the heart rather than the head. All the technical know-how in the world can’t make up for a picture without passion. And, in your essay, you describe the story of working things out – and how we do this through our art – with careful intention – to enlighten.

I am overjoyed for your success, and happy to see good things happen to a really good person!