The Printed Page

I have always found that writing things down helps me, whether I'm angry or upset of happy. It seems to be a release for my emotions, just getting it down on paper. I'm sure many others have the same experience. It's rather surprising to me now to find that I have the same reaction when I toon. I guess spending the time to change the cartoon characters' expressions and positions just a little in order to show their emotions has the same effect on me.


I really am distressed by yet another book store closing. And I hear that even Borders is supposed to close within a year. That may or may not be true, or just a rumor. I suspect it's true. They say that not only the internet, but the fact that stores like Walmart, groceries, druggists, etc., all offering books are causing it too. I find that very sad. The atmosphere of a small bookstore, or even the larger chains so long as they offer reading space and coffee, is so much nicer. And there's nothing like that little thrill when you walk into one of the cluttered, older stores, and start to hunt through the shelves and tables. The libraries are wonderful of course, but I do like owning a book that I find especially wonderful, and being able to pick it up whenever the mood strikes.
Modern merchandising seems to be taking that from us.