03Nov

Reading Between Two-Lanes 5/5

To Appear on The Hur Herald: www.hurherald.com:

Two-Lane Livin’ – Reading Between Two Lanes 5/5

 

   “You look familiar. Have we met somewhere?”

   I hear this more and more as I go through life and encounter new people. The first few times I was asked the question, I would stand and think, and think – to try and remember if, and where, we had met.

   Recently, at a road-side stand set up by two men, one man asked me the question while the other investigated something down over the bank. The first man and I stood, staring at each other, racking our brains to figure out where he knew me from. The other man, returning with his find from over the bank, looked up at me and said, “Hey! You’re the Two-Lane Livin’ lady!”

    Immediately the first man yelled, “That’s it! That’s where I’ve seen you before! I’ve read every single issue.”

     I hear similar stories from other columnists for the magazine. Kim Butler will be hearing snake stories for the rest of her life I think and has been referred to as “The Snake Lady,” and Sue Cosgrove is often referred to as “The Organic Lady.”

     It is both flattering and embarrassing. I truly love that folks are reading, and that they now feel familiar with the faces and the names and topics of our columnists. But at the same time, it is awkward. Sue and I recently visited a retreat where the folks “placed our faces” and then showered us with compliments. Sue and I both blushed, and shuffled our feet in the carpet.

    We thanked them in an “Awww, shucks” kind of manner, and let them know how happy we are that they enjoy the magazine. See, Two-Lane Livin’ is definitely a team effort. It’s embarrassing to feel as if we are getting more than our individual credit, but is also an honor to accept compliments on behalf of those involved.

    Still, now I’m getting to the point where if someone tells me I look familiar, and I can’t place their face, I ask, “Do you read Two-Lane Livin’?”

   Sometimes that will turn on the light bulb, and they can then make the connection. But sometimes, they say, “yea-ahh,” slowly, and don’t quite connect.

   And I respond, “I’m on page two.”

   It sounds silly to identify yourself by a page number, but that’s where they’ve seen me before.

   On the other hand, as I sometimes cover Frank’s delivery runs on which Frank (the socialite of our house) has made friends with everyone, I frequently meet women who know immediately who I am and tell me how much they love my husband. Also an awkward moment, which makes all those within ear shot laugh or giggle, to which I smile and respond, “Yeah, I like him too.”

   Although we may not (or ever become) accustomed to the public recognition for our participation in the magazine, we do crave and enjoy interaction with our readers. That’s why columnists’ e-mail or other contact information is included at the end of their articles when space allows. Although we are reluctant to share columnist phone numbers or physical addresses, many of them provide public contact information, just for readers!

   Columnists always welcome your questions and comments. Please feel free to communicate with us, online, by phone, or even in person. Just forgive us if we’re a little befuddled at first. We’re still not yet used to having so many people interested in us.

 

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Questions about herbs, herbal gardening, product ingredients, nutrition:
Sue Cosgrove
chewsorganic@yahoo.com

Questions about holistic healing, chiropractic care and nutrition:
Dr. Rick Magly
Office Phone: 304-286-2905

General Advice questions concerning relationships, situations and people:
Dear Ronda Sue
RondaSue@twolanelivin.com

Jokes, Games or Questions for the Bright Ideas Children’s Page:
Lisa Sheldon
brightideaswv@yahoo.com

Comments, suggestions for Mountain Therapy:
Kim Butler
kimbutler@frontiernet.net

Comments, for Two-Lane for Life, Questions About Cover Contest, Advertising:
Lisa Minney
lisa@twolanelivin.com

Questions about hunting, fishing, outdoors recreation:
Randy Bodkins
ranbodkins@yahoo.com

Questions about country, bluegrass and traditional American music:
Brad Moyers
brad.moyers@yahoo.com 

Questions about meditation, astrology, Reiki Healing, horoscopes:
Bobbi Mangus
adenapathways@hotmail.com

Questions about weddings, ceremonies, services and planning:
Nica Sharshon
nica@logosceremonies.com

Real Estate Questions:
Pat Laughlin
unitedcountrylandlady@yahoo.com