Mailbag - October 2016

Dr. Mollie Gordon, a Bellaire resident, says The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick influenced her to become a psychiatrist. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

Charmed by books article

Jennifer [Oakley], you are a literary genius! The piece [One for the Books: Stories that changed their lives, by Jennifer Oakley, September 2016] is warm and charming and captured a very precious part of what I love about [daughter] Mollie. You have an artist’s eye and a magician’s touch with words! Thanks for a fabulous article!

Alan Gordon

Everyone has a right book

I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate The Buzz Magazines shining a spotlight on books and the impact they can have on our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed the article One for the Books, telling stories of how books shaped the lives of several people and how they have shaped their lives to include healthy reading habits.

I am so pleased that Book Buzz is going to continue telling book stories and proud that local libraries and librarians will be contributors! My personal librarian motto is that if someone is not a reader, they just haven’t been introduced to the right book. I hope in the months to come we will be connecting your readers with many new books to love.

Linda Stevens, Harris County Public Library

Editor’s note: Book Buzz is a blog by neighborhood librarians from the Houston Public Library, Harris County Public Library and Bellaire Library.

Thank you for sharing their stories

Thank you to the moms who shared their pregnancy-loss stories [Buzz Baby: Experiencing pregnancy loss, by Annie Blaylock McQueen, September 2016]. It’s an elite club that no one wants to belong. I have one thought and two pieces of advice for moms like us: The hole in your heart will get smaller; time is a gentle healer. Share your story. Your child lived in you, and you can keep their spirit alive. Say your child’s name. They are a part of your family.

Gina Avioli Taylor, Kirby, Amanda, Seth and heavenly daughters Abigail and Emma’s mom

For the animals

I have the chills, and you made my day! Thank you so much for your kindness to us and for taking the time to find that very relevant photo from last year [Buzz About Town, Ready, get set, by Annie Blaylock McQueen, September 2016]. Thank you on behalf of Houston PetSet and, of course, our loves, the homeless animals of Houston. We are very busy and very excited. Long days of planning and working, but we feel so blessed to be able to work in our passion. I was thinking recently how horrible I feel sometimes when I see stories about abuse and neglected animals, but how much worse I would feel if I couldn’t try to do something about it. We are taking little bites out of this big apple, but we have some momentum and we just think of it as saving one special little spirit at a time. We are so appreciative of your support and kindness to us.

Tama Lundquist

Happy centennial, national parks

I was very impressed with your story and the way you developed it [Travel Buzz: National Parks – 100 years of America at its best, by Tracy L. Barnett, September 2016]. It is a great tribute to our national parks. I have been at Glacier all week, and celebrated the 100th there. Each park has its own personality, and Glacier is no different. I took some interesting photographs. The light, clouds and weather have been perfect.

Steve Fadem

Parks veteran enjoyed story

Tracy [Barnett], the National Parks really have been highlighted for the anniversary, and that has been nice to see. Thank you for your work on this article [Travel Buzz: National Parks – 100 years of America at its best]. It was fun to work with you. It was great to see the other pieces of the story and learn of other enthusiasts.

Melissa Fisher

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