Mailbag - August 2019

Magnificent Phidippus Jumping Spider

Web of emotion 

Wow! I cannot begin to express how excited I am that my sweet Spidey [Magnificent Phidippus Jumping Spider/Third Place/Nature, The Buzz Magazines 2019 Photo Contest, July 2019] captured your hearts the way he did mine! Thank you so much for awarding the photo of him. In my five years of photography, this particular photo has meant the most to me. Never in my life did I expect a tiny little spider to affect me so greatly. In all honesty, I toned down my affection for Spidey in the notes about the photo; my first draft was ridiculously emotional. The level of excitement when I discovered him to the devastation I experienced when he was no longer around is inexplicable to me. It's one of the most special, yet bizarre, experiences I have had in my life … but that’s what makes photography so amazing! Thank you so much for the recognition! It means so much to me.

Kathy Fujimoto

Editor’s note: The thanks goes to you, Kathy. We feel as if we know Spidey now too. If any of you missed our popular annual photo contest this year, you can find all the pictures, including Spidey, here.

Tracy captured adventure – and us

You did a marvelous reporting job, making sense and coherence of our ramblings [Travel Buzz: Like father, like son, by Tracy L. Barnett, June 2019]. And I thought you captured a large slice of our personalities and perspectives. I know from experience that is not easy....

Wyche Fowler

Three cheers for Brantley

I was so pleased to read the wonderful article in the recent issue of The Buzz about Brantley Payne [The Giving Tree: Growing alongside its boy, by Jennifer Oakley, May 2019]. Brantley is a fine young man, and the article was a poignant reminder that the value and priority one places in education, in reading and in one's church "family" in the end helps foster well rounded and thoughtful young men and women. Brantley is exactly that kind of person, and we are blessed to have him, and his whole family, as active members at St. Martin's. Three cheers for Brantley! And for The Buzz for continuing to remind us all of what is most important!

The Rev. Dr. Russ Levenson, Jr., Rector, St. Martin's Episcopal Church

Don’t let fear stop you

It was so lovely this afternoon to discover your two articles [My Quarter-Life Crisis: Leaving Harvard Law School for home and Exploring Houston – Hidden gems: Third Ward, by Pooja Salhotra, June 2019] while thumbing through the local magazine. I loved both. You are a very talented girl, and I know you will do great things. I wish you all the best in making your decisions as you go forward, and am so glad that you feel a sense of relief for now. If you want to be a lawyer, don’t let fear of failure stop you. You won’t fail. If you don’t want to be a lawyer, don’t let fear stop you from walking away. Fallacy of sunk costs and all that. You will succeed in whatever you choose!

Alexandra Cannon

Distracted driving?

[In response to Back Porch: On-the-go podcasts, by Andria Frankfort, July 2019] Distraction when driving seems to focus on the cell phone, especially texting or reading, but also just from talking/listening. [I] have to wonder if listening to something other than music such as audiobooks and podcasts increases potential of accidents as [the] mind [is] involved in listening and comprehending. 

Dean Fisher

Reading every page

Just wanted to let you know how very much I enjoy your Buzz. I open it just to browse, and invariably before I realize, I’ve read every page – standing up. Great stories, sometimes making me cry, some reminisce, and all thoughtful and engaging. Thank you! 

Janice Donalson 

Editor’s note: We are so glad you are enjoying the magazine, Janice. Thank you for the kind and encouraging feedback. If you ever want to reread an old story, search for topics, or explore online-only content, check out thebuzzmagazines.com.

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