DEAR READER,
When I was a little girl, growing up in Anamosa, Iowa, my favorite thing to do was read-the same as today. So when I thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I figured I'd be a librarian. Our town librarian, Mrs. Tonne, was really important to me becoming me. The library had a two-book limit, but she knew I'd blow through those in just a few days, so she always let me check out a big stack. And when I was in fourth grade, our school librarian, Mrs. Ketelsen, sent some poems I'd written about dinosaurs to Highlights magazine. My first published writing!
At the University of Iowa, majoring in journalism, I quickly learned that I did not want to be a newspaper reporter. I'm shy about interviewing people, which amuses almost everyone who knows me and thinks I'm outgoing. (I am, but only with people I know!) So I was thrilled when I was selected for a summer internship at Reader's Digest.
Ten years after that, I came back to RD to work as an editor. I've worked at other magazines too, but I've spent most of my career here, reading magazines, newspapers, websites, and books for stories; writing articles; even choosing jokes.
This issue seems like the perfect one to introduce myself to you all. "The Tractor War" (page 92 ) takes me home to the Midwest. "Something to Sneeze (打喷噎) At" (page 47) reminds me of all the sneezing I did when I moved to New York City and was suddenly allergic (过敏) to grasses and trees. "Pet Besties" (page 58) makes me think about my cats, brothers Reggie and Smokey, who are sitting together at the window as I write. I relate to lots of our stories this month, and I hope you do too. Enjoy!
Jody L. Rohlena,
Deputy Editor
