1 . When it comes to hobbies and career, all of us have our own stories. As a little girl, my favorite thing to do was read — same as today. So I figured I’d be a librarian when I grew up.     1     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.

Time passed quickly and I was in fourth grade. Our school librarian, Mrs. Ketelsen, sent some poems I’d written about dinosaurs to Highlights magazine.     2    

At the University, though majoring in journalism, I quickly learned that I did not want to be a newspaper reporter.     3     It 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.     4     I’ve worked at other magazines too, but I’ve spent most of my career here, reading magazines, newspapers, websites, and books for stories we could condense (简缩); writing articles; even choosing jokes.

    5     “The Tractor War” takes me home to the Midwest. “Something to Sneeze At” reminds me of all the sneezing I did when I moved to New York City and was suddenly allergic to grasses and trees... I relate to lots of our stories this month, and I hope you do too. Enjoy!