Captain's Log – And We Forge On, Through Windmills and Rivers

It's been a hell of a week at The Fallon Post. We almost didn't make it. But there are a lot of people who believe in what we're doing here, and we're really grateful for them. We may also finally be learning to sell ads, and that part has been really fun. 

To all of you who have been buying ads this past week and who have paid their invoices, we are super grateful for you. And if you love this paper, please go see those businesses and buy some stuff. 

There's probably a reason local, community news has gone away and we're just too stubborn to admit it, but man, we face the reality of that every week, blithely turn our back like we're Scarlett O'Hara or something. And always, there you are our supporters, wishing us on, buying subscriptions, sending us story tips, and volunteering in the office. And too, there's Leanna, "just push a little longer. We can go one more week." 

It really is a thing of beauty. 

I have a dear friend, C.J. Hadley. I call her affectionately "Mum" because she raised me in my writing life. She's the first person who ever paid me for words. And she's from England originally. She owns "Range Magazine" which she started and has been running since 1991. We've spent a lot of time together over the years, more recently commiserating over what passion publishing actually means. 

She cries a lot. I've always found it so endearing – a sign of how much she cares about what she's doing. I do not cry. But she'll be waxing on about the West and ranching and how much it matters, and her subscribers, and the joy of what she's doing and the pain of watching the impacts on ranches across the country. And then she'll get choked up, and the depth of the meaning of all this smacks you in the face. 

I've always thought it lovely, but not something I would do. There's no crying in newspapering. 

Until this week. I've cried a river. Are we doing the right thing? Are we going to make it? Why is that damn windmill in my way? C.J. said, "Little one… I cry often, which is probably why I'm still upright. I highly recommend that, plus animals surrounding us."

She's actually the only person on the planet who could call me "Little One" and she is a Great Dane lady too. And she's made this work for 33 years. 

So while we push a little longer, and we slowly learn how to do this and make it work, we're going to be right here…

…Keeping you Posted. 

Rach.