A few days ago two boys came to my door, selling magazine subscriptions for a school fundraiser. Normally I am happy to support these school and sports fundraisers, partly because I want to contribute to these worthy programs and partly because I’ve been on the other side of the door, trudging through the neighborhood escorting my daughters as they sold Girl Scout cookies, gift wrap and what not. Call it paying back some of the generosity that came our way back then. But I just couldn’t bring myself to order a single title the other day. I explained to the boys that I had stacks of magazines that I barely read and honestly couldn’t think of a single person I could gift a subscription to. You see, in the last few years I’ve signed up for several new magazines and am way past critical overload. I’ve added everything from Time to Smithsonian with every good intention of reading the interesting articles and essays they contain, cover to cover. Like me, I’m sure you’ve gotten lots of fantastic offers in the mail for greatly reduced rates. I think I’m particularly vulnerable to these enticements because I work in the publishing industry. Keenly aware of the impact the recession has had on ad sales and therefore editorial pages, I’ve seen magazines shrink both in dimensions and length, while others have ceased publication altogether. I guess I’ve been trying to do my part in keeping some great periodicals alive. Growing up with Life magazine, I hated to see it die (not once, but twice), so perhaps that influenced my subscription madness. Now I’m beginning to rein it in — at least to the point of not ordering any new titles. And I’ve made a promise to myself to spend a little more time actually reading the ones I’ve got before they go to the recycle bin. Thanks to all of you who subscribe to Global Traveler and other magazines; you’re supporting the dissemination of information and ideas in a unique, beautiful and entertaining format. — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor