During the winter months, I cannot enjoy my favorite activity, porch sittin’, very well. I miss it terribly. I realize that some folks out there don’t actually consider porch sittin’ to be an activity, per se. But I also feel confident that many of you know what I mean. Porch sittin’ IS an activity to me.

Along the same lines, I think reading is an activity. At least, I am an active reader. I read with a pen in my hand -- sometimes two pens, a ball point and a highlighter. Nearly every book I have read is marked with post it notes and painted with scribbles, lines and squiggles. Books on the shelves are puffed out by folded corners and related notes and clippings stuffed between the pages.

Obviously, I don’t read much fiction. No, most of my reading activity is for research: theory, how-to, home, garden or self improvement. I read magazines and newspapers by the pound, and I have no qualms about tearing out a recipe, coupon, or web address I want to check out later.

Sociologists quickly refer to me as "a life-long learner," because of my reading habits. But I wonder, how can anyone NOT be a life-long learner? How often is it said, "You learn something new every day?" I don’t think I’m a life-long learner more than anyone else would be. I just like to read.

(Since you’re reading Two-Lane Livin’ right now, I think you’re a life-long learner too.)

At any moment in time, I’ll have at least two books, three magazines and a newspaper or two all in process at once. There’s a book by the bed, a book and magazines in the bathroom, magazines on the end table, and papers at the lunch counter. What I’m reading directly depends on where I am when I have the time.

That’s why I read with a pen in my hand. That’s why corners are folded over, pages and high points are marked, bindings are broken from having the book closed often with the pen inside. My ‘book abuse’ helps me remember not only where I was in the publication, but also helps me remember what I read the last time I was there. It’s a trick I learned in college that made it easier for me to do quick reviews of my reading assignments.

I once heard a church pastor say she would rather see a worn down Bible than a new one. She knew the worn out one had been well used. Well, that’s how I feel about all my reading material, and that’s how I feel about Two-Lane Livin’.

On occasion, during delivery of the new issues, we will encounter a used, old issue left behind. For the reasons mentioned, I get a kick from see a completed (or not completed) crossword, sudoku, or kid’s page. It’s absolute proof for me that someone passed time with that issue, that some one made use of it, and enjoyed it.

(I especially get a boost when the puzzle is completed in two different handwritings. That means more than one person enjoyed that single issue.)

Many of our readers keep their copy of each issue, while others pass them on to family and friends. I sometimes wonder how many have pen marks and partially finished puzzles. How many are missing corners that featured coupons or have quick notes or phone numbers scratched in the margins?

Early on, we were taught not to write in our books. Text books were used by schools year after the next, and library books were on loan. But I find it rather liberating to "break" those rules. I find it makes me a better reader - and rememberer.

If you aren’t marking, cutting or writing in your Two-Lane Livin’, you aren’t getting the most out of it. And these days, it’s important to get the most you can out of everything you have.

Make a point to read this issue with a pen in your hand. Circle or underline points you want to remember or find easily later on. Attempt any one of our puzzles or activities -- studies have shown the mental exercise will help keep your mind young.

If you find the hidden graphic, circle it -- whether you plan to enter the contest or not. Reading Two-Lane Livin’, like porch sittin’ can become an intentional activity.

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One reason I would like you to get used to marking and tearing your copies of Two-Lane Livin’ is because we’ve formed our own little stimulus package to benefit local businesses and our readers.

No, we’re not giving away money, but we are offering $5 off any new ad that is or includes a coupon. So businesses save $5 when they offer the coupon, and readers save by using the coupon itself. We think our stimulus package benefits everybody.

This month’s issue includes a coupon for Bear Heaven in Flatwoods, a great little gift shop on the left, inside the gas station at the entrance to the Flatwoods Outlet Mall. You can find the coupon on page 9.

You can also use your scissors to clip out the Easy Pleasy recipes (run in this and past issues) which will be good to have on hand when you need to cook something from almost nothing.

Or, cut out the hidden graphic when you find it. Of course, if you cut out the hidden graphic, it would then only make sense to cut out the Hidden Graphic Contest Entry Form, found on page 3.

We’ve also included an entry form for our Cover Contest in this issue. Do you have a photo or painting or drawing that you think reflects life in rural West Virginia? All you have to do is complete the form, and send a copy of your photo or art to the address on the form.

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Even if you have no pen and no scissors, you make our magazine than just "reading material." You don’t need your scissors to take advantage of our calendar. Set on what’s called the publication’s "middle spread," our calendar easily pulls out of the magazine for you to put on display. If you’ve ever really looked at our calendar, you’ve seen that our region is active with events that are right in our back yards, and often are free.

If you have Internet service, you can visit us online at www.twolanelivin.com, where you’ll find links to columnist’s blogs, all of Mom’s recipes we’ve ever printed, columnist’s emails, free games and more.

If you’re on facebook.com, don’t miss out on Two-Lane Livin’s facebook group and our facebook page. By joining the group, you will be able to get behind the scenes at Two-Lane Livin’, with highlights from all our ventures. Become a fan of our page, and you will become an integral part of our promotion on facebook and on the world wide web.

And when you’re finished with your copy -- if you don’t file them on your shelves -- don’t just throw it away. There are many uses for newspaper. I keep a thick layer of newspapers on the floor inside the front door to absorb melting ice and snow from our boots. A friend of mine wads up newspaper and puts it in her freezer when it’s low to keep the appliance functioning efficiently. Others save it and use it for mulch in their gardens.

There’s so much Two-Lane Livin’ can do for you even after you read it. And these days, it’s important to make the most of what you’ve got.