Hey there. It’s John. I’m writing to thank you for being a subscriber to this daily newsletter. I mean it. None of this would be possible without your generous support. Some of you have been with me since the beginning, when I launched the Editorial Board in the summer of 2018. I can’t express my gratitude. It’s too deep. It defies too many words. 

I’m also writing to let you know that I’m taking short break. I’m traveling to Jamaica! It’s a week-long expense but a reasonable one. I think of it this way. I’m now 50 years old, but I have rarely traveled. Back when I was married, I would take my daughter to see her grandparents in Ohio. That was the extent of my annual vacations. I’m not married anymore, so I figure a cheap trip to Jamaica is due.

It’s also a chance to rethink a few things. As some of you know, paid subscriptions have been falling for months. In fact, since Elon Musk broke Twitter. It’s an election year. You’d think subscriptions would be humming. They’re not, though – and that’s OK. This isn’t a problem so much as an opportunity to rethink what I want to write about, how I want to write about it and how I structure my time for my writing.

I’m going to think about all that while I’m away. If you have suggestions, encouragement or advice, hit the reply button. Otherwise, posting will be light Friday through next Wednesday. (My regular column will appear tomorrow. Guest posts by friends of the Editorial Board, Eric Segall, Stephen Robinson and Rev. Daniel Schulz, will go up tomorrow and Thursday.) I might post odds and ends, if the mood strikes me, but my goal is to relax like I’ve never relaxed before. I want to come back refreshed and ready to take on new challenges.

As I said, your generosity is humbling. Thank you! If the spirit moves you, here’s the tip jar. I’ll use that to eat my way through Jamaica. You can’t throw a stone there without hitting the most amazing plate of curry goat you have ever eaten. I hear venomous lionfish are also on the menu. I’m not so sure about that, but I’ll let you know how it goes!

THANK YOU!!!

— John

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All tips go to eating my way through Jamaica!

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