They say every picture is worth 1,000 words, but I'd say it's a lot more. Images of support for Bucky Phillips in various newspapers stayed with readers, etched in memory, as we've discussed in recent days.

The latest example of the effect of newspaper photographs is the package that accompanies the front-page story, "300,000,000 People: America's population nears milestone." Surrounding the headline and text are 100 thumbnail photographs of various people.

I saw the visual layout on a page designer's desk a couple days ago, but didn't give it much thought. I assumed they were just stock photos of people from all over the world, the kind of pictures you buy from a news service. Only this morning, over Cheerios and orange juice, did I look closely at the photos. First, I spotted my brother-in-law in the top row. Our neighbor is pictured six rows down, next to a woman I went to grade school with 39 years ago. In all, I spotted more than a dozen people I know. It turns out everyone featured here is a person from the region.

Judging from the calls I've taken today, many of you also saw friends and neighbors on the front page. It proves, I think, how interesting pictures are -- even seemingly innocuous photos like these. Faces are endlessly fascinating, too, which is what we get on this spread.

Even after all these years in the newspaper business, I'm amazed by what a big deal it is to get your picture in the newspaper. This proves it.

These are not meant to be pronouncements of great importance. Rather, just some gentle musings on a rainy day. Thanks for listening.

-- Kevin Cuneo