Dear frankie
HOWDY, WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?
Dearest frankie, I really loved “A Lost Cause” in issue 99 – particularly Eleanor Robertson’s contribution. I, too, know the thrill of finding my way. I’ve always struggled with directions – I’ve lived in Melbourne my whole life and know how to get from Footscray to Preston, Footscray to Fitzroy and Footscray to Werribee. So when I travelled by myself to Europe last year, I went with the knowledge that I would always have to have Google Maps handy. To my shock, one time when my phone died, I made it back to my tour group – first. It was strengthening, and from then on I tested myself sans maps and discovered I could find my way everywhere without them. From Jade
Dear frankie, I never read you sequentially. Particular stories, images and tiny snapshots catch my eye: I read them first and revel in them. Other pieces are discarded for days, weeks, months... even years. But when I do eventually read them, I love them as well. You never fail to remind me that we’re one people with so many stories, and I’m forever grateful. Thank you, frankie. Love, Naomi
Hey frankie, Two years ago, me, my husband and our three kids moved from the Sunshine Coast to Outback Queensland. Sadly, we didn’t get to go home for Christmas last year. I had your new issue wrapped under the tree and found comfort in its pages. I especially loved “Everybody Needs Good Neighbours”. It reminded me to be compassionate to the many other people missing their traditional Christmas, and to be grateful for the friendships and sense of community we’ve found in the outback. Thanks, frankie, for being a wave of positivity in strange times, and a little piece of home that I can carry around with me. Eliza x
Dear frankie, This year I decided not to subscribe as I found the joy of walking to the newsagency and finding you there is even better. Particularly today – I just had a big fight with my partner and stormed out of the house. Feeling down and lonely, I saw you in the window, waiting patiently for me. I’m now reading you at my favourite Japanese restaurant and feeling way better. Thank you for being my friend and always making my day brighter. Kindly, Karly
Dear frankie, Growing up, my parents instilled a sense of hesitation around buying new (often plastic) Christmas decorations. We kept it simple with branches instead of trees and other homemade bits. As I grew up, that hesitation continued, but work and study kept me too busy to make my own decorations. Issue 99’s make-it-yourself pennant was a lovely surprise, and reminded me so much of simple decorations as a kid. I turned mine into a 2D Christmas wreath that hangs merrily on my front door! Love, Mayla
Hello frankie, The best part of a magazine is when a column speaks to your personal life experiences! This happened more times in issue 99 than all the previous frankies I’ve read, and Emily Naismith’s article “A Safe Space” takes the top prize. When I was little, I felt
self-conscious about the gaps between my top and bottom front teeth. All that changed, however, when I was 13 and went to the dentist for an annual check-up. Like Emily’s dentist, mine said, “She seems to have a large gap between her front teeth; braces MIGHT work. I can recommend an orthodontist if you’d like...” Ever since, I’ve loved and not hesitated to show my gappy, toothy grin. At my next dental appointment, I might follow Emily’s advice and show her the article! Amy xo
Dear frankie, Although I’m over in the States, I discovered your beautiful magazines about a year and a half ago. They’re absolutely stunning and I’ve never seen anything like them over here! I’m an environmental studies and sustainability student, but art has always been a huge passion of mine. Each issue of frankie is so inspiring, and after scouring each article, I cut out my favourite bits and make mixed-media collages. Sometimes I hold onto issues for months before I can bear cutting them up! Thank you for the joy you bring to my life. xoxo, Hannah
Dear frankie, I read with intrigue your “Losing Sleep” debate in issue 99, but came away distressed at some key omissions regarding top-sheet negativity. Top sheets are regular perpetrators of ‘false warmth’ security: that moment when you’re half asleep and feel cold, but don’t understand why because you’re under the covers. If it wasn’t for that deceptive top sheet, you’d realise the doona was around your knees and immediately correct the manchester mishap, but instead, you half-sleep for hours, distressed by the unclear source of your discomfort. Further, the whole debate hinges on how often you launder your doona cover. Just wash that as often as you would your top sheet and it’s no big deal. If your retort is that changing the doona cover is too hard, well, you’re doing it wrong. Much love, y’all, Matt
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WINS A PICNIC RUG FROM THE SOMEWHERE CO., RRP $99, AT THESOMEWHERECO.COM
Dear frankie, I just wanted to reach out and say thank you! Your magazine offers a great variety of imagery, art, and most importantly, people. I’m an art therapist running women’s trauma recovery groups and working with youths with a complex range of mental health presentations. My clients experience racism, transphobia, homophobia and body image issues, and it’s important I have safe magazines for collage that offer broad representations. Your magazine has some great diversity and a lush range of imagery for people to be inspired by. It’s so important the people I work with can see themselves in the images they make art with, and I know frankie will deliver every time. (It’s also the most cut-up and popular of all the magazines we use!).
Kind regards, Emma