No you don't have to be a member to read my newsletters. Just go there and click link "Newsletter" and then "Latest Edition". It's free for all like the rest of my site (well i mean a photo does not cost anything for the VIPs)
Once you are in the Newsletter you can reach former editions from there so you can spend all afternoon reading
I really hope your fingers will be better soon. Did you see a doc about those hurt fingers? If not you should!