A suggestion for you, jaywill:
When you want to reply to a message, go to the bottom right of that message and click on the "reply" button.
At present you seem to be looking at the top right. Just above the top right is a reply button for the preceding post. Several of your posts have shown up as a reply to the post that preceded the one addressed by the contents of your message.
If you get the reply right, then the person to whom you are replying may receive an email indicating a reply. Also, the text to which you are responding appears on your screen below your edit window.
Thanks.