well. i figured out what the problem is.  if you go to my gallery you will note that none of my comments are there. 

originally, i had my comments appear above the image. so, now i thought i would i change that option to show my comments below the image and , low and behold, now those that i have made that change to are showing in the gallery...something seems to be messed up with the code...

i guess most folks originally chose to have their comments below their images.