Quote of the Day: Writing is an escape from a world that crowds me. I like being alone in a room. It’s almost always a form of meditation – an investigation of my own life. Neil Simon
I write to bring back what is gone, to relive what is lost, to make a mosaic of fragments. – Minfong Ho
Journal where you are.
Make your mark.
Archive your life.
Live, Record, Remember
Do you journal with paper and pen or pencil? Do you type your journals and keep a file on your computer? Is your blog your personal archive? Do you, like me, have scraps and bits of paper scattered throughout the house, car, and your purse, full of notes and ideas? Where is the most unique place that you’ve written something down? I once used a church bulletin (yes, during the sermon). My Uncle David appears to be journaling on the inside of his walls. I love it. I journeyed far and wide to see his home. It’s a process for me to get there, and with my family, it is an idea that keeps building.
It all started with my sister Nancy saying that she had Friday off of work so she thought she’d bring Mom up North to visit her brother. (He lives about seven miles from the Canadian border in North Dakota. I’m in central Minnesota.) Mom said, “I don’t suppose Mary can get away.” (It wasn’t easy, but I did. I was glad to be invited along and I hadn’t visited my uncle’s home before.) By Thursday, Nancy called to say that our oldest brother Nathan wanted to go, too. By the time we met up at 2nd brother Phil’s house, Mom and Dad got into the van. Nathan drives a modified van because he’s in a wheelchair, with a lift where the middle seats are. We were quite cozy in the back seat.
The process was worth it. It was a cool and sunny November day. Dry roads, good company, a thermos of coffee, donut holes, homemade granola (by me), and great family stories. Not to mention my Aunt Sharon’s delicious food and creative connection with church music.
If I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have known about the journaling on the walls, or seen my uncle’s great craftsmanship at the place, nor experienced the sun setting over the Pembina Gorge with a cool November sky.
And, the full moon kept me company all the way back.
Journaling Prompt: Where do you leave your mark on the world? What kind of journaling do you do?
Very lovely post with the perfect photo to illustrate. Love the quotes and your ideas about journaling as archiving our lives. It’s exactly what I use my blog for.
Thank You, Mary.
Though I don’t journal with my blog, I guess you could consider the photographs I use almost a visual journal, as the pictures I take are images I find in my everyday life, about town, on my daily journeys. So in a sense, the pictures say a lot about my life.
What an awesome trip you took! I have written on church bulletins as well, diner placemats and on receipts. I love the quote by Minfong Ho, since making mosaics is a similar process for me, bringing fragments together into a whole.
Glad you went on that trip. Must admit, I’ve never kept a journal.
I also liked the Ho quote..I never thought about it being a mosaic before. BUT yes that is what I do..there are parts of me all over..in note books on church bulletins on paper napkins..on paper towels..I also wrote a few things on our walls as we were building our home. When I packed away some things that were near and dear to me I went wild with post it notes and left little stories with the precious objects..someday they will be unpacked and perhaps even appreciated by one of my daughters or my grands.
Your Uncle is a wise man..he left some history! Sounds like a great trip with family! 🙂
What a meaningful and inspiring trip! I love that he journaled on the walls. I think the craziest things I’ve written on is a rock. That’s lame. Gonna have to find something cooler to write on now…
Thanks for your kind words on My Blog.
Great quotes:) I suppose we all like to escape in our writing, while simultaneously connect with others…kind of a human conundrum, but a groovy one:)
Interesting points! I suppose my blog is kind of a journal, but I never seem to have the peace of mind or the structure in my life to write a proper journal on a regular basis.
It sounds like you had a great trip. Here’s to saying ‘yes’! 🙂
I actually Journal with pen and paper. There’s just somethin’ about lettin’ my thoughts flow through the pen and spill onto the paper.
When I write for the blog I jot down ideas on paper, I’ve actually used my own skin too. Hey, whatever works baby!!!
I love the documentation on the wood work. Now, that’s cool.
I love the wonderful sky shot you captured. ‘Just beautiful sweetie.
God bless and enjoy this beautiful day! :o)
Mary, glad I finally had a reading moment and could mosey over here. You know you got me with the sky photo at the end. It’s stunning! I also loved the writing on the boards. Most unique place? Well, I’m like you. My notes are all over the place. Remember that Children’s Writer newsletter? Did you ever get that? I have written part of a chapter on one of those. It was in my Y bag and I kept thinking of new things to add after my workouts. 🙂 When an idea strikes, you have no choice but to put pen to paper, now! The stories we could tell about notes we have written. Another tandem post for someday, perhaps?