I’m not much for making
New Year’s resolutions, but my resolution for 2021 is to continue to write
regularly in my journal—something that I have done for many years. I suggest writing in a journal is something everyone
should do. Why? You are writing down
history, your life, and how you are living it for your children and
grandchildren. For those who might be
curious, here are some of the things I write about in my journal:
Each day I write the date, the temperature, and
few comments about the weather (it’s the old farmer in me), then I write about what
happened that day. It might be about family; I’m writing a lot about my
grandkids these days. It might be about a major purchase, a new car or tractor, or another piece of equipment. I record the model, make, and price. (What fun it
is to compare the cost of a new car in 2021 with one purchased in 1960!)
Besides recording
personal history, writing in a journal can help clarify thoughts, feelings, and
observations. When
I have a problem or I don’t understand something, I begin writing about it. What
has been murky often begins to become clear.
As for right now,
writing about how COVID-19 has affected you and your family is certainly worthy
of consideration. See my book, The
Old Timer Says: A Writing Journal. Here I share more about how to
journal. The book also has many blank
pages ready for writing, with the occasional “Old Timer Says” to get you
started.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: It’s never too late to begin
keeping a journal.
WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS:
To purchase The Old Timer Says: A Writing Journal, go
to your local bookstore, order online from
bookshop.org, or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild
Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org
If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby
and visit Dregne’s. Say hello to Jana and Dave, and look at their great
selection of my books, including my new ones, or order a book by calling them
at 1-877-634-4414. They will be happy to help you.
1 comment:
Good advice! We take so much for granted as we live our lives like "that's not important" (it is), or "I'll remember this" (you won't), etc. etc. etc. Sometimes I'll get a glimpse of a memory with missing pieces, or a part of someone's name. That's why some of my stories are full of holes. We can always make stuff up, but then our stories are limited to works of fiction. Thank you, Jerry!
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