Love that archaic phrase, flotsam and jetsam. I'm hoping that I feel free to include whatever arrives. The 19th century journals really are mostly about weather, gardening, baking and so on. So maybe it doesn't have to be deep content-wise.
Happy belated birthday, Susie . . . you’re now 5 days into numbering your days, and I totally love the idea (may copy it myself on my coming 96th birthday). I was particularly touched by you quoting from the Psalms and I think of May Sarton, “At Seventy” and "Journey of a Solitude” - and I am so envious of your introversion and the depth that it affords you. I’m so glad I get to read what you write. Thank you, my friend.
I'm thrilled and delighted by your response except the part about your coming 96th birthday! You're far too frisky for that advanced age. Do you have the May Sarton poems? I don't know them and would like to check them out. As far as Psalms, I love them dearly and once tried to get a rabbi to "teach me Psalms" but he wasn't really available. There's so much that I want to learn.
If the worst consequence of your defiance is bad handwriting, you are indeed fortunate! But seriously, it is often the small things we do daily that count (unintended pun). This was a lovely essay.
May you enjoy, and enjoy recording, each number, Susie, no matter the total. Scribble away with gusto, or minimism, whatever each day brings. Brilliant simplicity here & now.
I like to think of my journaling as a kind of Dear Diry, written to the Divine. I hear myself through my writing and I send blessings to you as you add this bit to your life, dear old friend!
It’s school supply season. The best journals IMO are ordinary school composition books, now available in a great array of styles. Stock up now!
My heartfelt best wishes for a happy birthday. Numbering our days…what a fabulous idea.
Thank you, Alice. I've been aware of the phrase from Psalms for years but had never stopped to think what it actually might mean.
O Susie! I simply love your turn of phrases. I look forward to reading you every week. Here’s to at least 3000 more days.🌞
That's just the encouragement I need, Cynthia. I'm hoping the daily numbering will flow along seamlessly with the weekly Substack.
I’m sure it will! Onward!
Good luck. Every time I ry to stick to the diary format, I tend to wander into pages of flotsam and jetsam.
Love that archaic phrase, flotsam and jetsam. I'm hoping that I feel free to include whatever arrives. The 19th century journals really are mostly about weather, gardening, baking and so on. So maybe it doesn't have to be deep content-wise.
Happy belated birthday, Susie . . . you’re now 5 days into numbering your days, and I totally love the idea (may copy it myself on my coming 96th birthday). I was particularly touched by you quoting from the Psalms and I think of May Sarton, “At Seventy” and "Journey of a Solitude” - and I am so envious of your introversion and the depth that it affords you. I’m so glad I get to read what you write. Thank you, my friend.
I'm thrilled and delighted by your response except the part about your coming 96th birthday! You're far too frisky for that advanced age. Do you have the May Sarton poems? I don't know them and would like to check them out. As far as Psalms, I love them dearly and once tried to get a rabbi to "teach me Psalms" but he wasn't really available. There's so much that I want to learn.
If the worst consequence of your defiance is bad handwriting, you are indeed fortunate! But seriously, it is often the small things we do daily that count (unintended pun). This was a lovely essay.
Thank you, Marsha. And yes, it is true. We already have many "practices" that we are for the most part unaware of.
May you enjoy, and enjoy recording, each number, Susie, no matter the total. Scribble away with gusto, or minimism, whatever each day brings. Brilliant simplicity here & now.
It was.
Wonderful! Happy Birthday
Thank you so much, Sebern. Hoping you are well.
I think those daly diaries are valuable. It’s what researchers used as sources for women’s history in 18th and 19th history.
Also enslaved narratives are so valuable.
I like to think of my journaling as a kind of Dear Diry, written to the Divine. I hear myself through my writing and I send blessings to you as you add this bit to your life, dear old friend!
Thank you, Jinks. I'm trying not to have Great Expectations. Really like the idea of counting.