Inconsequential Journals

Focusing on the positive continues today. You all know how I love a list, so I thought we might have a bit of fun. You have surely seen the social media posts prompting you to give points for every experience you've had, place you've visited, or food you've tried. For the most part, they make us feel good about ourselves. I have, in fact, been to New York City. Point scored! See how many things you've done on the list below and make a journal page about it. Did you find a new goal?  Did you remember something from long ago? Write all about it with color and flare. ___ Pet a barnyard animal                     ___ Taken a subway  ___ Seen a movie in IMAX   ___ Purchased a t-shirt as a souvenir  ___ Eaten from a food truck or street cart  ___ Caught sight of a shooting star ___ Ridden a tilt-a whirl ___ Seen an axolotl in person ___ Created a recipe from scratch ___ Enjoyed a glass of Champagne ___ B...

 Hello Everyone. It's been a little while since my last post. I wrote several but the day, mood, or state of the world just never matched up. That needs to change. Much is out of my control, still it is important to focus on the positive in everyday life. Trouble will sadly come our way from time to time and its okay to take a break. But, that doesn't mean giving up. I am getting back to my journal and I'd like you to come along. Let's start with an easy one. Make a page today of the simple pleasures that bring you joy. Keep it very basic. You should have Julie Andrews singing about favorite things in your head while you work. Write out tiny things that make you happy in different fonts, draw what you can, give it a cheerful border. Then, go find a bit sun.  

     It's the week of Thanksgiving. Most are focusing on Thursday; preparing for guests, assembling ingredients for all their favorite dishes, cleaning the house. I am in the midsts of my annual holiday panic attack. I'd love to have a brain that will isolate this week's to do list. However, mine has started to list all the things that have to happen before the end of December. I am desperately overwhelmed. Is some of this trouble of my own making? Sure, but I am fairly certain this year that a lot of it isn't. Work demands, school schedules, and extanded family obligations stand out immediately.       In the past, I have advocated using your journal to day dream or organize to relieve holiday stress. Today, I am suggesting a revolution.  Change what you can and bring sanity back into your life. Those of you with children 2-12 cannot be saved. You have to do all the stuff. Get off of here immediately and have a cup of tea or maybe even some wine. ...

 Over the weekend, I took a hike on a new trail. It had a few different twists and turns but for the most part it was very similar to other places I'd been. The day was getting warm and time running short so I decided to head back to the car. Just as I approached my last marker, I  happened upon something sweet and unexpected, a little fairy house out in the middle of the woods. Someone had carried materials and tools a mile or more over rocky uneven ground to construct this lovely little bit of magic. The house was well maintained and a few inhabitants even dotted the area. It was a sweet find for me and I imagined that any passing children would be thrilled to discover this fanciful home. On the way back I began to think about other "secrets" I'd found over the years. There was the tiny toy man in the glass elevator shaft, the off menu spicy wings with a catchy name, a mailbox encased in a metal insect frame and many more. Often we forget to appreciate the small mom...

 I'll be honest, my memory isn't what it use to be. I feel like there must have been other years with too many disasters both natural and man-made. But 2025 has so far proven to be a year filled with woe. Many people are in desperate need of aid, and thus our money, while our personal budgets are becoming more tightly stretched. Still, our journal of the inconsequential can help. As you are all well aware, I love a list. Let's take a few moments to make one of the small bits and pieces around our home that might garner some funds to donate to those in need. Every little bit counts. Your couch cushion change will combine with others to form a significant monetary value. Don't give up because you only found a few cents. Put it in a jar at the register or a fireman's boot. Not only will it help someone going through a terrible time but it may make you feel a bit better too.  Here are a few ideas to get you started 1 - Return your bottles and cans 2- Check for change in...

  You may have looked at this title and instantly thought of family, friendships or important traditions in your life. This is not what this post is about. I am taking a much more light hearted look at my world today. I need it and you probably do too. This post is a salute to things you rarely replace. I'm not talking about refrigerators or dishwashers. I'm pointing toward the little things cluttering up drawers and closets that are necessary to life but you only use occassionly; the buy it once and you're done ever present bits and pieces. By now, some of you may be scoffing. You wish that the shopping list was shorter. But, I guarantee you have items in your house too that have sat around a while. I was reminded of something I read recently just this morning as I reached for a cotton ball. It was a random social media post about using Worcestershire sauce only once in a blue moon. Admittedly the chefs in our home go through it at a noticable rate but it made me think abo...