Inconsequential Journals

      Snacks are one of the joys of life. They are the highlight of a game day or movie night. They are a welcome home after school.  Conversations big and small are shared over these simple foods. Still, sometimes we must put on our spy hats and find a stealthy spot for a quick nibble. It is those stolen moments that we are highlighting in our journal today with an anything but seriousness.      Let's start with a few questions.  What snack are you hiding and from whom? Perhaps your expensive swiss chocolate mocha ice cream would be wasted on the unsophisticated palate of a toddler. Maybe you're hungry and want the whole cheese stick to yourself. It may be that you have put off going to the store and don't have enough carrots for both you and your already fed dog. We are not here to judge. Your pets and children will do it for us. That is, if they can find you.      W here do you go to escape the moochers? Pantry? Garage? Vehicle?...

           While I would love to announce that I have, in fact, won the lottery. This post is not about that fantastical meme. However, it is very much about signs. As many of you know, I have a garden for the first time this year. It is still unclear if my efforts will produce a successful yeild but there have been some encouraging signs. Several plants are flowering, we've already harvested some lettuce and the celery I am attempting to regrow is still alive. While I am very happy with these results, I have somewhat more intriguing proof of favorable growth. We are attracting wildlife. I have spied the usual suspects such as rabbit and groundhog. However, there are many more subtle pieces of evidence popping up around the yard. My strawberries have teeny tiny bite marks. Something gnawed through a guide wire and a bird of prey tromped across my car! I am going to record all these incidental surprises in my journal to celebrate catching someone's or someth...

           Today is Memorial Day, the end of a three day weekend with a big agenda. Not only is it a time to honor our fallen soldiers, but it is also the start of summer, the blockbuster movie season, graduation parties and first trips to the beach. Many feel conflicted wanting to wish everyone a "Happy Memorial Day!" but knowing that the sentiment isn't quite right.  I spoke with a few members of the silent generation recently. They remember the holiday celebrated very differently in their youth. Each of them recalled reflective trips to the cementary and simple picnics with a small group. Memorial Day wasn't a business opportunity. It was a day of rememberance. This is not say that we shouldn't enjoy our day off. These older individuals were  thinking back to years shortly following the end of World War II when the world was healing from a collective grief. But, we can pause briefly and acknowledge the sacrifice of those who served sometime in ...

           If you spend any time at all on-line, you have likely come across a "trail" in your state that highlights something for which your area is known. Often it is wine or cheese but it can be more distinctive like chocolate. My state has several. Yet, it is not all that exhaustive. Several popular food items can be found in a wonderful variety of places not currently listed together. This summer is a great opportunity to collect places for your own list. Set a mile limit and create a trail with a specific theme, it doesn't have to even be food. Try to visit as many as you can in the coming months. Record it all in your journal to look back on next year. 

 It's May the Fourth! A day to celebrate Star Wars and recognize one of the most well known catchphrases of all times. Movies, television shows and other forms of social media have changed how we communicate with one another.  Some have even become part of our everyday language like "my bad" which was around long before Clueless but made much more popular by the film.  What phrases do you find yourself repeating often? Is "D'oh" or "...we're not in Kansas anymore." on the tip of your tongue? Write down some of your favorite in your journal today. Be sure to highlight the origin and give it plenty of flare. 

     Today I am thinking back. More specifically, I am remembering a time when I was learning how to draw. Art class in school was helpful, of course. Yet the fun little features that make something cute or stand out, I aquired from family or friends. Do you remember who showed you how to make a cube? Bubble letters? A rose? I bet you still use these doodles in your journal even now. Perhaps you have a trick for how to easily turn a letter into a person or a series of circles into a dog. Today, we are celebrating those skills and (if you can remember) the people who trained us how to complete them. Dedicate a page to step by step instructions, a colorful collage or a sweet homage to the instructor.  

           The leaves are just about to start budding out in my area. It's that time in the year again when I start to have a bit of interest in the out of doors before the bugs, heat and humidity arrive. It's a hopeful few weeks. In years past, I have planted flowers and painted garden stones. This year I am attempting... a vegetable garden. At this point you may wonder why this is something unique. Perhaps, it is a long held yearly activity for you. I, on the other hand, am a known plant killer. I have brought the green and living into my home numerous times in the past. With the exception of one very hearty ivy plant, they have all die. Even the ivy didn't survive a move. Planting a garden for actual food is a big, scary adventure for me. A  few regular gardeners have told me that it just takes hard work. I dearly hope that they are right. Checking for signs of growth has become the new first step in my morning. I've read page after page of good an...

    It is impossible not to notice that ducks are having a moment right now.They are everywhere and I love it!  Some have hats. Some have ears. Some have full body costumes. You can find princesses, animals, or science fiction heros. They are in our cars, on our desks and even hiding on cruise ships. Do you have a collection?  What duck theme would you love to see? Pick something fun, ridiculous or even absolutely horrible and create a ducky journal page. May you have bunches of smiling orange beaks at the finish!

      Today I am trying very hard to think about positive things, little thoughts that bring a smile. When one is under stress, it is often advised to think of a happy place. Where is that? Your home naturally comes to mind but also usually somewhere special like a beach or blooming meadow with a sturdy wooden bench. Think of your happy place for moment. What images are floating through your head. Write about them, draw them out or even just list the colors on today's journal page. Now, take a small portion of that and find a little spot in your home to place it. Maybe you'll print out a picture or two for your wall. Maybe you'll find a new, more prominent home for a souvenir . Maybe you'll recreate a theme park treat. If you can, make that your mission for the day.  

      Maybe it's the spirit of spring. Maybe I am just in a creative mood. Lately, I find myself with ideas floating through my head. Some are worth exploring and others are rubbish. Still, if I don't get them jotted down somewhere they are gone. I am starting to amass lists and notes all over my house. Creating a better system is another thought I literally just wrote down. Anyway ... I thought it might be fun today to spend a few minutes on focused brainstorming. A journal page devoted to a "brain dump" is nothing new. But, I am putting a bit of a twist on this one. Your goal is to zero in on just your creative ideas. No other rules apply. Just record. What pops into your head? A Halloween costume for a ferret?  A tie dye gender reveal party? Postcard themed quilt? Devote a chunk of time to this page and see what your mind reveals. You may have just stumbled upon an amazing idea. 

       Spring cleaning has long been a tradition. Putting things back into a good condition refreshes more than just your environment after the doldrums of winter. Like me, you may be feeling the need to regain some order admist the chaos right now. I purpose moving gently and avoiding extra decisions. That junk drawer is nightmare. Keep it closed!  Let's pick a small but satisfying task that corresponds to our journal. It should take just a few minutes. Maybe you'll organize your supplies differently or shop for a new storage container. Maybe you'll group the pages differently or start a new monthly page. Maybe you'll ignore your journal all together and make another creative fix. Just get a tiny part of your world back in shape.  I sharpened my colored pencils and grouped them in colors. Absolutely useless, I know. Still, it felt good to see the quick result and know that something is neat and tidy. Take a picture or draw your results and put it in ...

  Some of you may not relate to the kind of joy I feel today but surely others of you will. I can see grass in the yard! Just that. We have had a snowpack for months this year. At times, it felt as though spring would never arrive. Thankfully, we are almost there. The sun sets later, the wind is less harsh and the grass is showing. I am relieved. This breath of fresh air has me wanting to explode into spring decor. I am ready for baskets and flowers and bunnies, all the stuff. Luckily, I have a number of pieces ready to go. What is the first thing you dig out of the closet every spring?  A wreath? A duvet cover? Pastel pillow? Make today's journal page an homage to your favorite springtime decor. Consider letting loose and going completely over the top. 

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...

 Today is Friday the 13th. As a kid, my friends and I would talk about this "cursed" day cautioning everyone to take extra care. The slightest amount of spilled milk was held up as valid proof that the day brings nothing but misery. As an adult, I no longer worry about those problematic points on the calendar. It's days like yesterday which ignite a worried inner monologue. You literally could not put down your phone without another major news event breaking. So this morning, I am chosing to put it away for a few minutes to focus on my journal. When things get overwhleming, it can be helpful to take some time to regroup. Put your thoughts and feelings to paper. Write, draw, scribble, list whatever you are feeling in the moment. Use colors to reflect your mood. Perhaps you are feeling gratitude that you awoke safe and comfortable in your bed. Perhaps you'd like to unload some bad energy or simply think about something else for a change. Draw a dumpster fire, a field of...

      I've been putting this one off for a while because I don't like the term. But those glowing twenty-year-olds knitting beside their camper in a gorgeous national park and the young "trad" wives have really helped make these activites seem more universal. Still, it's a little unfair since the ability to acquire and the need to have them can be so diverse. Take canning for instance. It's a good idea to know how to grow and preserve food. But, what if you live in a city? Some people learned many of these skills from family members instead of a kit they bought at a craft store so they can advance far more easily. Still, I think it's time to pat ourselves on the back again. You have knowledge and skills that you don't even consider because you do it for fun or just as part of your daily living. Do you know how to crochet? Make pie crust from scratch? Press Flowers? Celebrate your know-how and create a page with flourish. If you are of an older generat...