Let the words dance across the pages

Day 9

Photo by Adrian Yee

No maids a milking yesterday.  

No ladies dancing today. 

I might give you ten dudes a leaping, but you'll have to be extra good.

Today, I'm giving you nine good reasons you should give your reader friends a journal.
But, they are readers, not writers, you say.  Why do they need a journal?
Didn't I just say I was going to give you nine good reasons?

When I was younger, I religiously kept journals.  They were immensely helpful because I had a hard time verbalizing what was going on in my head.  Writing it out helped put things in order for me.  I've had many kinds of journals over the years, bound with pretty pictures, spiral unlined sketch pads, and those that come with a lock and key for all the truly horrible things in my head.

I don't keep journals anymore.  Not the kind you write in everyday, anyway.  But I still have them all over the house, in my purse, in the car, at arms reach in case I NEED to write something.  The compulsion to journal has decreased as I've allowed myself to write more creatively.  That and blogging with all of you gives me a virtual journal space.  Aren't you all lucky you get to see the twisted interior of my mind?!

Still, I believe paper journals are important.  They give us a physical safe place to keep all the good and the ick that make up our thoughts.

Therefore, I give you skeptics nine reasons every reader (actually every person) should have a journal:

1.  You can copy interesting quotes into the journal as you read.

2.  Use it as a coaster so the nag in your life (whom you love despite the nagging) doesn't get on your case about putting your hot mug on the wooden table.  I mean, seriously, how many times do I have to say that before it will sink into your thick skull.  Sheeesh!

3.  Write a sentence or two at the end of each day about all the good things that happened.

4.  Write a sentence or two at the end of each day with all the crappy things that happened (and who's to blame for them because it certainly isn't you.  It is never you).

5.  Handy place to keep your "You're going on my sh*$ list" list.

6.  Place to doodle absentmindedly when on the receiving end of an extraordinarily tedious phone conversation.  Or do it during a face-to-face conversation if you've got the cojones to pull it off.

7.  Keep a list of all the adorable things your kids (or husband, or friends, or cat) say.  All the things that make you laugh and sometimes cry.  All the things you think you'll remember forever, but let's be honest.  You don't remember your own last name sometimes, so how are you supposed to remember that your kids coined the phrase, mow-lawner.

8.  Nice place to keep your bucket list.

9.  Go ahead.  Try writing a poem, short story, children's book, or (dare I say it? Oh, yes, I do) begin the next great american novel.  It's your journal.  Explore.

For those who still feel they need more direction, I'll point you to JenniBick Book Binding.  In addition to gorgeous blank journals, Jenni also offers a good selection of themed journals.  It's like paint-by-number only for writing.  A few examples:

For those tough to shop for teens and tweens.

Music Listography Journal:
Your Life in (Play)lists

Love Listography Journal:
Your Love Life in Lists

Just Between Us:
No Stress, No Rules Journal
 for Girls and their Moms

For Moms (or Dads, because I'm not sure why they can't be in charge of keeping the memories too).

Mom's One Line a Day: A Five Year Memory Book (also available in blue)

For the traveler or outdoor enthusiast try the family owned Nomad Adventure Journals.  They have journals specific for climbers, travelers, fishers and fly fishers, music/festival lovers, paddlers, campers/backpackers/hikers, and (my favorite) wine tasters.  They also have trail journals and blank journals.  The journals are small and spiral bound at the top, which is nice for the lefties like my hubby.  They also sell some with plastic covers to keep journals safe on those more wet and muddy adventures.  

Waterproof Pocket Version

Nomad Journals

Journal in Zipper-Closure Cover

To keep reading the 12 Days of Christmas use these links.
Day 1 — 12 Days of Christmas
Day 2 — Two Turtle Doves in the Bag
Day 3 — Ooh La La Hens
Day 4 — Do Birds Get Cold Feet?
Day 5 — Finally, Jewelry
Day 6 — Geese Are Scary
Day 7 — Serene Memories of Books Past
Day 8 — Do Cows Make Wine?
Day 10 — Gifts from Scratch
Day 11 — Pipe Dreams and Deadlines
Day 12 — Drumroll Please…