Journal Day

Yesterday, in conversation with a close friend about the nature of holidays and our relationships to them, we decided to create one of our own.

Journal Day.

lt will fall on December 9th each year. The idea is to celebrate the practice of journaling.

There are many ways to celebrate or traditions one could keep to mark the day. For instance, this might be the day to take out previous journals and reflect on where you were then versus where you are today. Another tradition may be to let someone you trust read one you have kept and get to know the “real” you. Perhaps gift one to another person in your life who practices or you feel could benefit from doing so. Or, maybe, be so bold as to spend a year keeping a journal for someone else in your life whom you love and spend your days with — write down their day as you saw it or the things you were thinking about them at that time. How wonderful a gift would it be to allow someone close to "see" themselves and their year through your eyes?

I think you get the general idea. I would love to see others expand upon it. Let’s make a deal: On or before next December 9th shoot me a note and let me know how you are celebrating Journal Day. I’d love the opportunity to consider making your Journal Day tradition one of mine.

Items Of Interest #11

Further accounting of my travels through the vast ether. Reporting things of wonder you must see with your own eyes to truly be believed… Or something like that…

My friend Mike Rohde is celebrating the one year anniversary of the publication of his excellent Sketchnote Handbook with a giveaway of a whole bunch of stuff (including my book, enough).

Speaking of books, if you are a lover of libraries, bookshelves, and other things of a bookish nature, this borders on pornography.

Of course, you will need some light to read all of those books with. Why not use a portable, stylish, take-anywhere lamp that unfolds like a book.

While not a full book, an unreleased collection of J.D. Salinger short stories, including An Ocean Full Of Bowling Balls, which is obliquely related to The Catcher In The Rye, was recently leaked. As a huge Salinger fan, and one who is respectful of the late author’s wishes for privacy and secrecy, I will neither confirm nor deny that I immediately downloaded it from one of the many outlets it is now easily found. But I will tell you that Ocean is a very satisfying nugget of Caufield wonder.

Kindling Quarterly is a literary journal that explores fatherhood. I have recently discovered a love for such journals. I have read severaI. This one is very high on my Christmas wish list.

Finally, a reminder: You have now. It’s all you’ll ever have.

Things I Love: Patagonia

I have long admired Patagonia as a company. The film above perfectly encapsulates many of the reasons why. Even though I only own a few of their products, I appreciate their commitment to quality, long lasting products, and their understanding of their impact on the environment. In fact, they heavily promote the idea, through the Common Threads Partnership, that their products are best purchased used in good condition — since they are made to last a long time.

vest

I was able to acquire a vintage (1980’s era?) Patagonia down vest in very good condition at a clothing exchange that was part of an re-use fair we attended earlier this year. It has become my go-to outer layer this chilly fall season. I’ve become quite enamored with it and wear it almost daily. It’s well made, rather warm, and looks good tossed over a mid-weight fleece. Putting it on knowing it got years of good use by someone else before me and that I’m part of its working life makes it all the more special to me. I’m sure it will serve me well for many years to come.

I also recently purchased some Patagonia Nomader Pants for travel and, while I have only worn them a couple of times, they appear to hold similar promise (though they appear to be currently unavailable).

All of this is to say that Patagonia, and the products they make, are well worth your consideration. But, if it suits you, check for used items first. Conveniently, they make it easy for you.