The regular “little of this, little of that” feature from Like Mother, Like Daughter!
I'm not going to even mention that it snowed yesterday.
The never-ending quest to get organized: a 5-year journal, a grandchild journal (because I am really not going to remember all the birthdays and baptism days and gifts), and a daily post-it-note to-do list. All experiments. And a basket of projects and reading.
I was peeking into Rosie's copy of Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography and my eye was caught by Rose Wilder's 5-year journal. I'm not a journal keeper — can't commit. Hence the unwieldy “system” pictured above.
But this! This I think I could do — just enter a fact or two about the day, as outlined in this blog post, and if you miss, there's always next year. I pondered for a bit and bought this Levenger one (mine was a repackaged one, so not this pricey, but there isn't that option as of now).
I could imagine something differently designed — more along the lines of the ones people make for themselves, with a spiral lay-flat binding, but I am not seeing it offered.
What do you think of the 5-year journal idea, vs. the open-ended put-all-your-hopes-dreams-and-deepest-thoughts kind? I always worry that what I actually did will be lost to the mists, in this digital age of ours. And yes, I also have Evernote, the notes on my phone's “old-school” note app, and the emails I send myself.
Other links this week:
- I have the Odyssey on my mind, and I happened to come across two interesting articles about that great work. This one is excerpts from the introduction and afterward of a new translation; this one is a speech on liberal education by Eva Brann.
- Why are at least two Catholic dioceses requiring vaccinations –– even ones that the Church urges us to resist as morally unethical?
- What would Chesterton say? Dale Ahlquist: He would say: It's not gay and it's not marriage.
- Have a wedding to plan? Thinking about getting married? Don't miss Deirdre's series with all the details for a fabulous and meaningful wedding.
- And if you really want to dust off an old document, come along with Auntie Leila on a journey through Casti Connubii, which explains what marriage is.
~We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).~
M. says
Snow? What a mean, mean trick! It’s cold here, but no snow. My Southern sensibilities are shocked enough with our 1 degree above freezing. In reference to the 5 year journal, somewhere I read about keeping a journal on index cards. So last year I began just such a project, using 5 x 8″ cards–one line for each year. It is very interesting to read the previous year’s entry as I go along this year. I’m not a great journal keeper so this one line approach is a good fit for me.
Katie says
The topic of journals– very timely this morning! I just added yesterday’s entry to our “family notebook” before venturing online. It sounds as if my m.o., as it has developed over the past year, is very similar to the 5-year journal idea. I feel sure I got the encouragement to do so from you all somewhere on this blog– have a not-too-fancy place to write down funny quotes, anecdotes, etc. and don’t let it all slip by in text messages and iPhone photo captions.
I have always considered myself a writer of things, though never a “journal-er” of inner musings or a scrapbooker; but I hit my stride when my first daughter was born, and I received a sweet “baby’s first year” calendar. THAT I could manage, and found motivating– adding the little stickers, yes, but also a sentence or two about daily happenings squeezed into the little box. Just a tiny note! By the baby’s first birthday I’d solidified the habit each night, so I bought a bunch of 8″x6″ spiral notebooks at Target on sale and embarked on the family notebook. I try to write down things about all of us and the household, not just the toddler antics– what’s my husband’s latest batch of home brew? Who came to visit? When did the first spring bulbs come up? How long did a certain sickness last? Like the linked article says, I hope it will be a little time capsule for our family in years to come– as well as a practical help to me as a central reference. Of course there are (sets of) days when I lag, or get too sleepy, but on the whole it’s been very pleasant and achievable. Another little element of ritual as I think about the significance of the closing day.
Erin says
I love my baby calendar. It is so much less daunting than the baby book. I have it sitting out with a pen and it makes it so easy to jot down little milestones. I can’t wait for someone I know to have a baby so I can gift them with one!
Leila says
Katie, I’ve long had a “phone log” notebook that I am sure I’ve posted about here. Easy to jot down numbers, doctor’s instructions, prices, etc — and funny things that are being said right then at the table!
So yes, this journal feels like that — a log. Much more my style!
I like your “close of day ritual” way of thinking of it.
Rubber Chicken Girl says
I came to know about unethical vaccines late in the game. 🙁 I was so angry that I was not informed, but as I spoke with GP’s and Peds, they claim to be just as unaware. There are NO doctors, Catholic or Protestant, in my area offering ethical vaccines. 🙁 I may have to travel and spend the big bucks if my 13 yo needs any more shots.
Will read the article! Just had to chime in first.
RCG
Rebecca says
The journal vs. diary is a topic near and dear to my heart. I own 5 yr. diaries from my grandmother, my husband’s grandmother and a shirt-tail relative of my father’s. I love them so much. They were all farm women with the most educated of them a high school grad. Entries are like: “Mama came and helped with the wash. The men are filling silo. Got the ironing done in the afternoon. Billy has the croup.” What is so amazing to me is (A) how absorbing entry after entry like this is and (B) what a picture I get not only of their practical lives but, honestly, their inner lives, too.
I’m not near as faithful as they were, but I kept up quite a writing streak when my kids were in the early elementary years. I modeled my writing after the foremothers and it is so interesting to go back and read what a day-in-the-life was like not even a decade ago. I can only imagine how I will enjoy them when I’m a grandmother.
Leila says
Rebecca, thanks for this comment — it opens up a world to me, that’s for sure. You will surely get the flavor of life as it was from the little details! Thank you!
Colette says
I came across a 5 year journal at Target at the beginning of the year. How did I never hear of such a thing before? I love it! I haven’t missed a day so far. I have journaled off and on over the years, mostly off. I will start one and pretty soon it has been weeks or months since I have even opened it and so it I feel duty bound to write what has happened up until that point and such it becomes an overwhelming chore that naturally gets dropped.
Lisa G. says
I had NO IDEA that vaccines were made from aborted children – Lord have mercy! Though it doesn’t apply to me – what a responsible parent has to keep on top of!
I’ve been trying to write a very basic journal of sorts since the new year began. I’ve been slacking off lately. But something tells me it’s a good idea, so I’ll try to get back to it.
Yes, the snow. It better not snow in May! (and I know that’s bad English. don’t care.)
Dawn says
A wise woman I know keeps a special kind of journal. She has an index card for each day of the year. She writes one sentence about her day on the correct card. When that day rolls around the next year, she can see a little peek into her world a year ago. She then adds another sentence. It sounds like a system that could be accomplished.
blessings, Dawn
Barbara says
While I keep a prayer journal, which I write in irregularly — when I find something, a novena, or other prayer or scripture verse I really want to keep, I laughingly admit I don’t think I want to remember my other thoughts. And I truly don’t know what that says about me!
Leila says
Barbara, I sort of agree — the thoughts seem lame to me when I write them in a journal. But this type is EVENTS — just the facts ma’am!! 🙂
Erin says
Thank you so much for bringing this vaccine issue to my attention! Unfortunately, this is the first I’d heard of it and I think our children have gotten at least some of the problematic ones. (They play with Amish neighbors who are entirely unvaccinated, so we were worried about the measles outbreak.) The 15-month-old has his next visit on Monday and I will be printing out the Pontifical Academy for Life’s statement to discuss with the pediatrician. How horrifying!
Jamie says
More information on this vaccine issue. It is one of the statements often used by the anti-vax movement to push their agenda, but much more research and discernment is needed. Even the church recognizes the life-saving aspect of vaccines. My chemo kid and many others depend on the herd immunity provided by a vaccinated population. http://www.drwile.com/lnkpages/render.asp?vac_abortion
Leila says
Jamie, that article is not as definitive as it appears. It’s not true that the vaccine contains no tissue from the original cell line. It does. If not, why would for instance people who are allergic to chicken or eggs not be able to receive vaccines developed from those sources? The DNA is present.
When he says “Nothing could be further from the truth” — well, no. It’s not correct to say “there are aborted babies in the vaccine” but it’s not correct to say “nothing remains” or “what’s done is done” or “oh well.”
It’s also not true that the same number of babies will be killed regardless — not that even if it were true we should be okay with that! An industry springs up. Cell lines need to be replaced.
It’s important to read the original document through to the end. Many unintended consequences from the bishops’ backing off have already resulted. What I cannot accept is that we just get comfy with this way of producing vaccines for the sake of some greater good.
Jamie says
I don’t think the article says we are to get comfortable with it at all. What it does say is that the cells used originated from those cells 35 years ago. New ones are not being used and it also says that we should advocate for a better alternative but until one exists we should use the options we have. Both articles say that. Should we press for an alternative? Absolutely! Should we not vaccinate for now? Absolutely not! Unvaccinated children are a public health risk. Any one reading the news and seeing the recent outbreaks can see that. My 3yr old was diagnosed with cancer at 9mo and began chemo before she was old enough to have her measles vaccine. She was very much at risk. Both sides of the argument need to be weighed.
It is not my intent to start a debate and I won’t be returning, but this is a big issue.
Donna L. says
I am so sorry that you are having this health issue for your daughter–prayers to you!
With that said, I must admit that I “bristle” when people demand that I give my kids ALL the vaccines just so there will be “herd immunity”…I mean, we are not cattle!
More research needs to be done, and I am not the end-all-be-all, but a great amount of research shows that those whose systems have NOT had immunizations are stronger, and able to fight off some diseases…
I know this isn’t the place for a great debate…and perhaps I should have said nothing–but I simply must speak up for the other side…
Jamie says
The ones at risk are not the ones with strong immune systems. Babies, sick children, the elderly. We are not cattle, but these diseases once eradicated are returning because of the anti-vax movement. It is terrifying for those of us with really sick children. if the church said no, I would have more to discern, but it doesn’t.
Donna L. says
Hi Jamie,
Again, please know that I am praying for you and your whole family…
I’m not “anti-vax” – just selective…blessings to you as you do what you feel is right….and allow the same courtesy for us
Jamie says
I don’t think the article says we are to get comfortable with it at all. What it does say is that the cells used originated from those cells 35 years ago. New ones are not being used and it also says that we should advocate for a better alternative but until one exists we should use the options we have. Both articles say that. Should we press for an alternative? Absolutely! Should we not vaccinate for now? Absolutely not! Unvaccinated children are a public health risk. Any one reading the news and seeing the recent outbreaks can see that. My 3yr old was diagnosed with cancer at 9mo and began chemo before she was old enough to have her measles vaccine. She was very much at risk. Both sides of the argument need to be weighed.
Leila says
The point of Phil’s piece about vaccines — and why I posted it here — is that people are misrepresenting *whether* the church has an official teaching on the ethics of vaccines and *what* that teaching might be.
Here’s the deal — and after this I’m not posting more comments about this, because vaccine arguments in comboxes are futile — the Pontifical Academy for Life statement is the only statement you will find from “the church” on this question. I say “the church” in quotes because this statement does not have standing in the magisterium. It is a matter of reading it and taking it for what it is — the Pope asking a group of respected authorities to give him advice on a question.
I urge you to read it — it’s not long and it’s not hard to understand: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6539
It makes a clear statement of the moral significance of cell lines derived from aborted babys’ cells.
This statement is NOT reflected in the interpretation given by the National Catholic Bioethics Center, which in turn is distorted even further (as mentioned by Phil) by the articles one finds in the Catholic press, including the recent one in the National Catholic Register and the CNS article cited in the article linked in the comment above. In short, those articles reference an interpretation of the original Pontifical Academy which is *not* correct.
Don’t take my word for it. Read the statement yourself.
Now, as I said, the statement is not magisterial. It does not require obedience. Either you are convinced by it or you are not, in conscience. The only weight it carries is that it hasn’t been replaced by anything else — it remains as the only document that the Vatican has given us on this topic. If you say you don’t agree, that’s one thing. But if you read it and then say “the church says these vaccines must be required” — you have a reading comprehension issue and a magisterium comprehension issue.
My reason for posting Phil’s article is that I think it’s important to counter those who say “the Church says it’s okay to use these vaccines.” That is an incorrect statement.
Again, you don’t have to believe me. Just read the statement yourself — right to the end.
If someone — whether a person with “Dr.” in the title, or bishop, or ethicist — says “the Church says it’s pro-life to use these vaccines” they are saying something that is incorrect — it is not the proper interpretation of the document.
Since there are now dioceses that are requiring people to go against what the one document we have clearly says is their right to do, namely, refuse the vaccine, Phil thought it was worth bringing this to light — yet again.
Interestingly, all anyone has to do is make the ethical version of the vaccine available — it was in the past and could be again, and some are available in some countries. Simple, right? For some reason, however, this is not considered as an option. Why not? Why would that be? Could it be that bishops and Catholic faithful have stopped asking for it — which the document, again, CLEARLY says we must do?
Donna L. says
Thank you so much for posting this!
I’m sorry it feels as if posting vaccine information has proven futile in the past….it’s almost as if we cannot have a conversation about it at all, and that is tragic. I know I have learned a great deal from others about this subject, just as I did from the article you posted that your Phil wrote. Please tell him “thank you!”
Emily D. says
I’ve been journaling since I was 12 years old–so that’s, oh goodness, more than 20 years–but I don’t do it every day. There are huge tracks of time where there’s nothing. However, I couldn’t keep a “diary”, with specific amounts of space for each day, because quite often, there was a lot more I wanted to say! The only “offshoots” I have from my main journal are my travel journal, where I record Factual Stuff about my travels, and a general prayer journal, which has homily, retreat, etc. notes in it.
HOWEVER–I think a five year diary could work if you’re not as verbose as I am, and you just want a “just the facts ma’am” approach. I think a mom’s journal/grandma journal would be great here. I wonder if my grandma keeps one–with 25 grandkids, she must either have a prodigious memory or she writes it all down, because she remembers some stuff I did (and I’m the second oldest) pretty clearly!
Alea says
I started a prayer journal several years ago and it works really well for me. Originally it was to write down the gospel reading for the day and a short note about it, but I would always be distracted by other things flying around my head. So now, each day, I write the date and then ‘To Do’ & ‘Pray For’. I can get all the extra stuff out of my head, then be more prepared for the readings. It has been interesting to look back and see what was on my mind on the same day 2 years ago. And remember when someone had a baby or passed away and I prayed for them.
As for birthdays etc, I use my computer calendar with a reminder so it pops up at me.
Amy says
Thank you for your blog and this posting. I discovered several interesting essays on Jane Austen and her novels on this website: http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/index.html
BK says
My grandmother kept a 5 year diary as a young girl in the 1930’s. My children never knew her, but I’m so glad they can read about her life. She described farm life, catching polliwogs, illnesses, school, games, weather, going to the city, seeing movies, even a local kidnapping!
Diana says
Please take a look at Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute – http://www.soundchoice.org – in regards to the ethical vaccines issue. They seem to be on the right track.
Thank you Lawler ladies for your wonderful blog, I have learned so much!
Diana ( mom of 9) from Seattle