Wow, indeed a spectacular story - what an adventure! Devastating postscript.
I wish I'd a) journalled from the year dot and b) kept the journals/diaries/notebooks I DID use but then lost/abandoned/disposed of. My notebooking archive - not that it has earned the label - dates back only to 2018. Your journalling history is incredible.
Goodness, I cannot believe that someone can be this consistent with journaling. What a treasure trove, I'm so impressed! Your publisher must see stars and dollars, Peter!!!! Loved this post. The end was so very sad, however, to imagine that JC's life may have ended during the carnage. A while ago I read a book on the Rwandan genocide that was such a difficult read. https://kalpanamohan.substack.com/p/no-country-for-other-men
Thx Kalpana! I began my journal on October 12, 1978, with zero idea that it would accompany me through life the way it has. I just wrote one day, then another, and the next thing you know it was six million words. Experience accumulates! And yes, I’m so glad to have that companion with such an acute memory of all that has happened. Including pissing into a volcano. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere, I’m sure.
I’m loving your letters and fine art. But I've got you beat in journal longevity. Mine has been going since 1963 since my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Lord, said it would magically turn me into a writer. No pictures though. Or volcanoes. Or anything remotely interesting. Still. 1963, pal.
Wow, indeed a spectacular story - what an adventure! Devastating postscript.
I wish I'd a) journalled from the year dot and b) kept the journals/diaries/notebooks I DID use but then lost/abandoned/disposed of. My notebooking archive - not that it has earned the label - dates back only to 2018. Your journalling history is incredible.
At this point, writing in my journal is like breathing for me. When breath stops, I’ll stop with journals, too.
🙌
Goodness, I cannot believe that someone can be this consistent with journaling. What a treasure trove, I'm so impressed! Your publisher must see stars and dollars, Peter!!!! Loved this post. The end was so very sad, however, to imagine that JC's life may have ended during the carnage. A while ago I read a book on the Rwandan genocide that was such a difficult read. https://kalpanamohan.substack.com/p/no-country-for-other-men
Thx Kalpana! I began my journal on October 12, 1978, with zero idea that it would accompany me through life the way it has. I just wrote one day, then another, and the next thing you know it was six million words. Experience accumulates! And yes, I’m so glad to have that companion with such an acute memory of all that has happened. Including pissing into a volcano. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere, I’m sure.
I’m loving your letters and fine art. But I've got you beat in journal longevity. Mine has been going since 1963 since my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Lord, said it would magically turn me into a writer. No pictures though. Or volcanoes. Or anything remotely interesting. Still. 1963, pal.
Wow wow WOW. It worked, Mrs. Lord! Teachers transform lives!
That postscript is shattering, Peter.
I remain haunted by it.
Another joyous and sad (at the end) adventure. So glad you kept a journal and can now illustrate it with abandon.