Ah! I remember it well… Or do I?...

I can remember several years ago, sitting at a desk talking to a clerk about my 201 file. To the astonishment of the person across the desk, I was able to give an account of my career, month by month. But as I've said before, that was then and now is now. I've noticed my attempts to recall my past, by going year-to-year, is now at times difficult. For some reason Kathy threw away all of her calendars. And I threw away all of my yearbooks. So all I'm left with is what is stuck in my head. Yeah, I know, and that's not very much.

Kathy has always told me that my memory is like Swiss cheese. I thought that it was rather humorous. It's not so funny now. I discovered that the human mind, when it doesn't have the correct connections, tends to make the connections it feels need to be made. A bit like re-knitting moth holes in a sweater. From a distance, it doesn't look too bad. But upon close examination, it's quite a mess.

But at times, I have is these little revelations. I have flashes. Pictures of places I have been and things I have done. In order to capture these I thought of carrying 3 x 5 cards, but they're not what I really need. I really need a green memorandum book. Like the one I carried when I was in the Army. One with a rubber band and a pencil. I've already created a master outline in the computer. Year by year, and month by month, from my birth to the present. Positioned like a sculptor's armature ready to accept clay. And so I'll try to fill out the form of my life with these bits and pieces. Like the bits and pieces of a sculptor's clay.

In addition to my little green book, I have discovered a remarkable aid to my journalizing. Something that allows me talk and have it displayed on the screen. Not being a great typist or keyboardist, this will allow me to make quick notes, add the contents of my little green book, and keep a day-to-day journal on the master outline. From time to time, some of these entries will appear on this page.

My apologies to those with an aversion to elderly people admitting getting older. But to others with more open minds, I hope this will serve as a warning and a tool. Suggestions on the why and how to keep a daily journal.