Narratives and Stories

The art of telling stories has almost gone for most people under age 50. This is my opinion of course (that is why I write a Blog) and other than short videos of small events and some very short discourses on Facebook folks don't tell old stories. The internet has changed our culture. We most often see a few pictures and short dialogue about animals for example, but not much about "the" family history and experiences.

I have experienced rolling eyes, long faces and fidgeting from my grand children, when I begin to tell a story about our family history. I try to make the story more contemporary and somewhat current but to no avail.

I grew up in a family of story tellers. I found the family gatherings rich in details and how the barn burned down story

was really a big deal for me as a child. Oh, oh, I am revealing that I am a history buff, especially the family history. Much of my memories come to me in pictures in my mind. I want to start with a blank book and fill it with the sketches of my days growing up and write the details as well.

Art is a simple way of recording the events that you remember, just sketch very simple drawings of a memory. For me it is houses that turn my crank, I remember the buildings and houses and cabins from my home town.

Pictures and sketches can be elementary and plain with a little detail and some watercolour highlights. I bought a really great journal from Michaels craft store and it is 9" x 11" with a hard back. This book is absolutely blank and comes in many colours and it costs only $8.96. (I would love to fill a whole library shelf with all the colours).

Got some free advertising in for Michaels but no worries, they are one of the only stores to get such things.

To round this up, I want to emphasize, that these kinds of journals are about the stories and not about the art, stickers, fancy pens, photos, etc, these books are about you, your memories, your life and background, good and bad. I like to think that we can get back to the authentic, old fashion types of journal that becomes just a good old read. What do you think?