Travelers have been keeping diaries dating back to the 2nd century AD, when the Greek geographer Pausanias write Description of Greece based on his notes and observations from his travels.
Since then, travelers have been keeping travel diaries or journals of one sort or another, whether it be to publish some greater work or just to have a personal memoir of an adventure.  And while travel blogs have become quite popular as a way to share one’s journey, there’s still nothing like a paper journal where you can tuck in bits and pieces of memorabilia along with your thoughts.
While a …read more

While in the library this morning I picked up a large book about Maurits Cornelis Escher’s drawings. I’m sure you’ve seen the images before. A good example is the drawing above. I had a quick read of the biography at the beginning of the book and learnt Escher kept a visual diary. He believed the daily practice of drawing would improve his skills. I think he might’ve been on to something.
Do you draw daily? Try to just sketch a little if you have the desire to draw. I’m sure not all of us can hope to be as good …read more

I read this news story with interest today. Imagine finding 61 diaries, several by the same authors, written in and around 1889? I can just picture the staff from the Johnstown Area Heritage Association reading these journals and trying not to be too excited.
Most of the diaries chronicle an important moment of history for the area; the Johnstown Flood of 1889. Check out their website for a virtual tour of the flood museum. I’m certain this latest find, unearthed in a carriage house in Philadelphia, will make this particular section of the museum an even greater resource than it …read more

I stumbled on this news story about the live show and new book, Mortified: Real Words. Real People. Real Pathetic. I know you’re going to love the idea.
Read more at the website Mortified.com, but if you want to share those moments that made you cringe from your old diaries and journals, or just read about those who do, you’ll enjoy some time reading there. You might even find something interesting or cringe-worthy to write about in your journal today.

While reading movie reviews I came across this one; Man About Town. I was interested that part of the story involved the main character writing his thoughts in a journal. I know I’m going to start something here, but it made me think of all the movies with notebooks, journals and diaries as an important part of the plot.
Without putting my thinking cap on I’ve come up with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade; Finding Forester; The Notebook; The Princess Diaries; Harriet the Spy; Bridget Jones Diary; Mean Girls; The Motorcycle Diaries; and National Treasure.
Can you add to …read more

It’s another Freaky Friday. If you’d like to know more about these journal writing prompts, please read the First Freaky Friday entry.
Today I was thinking about pioneer diaries. I’m sure you’ve read at least one, possibly more, journals from people making a start in just about any country, new or old. If you haven’t, try these links and read a few for yourself.
Historical Pioneer Journals
Pioneer Journals
Emigrant Narratives & Biographies
The challenge today is to write as if you are a pioneer. Write a journal entry as if you are there making a new life with your partner, or …read more