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 travel journal can be anything from a simple spiral notebook to a hand-sewn book of handmade paper, I’ve become a big Moleskine fan.

Moleskines are beautiful black oilcloth-bound books filled with heavy cream paper pages.  The inside back cover has an expandable pocket that’s perfect for holding tickets stubs, and you can add a fair amount of stuff, while keeping it all secure with an elastic band that holds it closed.  It’s a sheer delight to write in!  (NOTE:  Try writing in it with a fountain pen!)

There are several different notebooks offered, including journals of various sizes, with a variety of paper options (lined, unlined, squares).

A few years ago, Moleskine launched its City Notebooks line.  These notebooks center on one major city, and include a map of the city, individual neighborhood maps, street index, tabbed section for a variety of topics, and lots of places for you to make notes about your exploration.  It provides the structure for you to create your personal self-written city guidebook.

You’ll find a Moleskine for many of your favorite pastimes, including drawing, painting, organizing, and writing.  But the travel ones are my favorite!  And a very cool new website feature allows you to print out a list of contacts, maps, and any specialized information and personalize your Moleskine even more.

Pick one up before your next adventure – or better yet, buy a few extra as gifts for the traveler in your life.

Photo credit:  Amazon

Post from: Blisstree

Moleskine Journals for the Travel Writer in You

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 as Escher, but even he believed in daily practice. I’ve shared how I drew my hand when I was drawing regularly, so look out for my images tomorrow. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Image used with permission from Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

Escher on Daily Practice

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 already is. I know I’d love to see this display, with their latest find, if only I could.

Heather
Journaling Tools – Go deeper and reach higher with hundreds of journal writing resources.

Life Journal Software

Post from: Blisstree

Found Journals

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.

Post from: Blisstree

Cringe Factor

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 this list? Please use the comment section below to add your journal movies.

Post from: Blisstree

Journals in Movies

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 family. Try to leave out any references and knowledge of the day you now live in. Write down all the things you would love a future generation to know. Answer the questions you’ve had on reading pioneer journals. What will you include in your journal that you never read in previous journals?

If you come across some good websites with pioneer journals, diaries and letters for readers to view please let me know. I’d love to add to my list. I didn’t seem to come up with too many interesting results tonight.

Post from: Blisstree

Freaky Friday #15