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Daily Dailies

December 17, 2025

Along with the 60s knitting booklet, I also saved two small diaries from my mom’s stuff. They were her father’s, my maternal grandfather whom I never met because he died two years before I was born. I remember my mom telling me she missed him most when milestones like that happened.

Two small books propped up in a windowsill. One has a faded dark green cover with gold lettering reading 'A Line a Day'. The other has a faded brown cover with beige lettering saying 'Date Book for 1920'.

The earlier book is dated 1920 on the front and the pages inside, and I can only assume he wrote in it that year. He turned 18 that September, and the entries I skimmed as I flipped through refer to being in school (and lots and lots of time at church; they were Catholic). He seems to have written before bed each day, recounting what he did.

Small diary open to pages for Saturday April 3 and Sunday April 4, 1920. Entries written in red ink (or in that has faded to red).

Small diary open to pages for Monday July 12 and Tuesday July 13, 1920. Entries written in red ink (or in that has faded to red).

The later book has space for five years’ worth of very short entries for each day. He used this book starting in 1931, the year after my mom was born. The entries mentioning her birthday are marked with red dots for some reason.

Small diary open to pages for April 22 and 23, years 1932 through 1934). Entries written in black or blue ink.

Small diary open to pages for July 4 and 5, years 1932 through 1934). Entries written in black or blue ink.

I want to read both of these in full at some point, but that point is not now. So back into a box they went, waiting for me when I finally get back to them. Which I sincerely intend to, just as soon as we sell our condo, buy another place to live, move, and get settled there. That’s only four things.

*****
On this date in 2024: So Much Coloring
2023: Happy Color Hiccups
2022: Baubles
2021: Southward
2020: Some Snow
2019: Fall Road Trip Loop, Part 3: Onward to California
2018: Shoes I Did Not Buy
2017: Winter Risks and Rewards
2016: Second Verse, Same as the First
2015: Might As Well Fail Big
2014: I’d Rather Be Limited
2013: WDW Day 1: Arrival and the Studios
2012: Inside the Envelope
2011: Paying It Forward
2010: No entry
2009: Alien Dessert
2008: The Secret to My Success
2007: Done and Undone
2006: No entry
2005: Nothing Ice Can Stay
2004: ABC Spin Quilt
2003: I See You When You’re Driving
2002: Older Than Dirt