Did you have a diary? One with the cheesy lock and key? Yeah. That kind:
I would get one for my birthday or Christmas, write in it every day for a week or so, skip a few days, or a week, write a bit, and then leave it for months. My entries were written in careful script that slanted left and got bigger as I went along. This secret journal might say:
March 1 “Ooooh, I’m so mad at my little sister. She got in my stuff, after I told her not to, and messed everything up. She’s such a brat. Well, sometimes she’s sweet. But today she was a brat.”
March 2 “In school today, Kim said I was nice. Johnny said I was mean because I wouldn’t give him my pencil, but Kim said he (Johnny) was mean and he shouldn’t be mean to me cause I’m nice. I like Kim because he is always nice and funny.”
For some reason, my recent blog posts have reminded me of theoe literary treasures. Mundane to the max, serving mostly to mark the passage of days.
Today I’m feeling a bit better, enjoying my grandson’s birthday, making some progress in the work of building my business. Pondering Elizabeth Warren’s loss on Super Tuesday.
Warning – political talk ahead…
I might be more devastated by her loss – by the extent of her loss – than when Hilary lost in 2016. Although in both cases there has been this sense of dismay and deep disappointment at being forced to realize that my country is not really open to a woman as President.
I won’t talk about it on Facebook – not much – because that’s my public face, mostly. But I will tell you here that it feels to me like having been smacked in the face, and not in a good way. I’m so hurt and so angry I don’t even know what to do with it.
It reminds me of the deep outrage I felt a few years ago when I had a conversation with a man who was just very clear that men were meant to be leaders and women weren’t. Yes, that meant they would never work for a woman – or female, they said – never answer to a female manager. It was against God’s plan, they said. Females weren’t supposed to tell the men what to do.
And yes, they meant me. I shouldn’t be the supervisor.
I was overwhelmed with an incredulous feeling of disbelief at first. WHAT? But I’m really smart and well-prepared and very competent – and none of that mattered. I felt blind-sided, like running into a wall I didn’t know was there.
It feels like Liz was me. It feels deeply personal.
Warren wasn’t perfect, but she had so much to offer that neither of the other two contenders have. She would have made a real difference.
In 2016, so many people I knew were saying, “Oh, I hate Hilary, but if Elizabeth Warren were running…” Fuckers. It was a set up.
Ok, nothing to do about it now. But once again, women in this country were smacked in the face and told to sit down. I see that. I see where we are.
And I mourn.
Olivia 
This election is tough. And my journals are Alphabooks. I’m up to G
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This election is tough. And wow for “G!”
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They are shaped like real letters and blank inside
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Oh, that is too cool! I don’t handwrite much of anything anymore. I do have a paper and pen planner and use color-coding with gel pens, which has been fun…
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Colors are my favorite! I color code everything
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Oh, cool! This is really new for me – well, newish – and very fun
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Welcome to my obsession
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My Dad kept a diary when he was a teen, in the 1930s. My brother has them now.
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Oh that’s very cool! Have you read any?
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No. I have read the letters my mom wrote to Dad when he was overseas during the war. Incredibly hot.
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Never the lock and key kind, but I’ve always journaled. As a teen it saved a number of people in my life. lol Spiral bound notebooks have always been my favorite. Lots of room to write. I”ve processed life through writing for as long as I can remember. When I need to get clarity and be really honest, put pen to paper and I find the answer I’m looking for.
I was telling Daddy a story this afternoon about searching for an old fashioned lock & key diary for my ex- SIL when she was a little girl. 🙂
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Yeah, I bet a lot of bloggers are “process through writing” folks. cool! Did you find the diary for you ex-SIL when she was little?
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I sure did. lol I had to search high and low. They’re just not as common any more. The cashier asked me if it was for my daughter. lol She almost fell over when I told her it was for my SIL who was 9 at the time. I was in my mid 30’s.
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That’s wild! But I bet she loved it
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She did. Her older brothers weren’t too keen on the fact that it locked. i stood up for her and told them that every young girl needs the privacy to her thoughts and a safe place to put them. I should note that she was in Nigeria. Girls and women are treated VERY differently than here.
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Oh gosh, no doubt her life was very different! That was a good thing todo for her.
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Even though Warren had to drop out, I’m glad she ran. It shows what it looks like when someone really smart and really dedicated to the public good shows up. It didn’t result in President Warren (yet), but she isn’t done. And she is still an example to inspire the next generation.
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She is still and example to inspire us, and yes, thanks for saying that. I’m glad she ran too. 💜
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Hi Olivia,
Glad you are feeling a bit better and enjoyed your grandson’s birthday.
I don’t feel qualified to comment on American politics, except to I fear the ultimate outcome. We certainly watched with interest when Hillary and Barack were battling it out for the nomination as to what choice the country would make.
Hugs
Roz
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Thanks, Roz! Yeah, i hear what you’re saying, and that seems like a lifetime ago when it was Hilary and Barack both going for the nomination. Wow. SO much has changed since then… 💜
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