Photo of Sage hiking the East Rim Trail in Zion National Park in January 2003.
I have lost a journal and a book. This is disconcerting for me. I can only think of one other book that I lost while reading and that was four years ago (I should confess that I’ve lost many books by lending them to friends, but those don’t count). The book I lost was William Phipp’s, Mark Twain’s Religion. I was about half way through the book, which I found very interesting as I had published a journal article on the topic and my work was quoted in the book. I’ve never found that book.
Back in November, I lost both a book and a black moleskin notebook that was almost filled. The book was Musical Chairs, a memoir by Jen Knox. I was almost finished with the book and was looking forward to reviewing it. Then I lost it. I had been writing in my lost journal since September 2009. The journal was probably 4/5 filled and included stories and notes from my trip to Costa Rica this fall, my trip out west this summer, several two night canoe trips, travels to North Carolina as well as notes from lectures that I attended. I also jotted down in the journal notes from books I’m reading and quotes I hear from people in town or on National Public Radio. Even names and addresses of people I met were written in those pages. Having kept a journal since college, and having an entire shelf of a book case for such writings, this is the first one I lost. I’m sure this loss has something to do with my lack of desire to write lately. I have gone to many places where I know I was at and have looked through lost-and-founds, but without success. Since my journal has my name, address and phone number, I’d hope someone would contact me, but that hasn’t happened.
In an attempt to get back to writing, I looked through many of my old journals and realize that I need to write up some more of my hikes and adventures. I have several more Appalachian Trail stories to add to the ones I’ve done over the years. These would be stories of hiking the southern part of the trail which I did in segments. There are also my journal entries from hiking on Isle Royale, in Zion Canyon and down the Grand Canyon as well as some off-the-pavement trips Ralph and I made to desolate mining camps out west. Maybe there will be such posts in the future…
Back in November, I lost both a book and a black moleskin notebook that was almost filled. The book was Musical Chairs, a memoir by Jen Knox. I was almost finished with the book and was looking forward to reviewing it. Then I lost it. I had been writing in my lost journal since September 2009. The journal was probably 4/5 filled and included stories and notes from my trip to Costa Rica this fall, my trip out west this summer, several two night canoe trips, travels to North Carolina as well as notes from lectures that I attended. I also jotted down in the journal notes from books I’m reading and quotes I hear from people in town or on National Public Radio. Even names and addresses of people I met were written in those pages. Having kept a journal since college, and having an entire shelf of a book case for such writings, this is the first one I lost. I’m sure this loss has something to do with my lack of desire to write lately. I have gone to many places where I know I was at and have looked through lost-and-founds, but without success. Since my journal has my name, address and phone number, I’d hope someone would contact me, but that hasn’t happened.
In an attempt to get back to writing, I looked through many of my old journals and realize that I need to write up some more of my hikes and adventures. I have several more Appalachian Trail stories to add to the ones I’ve done over the years. These would be stories of hiking the southern part of the trail which I did in segments. There are also my journal entries from hiking on Isle Royale, in Zion Canyon and down the Grand Canyon as well as some off-the-pavement trips Ralph and I made to desolate mining camps out west. Maybe there will be such posts in the future…
My worst fears come true! I too have only lost one book (not loaned to others which doesn't count) and that was back in '88 when I left it in the seat pocket of the seat in front of me on an airplane ride back from Phoenix to Des Moines. I have never lost a journal and dutifully put my notification information in the cover of each just in case but that is my biggest fear. My journals, as I'm sure yours are, are a part of my life almost equal to an arm or a leg. They would be the first thing I would grab if I needed to vacate my house within seconds.
ReplyDeleteI hope your journal turns up sooner rather than later.
I've lost two books while reading them. Both of them I left at the lunch room and then couldn't find them when I returned. I'm sure one was probably stolen since it was a relatively rare book. The other may have been picked up and given to some office and I just never found out which one. I remember them both perfectly. In battle for Peace by W.E.B. Du Bois, and The mind of a mnenomist by Luria
ReplyDeleteI imagine that losing a journal like that must be a bit disconcerting - like losing a part of yourself, in a way.
ReplyDeleteI took a course on how to use my Franklin Covey time management binder once and that guy said to write "Reward upon safe return" on the personal info sheet. He said otherwise people don't bother. I would though and I hope someone finds it and returns it to you.
Oh yes i feel for you, I remember you saying this in one of my posts...it is quite a loss and not one you could replace by going shopping, the journal anyway. You probably already did this, but it's worth a try. My hubby is really known for not recalling so it always works for us so far. Think back to the very last time you can recall having your journal, at a stop jotting down a note, when ever and where ever think deeply and it just might come back to you, and with luck it could still be there...! Seriously give it another try...you never know!
ReplyDeleteugh...losing a journal just might be a death blow to me...i keep so much in there...yeah more stories would be great!
ReplyDeleteSage: It is troubling to lose certain writings. I sent Johnny Carson a poem that I wrote about the great drummer, Buddy Rich, soon after he died. Carson was a close friend of Rich. He wrote me back to tellme that he read the poem and was very moved by it. I placed the letter carefully in a vinyl LP jacket to keep it flat. I never found it again. So, I relate to your feelings of the letters. I hope they resurface,and of course, I hope you will write more on this blog about your amazing life journeys!
ReplyDeleteYep. I can relate to that lost journal thing. A male parental unit of mine, long since passed away, destroyed 3 years worth of mine forty years ago.
ReplyDeleteIt's cool. I have ever since kept the most important things in my head and when I forget them, well, I guess they just aren't that important any more.
I think many people have this problem. True readers who really appreciate the value or content of a book, would return it to the rightful owner immediately after they finish reading, unless they take it for granted and dump it somewhere. Yours is a worst case scenario where you lost your journal. I can't imagine the time spent to put together the facts collected during the trip. I pray your journal reaches you soon.
ReplyDeleteEd, thanks. I also place information on where to return the journal at the front, but so far, no luck.
ReplyDeleteCharles, the thought of stealing someone's book is disheartening
Lynn, I have put "reward for return" in my current journey, good idea!
Karen, you'd be surprised at the places I've checked--I still have one more place that just came to mind yesterday--my daughter's orthodontist
Brian, I'll try to get to more stories--I need to clean out all my old stories before summer!
Michael, a neat letter and a great loss!
Walking Guy, my thinker ain't that good! LOL It is tragic to destroy another's words, and for a parent to do it is even worst.
Cyclopseven, thanks! I am now wondering if I should photo copy parts of my journal and email them to myself (like this summer) just in case I lose it
Losing a book wouldn't be the end of the world - you have a couple hundred dollars in gift cards to replace it - but losing a journal would suck. That's not replacable. :(
ReplyDeleteOh Sage when I was young I lost my parents first editions of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Emma Goldman's Living my life so I know how you feel, a bit. (And you can see how schizzy my family was) The only journal, not on computer, I was ever able to keep documented 1982 in vivid depth--it was a great year. I didn't lose it. My apartment had a sudden flood and it was a sodden mess.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I found that I was able to recreate most of 1982 from memory--but as the camera sees what the eye sometimes can't; the brain can hold memories better than a journal if you train it to--and I had to until the computer age as I was so disorganized. That said there's nothing like a journal for exact details and thoughts--the brain remembers the bigger picture
I hope you get your journal back! I would be heartbroken.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear about your Grand Canyon trips. Did you do a rim to rim? That's my new dream trip. Maybe I can get some of my backpacking friends to come with...it's not something I want to do alone.
Looking forward to the new stories!~--and that is really why I started Blogging. To transfer my handwritten journals of 15 plus years to Digital. I never meant for them to be read--and so far--I have succeeded!
ReplyDeletePray you get both Back!
John
Yeah, you should have hit 'SAVE' and backed up to an on-line server.
ReplyDeleteBut joking aside, I sorry for your loss, it must have been like an appendage after that length of time.
Hope you get back your journal. That is irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteI have lost quite a few books. And only one journal. But my journal fairly new and did not have much jottings of poetry (what else?). Now I write and e-save those in a site which is only for my viewing. That is my back up.
More hiking posts! We demand it!
ReplyDeleteAs for Zion, I need to get pack there and Orderville Gulch.
Cheers.
I once stored a briefcase packed with years of journals in a friend's garage. Lost both the friend (from cancer) and the journals. To be honest, I've missed the friend, but not the journals.
ReplyDeleteLosing a book that you're in the middle of is horrible, but at least you can buy a new one. Losing a journal is the worst. How do you get that back? I lost a travel journal I was keeping and it killed me. I hope you find both!
ReplyDeleteIm sure somebody is enjoying some great writing unless it's in Costa Rica and they're trying to translate it.
ReplyDeleteI too hope you get your journal back. Such things are often more precious than gold.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the "Geology of the Appalachian Trail in PA" book you sent me. It looks interesting.