You know how I’ve been sorting through old stuff lately? Well, I recently found this journal my mom bought me several years ago.
Thinking I’d get to re-visit angst-ridden teenage poetry, I flipped open the first page.
Instead of a journal entry, guess what I found? A biography about Heather Smeding, our house’s former owner.
My mind was boggled. I suddenly had this feeling that the cosmos has big plans for me, that everyone is connected and that someday, I’d find my favourite socks.
Then I remembered : Simcoe County only has 446,000 people living in it. The chances of someone from Perkinsfield meeting someone from Elmvale (15 minutes away) are pretty good.
Damn. I guess those socks really are lost.
Even though the whole thing wasn’t destiny, it was a nice reminder that like-minded people find ways to connect.
When I met Heather, I liked her instantly. She had amazing art, talked straight, and had a subtle (but sharp) sense of humour. She was part of the reason this house appealed to me.
My favourite part of the journal is the last page, where Heather tucked a little list of journal entry prompts.
I thought I’d share some of my responses:
- Dear past me : Your poetry isn’t good
- If I could change one thing : I’d find my favourite socks
- Three good things : BBQ chips, snuggling and puppies
- Things I always did with my mom: read Winnie the Pooh
- Three things I would grab if my house was on fire : a photo album, the blanket my avò made me, and my purse
- If I knew I couldn’t fail, I would : be a painter
- Thing I’ve done that I didn’t think I could : sing for a crowd
I think I might use this journal to keep track of the many things I’m grateful for, starting with my mom, good food, friendly people, and happy coincidences.
I bought this journal on a spring open studio tour in Ila Kellermann’s studio. Her friend, Heather, was selling her artwork. She takes old books or old book covers and transforms them into journals. Of course I chose Winnie the Pooh for you. It is a small world!
Huh……the things you find when you google yourself trying to find an old website!! I hope you love the attic as much as I did.
Thanks Heather, I do! Glad you found me 🙂