Journal Keeper

This personal memoir “reminds us that there is no such thing as an ordinary moment, and certainly no such thing as an ordinary life.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love The Journal Keeper is an openhearted, unflinchingly honest memoir of six years in Phyllis Theroux’s life as she ages into her sixties. Reflecting deeply on both her practice as a writer and her personal experiences, she culls from the journals she carefully keeps to create a compelling narrative describing the void left by the passing of her remarkable mother—as well as the joyful surprise of a new love. A natural storyteller, she touches on subjects that occupy us all: loss, loneliness, growing old, financial worries, spiritual growth, and caring for an aging parent. “[Theroux] excels at closely observed and elegantly expressed portraits of domestic life . . . a lovely writer . . . The best thing about The Journal Keeper is the way it leaves us hopeful—and expectant—about what will happen next.” —TheChristian Science Monitor “Theroux seems to possess a certain calmness and wisdom . . . [The Journal Keeper] is full of small, lyrical insights.” —The Washington Post

** By the authors of the acclaimed Introduction to Rubrics** Major growth of interest in keeping journals or diaries for personal reflection and growth; and as a teaching tool** Will appeal to college faculty, administrators and teachers One of the most powerful ways to learn, reflect and make sense of our lives is through journal keeping. This book presents the potential uses and benefits of journals for personal and professional development--particularly for those in academic life; and demonstrates journals' potential to foster college students' learning, fluency and voice, and creative thinking.In professional life, a journal helps to organize, prioritize and address the many expectations of a faculty member's or administrator's roles. Journals are effective for developing time management skills, building problem-solving skills, fostering insight, and decreasing stress.Both writing and rereading journal entries allow the journal keeper to document thinking; to track changes and review observations; and to examine assumptions and so gain fresh perspectives and insights over past events. The authors present the background to help readers make an informed decision about the value of journals and to determine whether journals will fit appropriately with their teaching objectives or help manage their personal and professional lives. They offer insights and advice on selecting the format or formats and techniques most appropriate for the reader's purposes.

A stunning blend of romance, horror and magic. All the beauty is yours now, Mab, all the beauty of the world. Take it. For Mab, blood magic is as natural as breathing. Wild and confident, she uses magic to understand her whole world. Will tries to dismiss all he sees and feels around Mab, but cannot prevent the strangeness and beauty of her craft from drawing him closer. When one of Mab's spells taps into a powerful curse, a terrifying foe is unleashed. Hiding in the shadows of the forest, it seeks to manipulate Will and gain Mab's power - threatening to destroy everything they love.

What makes this book unusual is that it explores journal keeping as an ongoing, growing dialogue with God. "No matter what reasons you might have for wanting to start a journal", writes Smith", consider this one reason: God wants to keep a journal with you".

A writer's memoir covering six years of a distressing time in her life looks at love, loneliness, growing old, financial worries, spiritual growth and watching her remarkable mother prepare for death. By the author of The Book of Eulogies.