Christmas is coming! As if you needed to be reminded, huh? But now starts the dilemma...what to give everyone. There's always the latest and greatest gadget or toy. What will it be this year? Technology has reigned in recent years as we've given new computers, tablets, cellphones, DVRs, all kinds of new gadgets and of course there are new kitchen gadgets to consider. There must be a better breadmaker by now or a bigger griddle or crockpot. But those are just things. Anyone can give things. You can give memories. You can collect all your favorite family recipes into a book or scrapbook. There are programs to help you do it on the computer; websites to put it together professionally and publish it for you or your family members. But don't discount the appreciation you might get from a simple typed copy of family recipes in a three-ring binder. You can decorate the cover, of course. Your local print or copy shop can compile a dozen, two dozen or more pages into a spiral bound book, insert family photos, or even make recipes coincide with a new calendar. My first family cookbook was nothing more than three copies, handwritten, of each of our favorite recipes and placed in a small binder for each chosen family member who had enjoyed the recipes over time. I'm not up to that again...especially that handwritten part. It's so much easier to type your recipes into the computer and print off multiple copies. Or if you really want to get creative, try one of the many photo sites that offer photobooks. You write the pages with their software or you can insert your copies and your pictures into their pages. Add some digital embellishments, just as you would with a cut and paste scrapbook...but so much easier when it's done for you. Then you have the option of buying multiple copies for each member of the family. If you're one of those scrappers, now is the time to start crafting your pages, whether it's for a special recipe and the pictures of your grandson helping put it together or simply chowing down on the latest serving. Your family will love re-living the activity, revisiting the special memories of your recipes or family get-togethers. But putting together a book of memories doesn't have to be a cookbook. Maybe it's all of grandpa's fishing stories or a collection of grandma's quilts or a collection of family reunion pictures over the years. Maybe you or someone in your family has compiled the family tree. Does everyone have a copy? is it up-to-date? We've all lamented that pictures aren't printed out so much anymore. We all have files and files stored away on a computer somewhere. Maybe this Christmas the family deserves a yearbook of all of the years events and get-togethers. And yes, if you can't figure out how to put together those memories that's where a personal historian or lifestory instructor can help. Maybe they don't even need that title, many freelancers are very comfortable interviewing and compiling the family data, with your help, of course. Let one of us help you. But, time is wasting....don't delay, we may work well under pressure, but we prefer not to, of course...Christmas is coming!

Why write? because I can!

I've been asked "why write a blog?' The standard answer should be "why not?" I've told people I don't write because I "have to write". I'm not that driven. But I write because I can. For some reason, I have been blessed with the ability to put words together and not be fearful that they don't sound just right. People worry too much about how they sound when they put words to paper or simply express themselves publicly. If you have something to say, don't you just say it? Isn't that what your writing should be? Yes that's a question for you...Your writing! That means you should write as much as anyone. Write what you want, when you want. If you fantasize being a great novelist, go for it. But if you just want to write a personal diary, do it. Don't just think about it. I know I'm hung up on recording history, sharing history and that means sharing life. We're doing it every day on Facebook now, why wouldn't you simply collect those posts to reflect on your day, your year or your life? I want my children and grandchildren to reflect on my life as to why I did or didn't do certain things. My values, my beliefs. No, I don't expect them to copy my lifestyle, but to borrow from what works for them. I've had some great experiences and some not so great, and I can't spend my every waking moment trying to relay those to the people I love and care for, but I can write down my thoughts and beliefs to share with anyone interested. That’s where my blog comes in. It’s an attempt to share my thoughts, my experiences and still try to motivate others to do the same thing, or even better, let me help them Write It Down! I recently noticed my friend and instructor Denis Ledoux is offering a sale on a Memoir starter package. You can find out more https://www.facebook.com/MemoirNetwork It’s a place to start, so you can write what you feel needs to be written to leave a legacy for your family, friends or who ever.