It’s true. My book would be nothing without these.
But first, if you’re new here, welcome, and if not, welcome back!
Thank you very much for your comments on my last post about the book I’m publishing on how Mom and I managed to survive working together for over a decade at her popular Vancouver Asian antiques and collectibles store. I so appreciate your interest.
Curious about how I managed to remember all the details I include in the book? Well, Wendy, my sister, often remarks on my “brilliant memory.” Not a month goes by without her responding to a WhatsApp group chat query with, “I can’t remember but Kelly will.” Fair enough. I have quite the retention for minutiae.
My Book Would Be Nothing Without These
However, I joined the shop in 1983. That’s over 40 years ago. My book’s page count? 345 pages. Its chapter count? 64 chapters. My memory is good, but not that good. I’m the first to admit there’s NO way I could have produced such an effort without these pertinent gems. And what are these pertinent gems?
Francine’s Diaries
Our Francine journaled for as long as I can remember. A habit I often found annoying.
Case in point: It’s 2017 and 94-year-old Francine and I are dangerously close to forfeiting our Honolulu rental car. I’m growing concerned. Our day’s excursion revisiting treasured Oahu haunts will morph into a week’s slog should we have to do it by foot.
“Let’s go, Mom.”
“Hang on, Kel. I just need to record what we ate for breakfast. Did you end up having two sausages or three?”
Newsflash: I no longer find the habit annoying. Yes, everything changed when I started looking into material for this manuscript. Just a few pages into the 1983 diary, I realized they’re an absolute goldmine. Without them, my impending book would be a slim and tossable pamphlet.
What was my process involving the boss’s diaries?
Here’s a peek:
I wanted the manuscript to unfold in chronological order, so starting with the 1983 diary, I created a timeline using poster boards. This method enabled me to zero in on themes and potential chapters. Look carefully – you can see a poster board buried under the pencils and journals. My notes from the eleven diaries ended up filling both sides of two poster boards.
Francine was very careful with her diary entries, I must say. As mentioned in my last post, our mom is an academic. In addition to providing insight into the shop, she clearly thought her journals might prove useful for a thesis on the highlights of public television or perhaps a research book on the dietary habits of boomers. Gossipy, critical or potentially harmful notations are nonexistent. However, after working with her for a over decade, I can easily read between the lines.
For example, Francine’s observations during the soul-sucking first months of my employment were beyond diplomatic.
“While yet to make her first sale, Kelly is showing potential. The shop window has never been cleaner. She got sushi for our lunch. It was challenging, but I sold a cloisonné vase to Mrs. Tungsten and the satsuma plate to Ed.”
Translation?
“I do wish Kelly would stop fussing over the shop window and show at least a modicum of interest in the inventory. Her knowledge regarding sourcing California rolls is impressive but she’s hopeless when it comes to telling the difference between cloisonné and satsuma. Thank God for Mrs. Tungsten and Ed.”
See what I mean? Diplomatic. The woman would have had a great career in Foreign Affairs.
I’d forgotten all about Mrs. Tungsten and Ed. Just seeing those names got the memories bubbling up like the viscous strands in a lava lamp. I suddenly recalled how I felt during my disastrous sales pitch with Mrs. T and the hilarious sliver situation with Ed. Boom. Potential for two chapters right there.
So, thank you Francine. My book would be nothing without these.
~
And Francine? Is she still journaling away at 101? While not as much, the mood does sometimes overtake her …
Photo taken on January 23, 2024.
Curious about my adventures with Mrs. Tungsten and Ed? Care to learn more about the differences between cloisonné and satsuma? Well, let me tell you about this book that’s about to be published …
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23 Responses
I wonder if there will be a chapter on Travel Breakfasts? Gotta love all those Journals. Francine must be chuffed.
Ha – love the idea of a Travel Breakfast chapter … hmmmm. And yes, I think Francine is chuffed … over and over, even.
Kelly, love hearing all about your Mom, how well she is doing and all of the adventures you are writing about. Can’t wait for the book to be published and to read it! Congratulations on pushing through and completing it.
Aw, thanks Diana. Great to hear from you. I have to admit it’ll be great to be able to get the manuscript off my laptop and out into the world …
Francine and I would have been good friends, I’ve been journaling for more than 50 years. What a great treasure to have all those memories!
Oh, you would have been great friends. Good for you to be journaling for 50 years, Cindy. Wow. That’s impressive. Do you have all of the journals? If so, you could write quite the book!
I have a dear friend who faithfully journals every day. I’ve always been so in awe of that discipline. Kudos to Francine for her dedication to recording her life’s adventures (and her daughter’s restaurant orders ?). And huge congrats to you, my friend, for turning these stories and your experiences into what I know will be a 5 star read!!
That’s the perfect word for it: discipline. Francine was reaaaalllly disciplined. There were days, especially when we travelled for the store, where she’d produce the diary 5 or 6 times in a day. Oh! I just remembered how she wore a pen on a string around her neck. How could I forget that sartorial choice. She had a pale pink one and a pale blue one. I remember the sound the cap made when she pulled it off the pen. There was very little panic about procuring a writing utensil back in the day. She now has a cup that holds at least 12 pencils and 15 pens …
That must have been both wonderful and overwhelming plodding through all those journals ! I can only imagine the memories they stirred up, some cringeworthy it sounds like !
Can’t wait to read the book !!!
Oh, yes, many cringeworthy memories. Some heartbreaking ones, too. And also some joyous ones. Thanks for your continuous good wishes, Jane.
I CANNOT wait, Sis, to read your book! What a treasure those notebooks are!! So glad Francine is doing well and journaling when she feels like it! She is such an inspiration! Have a great Sunday!
Many thanks, Sis. Off to Bingo with her this morning after a Weight Watchers pop-in. Wish me luck – haven’t been back to WW for over a month … Have a good one!
‘Like the viscous strands in a lava lamp’……..can’t wait for the book.
I’m struck not only by Francine’s discipline but by her patience too.
Very few people care enough to patiently record the happenings of the day.
Remarkable, truly remarkable.
That goes for you too Kelly.
Thank you, yet again, for your support. Francine is remarkable. I popped in earlier this week and it just happened to be “hearing testing day.” Tester asked me, “What’s your Mom’s secret?” I knew right away. Her positivity. It’s amazing. And thank you – you’ve given me another idea for a post! Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Kelly!
When I stopped blogging consistently at The Most—of Every Moment I more or less dropped out of the Internet world and social media. My biggest regret is losing contact with my blogging friends, but I am happy to be back in touch. I’m even happier to see that your mom is still doing well and your book is nearing completion! I can’t wait to read it. All the best to you both. ?
Thank you, Susan. I was so delighted to earn you’re writing a novel and have made such great connections while doing so. I totally understand the regret of losing contact with blogging friends. It’s great to reconnect with you. Thank you for popping in and leaving a comment. I do appreciate it.
Can’t. Wait. For. The. Book!
You’re the best, Katy. I. Love.Your. Comment.
Thank you.
Oh, that is so kewl. xoxoxo A big help for you I’d assume.
Huge. I joined the shop in 1983 …
This is going to be one interesting book! Your Mom’s recording of all the details in her journals must have taken a lot of discipline. We have so much to learn from that generation, don’t we?
Aw, thank you, Corinne. How lovely to hear from you. Yes, Mom is very disciplined. You are right – we have so much to learn from that generation. I enjoy my Saturday bingo games with her and her fellow residents! Thank you for popping in and leaving a comment. I do appreciate it.