Saturday, January 24, 2015

PRESERVING THE PAST




Just on a whim, I ordered another copy of my latest blog-book the other day, and since it was one of the smaller volumes over the years, I had them print the words-and-pictures in their actual spots, rather than pictures-down-one-side, words all in a line beside and above and beneath.  I’ve heretofore chosen the most inexpensive of the options, so as to get a volume just to hold in my hands.  Having the words and pictures simply thrown out there into the ether feels so inconsequential and insubstantial, some how, as if they’d disintegrate or whirl off the virtual page and disappear forever. 




And now, at least I have a “hard copy” to look back on, or sit up in the sunshine and peruse on a cold afternoon, thinking on other times, other days, and remembering.  Just seeing the bright splashes of colorful times and occasions---the places we’ve been, the things we’ve enjoyed, and especially moments gathered around our family tables---lovely keepsakes that shine, when the memories start to fade.   It's like I remember walking into the canning store-room and just standing there, taking in the marvel of those hundreds of shining, colourful jars of the bounty hard-won in the hot garden and even-hotter Summer kitchen.






Having the titles below the pictures for once, or the little paragraph describing the pictures, is a small luxury when you’re making just one copy of anything, and didn’t increase the price too much.   It’s just nice to have them in order---kinda feels like my own little home-made magazine.



It’s just a little whimsy and not a hill of beans in the foothills and mountains of the world, but as somebody said, it’s my beans and my hill, and what does it matter?  And as someone who has dug and planted and patted down those four-beans-to-a-hill on many a long row in that HOT Delta sun---it’s a nice harvest to reminisce on.

9 comments:

  1. I for one, thank that is a great book to have, I've never thought of that. Hope you are having a great weekend!

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  2. I have thought of doing this--BUT-- I really like your book.
    It will be many years of enjoyment.

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  3. Rachel, those near and dear of the younger generations will now have a lovely way to remember you when we're all gone. I cherish every letter I kept of my Grandma who wrote is such a beautiful hand.
    In the meantime, you have a hardcopy reminder of what a delightful writer you are. As good as you are in the ether, your true calling is on bound paper!

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  4. My dear friend and book lover,

    What a wonderful idea to have your blog in printed format. Holding a book in my hand is a real comfort to me no matter how easy and accessible they say about e-reader or Kindle. I would like to imagine that when you are opening these colourful pages filled with memories about the past, you would be transported to another land with blue skies above and the green grass below and it has the air of Paradise. To me you would be the gardener in this Paradise, proudly delving and pruning your rosy memories with ten times tenfold pleasure.

    With warmest wishes, ASD

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  5. Rachel, that's SOOO cool!! How'd you work that? I love having my blog and often do go back to years past and relive favorite days or moments, through words and pictures. Hugs! :)

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  6. Everyone - the site is blogtoprint.com I do believe. I had my blog years printed when I was considering giving up blogging. So glad I did it! It is a diary with pictures and I love them!! I did the most cost effective: squished photos and text in a soft cover. Maybe I can afford to upgrade one of these years. Your copy looks AMAZING!!

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  7. Darling Rachel,

    This looks wonderful!

    As you say, one's words on the blog often feel as if they have been cast out into the ether to travel aimlessly through never ending galaxies for the rest of their lives. And, only when one receives the delightful comments that people are kind enough to leave does one have any firm proof that there are other humans out there reading and connecting.

    But, now, you have this glorious book which can be a perfect reminder for you and a cherished memory for others of your days in Blogtopia. And, how fabulous it looks. Such a great idea! Now we are tempted....

    The quality of reproduction looks exceedingly good and the pictures really do seem to 'sing' out from the pages. How we can imagine you on a winter's evening flicking through the pages, a smile coming to your lips and a warm glow arriving in your heart as you recall the events so loving recorded on Lawn Tea.

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  8. What a wonderful idea. That will be interesting to read. :)

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  9. For me, REAL books will always trump virtual books. I can’t imagine the thrill of holding something you created in your hands, to dream over and to show. And I like very much the pictures interspersed with the text.

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