Thoughts and ideas come and go so fast that it’s hard to keep up with them. So it’s important to always have something to write with nearby. See something that gives you an idea? Write it down. Or have a fresh thought? Write it down. Before you forget.
Ideas come to me all the time. Sometimes I’m half asleep and tell myself I’ll write it down when I wake up. Oh sure, I’ll remember. Nope. That’s whey I have something to write with nearby all the time.
These days you don’t have to have a pen or pencil. No need for marker or crayon. Use the smart phone. Just talk to it and it will “write” down your thoughts. Although I must admit that my smart phone isn’t always as smart as me. It writes down some really weird sentences and ideas. Things I never would have thought of.
I prefer to use pen and paper. The biggest problem with that is that I’ll write on any old piece of paper. And am endlessly searching for that note covered scrap. The other of course is having that writing instrument at hand.
When I was in the Navy as a Supply Corps officer our motto was “Ready For Sea!” Which was often modified to “born ready.” And so I was. Ready to write. I never go anywhere without a pen, or two or three in my possession. They are everywhere!
They get stationed in places like my trouser pockets, shirt pockets, stuck into the placket of a button up shirt, down the collar of a t-shirt or polo, and if I have a pocket with a flap, I’ll hook it to the flap.
My clothes unfortunately show signs of all these pens hanging off of me everywhere. Ink stains from pens that leaked. Or from shoving an uncovered pen into my pocket. My jeans have several little dark spots on the outside of the front pockets. And as I sit here typing, I’m looking at no less than a dozen blue spots of various sizes lining the lower seem of my chest pocket. I prefer blue ink so the spots are always blue. Except with my fountain pens. I like brown ink with them, but never carry them in a pocket.
The ink stains won’t come out so I gave up worrying about them. These clothes are just going to get more stains. I can’t afford to toss some article of clothing just because it has an ink stain. I look at it as a badge of honor. Better than a pocket protector.
I do try to remember to cover my pens before they go into a pocket. And to take them out of my pockets before my clothes go into the laundry. That makes a real mess. But I do sometimes fall asleep with a pen in my pocket and if I toss and turn just right I can create a fabulous design inside my pocket. Or on the sheets.
I’ve tried tricks and games to make my memory better. But the older I get, the more tricks my memory plays on me. So I will always need to write things down. One way or another. So I’ll have to keep a pen handy, and hope that the ink only goes where I direct it.
That’s part of my story. What’s your?
personalhistorywriter 