The Garrulous Grandma's Daybook (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9798993080628)

For several months, nagging thoughts had been plaguing the author: Could she write a book? What would the topic be? The format? Does she have answers to life's vexing issues? Immediate response: Heavens, no! Traveling her personal path, she discovered she answers one set of questions, and another set pops up. One lesson she has learned: Life is not static. The world keeps evolving and so do we humans. Basic morality doesn't change, but these days how we interpret right and wrong appears to be somewhat flexible. Funny thing. Just like grandma's old-fashioned 20th century home remedies still work in the 21st century, sound judgment, basic morality and ethical behavior never goes out of style either. Each generation just needs to be reminded and educated. Thinking about her options, the author's eyes stopped at the basket sitting by her favorite reading chair. Its contents a Kindle filled with fun reading, an electronic tablet and four books: an autobiography and three daybooks. Pondering her current reading material, she realized she enjoys and learns from daybooks. She rotates six volumes. When she comes back to a particular book in two or three years, the thoughts spark different reactions because she is in a different place. She learns new lessons from a book read three years ago. The format came into focus: a daybook using thoughts and musings from memoir essays, previously shared columns and various presentations. This daybook is written in her Garrulous Grandma persona. GG is a wise ole dame who says things Jan would never say out loud! The format: Brief daily passages to ponder. Each month has a theme. On the last day of the month, a gentle prod to think about: What have you learned? What have you already or plan to make a part of your life? What did you agree with, disagree with? Why? The month ends with a short prayer of gratitude, a practice she has learned improves her life in countless ways. So much so, she devotes an entire month discussing the joy of keeping a journal and explaining how and why she adds a note of gratitude to each entry. Some reflections you will relate to; some you won't. Some observations you will agree with, some you won't. And that is okay. But, if read thoughtfully, all will make you think. In her world, always a beneficial exercise. She suggest you read starting with January moving to December. The monthly themes gently build to the ultimate truth: Love. Join Jan's alter ego, The Garrulous Grandma, and explore life, its ins and outs, ups and downs, triumphs and failures with a few aha moments to add spice. Thoughts and anecdotes presented in a quiet, gentle way. Offered with love. And hugs.