Diary of an Ordinary Housewife

I love journals. I enjoy reading the diaries and letters of the famous and not so famous and I recently picked up a book called, "This Day, Diaries from American Women."

The book is the result of a project in which the author, Joni B. Cole asked women if each would write about one day in her life, or contribute a page from their own journals. The response was overwhelming. Over 500 women submitted entries. The book is a glimpse into the lives of many women from all walks of life.

I kept journals while my kids were young. Many days my writing was nothing more than a brief recall of the details of our day. But when I read over those entries, I am filled with bittersweet memories. Those days seemed so ordinary and mundane at the time, but now they are so very precious to me.

The author and her partners also asked each participant, "Whose day diary would you like to read?"

I want to read the diaries of my female ancestors. I would love to hear about their typical day fifty, or one hundred years ago. How did they spend their days? What were they thinking about, worrying over, celebrating?

So, now I'm going to ask you the same question. Whose diary would you like to read?