Year Four in My Five-Year Quotebook

"I enjoy collecting quotations. When I find

a choice one I pounce on it like a lepidopterist.

My day is made. When I lose one because I did

not copy it out at once I feel bereft."

R.I. FITZHENRY, The David & Charles Book of Quotations

In January 2022, Austin Kleon, author of Steal Like An Artist fame, wrote about a five-year-diary he started using as a commonplace notebook for quotes. His aim was to write down a quote a day. Liking his idea and the notebook he used, I promptly ordered a copy—in red, his was blue—and, thus, I began to curate my own five-year collection.

Here it is January 2025, at the start of my fourth year, and I'm still enjoying this little exercise. I don't especially go looking for quotes but rather they come to me—whether it's through a book I'm reading or whilst (I love this English word) browsing on social media, or whether it's from a snippet of conversation overheard in a café or on the radio.

When I ordered the diary in 2022, at first I thought I'd made a mistake. I was more than a little dismayed to find it so very tiny in size—I forgot to check the dimensions before buying (about 6.5 x 3.5 inches). Still it was such a pleasing little book. I liked the feel of it in my hand. Beautifully bound with a cloth hard cover, boasting a satin ribbon to mark the spot, the diary is elegant and compact. Reminiscent of those childhood diaries so many of us wanted and rarely filled, minus the little key and lock, this diary came in three colours: blue, black, and red (I picked the red - it's more pink than red). Alas, from my quick scan on Amazon, they are currently unavailable.

"Those blank lines serve as a gentle encouragement

to live all the days of my life with intention."

SARAH K. BUTTERFIELD, from an article read on Medium.com

I did wonder at first how Austin Kleon could stick to just one quote a day from the dozens of possibilities that tromp across our path. Perhaps that's why he chose a tiny diary rather than a sprawling notebook. I began to see how it can help a person to focus in and narrow down, to listen for that one 'just what I need' line that breaks through the chatter. You write that one down. That line that expands the mind, thrills the spine, makes you burst out loud laughing, or causes you to breathe in and calm yourself, resting a minute before moving on.

This pint-size diary with a mere six short lines per entry has turned out to be the perfect proportion.

At the end of five years, I will have collected 1,826 quotes (includes one Leap Year). Already it's fun to browse through. Lots of favourites, a worthy collection, I'd say. To Austin Kleon, 'I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks' for this wonderful and almost cheeky pint-size acquisition. It sits by my bedside with a designated coloured pen—a different colour each year—a little habit that brings pleasure each day.

"I love (quotations) because it is a joy to find thoughts

one might have, beautifully expressed with much

authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself."

MARLENE DIETRICH

In this little celebratory post of my growing collection of quotations and their authors, I have scanned my January selections from the last three years, hand picking a few for those of you who also adore a good quote. I hope you enjoy.

Jan 2nd, 2025

A Little Writing Humour

"Paige Turner", would be the best author

name ever, just saying.

ROSS FRASER, as seen on social media

Jan 3rd, 2024

A Little 'Carry On' Wisdom

"Because even with the dark parts and the

light parts and the good parts and the bad parts,

dinner must still be served."

PATTI CALLAHAN, Once Upon A Wardrobe, p. 102

 

Jan 4th, 2022

A Little Plan

He: Aren't you terrified of what 2022 could be like?

Everything is so messed up...

She: I think it will bring flowers.

He: YES? WHY?

She: Because I'm planting flowers.

 As Seen on Social Media

Jan 15th, 2024

A Chin Up Reminder

"Because you see so much to make you sad,

that doesn't mean it is your duty to be unhappy."

HELEN MACINNES, While Still We Live, p. 228

Jan 17th, 2022

Hopeful Line

"I dwell in possibilities."

EMILY DICKINSON

Jan 17th, 2025

For Those of a Certain Age

"When I was a kid, we didn't have 'influencers'.

We watched a singing frog that dated a pig

and a grouch that lived in a trashcan.

It was a simpler time."

THE CANDIDLY, on Instagram

Jan 30th, 2023

A Whispered Prayer

"Even in the darkness we will trust :

that our lives are still in your hands."

from Common Prayer, A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, p. 243

❦

Here's wishing you more than a few quotable moments

in your week ahead,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

Graphic credit:

glitter-graphics.com

My blogging schedule:

I blog on Fridays