What ordinary details from your life do you want to remember ten, thirty years from now? Do you keep a journal (online or otherwise) in order to remember those details? Do you ever look back at the past and regret not writing things down?

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Answers

The way the squirrels prefer particular branches of the nectarine tree to nap on. The way I always put up my hand as I'm going down the front stairs, even though there's just enough clearance for me. The way the sunlight swings round and how we get sunlight through the north windows for about 10 weeks a year, and how we only get moonlight in the bedroom (when I'm awake enough to notice) in the dead of winter. Mostly, tactile and environmental details, which give me the best recall of time and place and sentiment.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

I assume we're leaving out the ordinary moments in the lives of our kiddie-poos that are entwined with our own, because ordinary or not, I wish I could videotape and document every single moment of my lil' angels life.

Not many details I remember about mine. I don't really care. I don't even write down my bowling scores. I don't bother to keep track of my golf game. The only thing I am meticulous about is reconciling my checkbook - at the end of the month! Thank the gods for online checking. If it weren't for that and the dishwasher I might've had to find a wife by now.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

I always want to remember the way my heart went kaboom at the Indian pow-wow on the reservation this past weekend when George showed me the ring he wants to get me as my engagement ring. It's so perfectly *me* and I wanted to cry right then and there. Of course, the problem with him showing me is that now I want it right this second.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Dude! There are much easier ways to make a girl cry. Are you sure your heart went Kaboom! and not tom-tom-tom-tom tom- tom-tom-tom.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

The smell of ripe papayas.

The exact curve that makes my husband's smile so beautiful.

The slightly faster pace of my cat's gait when I say her name.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001