Last updated: February 13, 2021
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Primarily Me 4: Journals
The Primarily Me Challenge
How do we know about the past? Most of what we know comes from what people left behind. Everything from what they wrote to what they created is a record of life lived. Each record, or primary source, tells a story about people, how they lived, and the environment they lived in. What will people in the future know about how we live today? That depends on what we leave behind!
You can find each challenge and response by following along on social media using #WMNHSPrimarilyMe!
Recording Memories
How do you record things that you want to remember?Many Cayuse women created a time ball. Time balls are like journals but use string, beads,
and knots to represent events and the passing of time. Similarly, many missionary women created written journals. Even though a time ball and a written journal are different, they both help the creator remember their experiences and share them with others.
Below is a page from Narcissa Whitman's journal. If it is hard to read, don't worry, a transcript of what is written on the page that is shown is below the picture.
Photo Courtesy of Whitman College
to the truth of another evidently manifest, “Lo! I am with you alway.”
30th In consequence of the lengthy camp yesterday, & failure of animals two of the company’s men, left four of theirs behind with packs also. This occasioned some anxiety lest the wolves would destroy their beaver. Today they send back for them & we remain here untill they return, or make but a short move to find more grass. In following the course of the stream on which we encamped last night, found cherries in abundance, had time to stop & gather as we wished, Indeed we rambled untill noon, before we went into camp. The cherries are very fine equal to any we find in the states. When we arrived Mr Gray had the dinner ready waiting for us. Our employment this afternoon is various. Some are washing their shirts & some are cutting their hair, others are shaving preparatory to seeing Wall W & some are asleep. For my part I endeavoured to divirt myself the best way I could, doing a little mending for Husband, & trying to write, while he & Mr Gray are streached upon the ground enjoying the refreshment of a sound sleep. The men who went for the animals returned late. We all regretted this hindrence, for Mr McLeod intended to see Walla W. today & return again with a mushmellon for Mrs Whitman (so he said) He will go in tomorrow. It is the custom of the country to send heralds ahead to announce the arrival of a party and prepare for their reception.
31st Came to Walla W. river, within eight miles of the fort. Both Husband & myself
30th In consequence of the lengthy camp yesterday, & failure of animals two of the company’s men, left four of theirs behind with packs also. This occasioned some anxiety lest the wolves would destroy their beaver. Today they send back for them & we remain here untill they return, or make but a short move to find more grass. In following the course of the stream on which we encamped last night, found cherries in abundance, had time to stop & gather as we wished, Indeed we rambled untill noon, before we went into camp. The cherries are very fine equal to any we find in the states. When we arrived Mr Gray had the dinner ready waiting for us. Our employment this afternoon is various. Some are washing their shirts & some are cutting their hair, others are shaving preparatory to seeing Wall W & some are asleep. For my part I endeavoured to divirt myself the best way I could, doing a little mending for Husband, & trying to write, while he & Mr Gray are streached upon the ground enjoying the refreshment of a sound sleep. The men who went for the animals returned late. We all regretted this hindrence, for Mr McLeod intended to see Walla W. today & return again with a mushmellon for Mrs Whitman (so he said) He will go in tomorrow. It is the custom of the country to send heralds ahead to announce the arrival of a party and prepare for their reception.
31st Came to Walla W. river, within eight miles of the fort. Both Husband & myself
- What part of Narcissa's journal entry surprised you?
- What reminded you of your own life?
- Which words or ideas were confusing?
Activity 4: Create Your Own Journal
The fourth Primarily Me challenge is to to record what you want to remember by starting your own journal. Remember, you don't have to write things down like Narcissa did for it to be a journal. You could draw sketches of your life, put pictures together like a scrapbook, or find your own style!You don't have to add to your journal every day, but try to add on to it at least 3 times this week for this challenge!
Ready for the next challenge? Go to Primarily Me 5: Symbols.