In episode 119 of the Life Writers Vlog, I share I Remember by Joe Brainard, a fascinating book that inspires both nostalgia and creativity.
Brainard, an artist from the New York School, wrote this collection of fragmented memories, each beginning with I remember. His entries capture moments including Christmas traditions, childhood antics, and quirky experiences.
I’ve often used this concept as a writing prompt, but Brainard’s book elevates it into art. It’s also a great tool to spark your own memories or overcome writer’s block.
Try this. Write about your childhood neighborhood using I remember and see where it leads. Then, once you’ve written, share your memories with us in the comments section below.
If you want a bit more practice, watch Vlog #91, “I Remember.”
But whether you I remember or not, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all.
I remember a small house in Levittown, Long Island in the 1950s. I remember when Levittown was all young families with one car and a housewife. I remember a large pear tree in the back yard, proof that Levittown had been created from farmland. I remember our tiny sandbox in the back yard. I remember yellow tulips along the front walk. I remember walking a new toy, a Slinky, down the staircase. I remember watching The World of Disney on the TV installed under the staircase. I remember the boy next door, Skipper. I remember my mother’s story about how… Read more »
This is wonderful, Diane. It triggered so many memories I haven’t thought about in ages, especially the Slinky. I remember being so proud when I made it walk down the stairs. Well done. Thanks for sharing your piece with us.
I remember having a nickel to spend for an after-school snack on my walk home from school in Cincinnati, Camp Washington section. Next to my school was a White Castle hamburger place where I could get a savory hamburger with cooked onions and sprinkles of cheddar cheese. On the corner next to the White Castle was and still is a famous Cincinnati Chili Parlor (it opened 1942 my first year there, also) where I could get, for that nickel, a hot dog smothered with chili, chopped fresh onions and shredded cheddar cheese. I alternated, hamburger on day, chili hot dog… Read more »
I remember entering my father’s dental office in the early 1950s and squeezing the silver button on the side of the square glass mercury bottle. I loved watching the mercury rolling out beautifully in the perfect little silver ball. It was cold, smooth, and slippery, and I loved to play with it.
What we didn’t know then!
I remember
I can feel that warm heat from the grate and the cold air just beyond, Linda. You painted a memorable picture.
Great memory. Reminds me of Woolworths.
I remember a toxic toy for blowing plastic bubbles in the early 1950s. This thick sticky gel came in a metal squeeze tube with a printed label that flaked off in your hands after a few uses. It smelled strongly of acetone but that just increased its allure for me; it was a mysterious, dangerous smell. The substance came in two deep colors, blue and red. My favorite was the reddish purple one which reminded me of royalty. We would squeeze a gooey dab onto the end of the plastic straw (included) carefully shaping it into an ovoid lump, avoiding… Read more »
Catherine, WOW! Your memory is accurate. I remember that tube and blowing plastic bubbles also. And then, like you chewing them. Amazing we are alive writing this memory.
It is amazing we survived childhood. I’m glad to know I wasn’t the only one. There were so many fun ways to mess ourselves up. My husband used to ride his bike behind the truck spraying for mosquitos!
Once a pantser, always a pantser? I have tried plotting, hoping to, at least, become a plantser. I find my mind doesn’t work that way. I remain, you guessed it, a pantser.
I remember all the kids on our street gathering on a snowy day to sled ride down our hill. We had serious sleds, wood and metal, the kind you could steer with the front wood bar with hands or feet. I remember building small snow ramps to get us airborne for a second or two. Not necessarily a smart idea, but fun just the same. I remember after many runs going to my friend’s house and her mom made us all hot cocoa, the steam rising as we plopped large marshmallows on top. I remember it warming me inside and… Read more »
I saw one of those sleds before Christmas in front of a house as a Christmas decoration. A flexible Flyer. Had some great crashes on one of those.
I have one of those sleds, adorned with holly leaves (ala Hobby Lobby) and a big, red, velveteen bow.
I remember trick or treating in my neighborhood in west Orlando where I grew up. My friend, Debbie and I would go house to house chaperoned by her father. My next door neighbors always gave out candied apples and the other neighbors gave an assortment of candies from Mary Jane’s and candy corn to Hershey’s kisses and fun size candy bars. My brother, Pat and I would get our haul spread out on the living room floor and prepare to make candy trades. I’d eat the good stuff, my candy bars in a couple of days and Pat would save… Read more »
I remember winter and walking to my best friend Gregs house under a clear, blue sky. The cold froze my nose hairs and they stuck together. The air felt sharp as it filled my lungs. As I exhaled, moist breath froze like icicles on the scarf covering my mouth. Dry snow squeaked in protest as my rubber boots trod down the sidewalk, and as I passed each house, I noticed delicate lace like frost patterns on the windows.
Good descriptions,Dave!
I REMEMBER is the basis of reminiscense. Good Life Stories grow from what made those recollections significant to our growth, awareness, maturity and accumulation of wisdom. Reminiscense is akin to the tip of the iceberg that is visible above the water; our challenge as Life Writers is to explore the depths of what lies below and show why it is meaninful. It can become a deep dive into colder and murkier water, but that’s where the richness of it is found
OK…here’s a story which this prompt triggered today.
Congratulations on the 119th episode of your Vlog. I know its not the usually-celebrated number, but to me it stands out, showing your fortitude and diligence to keep showing up for us each week. I have gained extraordinary inspiration from posts you compose, when I thought my writing was dried up, or couldn’t possibly be worthwhile, you showed me another way to think about writing. I remember when the ambulance came to my next door neighbor’s house when I was seven years old. There was a huge Blue Spruce between our houses who’s branches spread around its large trunk all… Read more »
I remember as a kid a summer experience that was repeated each year. In “those” days, the neighborhood took care of their own streets. On a given Saturday, all the men would gather together. One of the men had a plow which he used to loosen up the street, which was 2 blocks long. Then, the men raked the street, filling up the holes which had accumulated. Using a mechanical device that was built by the men, barrels of oil were loaded in place and spread over the street. While this work was going on, the women were busy cooking/baking… Read more »