Welcome to Parallel Entries, a collection of diary and journal excerpts written by different people on the same date across the years. A perspective from which every life, no matter how ordinary or obscure, is worth remembering.

Scroll down to see entries written on today’s date.

We can never really know a person like we know ourselves. But diaries can get us a little bit closer to that sacred truth. They are a humble attempt at capturing a piece, if only the tiniest sliver, of the mundane magic of our miraculous existence. Also, they are time machines. And who isn’t fascinated by time travel?

While social media gives us endless access to the lives and thoughts of others, those lives and thoughts are edited with an audience in mind. We are saying, “This is how I want you to see me.” But in diaries and journals we say, “This is how I see myself.” Parallel Entries pays homage to the practice of trying to see oneself, to see what life is really made of.

If you’ve kept a diary or journal at some point, or if you’ve inherited someone else’s, please consider contributing to the site. It’s easy and free and you are welcome to use a pseudonym if you’re not comfortable sharing your real name. All entries need to have been written at least five years ago.

Today’s Entries

Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
May 8, 1998

GOOD DAY. Casey looked at my car after school and I took him home. Me, Les, and Née went Mom’s Day shopping. Worked w/ Doug from 5:30-9. Sean came 2 the Juice Shop. Gave him a note. :) Me, Audrey, Née, Les went 2 Casey’s baseball game. FUN. He got thrown out for saying “FUCK!” Adorable. Took Justin, Née, Audrey home. Me, him, Les went 2 Waffle House. Took him home. Me and Les at my house.

Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
May 8, 1997

Good day. Wore Courtney’s adorable new dress. Got lots of compliments. Chris is so adorable! If he didn’t smile, I’d have no problem. Emily picked me, Renee, Zach up from school. We went to mall, took Renee home, went to grocery store, took Zach home. Mom lectured me. Watched story with Em. Eddie picked me up at 5:30. Went to Garner high school for meeting. Got Jasper’s take-out. GOOD. T.V. and homework. I want…

Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 8, 1960

Up early. Ate. Lo and Geo. to cabin everything O.K. A miserable A.M. Later Geo. came and took us to Hebron and north to show us the house. Home for coffee and a bite. K.J. needed something. Left here about 12:30. Didn’t eat until 2:30. Left for home at 6:00 rained most of the way.

Marcy S., age 19, Missouri 
May 8, 1944  

Quite a bit milder. Rainy. Miss Blenko still not back — she went away to be married!! Ain’t it exciting?? Tennis in post office basement. Lecture and questions. No piano lesson at 2 — Miss Good Smith busy. Practiced. At 3 went down to Ledo and had real good facial. But did I look a mess! Back to hall and read history. Got sandwich at Cupboard. Well, the reaction has set in — quite a let-down, I hate myself again but at least I’ve caught a glimpse and know it is possible to change. Now for the hard work. Good dinner. Betty and I practiced singing “Ole Man River,” “Ah Sweet Mystery of Life” and a few other songs before and after. Usually we only get the 1st few lines, though. Most discouraging. Waltzed around room when we came back and decided to go to library and listen to some beautiful music. Mary Jo wanted to go, too, so we walked over. Much milder. The end seems so near and yet so far away. We got quite a few records and played them in the listening room. Ah, music!! About 8:45 Mary Jo left to go to Sloan library. Betty and I stayed awhile and then something went wrong with the needle. Betty wanted me to go and get the lady, and I wouldn’t so she accused me of not ever taking the initiative and I accused her of expecting other people to take the initiative when it was unpleasant. So we had a big fight and went home mad. Made up during evening though. Must be the weather.

Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee 
May 8, 1941

Funny day. Mild. Rained, cleared, etc. Beautiful first thing in morning. My book is so interesting. Yesterday I had to read my history theme before the class -- mine was number one. We’re having final exam in typing this week. At noon it began to cloud up and during fifth study hall it was all dark outside. My book made me rather lonely and the world was so dark outside. In office, it rained and then cleared and was glorious. Mary called and said she hadn’t brought “it” today but would tomorrow. Mom had gone to town when I got home. I went straight at my practicing and was soon through. Helen and Barbie came for me and we went walking. I couldn’t do a thing that Barbie didn’t copy. Not even walking on the wall! When we got back, Helen and I sat on her steps and talked. Teased Harvey who was riding his bicycle around. After helping Mom, I sat on the porch and read the paper. The sky was golden cloudy with the setting sun sending bright fingers to touch the green leaves. It was so beautiful. Reminded me of that Spring three years ago. I hated to go in for supper when Mother called me. It rained a bit but the sun still shone. Got cooler when sun went down. After supper, Mom and I went out in garden to see peonies. George came out and we played a few minutes. Then I went with him to Harvey’s to borrow his arithmetic book. We came back and I got my book and went over to George’s. We sat in the sunroom and Mr. Tomilson helped George with his problems. Funny and fun. About 8:00 it started lightening and thundering and Mom called me. Dad not home yet. Storm passed and stars came out. I read till late. Fun tonight.

Henry S., age 26, Michigan 
May 8, 1888

It rained about all the forenoon and I was in the house studying. I have so many things I would like to study that I am afraid that I will vacillate too much and not do any good work in any of them. Pa went to Chelsea this forenoon to see about a wagon he heard about. Kate and Una are staying at father Queal’s tonight. I took them over there this afternoon. A Detroit pedler [sic] is stopping here tonight.

*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)  

Henry S., age 24, Michigan 
May 8, 1886  

I set out 35 Peach trees on the hill today. Fred Waters was putting out trees today. Kate went up to Mr. Judson’s this afternoon and Fred and I went up and took supper there, we had a pleasant time. It sprinkled some tonight.

*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)  

Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
May 8, 1871

Two weeks today since I left Hirams.  No letter in all that time.  This is a new settlement.  A year ago, I do not think there was a white woman within 20 miles of here, and last Winter the Osage Indians camped along the river, their teepes are still standing.  Now there are several families scattered along the River.  One day Mr. W and I walked to the river, and a skunk backed toward us, we fled in haste.

As soon as Philip gets up to Wichita to lay in some provisions we will move to his cabin down the River.  This is the Osage preemption land.  You select a claim, 160 acres, then you “fill it in.”  After you live in it 6 months and do a certain amount of improvement, you pay $1.25 an acre, and then it is yours.  Philip has been on his that long.  Now he and some men have selected one for me.  It is back from the river – when he goes to Wichita he will file on it.  He selected a suitable place, and plowed it for a garden – then with a lot of brush he harrowed it, the oxen dragging them back and forth.  I bought a lot of garden seeds from Indians.  The garden is about a mile from Wests.  I have no hoe or rake, just use a stick.  Sounds funny don’t it?  I saw three antelope one day, and a coyote. There are three deer that keep [above] my garden, but I have not seen them yet.  There is a great heard of buffalo within 20 miles of here.  The men have promised to take us with them the next time they go out.

Provision is scarce – potatoes $3 a bushel, the railroad 100 miles away; and those on claims, raising their first first crops.  We live on buffalo, fish, molasses, bread and coffee.  Native cattle are very scarce, and the Texas cows are so wild they cannot be milked.  Nevertheless, I get along very well, and will stay here until I get tired.  There is a Scotchman living acrost the river, a Mr. Ross – he was telling me that “this is such a healthy country, if they want to start a grave yard, they would have to shoot someone.”

Last week a party of Indian chiefs passed up the trail, on their way to Washington. They told someone they were going to stay “two moons.”  Perhaps I will get to see them, when they return.  I have not seen a single unmarried woman since I am here.  There are seven married women in this neighborhood and I will not likely see another all Summer.  They all tease me, and say I am a curiosity – to the many bachelors around here.

*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply) 

Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina 
May 8, 1863

We have had another victory at or near Fredericksburg Va. Gen. Jackson had an arm broke. We lost one Gen., killed. Paxton & Gen’s A. P. Hill & Heath were wounded. I have not seen the casualities yet. The loss on our side not so great as on the yanks. Oh that they would see the error of their ways & turn from their wickedness before too late. I would ask Thy blessing Oh Ruler on high on us as a nation, give our soldiers courage & endow our rulers with wisdom from on high. May they be enabled to govern the men with kindness & grant us a speedy peace on honorable terms is my prayer Oh! most merciful God.

*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)

Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina 
May 8, 1862  

I finished Zona’s dress just after dinner & cut out a pea green chambra dress for her, one Sister Jane gave her when we were down there. Dr. Neilson was here this evening, thinks Atheline a good deal better. He staid some time. Mr. Henry went to Asheville this morning, came home to dinner, is at the dam this evening. Hanes out in the field. Lonzo attends to Willie today. Hanes stays till 9 o’clock or till after I get the house cleaned.

*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)

Samuel P., age 36, London 
May 8, 1669  

Up, and to the Office, and there comes Lead to me, and at last my vizards are done, and glasses got to put in and out, as I will; and I think I have brought it to the utmost, both for easiness of using and benefit, that I can; and so I paid him 15s. for what he hath done now last, in the finishing them, and they, I hope, will do me a great deal of ease. At the Office all the morning, and this day, the first time, did alter my side of the table, after above eight years sitting on that next the fire. But now I am not able to bear the light of the windows in my eyes, I do begin there, and I did sit with much more content than I had done on the other side for a great while, and in winter the fire will not trouble my back. At noon home to dinner, and after dinner all the afternoon within, with Mr. Hater, Gibson, and W. Hewer, reading over and drawing up new things in the Instructions of Commanders, which will be good, and I hope to get them confirmed by the Duke of York, though I perceive nothing will effectually perfect them but to look over the whole body of the Instructions, of all the Officers of a ship, and make them all perfect together. This being done, comes my bookseller, and brings me home bound my collection of papers, about my Addresse to the Duke of York in August, which makes me glad, it being that which shall do me more right many years hence than, perhaps, all I ever did in my life: and therefore I do, both for my own and the King’s sake, value it much. By and by also comes Browne, the mathematical instrument maker, and brings me home my instrument for perspective, made according to the description of Dr. Wren’s, in the late Transactions; and he hath made it, I think, very well, and that, that I believe will do the thing, and therein gives me great content; but have I fear all the content that must be received by my eyes is almost lost. So to the office, and there late at business, and then home to supper and to bed.

*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)