Yes. I was a bit shocked too. I wondered whether he felt she would not need to talk to a diary when she had him as a sounding board. But to the modern eye it does feel a bit controlling. Maybe having grown up with servants about and now living in close proximity to his office employees and servants, he was only to aware of how their inner secrets might be revealed to others.

I know what you mean about some of the quotes being quite trite.

Oh, I’m shocked and saddened that your grandfather discouraged his wife from diary-keeping. Maybe he saw it as too introspective? My grandmother likewise kept a book of uplifting quotes, some handwritten, some cut out of magazines and newspapers. I find them – on the whole – trite and annoying, but I concede that research by psychologists has shown that “always look on the bright side of life” and other such maxims do actually fit with the science.

The use of diaries seems to have a parallel in the Catholic confessional but as a ‘self confessional’ it offers no reward of forgiveness once the confession is made. My grandmother, born and baptised a Protestant, possibly but attracted to Christian Science, used to keep a diary. It seemed to help her to self manage in the absence of her parents or siblings and on the flyleaf, she would write uplifting quotes as well as exhortations to optimism: “Each day, week, month & year is a new chance given by God, a new leaf, a new life, that is the gift which each day offers you.” And “It does no good to brood over our troubles; it does not help matters out a bit. Be on the look out for bright rays, and you will certainly find them.” (1913 Diary AMP©) After she married my grandfather, he discouraged her from keeping a diary, I have no idea why.

“Behind the Myth” is excellent – I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I will have a listen to that Prayer for the Day. I’m glad you like the poster! Art UK is a fantastic source of artwork which can be used without cost, and it’s a great pleasure to browse through, looking for the best fit for the blog. The only danger is getting lost in the beautiful artwork and forgetting that I’m actually looking for something specific.

Having learned from you, previously, something of the varieties of non-conformism, I was roused from slumbering with the radio on, one early morning recently by the word “Baptist” in Prayer for the Day. I had to go back to find it and listen in full. I hope you enjoy it! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0011lgh

There is also a programme about the Mayflower, “Behind the Myth” on BBC4 tonight, which I intend to watch. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b084fmgq

And I do love that beautiful British Railways Poster!

Here’s the link to Elle Hardy’s book Beyond Belief: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Belief-Elle-Hardy/dp/1787385531/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13PL4ULAL42VZ&keywords=elle+hardy+beyond+belief&qid=1637702323&sprefix=elle+hardy%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1

Yes! Start the Week was brilliant – link here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011rsf