I wanted you to know about the National Day of Listening. As someone who has recorded my own StoryCorps interview, I can tell you that it is a powerful experience. Mary Jane from North Country Life Flight interviewed me about my brain aneurysm experience and all that followed. She did a an excellent job and I have enjoyed listening to it with family and friends, sharing tears and hugs. Our interview is now archived at the Library of Congress. I'm so grateful to StoryCorps and to MJ for that experience.

Now, StoryCorps is asking the whole country to set aside one hour on Friday, November 28th, to record a conversation with a friend or loved one, and I wanted to encourage you to participate. You can read more at http://www.nationaldayoflistening.org and download the do it yourself guide and even watch a video about the project.

As we head into the holiday season, so many of us are on the lookout for the right gift for the important people in our lives. Sitting down and recording a Do-It-Yourself interview with someone whose story you'd like to hear—whether that's your grandpa, your partner, your best friend from childhood, or the guy you get your Thanksgiving turkey from each year—is the best gift you can give. It's free, but it will outlast that holiday sweater you had your eye on—and it will still make you feel warm and fuzzy. So this year, before you rush out the door on the day after Thanksgiving, take an hour and listen.

I purchased an Olympus digital voice recorder to do interviews and have gotten a couple done. I hope to do more. It's not the quality of the StoryCorps interview but I figured out how to transfer my home interviews to CD and they sound quite good.