DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' TAPE RECORDER!

      Sometimes I don't know whether to get angry or laugh when I hear someone say they are going to get a tape recorder and stick under their mother or grand-mother's nose and tell her to start talking. Ya! That will get the job done-not!

        Just like a good journalist, one should be prepared with a topic and a set of questions to ask a loved one if wanting to get them to talk about the past and then write about those memories. Remember, it is like eating the Elephant-One bite at a time! Don't think that you can somehow by magic get a loved one to start talking and get them to tell you "Everything you ever wanted to know" in one sweep. It takes planning, organization and patience!