In the harshest weather, Niagara Falls’ already unique 
landscape becomes enrobed in white. The ever-present mist 
clings to the trees and the constantly-moving river below can 
transform into a thick sheet of ice. The trees sparkle in the 
sun and a blanket of freshly-fallen snow stuns the eyes.

Over the course of over 40 years, I have visited Niagara 
during every season - and each season brings a different 
beauty to the landscape. In the winter, Niagara persists, 
awaiting the blossoming of spring. Seeing her beauty in 
winter can be more difficult - but worth the effort. That is where I find my inspiration for this journal.

The best things in life can arrive after the harshest conditions.
The reward after hard work.
The appreciation of life after health is threatened.

Life will always have its challenges.
We must be patient with our world.
We must be patient with ourselves.

Recognizing the beauty along the way makes patience easier.

• A beautiful journal you’ll want to keep close to capture your thoughts

• Lightly printed lines to guide your writing.

• Strong words within the lined pages to guide your thoughts.

• Convenient 6”x9” size

• 100+ pages to focus on what you want.

• Let Niagara’s winter remind you that beauty exists even in the harshest conditions! 

About the creation of the Journal

I’m Karen Captline, a graphic designer who lives in Pittsburgh, PA. I’ve had the pleasure of publishing four lined journals since undergoing successful cancer treatment in 2021.

If you haven’t purchased any of my other journals, you might ask yourself, “why Niagara?” I have been a Niagara Falls tourist since I was eight years old. My parents instilled in their children a love of the place they had spent their honeymoon. I have taken over 100 trips to the area over the course of over 40 years. It is a second home to me and the people I love.

If you want to learn more about how the first journals were created... please feel free to them to read the introductions. They were “born” during a period of my life that included covid challenges, cancer treatment as mentioned earlier, and my 51-year-old husband’s heart surgery in 2022.

In those journals I proclaimed that I was writing a book about that period of my life- and I have been. Enough time has passed (persistence) and healing has occurred (letting go) to allow me to finally do the deep dive to finish it. Writing a book about difficult times is challenging...and I’ve had to be... yes...patient with myself. Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust: My Magical Mindset During Cancer Treatment is coming to fruition.

What does being patient with myself mean? In this case, it means not rushing that book. It means giving myself time to reflect. It means giving myself grace when I struggle with the right words to convey my memories. It means trying to balance the tough times (winter) with the beauty that I found during my cancer treatment. See what I did there?

I knew my next journal would be about the beauty of patience. This is the first journal that doesn’t include a photo that I took. True to the theme, it is sometimes difficult to find the beauty in winter! For months I searched stock photography services for the right image when I had some free time and nothing seemed right.

Then a particularly challenging day in August 2025, I was out running errands and asked for a “sign”, as those who are struggling sometimes do. I asked for Kermit the Frog to find me. I had recently downloaded the song, “The Rainbow Connection” and I wanted to see a little Kermit. I ended up in a Hallmark store I rarely go to and there he was, hanging among the Christmas ornaments on a hot summer day. Not only was he there, sitting on his log with his banjo - he opened his mouth and sang to me as electronic ornaments do... “Why are there so many songs about rainbows...”.

My jaw dropped and I fought back tears. I took a moment as my heart swelled in gratitude, then turned from the wall and passed some “Willow Tree” figurines on the shelves. One caught my eye - a female figure cloaked in blue sitting on a tall grey stone. It wasn’t the usual ivory aesthetic of these figures so I picked her up. Written on the bottom was the word “patience”. She would come home with me that day.  

The following day I found the image for my “Patience” journal cover and my work began.  

I guess the time just had to be right. I had to wait and experience that moment of beauty to move me forward. I wish that for you. Recognize the beauty around you when you are forced to be patient. Patience is a gift. Write about it here.