147 Comments

I’m a month late, but I wanted to say, Patti, that you could never go too long for me, so don’t worry. It is such a delight to be with you and Cairo. Thank you for reading your poetic words from the foreword of Baron Bagge and for sharing the story about Jean Genet. I absolutely loved your description of northern New Mexico and how it looks like Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings. How would anyone know that if they’d not seen the landscape? Growing up in New Mexico, I saw those landscapes before I ever saw O’Keefe’s wonderful paintings, so I never thought about how she was a naturalist, but that’s the right word. I just loved hearing you describe your experience, having never been to her part of northern NM, but knowing her paintings. I’m so sorry that you experienced altitude sickness. I hope there were people who knew how to help you. As I said, I grew up in New Mexico—the high desert, about 3300 feet above sea level. In the summer we’d go up to our mountain cabin which was about 5800 ft above sea level. But where you were was really high, in the foothills of the Sangre de Christo mountains, the highest peaks in the state, which rise to 12000 ft above sea level. Staying hydrated is the only thing I know to do. Also rest in order to let your body get acclimated. I’ve lived in the LA area for a long time, so when I go back to NM, I can feel a little woozy at first. The higher the altitude (compared to where you live) the lower your red blood cell count is at first. And our red blood cells carry oxygen in the bloodstream, so that’s what makes you feel so crappy. Bodies adapt, though, after a few days. It makes me think of the mountain climbers who go to Nepal to climb in the Himalayas.Those folks take their time going up the mountain. They climb for a day and establish a base camp. They hang out there for a while to acclimate. Then they head up to the peak. Some of them use oxygen as they gradually ascend. So, if you go to a high altitude again, give yourself a couple of free days when you arrive, so you can get used to it. Also, I’m wondering if there is a homeopathic remedy for altitude sickness. I just hate that you had to suffer, Patti.♥️

Expand full comment

I can’t see Going West (the previous entry) as substack says they’re having tech issues when I click on it, but this entry opened. I’ll try again a day or so.

Expand full comment
founding

Yes will definitely check out Baron Bagge...thank you for the lovely reading.

Expand full comment

Not fond of altitude either Patti :) Much love to you.

Expand full comment
Sep 25, 2022·edited Sep 25, 2022

I know what you mean. Altitude! I am originally from the Rocky Mountains but have been living near the great Pacific for so long that when I go back to see my family there, I am a bit winded, and dehydrated. Give me water. But the high plains and the mountains are so beautiful. They just take your breath away, even though a bit too literally at times. Thanks for helping to keep us curious about this beautiful and strange world. This post was pixture perfect. Keep the love going~**~

Expand full comment

I watched this video just before midnight on my birthday which was a very challenging day like the day I was born as a premie. My birthday eve went well with gifts of poetry, Bob Dylan Chronicles, and a telescope. The next day was full of obstacles and challenges and I was called to a crisis that kept me for over 8 hours. All I wanted to do was go home to my new bed and read. When I finally got home I saw the email for this video just in time. Your comfortable bed with fluffy cloud white pillows and pretty pastel color linen looks like a blooming flower with soft pedals. All the stress of the day melted away with your video and inspiring reading.

When walking to my door after a long exhausting day, I met a dog with one eyebrow. Shortly after, I came here to see Ciaro with her eyebrows. Lovely little angel.

How surreal it must've felt to see the landscapes of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings. I imagine it's like seeing a poem come to life.

Thank you for your continuous loveliness, Patricia. 🌼 🌸

With gratitude and love,

Andrea

Expand full comment

Welcome home Patti. Lovely reading and loved hearing about Georgia O’keeffe and the landscape. I love her work and was very privileged to see her exhibition at Tate Modern which has stayed with me. Breathtaking! Look forward to seeing the photographs.

Love from London xxx

Expand full comment
Sep 21, 2022·edited Sep 21, 2022

When you were in Abiquiu, hopefully you also got to go to the Dar Al Islam Mosque that is very close by. It is a very beautiful and calming place. Below is a link in case you go to the Georgia O'Keeffe house again and did not know about and visit Dar Al Islam... Oh, and please, please, please also go to the Echo [natural] Amphitheater on the way to the Abiquiu if you have not been. Unbelievably beautiful... Both places. I've included links to information for both of them below.

I hope you visit again soon! New Mexico is so beautiful! Sorry for sounding like the NM tourism bureau. And please realize that the websites do not do justice to either of these places. Naturally, being there and experiencing them is extremely important.

And also thank you so much for your contributions as a Artist, poet and performer! Your work has meant much to me from an early age. Virtual hug for you and please give a real hug for Cairo from me!

http://daralislam.org/campus/abiquiu.aspx

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/echo-amphitheatre [please try to ignore the info about murders that even the people who produced the websites say is based on very little truth. I don't understand why they can't just describe the overwhelming and exceptional beauty of the place .

Expand full comment

many thanks for playing ghost ranch in abiqiou, nm. hope you got my card.

liz dreams

Expand full comment

Patti my muse, glad you're back

Expand full comment

I feel semi-illiterate when I routinely fail to recognize the writers you mention but it’s always my pleasure and I definitely learn from you. You are far more worldly and learned than I will ever be. On the other hand, I’m familiar with Georgia O’Keefe and even belong to a FB group dedicated to her life and works.

It’s so good seeing you again. As we age (I’m now 66), seeing you is like visiting an old friend. Switching subjects: your bracelets are lovely. Were they gifts from someone special?

Expand full comment

A joy to hear from you Patti!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for comiing back to us in such an intimate situation, again <3. I'd love to help or support with bi-focal glasses, they worked for me, the quality of the glasses do make the difference, I never got dizzy, tight from the start.

Expand full comment
founding

So nice to have you spend some time with ‘us’ and Cairo! 🙂♥️ Since I visited Germany a little while ago, I tried to find the original, alas, unsuccessfully. Can’t wait to read your text for the English translation.

Expand full comment

As I've said before, you could talk for an hour and I would be right with you, you're always discussing cool books and music and our responses to life.

Expand full comment

Such a joy listening to you!

Expand full comment