The New Year
Getting healthy, staying focused and Jesse's concert report
Hello everyone,
Happy New Year to all my Subscribers, Founding Members and new Subscribers. I have been absent for a few day for in truth I have felt a bit exhausted and did not want to send halfhearted messages. I was very heartened to perform our end of the year concerts, celebrate turning 77 and spending New Year’s Eve with Jesse. Since then I have been resting, writing a bit everyday and reading. Right now I am rereading Mishima’s Sun and Steel. I am slowly reading it to study his writing style and how he elegantly articulates abstract thought.
Yesterday I had a doctor check-up. He said I am doing great but to rest, which I have been doing. Actually I am a normally a rest-resister, but I am doing it. But in the face of that I am also determined to achieve at least three things daily: reading, writing and walking. That will keep me going and enable me to feel some accomplishment as I (ugggg) rest. I only mention this to hopefully inspire small significant actions, no matter how we feel physically or how deeply we are concerned about our troubled world. In this way we may glean a bit of content that we are doing something positive. Small daily steps that we can build a path upon.
I am sitting at my work table, momentarily distracted by wonderful things. Some precious, some seemingly insignificant, all beloved. Things that Cairo stepped over, toppled, even occasionally causing disaster; a broken figurine or black coffee across an open book. I would love to see her once more, knocking over Baudelaire or Bugs Bunny. But now, back to the moment at hand, with a happy recommendation.
My daughter Jesse did a wonderful post, “Reflections from the stage” on her Substack today. I am crossposting it, as she captures a wonderful sense of the energy and intent of our concerts that ended 2023. I am very grateful for all her support and hope you enjoy her report as much as I have. Below is Jesse bringing me a cake and candles, on stage at Brooklyn Steel, on my 77th birthday….
Now it is time for rest. I am sorry I was absent, but I am back again and eager to share new thoughts, new music, new noise…
Happy New Year dear Subscribers, happy New Year everyone.
Thanks for cross-posting Jesse's wonderful piece. It's extra memorable because it's not just about three nights with 'Patti Smith' and her group, it's about spending time with Mom and family. That makes it very moving.
It's great to see Bugs on your desk. He's the perfect companion for any task, any time of day.
And please get all the rest you need. We'll be here when you are. Writing, reading, walking sounds like a perfect formula. Like you said: small, daily steps. And maybe a Looney Tune or two.
New Year,Patti.
Thank you for the great greeting. I like to read your writing as you recover from your fatigue.
I read Mishima's "The Sun and Iron", a book in which he was fascinated by nationalism and devoted to machismo, but it is only strange to me because of my strong rejection of aging. I can't imitate his writing style.
But if it encourages you to write, so much the better. He is a genius and writes beautifully and fluently.
It is positive for the body and mind to find positives. The writer Haruki Murakami wrote that it is important to find something small, certain, and happy every day. He is right.
You have a talent for turning negative things into positive things. That can be very tiring and you should take a break now.
Montblanc fountain pens, and the Horner Special 20 placed in front of the Baudelaire photo made me smile. The photo of your late husband and the late Cairo that I saw before was also very nice. Warm and slightly sour food is a welcome relief from fatigue. Sushi might be a good choice if you like. Take care of yourself and respect.