Hi Patti. Curious. I am 3/4 of the way through Kairos. I think you recommended it. Just wondering what you found in this book that made you recommend. Perhaps it was because of the challenge the author set out for herself? The translators challenge? I find it very frustrating to read. I do not care for any of the characters. I find it way too drawn out. It is inconceivable and deplorable to think about someone being such a victim and so completely dominated by a deplorable character as Hans. So tell me what you thought about it.
Just the other day. i started humming your song "We three" while making coffee. in the dining room i remembered all the memories important to me since I first heard it. at fourteen ❤️ For the love of our kings and the One who bore it all to be
I hope you're doing well! I've had the same issue here and on multiple occasions throughout these past few years. I once typed up, revised and edited an entire chapter of a book I was working on (from hand-written notes, at least) only to have the file completely disappear. THAT was a disheartening journey and I still haven't gone back to it, though I've since worked on several other chapters, sections, etc.
If I may make a different suggestion for the future (though Lord knows you never know when something will be lost) is to type your message here on Substack as you like, then copy and paste it elsewhere so you'll have a backup if something goes wrong. I haven't made a habit of this myself but I probably should!
T.S. Eliot has long --since high school?-- been one of my favorite poets; "Prufrock" was one of those that moved me in mysterious ways and left a lasting effect. This one, "The Journey of the Magi", is likewise enthralling--I also appreciate art that takes on a historical or religious event or story but from an alternate, less-often considered perspective. There is something quite cynical in the magi's perspective, typical of Eliot's work, but it is truthful: One cannot usher in the new world without inevitably ushering oneself out!
All the best to you, Robin, and many thanks for your efforts in sharing this with us. It is truly appreciated!
This is wonderful, and as usual, I am very late to the comments.
Just wanted to note that, on Insta, I saw a 15C miniature painting @archaelogyart from Germany of the Three Kings sleeping in the same bed. Must have chilly in on the road to Bethlehem!
For me, your version of this carol caught the mood of the scene in Pasolini’s Gospel of St. Matthew where the kings arrive and present their gifts—-a windy day of reverence and foreboding imbued with the eerie beauty of Odetta’s incandescent voice. Such richness and austerity, at the same time. Thank you for sharing.
The 6th is a holiday in Bavaria for Three King's Day (Heilige Drei Könige, some also just call it Dreikönigstag). There's also tradition for children coming to people's houses as "Sternsinger" to sing and bless the house and collect money for charity (these days mostly for children in need), dressed as the three Kings - this is related to the kings also being referred to as "Weise aus dem Morgenland" or Sterndeuter.
(Here is a wikipedia entry about it but it is unfortunately in German. Anyway, you can see the type of blessings that they write on the top of the door in chalk on there.
That’s one of my favorite Nativity paintings. And I’d never heard your version of “We Three Kings” before! It’s so dynamic and powerful. Thank you. Epiphany … manifestation … 6 January is such a special day. And those of us who are Joyceans have a special affinity for it (and we all reread “The Dead” on the 6th). Safe travels home, Patti. Peace and love.
Your post on Epiphany takes me back to the time of my childhood when this was a still a truly felt festivity. Now it's time for sales. When I was a child I remember that I didn't care much about Santa Claus because in my family the gifts came with Epiphany and the Three Kings. So, for me waiting for Christmas was to build the nativity scene with my dad, each year adding something new – could be a sheep, a shepherd, a kid playing, a woman fetching water, and adorn the tree together and...wait. The Three Magi or Wise Men arrived after a long journey following the comet and I waited with trepidation to be able to complete on Epiphany's day the nativity scene by adding the figurines of the Magi and their dromedaries. Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar, their names sounded exotic to me and ignited my imagination by taking me to distant places. Now those places are destroyed by war. Death, cold and hunger have extinguished the light of the comet. Thank you for bringing us back to the meaning of Epiphany, and to the hope that the comet can be rekindled in those places and elsewhere. The light of a new dawn. 💫🕊️
What wonderful memories, Anna. I love the idea of the kings bringing the gifts, just as they did on that first Christmas. And what a great tradition, making Nativity figures with your dad! I, too, hope for a rekindling of the magical comment. Beautifully written. Thank you.
What wonderful memories, Anna. I love the idea of the kings bringing the gifts, just as they did for the newborn in the stable. And what a great tradition, making nativity figures with your dad. I, too, hope the comet can be rekindled. Thank you for sharing.
In my childhood we celebrated Christmas including gift giving, singing, bringing a christmas tree in and decorating it etc on the 24th but we also added the Three Kings to the nativity only on the 6th.
Got a light? Haven’t had a smoke for sometime now
I troll all poets connected with Tibetan Buddhism
Are you ready? I’m ver clever too
I trolled Anne Waldman on behalf of X Shambhala Patticake
I thought you may like this in context. You mentioned the planets lining up in your postcard 6/2/2024 - which I just listened to.
https://www.sciencealert.com/a-rare-alignment-of-7-planets-is-about-to-take-place-in-the-sky
Hi Patti. Curious. I am 3/4 of the way through Kairos. I think you recommended it. Just wondering what you found in this book that made you recommend. Perhaps it was because of the challenge the author set out for herself? The translators challenge? I find it very frustrating to read. I do not care for any of the characters. I find it way too drawn out. It is inconceivable and deplorable to think about someone being such a victim and so completely dominated by a deplorable character as Hans. So tell me what you thought about it.
Just the other day. i started humming your song "We three" while making coffee. in the dining room i remembered all the memories important to me since I first heard it. at fourteen ❤️ For the love of our kings and the One who bore it all to be
Beautiful music this day means so much to me. It symbolizes a spirit of honor and giving.
At this point mankind became one.
Beautiful. Patti, please come back to Uruguay !
Hi Robin,
I hope you're doing well! I've had the same issue here and on multiple occasions throughout these past few years. I once typed up, revised and edited an entire chapter of a book I was working on (from hand-written notes, at least) only to have the file completely disappear. THAT was a disheartening journey and I still haven't gone back to it, though I've since worked on several other chapters, sections, etc.
If I may make a different suggestion for the future (though Lord knows you never know when something will be lost) is to type your message here on Substack as you like, then copy and paste it elsewhere so you'll have a backup if something goes wrong. I haven't made a habit of this myself but I probably should!
T.S. Eliot has long --since high school?-- been one of my favorite poets; "Prufrock" was one of those that moved me in mysterious ways and left a lasting effect. This one, "The Journey of the Magi", is likewise enthralling--I also appreciate art that takes on a historical or religious event or story but from an alternate, less-often considered perspective. There is something quite cynical in the magi's perspective, typical of Eliot's work, but it is truthful: One cannot usher in the new world without inevitably ushering oneself out!
All the best to you, Robin, and many thanks for your efforts in sharing this with us. It is truly appreciated!
Dear Patti,
Thank you so much for your inspiring song and your words. All the best in the New Year! May we all get more thumbs up!
This is wonderful, and as usual, I am very late to the comments.
Just wanted to note that, on Insta, I saw a 15C miniature painting @archaelogyart from Germany of the Three Kings sleeping in the same bed. Must have chilly in on the road to Bethlehem!
It's the wonderful We Three KIngs;
Patti sang “O Holy Night,” at the Vatican's official Christmas concert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZmc-44YHug
It's always a shame when you leave Europe Patti, the sun does not shine the same and cafes lose their quietude xxx
For me, your version of this carol caught the mood of the scene in Pasolini’s Gospel of St. Matthew where the kings arrive and present their gifts—-a windy day of reverence and foreboding imbued with the eerie beauty of Odetta’s incandescent voice. Such richness and austerity, at the same time. Thank you for sharing.
The 6th is a holiday in Bavaria for Three King's Day (Heilige Drei Könige, some also just call it Dreikönigstag). There's also tradition for children coming to people's houses as "Sternsinger" to sing and bless the house and collect money for charity (these days mostly for children in need), dressed as the three Kings - this is related to the kings also being referred to as "Weise aus dem Morgenland" or Sterndeuter.
(Here is a wikipedia entry about it but it is unfortunately in German. Anyway, you can see the type of blessings that they write on the top of the door in chalk on there.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sternsinger )
That’s one of my favorite Nativity paintings. And I’d never heard your version of “We Three Kings” before! It’s so dynamic and powerful. Thank you. Epiphany … manifestation … 6 January is such a special day. And those of us who are Joyceans have a special affinity for it (and we all reread “The Dead” on the 6th). Safe travels home, Patti. Peace and love.
Your post on Epiphany takes me back to the time of my childhood when this was a still a truly felt festivity. Now it's time for sales. When I was a child I remember that I didn't care much about Santa Claus because in my family the gifts came with Epiphany and the Three Kings. So, for me waiting for Christmas was to build the nativity scene with my dad, each year adding something new – could be a sheep, a shepherd, a kid playing, a woman fetching water, and adorn the tree together and...wait. The Three Magi or Wise Men arrived after a long journey following the comet and I waited with trepidation to be able to complete on Epiphany's day the nativity scene by adding the figurines of the Magi and their dromedaries. Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar, their names sounded exotic to me and ignited my imagination by taking me to distant places. Now those places are destroyed by war. Death, cold and hunger have extinguished the light of the comet. Thank you for bringing us back to the meaning of Epiphany, and to the hope that the comet can be rekindled in those places and elsewhere. The light of a new dawn. 💫🕊️
Safe travels back home, Patti. See you soon. 💕💕
What wonderful memories, Anna. I love the idea of the kings bringing the gifts, just as they did on that first Christmas. And what a great tradition, making Nativity figures with your dad! I, too, hope for a rekindling of the magical comment. Beautifully written. Thank you.
What wonderful memories, Anna. I love the idea of the kings bringing the gifts, just as they did for the newborn in the stable. And what a great tradition, making nativity figures with your dad. I, too, hope the comet can be rekindled. Thank you for sharing.
In my childhood we celebrated Christmas including gift giving, singing, bringing a christmas tree in and decorating it etc on the 24th but we also added the Three Kings to the nativity only on the 6th.