gertrude « Keri Smith

April 12th, 2006

gertrude

sometimes all it takes is a few minutes.
i had a bit of time yesterday to spend at my favourite bookstore in town. i like to find a few books first then sit cross legged on the floor in the corner. i pulled one on gertrude stein and spent the next half hour travelling around europe, having drinks with hemingway, and going shopping in small french villages with alice b. toklas. I fell into the photos of french cafes, cozy art filled rooms with overstuffed furniture and lots of books. I love reading about how gertrude decided to cut her hair off, leaving her even more masculine looking than she was previously, (how daring for the time), and how she continued to write after being so heavily criticized by so many in the writing world. a true revolutionary. her writing style so strange and simple, she seemed to love the rythym of words, often repeating them over and over as if in a song.
a half hour was enough to recharge me after feeling tired and winded from this nasty cold and a hectic week. I dreamt of foreign vistas and good conversations over wine. of revolutions. and strong women. and love. and love. and love.

Apr 12 2006
1:02 pm

Lily writes:

Oh man, I love your illustration. It makes me want to pick up “The Making of Americans” again, and that’s no mean feat.

Apr 12 2006
1:09 pm

Josh writes:

My comment doesn’t really relate to this post in particular, but to your website more generally: I think it is so brave and inspiring that you share some of your deepest and most personal thoughts with the world on your website. I think few people ever embark on a true path of self-discovery and self-realization; who can say for sure why that is, the business of life perhaps, though I think the main reason fear. But it seems that you have so openly thrown yourself down that path (and I mean that in the best of ways), and shared your travels down it with the world. I think I have grown courage from your courage. So thank you.

Apr 12 2006
1:34 pm

Sandi writes:

Went to the bookstore last night. The boys were at a Tennis meet and my husband and I escaped for a short while. I understand!!! oh do I ever. What would we do without the travel connection – BOOKS wonderful books.
Loved the previous post. You go girl. Life is just too short. Thanks for the reminder. :)

Apr 12 2006
1:37 pm

vegasandvenice writes:

What a wonderful day!

Apr 12 2006
2:25 pm

eliane writes:

Glad to see you drawing again!

Apr 12 2006
2:43 pm

Summer writes:

I have that book and I love it. A wonderful biography of Gertrude & her partner Alice called simply “Gertrude & Alice” is an INSPIRING READ. So is Alice’s cookbook.

Apr 12 2006
6:30 pm

Leonie writes:

this is truly beautiful.
thank you.

Apr 12 2006
7:06 pm

Anja writes:

Hey, I just finished my thesis on Stein. In September, I stayed at Yale to read her letters and manuscripts. Hemingway wrote to her about Spain and his teething son and the ugly scyscrapers in New York and how he “wouldn’t live there for anything.” He was so young and cute in his letters.
In a letter to her cousin, Stein wrote that “…after all God did not make me cautious. But then again he did not make me careless.” I love her.

Apr 12 2006
7:30 pm

Janice writes:

my favourite Gertrude Stein quote:
” let me listen
to me
and not
to them”

Apr 12 2006
10:10 pm

Susie writes:

Have you ever read “Waiting for Gertrude” by Bill Richardson? If not, I think you would enjoy it; it’s extremely different yet captivating. Especially if you like cats.

Apr 13 2006
9:30 am

Fabian writes:

hi Keri, stumbled upon your blog today. you got a nice thing going here. am planning return visits. :) keep on drawing, writing, sharing.
-fabian

Apr 13 2006
10:52 am

jennifer writes:

sometimes i get this from revisiting a book i’ve read before. last night, all i needed to do was look through Spilling Open by Sabrina Ward Harrison again – something I read when I was in my early 20′s. as stein revived you, this revived me. i love books, and simple moments that remind us of the goodness in life and in ourselves. i’m glad you’re feelng better.

Apr 13 2006
11:41 am

khani writes:

keri,
Glad you are feeling better…bookstores are wonderful vehicles for challenging our intellect and soothing our emotions.
Have a blessed day and sunshine blessings..
Khani..

Apr 13 2006
12:41 pm

keri smith writes:

these comments have me scribbling furiously in my journal, more quotes, books, ideas.
THIS is what i enjoy about them immensely!
thank you

Apr 13 2006
2:42 pm

pixie writes:

love anjas comment…you are friends with the most deliciously inspiring dead authors. when i come to your journal i feel like i have put on a ratty comfortable mens corduroy jacket, lit up a smoke and plopped into a cozy chair in the corner of a library to sit and drink bourbon with you and virginia, emily, gertrude… you really have a way with words that transports me…xoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Apr 13 2006
2:55 pm

Lu writes:

that is very cool. i must visit the book store and travel with an author. what a great idea.

Apr 13 2006
6:38 pm

tav writes:

i really like your blog, and especially the posting about just being.

Apr 13 2006
11:34 pm

jenny vorwaller writes:

(oh neat, i never knew that part about her looking like an italian peasant woman :))

Apr 14 2006
3:49 pm

natascha writes:

Hola Keri!!
Last month I saw a very interesting documentary-movie called “Paris was a Woman” by Greta Schiller with wonderful images with G. Stein, Vita Sackville-West and other great artist. I thought you might be interested in! It’s very inspiring.

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