Tina, your writing keeps getting better all the time! And I’ve wanted to say how much I love, both the comments you get from others, and your response to them. Somehow, you’re able to reach through this cyber world & communicate as though you & your reader were sitting across from each other in a sweet, little cafe, sharing in the most intimate of ways. I also LOVE how Clem & Keek were with each other & how beautifully you paint that. And I totally love that you took them to the psychic 😂💃🏻! Keep on keeping on, we all benefit from your sharing. 💜
It's so great to have your comments show up here – I hear your voice in my head when I read them, and it keeps me connected to the feeling of sitting at Pam's table.
Reader's comments are my favorite part of writing on Substack, and I am so honored by the people who choose to open their tender hearts to me. It is a privilege. Especially since I have a pretty isolated life, it is a beautiful thing to make connections here.
I enjoyed writing this story, the memories of Clem and Keek together are some of my favorites. Clem even went camping with us once. She was good at camping! She slept in the tiny RV bathroom sink at night.
I knew this story would be spiritual and I saved it up for today so I could take my time and enjoy it. Like a treat. Imagine my surprise when I made a note about my sweet dog Clem who passed several years ago and then came here to read a story about a beautiful soul named Clem. Very serendipitous. Not to make it all about me 😄.
I am obsessed with Clementine and her connection with Kiki. What an inspiration to live heart first. And I love the moment at the restaurant where you feel her approval with your mission. It sounds like it will be an amazing tribute. I hope you will show us your tattoo but obviously it is very personal so no pressure. Thank you for always letting us in on these beautiful stories about Kiki and your divine quests to honor her memory.
P.S. I loved Sara’s Circus! I was glad we got so much Kiki, but I was pleasantly surprised that you and Eric made a few cameos as well! 😍
Hi Tina, my girl Clem was a pug. She was a gift for my 16th birthday and we were together as long as we could be, but she had a lot of allergies and had to have surgery a lot due to mast cell tumors from her reactions, so it was hard on her. She lived just short of 13 years but she was a fighter. I love her more than anyone.
Oh Clam! What a cute story! I can’t tell if the inspiration is ‘Clem’ but they just tweaked it or if the inspiration is shellfish. Either way I think your theory holds true.
I’m sorry if it’s been a rough month but I’m glad this tattoo is a big moment for you guys. Something to look forward to. I know I am.
Thank you for all your responses and for all that you do.
I love that you had a your own sweet Clem. What kind of dog was she? (or he?)
Years ago, Kiki and I heard a funny story on the radio about a guy named Clam. The narrator pointed out that it was definitely "CLAM" and not Clem. For some reason that struck us as so funny. Eventually we had a chance to use the name for one of our little chicks, a white one. Clam grew up to be a grey rooster, but he was odd! He was slightly disabled and had weird idiosyncrasies. We had too many roosters and were able to rehome him with a woman who fell in love with him. But we always felt that the reason he turned out weird is because we named him CLAM haha.
It means so much to me that you watched Sara's Circus and I'm glad you loved it! It ended up winning Best Feature Documentary in the Film Festival.
October has been a big month emotionally. It was also Kiki's favorite month; she loved spooky stuff just like you do 😊
I will definitely be showing the tattoo when it's done! My appt is in a couple of weeks.
I always appreciate the thoughtfulness in your comments 💛 thank you.
I waited to read this until my week was over. Now,in the quiet of Saturday morning, I'm both smiling and weeping. Over a chicken. And a beautiful girl and her mother.
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I'm glad you found the story moving. Writing it felt happy and sad but mostly happy. Clem and Keek were such a joyful pair, I can't help smiling too.
like a little "teapot" - perfect description. just perfect. we had a chicken that ran that way with it's heart out when we lived in LA - it would make a beeline for my daughter Esme every time it saw her. They were besties and I still feel grief over rehoming her in California when we moved. Maybe she would have liked RV life? I just couldn't figure out how to keep her away from the Cat. No one would love her the way my Esme loved her. So it tis. I also made my mom rescue a chicken from the side of the freeway when I was 10 - he was blind and had a broken leg but we kept him and named him Charlie - must have fallen off a Chicken Truck. He would come hang out in the Kitchen whenever we were making dinner. So to say this story delighted and broke me is an understatement. I cannot wait to see the tattoo if you decide to show us. And the idea of something that would be on her body, the body that is gone, being now on your body ends me - but also feels so damn right. xo
Your words keep getting better Tina. The writing is fire. The heart work deep. Well done lady.
That was SO beautiful Teen! I love hearing your voice reading your words...it's somehow very soothing to me. From something as simple as love for a chicken to such a profound insight of knowing that "death is not the end"....keep taking us along with you...love, Mike
That full moon rising. I’m thinking that your best girl was in charge of you & Eric being able to spend more time there. Clem, heart first. We are only separated by a heartbeat. On getting a tattoo: I have one. The only people that ever saw it are no longer earth side. Feathers. So many feathers this month. Even in my mail. Betty Bombers: I would love to eat there. Which burger did you have? My sister always said I should open a burger joint. Sara’s Circus: Deepest thanks Tina for sharing the link and the discount. Kiki was absolutely beautiful in that green outfit. I loved her in it. What a beautiful young woman. I see so much of both you and Eric in her. There is a business where I live. It’s called Kiki. There is a huge billboard that says Kiki on it. It’s been up since October. I see it almost every day. Reminders. All the reminders. We are all connected. I appreciate all that you share. Especially the audio, in your own voice. I’ll be thinking about you all there on Halloween. Thanks again.
I love how you transport me in and out of the past with Keek, Erik, yourself and now Clem. I laugh and cry within the spaces your words fill in a Substack entry and can only give back by honoring you as a writer.
Clearly had to listen to "A Chicken..." since I miss you so much and hearing your voice was so satisfying! 💜🐓 I continue to be in awe of your writing and am honored to (actually) know you beyond this delightful format of connection.
Thank you for showing up again and again... I know you're doing so for Kiki.
xo, xo
K
p.s. And the TATTOO of Clem coming soon! (maybe already happened?) WOW!
We had a chicken like Clem. Peep was born with a crossbeak and we fed her with an eyedropper for the year-and-a-half that she lived. She spent a great deal of time riding in the "Peep Pouch," inside the big of my overalls. She was, like Clem, intelligent, brave, and resourceful. I still miss her.
Kiki was such a beautiful girl and young lady. I love the story about her little bantam chicken. They resemble each other. I'm so sorry for your and Eric's loss. That dynamic life barely begun. I hope she's holding Cem wherever they may be today. Thank you, Tina.
Tina, your writing keeps getting better all the time! And I’ve wanted to say how much I love, both the comments you get from others, and your response to them. Somehow, you’re able to reach through this cyber world & communicate as though you & your reader were sitting across from each other in a sweet, little cafe, sharing in the most intimate of ways. I also LOVE how Clem & Keek were with each other & how beautifully you paint that. And I totally love that you took them to the psychic 😂💃🏻! Keep on keeping on, we all benefit from your sharing. 💜
Thank you Yvette!
It's so great to have your comments show up here – I hear your voice in my head when I read them, and it keeps me connected to the feeling of sitting at Pam's table.
Reader's comments are my favorite part of writing on Substack, and I am so honored by the people who choose to open their tender hearts to me. It is a privilege. Especially since I have a pretty isolated life, it is a beautiful thing to make connections here.
I enjoyed writing this story, the memories of Clem and Keek together are some of my favorites. Clem even went camping with us once. She was good at camping! She slept in the tiny RV bathroom sink at night.
I knew this story would be spiritual and I saved it up for today so I could take my time and enjoy it. Like a treat. Imagine my surprise when I made a note about my sweet dog Clem who passed several years ago and then came here to read a story about a beautiful soul named Clem. Very serendipitous. Not to make it all about me 😄.
I am obsessed with Clementine and her connection with Kiki. What an inspiration to live heart first. And I love the moment at the restaurant where you feel her approval with your mission. It sounds like it will be an amazing tribute. I hope you will show us your tattoo but obviously it is very personal so no pressure. Thank you for always letting us in on these beautiful stories about Kiki and your divine quests to honor her memory.
P.S. I loved Sara’s Circus! I was glad we got so much Kiki, but I was pleasantly surprised that you and Eric made a few cameos as well! 😍
Hi Tina, my girl Clem was a pug. She was a gift for my 16th birthday and we were together as long as we could be, but she had a lot of allergies and had to have surgery a lot due to mast cell tumors from her reactions, so it was hard on her. She lived just short of 13 years but she was a fighter. I love her more than anyone.
Oh Clam! What a cute story! I can’t tell if the inspiration is ‘Clem’ but they just tweaked it or if the inspiration is shellfish. Either way I think your theory holds true.
I’m sorry if it’s been a rough month but I’m glad this tattoo is a big moment for you guys. Something to look forward to. I know I am.
Thank you for all your responses and for all that you do.
I love that you had a your own sweet Clem. What kind of dog was she? (or he?)
Years ago, Kiki and I heard a funny story on the radio about a guy named Clam. The narrator pointed out that it was definitely "CLAM" and not Clem. For some reason that struck us as so funny. Eventually we had a chance to use the name for one of our little chicks, a white one. Clam grew up to be a grey rooster, but he was odd! He was slightly disabled and had weird idiosyncrasies. We had too many roosters and were able to rehome him with a woman who fell in love with him. But we always felt that the reason he turned out weird is because we named him CLAM haha.
It means so much to me that you watched Sara's Circus and I'm glad you loved it! It ended up winning Best Feature Documentary in the Film Festival.
October has been a big month emotionally. It was also Kiki's favorite month; she loved spooky stuff just like you do 😊
I will definitely be showing the tattoo when it's done! My appt is in a couple of weeks.
I always appreciate the thoughtfulness in your comments 💛 thank you.
That picture of the beach is stunning, and offers a gentle visual landing for this moving post.
I appreciate you noticing that! I love working with the photos for these posts. Thanks.
I waited to read this until my week was over. Now,in the quiet of Saturday morning, I'm both smiling and weeping. Over a chicken. And a beautiful girl and her mother.
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I'm glad you found the story moving. Writing it felt happy and sad but mostly happy. Clem and Keek were such a joyful pair, I can't help smiling too.
like a little "teapot" - perfect description. just perfect. we had a chicken that ran that way with it's heart out when we lived in LA - it would make a beeline for my daughter Esme every time it saw her. They were besties and I still feel grief over rehoming her in California when we moved. Maybe she would have liked RV life? I just couldn't figure out how to keep her away from the Cat. No one would love her the way my Esme loved her. So it tis. I also made my mom rescue a chicken from the side of the freeway when I was 10 - he was blind and had a broken leg but we kept him and named him Charlie - must have fallen off a Chicken Truck. He would come hang out in the Kitchen whenever we were making dinner. So to say this story delighted and broke me is an understatement. I cannot wait to see the tattoo if you decide to show us. And the idea of something that would be on her body, the body that is gone, being now on your body ends me - but also feels so damn right. xo
Your words keep getting better Tina. The writing is fire. The heart work deep. Well done lady.
I had no idea chickens could be so smart or demonstrate so much attachment to a person. What a beautiful and beautifully told story!
That was SO beautiful Teen! I love hearing your voice reading your words...it's somehow very soothing to me. From something as simple as love for a chicken to such a profound insight of knowing that "death is not the end"....keep taking us along with you...love, Mike
Loved this one so much! Clem & Kiki, you & your BIG tattoo, in memory of both. So much love!! BIG love!
That full moon rising. I’m thinking that your best girl was in charge of you & Eric being able to spend more time there. Clem, heart first. We are only separated by a heartbeat. On getting a tattoo: I have one. The only people that ever saw it are no longer earth side. Feathers. So many feathers this month. Even in my mail. Betty Bombers: I would love to eat there. Which burger did you have? My sister always said I should open a burger joint. Sara’s Circus: Deepest thanks Tina for sharing the link and the discount. Kiki was absolutely beautiful in that green outfit. I loved her in it. What a beautiful young woman. I see so much of both you and Eric in her. There is a business where I live. It’s called Kiki. There is a huge billboard that says Kiki on it. It’s been up since October. I see it almost every day. Reminders. All the reminders. We are all connected. I appreciate all that you share. Especially the audio, in your own voice. I’ll be thinking about you all there on Halloween. Thanks again.
Beautiful.
I love how you transport me in and out of the past with Keek, Erik, yourself and now Clem. I laugh and cry within the spaces your words fill in a Substack entry and can only give back by honoring you as a writer.
Clearly had to listen to "A Chicken..." since I miss you so much and hearing your voice was so satisfying! 💜🐓 I continue to be in awe of your writing and am honored to (actually) know you beyond this delightful format of connection.
Thank you for showing up again and again... I know you're doing so for Kiki.
xo, xo
K
p.s. And the TATTOO of Clem coming soon! (maybe already happened?) WOW!
We had a chicken like Clem. Peep was born with a crossbeak and we fed her with an eyedropper for the year-and-a-half that she lived. She spent a great deal of time riding in the "Peep Pouch," inside the big of my overalls. She was, like Clem, intelligent, brave, and resourceful. I still miss her.
Oh Peep! In the Peep Pouch! Isn't it amazing how these birds can capture our hearts? Good to hear from you 💛
Beautiful story telling-- captivating and honest!
Thank you Luna!
I missed the 'l' down there. Oops.
Kiki was such a beautiful girl and young lady. I love the story about her little bantam chicken. They resemble each other. I'm so sorry for your and Eric's loss. That dynamic life barely begun. I hope she's holding Cem wherever they may be today. Thank you, Tina.
Thank you Debi. I believe they are together. Maybe not in a way I can understand now, but together. Thanks for reading. 💛