New Mexico is so wonderfully weird. Also, today is Mother’s Day which I imagine is a particularly difficult day for you. Just wanted to say I honor you and all the moms who are missing their angel kids extra today. I hope your day involves pie or some other sweet thing.
Dear Tina - Adding to my list of places I must visit! Pie-O-Neer bakery! (laughing and crying at the video!) Jean's gallery and "holographic universe!" (File under "It's a Sign:" he's wearing a NYC A Train logo tee; my train!) Thank you for sharing your adventures, both exterior and interior. The world is indeed a heartbreakingly beautiful place if we allow ourselves to experience and wholly feel it. Keep crying. Keep shining your light! Sending love, as ever... xoCJ
That realization that your life doesn't matter (in the best possible way), and the liberation that goes with it - Yes! That! It's such an awesome feeling and reading your description of it brought tears to my eyes.
Another lovely piece. I wanted to tell you, you do such a beautiful job at keeping Kiki’s memory alive through your writing. I feel lucky to get to know a piece of her. Also, now I’m craving chicken pot pie. Happy, safe and wondrous travels on the road Tina.
Dear Gigi, thank you so much for your message. It means so much to me that you see these stories as I do – a way of feeling Kiki's presence in this world.
It's hard to write or read about pie without wanting some! 💛
Oh man, best one yet...I love that guy's work - it kind of looks like my studio with all my nick nacks... Teen, if I told you once I told you a million times "DON'T GET YOUR HAIR CUT AT WALMART!!!"...So looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend! Love, Mike
Melancholia is one of those films that, if you love it, plays in your head, isn't it? It plays in mine a lot as well...so often in fact that I've forgotten to even notice that it's happening, I see the horse half in the ground, rearing, and the whole movie roots a little deeper into my subconscious - spreads out a little more into how I go about my day. The bad haircut, the meal that made you cry, saying goodbye to New Mexico, feeling liberated by insignificance....so much of this flows so true - I see it, I feel it, I know it. Thanks for this post, after reading all of your posts - I feel like there's always a little part of my heart that says "thanks, Tina" xoxo
Dear Sarah it's always so good to hear from you. I think we must be kindred spirits in many ways, and that connection is very special to me. Thank you 💛
I often think about the film Melancholia too. My dad died a week ago today and ever since I've felt like I want to hit the road like Forrest Gump except I'd be a walker not a runner (my knees!). Moving helps. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Dear Emily, I am so sorry about the loss of your dad. The milestone days are so hard, the missing hurts.
I started walking almost every day after Kiki died and you're right, moving helps. Whether it's moving in a vehicle across the country, or moving down a sidewalk by foot. Walking is when I feel most able to connect to her.
I'm happy you liked this story and could relate to the part about Melancholia. I wasn't sure about putting that part in, so I'm glad to know it meant something to you.
Dear Tina (and you are truly a "dear"). Today your story once again brought me a feeling calm and a sense of peace, so thank you. You reminded me of a favorite feeling, pure humility. That's how I describe that state of knowing in the best way that my life doesn't matter, as you said so beautifully. It's a rare and fleeting truth for me, and you brought me there today, and I knew, once again for just a moment, that all is well and as it is meant to be at this exact moment.... life.
The pie sounds amazing.... maybe I'll make a chicken pot pie today here in Portugal.
Dear Marta, I am grateful to have you as a regular reader and I always appreciate your comments, you are dear to me, too!
I'm glad you used the word humility because I hadn't thought of it that way, and that describes it. I was worried that readers might take it the wrong way (like I don't care about living, when it's really the opposite.) I like your description of the feeling.
OMG, Tina. The hair cut episode had me chuckling in an airport in Dumagette in the Philippines. I hope if I ever have such an experience I can laugh at myself.
And pie - I love pie. If I ever wander the States instead of forever heading to the other side of the world, I will need to go to Pie Town, for sure. I love pie.
Hi Pamela, it is still amazing to me that these letters fly around the world and could be read in an airport in the Philippines while I'm waking up in the desert outside Winslow, Arizona.
I'm glad you enjoyed the haircut episode! Sometimes the only choice in a situation is to laugh or cry… I usually do both!
Thanks for your message from the other side of the world 💛
I saw this come into my inbox and I waited to savour it and I’m so glad I did. Your words are always a balm, a nourishment. Plus… pie and sunrises and good people. Thank you 🙏
Obsessed with the doll art! This was such a wonderful post and this sounds like a magical place. Pie and UFO’s and creepy dolls!! I’m sold.
New Mexico is so wonderfully weird. Also, today is Mother’s Day which I imagine is a particularly difficult day for you. Just wanted to say I honor you and all the moms who are missing their angel kids extra today. I hope your day involves pie or some other sweet thing.
Dear Tina - Adding to my list of places I must visit! Pie-O-Neer bakery! (laughing and crying at the video!) Jean's gallery and "holographic universe!" (File under "It's a Sign:" he's wearing a NYC A Train logo tee; my train!) Thank you for sharing your adventures, both exterior and interior. The world is indeed a heartbreakingly beautiful place if we allow ourselves to experience and wholly feel it. Keep crying. Keep shining your light! Sending love, as ever... xoCJ
That realization that your life doesn't matter (in the best possible way), and the liberation that goes with it - Yes! That! It's such an awesome feeling and reading your description of it brought tears to my eyes.
It's gratifying to know you could relate. I wasn't sure, when I wrote it, if anyone would get it. Thank you, Sarah!
“Thanks for crying!” really got me. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard one stranger say to another. 🙏
Hi Meaghan, yes I felt the same way. Such an unexpected and heartfelt thing to say. Thanks!
Hope you enjoyed your birthday. If you get up to Bryce Canyon, come say “hi.”
Hi Brenda! Oh I definitely would if were heading that way. I love Utah and have not been to Bryce yet.
We're in the Mojave at the moment, heading to CA coast and up into Oregon. Hope we end up in the same place at some point!
Keep on journeying. Sounds like you are on my last year’s route.
Love this! Reminds me of the Lemon Shaker Pie recipe I adapted from L.A. restaurant Gjelina for easy home baking.
check it out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com/p/gjelinas-lemon-shaker-pie
oooh that recipe looks really good, thanks! I love lemon everything, especially when it's not too sweet.
Glad you like it Tina! Just DM'ed you
Another lovely piece. I wanted to tell you, you do such a beautiful job at keeping Kiki’s memory alive through your writing. I feel lucky to get to know a piece of her. Also, now I’m craving chicken pot pie. Happy, safe and wondrous travels on the road Tina.
Dear Gigi, thank you so much for your message. It means so much to me that you see these stories as I do – a way of feeling Kiki's presence in this world.
It's hard to write or read about pie without wanting some! 💛
Oh man, best one yet...I love that guy's work - it kind of looks like my studio with all my nick nacks... Teen, if I told you once I told you a million times "DON'T GET YOUR HAIR CUT AT WALMART!!!"...So looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend! Love, Mike
So glad you liked it! Yes definitely similar aesthetic as your maximalist studio! Can't wait to see you all!
Loved your story and audio
Thank you so much Anne!
Melancholia is one of those films that, if you love it, plays in your head, isn't it? It plays in mine a lot as well...so often in fact that I've forgotten to even notice that it's happening, I see the horse half in the ground, rearing, and the whole movie roots a little deeper into my subconscious - spreads out a little more into how I go about my day. The bad haircut, the meal that made you cry, saying goodbye to New Mexico, feeling liberated by insignificance....so much of this flows so true - I see it, I feel it, I know it. Thanks for this post, after reading all of your posts - I feel like there's always a little part of my heart that says "thanks, Tina" xoxo
Dear Sarah it's always so good to hear from you. I think we must be kindred spirits in many ways, and that connection is very special to me. Thank you 💛
I often think about the film Melancholia too. My dad died a week ago today and ever since I've felt like I want to hit the road like Forrest Gump except I'd be a walker not a runner (my knees!). Moving helps. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Dear Emily, I am so sorry about the loss of your dad. The milestone days are so hard, the missing hurts.
I started walking almost every day after Kiki died and you're right, moving helps. Whether it's moving in a vehicle across the country, or moving down a sidewalk by foot. Walking is when I feel most able to connect to her.
I'm happy you liked this story and could relate to the part about Melancholia. I wasn't sure about putting that part in, so I'm glad to know it meant something to you.
Thanks so much for being here.
Dear Tina (and you are truly a "dear"). Today your story once again brought me a feeling calm and a sense of peace, so thank you. You reminded me of a favorite feeling, pure humility. That's how I describe that state of knowing in the best way that my life doesn't matter, as you said so beautifully. It's a rare and fleeting truth for me, and you brought me there today, and I knew, once again for just a moment, that all is well and as it is meant to be at this exact moment.... life.
The pie sounds amazing.... maybe I'll make a chicken pot pie today here in Portugal.
Be well and love to Eric 🙏❤️
Dear Marta, I am grateful to have you as a regular reader and I always appreciate your comments, you are dear to me, too!
I'm glad you used the word humility because I hadn't thought of it that way, and that describes it. I was worried that readers might take it the wrong way (like I don't care about living, when it's really the opposite.) I like your description of the feeling.
I'll think of you making a pie in Portugal! 🥧 😊💛
OMG, Tina. The hair cut episode had me chuckling in an airport in Dumagette in the Philippines. I hope if I ever have such an experience I can laugh at myself.
And pie - I love pie. If I ever wander the States instead of forever heading to the other side of the world, I will need to go to Pie Town, for sure. I love pie.
Hi Pamela, it is still amazing to me that these letters fly around the world and could be read in an airport in the Philippines while I'm waking up in the desert outside Winslow, Arizona.
I'm glad you enjoyed the haircut episode! Sometimes the only choice in a situation is to laugh or cry… I usually do both!
Thanks for your message from the other side of the world 💛
And now I'm lying in bed in Palau, reading your response. ❤️
I saw this come into my inbox and I waited to savour it and I’m so glad I did. Your words are always a balm, a nourishment. Plus… pie and sunrises and good people. Thank you 🙏
Hi Samantha, it means so much to me that you think of my stories as something to savor. That's the highest compliment. Thank you 💛😊💛
Hi Tina, it is so cool to read about the places you go. Thanks for taking us along.💜
Thank you for coming along on the journey! I appreciate you being here. 😊