As someone who walks with grief I felt this. Thank you for sharing. As someone who has tattoos, including one for my son, I'm glad you found the right one♥️🫂
Hi Shannon, thank you for reading. I am sorry we have a sadness in common, but I appreciate connecting with you. Sometimes it lessens the weight we carry when we connect with others who understand. Thanks 💛
This was a great read. I love far West Texas. Once a week I’m looking at property out there. I’ve had enough of Dallas and city life, I want to replace the Dallas skyline with the Chisos and replace all the people with coyotes and javelinas.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this story, Jeff. I hope you find your perfect spot in West Texas. I totally get the appeal. I used to think of Texas as a place to get through as fast as possible on my way across the country. But now I get it. The wild and natural places there are like nowhere else. Thank you!
Tina, dear gentle Tina. Your memory tattoo is stunning. Keep would love it. And I’m sure she sees you from afar, and is so happy you completed her dream.
Tattoos are a big deal, at least all of mine have been.
May the lonely places clear your soul of any lingering noise and cobwebs. There’s no need for so many words right now.
Dear Teyani. I always appreciate hearing from you. It is so gratifying to me that you regularly read my stories, and I look forward to your comments. 💛 Thank you
I’ve never heard of Lichtenberg scars but this sounds really cool. So is the ball of lightning!! Your tattoo of sweet Clementine is perfect! I love it so much. What an amazing tribute and gift.
I also enjoyed your UFO story, of course. While you were in Big Bend, were you able to see the Marfa lights?
Thank you Tina for the beautiful story. You always make me think deep, meaningful thoughts. You always make me cry. 🥹
Hi Lyns – we didn't see the Marfa lights. We were staying at a State Park about 30 miles from Marfa, and went there in the daytime – then we were too cozy to venture out into the cold and windy night. Maybe next trip through Texas though! It is so weird that they still remain unexplained after all this time.
Teen, I have tears in my eyes...this was SO beautiful and tender...you "took me there" again with your words. I feel like I've gotten a chance to get to know the beautiful niece that I got to spend far too little time with. Love the tattoo - it's incredible!
Oh my god, Tina. You've done it again. So many layers here: Kiki, of course, the chicken in real life and in imagery, the anonymous donor, and how, traveling through phone-free areas, you wanted to "remember what it was like to daydream and be unreachable and not have everything feel so urgent and overwhelming. As always, thank you.
Thank you Kirie. It means so much to me that you are a regular reader and always leave a comment. It is the best reward I could possibly have as a writer. I truly appreciate your presence here, thank you! 💛
Thank you Cindy. Maybe it was in your writing that I first heard of that phenomenon. It is certainly a beautiful thought. Some people have a tiny bit of their loved one's ashes mixed in with tattoo ink but I didn't feel like I needed that. Our daughters came from our bodies and will always be part of us.
Beautiful story, beautiful ink and such a seeking heart! Thank you. I know City of Rocks from the seven years we lived in Las Cruces. It's a magical place. I wrote five books while we were there, trying to write my way into home in the Chihuahuan Desert. My favorite of those five is Barren, Wild and Worthless, Living in the Chihuahuan Desert. It's a memoir-ish book of place, people, history and land. Still one of my best books, I think. Blessings to you.
Hi Susan, I just ordered your book and I can't wait to read it. I love the title. Today at City of Rocks we're getting 55 mph winds and the dust is pretty thick, it certainly is a land of extremes. I am really loving getting to know this place. Beautiful in all its extremes.
Oh, those spring winds and the associated dust storms! I remember them not-fondly. But you're right, City of Rocks and the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert are a land of extremes, and full of the desert magic--unexpected, ephemeral and extraordinary Thanks for order and reading Barren! (The title is a quote from John Bartlett, the Baltimore--if I'm remembering correctly--shopkeeper who got the job of heading the first Boundary Survey of the new US-Mexico border after the Mexican-American war in the early 1840s. He did not find the desert a place to love.)
This community gratefully receives your missives as they arrive, dear Tina. No failing necessary! And the ink...? Chef's kiss. Just beautiful. xo Sending love, CJ
I fell unexpectedly in love with New Mexico when we drove through before coming to Minnesota. Reading about you being there gave me a good dose of envy and joy.
The green-blue trees and the gold - the clouds there are always changing, and the rivers feel old and kind. The spring is coming too and the air will smell so good - I hope this for you. I drove across the country and up to Alaska by myself when I was in my twenties and the "lonely places" were where I actually felt the least alone, the least scared. The inner reality was where the breathing happened / where I could rest after so much trauma in my life. They were a place to land and be held. The lightning! The Tattoo! The subscriber's gift. This whole piece - Thank you Tina for sending this out. xo
Thank you Sarah! Love hearing about your drive through NM and your solo trip all the way to Alaska. Wow that was an adventurous thing to do. I relate to the feeling of "a place to land and be held."
Right now our trailer is shaking from 55 mph wind gusts and the nearest main road is closed due to dust clouds ("haboobs" – just learned that word today) so you're not missing anything here in NM, at least not today! But yes, it is a pretty magical place. "Land of Enchantment" is no lie!
55 mph!!!!! Noooo, that's intense. That happened to us here a few summers ago in the rig. The sound was intense. Oh I hope it passes quickly and everything comes out alright. I'll be thinking about you. And yeah everyone joked it was the "land of entrapment" because it'll get ya. There was no logical reason for us to want to stay but we considered it for a good long while. 😆 good luck tonight!!
Beautiful!
The words
The ink
The reason
The honor of Kiki
The undying love
This was such a beautiful story - I love the tattoo and the meaning of it.
Hi Annette, it's good to hear from you. I really appreciate that you are reading and enjoying these stories! Thanks 💛
I’m not a tattoo person, but that is one beautiful tattoo and also a beautiful story. Thank you.
Thank you Alanna!
What a story . Thank you and also the tattoo gift donor xx
Thank you 💛
As someone who walks with grief I felt this. Thank you for sharing. As someone who has tattoos, including one for my son, I'm glad you found the right one♥️🫂
Hi Shannon, thank you for reading. I am sorry we have a sadness in common, but I appreciate connecting with you. Sometimes it lessens the weight we carry when we connect with others who understand. Thanks 💛
I totally agree ☺️🫂
This was a great read. I love far West Texas. Once a week I’m looking at property out there. I’ve had enough of Dallas and city life, I want to replace the Dallas skyline with the Chisos and replace all the people with coyotes and javelinas.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this story, Jeff. I hope you find your perfect spot in West Texas. I totally get the appeal. I used to think of Texas as a place to get through as fast as possible on my way across the country. But now I get it. The wild and natural places there are like nowhere else. Thank you!
Tina, dear gentle Tina. Your memory tattoo is stunning. Keep would love it. And I’m sure she sees you from afar, and is so happy you completed her dream.
Tattoos are a big deal, at least all of mine have been.
May the lonely places clear your soul of any lingering noise and cobwebs. There’s no need for so many words right now.
Dear Teyani. I always appreciate hearing from you. It is so gratifying to me that you regularly read my stories, and I look forward to your comments. 💛 Thank you
This knocked me out. What a generous gift. And I love how your sleeve came out!
Thank you Kimberly, I appreciate hearing from you! 💛
I’ve never heard of Lichtenberg scars but this sounds really cool. So is the ball of lightning!! Your tattoo of sweet Clementine is perfect! I love it so much. What an amazing tribute and gift.
I also enjoyed your UFO story, of course. While you were in Big Bend, were you able to see the Marfa lights?
Thank you Tina for the beautiful story. You always make me think deep, meaningful thoughts. You always make me cry. 🥹
Hi Lyns – we didn't see the Marfa lights. We were staying at a State Park about 30 miles from Marfa, and went there in the daytime – then we were too cozy to venture out into the cold and windy night. Maybe next trip through Texas though! It is so weird that they still remain unexplained after all this time.
As always, thank you so much for reading 💛
Yes I thought Eric might appreciate the Marfa lights since he’s so ready to get abducted 😄
Teen, I have tears in my eyes...this was SO beautiful and tender...you "took me there" again with your words. I feel like I've gotten a chance to get to know the beautiful niece that I got to spend far too little time with. Love the tattoo - it's incredible!
Thank you!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Oh my god, Tina. You've done it again. So many layers here: Kiki, of course, the chicken in real life and in imagery, the anonymous donor, and how, traveling through phone-free areas, you wanted to "remember what it was like to daydream and be unreachable and not have everything feel so urgent and overwhelming. As always, thank you.
Thank you Kirie. It means so much to me that you are a regular reader and always leave a comment. It is the best reward I could possibly have as a writer. I truly appreciate your presence here, thank you! 💛
I once wrote about Annie's cells inside me, too. I'm sure of it, as I'm sure Kiki's are still with you. ♥
Thank you Cindy. Maybe it was in your writing that I first heard of that phenomenon. It is certainly a beautiful thought. Some people have a tiny bit of their loved one's ashes mixed in with tattoo ink but I didn't feel like I needed that. Our daughters came from our bodies and will always be part of us.
Thank you for the beautiful story. It touched my heart and added words to feelings.
Thank you Brian 💛
Beautiful story, beautiful ink and such a seeking heart! Thank you. I know City of Rocks from the seven years we lived in Las Cruces. It's a magical place. I wrote five books while we were there, trying to write my way into home in the Chihuahuan Desert. My favorite of those five is Barren, Wild and Worthless, Living in the Chihuahuan Desert. It's a memoir-ish book of place, people, history and land. Still one of my best books, I think. Blessings to you.
Hi Susan, I just ordered your book and I can't wait to read it. I love the title. Today at City of Rocks we're getting 55 mph winds and the dust is pretty thick, it certainly is a land of extremes. I am really loving getting to know this place. Beautiful in all its extremes.
Thanks for reading and commenting
Oh, those spring winds and the associated dust storms! I remember them not-fondly. But you're right, City of Rocks and the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert are a land of extremes, and full of the desert magic--unexpected, ephemeral and extraordinary Thanks for order and reading Barren! (The title is a quote from John Bartlett, the Baltimore--if I'm remembering correctly--shopkeeper who got the job of heading the first Boundary Survey of the new US-Mexico border after the Mexican-American war in the early 1840s. He did not find the desert a place to love.)
This community gratefully receives your missives as they arrive, dear Tina. No failing necessary! And the ink...? Chef's kiss. Just beautiful. xo Sending love, CJ
Thank you so much Christa, I always love hearing from you 💛
The feeling is entirely mutual, dear one. xo
I fell unexpectedly in love with New Mexico when we drove through before coming to Minnesota. Reading about you being there gave me a good dose of envy and joy.
The green-blue trees and the gold - the clouds there are always changing, and the rivers feel old and kind. The spring is coming too and the air will smell so good - I hope this for you. I drove across the country and up to Alaska by myself when I was in my twenties and the "lonely places" were where I actually felt the least alone, the least scared. The inner reality was where the breathing happened / where I could rest after so much trauma in my life. They were a place to land and be held. The lightning! The Tattoo! The subscriber's gift. This whole piece - Thank you Tina for sending this out. xo
Thank you Sarah! Love hearing about your drive through NM and your solo trip all the way to Alaska. Wow that was an adventurous thing to do. I relate to the feeling of "a place to land and be held."
Right now our trailer is shaking from 55 mph wind gusts and the nearest main road is closed due to dust clouds ("haboobs" – just learned that word today) so you're not missing anything here in NM, at least not today! But yes, it is a pretty magical place. "Land of Enchantment" is no lie!
55 mph!!!!! Noooo, that's intense. That happened to us here a few summers ago in the rig. The sound was intense. Oh I hope it passes quickly and everything comes out alright. I'll be thinking about you. And yeah everyone joked it was the "land of entrapment" because it'll get ya. There was no logical reason for us to want to stay but we considered it for a good long while. 😆 good luck tonight!!
It has calmed down - for the locals this is normal spring weather!