O'KEEFFE/STIEGLITZ LETTERS O'Keeffe, Georgia 1940, Feb.-Apr. Box 1 Folder 14 Feb. 1940 I liked your Washingtons Birthday letter am sorry I was not in town s, that you could come and see me - Yes [?issies] story is nice. I am liking it. And liking it that you go in to see Alfred once in a while -- It is good to know you are there We go sailing today w Bob in a fever to get us off Heres hoping G. Feb. 1940 The water is so clean -- so blue and green --and so wild -- strong wind -- clouds and sun chasing one another across the sky -- Wonderful sun when it is out but it sometimes isn't -- beautiful clean beach w lots of shells -- The men go sailing and come back sort of battered [?]ib from the wind and rough sea ---. It isn't a nice as Hawaii I was very pleased to hear from you this morning I like the sound of the water -- and the wind in the tall soft[?] trees. Hawaii ------is much better Your paper is alright only you placed the printing at the top in no particular place - or shall I say in a position that doesn't feel very settled ---- However -- the letters are to be the important thing on that paper I suppose --- G. Mar. 1, 1940 March 1/40 Wednesday night -- back from four days of sailing and I must say to you that I liked it -- Part of it rough with mountains of waves Part of it eerily smooth and blue --Sometimes the sharply dark blue and light green water very lovely. I like the rough part best -- You felt right down in the seas --Then again way on the top of it And I loved the compact neatness of the little boat -- the beautiful tall sails -- aluminum masts -- It was good -- My face feels hot -- my hands are brown I was seasick for a couple of hours twice ----- [?] that I didn't mind. I never felt the sea that way before. G. It was worth coming for. Mar. 12, 1940 [*March 12/40*] Henwar I am sleepy but I want to say to you that I love your letter about the sea and the one today about your stretchy spring feeling - Ive been sailing several times just for the day but a few nights ago a bad storm blew the boat up on the rocks so we haven't been out for three days The night of the storm Maggi gave a dinner party for some twenty people and it was a funny wild sight to see others all in their best long dresses running down the dock between waves that washed right over it - diving into the old fashioned tub of a ferry boat - Lights flashed across it all made the water look as mad and unreal - it was quiet startling Ive done Nassau pretty well the past two or three days Im going to lie in the sun till Saturday and then go home I believe the sun is about all its good for - Im just too sleepy to write Next morning - Nassau has lots of pink in houses and long walls - some times lovely pale pink - some times a fine mouldy red and every thing in between - The black people seen to be mostly a dusty grey black - maybe salt in their skin - They don't seem brownish and shiney like so many of ours - they there is the glass blue green sea - the ragged sail boats don't mean much - there are a good many - I guess Bobs boat with its sleekness - and Sewards with its well built comfortable quality have spoiled me for sail boats - all the wood on Sewards that doesn't have to be painted is unfinished teak wood scrubbed till it is a fine substantial pinkish grey color - You would love it - so scrubbed - Wish I could see your oranges I have not painted any - I could start now but if I did would want to stay a month or so longer and I think I'll not do that - I plan to start home on Sunday - maybe even on Friday Having done my daily looking about I plan to spend the rest of the time in the sun on the clean beach - it is so much better than any thing the human beings seem able to turn up - It has been so good hearing from you - . G. [*Mar. 30, 1940*] March 30/40 Good morning 1. Hope you are feeling better- When the sun came out today I thought you would like that 6-8.m. It has been such a nice warm day, ,just now a little rain and for beau [evatching] what seemed' the highest rainbow I ever saw- it dropped right down across the river and the road- 54th. stroll into the [leewis] court- -There was a fruit shadow on Too -I wonder if you saw it- The light is very nice in my room just now- I wish you were here [C.] [*Apr. 1940*] Thank you I am better and up today but not talking much. Will you ask Steiner about an address of some one who can make me a light case as you said you would. I feel pretty dull to get a sore throat like this Mrs Ulexion Anderson is still with me too. I am glad you enjoyed it Fondly G. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.