O'Keeffe / Stieglitz Letters O'Keeffe, Georgia 1943, May -- June Box 1 Folder 21 early May 1943 Henwar -- I am home -- and every thing is in working order -- It has been cold and snowy but we settled in with the stoves and are fine -- Your note is here -- I wish I had told you about putting the stove in the corner room ---- it only takes about 10 minutes and the bed there is warmer because there are no shades and the sun shines on it every day when it shines We are very comfortable ---- and it is so good to be here -- even when I just return from Abiquiu as last evening I have such a feeling of peace as I drive in and up to the kitchen door -- ---- yes it is very good -- But will you go and buy me a pair of good scissors - about 8 inches long - and a little knife I need both - How about the movie? - My bags came alright - Thank you — days late but they finally got here -- I picked them up in Espanola Monday last — My love to you - and write me — G. Late May 1943 Henwar ~ it is so good ~ You must come ~ and your girl friend I've been down in the arroyo with the big cotton wood trees all morning So still ~ warm ~ green [coming?] Yes it is very good ~ We will have enough to eat if you bring your [fruits?] and save them ~ and bring cheese. S _ May 1943 Henwar - it is Sunday morning - I had my breakfast in the kitchen along with Francis - Frank walked about right near the house - looking at the fresh spring growth on the little sage bushes - and the other little growing things that I do not know by name - Sometimes it is windstill - then there will be a little wind that I hear through the cedars - It reminds me - has often reminded me this spring - of early mornings on the warm islands - I expect to see the ocean out beyond the trees - where there is only desert on red hills - I hear birds - I have on the table some long branches of cottonwood with its whitish branches and sharp shining young leaves - they are the first thing I used the new knife to cut a couple of days ago when I drove along the old river road to Abiquiu - Oh - the old river road is so beautiful ---- The river -- quite high at the moment -- is so wonderful -- I stop so [off] often that I will undoubtedly have to have the car battery recharged if I continue to admire the river -- I love the river -- more and more -- I've been out a good deal painting but my painting is no good so far -- When the day is so still -- I always wish you could see it -- be in it -- The knife and scissors are Most handsome and adequate -- A house without both is very oddly arranged -- I wanted to buy them myself -- I just didn't have time I am glad I came for the spring -- even if it has been cold -- It is warm enough for Levis the last couple of days -- till then I've worn a woolen suit -- Yes is is good to be here And I'll be thinking of you G. early June 1943 [*early June/43*] Henwar - Yes it is good - It is very good - I've been working out so much that today I stay in and don't mind having doors and windows closed and just let the wind blow It is a sparkling day - I find such wonderful places near home since I can not drive far - yesterday it was big big trees - old trees - on the river bank - about 20 feet from the water with the car - the chance - from day before climbed up and up a sort of heavy green mountain with big sharp white gashes in it - returned down a stream bed in a white canyon - just a little stream about three feet across - only once had I climb out around for a water fall - such a white walled canyon - We get on very well with our food - milk butter and eggs this side of Abuiqui - I so often think how much you would like it Your writing on a piece of paper marked EATONS - Berkshire & Linner - Is it sasy to get and can you get envelopes ? I would like some if you can get it easily Sunday went up behind Abuiqui and got watercress - Yes it is a wonderful world here - and I have been feeling fine - Saw Marie - too many birds! She asked about you - I look at the big bright evening star - and hope you will be seeing it there - G. Late June 1943 [*late June/43*] Henwar What are you doing - I am liking my life - working very well - better than in a long time - I have an idea for a movie - has it been done. You know how I've always wanted that Abiquiu house - well there is the reality of what happens to it - big sows with lots of little pigs living in it now - the priest had an idea of a priests house sister house and parish school - that can never happen because the locality can not support it - there story is the way it was lived in long ago - and there I have is my dream with it - The man taking car of his pigs is so beautiful - his boy too - his wife a shaky half wit - got an idea - ? Are you coming out Maria has planted 15 acres of beans in the valley - we learn much about Abiquiu from going down there I think of you and love you - your girl friend too if you want me to G - Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.