Happy

"It is more draining to be cynical than happy.
...happy makes us stronger."
-Patti Smith, 2007

For Suzie M.

For Linda G.

Swedish rebel and feminist role-model

Pippi Longstocking!

Ruth Henry

I just learned last night that Ruth Henry died last Friday in Auxerre in the Bourgogne.
I met her through Elka Spoerri who knew her through Meret Oppenheim and I visited her in Paris whenever I was there. She also came to Switzerland on occasion when I lived there on her way to or from a kurort or spa in the summertime.
Ruth Henry was a journalist, author, partner to Maurice Henry a surrealist artist, surrealist friend, she also wrote about Unica Zurn and many others who were her friends. She was also a grande dame, who knew the old art of holding court, a salon. The most interesting people gathered in her memorable Paris, two-level, apartment in the 14th.
I have just heard the news and have to gather myself. The funeral is next Friday in Laduz.

Red auburn ginger strawberry blond orange chestnut

What ever you may call the hair which is known as red hair in passports, it is rare. Apparently 2 % of the worlds population, which sounds like a huge amount of people to me, have this condition. Yet it is rare in many parts of the world.
Pippi Longstocking was my heroine so was Edna St. Vincent Millay, Emily Dickinson, Janet Frame, Anne of Greengables since they had all survived!
In any case last night I saw a very touching film called A Common Thread in English and in French Brodeuse. Made in 2004 by Eleonore Faure her debut film in fact, it was a lovely cinematic experience. A slow subtle film which unfolded much like a painting by Vermeer and the lead was Lola Naymark a young red-headed actress. This film made love to her colouring in a way that I have not seen since An Angel at My Table by Jane Campion based on the autobiography by Janet Frame.
I enjoyed it immensely. As a redhead I am very aware of being in the minority, having skin issues, and being over-sensitive to light etc. Having grown up bullied for having red hair and been called names since I can remember it is just something you do get used to but it leaves you overly aware and self-conscious at times. Anyhow to see this condition celebrated was such a relief! I know it sounds as though I am complaining but I am just telling you what it can be like.
This past summer (what summer?!) I saw a woman, Mary a painter I know, and she encouraged me to wear my hair in braids. Have never done that because of Pippi I suppose.
Mary thought it brought out the colour. So now I wear braids with pride many many years after my childhood! It is never to late to heal.