Weekends with Georgia O'Keeffe: Beauty in Simplicity

Georgia O'Keeffe at her home in New Mexico. Image via proustitute.tumblr.com

I am fascinated by the lives of artists. I appreciate the work they produce, but I also love learning about the person behind that creativity, their life's journey, and how they spend their time. That's why I was delighted to read Weekends with O'keeffe, a book of journal entries, poetry, letters, and detailed observations made by writer and librarian C.S. Merrill. The author lived and worked closely with artist Georgia O'Keeffe during the later years of her life in New Mexico.  Merrill's meticulously detailed writings transport the reader to 1970s New Mexico, and feel as if they are an honored guest in O'Keeffe's home.

A journal entry from May 31st, 1974 reads:

Earth Day & International Mother Earth Day--What's the Difference?

Did you know that Earth Day is also known as "International Mother Earth Day"? In addition, Mother Earth's birthday is being tied to important environmental discussions at the UN. According to Huffington Post contributor Bron Taylor, the 2009 decision to update the April 22nd holiday's moniker to "International Mother Earth Day" is a result of a South American reverence for nature (most notably, Bolivia's legal approach to environmental/spiritual practices).