FUN FACTS ABOUT NEW MEXICO >>> SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!
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~ NEW MEX I GO ~
Scroll down this page to review the travelogue (including MANY pictures) of my trip to New Mexico. I went there to research Georgia O'Keeffe's fascination with the life and work of poet Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request.
In her autobiography Klouds in My Koffee, O'Keeffe acknowledged that Emmett Lee Dickinson had the greatest impact on her life and work above and beyond anyone else. |
Recent press about my pending trip (click the images to enlarge):
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Pictured at the right: Georgia O'Keeffe's masterpiece "Klouds In My Koffee" was based on Emmett Lee Dickinson's poem "A stirring thing -- it was -- I bid" (below on the left). Dickinson's poetry also inspired his third cousin Emily to pen her poem "A solemn thing -- it was -- I said (below on the right). In her autobiography Boys In The Trees, singer Carly Simon reported O'Keeffe's painting and Emmett Lee Dickinson's poem as among her favorite artworks. |
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson
A stirring thing – it was – I bid – A coffee –black – to be – I swear – if God should count me fit – Deliver synergy – A swallowed thing – to drop some life Into each red blood cell – Revitalized – if I return – Apathy – until – I wondered how the blend would taste – And would I smell it brew – And knowing that you are so vain – You think – this poem’s of you – And then – the size of this “small” cup – The Mavens – call it tall – Clouds – from Horizons – in my coffee – And I sneered – scoffed – “tall”! |
By Emily Dickinson:
A solemn thing – it was –I said – A woman – white – to be – And wear – if God should count me fit – Her blameless mystery – A hallowed thing – to drop a life Into the purple well – Too plummetless – that it return – Eternity – until – I pondered how the bliss would look – And would it feel as big – When I could take it in my hand – As hovering – seen – through fog – And then – the size of this "small" life – The Sages – call it small – Swelled – like Horizons – in my vest – And I sneered –softly – "small"! |
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Pictured at the left: Georgia O'Keeffe's first painting based on a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) was "The Desert Lay Upon the Ground," on display at the Museum of Desert Art in New Albuquerque, NY. Dickinson's poem by the same name is below on the left. Dickinson's poem also inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "The Mountain sat upon the Plain," below on the right. |
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
The Desert lay upon the Ground In his tremendous Bed – His observation limited His outlook, overhead – The Seasons stalled around his form Like Minors round a bar – Abstainer of the Drink is He Of Dust, Progenitor – |
By Emily Dickinson:
The Mountain sat upon the Plain In his tremendous Chair – His observation omnifold, His inquest, everywhere – The Seasons played around his knees Like Children round a sire – Grandfather of the Days is He Of Dawn, the Ancestor – |
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In her autobiography Klouds in my Koffee, Georgia O'Keefe stated that she started giant and sensual, ladylike flowers as a direct result of reading poetry by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). In particular, her painting "Big-Ass Flower" was based on Dickinson's poem "My Season's big-ass Flower" (below on the left). Dickinson's poem also inspired her third cousin Emily to pen her poem "My Season's furthest Flower" (below on the right).
Pictured at the left: Georgia O'Keeffe with her masterpiece "Big-Ass Flower."
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
My Season’s big-ass Flower – I render her in paint Because I find Her Ladylike A Shape without Restraint |
By Emily Dickinson:
My Season's furthest Flower – I tenderer commend Because I found Her Kinsmanless, A Grace without a Friend. |
Emmett Lee Dickinson had an interesting relationship with poet Gelett Burgess -- who penned the poem "I never saw a purple cow." Information on their relationship and many of Dickinson's cow poems is HERE.
One of Dickinson's cow poems (below on the left) was a favorite of Georgia O'Keeffe's, and she noted that this poem is what inspired her to begin painting skulls and bones.
One of Dickinson's cow poems (below on the left) was a favorite of Georgia O'Keeffe's, and she noted that this poem is what inspired her to begin painting skulls and bones.
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson: I never saw a bony cow I doubt I’ll ever see one But like the dried bones way out west Each cow will someday be one |
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Another poem that O'Keeffe cited as an inspiration to paint skulls and bones was Emmett Lee Dickinson's now-classic poem "To paint the Art within the Skull" (below on the left). Dickinson's poem also inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "To own the Art within the Soul" (below on the right).
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
To paint the Art within the Skull The Skull to ascertain With Silence as its Company And Spectacle maintain Is an unvarnished Circumstance Dimension is the Key In a State perpetual Of stark Reality. |
By Emily Dickinson:
To own the Art within the Soul The Soul to entertain With Silence as a Company And Festival maintain Is an unfurnished Circumstance Possession is to One As an Estate perpetual Or a reduceless Mine. |
More poetry is below -- just keep scrolling down!
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Below: Flying to New Mexico -- a view from the plane? No. Just some clouds and sky painted by Georgia O'Keeffe.
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Below: Here's what the clouds really looked like!
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Below: We switched planes in Chicago -- so that gave us time to dine on a Chicago hot dog! YUM!
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Left: A view of Albuquerque at night. Right: When we landed, we ran into this guy! He was lost! |
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Where did we stay while in Santa Fe? Why, Hyatt Place, of course! A great place to relax -- and you can get some discount tires too! Just kidding about the discount tires! But we do love Hyatt Place -- whenever there's one around, when we travel, we book accommodations there!
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July 2
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We arrived late in Albuquerque on July 1st, and drove to Santa Fe on the 2nd. On the way, we stopped at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rock National Monument (pictured below). We hiked various trails, and a slide show of some of our pictures is below. We loved the area -- it was beautiful -- although there were a few too many bugs! Mosquitoes, flies, and other insects tend to go for sexy people, and they just eat me alive! Fortunately, the wind picked up, and for most of the hike, the bugs weren't too ferocious!
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We made it into the Plaza area of Santa Fe in the early evening, and what a beautiful evening it was! Below are just a few pictures from around the downtown area.
We loved the Pueblo adobe architecture -- it was everywhere! Even the local McDonalds had a bit of the Santa Fe style! |
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Below: Our stop at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks also involved some research: Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin twice removed -- at her request) lived in a cave at the site one summer in the mid-1800s. Below on the right: I climbed into the cave to check out Dickinson's living quarters.
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July 3
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We spent the day visiting four different museums: 1) New Mexico Museum of Art -- loved it! 2) New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors -- loved it! Very informative about history we (as East-Coasters & in particular as Virginians) were unfamiliar with. 3) Museum of Indian Arts & Culture -- disappointing! Not much in the way of art (we did enjoy the outdoor sculptures), and one area of the museum seemed to be completely empty. 4) Museum of International Folk Art -- fun...but see museums 1 & 2 above first if you have limited time in Santa Fe. Pictured at the right: Photos from the four museums. |
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Below: We had a DELICIOUS lunch of grilled chicken, grilled corn-on-the-cob, and cole slaw at the Inn of the Anasazi.
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Below: We had a caffeine break at C. G. Higgins where we enjoyed iced lattes and DELICIOUS chocolate truffles!
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Below: We loved our lunch at the Inn of the Anaszai, but we did not get to try the Lobster Nachos. Maybe on our next visit?
Right and Far Right: The New Mexico Museum of Art had a special exhibit on self-portraits by many of their featured artists. Therefore, the docents requested that I create a self-portrait as well. As a result, I offer "Self-Portrait I" at the right, and "Self-Portrait II" at the far right. 
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RESEARCH IN SANTA FE
I traveled to Santa Fe to investigate Georgia O'Keeffe's fascination with America's greatest poet, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request. However, my research uncovered other very fascinating bits of information.
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First, I recently featured a plog post (poetry blog) on famed librarian Sophronia Pond Fisher, the woman who invented the card catalog. Ms. Pond Fisher is a distant relative of Carrie Fisher, and she was the person who inspired Fisher's look as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" sagas. The recent plog post is HERE.
While in the New Mexico History Museum today, I uncovered information that proved that native Santa Fean Sopapilla Andante del Cielo, the inventor of the breakfast burrito, is a distant relative of Sophronia Pond Fisher. Pictured at the right: Sophronia Pond Fisher Pictured a the far right: Sopapilla Andante del Cielo |
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Second, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Museum of International Folk art is currently featuring a special exhibit on Emmett Lee Dickinson's uncle Hobart Dickinson. Hobart Dickinson owned a novelty shop in Washerst, PA (the birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson). He also managed an entertainment partnership with Dooley Dawson (known to the citizens of Washerst as “Doo-Daw”Dawson) that provided clowns, magicians, and balloon artists to children’s parties. Hobart Dickinson often performed at children's birthday parties as "Gurgles the Clown." Hobart Dickinson also invented balloon animals. Pictured at the left: A miniature figurine of Hobart Dickinson, Emmett Lee Dickinson's uncle, at the Museum of International Folk Art. |
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Finally, perhaps the most important research I do when I travel involves the very important work of attempting to discover the world's greatest margaritas.
My wife and I ate at Maria's New Mexican Kitchen in Santa Fe, an establishment that claims to have "written the book" when it comes to margaritas. However, while we enjoyed our dinner, the house margaritas were average at best. We did receive a menu of what seemed to be hundreds of choices. However, when we mentioned how overwhelming the menu was, our server shrugged and suggested the house margarita. Maybe next time we'll try the Margartat de Paradiso. |
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Below left and right: We ended the evening at a park overlooking Santa Fe where we watched the sun set behind mountains in the distance.
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July 4
July the Fourth be with you!
I was in Santa Fe to research the connection between Georgia O'Keeffe and Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). O'Keeffe, in her autobiography Klouds in my Koffee, noted that Dickinson influenced her artwork more than any other person or thing. In particular, O'Keeffe pointed to Dickinson's now-classic poem "It did so surprise me" (below on the left) as one of her favorites. She said that that poem inspired her to pick up a paint brush for the first time. Dickinson's poem also inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "It did not surprise me" (below on the right).
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
It did so surprise me – So I said – and thought – I will stir my colors So scenes won’t be forgot, Traverse broader deserts – Call a greater muse, Make appear more modern God’s old fashioned views – That was but a Building – What and if it be One upon my canvas A life in ebony? This was but a flower – What and if indeed It were just an image Of feminity? |
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By Emily Dickinson:
It did not surprise me – So I said – or thought – She will stir her pinions And the nest forgot, Traverse broader forests – Build in gayer boughs, Breathe in Ear more modern God's old fashioned vows – This was but a Birdling – What and if it be One within my bosom Had departed me? This was but a story – What and if indeed There were just such coffin In the heart instead? |
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Below: The city of Santa Fe hosted a pancake breakfast on the Plaza in my honor. It was very much appreciated!
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Below: Following the pancake breakfast, we enjoyed a private tour of the Georgia O'Keefe Museum. Tom, our docent, was very knowledgeable and personable! It was a wonderful tour.
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Of course, much of the discussion during the tour of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum centered on O'Keeffe's depiction of nature. O'Keeffe always said that the main influence on her representation of nature was Emmett Lee Dickinson's now-classic poem "'Nature' is what I paint" (below on the left). Dickinson's poem also inspired his third cousin Emily to pen her poem "'Nature' is what we see" (below on the right).
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
“Nature” is what I paint – The Hill – the Afternoon – Desert – Lake George – the Jimson weed – Yes – Nature is Heaven “Nature” is what I see – The Hibiscus – the Shell – Mountains – the Cottonwood – Yes – Nature’s a Magic Spell – “Nature” is what I know – And so I have art to paint – So innocent My Vision is To her Nobility. |
By Emily Dickinson:
"Nature" is what we see – The Hill – the Afternoon – Squirrel – Eclipse – the Bumble bee – Nay – Nature is Heaven – "Nature" is what we hear – The Bobolink – the Sea – Thunder – the Cricket – Nay – Nature is Harmony – "Nature" is what we know – Yet have no art to say – So impotent Our Wisdom is To her Simplicity. |
Below: We enjoyed a lunch of chicken enchiladas on the patio at the Shed, and then we set the world record for scarfing down the restaurant's Mocha Cake. We didn't stop there thought! Late in the afternoon we enjoyed the blueberry hand-pie at the Inn of the Anasazi -- DELICIOUS!
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Red, White & BBQ:
We ate dinner at Cowgirl BBQ and had the BBQ sampler. It was delicious! Shout out to our server, Antonio -- he was very friendly! (BTW: The house margarita was better than the house margarita at Marie's.) |
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July 5
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Not all of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings focused on nature. For example, some of her works featured cityscapes and skyscrapers. She credited Emmett Lee Dickinson's poem "To see the Skyscraper" (below top) as her inspiration. Dickinson's poem also inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "To see the Summer Sky" (below bottom).
By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
To see the Skyscraper Is Poetry, though far from the Desert it lie – True Poems stand – By Emily Dickinson: To see the Summer Sky Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie – True Poems flee – |
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Below: Views seen on the way to Taos (including Camel Rock)
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Below: The Church of San Jose de la Gracia, built between 1760 and 1776, in Trampas
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Below: The Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge north of Taos
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During our days in Taos, we stayed at the Adobe & Pines Inn Bed and Breakfast, a WONDERFUL inn just down the street from the famed San Francisco de Assisi Church (painted by Georgia O'Keeffe and photographed by Ansel Adams). |
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Pictured at the left: Photos of the famed San Francisco de Assisi Church, just up the road from the Adobe and Pines Inn Bed and Breakfast. Pictured at the right: Shots from around the plaza by the church. While we were in Taos, we ate at both the Trading Post Café (delicious Italian food) and the Rachos Plaza Grill (great fajitas). |
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July 6
Above: Governor Martinez welcomes me to Taos.
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While visiting Taos, my research trip took me to the Taos Pueblo, a site visited in the mid-1800s by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). The Tiwa-speaking Native American tribe of Puebloan people taught Dickinson much about corn and ways to prepare corn which ultimately led Dickinson to invent Corn Chowder. In return, Dickinson taught the Puebloans how to extract juice from watermelon to make a refreshing drink called "Watermelon juice."
Below: Slide shows of pics from the Taos Pueblo.
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Above: Dickinson's "Watermelon Juice" which he introduced to the Puebloans in the 1800s.
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July 7
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The final leg of my journey took me to Albiquiu where I received a special tour of the home and studio of Georgia O'Keefe. Above: The panoramic view as seen from behind Georgia O'Keeffe's home. At the right: Scenes outside Ms. O'Keeffe's home. Photography is not permitted inside the property. Below: A scene near Ghost Ranch. |
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Pictured at the left: A few scenes near ghost ranch, including shots of Georgia O'Keeffe's favorite mountain to paint, the Pedernal. Below right: The Pedernal Georgia O'Keeffe said that she was inspired to paint the Pedernal because of Emmett Lee Dickinson's now classic poem "Who goes to paint must leave the East" (below on the far left). Dickinson's poem also inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "Who goes to dine must take his Feast" (below center). |
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
Who goes to paint must leave the East To find a Banquet keen – A Mesa there is laid about And laid in wondrous scene For Pedernal is Land bewitched That imitating her Is our most noble Service Exhibit worthier |
By Emily Dickinson:
Who goes to dine must take his Feast Or find the Banquet mean – The Table is not laid without Till it is laid within For Pattern is the Mind bestowed That imitating her Our most ignoble Services Exhibit worthier |
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Below left: Georgia O'Keeffe's garden. The artist always planted corn in the back of the garden in tribute to Emmett Lee Dickinson, a lover of corn and the inventor of corn chowder. Below center: The road to Santa Fe as viewed from Georgia O'Keeffe's home and studio. Below right: One of O'Keefe's paintings of the road to Santa Fe.
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FUN FACTS ABOUT NEW MEXICO
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1. Georgia O’Keeffe referred to “avocados” as “alligator pears.”
2. John Jacob Bricklesmeyerworth, a miner from Albuquerque, wrote the song “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt” after his mother’s parents Zylphria Jean Jingleheimer and Abraham Roogan Schmidt. 3. T. McDermot Glossop of Albuquerque established the first Crossing Guard Academy for school crossing guards in the United States. 4. Buildings in Santa Fe did not have indoor plumbing until 1978. 5. Major film star “Francis the Talking Mule,” who made over 70 full-feature films, hailed from Las Alamos. 6. Many restaurants throughout New Mexico serve an atomic-hot salsa called “Salsa Diablo,” a recipe developed by Lavinia Dickinson, Emily Dickinson’s sister. 7. Gene Hackman lives in Santa Fe, and he was the first New Mexican to install an Olympic-sized bowling alley in the basement in his home. 8. New Mexico boasts the most “Cow Crossing” signs of any state in the union -- and the most self-storage units and Olympic-sized basement bowling alleys. 9. Smokey-the-Bear is from New Mexico, as is Dusty-the-Brown-Footed-Ferret (who reminds people to take cover in dust storms) and Squirt-the-Boreal-Toad (who warns people about flash flooding). 10. Aponivi Sumatzkuku, a Hopi Indian who’s first name means “where the wind blows down the gap,” invented the feather duster. |
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Pictured at the left: Doors and windows in and around Santa Fe, Taos, and Albiquiu. |
