Happy Birthday Gertrude!

[davidinalameda]

February 3, 1874 - Lesbian writer Gertrude Stein was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania in 1874. She once summed up her long life with partner Alice B. Toklas by writing "I love my love because she is peculiar." Some have called Stein a genius. Others a fraud.

[Duncan Grant]

1. 27 rue de Fleurus

Thanks for posting this dwickham. :thumbsup:

If there are any gay or lesbian people here at DU who are newly out, please Google, "27 rue de Fleurus" and learn wondrous things about your hidden history.

I once read an account of Gertrude and Alice's life during WWII in the south of France (Gertrude was Jewish) and I couldn't put it down. Maybe I can find it again...

[swimmernsecretsea]

2. There used to be a great cartoon based on Gertrude Stein

and Alice B. Toklas. It was very unusual, because in addition to its dry sense of humor, it had a knowing insight to their lives and her literature.

Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast" features them prominently, and in it, Gertrude Stein gives Hemingway the comeuppance he deserves after he makes a homophobic remark.

[khashka]

3. Dwick you bastard!

Not 30 seconds ago I posted how much I liked you and now you force me to say how very much I hate you!

I love Gertie Gertie Stein Stein. She is my heroine. My love for language is hers alone.

But now thanks to you, Dwick! You destroyer of contentment and ease, you hound of heaven (and how many got that reference? I'll bet none). I will have to go back and read ALL OF IT!.

Now I have to read (again for the umpteenth time!!!!!!) The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, The Making of Americans, Tender Buttons, Paris France, and so much more.

I hate you Dwick, beyond reasoning. But I am not without kind and tender feelings for you also. Anyone who can make me read Miss Furr And Miss Skeene ( a must for every gay person everywhere) or The World Is Round (a must for anyone with good sense) once again can not be truly bad.

By mentioning this, you have required me to not waste so much of my time that forgiving you will be difficult, if not impossible.

Khash.

(And if any of you have not read her work boys and girls... well you have not lived, have not understood, have not even imagined the heights you are capable of reaching.)

So damn you, Dwick! And I guess, thank you Dwick.

Khash.