Recent Literary Gems

Ok, so this book might not be the most "underground" of finds on this blog, but as Patti Smith is the "Queen of Underground", I have to make note of this recent addition to my treasure chest of non-fiction finds.

It's the gut-wrenching story of Patti's friendship with Robert Maplethorpe - another "underground" whose photography was banned in the US during the 60's and 70's.

The story is of their serendipitous meeting. A synchronistic friendship born out of the love for a necklace then translated into an unconditional friendship that spanned over the decades of their lives.

I can truly say that this is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it preluding a trip to New York, which was just the timing that this blocked artist needed. Upon a friends' recommendation, I took the book with me on the plane and read it straight through soaking in every heartwarming word as fast I could. The interest that I took in their lives led me on a tour of New York that I would have otherwise missed....along the streets that pass the Hotel Chelsea, Electric Lady Studios and the places that Patti and Robert called "home".

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys success stories of the most endearing and beloved kind: friendship and personal growth success. Patti and Robert are the epitome of both.

The Premise of the Tree House Society

se·cret [see-krit]
adjective
1.done, made, or conducted without the knowledge of others: secret negotiations.
2.kept from the knowledge of any but the initiated or privileged: a secret password.
3.faithful or cautious in keeping confidential matters confidential; close-mouthed; reticent.
4.designed or working to escape notice, knowledge, or observation: a secret drawer; the secret police.
5.secluded, sheltered, or withdrawn: a secret hiding place.

Growing up, there were two things that I loved perhaps more than anything else: Trees and Secrets. It came as no surprise that the concept of a Treehouse or "clubhouse" appealed greatly to those two things that I loved. It incorporated them both. Together in one place.

Why write a "secret" blog? Doesn't that defeat the purpose? And what true "secrets" can you share with the public and still maintain any sense of Integrity.

Only the best kind.

Along with loving trees and secrets, I love to explore. I love finding buried things. Hidden treasures. I love knowing about things that not everyone else knows. I love sharing these things with my closest friends. The friends that know that this aspect of my personality is one of those things that makes me uniquely me. I don't go with the flow. I don't like "trends" or "mainstream". I abhore staying in a big name chain hotel, even if it means compromising some of the major comforts of staying in a big hotel (i.e. room service at 2 am and rooftop swimming pools).

I love finding musicians that haven't yet been signed to a label. I love (perhaps more than anything) finding a music venue where you might hear Eddie Vedder singing solo to a crowd of 50 people.

I love secret paths.

I love boutiques that carry a label or two of handcrafted jewelry that you won't yet find on the shelves of Nordstrom's or Barney's.

I love passwords and speakeasy's. I love books that no one has heard of. I love all things yet to be unearthed by the masses.

In my Tree House, I will share with you these secret loves. You will be invited into my haven as my friends. Ones that I will share the things, places and people that I love most in life.

Welcome to the Tree House Society.