February 8, 1995 (The one that got sent)

Dear Clay,

Surprise! Out of the blue I'm writing to you. Baines gave me your address when he was here the other day with a load of wood. I told him I had been thinking about you, actually I had a dream about you, but I don't think I told Baines that part. He said he'd pass the message along next time he talked with you. I said, "I'd like to write to him." 

Life has changed since you visited me. I've moved out and am getting divorced. You know how weird this is to be writing this letter? Very weird, let me tell you. I had no idea this was coming, but then maybe life does have a life of its own. 

How are things going with your family back there in the Midwest? I would enjoy hearing what it's like for you to be there with your Dad. You make interesting choices, and that you showed up at my first public readings, and then showed up while I was making scones is VERY interesting. 

I live with my dog, Holmes, in a small cottage not far from the beach place. Life is upended, different. I look forward to hearing from you. Hope you are doing well.

Aloha,
Sophie

March 30, 2026

Aloha e Tutu,

It's 'Ole Pau. End of 'ole or never-ending time. Can you see Mahina through the trees, Tutu?

Mahalo plenty for the great Sand Stars! The Muliwai, that magic place. Did you visit with Mo'o Jacob. He comes to me in the dreaming time and when I am confused about what is SOVEREIGN, he appears in his Mo'o body. I have you and Honey Man to thank for that. A birthday present that will last my whole life. Where ever I am I know my strength is in my mo'o, in my backbone. Being in Punana Leo and then Anuenue all this time we swim in the 'iewe, we know the language and live the culture. Tutu, I know that what we learn by being in Leo is what you didn't get at our age. Me and Lei'ohu, we live it for you. What we learn because you couldn't makes it better. Are you lubricating your sweet heart now, Tutu. The tears, are they flowing from your eyes?

I was on the web the other day, and see that there was a very cool exhibit at the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle in 2016. Tatau/Tattoo. I'm researching the history of tattoo for a school project. I think that exhibit had something go'in on. Do you folks Wing Luke? If you folks haven't been, it's free every first Thursday of the month.

xoxoxo to You and Honey Man!!!!
Kepa

At the (breakfast) bar

Friday March 17, 1995

Dear GW,

Thanks so much for the visit. I don't get many visitors, is that what happens when you divorce? A pair of people who have been a couple for decades aren't and the breezes shift, the common ground disappears, sides are taken, people give you space. They don't know what to say. I know, I know, I'm a mess and all I want to do is hide. Anyhow, you are one of the out of community friends, and unknown to the X-man. So how lucky for me we met in the company of Pacific Islanders in white bread country. Funny, you the Polish Gipsy rebel making waves, tapped on the shoulder to look out for me. Your boss is a sly one. He knows about the punishment. Like I said, "Lucky me!"

Sitting at the little breakfast nook was fun. My first house, alone. I chose it, myself. In fact, I chose it rather than a rundown shack on the Rez with cheaper rent. The X-man thought the shack would be a good place for me to make a start. Ha. A few steps away from familiar, I start here. You my first company. 

Just barely Spring, the cottage is still dark. The tall and lacy arms of cedar close me in, but, they make me feel less alone. Women Who Run With The Wolves is lying on the bedroom floor. My X-sister-in-law gave it to me. I don't get it all. Clarissa Pinkola Estees has a lot of story to tell. Glimpses touch me. In between all the crying. 

What happened? Maybe I will be able to answer that later. Maybe I will have lots of answers. Later.

Thanks again.

Love,

Sophie 

Fever for Easter

March 26, 2016

Dear Lei'ohu and Kikepa,

This is one of the clever things about email and the Internet, a way looked upon in times long ago as lazy, I am calling it CLEVER to be writing both of you at once. The "CC Affect." If you knew my mother, your Grand Tutu Lenora, she would be wrinkling her finely-plucked eyebrows at me for not personally writing letters to you, especially given it is Easter, and my mother Lenora was a very strict and proper Catholic. I miss her still, but, honestly? I don't miss so much the many things she believed were so important in her Catholic world. 

Today is a beautiful, beAUTIful woods' day. The sun is giving shades and shadows to every one of the Tall Ones. The Great Cedar outside the window as I write to you is casting a long shadow. The only shade to the Woods right outside. A small breeze has come up and is tickling the tips of the Huckleberry bushes. Somewhere close-by the Sparrow is happy to be singing her song. Or is it a His song? 

I have a bit of a bothersome bug, went to sleep with a crink of pain in my neck and then a hot and boiling fever soared up and down my spine. 

"Mo'o, Mo'o what is it that needs to be let go? What is it that needs to be boiled out of me. What holy water is needed else where?"

It is still Saturday, and as I wrote already a beautiFUL day. I could be out playing, but, instead I am wrapped in my long and cozy lavender scarf have my beacon bright fleece hat on and am covered with my winter long johns. And, most important, I am writing to you to wish you a Good and Beautiful Springtime. 

Honey Man IS out playing with his friends, and some people he has not yet met. It's POLITICKS, and you know even though he pretends to be displeasured by the taste of it ... our Honey Man loves to stir the pot of politicks. He is out with our friend M and she is all in a stew about getting the first woman elected president of this America. 

I remain a woman of the Hawaiian Nation, whether any other here cares or tenders my conscious. I say JANXT to politicks. So far from the 'Aina, I am sovereign to myself. You can look that word up SOVEREIGN if you don't know it. Yet, being part of Punana Leo, that word is probably something you learn as personal history. I hope!

I did not bundle baskets to send along in the mail but look ... 

 Sand stars from the Muliwai

And Bracken snakes rearing their heads from Our Woods

All sent with xoxoxoxo to shake this fever through,

Tutu

April 7, 2026

Dear Tutu,

I love the picture of Mahina you took. When I see the Tall Ones around her I think of your woods, and you, and Honey Man and cannot help but be sad. Missing you all. My heart must need lubrication, Tutu. Can you see the tears falling from my eyes?

There is only one big tree in our front yard, you know the one. The Kukui Nut. She is so huge now. I remember how you told Kepa and me about planting it with Uncle Kalani. He was a little boy then right? Well, the tree is HUGE huge HUGE. In the back yard the Neem Trees you and Honey Man planted are also giants. Me and Kepa use their leaves to floss our teeth. I like the sting of juice that squirts over my mouth when we floss. What Kepa likes to do is to sleep in our tent under the Neem Trees. They have beautiful voices, especially at night. I will ask her to write to you folks. She has a really good ear for Trees.

Please tell Honey Man that I have become very fa mi li ar, I like the sound of that word. Tell him I have become very familiar with Centipede. I took this picture, being very respectful. I asked. And, I stood a respectful distance. I am drawing Centipede in my journals along with all the rest of the creatures of the Valley.

Could you please ask Honey Man if he would tell me, again, the story of Centipede?

Wish we were with you in the woods. What is happening out there?

Love, love, love YOU and Honey Man,

Lei'ohu

April 5, 2026

Dear Lei'ohua,

I hope this email finds you having lots of fun with the many kinds of creatures you met today. You must tell me who they are, and what discoveries you made together. Instead of sleeping, I am here writing to you, after being in the woods with Mahina. Look at the gown she wears tonight. The amazing crown of gold surrounding her shouted at me, "Please take my picture!" You know how I can't resist her requests. Just before I started this email to you I stepped outside, looked up. The clouds have blanketed the sky. We are lucky to have this memory, and isn't this internet something!!

Love, love, love you,
Tutu

February 8, 1995

Dear Clay,

Life has fallen apart. Isn't that kind of a trite thing to say? And yet, we say it and it is true. What was supposed to last a lifetime, isn't. Is this any way to write what I think will be the first of many love letters to you? I am a brazen heart-sick fool, but you won't know that yet because this letter will be rewritten, tidied up, before I mail it, or will it even get it into an envelope with a stamp on it and your address. I have lots of stationery and the feel of my favorite pen in my hand has long been a comforting act, ever since I saw the green marbled Esterbrook fountain pen in the glass case at Ben Franklin's. That was a long time ago Clay. Will I let on about my obsession with writing now? Or, will that just become obvious when I fill your mailbox with ramblings penned over plumerias?

How do I end this? Sincerely. That's lame. Love. No not yet, although I think I could. That's silly. Get a grip. Lustingly yours. That's more like it. But, I'll tidy that up.

Sophie