we’re awash in winter storms which have come early to clean our streets, freshen our air, and douse our gardens with much-anticipated water. i can practically hear the leaves and roots absorbing every drop.
once upon a time time, LA could rely on getting snowy streets about once a decade, but no more. however, our local mountaintops, visible throughout the city, do turn reliably winter white most years. it is a wonder to behold from down here in the coastal lowlands. i will try and capture a photo this winter to share with you.
larry showed up like clockwork this morning for the 2nd sunday in a row. i expect by the time i go back to school in mid-january the walls and trim of moss cottage will be glowing in winter whiteness.
today i sequestered myself and the cat posse in a couple of rooms while the rest of the house was being painted. outside the rain came down, until midday when the sun began to shine through the stacks of clouds. all the trees were dripping. little streams of water ran down the lane. which ran down to the street, which found larger streets, and eventually the arroyo where it moved swiftly towards the LA river and eventually made it’s way to the mighty pacific.
i miss my paint-by-number ship, and cuckoo clock. and all the other treasure stored out in the garage waiting for me to bring them back inside, but at least my bookcases are fully loaded. each book a tiny world of possibility. beckoning me to stop and turn the pages as i pass. i turned many many pages today. more cleaning and sorting and donating. my collection ever shifting and changing.
the ginkgo trees are bright in december. their leaves make dazzling carpets throughout the city.
this week in the classroom we painted ornaments to decorate the auditorium for the christmas concert. in the weeks leading up to our 3 week winter break everyone is jubilant.
in between the downpours of sun and rain i shot outside to take photos of the greening garden. it happens very quickly in the winter. from parched to bursting with life. each plant knows when to wake up and start growing.
i sincerely hope you are up to something very good indeed in your houses, in your gardens, in your books, in your imaginations. i’m going on a winter roadtrip to northern forests and wild beaches. expect postcards from new frontiers!
