This morning I went on a Craig's List reconnaissance mission to Pacific Palisades & Santa Monica. Following an hour behind in his truck was Dude With Truck. His job: to pick up what I pay for. The little file cabinet on wheels was a steal for $30. And it looks new!
I donated the old cat scratch post to science and got a new one. It's not a velvet tangerine sofa, but it'll do. It'll more than do. I wound my way up into the hills with a view of the pale blue Pacific. Plunked down some hard cold cash for my new comfy chocolate sofa, and sped down the hill to a cool loft like apartment on Main Street in Santa Monica for the pine desk.
Glittering sunshine. I breathed in lungfuls of air that smelled like oranges, fresh laundry, the sea. I had one of those big thoughts we get sometimes. There's a whole series of these. They go together. Today I had the one called Life Is Beautiful. I think it was right after I passed a fellow in the front seat of his parked VW bus strumming his guitar and singing off key. One argyle stockinged foot sticking out the open window.
I went home. I waited for Dude. I unpacked more boxes. Rearranged the supply closet. I made a mess. He delivered everything. I made a bigger mess.
I took a break. Let my thoughts twist themselves around each other.
Now it's night. On a Saturday in November. In a little cottage. On a little hill. Surrounded by the gleaming metropolis. Hey you up there in the airplane flying over the carpet of lights looking down at all the tiny houses! Hey! It's me, mary ann moss down here. Blowing you a kiss.
Wow! fantastic artwork!
I like a lot!
grt from Spain
GMC”, you are to much the pacific palisades trip was wonderful to read about I have been wanting to go to cali and some of these places for ages and you took me:) Should of been more pictures of ocean!:) For all the travels you have taken us on this one has to be the best ever!!! Smiling on this grey cold rain day here and loving this trip so. Your room is wonderful to say the least and thank you so for cheering me up.
Your’e the best,
xoxo,
Linda
And I’ll bet the posse is “digging” the new cat scratch post almost as much as you dug your day!
What a great way to spend a Saturday! I think I can smell the oranges too…
Craig’s list ROCKS! I spent a similar weekend up here in Ventura County getting free decorative rocks for the yard and a great fridge/freezer for the garage. The weather in So. Cal was breath-taking this past weekend!! Life is beautiful and I love following blogs like yours that celebrate life and creativity!
A perfect post, Mary Ann. Thank you – it’s Monday here as I write this. Dank autumn, hard work outside closing up the garden room until spring. Back inside, log fire, more journalling. Hey, life’s taking on a sort of MAM glow!
Miss Moss – you have my pine desk’s doppelganger! ha ha. so of course, I love your new desk. Wanna see the comfy chocolate sofa with a cat or two posed for posterity. Nice job on the redo:)
Everytime I read your blog, you simply make me smile HUGELY on the outside and more importantly on the inside. WAVING and smiling across the miles where I am warm and snug and looking out my window at piles and piles of snow!!!!!!!
Have to say I am, SO RELIEVED that “messy” is back – I always feel uncomfortable around “tidy”!
You are AWESOME! I totally love how it is all coming together there at Moss Cottage.
This is why I love you.
It’s time to break the silence…I’ve been a faithful follower of your blog for years…your delight, enthusiasm and reverence for life keep bringing me back…
awesome post… simply wonderful 🙂
mission accomplished! and thanks for the tip about the flooring guy!
easy susan, he was PARKED. ha ha
orange loopy loops, of course.
I wonder how the guy in the VW bus managed to steer and shift whilst hanging argyle foot out window and plunking guitar. Those Cali skills!!!
How are you protecting the beautiful floor from chair scrapes?
have you ever thought about teaching adult monkeys in a classroom?
your posts are just out and out cool ms. moss….
Girl you do know how to shop! You are the Queen of finding wonderful, unique pieces that work hard and look so cool. Just love em all.
Glittering sunshine and Big Thoughts – pure poetry.
Sounds like you had a perfect day.
Blowing you a kiss from the other side of the world.
Very nice post. You’re writing always makes me feel better. Mary Ann Moss you have determined what is important in life. Keep going.
Ok i am not ashamed to say that reading your weekend post while listening to Sting sing Roxanne may be as close to reverent worship as one can get. Or at least one like me……
Orange you nice!? Such a sweetie.
You are the coolest person I (kinda) know. Fer real.
I DO love to read your blogs!