cool sunday in los angeles. rain is coming. sitting here at dusk sorting through digital stacks of photos. moving from computer to sketchbook. did i mention i applied for another 6 month leave of absence? in january 2014 i'll be heading back to life as a schoolteacher. but for now that seems like a world away. as it should.
umbria is moving further away from me. haven't even been back a week and it's already slipping away. travels have a way of doing that. but they're all in here somewhere – constellations rising and setting. glimmering in the dark. fueling my dreams.
Good for you–taking more time.
IN fact, just retire, and continue making this place better for people.
I’m stealing one of these and putting it on my wall and taking credit. As is my wont.
It’s funny how travel experiences fade in the way that one feels when one wakes up after a particularly lovely dream. It must have happened, mustn’t it? Leaving one with a wistful glow of both happiness that it happened at all, and a bit of melancholy too. Which is why we have to go back to work, Le sigh. Keep that ol’ roof over our heads while we plot our plans for that next adventure over the horizon. Love you – and glad we get to share a longer sabbatical after all!
Ah Mary Ann, you are so blessed….I am so very happy for you! Off till January—oh the possibilities, the sketches, the travels, the fun you are going to have! Thanks for sharing the journey with us.
Glad you are getting this lovely, revitalizing time off from work. When you return to the classroom you will have stored up lots of memories and will have renewed energy to inspire the young ones to learn and grow. Love all the pix. 🙂
Go team Mary Ann…you and every single collective moment gathered in memory, mind and heart. I think an extended leave is an awesome idea, you go girl…go anywhere you want and follow your own inner time keeper..who needs clocks or calendars right?
Gosh, are you right. I love what you wrote about travels fading. I often try to hold too them, tight, against my chest, hoping some of the magic rubs off and stays with me.
YAY for you – and yay for us to get to watch/play along!
Yay! I’m so happy for you. Love your trip photos – we’ve been moving from state to state so I’m just beginning to catch up a bit. Like the others, I hope you find a way to write, paint and be creative without having to go back to teaching school.
Your photos leave me breathless and longing for more. So happy you will have additional time off to play, create and travel. Thanks for taking us along on the journey.
I’m so excited for you, that you’ll have another 6 months of play time. Hurray!
I totally adore your slow travel approach. Taking the time to contemplate cloud shadows on the land and languorous wisteria is totally rejuvenating. The idea of no schedule is just top rate for a stay in Umbria.
I think you have created an unique way to bring travel to the creative armchair set. We may not be able to get out and around due to life’s demands, but with you as our eyes and legs, we too can enjoy the change of scenery, vicariously taste new cuisine, meet interesting people, relax at the end of a routine day while viewing your posts. Plus, we are taught how to create a travel journal along with you and our fellow travelers. And, you even provide printable inspiration! Most important, there are always cats! So happy for you that you are getting an extra six months of play. Where are we going next?
It’s so great that you can savor this part, the after-the-trip part, without having to worry about going back to work.
M.A., I too was quietly growing anxious about your returning to work. I can relax now that your leave has been extended. Maybe all your blog followers should take up a collection, so we can fund another sabbatical! Your trip looks like it was amazing as seen through your evocative photos. Thank you for showing us so much beauty through your camera and through your artistic expression.
Thank goodness you have such BEAUTIFUL photos to remind you of your trip, as it starts to slip from your memory. All of the food looks so good I feel like I can smell and taste it through the computer screen!
I can’t wait to see what you do with your extra time off 🙂
I third what carol ahead of me said..write some think some paint some draw some. Every day! Your photos are paintings and that shot of carol on verandah..im so there.my bags are packed.where to now ms mam?
I’m so glad you got an extended leave…I was starting to feel anxious for you! 🙂
Seriously Mary Ann- you should write, and draw, and paint, and color…and then write some more.
I don’t want you to have to go back to work! I have so much fun living vicariously through your adventures. You should start buying lotto tickets. ; )
love the directions created with nails! and the sock collection. and the leather couch. and the wine. and traveling with a bestie. thank you for sharing.
So glad you’re taking another six months. Wish for you that it were forever. xo
You go girl!!! January’s forever away and I know you’ll make the most of it!
Erin
Good for you (re: time off) — nice you can do that! Maybe your school district will offer an early retirement bonus like ours did 2 years ago (when I didn’t quite have enough years darn it!)and you won’t have to go back! Well, one can dream…
Now you have time to take us on another trip with you! LOL
I’m so happy for you that you can have this time off! Mostly for you, but also for me because I get to read all about your adventures, your relaxation, and your happiness, and that makes me happy, too! So your time off is doing a lot of good for other people, too! Thanks for sharing your vacations with your online community! XOXO
Lovely.