yes my lawn is really sandy brown. only the trees and garden get water. but this sandy brown becomes velvety green once the rain starts. it's a combination of weeds & grass that instantly springs to life with a steady water supply.
that's moss cottage tucked way back there among the trees. i love having a house that sits twice as far back as everyone elses.
did i ever tell you that dalton trumbo used this as his library slash writing studio? this according to my neighbor whose house/estate the trumbo family resided in after returning from exile in mexico in the 1950's. they are behind me in an old walled estate.
neighbor in front of me was born in her house in the 1930's. neighbors on side used to rumble their boxcars down the lane beside my house in the 60's
september 11 is the anniversary of my arrival in los angeles, so i have different associations with it than most people. it's also the birthday of an old friend.
1989. i remember rumbling down kellog hill into the LA basin during the heart of rush hour. the smog was thick and hazy. i was in an old jalopy with kansas plates. all of my possessions packed around me. a little 26 year old, moving out to california to start a new life. moss cottage was a distant dream not even on my horizon yet. i hadn't a clue that 13 years later i'd have a nest of my very own in the hills of northeast los angeles. that thought hadn't even been born yet.
but here i am.
25 years later. sending my rambly smoke signals out into the almost autumn night. can you see them?
I would love to hear more abt dalton trumbo…b
Wow. Kellogg Hill is where my childhood was. The Kellogg house had a park around it where we would go for picnics in the mid 50’s. As a family we traveled all up and down the west coast, but “home” was always my grandparents’ ranch in Walnut.
Lovely, this year 9/11 is our 5th anniversary as a family of 7. We traveled to Uganda 5 yrs. ago to pick up our three youngest boys. 🙂 9/24 is when we returned…right around the corner1
I love Moss Cottage and your smoke signals. Moss Cottage has some fascinating history. I read a bit on-line about Dalton Trumbo and learned there is a new movie being made about him starring Brian Cranston, Helen Mirren and John Goodman. Your blog is always fun to read, MAM.
I adore a good story and yours always have so much heart in them. Listening to you share your journey to LA and your history with Moss Cottage and it’s ‘full’ history was pretty cool. Something very special about knowing stuff about the place you call home and how you got there…you Moss girls seem to have a knack for putting down deep roots that ramble and roam but always, always know how to get back home. Good smoke signals have arrived in MN today and a glorious Sunday morning!!! xoxo
What a gutsy move! And it most certainly paid off! And the history of your bungalow!
Smokey Signals still Lovely, as they waft into view way overhere, too. x x x j
Smoke drifting over the bayou and telling me you should paint this wonderful story …….seriously……
Missy from the bayou
I arrived here 10 days ahead of you…9/1/1989! I am ten years older than you but I was starting a new life here, too. I came to the Glendale/Burbank area to be near family, and now I live in the high desert. I love hearing how and why people move out here.
(I drove out with my two kids, 11 and 15)
I’m glad you did tell us your saga. I had to look up Mr. Trumbo as that world does not intersect with mine. You also lost me with this…I suspect I am missing the obvious. “rumble their boxcars down the lane”
I like neighborhoods with history, and sometimes it just takes some looking to unearth it.
Thank you for sharing your story. What a sweet spot you have to be on. To call home. You add to the character of the place, that is for sure! My home is also summer yellow and brown. Waiting for rain to wash away the fires and smoke and begin the change into autumn colors and cool greens. I just picked the last green beans from my vegetable garden and a basket of lemon cucumbers and patty pan squash. Along with a bouquet of brilliant zinnias. The pink and orange ones makes me think of your paintings, etc. Smoke signals coming through and always enjoyed!
pam – car almost didn’t make it here! had to stop somewhere in new mexico and see a mechanic to repair some wheel problem. ha ha ha ha ha!!!!
Congrats on the 25 year anniversary. That’s exciting. And love the view of your home. Looks like the perfect little artistic nest tucked up away on the hill.
You write so beautifully! I love your stories/posts. What an interesting history your neighborhood has.
Thanks for sharing. I’m in awe of how things sometimes seem to work out all by themselves. Not that we have nothing to do with it, it’s just that sometimes life dreams up things for us we didn’t even imagine would be possible. I love that. Moss Cottage was dreamed up for you I guess.
I celebrated my ten year anniversary on the island this year, time goes so fast! I remember a time when I filled my house with things that reminded me of the ocean and the beach and hoping that one day in the far far future I would be able to live near the sea. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that just a few years later opportunity would come knocking and I threw the door wide open and went on this adventure of leaving everything behind and starting anew. Scary! Change isn’t easy, but it sure is interesting and, just like seems to be the case for you, it was so worth it!
Happy 25th LA anniversary!
PS love the pics!
I love this post because you don’t waste precious water on the lawn, your photos are beautiful and your life is so darn interesting. Now, I’ll google Mr. Trumbo (sounds sexy)!
I can see the smoke signals. Ah, our 26 year ole self is a bit older and wiser, not so serious and having some long over due fun. Body parts drip, droop, drop or don’t work at all but were still doing our art. Loved listening to your tale of adventure. Kick up your heels and have some fun today.
Love seeing your smoke signals and visiting your blog with my morning coffee.
I’m glad you found these hills and made the home. They suit you.
I adore that white hibiscus! such a glorious sight in the sun.
Happy weekend!!
~Dawn
I can see your L.A. Smoke signals since my house crossing the oceans ,walking over the trees ,coming inside my house, and sitting behind me .
Yes I see them clearly. Thank you so much for telling. Congratulation with your very own Moss Cottage surrounded by beautiful flowers.I like your story. I also have a story about how I had a dream for many years about living in a little house near the sea having al my time to writing and painting. After nearly 20 years this dream came true in a surprising way, and I have lived it for over 10 years now.
I wonder if he write Roman Holiday there!!! I an picture it now, him looking out that big picture window of yours. Love that! Fun post. Sure am glad your car made it all the way here, life wouldn’t be nearly as fun or creatively inspired without dispatches from LA!xo
Great post!!! I had no idea. No wonder you and Mr T fell in love with the Best Tiny House in the hood.
Smoke signals coming in clearly, love it all: the brown lawn, the Trumbo connection, that incredibly elegant pink hibiscus…xox
Moss Cottage rules! Dreams fulfilled rock! You have made a lovely home for yourself in the world, MAM, in LA, in the lives of youngsters, and online.
What a nice tale of adventure as a young woman. Glad you and Moss Cottage found one another…you suit one another.
Wonderful reflection, glad you told us.