i had one last trip planned up the coast, but i cancelled it at the last minute due to the first major storm of the season. it’s been years since we’ve had these type of good drenching rains, and i’ve looked forward to them like all the other angelenos, but now that they’re here of course i’m reaching for the whiskey and nerve pills. much more effective when combined you know!
yes. it’s true. at last we, in drought-stricken california, find ourselves now in the glorious midst of our winter storm season. to give you an idea of the hysteria that accompanies any kind of rain here, the weatherman just said, “if you hear any thunder, get inside as quickly as possible!”
i suppose that means we’re wimps.
as for my life that’s set to resume as a working stiff on monday, i’ve been placed at a very small school in a cute neighborhood. i’ll be the regular sub at that school until something permanent comes along. i have a feeling this means i’ll be seeing the inside of many kinder classes. oh dear. a class of bleating lambs. let the hand-wringing begin!
i’ve set up sketchbook shop tucked into my corner desk which looks out a rain lashed window. from here i will keep busy with my paintbrushes. (thanks for the button inspiration elise!) occasionally going outside to make sure my rowboat is secured to the front porch dock should i need to flee with the cats in a hurry. i have 3 sets of fleece-lined rain slickers & wellies & hats at the ready.
if you weren’t planning to make any nutritional changes to your diet for 2016 DO NOT read this book. i saw it on one of your facebook pages and in my characteristically foolhardy way i opened the pandora’s box. uh oh.
it’s sort of unputdownable.
Serious resident of birdland here, so it goes that I love those bird sketches. And buttons! You’ve given me an idea for a future blog post, since I collect buttons. Hope your umbrella is holding up.
Stay high and dry Mary Ann. I heard about your rains on our news and hopin’ you and the kits were perched in cozy Moss Cottage. Glad you are doing good but sad you had to cancel your getaway plans.
The sun is out today. Lots of rain and wind yesterday. Snow and ice just a couple of miles from here, but no hint of snow for me…
If you want to see a really small school, we have a school on a tiny island in the north sea. One teacher, 5 kids. They have a website, but it’s German only… http://www.halligschule-hooge.de
Hi Mary Ann: we saw the flooding in Los Angeles in our news here in Canada. Up until now, we had been hearing of your droughts. I understand that people would be fearful of yet more rain!
Over here many people are suffering a cold/flu that won’t let go. I have been called by two teachers to sub for them and had to refuse as I too have been stricken with this nasty bug. So rather than whiskey I am having wine to chase down an antihistamine. I will sleep well tonight. I a,ways enjoy your blog and your art.
Don’t forget tumeric!! Well my dear MAM I would come down to save you and your sweet kitties but I am stuck in the snow. Now understand one block from me there is no snow left but my yard and driveway are still covered in the white stuff. I did venture out yesterday only to get stuck between a creek and a pond on each side of my driveway. 🙁 As I slid backwards I decided to ditch the car and walk up my beautiful l-o-n-g drive w/packages of art prints, purse and other stuff. So I am resting up for my next mission impossible! But never fear I shall do my best to cheer you on as you row your way to safety. I am loving all your beautiful art, so keep it up. If we were closer I’d toss you my whiskey!
On the news last night they had a story on the big storms in LA–hope you have some tall galoshes!!
I’m in New Mexico and we had rain here off and on today. Very unusual, but oh so welcome. We’ll have a green Spring this year.
Birds and buttons are really nice.
Oh, I love birds and buttons! Tis true, your sketches get better and better, always so enjoyable. Love the thought of you sketching in your little corner by the window, with the fur babies lounging around near you. Glad California is getting some rain. I hope you get just what you need and not a bit more. Here in Texas when we get rains, they are almost always horrendous, bringing floods and damage.
Will be checking on that book, I am totally into alternative forms of medicine…such as real food and spices and herbs. Another good book is The Cure is In the Cupboard, about the benefits of Oregano.
Not sure what your idea of a small school is but here in Australia I taught for many years in small primary schools ..ranging from 40 to 80 students. There are many positive aspects to teaching in these schools, so I hope you get to enjoy many happy and rewarding times. I’m happily just beginning my second year of early retirement.. I looked forward to this for many years before it eventually arrived. So hang in there.. it will happen! Looking forward to all your new offerings this year.
Good luck for next week as you face the “new school challenges”.
Best wishes.
Happy to see buttons! 🙂
When the winter wind starts to whip here in the Finger Lakes NY, our windows rattle like crazy…I head under the bed…for some reason that scares me…
I’m going to check out that book! Thanks!
Hi Mary Ann …
I see you too are enjoying our WONDERFUL RAIN!! 🙂
I was driving up from Camarillo to Ventura where I live the other day
and I saw a sign on a closed nursery … PRAY FOR RAIN …
was sad … but now I am SOOO HAPPY … RAIN!! REAL RAIN!!
not just little whimpy drizzles …
I renewed my membership to your WONDERFUL classes
just in time … as that is how I am spending this lovely day …
listening to the rain AND THUNDER!! and watching you stitch
your awesome journals …
Happy rainy day to you Miss Moss!!
I think I hear the trees singing … they are so happy …
do you hear them?
Jayne
I bought some tumeric too…for me, but what to eat it in?? and how much before I turn yellow?? like eating too many carrots ? love the paintings and the colour, oh the glorious colours,a panacea for all! The whisky..a valuable elixir like my sav blancs and pinot gris..my commiserations on returning to work….we have just finsihed with a glorious storm which filled our water tank…no more tap..tap..tap…by the husband for awhile..summer returns in fits and starts to New Zealand.
I am not sure on a recipe for humans, Sue. The one I have is for horses, but the guy who made up the recipe uses it too, to great effect. For a horse you feed 1 or 2 tbs a day. An average horse is about 1200 lbs. so MUCH less for a human. I will look to see if he mentions a recipe and the amounts for humans. I never thought about it turning you yellow, but I suppose it could. Some cultures (India etc) use lots of tumeric and saffron in food. It won’t matter with my horse because she is a chestnut anyway, but no human wants to turn yellow! I bet there is a lot of info online regarding tumeric for humans. I do know you have to use an organic form, not the stuff you get in the spice aisle, as it doesn’t have as strong as medicinal properties. The pepper activates the medicinal properties, and tumeric doesn’t mix well with water, hence the cold pressed coconut or olive oil. If I learn anything more, I will post here.
First of all I adore the above paintings! Especially the buttons and bird!!! OMG! You just get better and better, Mary Ann! The school sounds idyllic. Those kids are mighty lucky”. I am so glad CA is getting rain finally, but I hope it doesn’t cause flooding. The earth must be very thirsty though, after the drought. The book looks very interesting. I have one similar, that tells you what certain foods, herbs etc do for the body. And has some recipes too. I spent the morning trying to research a natural remedy for my poor old mare’s arthritis. With it being so cold, she just doesn’t seem to want to move much, and she needs to. I learned of a natural remedy that is supposed to work for horses (and humans too!) that involves organic tumeric, cold pressed coconut oil (as a carrier) and pepper, which activates the properties of the tumeric. I ordered the tumeric in bulk today and will try it as soon as it arrives. Currently I have her on bute (horse aspirin) but it is very hard on their tummies and can cause ulcers. It hurts me to see her hurt:(. I love that you have a designated sketch area where you can look out the window at the storms. I love storms! Will you still go walking and collecting specimens? Sounds like you have the gear for it, at least. Be careful out there and avoid areas that might slide. Yikes…I will be mailing your package today.
Yay for rain! (but just enough rain, not too much…) Our rain is of the freezing variety here in KC today–meh. Yay for your sketches! They just keep getting better and better. Uh, oh…I may have to read the HOW NOT TO DIE book. Best wishes as you head back to the classroom!