greetings from the road gentle readers. i am here in northern california where it is 58 degrees. expected high of 66. in other words, my perfect climate zone. beams of sunlight and long sheets of blowy fog. there are massive blue hydrangeas everywhere, and roses, sea stars, anemone. glossy ribbons of kelp, rocks encrusted with all manner of sea life.
my glovebox sketchbook is serving me well. stopping to draw or paint is meditative. time well spent looking and listening to the world. the other day i stopped on a small road next to a vineyard. while i drew the little scene in front of me, a half-dozen laborers spread out through the grapevines on the other side of the road, doing who knows what. while they worked they talked and laughed. one of them had a musical sort of laugh that rolled over the vines in waves all the way to my ears. each time i heard it, i smiled.
i drove into oregon to see what brookings was like. property is inexpensive here but i soon realized that it was just too small of a place for me to settle. i’d eventually like to relocate somewhere outside of the sprawling LA metropolis, maybe arcata would be a better fit.
so far it’s my favorite small town i’ve experienced in humboldt county. seems progressive. good cafes, bookstores, outstanding grocery stores (!), pretty beaches nearby, and of course all the redwoods. i liked the college-town vibe. renting a place here after retirement seems like a good option. too bad there’s no international airport, but the town itself is a charmer.
while i’m here i’m watching 1 episode/night of anne with an e season 2, and have begun reading an actual book. well not an actual book, it’s on my kindle. one of my DFLA readers from canada insisted some time ago that i read the entire series of books so i am!
i had started elizabeth jane howard’s long view which was just tedious and not at all enjoyable like the dear cazalet chronicles so i quit.
do keep me posted of the goings on in your worlds. i’ll just be here soaking in the sea, sun, and fog of california’s north coast. see you soon!
The Cazalet Chronicles are fixtures in my library. Another good read along these lines is Heart of the Storm by Patricia Wright. I would also recommend The Shell Seekers, September and Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher. I have reread all of these books many times, each time with renewed pleasure.
Thank you for sharing all your adventures!
Mary
Oh Arcata! Its on my list of possible landing spots. I love Seattle but may want something less post-retirement as well.
You’re back in the groove, girl! Your sketchbook is particularly evocative in this post. You do know how to make the most of your time off. Bravo.
I’ve had a student from my town in Mexico show up at my doorstep (well, kinda…I got a whatsapp she was coming and btw could I come get her in Juarez…) She’s 18, wants to improve her English and wanted to see what my life was like here. She’s introverted, so fits in well and I can trust her to convey her wants and needs so I don’t have to spend a bunch of energy guessing. She’s responsible and clean and just pretty wonderful but she’s been sticking super close to me. Nothing is all good or all bad-ever-even new places to live. I think renting is a splendid idea. I ate lunch in Santa Fe at a community table and sat next to a woman who had been in the area 5 years and was contemplating a move to Utah but was so bound up with fear that it might not be “right”. Who cares, I told her. Go and either stay or move back. You will find your way.
Your posts always lift me up and bring a smile to my face.
What beayooootiful photos! I say keep going up the Oregon Coast to Cannon Beach😃. It is a very artsy town, with tons of neat shops, art galleries and eating places, and the weather is right up your alley. Not far away (6-8 mins) is Seaside, which is also nice but not as rugged. It is a super fun place too. And only an hour away (over a small mountain range) is Portland, and Mt Hood. From mountains to sea in an hour. The mountains also come right up to the ocean in CB. Pretty special place, but I am partial. I hope you at least give it a visit someday. It doesn’t disappoint! But, I know you will find your dream retirement spot that speaks to YOU. I love how you can just hop in your car and GO. Very lovely paintings!
OMgosh, such beautiful scenery! LoveLoveLove the pix!
thank you judy :-))
Yumpin’ yiminy, you’re a tough woman to keep track of! Sea stars, foggy paintings, hydrangeas, rocky shores and your words. The only thing that would be better is if I was with you. Really, I wouldn’t talk too much, I promise.
i’ll pick you up at the airport. holly can come.
Those photos are bee-you-tee-full! But the show stopper is the sketch with the fog! It’s stupendous.
Spectacular photos Miss Moss, Thank you for sharing your treasures. ♥
Icks-nay to Arcata. Jill went to Humbolt…..she almost went broke buying cleaning products for the mold….always the coldest day temps in the state. But lots of cool places to visit. Fairfield, Trinidad…the awesome forest. Xo sv
fairfield? i was born in fairfield, but the one down in solano county. i must investigate fairfield no. 2!!!
Beautiful photos and gorgeous watercolor sketches! thank you so much for sharing–I’ve heard a lot about the beauties of Oregon,
but have never been able to visit–so this is wonderful hugs, Julierose
I always love your travel sketches. I was looking at the Watercolor Artist magazine today at Barnes and Noble. I’m trying to work on my abilities. I had seen your recent post about being in a magazine, but didn’t realize it was that particular one. So, what a lovely surprise to find it and it definitely came home with me. Now to practice, practice, practice.
working on abilities is a lifelong challenge. it seems without continual practice the skills erode – that constant eye/hand connection needs to stay strong. i struggle with it myself!
YES! To moving to Arcata! I love it here for all of the reasons you listed and more! I am a long time reader who holds your sketchbook work in high regard and I frequently show your drawings in my classroom to inspire my observational drawing students…we aim for a loose, playful style and your journals are great examples of that! Thank you for sharing your art and travels! Maybe sometime when you are in Arcata, we can meet for coffee and some art talk! There’s a creperie here I think you would like!
sounds good michelle thanks!
Re: Arcata… have you heard the ladies from teaching your brain to knit podcast (https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/). They do regular updates on brain science, knitting and Humbolt County / behind the redwood curtain).
i haven’t so thanks for mentioning them!