this was my last week of complete summer freedom. now i go back for 2 weeks or so before the students arrive. i need time to work slowly, arrange desks, stare into space, and plan.
i’ve been painting various water scenes from my time on the north coast.
and other things…
quick studies.
i think it would be very nice to spend all of september (our hottest month) by the water, instead in the middle of downtown los angeles.
with the right amount of isolation and lack of internet/phone service i could get a good many water studies painted.
i am trying to channel positive thoughts into my reluctant school brain. so far it’s not working.
let me start chanting my be here now mantra.
on my bookshelf
i’ve been waiting for the hamilton book to come out because i loved america’s first daughter so much. that’s an audible listen. the rest are book books. with words. that you read. yeah, those kind.
also to go along with all of those i have:
because anne goes with everything. ya know?
ooooh, I love your “on my bookshelf” segment, great idea, keep that up :). Right now I’m reading The Chosen, along with my high school senior daughter. She’s reading it for her AP English Lit class, so I thought I’d read too and we could discuss it. But she is 16, so not too into discussing books with Mom, but I talk about it with her anyway.
How was “Voices in Summer”? As good as “Shell Seekers” and “Coming Home”?
I LOVE that book by Susan Allan Toth. Have read it many times!
Our students come back the week before Labor Day. Not looking forward to it.
XOX
Love your water scenes. The Big Dream: live by water. I spent part of my childhood by the lake my grandfather built and it left an indelible impression.
had a class with Pam G this weekend. She is truly your biggest supporter. Wouldn’t be surprised if some people sign up for your “Remains of the Day” class and start following your blog. She brought her book from your class in to show us.
Hi Mary Ann ~ I am a high school teacher, though I do not go back until the end of August. I have been taking your Sketchbookery class this week, and it is truly inspiring me to just be in the moment and play, savor this summer, rather than spending hours reading and working for the school year ahead (plenty of time ahead to do that!). I teach literature and writing and am not very gifted artistically, but your class is teaching me how to just have fun and not care so much if something “looks good.” Thank you so much for that gift.
howdy beth!
very few of us are gifted artistically, but with practice (play) we all improve tremendously to the point where we begin to think of ourselves as artists. enjoy your sketchbook and i’ll push the time machine button to keep us in a holding pattern for an extra month. what say you?
Count me in, Mary Ann. I say that sounds absolutely magical…and much more calming and fun than planning a unit on Homer’s Iliad. Thank you, thank you. xoxo
I was so inspired by your water studies today Mary Ann! The colors in the top one are my favorites, and have been thinking about it all morning, how I would love to try painting landscapes and water. Get some DS watercolors and dive in! My inner critic has for years been screaming at me that I’m incompetent with drawing and painting, but I hope to put her in a locked room with duct tape over her mouth and try it anyway.
BTW, what kind of pencil did you use to draw the outline shapes with? Thanks so much! I’ve read your blog many years and never ever tire of it.
oh thank you lee! i happen to be at the same desk as i was painting/sketching so the pencil is just here: derwent coloursoft indigo c300
yes just jump in and keep paddling. you’ll like everything better the next day and it just increases after that. usually. have fun!
i am starting on some more water this morning!
Thank you for the list of books, Mary Ann. I really loved America’s First Daughter too and am excited to listen to My Dear Hamilton. I am also going to try out The Shell Seekers. Thinking of you as you begin a new school year; my days are dwindling now too (sniff).
oh the shell seekers. i wish i was just starting it. loved it so…
enjoy these last days & weeks before the onslaught!
Anne of Green Gables is a wonderful classic…loved that book, and maybe it’s time to reread it. I highly recommend “Anne with an E” on Netflix. I think they’ve taken a few liberties with the plot, but it’s marvelous viewing- and it HAS been a long time since I read the books. Loved your water studies, wavs are mesmerizing things!
i loved AWAE. really sorry it’s over.
hey, we’re on the same ‘vacation’ planning mode….a visit to midlands/northern/hopefully Wales/UK in May….
possibly into June. how did you find the European major airport(s) this past trip….CDG was overwhelming
in mid-July….hot hot more hot…photography galore will happen if you visit Cornwall….watch a couple of the shows
from POLDARK to get some ideas.
most of all thanks for the book list…..
holly
i must get with the poldark program! CDG and i are frenemies. i can say one thing: i WILL NOT cut it close when i go through there again. i arrived at my gate when it was boarding because anything under 2 hours is just not enough time to make connections unless you’re 25 and like to run through airports. if i’m forced to travel to europe in summer (which i usually am nowadays) i go in june because july & august are even busier and it’s HOT by then.
i am just beginning the novels so can’t attest to how good they are or aren’t. except…AOGG love!
I love when you let us know what you are reading. Right now into the Cazalet family books – and then I realized I found that from you! Thanks !
cherish them because i am actively missing contrary nevil, miss millimant, rupert, clary, polly, rachel & syd ALL of them. so so much.
I have been so fortunate to visit Prince Edward Island and visit Lucy Maud Montgomery’s home, also the house that was used in the filming of the tv films of Anne Of Green Gables books. The island is magical which probably helped Miss Montgomery write her Anne stories. Since it is an island there is plenty of OCEAN nearby. You must go if you haven’t. There are special places in every direction including a house made of bottles, a “park” filled with miniature castles and plenty of beaches.
would that i were on my way there now!
Those kids that land in your class are mighty lucky to have a teacher like you!
Yes! Cornwall, as Diana says, is even better than the books.
For one of the very best books about life in a Gloucestershire village (and a superb childhood memoir) there’s Cider with Rosie. Laurie Lee was a wanderer, like you, Mary Ann, and a poet. All round brilliant man. My Mum met him in later life (hers and his) in a pub in his home village.
oh chrissy thank you for this rec! i am so on it.
After falling in love with all of Rosamunde Pilcher’s books I met my husband. He said he would take me anywhere I wanted to go for our honeymoon so I chose St. Ives Cornwall, which was where Ros grew up and is Portkerris in her books. He took me to London and then we went by train to Cornwall (it’s even better than she describes it) and then the train again thru the Chunnel to Paris. Now I just need to get to Scotland where all her other story locations are. I hope you are choosing Cornwall for your next trip. I highly recommend it!!!!
ooooo this thrills me – your st. ives experience. taking notes.
squeal!!!