let me be the first to tell you that it takes an enormous amount of time to paint a tiny house. i think hector is 25% finished. i could be annoyed, and i have been, but now i’m letting the chaos fill my sails. in out in out in out. breathe.
this morning i went on a drive-about through my hood, looking at the garage door inspiration that presented itself.
i’m going to go out on a limb here and make a wild guess that these are not the kind of garages you have in your neighborhood.
i need to have a new door built. my current one is exactly 94 years old and it looks every year of it.
it’s needed to be replaced since 2002 when i moved in, but i’ve been procrastinating. it’s a long time to put something off, i know. maybe this time i’ll really do it.
i think i’ll go back to the double door style that moss cottage of old used to have. before a dump truck wiped out my garage and it was replaced in the 70’s. wait. that means my door is only 45 years old. it was a real mickey-mouse job whoever did it. there are rather large gaps on the side where dust blows in when the santa anas get to blowing.
i drove over to el alisal the old charles lummis home. after reading about him in the library book, i was keen to learn more. which is why i started reading this:
when i woke up this morning, i got the bright idea to go read the book in front of the stone and adobe hacienda he built in 1895.
it doesn’t open until 10 on weekends so i just poked around admiring many of the shrubs and trees that sprawled through and over the chain link fence.
in 1885 charles lummis moved to california from the east to take a job at the LA times.
he accepted the offer and packed his belongings. then he decided that he would walk from ohio to california. the first outfit lummis wore on his trip was a pair of knickers, a flannel shirt, tomato-red socks, low-cut street shoes, and a canvas coat with 23 pockets, which he filled with odds and ends picked up along the way. including gold nuggets, deer antlers, tobacco, pretty rocks and rattlesnake skins.
when i read those lines in the library book i knew i was going to need to know much more about this flamboyant character, writer, poet, historian, and womanizer. by the way he was also the LA city librarian for 5 years.
let’s get on with my morning romp, shall we?
as luck would have it, i drove by ponderosa cactus on avenue 64 just as they were opening the doors. they’ve been in the neighborhood since 2016 and just today i paid them a visit for the very first time. there’s nothing like a long drawn out paint job that puts one in the mood for cactus shopping.
a thoroughly enjoyable visit and i picked up a couple of things for my back patio. if you’re in LA and you like cactus, you’ll want to visit.
here’s what’s happening in my garden.
the variety of bougainvillea below is torch glow. it’s an upright form that doesn’t climb. but it is sort of trying to spread across the lane next to my house.
here are the 2 specimens i picked up at ponderosa cactus.
2 posts in less than a week! are you reeling from shock?
okay. time to get ready for hector in the morning. drape sheets and tablecloths over everything, climb into bed and read. thanks for the comments on my last post. it’s good to know you’re still popping over from time to time to check up on me. xo
see you soon.
I haven’t read The Library’s book yet buts it’s just risen to the top of the list. I’m glad to see you back here.
Mary Ann,
I was very glad to see your last two posts!! I miss you when they are far apart in time! I’m with all the other commenters who said you could post daily and it wouldn’t be too much… It feels like there are so few people in the world who SEE as you do and I love seeing through your eyes and hearing those sights in your words. So lovely.
I also worried about the fires and thought of you regularly seeing them on the news. So very frightening. Why it is that all humans don’t see the effects we are having on our planet is beyond me…
I have taken your book recommendations and put them on my short list for reading! I truly love the gray double garage doors – so pretty. I think double doors seem as though they go with a garage next to a cottage.
I hope that the trials of home upgrades will go well and be over for you soon!
Susan
good to hear from you susan. i like those grey doors too! xo
Wow. I feel like I’ve been in Mongolia – I had to read a bunch of posts and catch up. Exciting news about Moss Cottage! And I love wandering around your neighborhood. Things are so-so here in Alcatraz East, but I did get a sofa and chair. Sitting down is never overrated.
i must get over to facebook and see what’s new with you and H. i miss you.
The last set of doors are my favorites. I immediately want to know what treasure is on the other side. Please tell us more about Charles Lummis. He sounds like a true original.
As I mentioned in the last post comments, I moved to a new (to me) home for the first time in 33 years. It has been so much fun re-inventing myself. I had my bedroom painted peacock blue and my kitchen a nice (not too sweet) pink. The rooms in-between are soothing gray just incase I get color overload there is a cool down space to regain my equilibrium. I have a HUGE art space, but have found that no matter the space I have for artsy\craftsy stuff its never going to be enough.
Have fun re-inventing yourself once Hector finishes your big re-do!
oh stephanie a new-to-me home sounds dear and wonderful. there is something exciting and hopeful about that. i approve of your colors. thanks for sharing with me.
Nothing like a newly painted home. You will now want new furniture. That’s called Painthaus Syndrome. I just saw the most revolting piece of furniture you definitely should not get called a Panther Power Reclining couch. Apparently it has automated reclining and headrest features, lighted cup holders, swing down large nacho tray with salsa cups, small mini fridge in the center, and retractable bottom cushions for access to marine grade porta potties. Isn’t that just the tackiest thing? Whatever happened to good taste and modesty? BTW I am off to paw surgery today to have the doc “chop” out a small bone (his exact words) and do a tendon reconfiguration to relieve my painful joint. Getting older and parts are wearing out or sagging. Tell the kiddies thanks so much for the thank you letters. I enjoyed reading them so much. TTFN.
why i have that very couch! the nacho cheese tray is divine.
i’ll be thinking of you and wishing you well for your paw surgery. do keep me posted on the outcome.
no furniture yet, but i did buy a delicious woven wall hanging (or 2) for the art room.
I agree, however often you decided to write a blog post, it’s not enough for me! I loved all the photos in this post, even the garage doors which are so different than those here in Oregon. Your paint job will make you love your house even more and give you a fresh perspective! I also love seeing that LA sunshine in the photos. Might just have to go down south and get some of that!
Thanks to your recommendation, I just started listening to The Library Book and will hopefully follow up on the side stories you mentioned. Thanks, and stay in touch!
i will keep sending smoke signals from the land of la la. i’m delighted that you’ve started TLBook. it really is so well written. just fascinating. i even liked good ole harry peak the more i heard of his exploits.
So glad you’re back to your blog. We missed you. The only thing worse than having the inside of your house painted is painting it your self! My husband and I did just that 8 years ago. I still can’t believe we managed to do it. We’re both 72 now so that’s a feat that we’ll never repeat. I know what you mean about reliable help. Lots of home projects around the house are over due because that is a commodity that’s truly, sadly hard to find. Hope your little cottage is just lovely and light-filled when it’s done.
oh thank you meredith. my place is only 650 sq. feet and i still wouldn’t tackle that job. surely good honest hard working “handy people” exist in our world still.
i’m touched to be missed.
Hello and thanks for the little tour of your hood. Looks so LA! I was just visiting and went to a wonderful workshop at French General. Have you been there? There are so many of their workshops I want to take if only I didn’t live here in San Francisco. Ypour house is looking good and the garden is charming. XX
hello pamela darling,
i haven’t taken classes at the FG, but my friend pam has taught there before and mary stanley too i think and they both sing the praises. glad you enjoyed it. you were near astro where i’ve been going to breakfast for 25 years or so. old school place around the corner in silverlake.
Houses sure do need love and attention. Don’t ask me how I know. I must have misunderstood or forgotten some previous post. I thought retirement was just around the corner. My mistake. You will obviously love it when it does come. You know how to play. I’ve been “playing” for 19 years now. I highly recommend it.
well i shouldn’t expect everyone to know the inner workings of my mind, which can be fickle. at the earliest i have 3.5 years left. all this work will help when i put moss cottage on the market. got to have her spic and span. would like some years of living here and enjoying all of hector’s work. LOL
I believe I staying somewhere near you. I drove down from Northern California to go to the Rose Bowl flea market. I knew that Huntington Gardens was on my must do list…. I am sure that you were the reason. It was wonderful. Thanks for the inspiration. Off to Santa Barbara and Solvang today and home tomorrow. Your last few years of teaching will go really quickly so enjoy them because you will miss the kids. Retirement is even better….. time to play, garden, travel and road trips….
hi ann! i’m so thrilled that you went to the huntington gardens. i am v. close to the rose bowl in north highland park – pasadena to my east and eagle rock to the northwest… figueroa exit off the 134.
oh do do do enjoy santa babs and solvang!! where in nor cal?
I am in Livermore. I taught for 37 years and now I volunteer in a friend’s class once or twice a month to get my kid fix. The rest of the time I just play.
Hi Newly Painted Moss-Cottage Dweller, I enjoy your blogs and adventures. But did I miss something….are you still going to move to a mobile home somewhere along the coast? I remember you “shopping” for your “encore adventure home” perhaps a year ago. Perhaps you are not moving now that Moss Cottage has a new coat of paint?
huh? houses need love regardless of my future plans. retirement and relocation are years away.
…love a good dispatch! You’re always up to good stuff, thanks for the ever colorful update!
Joy in norcal
Can’t wait to see what you pick for the garage door. I love your neighborhood and all the cool stuff that surrounds you.
i love my neighborhood too but at times the traffic and frenetic city energy can be a bit much for my senses.
There is a good pbs documentary on Lummis. Sv
i just saw it last night on youtube – saw it, but didn’t watch YET
thanks dear syd vicious
i’ll be in your neck of the woods at the end of the month would love to see you. xo
Love all,your posts. Gives me a broader view of the world. Thank you.
hello dear ruth xo
So happy to hear from you, every day would not be too often. I love your photos, your sketches and paintings, and your soul. Best wishes always.
how kind of you helen. thank you. the more time i have off the more i feel the urge to blog. yes to 3-day weekends!
I love all your posts!!! They always give me a chuckle. I’m still laughing at the previous post about the types of people attracted to handyman work. I even read that part aloud to my husband and his response,”… true!😂” Interesting, you mention an area near you called “El Alisal.” I commented before and mentioned that I’m north of you in Salinas. The East side of Salinas has always been referred to as Alisal. Just an interesting connection. Good luck with the paint project… until next time!
there must be a lot of sycamores that grow there! a large beautiful sycamore graced the grounds of el alisal in 1895 when charlie built his home. it’s the reason he named it el alisal. i’ve been through salinas and have considered it before as a retirement location. are you from there?
I love those yellow orb flowers, but they make my eyes water and itch, lol, all the way in Portland!!
Reeling with pleasure…. xox