Soon I will be off for my annual summer pilgrimage to Northern California. A house/cat sitter has been secured and Otto & Iris are in good hands.
At times I get caught in the puzzle that is their mysterious health condition. The rest of the world rotates just outside the window. A dark shape lingers in the background of my days. It wants to be held close and studied, but I am trying to let it go in between vet appointments. Further study leads to deeper mysteries and all of it falls into the camp of what might happen. Meanwhile I’m starting to have doubts about the vet whose guidance I sought. He talks a lot, but it’s hard to understand the course he means to follow.
It’s hard to talk about and think about. I’m not sure about the path forward. More thinking leads to less clarity.
We’ll see. I’m pressing the pause button.
And heading to the sea cabin!
And trying not to think about the health of my kitten posse who are oblivious to everything except running sideways through Moss Cottage with puffy tails.
Sea air and headland paths await. Tree tunnels. Fog moving across the blonde grasses. A bigger brighter world outside of the LA basin.
At the end of August, Dottie is going to be a guest at the sea cabin too. If I were retired, I could join her. Alas, not yet.
Here we are in the mid 80’s on board a working vessel somewhere near Key West. Not quite 40 years ago. Oh the journeys we made and are still making. I think I was trying to look cute in my homemade tablecloth shirt and permed hair. Perhaps flirting with the deckhand who took our picture.
Long ago and far away.
I need to see some redwood tops spread apart by wind. Yellow beams of sunlight pointing down the dark road.
A turbulent sea of blue at the very end and a road that curves north along the mighty Pacific.
Meanwhile back at home, kittenhood continues. Oh the wonder of birds, glorious birds. Winged shadows across the floors and bed. So much to see outside the windows. Iris now weighs 7.8 pounds and Otto 11.
My little 9-month-old snowflakes.
What a wide world it is. The opposite of what one thinks when one is young. Full of unknowable things. Unpredictable. Ever-changing.
May we all move into it, brave and steadfast.
Sometimes I have fantasies of moving to the big trees. A new life in the forest. But I don’t know a soul in Monte Rio. Unless a dozen solo women join me on my quest to form an art colony for old ladies. Twice a week we can retreat to our yurts and canvas tents on the coast. There will be bonfires nightly. Except we will observe silent hours every other night and stare at the big dome of constellations spinning above us in companionable silence. The yarn workers will bring shawls for everyone. The bee keepers, honey. The grape growers, wine. I will bring books suited to each person gathered from free little libraries throughout the Russian River Valley.
I think I’m onto something here. I’ll keep developing my idea and periodically update you.
And of course, I’ll keep my eyes out for carrier pigeons bearing your notes from afar.
I love your community idea. Sign me up! As for the kitties-I used to have an excellent vet in south Orange County. Let me know if you want his information. I know it’s a bit of a trek, might he is very kind and good.
Dear Mary Ann,
I know this is on the other side of the continent, but maybe you could get some advice from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine? They have a great reputation. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/
Peace, Lea
Sounds wonderful. I admire your bravery at forward thinking.
There is a book I’m reading that might help clear your thinking: The Wild Trees by Robert Preston.
It is a true story of three young men living and learning about the Redwood trees in northern California.
Sign me up for the little old ladies’ art colony. I can cook and make sketchbooks. I love reading too but prefer to listen to books instead.
I love the Maine captain’s quarters photos; my both my grandfathers as well as my dad were boat builders in Maine. My dad moved from away from the big boats that my grandfathers made to making wood strip canoes and kayaks. All of my siblings and I have beautiful canoes as a result.
Yes, I second what everyone has said about getting a second opinion from a different vet. You have to be able to trust and understand your vet. Those kitties look so healthy despite their intestinal issues.
Have fun on your vacation. Forest bathe in those redwoods and maybe the break will bring clarity.
P.S. I do love your tablecloth shirt and the adventure you took. It looks like so much fun!
Maybe you should go to the Cat and Bird Clinic in Santa Barbara for a consultation. It’s on Mission and Dr. Christine Sellers is very good. I’ve been taking my conure to her for 14 yrs. It would give you an extra excuse to go there 😂.
I’m in!! Kitties, books, wine, art, trees, old ladies…sounds like heaven!! ❤️🐈📚🍷🎨🖌🌲
Sounds delicious
I’m in! Have a wonderful trip & enjoy every moment. Love your old pic & homemade design! Take in a few sea breaths for me. I’m far far away from any such wonderland. Your kitties will be great! ❤️
Sheila
(formerly of everywhere
Soon hope to be back home near Grands in the Mile High City)
p.s. “Not all who wander are lost.”
Some of us admit it.
Who wouldn’t love this idea! I’d be a fine cook to have on hand. I love the silent hours, too.
stay far from smoke and flame. forest bathe among the redwoods for us all.
I would join your art colony in a heartbeat!!
I would join your community without a blink of an eye! Nirvana
Ahoy! I see I’m not the only woman who wants to come to your art colony. I think you are onto something really great here!
I hope you enjoy your vacation among the trees. I’ve been trying to think of somewhere to go/something to do with my vacation time this year and I keep coming up short. I’m not afraid to fly to London alone, and stay there alone, but I’m afraid to rent a cabin in the Pennsylvania woods and stay there alone. I’m a strange creature. In the meantime, I am taking a pottery class and doing the 5-Day Accordion Challenge. XOXO
I often have daydreams of something similar. It sounds fabulous. Maybe you are onto something with this. Enjoy your travels. Carla
Sign me up! 😉
Mary Ann… your posts always bring incredible memories to forefront…strong emotions…and inspiration!
The photo of the road looking toward the ocean on the Mendocino Headlands is extremely memorable. We always parked on the small side street to the left before our walks on the headlands.
Thank you for your incredible posts!!
Do you have a mailing address your willing to share?
I’m in, if you start a commune! I’m currently seeking a new adventure, perhaps my last big one.
Re: the kittens – if you are not fully sure of your vet, please see a different one and get a second opinion. Every vet has strengths and weaknesses in diagnosis – they are just humans and their professional opinions are formed by their previous experiences. Which is all good, but maybe not the experience you need for Otto and Iris.
I’ll be waiting for the sign. It’s time. Come together and feel the support of kindred spirits. People who respect your need to be alone. People who show up exactly when needed. Art. Music. Support. Laughter. Books and love. I’m in.
I’m down for an art colony for old ladies…send instructions for signing up!
We can get together an art posse up here in NorCal real quick!
If you feel like a little ride while in Monte Rio check out WildFlour bakery in Freestone. You won’t be sorry.
Hope you have a wonderful stay.
I’ve been with you for years. My little cabin, just outside of Monte Rio and before Duncans Mills, is now my home from May-November when I then retreat to the Arizona sun for a few weeks of drier, warmer weather. Oh how great it would be for you to be nearby. The community here is overall a kind and gentle bunch with long roots in the area. Sally in Caz 😁
I love not far from Monte Rio (Graton/Sebastopol). About a 30 minute drive. Have a good time at the captain’s sea cabin.
You on the bot reminds me of Amsterdam when you were the captain of the ship! I want to be in the old spiritual group if possible. Reserve a spot. I like memoirs. And message me when you have the capacity about the kitties , I wanted to be a vet and have good intuition on medical stuff. Keep the faith bubbelah.
I will await the next report!
With bated breath.
First of all I’m such a big fan. Love everything you write. Thanks for sharing so eloquently about your life. You are an inspiration to keep making art.
Kitties. I have had kittens with the same sort of diarrhea, hard to figure out what’s going on. Bill came to me with a skinny, shaved body, fluffy head as previous person had done that to get rid of severe flea infestation and make it easier to clean his butt. Eventually resolved but it took awhile. Then the little bugger fell in love with the girl kitty next door and moved in with her and her family.
Would suggest another vet.
Wow. For a few years, among a select group, we have thought about the Baba Yaga Tiny House Community for Retired Witches. Especially because a sign like that might keep undesirables out. But the idea of proximity to dear ones rings true. Also the bee keeping. We’ve been thinking we need a few younger people. It’s funny that younger people also have thought they need us. A family of choice. Rain or shine. Such imagining reminds me of Close Encounters, where some people are building a replica of a mountain that they worry exists only in their head. Wonder how many other have a mashed potato sculpture in their garage?
Sign me up for the Little Old Ladies’ Art Colony. Knitting shawls for all right now. While stargazing.