santa cruz
I made it to Santa Cruz before the train of atmospheric rivers. I’m grateful to have gotten up north during a quiet spell before the beaches you see here were pounded by monster waves, piers destroyed, trees down, rivers overflowing and roads partially fallen into the sea. The beach is now covered by masses of storm debris, mostly wood from fallen trees fed into the ocean from creeks, rivers, or collapsed bluffs.
The good friend I visited is safe and dry in her Seabright home where she lives high above the turbulent San Lorenzo River.
These photos were the calm before the storm. I couldn’t be happier that I changed my plans to go to Mendocino (200 miles further north) where I would have been unable to return home due to flooding, mudslides, and fallen trees. I was scheduled to drive home on 12/31
Instead I drove home on the 28th, through the foggy central valley, and got home before the atmospheric rivers rolled in, one after the other.
I couldn’t have asked for more peaceful sunny weather while I was here.
Here is the little place I stayed in Soquel. Sunshine and cold clear air. I loved my time here close to the redwoods. This little unit attached to a main house is also safe and dry after the wild weather in dear Santa Cruz.
I got a great lead on a mobile home park from the owner. She has a friend who just purchased a home there. I was worried about a nearby creek, but the park is in good shape after all the devastation throughout the area. It’s come to my attention that I’ll have to take good notes on flood/mudslide danger wherever I relocate.
There will be more atmospheric rivers in my beloved state. I’m afraid this is just the beginning. It’s the price we pay for living on the edge of a continent during the times of climate change & warming. Oh the mighty Pacific! Oh California!
Bobi and I sat here on my first night watching the sun set. This is after the storms.
santa cruz mobile home parks
I loved the mobile home parks I saw in Santa Cruz. Most are resident-owned parks.
around here
We got our share of rain here in LA. We need the water desperately, so we have to take what we get. Even if it all comes so suddenly. No trees fell, no walls collapsed, no mudslides on my property. All of my neighbors weren’t so lucky.
But life goes on. We all adapt and keep going.
The scenery is gorgeous. Like a picture postcard. Only better. These photos from a recent walk in my neighborhood.
Moss Cottage as seen from across the hills. Somewhere in that tangle of green. Resting on its little knoll.
Otto and Iris rest too. Mostly together, but sometimes apart. Staring at the world outside. They’re ready for the windows to be flung open and the sounds of the world to reach their ears.
Long ago in Spain, I attended a birthday party with my big sister and some neighborhood kids. 1966
My dear old house. I had handrails installed a few months ago. They are awesome! My knees appreciate something to grab onto when I make my descent.
More scenes from my hillside ramble.
sketchbookery
Okay friends, that’s all she wrote. Keep me posted on your wanderings near and far, your art-making practices, and all the lovely things you’re observing in our world.
I leave you with a verse from the poet Wu-Men as seen in the wonderful 40-day Mindfulness Daily meditation class I’m doing with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.
Mary Ann
So glad to hear that you are safe. I was worried as I watched the news about California’s weather!! I have just finished reading The Vanishing Half and about to start The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Vacationing just now. Art wise working on stitching some small fabric collage squares which will number 9 when I am done! Also counting months until retirement!
Susan
OH MARY ANN ~ you are so in love with nature! It shows in your stunning pictures, your quotes, Otto and Iris, the waves, the wind, the storms, the sky . . . thank you for sharing your flowers, your colors, your books, your travels, your LIFE! I’m still crazy about you. Love, AT 1
You are getting the weather we usually get in the PNW. Thank you for such a calm version of reporting. No gloom and doom, just THIS happened. Lovely.
Your photos of Santa Cruz pre-storms are gorgeous — so much sky! I haven’t been to those beaches in such a long time. I also don’t watch the news so I hadn’t seen any pictures post-storm before yours. I haven’t been to our northern California beaches since the rain, but I understand they weren’t as damaged as the Central Coast.
I think your house is aptly called “dear,” and your neighborhood looks like the perfect area to enjoy a walking habit.
Greetings from the midwest–I must say, your pics and descriptions give me an entirely different, and refreshing, look at the LA area! I usually think of lots of crazy people and piled up traffic– where you live appears idyllic–lucky you 🙂 And Santa Clara is beautiful too. Namaste –Kate Jocelyn
A chorus of “Wow”s emit as I scroll this dispatch, and a few “oh, dears”. I love the grandness of the skies you capture and the smallness of the people and structures. We are such tiny cosmic specks. Happy for your safe journey home and the purr-fect company upon your return.
Very happy that you are OK there!
I am taking part in Kellee Wynne’s Deck of Dreams 365 course. I don’t know if I’m going to get 365 cards done this year but I’m sure gonna try!
Happy New Year!
Oh what a marvelous poem. 🙏
It is good to hear you and Moss cottage are good and unscathed. I did think of you often so it is a relief to hear.
I Love finding you in my in box. I’m so happy you and the kids are safe!
portraits are so awesome!!! thanks for sharing, p.s. love the paintings on black paper too
I’m reading A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit. A beautiful and thought provoking book and watching snowflakes drift down.
Hi Mary Ann–So happy to read about your experience of the storms. So glad to know you were safe and, yes, it’s good to get out of the drought! Enjoy seeing your art in your journal(s). I’m doing an inexpensive workshop on using leftover scraps, etc. in an art journal by Alisa Burke, who lives in Oregon. It’s the only art I have been doing lately. Best to you!
Oh, I adore your photos and so happy you got in your vacay before the torrential storms. I know we are close to retiring together, I am going down to 2 days in June…eeeee, can’t wait! The place you showed looks lovely! I am sure whichever you pick will provide you with many happy days of sketchbookery and cat escapades!
Glad to receive this dispatch! I’ve been wondering how you and Moss cottage were faring in that weather.