Over the hills and dales of Los Angeles I’ve been, strolling through winter into spring. I have 6 or 7 routes I take along the tree-canopied arroyo. Plenty of places like this exist in the city, but LA is not a place that rewards casual visitors. One day in the not too distant future, I’ll head north for the coast and leave the urban sprawl behind. By then, I will have spent most of my adult life in the city of angels. I’ll cash out and move to my trailer park by the sea. Spend my golden years watching shore birds, collecting shells, and breathing in salty air. That day draws close, but it’s not here yet. In the meantime I am being here now. On my walks, and porch, and patio.
When I move, I will return to LA to visit a few times a year. Find a little place near Moss Cottage to spend a few days and revisit these walks and gardens that I love so very much.
I’ve been heading north a lot to Santa Barbara on school holidays and unassigned days. Found this little place recently (below) and love the location.
If you want to spend your little-old-ladyhood in a woman’s art camp by the sea, stay tuned. Once I’m happily ensconced in my new digs, I plan to actively recruit more commune members to join me.
Sharron, Syd, and Mary came on different days during my April visit and we had lovely times together. I’m excited to be returning before month’s end for another long weekend of art companionship.
In the early morning after my beach walks, I ramble through the hills in my jalopy with the windows rolled down.
Sometimes I feel anxious about a possible move. Will I find my people? Will there be enough trees and birds around my new home? Will I have enough outdoor spaces? I let Pema Chödrön, my guru, point me in the right direction when it comes to mind training. She has given me so much in these last few years with her books & talks. I’m going to take the leap into the unknown, leave my darling Moss Cottage behind, and trust that I will find kindred spirits, big trees, spacious porches, and all the right stuff.
Somehow.
Will these streets become my forever home? Time will tell.
For now I am here in front of this window. Our gorgeous early summer has blossomed. It’s everything, everywhere, all at once. Or something like that! The trees are shaggy, the shrubs have doubled in size, and the geraniums are exploding.
Tomorrow may never arrive, but the inhabitants of this little cottage & parcel of land are content to be here now breathing in the scent of May.
It’s so good to be here in these indoor and outdoor rooms with my books and cats, and coffee and the occasional visitor.
The orioles have returned. The season of outdoor living has fully arrived.
I was having some sleepless nights thinking about the seasonal brush clearance by the fire department. If you live in a fire zone (which I do being close to a canyon and open hillsides) you have to keep your trees pruned and shrubs tidy or face fines. Mine are wildly overgrown, but help is arriving in the form of an urban lumberjack on Monday.
Here’s some of what’s been happening in the sketchbook. I’ve been on a blind contour kick. I can’t keep track of my photos in the cloud so everything I’ve been up to isn’t here, but you get the idea.
I dream of developing a more robust art practice when I retire. Working life leaves me with so little time for diving deep and following leads and hunches. But I do what I can and it has to be enough.
For now.
Next time I post, summer will have arrived in the form of a long vacation from working life. It’s thrilling to have this to look forward to each year. I have no trips planned abroad and haven’t for some time. I’ll just be in the state of California somewhere, or here at home having my annual paring down sessions. Each year I go through my house and garage and send more and more of my belongings to new people and new homes. In a city this size there is always someone who will want what you don’t.
Keep me posted on your ramblings and retirements. See you for another postcard in June.
Hi Mary Ann,
It’s been forever since I’ve chimed in the comments, but I’m still here reading every word & devouring all the photos & art. Thanks for continuing to take the time to share your corner of the world with us. I love the idea of old-lady-hood by the sea. Just drove from SF to SLO to Solvang (oh my gosh–Ostrichland USA!!) to Santa Barbara to San Diego to Pomona and home again with my rising high school senior. We’re checking out colleges, and I’m preparing for another kid to fledge. I plan to fill the emptiness and quiet with a lot of messy art. Cheers from here.
Cortney
the cats! the red checked curtains! the flowers! wonderful!!! thanks for the sketch book perusal too. loved it
Always lovely to see your dispatch in my box. We are enjoying overcast skies here with wildflowers in superbloom and lots of wildlife (seal mammas and their pups, rafts of otters, whales) in the bay. On this end, heading to Oslo for the month of June. Have faith in the plan … it’s extraordinary up here too, full of beauty, inspiration and community.
I love the photo with the irises and aquilegia. Irises are my favorites!
What are those flowers that look like tiny pink daisies? I think they are growing wild in my yard. XOXO
Thank you for taking the time to write your wonderful blog posts! Each one feels like a balm with the beautiful flower photos, and as always, your artwork. Your kitties seem so contented… truly a sanctuary there at Moss Cottage. I believe your next home will be just as warm and welcoming , wherever it may be, because you will make it so. Enjoy your summer.
It’s always so nice to read your posts and hear about everyday life. Your way of putting ordinary days into words paints the sweetest picture. Pema would be proud as none of the now is taken for granted, at least it reads that way. Happy Sunday from my little corner of the world to yours 🌸
I relish these periodic missives from you in your corner of the universe. What a gift this internet thing can be. I’m curious if you’ve read any good fiction lately that you’d recommend. I have a gorgeous stack of non-fiction that I am enjoying thoroughly but the fiction has been a bit anemic lately. I’m really enjoying The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin and Everyday Vitality by Samantha Boardman. Also 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World An Abolotionist’s Handbook by Patrisse Cullors.
I’m mesmerized by the shadow photo above. It’s that kind of moment of beauty that I try to create and notice regularly. It’s good for my brain in the same way mindfulness breathing is and painting.
Thanks for being here and for sharing.
So wonderful to read of your days and your dreams of life after LA, but you really had me at ‘woman’s art camp by the sea’. Yes please! My son and young grands live in WB and I am determined to move closer to them once my stint in TX is done. (I’ve been DONE for awhile, but my grand won’t let me leave until she finishes HS in 3 years–counting the days!) I am trying mightily to keep the faith that it will somehow happen. A commune? Why not? All I require is my own sanctuary, nature around me, and a few friends who like to play, eat, make art, and who understand when my introverted nature requires alone time. I don’t think it’s too much to ask! Right now I have to find joy in watching my birds out back, and the deer out front, along with big thunderstorms and open skies. Please keep sharing your art and your kitties and your dreams with us. I always feel more hopeful after reading your posts. xo
Good to hear from the fab & funny Mary Ann Moss! My little old ladyhood is spent proofreading part-time for a medical/nursing publisher, having fun/not so much fun with my retired husband, adoring our sweet kitty Seymour, doing art exclusively in a journal, etc. etc. etc. All the best to you!
Thank you for another excellent, fun, inspiring tour of your world, your art and your brain.
Always good to get your missive
Hi MaryAnn. It is always wonderful to read your postcards and feast my eyes on your fabulous art and pictures. Up the coast a little from Santa Barbara patio weather has returned here too. The winds have been chilly though. Our suburban garden, which has been pared back due to advancing years and associated aches and pains, is at last waking up and showing signs that the pre-spring pruning did not kill it off.
As in your garden the Orioles are and are a delight to see in the fountain. I don’t know of it is the same ones every year but they are now braver in the garden. The Starling babies are so cute with their still stubby tails and plumb little bodies. And the big blue black crows make me so happy, all fluffed up to bath.
Enjoy your upcoming break.
It’s wonderful to see Iris & Otis looking so healthy! You’re a great cat mama and thank you for rescuing them and helping them feel better!
Your blind contours are so fun. You are getting the eyes down. I just bought a 13 foot scamp and am going to be camping this summer. So excited. I enjoy painting out in nature. I’ll come to your art retreats.
Finding and celebrating the beauty where we are is so real. Beautiful pictures! But also real is the lure of Santa Barbara. I had to (“had to”) do a quick round trip up yesterday to deliver something to my kiddo at UCSB. “Would you mind” she had asked. (HA! Would I mind getting some Saturday steps in on the beach… where the light is Just. So. Different…) You are lucky to be planning a permanent move. It’s a very special place and like many of your followers, I hope you host SB art retreats one day.
Delightful post! Gorgeous flower/garden photos. Endearing kitty photos. Fun sketchbook photos. Loved all of it!
love every bit of this wildly wonderful ramble…. xox s. b. c.
Lovely to read all about your life and plans.
I enjoy all your beautiful pictures: flowers, trees, sky, sea, cats, and art. They are a delight to the spirit. Thanks you.
I enjoy your ramblings and your photos and thoughts about retirement. Can’t imagine leaving Moss Cottage, it’s so cute! I’ve been retired for 8 years now (the time flies and so does my energy). I’ve been in a creative funk! But I have my sweet dog , Willie, to keep me company.
Love your art… funny contour faces! I look forward to more from you!
The blind contours are fabulous! I want to try those again. I’ve been having the urge to start drawing again, your post is good inspiration. All the gardens! So beautiful!
OMG Beautiful pictures. Love the flowers and of course the kitties. Thank you so much.
I was going to say you have no idea what your photos mean to an exiled Californian but then I thought better of that… because I bet you do know.
The dark brown schwartzkopf succulents made me weep…
Sigh! Big ole sigh!
Your posts are always utter delight!