I’m still here. Staring out the window at night. From bed I can see the shadows of trees made by moonlight on the garage wall. There’s a great horned owl in the neighbor’s tree. The moon is almost full.
I received an email from a child in my very first class of 1996. She followed the trail of breadcrumbs I left years ago and somehow she found me.
“Miss Moss!!!!! Omg! I can’t believe I found you!”
“Journaling saved my life. Gave me a world to live in from my own imagination and perspective.”
It was a beautiful correspondence. Exactly the kind I wished I could’ve sent to a teacher from the 1970’s who threw me a journaling life line. One I’m still holding onto after all these years.
The porch is my refuge. I shall not want. She leadeth me beside the still waters. She restoreth my soul.
Walking, reading, cloud spotting. Just the usual business.
Facetime sketching with a friend.
Sister and I are planning a trip to the Cottswolds next June. I’ve started a sketchbook that will be a container for all of my sheep, rabbits, cottages, landscapes, maps, and notes. I’ll take a similar Stillman & Birn sketchbook with me as a travel journal. Like this one I took to Bavaria.
The one below is strictly a stay-home book.
Otto & Iris are going to need a live-in babysitter for 2 weeks. If you know a solitary old lady who wants to go on a cat retreat let me know.
June weather in the city of angels is divine.
Today would have been my dear Pop’s 91st birthday. That’s him below. Gone 23 years. He visits me regularly here at Moss Cottage.
My hood as seen from a drone photo (from a real estate ad) when a neighbors house a few doors down went up for sale.
I’m off to watch the moon and listen to Rebecca. The audio version is spectacular!
I won’t let nearly 3 months pass before my next dispatch. Please post with news from your world. May you be happy and healthy. Comforted by the natural world. Being brave witnesses to suffering in all its forms. There is so much, but also so much wonder.
Hello Mary Ann,
Long time admirer of your blog who has never commented. I am quite enticed by the thought of caring for your cats at beautiful Moss Cottage. If you haven’t already found someone, I’d love to chat about it.
Hi Mary Ann : )
It’s Sandra G. the pain-in-the-a…, ha : ) Just wanted to pop in and say “hi” and ditto what your last commenter – Sharon Borsavage – said. I’ve just signed up for your Newsletter as I don’t think I signed up before (like in 2014-15) so I’m looking forward to seeing/hearing what you’re up to these days. Are you already retired ?? You mentioned in one of your prior (2018?) journal postings you were dreaming of having a community for (like-minded) retired women – has it happened yet ?? Hope it does cause it sounds wonderful. But I know things do change in five years – right ?? right !!! Anyway, hope you’re well and life is good for you today – have a great weekend : )
Sandra : )
Hi MaryAnn- I am just back from a first time trip to Italy. It has made me realize what a small world we live in when we do not travel. I am home, inspired and ready to make a next move to retirement I believe! Big changes coming my way – I’m scared and excited at the same time
Beautiful travel plans, and lovely pages in your journal. I have a question ms Moss… Have you always loved walking or did you learn later on? I’m not lazy, but I do find it very hard to get motivated to go outside and take a walk!
CHEERS
Beautiful surroundings are the key to a good walk for me. I need a nice canopy of trees and early morning air and light. I have a series of 8-10 regular routes. None are directly from my house. I drive into a nearby neighborhood 5-7 minutes away and go from there. That little drive made all the difference and made me want to walk much more. There is a busy street at the bottom of my hill and I dislike walking on it. I started all this during the pandemic. I have walked for decades though, but more consistently now.
Good for you! Not a great help to me unfortunately LOL, I don’t have a car…
I am so happy you and Carol are going to the Cotswold! I’ve been twice and thought it was magical. You might want to consider Tintagel , site of Merlin’s cave and the oldest post office .
So good to see you posted! Recently I’ve been thinking how I haven’t seen any of your emails lately. I enjoy reading about your happenings, life in LA, your travels and seeing your artwork. Thank you for postings!
Carol hello! I’m here and want to post more regularly. My computer is so old now and it’s harder to get the photos onto it. So everything has slowed. But I like to be regular – as in once a month postings. Thanks for reading and commenting. I love hearing from readers. Means a lot.
So very lovely to be found by gratefulness! Journaling and traveling in the Rose Cottage are saving me right now!
Hello, MAM, So glad to see your post in my mailbox this morning! I’ve missed reading about your adventures.
The big news with me is that I bought a plane ticket for late May. I’ll be in London and Lewes, East Sussex, again. This time I’m flying over in the daytime, which will be entirely new to me.
You will love the Cotswolds. I was there on a day tour and it is magical!
XOXO
Always enjoy your posts
I snagged a copy of The Cloudspotter’s Guide and it is a dear companion! How lovely to live the life you love. Thanks for checking in, Love Leau
Dear Mary Ann…I have followed your blog for many moons. When it pops into my feed, it’s signal for me to immediately stop and savor the tidbits of life you share..in words and pictures.
I too will be in the Cotswolds June 24!! Specifically June 10-18..home based in Burton-on-the-water but day tripping all over the place. I’ll be there with a sketchbook art group. As I have always imagined and hoped for a chance meeting with you in SB or Mendo or wherever ( Ive found you and I are drawn to very similar places over the years) maybe this is where it will happen!
So, when you are there, if you see a group of us sketching a sheep, a cottage, or sipping tea, please do stop and look for me…a giant burst of gratitude and joy will follow.. for our serendipitous crossing of paths.
We’ll be there after you. I look forward to visiting BOTW and driving and walking all over. Your trip sounds wonderful! Do enjoy it! Do you live in California? I’m headed to SB in a few weeks for a few days. Can’t wait!
Yay! It was so wonderful to read your posting this morning. (I’ve placed a “hold” with my library to listen to Rebecca. Always love your recommendations.) ❤️
It is thoroughly engrossing! Don’t know why I never read it before.
Mary Ann! I just returned from 10 days in the Cotswolds in the very area you are staying-northern towns. IT WAS SO COOL! My sister and daughter and I did a walking tour of the footpaths from town to town. Very hilly! Gorgeous. NOTHING was as I planned (dumb American!) but I made up my mind to enjoy it anyway and it was wonderful. Write me if you want to know what I found completely different from what I anticipated! You will love it!
I would love to know the differences you found versus what you thought. We can’t wait to be tromping through the countryside!
Hi Mary Ann! Greetings from Atlanta 🍑 I found your blog via a picture on instagram thereby falling down a rabbit hole which led me to your charming journals… I grew up in so cal and am also a teacher of the 5th grade variety😉 Love your Cotswold journal pages! Thanks for sharing 🙌
Well hello there Julie. I hope you aren’t getting evaluated this year like I am. So much to plan and do. Egads!
LOVE this post! May you find joy in the Cotswolds. And try to visit the Lake District also — I found it to be more authentic and rural with lots of sheep and owls and Beatrix Potter animals for you to paint.
I always love reading your posts. I grew up in Pasadena and Altadena and we camped in Carpenteria on weekends, so I can relate to so many of the places and neighborhoods you visit. (I am 75 now, so I have a few years on you.) Keep teaching and writing and painting and drawing — it lifts all our spirits and inspires so many children!
Thank you so much!
Linda,
How nice to have camped in Carpinteria on weekends. I bet in that campground by the beach. How lovely that must’ve been. I would love to visit the Lake District sometime. Oh yes! This will be our maiden voyage to England. Can’t wait!
Good to hear from you. You always seem so untouched by world events. I envy that..I get suffocated and lose my creativity . You are a beacon of light, and a reminder that there is beauty in the world.
Sending love,
Melinda
I’m very moved by world events. It’s important to pay attention I think and also to live fully inside this day and not in my mind, but it’s a constant struggle. I try and regulate the incoming stream of bad news. If it’s on high all the time I find I can’t really BE HERE. Ya know? Walking & porch sitting & writing & sketchbooking keep me sane in a mad world. xo
oh! i really wish i wasn’t allergic to cats! ☹️ your trip will be fabulous. ❤️
Really glad to hear from you, while I was making my bed this morning, I thought, I haven’t heard from LA in a while…
Thanks for the beautiful pictures and your thoughts.
Gwen,
I hope you’re well and think of you often. Love hearing from you too. xo
Your drawings are so lovely Mary Ann, and you still continue to amaze me! You are so inspiring! Thanks for always sharing and helping us to smile!