Various summer sketchbook scenes
Souvenirs from the Cotswolds: a charity shop owl and a hand-carved mushroom from a shop in Bath.
Pam arrived this week for an art playdate with her Everyday Sketchbook
My command strip styrofoam ball wig “wall” hack in the back of the linen closet door!
Various travel journal pages
Nothin’ fancy is my motto
I started to draw everything then decided a TOPS page was enough!
Pam and I ended up talking more than sketchbooking, but I did this page
I ended up mislabeling the garden pics. Par for the course
Dear Chrissy, our friend from Cornwall, met us in Bath
The last time I saw her in the flesh was in Paris in 2011. How good it was to be together again.
I remain my most loyal sitter for portraits.
On My Bookshelf
2 vintage novels that I’m reading at the same time. I’m enjoying The Book Shop more.
Life
The end of solar summer is upon us, dear middle-aged mammals, however things are just heating up here at the edge of the continent in Southern California so our end won’t happen until October. The air conditioners are put into full service and steadily filter their cooling drafts throughout Moss Cottage. Porch sitting in the evening is at its very best now as there is very little chill in the air. The fan sighs and hums beside me. The garden and trees are thirsty and I provide water. The leaves crinkle and snap under my shoes and spiders spin their silken webs non-stop. The ants march to and fro in orderly lines with their heads to the grindstone. Work work work! The gophers tunnel underground and leave piles of earth in their wake. Such industry!
But what does any of this have to do with my photos? Not a thing! By the time I ready the photos, the plotline is lost, I’m afraid. I can’t be bothered to match photos with text which is why I’m using captions lately. I hope they aren’t too small to read.
On Monday I go into the classroom to begin readying my room for what I believe will be the final time of my teaching career. In this exact moment I’m thinking that I WILL retire in June of 2025. An entire summer dissolving into autumn without the start of school. Imagine!
Wig Chat
I’ve built a wig rack of sorts on the inside of a closet from a video I found on TikTok. Now I can keep my 6 most worn wigs easily accessible in a semi-dustless part of my 2-closet home. Hairdo basic cap wigs are my current favorites. I’ve gotten them for terrific prices from The Wig Company. I love that they come to me from Lenexa, Kansas which was dear Mama Moss’ last home on planet earth. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that a complete novice wig wearer start with a basic cap wig unless you can keep your expectations really low. They can be face floppers and rarely can be brushed off the face. All wigs take work and you have to be willing to wrestle them under control. On the other hand, if someone like me, who never did any sort of styling to her hair, can make wigs work I think anyone can. I’m having a wonderful time with my collection of new hair and change styles like I change my shoes. In fact, the wig I’m wearing right now, “Classic Fling” by Hairdo ($39) is an asymmetrical short bob that didn’t have bangs when I got her. I cut a thin little shelf of short bangs into her that somehow just works. I went from, “No way in hell!” to ordering her in another color because I love her so much. Wigging is almost exactly like sketchbooking. Aversion sets in when you finish something and then before you know it, love. Persistence is the key.
Buzzing my hair off with a clipper in early July was the best decision. No more worrying about the thin straggly bits of hair and my increasingly exposed scalp. Not to mention all the hijink I went through getting it under the wig cap. I love having no hair on my head. I got used to it very quickly. I’m mostly wigless around the house. When I go outside I throw on something really short, but sometimes I’m in the garden without any hair.
I’ll continue writing (and posting on IG) about my version of wig life as a way to normalize alopecia & wig- wearing. Denise Sheets (Hey Wig Sister on YT) , Amanda Hoblak (Chiquel Wigs on YT), Frannie’s Hair (YT), Marlene’s Wig & Chat Studio (YT) provide great wig education and encouragement. There are so many! Do keep in mind however the best wig reviews will be the unsponsored kind. Also the wigs rarely look the same when you get them out of the box as they did on YT. So I urge you to watch as many videos as possible on the wig you’re interested in. This will result in fewer returns. I’ve settled into a good groove with The Wig Company because I’m in my budget wig era. I’m making very few returns these days- I make it work! Naturally it goes without saying, I am unsponsored by choice, my wigs were purchased with my own money, and my opinions are unfiltered.
ThredUP
In an effort to spend less, I’m buying many more thrifted clothes now. For the Cotswolds trip nearly all of my tops & windbreaker were bought second-hand on Ebay. When I returned home I discovered ThredUP. I just sent them my first clean-out kit and they accepted 11 items for resale – the rest they donate for me. When those items sell, I get a portion of the money which I’ll then apply to my next order. It was really easy to order a clean-out kit and drop it off at the post office (postage free). If you’re new to ThredUP you can use this referral link to find out more and get started. it gives you 45% off + free shipping on your first order. Happy thrifting!
Retirement
If you’ve retired on a shoestring budget or know of others who have, I’m all ears! I’m particularly interested in women flying solo and how retirement pertains to them so if you have anything to share by all means do it! All aspects of leaving the daily grind of the salt mines is fascinating to me. If you’re some years off, I’ll be sharing my experience right here. If you’ve made the leap yourself, I’ll be hanging on your every word. I’ve been following Susan Branch as she leaves Martha’s Vineyard and heads to the central coast of California and into a mobile home. If you know of others making similar journeys please share.
From the warm summer porch of Moss Cottage I blow you a kiss and send a wave. May you be content on your long sea voyages. May the wind fill your sails with courage and enthusiasm. I’ll just be here in my thrifted costumes, wigs, and sketchbooks. Up to my usual tricks. xo
So enjoying reading about your wigs and watching your Instagram videos.
I was fortunate to retire at 52 (in 2010) after 30 years of state government work. I had seven fabulous years before my husband retired, going to art retreats, taking online art classes, and seeking vintage things to sell on Etsy. I’ve also worked since my retirement as a personal assistant from home and a few hours (very few) a week in office. It’s definitely doable. We don’t live extravagantly at all and our home is paid for so that helps (as do Medicare and Social Security) but it’s really not been a struggle so far.
Love your and Sister’s blog posts, and Susan Branch! We visited Susan’s little shop in Arroyo Grande when she had it (in 2009, I think.) I would move to CA in a second if possible, but moving from the central US to the coast isn’t possible for us. I can’t imagine you leaving CA, but you could always move to Lawrence where the cost of living is lower. I’ve been to several art retreats there. That and reading Sister’s blog posts make me want to move there! Best of luck with whatever you decide, but I’d say sooner is better than later. Just go for it!
I have had some luck with ThredUp!! Love your blog!!!
When I retired early from teaching in my late 50s, I spent a year in “recovery”, enjoying the down time (especially in September — to sit outside with my coffee watching the leaves turn with no place to be on a weekday at 8:30 am was sheer HEAVEN). But after that, I really wanted to do things that either were fun or which gave back to the world a bit. I felt like I needed some direction. So I started working at a local winery a few hours a week slinging Cabernet (nice to have a few extra bucks in my pocket), plus volunteering with the local hospice and the Master Gardener programs. It’s nice to have some things to pencil into your calendar each week to provide some structure. It will take you awhile to work out the exact balance, but I’m sure you will! My spouse is still working, so not sure yet on the financials, but a smaller life definitely costs less and the best things cost nothing at all. Enjoy your final year!
I always enjoy your life updates here… your musings of life, and engaging writing style, what’s not to love?
Thanks oh so much for mentioning Susan Branch. I completely went down a rabbit hole last evening reading her blog, looking up books, listening to interviews. I have a few things of hers from many years ago, but hadn’t thought about her recently. It was such goodness for a warm summer evening.
I love that she’s in California now, Arroyo Grande I think according to a post she wrote not too long ago. Seems like a nice place to hang one’s hat. All that cool coastal fog and so close to the beach!
Hi, MAM, I’m looking through the comments because I too want some advice on retirement. Looks like I will be working for the next 7 years. BUT who knows? Some amazing things have happened to me that I did not see coming. My mom was a school teacher (French and social studies) and she retired at 62. The school district had a special buyout package and her accountant told her it would work for her. She also had Social Security because my dad died a few years before. Mom says, when you are retired, make sure you stick to some sort of a schedule. I see some good suggestions along those lines above.
XOXO
I’m not a schedule type, more a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type, but I do have a set of built in routines that involve writing & walking that bring me great joy. I hope you’ll go out sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed! xo
Hey Maryann, I have loved seeing your IG posts with your new wigs. You have a real knack for making them work and making them your own. I love it and love that you are opening up about your experience for others who may face this at some point in their life.
Hope you have a WONDERFUL final year of teaching and secretly look forward to possibly more posts and photos once you are able to create, travel and live your beautiful life at Moss Cottage. And as always, seeing your sketchbook drawings is always a delight.
Much love from Virginia.
XXOO
Hello dear Virgina Deb,
thanks for the note. Love hearing from everyone. Makes it feel like my postcards are landing in someone’s box. I’m 95% sure in this moment that this will be my last year of working life as I’ve known it. xo
Hello from Northern California. I’ve just taken the plunge and ordered my first wig. I hope It looks halfway decent. I’ve been getting lots of pointers from Denise sheets on YouTube. Two books that I’ve really enjoyed recently are the Paris Library and the Rose Code. Loved them both and highly recommend them. Have a great school year.
Love seeing your trip photos and always love seeing your posts! Your sketchbook is always amazing!! Sooo happy to hear that you will be retiring!! I cut back to working 2 days a week last year, I need to do that until I can get Medicare, but it has been LIFECHANGEING!! Here’s to an easy year ahead! 👏🤩👏
It was so good to see Chrissie again. I lost touch with her when she moved back to England . When you communicate with her, please tell her hello from me, now widowed and in Cleveland, TN. I have been away from things for nine months now and am slowly getting back to what passes in my life for normal, so it was good to see you and Carol and share your adventure. I have often wondered about what it would feel like to buzz my hair off, but so far I have settled for short short. I like your wigs and am so glad to be back enjoying your adventures and wanderings. Thank you, my friend for all your sharing.
Oh, Caroline I’ll be sure and tell her to come and see your comment! I’m sorry for the loss of your life partner. That must take some getting used to. great blessings and love for the journey.
xo
LOVE that last photo! think i actually jumped inside that scene. Thank you! have been thrifting for years esp. for shoes, some of my favs cost me less than $7. a pair of fire engine red rubber step ins, a pair of bright coral lace up sneakers, and a pair of blue and white striped cozy relaxed sneakers! happy adventuring !!! K
Thrifting for clothes is new for me. It feels good to think you’re saving things from landfills. Your shoes sound wonderful and fun!
From a regular follower here, from waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back! I have been retired and on my own for 10 years now. Most of it was taken up with divorce sadness, adult daughter issues, then the whole Covid thing. But in the last couple years, I have broken out of the mold and started traveling and doing interesting things I enjoy. Like you, Susan Branch is a real inspiration for me, and YOU, my friend are as well! I will be checking out the northern coast of CA with my sister before long. Just want to encourage you to keep going, like nothing has changed. All you are doing is transitioning from one schedule to another. I do spend less, because I am content not to own everything! That just happened naturally for me. Exception: ART SUPPLIES and classes! I do try to do an international trip, combined with an art class, once a year and budget for that. Good to have something to look forward to!
I am hoping for the same: one international trip and art supplies!
A breath of fresh air this blog is😉 good luck as you begin your final year teaching… we’re rooting’ for ya🙌
I retired in 2019 and I got a year where my husband and I were both free to go and do whatever we pleased and it was a wonderful time. After he passed I made the decision to move to West Virginia to be close to my sister. The major thing that I think makes it easy to live on little money is that I have my house paid off. We managed to do that in Seattle with the help of an inheritance and paying off the mortgage was the best decision I ever made. It got us through some tough times of unemployment. Now I’m living off my Social Security with no problem. I don’t have, or want a car. 90% of what I buy comes from thrift stores. Food is really expensive right now, but since I’m cooking for one, it’s working out. I don’t really know what to tell you besides the mortgage, I guess I just don’t buy expensive things. I have managed to keep traveling and I don’t feel deprived.
Thanks for your note, Sue. Sounds like your happy and doing really well. Being able to continue to travel is RICH beyond measure.
I hate to say it but it seems living in a trailer park golden years are over. Many of the trailer parks in Sonoma County seem to have been bought by venture capitalists who are using arbitration to get around rent caps on the land under your home. They are increasing rents by 75% then going to arbitration to get way over the 5% increase or 75% of CPI that some towns have enacted to protect seniors living on fixed incomes. Some are selling the land to some other developer to make more money on it or threatening to do so. Watch out for any trailer park run by Harmony Communities.
well sugar, I am starting my 8th year of retirement and here are my suggestions. Make a budget and stick to it! But budget for outings and art supplies and gardening! Have some sort of routine right away. If you wait, it’s harder to get into, even if it’s just a walk every morning or a library trip every Tuesday. Find free classes in things you love or think you might love and take them. I’ve done both in person and on line and love all the new things I’ve learned. These are the things that have kept me going and loving retirement. I know you will find things to fill your time but give your self some grace if it’s still a hard adjustment. Love your missives, pictures and perky face!
Love this Maryann
So nice there was a Pam sighting. Miss that girl. Love that sketchbook cover. What a great idea with the styrofoam. Hope you have your best class ever this year. ❤️❤️❤️
It is always just so good to read your posts. No one writes quite like you do!
I have been interested in your wig thoughts. The day for wigs may be sooner for me than later.
I send you my best wishes!
My my my
What a way with words
You keep me spellbound
Fer reelz
I have been finding much delight in your wig adventure. Your wig wall looks like Moira Schitt’s 😍 You look so sassy and joyful with your new ‘dos. New chapters opening regularly for you. I still am somewhat drawn to school supplies sales at this time of year – even though this is now ten years since my final one. I do not miss it. I’ve even forgotten many of the kindies. I see interesting classroom ideas on IG but I also see and hear such demoralizing conditions pressed upon teachers that I am repeapetedly grateful.
Grotesque housing prices (& sale) should provide you with ample means for a very satisfying mobile casa in a nest of your choice. The road goes ever on and on.
Your wig wall comment made me laugh out loud at 4:07 am this morning! IYKYN