Dear Reader,
Here’s what’s new since my last letter. I got a new pair of shoes that I can’t stop staring at.
I read a book that took 3 months to arrive from the previous reader at the LAPL. It was well-worth the wait and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re an introspective type and have written letters at any time in your life, or kept a journal, or have an existential streak, read it. Read it now. I can say no more. Except to the middle-aged mammal who recommended it to me here in the comments. Thank you. I loved every word. If you have any other recommendations I’m all ears. I rarely find recommendations helpful as I’m a very picky reader. And if it’s been in Reese or Jenna’s book clubs, I’m almost certain to dislike it. Also, I’ve been on a vintage kick which has been satisfying in the extreme. I have 2 Elizabeth Taylor’s left and I’m saving them for a rainy day.
I got lost on a hill walk (don’t carry phone with me just Applewatch without wifi) and ended up walking miles out of the way. But look! My route was shaped like a boot. A boot! Should I consider this a transmission from another realm? A subtle reminder that I love to spend Christmas in Venice? Are the gods of the Venetian lagoon trying to communicate with me?
Iris had to go to the vet and wear a cone for a week. Otto made all of our lives hell on wheels for the entire time with his hissing and spitting and bad behavior. Not to pin the blame on anyone, but the whole incident was his fault. This led me to install a calm-the-f*&k-down cat pheromone device which may or may not have made a difference in his domineering ways. But I think it has. Let me know if you’ve used them before.
The winter landscape continues to astonish and delight.
It is never a disappointment.
Irises in December. Yes, it’s a thing here in California.
I fail to see how this scene would be possible without the cat pheromones.
My swim classes are happening 4 times a week now and I’m starting a yoga class soon. It will be my first. Making time to do things I never did before. That’s me in the last 177 days. If you’re nearing retirement I’m so happy for you. Hurry up and get there so we can compare notes. The end of working life has been such a gift. It is so strange to have stopped working. I started my first job in 1978 at the age of 15. Work work work. Stop.
My days are slow and steady. I’m not a “busy” person and don’t wish to become one, but the classes add weight to the days like an anchor. I’m ever grateful for the pool time. Without work, the pool camaraderie has become a welcome substitute. The sense of well-being and utter peace I get from climbing down the ladder into the warm water is divine. I don’t miss a single solitary thing about classroom teaching. As Ann said in a recent comment, “teaching was great but not teaching is even greater.”
177 days ago I had no earthly idea I would be flutter kicking through the deep end of a pool doing the back stroke with a float around my waist. Look at me now!
On My Bookshelf
December reads. One down and many more to go.
By the way, I cannot recommend The Enchanted April (from last month) enough. Or for that matter, Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. Simply outstanding and unputdownable, but of course only if you share my taste. I watched the movies (on the Youtube) afterwards. Indescribably delicious. I copied passages from both into my writing journal. If you don’t share my taste, you may hate them both. Anything is possible.
I’m delighted that so many of you are going through Ticket To Venice again. I plan to do this next with the class Sewn in January. It’s a pleasure to offer them to you now for free so many years after I made them. Eventually all my classes will become free. Thank you for your patronage over the long years. It has and continues to mean so much.
As I grow older and move more deeply into retirement I long to connect with more people who are also moving through the world by themselves. I know there must be a lot of us out here. Thusly…
An Invitation to My Fellow Solo-Flying Art Mammals
Here’s a small transmission from the sketchbook nebula. Lately, as I grow deeper into retirement and wider into my eccentricities, I’ve found myself longing for a few companions — not hordes, just a tiny cluster — who are also traveling through life without partners or offspring in the home. Fellow Solo Flyers. Independent operators. Middle-aged (or far beyond) mammals with a regular inclination toward art & introspection.
I’m imagining a modest little art circle. A place where we show up with our sketchbooks, work on whatever we’re working on, and exist in the pleasant company of others who also know the specific weight, freedom, and strangeness of aging solo. It’s a particular experience, as you know, with its own weather patterns. Let’s talk about it.
I’d like to gather us. Gently. Casually. Non-bossily.
The vision: a tiny constellation (say 4-6 of us) who meet regularly to work in our sketchbooks. Not a class. Not a workshop. No assignments. No gold stars. Just a warm, steady place to show up, make marks, and be with others who are navigating the high seas by themselves.
We’ll begin with group FaceTimes and eventually wander into in-person meetups as the spirit and schedules allow.
If this speaks to you (or even taps you lightly on the shoulder), send me an email. You’ll find the little envelope icon waiting patiently at the bottom of this blog.
Think Ladies Drawing Night — but sober, daytime, and middle-aged mammal style.
I don’t know what form this will take. I’m simply tuning my dial, receiving faint signals, and sending my own back out. This is how anything ever begins.
Yours Truly,
MAM
FAQ for Curious Solo-Flying Art Mammals
Q: Who is this group for?
A: Artists who identify as “solo flyers” — living without partner or children at home and aging with a certain level of independence, resilience, and well-earned peculiarity. You should also be interested in deepening a regular sketchbook or art practice.
Q: Do I need to be a certain age?
A: Not exactly, but this group is geared toward those in or near retirement or in the “seasoned adult” phase of life (oldish to very oldish)
Q: Is this a class?
A: No. No demos, no curriculum, no assignments. NO COST. I’m simply hosting a space for us to work and connect. Just sketchbooks and other humans. However this will evolve. Check out the book Ladies Drawing Night from your local library to get an idea of where we might go with this.
Q: Do I have to live in Los Angeles?
A: Not strictly. FaceTime travelers are welcome. But locals get preference so we can eventually meet in real life and compare paper fibers and paint brushes.
Q: What if more people respond than can fit?
A: If there’s overflow, a second group may form: one for local real-time meetups and one for remote FaceTimers from far flung corners of the multiverse. Or perhaps a floating republic of aging art mammals. We’ll see what happens.
Q: What’s the commitment level?
A: Gentle. Regular attendance is appreciated but not mandatory.
Q: When do we start?
A: As soon as a tiny cluster of interested Solo Flyers raises their hands. I’ll email everyone in a group and we can correspond about times/dates/frequency
Discover more from Dispatch from LA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I could not have enjoyed The Correspondent more – keep the recommendations coming – we have the same taste ( I too dislike anything Reeses’ or Oprahs favorites)
yes pls send me the Venice password. I lost mine. thought I bought it years ago. anyway thx for sharing!
Thanks for so many great book recommendations. Currently reading and recommend David Nicolls’ You Are Here which mirrors your description, those “traveling through life without partners or offspring in the home.” Beautiful prose. How I wish I lived near so I could join your group! Maybe we could have a Canadian satellite sister group of like minded art makers? How nice that would be. I can’t figure out how to access the Ticket to Venice class… have I missed the window for the free access? Happy Winter!
Your and sister’s reading recommendations are always appreciated (and both your blogs, of course.) I loved The Correspondent and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, and will be watching Mrs. Palfrey very soon. As to your snazzy new shoes, I have a similar pair of Dr. Scholl’s that I love (gray wool with plaid at the back.) They are so comfortable, but even so I can’t imagine walking as far as you did on your “boot” walk. Kudos to you, even if you were lost!
Yes, yes, yes to any time spent w any other artists who love your blog as I do!!!
Hello from Canada. I have been a follower of yours for years. I was so glad when you retired. I have been retired for a few years, and have been enjoying every minute of it. Doing things I never thought of ever doing, selling my art at an art fair, joining an art group, a book club.
Just a question about your Venice course, did you mention it was free now. I always wanted to take it but never did.
A fan lee
i’m in, please …
@growbungalow
+ have an old fashion library cart full of journals + idea books { before Pinterest } really truly.
live in a coastal run-down bungalow for the last 39 years, food forest jungle of sorts in north San Diego county, south oceanside
& craving a creative tribe of sorts.
+ been secretly following you for many years.
x suzette
i’m in, please …
@growbungalow
+ have an old fashion library cart full of journals + idea books { before Pinterest } really truly.
live in a coastal run-down bungalow for the last 39 years, food forest jungle of sorts in north San Diego county, south oceanside
& craving a creative tribe of sorts.
+ been secretly following you for many years.
x suzette
Older solo flier checking in – would mostly do zoom but would drive in for meet ups
Transmission from your station was received.
There was considerable amusement on hearing of your recounting as a novice wanderer. Mentally, I added an image of you being bare footed roaming in Greece in a polka dot or gingham dress. The image is a bit hazy.
Your story brought to mind of my own similar adventure in Japan. I was in my early 40’s working as a military contractor living in a remote region of Japan when a massive earthquake occurred. Standing outside the rubble of my dwelling, an ancient woman grabbed me by the arm and we travelled from one disaster aid station to another. It was at the French Red Cross unit that the worker realized “this one is not like the others”. My red hair always made me stand out in Japan. Military police were called and I was picked up by a quite pleasant Marine.
So it appears that those of us who innately enjoy wandering are eventually found.
I could not find the envelope icon, it must be static on my end.
End of transmission.
I have a longstanding love for The Enchanted April! If you haven’t already, check out the film version starring Miranda Richardson and Josie Lawrence. It’s absolutely wonderful.
Your description of Solo Flyers sounds very much like an Urban Sketchers meetup. I’m sure you have heard of the group. Meet several times a month with like minded artists. Do your thing for two hours. “Throw Down” at the end. No classes, no critics, just sketching/coloring/painting with people of all ages and abilities. Great fun.
Not sure if this is your taste, but I absolutely loved A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. For me, it was a fascinating look at a person who fashions a full life out of what was meant to be a punishment. He is restricted to a relatively small space, but manages to turn it into everything for himself and for those he serves. I know there is a Paramount + production, but I don’t have that platform. And now that I’ve read the book, I’m not sure I’d want to take the chance of ruining my appreciate by watching someone else’s interpretation.
The art group sounds fun. It’s so hard to find one’s people.
Wow, what a fabulous idea — solo flyers art club!!! LOVE your writing, art journaling and classes, for decades now. Yes, I’m happily a solo flyer (no kids or spouse). Just turned 65 and have been retired for three years. I live in Northern California and have also considered moving, but remain here (for now). My passion is bookmaking, drawing, painting, sewing! I enjoy hiking and the outdoors. I want to get back to traveling again. I hoard beautiful books, including art and children’s for inspiration, and antique for use in my bookmaking. Oh, and I have two cats (Lula and Tilly) — hopefully that checks all of the boxes to join your club 😁. This would be a dream come true 🙏🥰 ❤️
You are such an inspiration, lovely lady, and yes, I’m also considering retiring in the next few months after 30- plus years of teaching kids then adults! Looking forward to joining you, choosing how I spend my time!
Hi Mary Ann,
I’d love to join a solo flyers group. I used to do a lot of visual journaling at a local coffee place. Once Covid hit that came to a screeching halt. I’d really like to get back to it. I’m not in So Cal but in the same time zone so remote conference connections would work well. I’m a little over ten years into retirement and flying solo. Joining this group would be wonderful. Thank you for your consideration.
Carol
Dear Ms. Moss
I have followed you for a long time now, how long, I don’t remember, I first found you by taking a couple of your online classes…one was Remains of The Day which I fell in love with. I am not single, but am an empty nester now at a grand age…I have always been an avid lover and reader of books and feel that we have similar tastes in reading matter. I would love to belong to your small group although I live in the Mountains of Montana, out in the boonies with Bears and Mountain Lions roaming around us…I do come down through LA a few times a year. We have a beautiful guest house on our property and if ever you feel that you need peace and solitude and amazing beauty you are more than welcome here as our guest…as I would enjoy very much meeting you in person.
Hope I make it into the group.
Kindest wishes to you
Susan Jensen
I assume this is the way to send you a little mail? No envelope icon to be sighted. 😉
Dear Mary Ann,
I would LOVE to join your group of solo flyers!! Single, no kids, not even family in the States. Now 66, can’t retire until I’m 70 for financial reasons. Have been keeping a sketchbook and notebook for a while and took one of your classes, have been following your blog. But I live in Fairport, New York. So this would have to be a virtual participation. Which does not mean that down the road, if this truly happens, I might not hop on a plane to be there in 3-D once.
My Best,
L
I so loved .’ The Correspondent’. A very, very enjoyable read to be sure. Nothing new in my part of the country other than not so ordinary mayhem stirred up by a madmen, but we won’t go into that. I’m surrounded by the comfort of books and various art supplies. Life is good in that regard. I’ve not complaints. And can I just say, I adore those cute shoes very much!
Warmly
Susie in Minnesota
I so enjoy reading your blog. As someone who lives in the Los Angeles area, I love spotting familiar scenery. I’m not sure if I have ever commented but your invitation to gather solo-flying artists has peak my interest. I’ll send you an email.
I just started THE CORRESPONDENT yesterday. Here are fiction books I enjoyed this past year: All The Colors Are Dark, Frozen River, Book Club of Troublesome Women, (I was about 4/5 during the Cuban Missile Crisis living in Silver Spring, MD), The Lioness of Boston, The Daughters of Nantucket, Remarkably Bright Creatures, My Name is Resolute, Becoming Madam Secretary, (the first Woman to become The Secretary of Labor), The BogQueen, and from English writers, THE EIGHTS, about the first women who entered Oxford, THE NAMES by Florence Knapp, an incredible challenging book about how a name affects a child’s life. all are fiction
And, I finished others that I didn’t like.
Your TICKET to VENICE was my first course with you……and then I visited in May, 2013. Holly
👏👏 let those eccentricities flow and grow👏👏 thanks for sharing your life with us! Still at it…wrangling 4th graders in Atlanta😉
Hello! I would love to join your group! I have been a journaler/sketchbooker for over 40 years and have been retired for 10. I have followed you since forever, but usually remain anonymous, but I have taken a couple of your wonderful courses. I paint, sketch and journal just about everyday outside, sometimes in my kayak or at the beach on the bay.
I am not exactly a solo flyer as I am caregiver to my husband of 54 hears who had a stroke 8 years ago. He pretty much is buried in his iPad all day. I feel alone alot, so art and journaling are my therapy. So I understand if not invited to the group…Right now I love watercolors. And letter writing… I would love to write a letter to you…
Rather envious of all you solo-flyers. I hope the group gives you great joy. Perhaps an occasional, one-off, noisy mixed drawing party, sometime??
Hi Mary, I’m so pleased you are absorbed into your retirement as I am and that your time is yours to enjoy . I’ve followed you for years and signed up for a couple of your classes in the past. Am I too late for Ticket to Venice?
Meanwhile enjoy the festive period , give your pusscats a cuddle from me. Best wishes Sheree
I also loved The Correspondant. Have you read 84 Charing Cross Road by Ann Banff (spelling may not be correct). They made a movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Ann Bancroft based on it. It too is a book of letters between a feisty New York City writer (Helen Banff) and a bookseller (Frank Doel).
I just finished reading Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser. Mona is a 10 year old French girl who loses her eyesight for a little over an hour. When the doctor can’t find the cause of the temporary blindness he recommends weekly therapy. Her grandfather decides that the best therapy for Mona would be a weekly visit to the art museum where the 2 of them study a piece of art and discuss its composition and the artist who created it. It’s a story about finding beauty in unexpected places.
Lastly I would love to join your Facebook group. I am in my early 60’s and while the dream of retiring is sometimes present I work in a bookstore and believe in the power of a good book which makes my job fulfilling. I have been following you since you started blogging and have taken a few of your classes. I manly am a mixed media artist but my monkey brain takes me down all kinda of creative paths. I have never been married, no kids and have a gray cat names Harley, who showed up at the bookstore one day.
Barbara Pym. She might not be an author to your taste, but then again, she might. I first read a book of hers out of curiosity because another author I enjoy (Hazel Holt) had become Pym’s literary executor. I now own every book Pym wrote– there aren’t many– and I reread them when I need a visit to a comfortable old friend. I started with Excellent Women, set in early 50’s Britain.
You might like to check out Jen’s Reading Life on YouTube. It’s all about comfort/cozy reads. I have “The Correspondent” on my Wish List. Right now I am rereading “Family Happiness” by Laurie Colwin. I wish there was more of her work on this earth!
At the end of watching “Mrs. Palfrey,” my husband and I cried and cried, holding each other. “Enchanted April” is one of my favorite films.
Irises in December! I must wait until May for mine.
This sounds so wonderful l would love a group like this. I am loving retirement and don’t know how I made through my working life.However, I live in West Virginia and am a photographer/ bookbinder/ collage artist. I live alone, never had or wanted children and have been retired for about 5 years now. The tracking of time isn’t very important anymore. I have loved your blog for years and I am glad you still continue to send out dispatches. I travel by myself often and like it that way. I used to live on the west coast and miss it.
If you should hear from others on my side of the country maybe you could put us in touch with each other?
Isn’t The Correspondent wonderful? It’s definitely my favorite book of the year. I highly recommend The Wedding People – it’s lovely.
I would love to join in, I’m not local, but one of my goals for 2026 is to start art journaling again. Does ne have to be on Facebook to join? If there’s a way to join without getting signed up for regular Facebook, I’d like to join. I took myself off FB at least 3 years ago, and also Instagram.
If that’s not possible, I’ll continue to follow your blog, which as of 2026, I will have been following for 20 (!!) years!!
Those cat pheromones are a regular at our house, especially given we have moved four times in the last year. Happy to report we have finally found a great landing place! Cannot imagine moving those poor kitties ever again. Luckily they are 15 and 14 this year. Is lil Iris all better now?
Count me in for newly retired and interested in art space.
Do you like to play games or cards? I have found a fun group of card playing enthusiasts here in Greenville. The latest is Samba, a variation of hand and foot, lots of fun, good mental stimulation. I am still in French lessons and have been hitting the gym lately for those necessitated “muscle building” exercises espoused by all of the online so-called experts. I also recently started staying a bit after to sit in the sauna, which is lovely, & soup season has begun here since the weather has dropped into the low 30s.
Life is finally v. good.
Definitely interested in the solo flying art mammals group! I’m a solo flyer and retired and dabble in art. I am in Chicagoland so it would have to be via facetime or zoom or something. I have taken your courses in the past. Ticket to Venice was my first and the one where I became enchanted with the double diamond book binding stitch.
You are the person that got me started in journaling and my First book was made following your direction. I am not a solo traveler. And I don’t live in Los Angeles. But I have been following you for a while and have been retired for 10 years and still struggling at times to keep up my art practice. Not sure why but finding a group of like-minded people would be so awesome for me. I would love to be part of one of your groups. Sending love. Annie.
Dear One,
If I cannot find the little “envelope” icon on the bottom of your blog, does that automatically disqualify me as a participant in your group of ageless readers and artists wannabes?
I am lost, please throw me a rope –
Pennie