Art & socialization with friends is becoming an important part of my long-awaited release from confinement in a classroom 5 days per week. Nearly 7 months ago my crazy busy life of childcare work was restored to stillness. For too many years the trap of work kept my need for introverted solitude firmly in place. I kept happily to myself during my precious few bits of downtime. But now that the shackles of work have been cast off, I wish for more meaningful interaction with other Homo sapiens, not less.
In the new year I hope to begin meeting with solo-flying locals regularly for art & community. One would think forming such bonds in the city of angels where artists abound would be simple. Not so, but I am persistent in tuning the astral dials and finding my people! Of course one cannot exist on solo-fliers alone, but growing older alone is a unique experience that requires like-minded companions to bounce ideas back and forth. I’ll continue to chronicle my experiments in navigating the currents of adult friendship. It’s a topic I’d like to find more people writing and thinking about.
Iris is recovering nicely after having 4 teeth extractions last week. Otto is having his dental experience in a few weeks. By February the Moss household should be back to normal. I’m amazed at how quickly Iris has recovered and am grateful to the vet I’ve finally found for longterm care of the cat posse.
On My Bookshelf
Currently reading Family Happiness (1982). Thanks for the recommendations fellow readers. I’m grateful to those of you who share similar taste to mine & dislike bestsellers and/or celebrity bookclub endorsements. I’m crossing fingers that I love Barbara Pym as much as Elizabeth Taylor so I can sink deeply into a month of reading everything she’s got. Neither of those books would have crossed my radar without your input.
My friend Chrissy has written a book of Jane Austen’s imaginary lost letters (upper right). It was illustrated by her friend Lizzie Nelson. They have self-published it on Amazon. I’m enjoying the experience of reading a letter or 2 a day!
A friend gifted me the rather extravagant Sabbatical 2012 by Miguel Flores-Vianna. It is a reproduction of his handwritten photo journal. Gorgeous and evocative. It’s another book I am savoring by reading one or two entries per day.
Sewn
Just as I offered my 2012 Ticket to Venice class freely back in November, I’ll be doing the same with Sewn beginning in January. (access good for 6 weeks or so)
I’m gradually converting some of my older online classes from paid subscriptions to password-based access. I don’t want to dismantle them entirely, as I still think there’s plenty there of interest and value, even all after all these years. That said, I’m no longer offering support or answering questions about the material. Think of it as a self-guided experience. If you’re reasonably adept at figuring things out without a hall monitor, you should be fine.
If you’d like the password for Sewn, please leave a comment below. Once January rolls around, I’ll send it along. Herding requests in the comments is far easier for me than tracking emails, which have a mysterious tendency to wander off.
This offer is intended for those I’m already acquainted with through past comments, emails, or previous classes. By the way, you may continue to access Ticket to Venice for the remainder of 2025, but I’m no longer sending out the password for that one.
Substack
Sharing sketchbooks, thoughts, and random jibber jabber. 5 minutes at a time in an unedited format. Usually wearing hair that could use a good comb or brush taken to it. RIGHT HERE.
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Happy Holidays Mary Ann! Have enjoyed revisiting Venice through your class, & would love to see Sewn again! Please send the password when available. I’ve forgotten how much I’ve forgotten since taking your classes! So happy retired life is pleasing to you! Hope your quest to find “your people” leads to many (or a few ) good friendships! If I lived near you & fit into the correct category, I’d be there in a minute! You continue to inspire in all your endeavors! Cheers!! Nan Dodson
Pam’s studio looks heavenly… All that light! Sorry to hear about the tooth escapades tho, not fun for anyone. Moss cottage is looking beautiful as always.
Sewn password, t’il vous plait. I may have taken it before but can’t remember for sure!
Sewn ! I would love access please❤️❤️
Love your email/newsletter…would love the password to sewn when it becomes available?
I have followed you for years, although I am not very vocal…just know I am rooting for you always!
SEWN I would like to access that please.
Sewn
I would love the password for Sewn. Took your Gouache class a few years ago. Loved it! I have also been a long time reader of your Blog.
I have gratefully found that solo-flying females of a certain age are good at taking care of each other. We are also very good at sharing celebrations, no matter how small. I’ve long admired your creative exuberance, and I’m now looking forward to ideas about how solo fliers inspire each other. Carry on!
Barbara Pym is one of my very favorite authors, especially now when one requires an escape from current times. So many of her observations about female/male relationships are still true-unfortunately! Her dry British humor about it all makes me laugh.
I would love the password to SEWN and thank you for being so generous in sharing your creativity.
I’d love the password for Sewn. I’ve been on a creative “hiatus” during 2025, not intended but it just seems to have been that way. A bright and cheerful MAM class may be just what I need to kickstart my creative juices flowing in 2026. Wishing you all the best in 2026, and, isn’t retirement just the best!!
You mentioned the Art Mammals group. How does one join that or is it a generic name for art makers who are mammals? My poor art has suffered as caregiver duties have taken over my life.
I so enjoy seeing you share your work on Substack and wearing those cute wigs!
Would love the password to SEWN!
Yes, please send me the p-word for Sewn! I also cannot wait for the next A.M., Inc. gathering!
Oh my goodness Mary Ann, thanks for offering bonus access to your classes! It’s so kind of you. I too believe they have lasting value and inspire creativity… I’m glad you’re giving them new life. I would be delighted to have the SEWN pw. Now that winter is upon us, it’ll be there perfect art project.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year… and welcome to the chapter of endless ‘me’ time! I’m glad you’re finding and gathering your people.
Dede
I would appreciate the password for SEWN very much! After that lovely sneak peek, I can’t wait to see the process. Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
OMGEEEE! I must have the book of Austin’s imagined letters! I am sending link to my hubby now as a brick sized suggestion for my January birthday! I would be deliriously happy with password for Sewn!!! I love your correspondences and shared moments! Thank you for your generosity!
I recently purchased a book, but haven’t read yet. It’s by Molly Peacock and it’s called The Paper Garden…An Artist Begins Her Life’s Work at 72. it’s a Bloomsbury publication about the life of artist Mary Delaney. The book has many illustrations of her botanicals,done in mixed media form. Some are housed in the British Museum. I think this right up your alley!
I would love the opportunity to take the class SEWN. I bought a new sewing machine to replace my grandmothers which found its way to me some 30 years ago. It is sixty some years old and I still like it better than the new one which requires me to find a YouTube video every time I need to thread it. Very complicated and almost all plastic!
Merry December!
You probably already read Oldster, but in case you’re not:
In reference to reading about friendships & more, as we grow old(er). You can submit essays too, hint, hint. 😉
Oldster is great!!
I love reading your posts!
I adore your classes! Please send Sewn password.
Also, I am so glad you are finding your people!
Please tell Pam Garrison she is missed in the online world, and it’s so good to see her spending time with you, doing what she loves!
The password for Sewn, please. Your generous soul is so appreciated- thank you you.
I’d love the password for Sewn, thank you! I enjoy reading about your book recommendations, I am hoping my local library has some or all of them available for perusing.
Thank you for offering SEWN. I would love the password. Im currently collecting/ curating all kinds of bits, pieces, papers, and fabrics. Im a preschool teacher in the Reggio Emilia Approach which def feeds my need to save everything—a double edged sword. Looking forward to peaceful January and wishing you the same!
Best wishes,
Maria in NY
Sewn, please. I took your Remains of the Day class ages ago, and made a journal of my trip to Italy. It is one of my favourite keepsakes!
I would love the password for Sewn! I remember taking back when it came out and I have somewhere in a binder the printed out PDFs from your classes that I took. I will have to dig them out sometime!
Hi Mary,
I so enjoy reading your blog.
I’d like the password to SEWN please.
Very happy seasonal times.
Best wishes Sheree
I know exactly what you mean. I’ve recently found my art people and it is such an pleasure to create together.
I’ve taken your SEWN class a few years ago and I’d love to go back again.
Lots of holiday wishes from Germany!
Glad to see you are enjoying retirement so thoroughly! Sewn is one of my favorite classes you ever did, so please sign me up for a password notice. Hugs to you and the kitties!
Dear Mary Ann,
I would love access to Sewn✨✨
Wishing you a beautiful and wonderful-filled holiday season xx
Much love from me, Liezl
Ns eagerly reading your retirement chronicles. One day soon I will retire too✨
Wow, I’d like that password. Glad you are thriving in retirement. We get paid to stay home! I love it.
I’d love to receive the password for Sewn. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Mary Ann I’d love the password for Sewn how wonderful. Happy holidays
I finished The Correspondent yesterday, and loved it! Thank you so much for recommending it. All of my best friends from college scattered like the winds, and we kept up a heavy letter writing schedule for years, until cell phones. It made me very nostalgic for the fat letters we used to send each other.
I am interested in Sewn.
I would love the password for sewn. Thank you!
I would love to revisit Sewn, thank you for your generosity!
I would love to have the password for SEWN! Thank you so much Mary Ann! Love reading your blog. I’m a retired teacher too who loves art and can relate! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
I’m SO looking forward to Sewn. Thank you for your generosity ❤️
So glad to hear that you’re enjoying retirement. I’m still at it in the classroom (4th grade public school in Salinas, Ca) – and yes, it’s exhausting. I turned 55, and I took advantage of the Willie Brown Reduced Workload this year. So I took the 1st part of the year off, but went back early, because they were rotating so many subs through my class. I went back 3 weeks early, so not too bad, and now I’m on winter break! Your posts are fun to read, keep it up :). And glad you’re kitties will be okay (I also have two, plus a Bodrder Collie). Take Care, Jamie
I would love to revisit Sewn again. Thank you Mary Ann!
I would love to have the password for SEWN, too. Thanks so much and happy holidays!
I would love to get the chance to enjoy Sewn as I have loved all the other courses I have taken of yours! Thank you so much for sharing, I truly appreciate your kindness 😃
SEWN password please and thank you!!
Your poor kitties and their teeth AND the indignity of wearing a cone. Vinny and Mabel and I send our regards and get well soon wishes. I realized that I haven’t been getting all your blog posts but some manage to squeak through. Sad to miss the Ticket to Venice password, but as a former Sketchbookery and Oh My Gouache student, I would love to get the Sewn password.
Oh Mary Ann thank you for offering one of your classes. I would love to participate in Sewn. The first class that I took with you way back when was Remains of the Day and it remains (pun intended) as my favorite class. I also remember Ticket To Venice which I still have some ephemera from. Perhaps one day you will revive and update Remains of the Day 2.0. Thank you!! and Merry Christmas.
I’d like the password for Sewn please. Thanks very much and happy holidays.
I would love the Sewn password !! I didn’t take it because I didn’t had a sewing machine, but I do now !! 😃 Thank you !!
Yes to SEWN, please!!! You are so kind and good to us, Mary Ann. THANK YOU 🌺
I would love the password for Sewn. I previously enrolled in your classes.
Thank you
SEWN…I took a class of yours years ago and it opened my eyes to mixed media, thank you! I always enjoy your ramblings, book suggestions, arty things and of course, cat pics.
Happy New Year ahead! I would appreciate a password for Sewn. I enjoyed Sketchbookery tremendously many years ago. Happy to stay caught up with you and your antics through newsletter and Substack. I’m a 12th year teacher looking forward to the glory days of retirement😊
Oh my gouache, I would love the password for SEWN! (See what I did there?!)
😉
Thank you!
I would love to revisit Sewn again. I really enjoy your classes and style!
I took the sewn class but would love the password to revisit the instructions. Thank you!
SEWN, por favor!
Humbly,
Pennie
Love how paint swatching has starring roles in both your posts today….never gets …xox