On My Bookshelf
I’ve hit my stride with Barbara Pym and it shan’t be broken unless LAPL can’t keep up. So far they’ve been speeding my requests to me quickly. Apparently I’m Barbara’s only reader in LA at the moment. One of you recommended her to me, and I daresay you hit the bullseye in guessing my taste in books. Quartet in Autumn made the Booker Prize shortlist back in the 70s, but that’s neither here nor there. I usually shun books that make lists or are popular. Once in a while a deserving book like The Correspondent hits every nail on the head despite being popular. If you’re a fan of Elizabeth Taylor (the English novelist) and Barbara Pym, I’m all ears for your suggestions. Jane and Prudence and Excellent Women were both outstanding, but you might need to be a fan of vintage fiction to enjoy them. I can’t be held responsible for my taste.
In other news, I am readying myself for a trip to the far north village where I haven’t been in several years. Back when I was a just a kid in my 40s I wrote a couple of posts about such a trip. Otto and Iris have had their biennial trip to the vet and are in tippy-top form, ready for the house sitter to descend.
Some days I find myself in a state of bliss that flies in the face of world events. I am 223 days into retirement and it is glorious. Days spent swimming, yoga in Old Town Pasadena with a view of City Hall when I come and go, snowy egrets with their golden slippers posing for me at the beach, reading in the park under trees with falling leaves, organizing my sketchbooks and bookcases, making the occasional video for Substack, making little photos for my writing journal, Zooms with art mammals, art buddies in general, guided meditation with Joseph Goldstein, and drawing my heart out. I guess I’m still in the honeymoon phase where everything is tinged with pink and gold. It feels like that today, in the grey drizzle of a Thursday NOT at school, where I am writing a blog post in the middle of the afternoon.
Grateful to be alive and oh so aware of those who are suffering and dying at the hands of our despot-in-chief and the ignorant thugs presently running things. This too shall pass, including my present happiness at being right here. Like Jiddu Krishnamurti, I’m trying to be okay with whatever happens. It’s all part of my practice of being alive.
If you took advantage of the free pass to Sewn this month, please continue to enjoy through February and stay tuned for the next class on offer. If you’re subscribed, you won’t miss an update straight to your inbox when I make these announcements, but if you can’t be bothered due to newspaper pileup, I get it.
Let me know how you are, what you’re reading, how you’re living, and what you’re thinking. A curious retiree in Los Angeles needs to know.
Discover more from Dispatch from LA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
It sounds like you have really worked out ways to enjoy your retirement freedom and I love reading about all the things you are up to. It’s so great that you are also able to read so many books as well as create/lead your art group and go on interesting adventures! I’ve turned over a new leaf this month and am spending much less time with my computer and phone. What time and mood stealers those can both be- but only because I had let it be so! I am retraining my brain to say no to these time guzzlers and it’s given me so much more time and joy, so thanks for all of the inspiration.
I’m still have more work to do on removing old technology habits that raised their heads back when COVID started. It’s interesting how the brain becomes needy from reading all of the junk that get’s spouted. Thanks for showing us all that creativity and good reads can make a world of difference.
Thoroughly enjoying each and every view you’ve shared, as ever and always. I never tire of hearing about the goings on over at Moss Cottage. Currently we are in the deep freeze. It is, at the moment, -20; actual air temp in Minnesota where ICE seems to freely roam the streets, snatching up or harassing any human that gets in their way. Truly makes the temperatures feel toasty in comparison to what some men have decided is within their job title as to what is appropriate. Ok I won’t go on a rant about all of this, and only wish to say, your sharing is a lovely spot to bask in for a bit and relax and simply enjoy your delightful pleasures. XXXOOOXXX
Warmly
Susie 🙂
Is it too late to get the free pass to SEWN, Mary Ann? I commented earlier, but never heard from you. Thanks! Lorraine
I’m in the first 20% of The Correspondent and am intrigued. This Florida gal recognized the Pasadena city hall instantly. I’m a big fan of old buildings and visit them whenever I can.
I have finished “The Correspondent” and I really loved it! Thanks for the recommendation. Right now I am reading “No Two Persons” by Erica Bauermeister, which is also quite good. After this, I might reread “The Shell Seekers” by Rosamund Pilcher, as I need a comfort read. I am also currently obsessed with merino wool clothes and have spent too much money on them. I need to clean out my closets–I just realized I have way too much stuff in them. I’ve got bags to go to the Salvation Army.
There’s a big snowstorm coming our way on Sunday. I kinda hope it doesn’t get here…
Take care XOXO
Keep the the book recommendations coming – You and I are on the same “page” lol
Hello from chilly Marietta, GA!
So happy you are having a wonderful retirement so far. It all looks so lovely and like you have your days mixed with a bit of structure and loads of fun.
I actually just finished reading Trevor Noah’s Born A Crime. I am not sure what I will pick up next for my reading pleasure.
I have been doing a bit of art journaling to keep my hands, heart and mind busy in these dismal days.
Enjoy your next adventure!
Shon, Stay safe on the ice if you get the predicted amount! Hands, heart, and mind busy in dismal days. YES. We’re gonna get through this mess one way or another. xo
Just starting Beth Brower’s The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion set in 1880s… a series of 8 (I believe) novella-length volumes.
These drizzle days, and cooler weather are perfect for falling into a witty, quick read.
I’m number 1 in the LAPL queue for it. Great minds and all that business!
Have you read “White Oleander?” The writing! Dysfunctional family and foster care but words like beautiful poetry. I loved it?
Loved it so so so much!
Have lots of fun in Mendocino!
Love your green fence! I held back on 50 exclamation point.
Btw, I haven’t seen a bad wig yet. They’re all darling.
I imagine I first heard about The Correspondent from you. I write all those titles down–I’ve been very happy with everything you’ve recommended. Today, a post popped up from The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society a UK correspondence group I follow on Facebook, and I recognized the title and immediately went out to L.A. Public Library to reserve, even though I already have two books here at home waiting for me to get to them. Good thing I already have books–I’m no. 450 in the queue! I think the highest I had ever been was around 360 for another book you had recommended. LOL
BTW, I don’t think you’ll ever get over being ecstatic about retirement. My entire IT department was laid off 16 years ago (which has happened to many corporate IT departments). I wasn’t yet retirement age, but decided to travel for a year, then I needed another year, then I realized my skills were out-of-date, plus local companies were shedding IT employees, rather than hiring. I’ve never looked back–I’m busier than ever and loving every minute of it. I’ve been volunteering for an art education non-profit, but need to cut down–it’s easy to fill every moment of the day with tasks for others, especially since I enjoy much of the work. I arrange art classes. When I haven’t found a compelling instructor, I teach lessons myself. (Luckily, there are many stellar instructors out there, so I don’t teach often.) I had given up vegetable gardening decades ago (wild animals ate EVERYTHING), but last year my husband found dumped metal on an adjacent vacant property. I bought hardware cloth and he built cages, so at the moment, I’m harvesting yellow and red beets, a rainbow of carrots, French Breakfast radishes, and red, yellow, white and blue potatoes. I’ll get back to quilting as soon as I can shed some of my volunteer roles. AND, I adopted a dog to walk, then signed up for exercise classes (zoom) through the local community college, yoga being just one of them. There is so much more to do and there is never enough time! We’re so fortunate to be able to do what we wish!!!
Kristi I always love hearing from you and knowing what you’re up to.. Yes! I too was on the long waitlist and when The Correspondent finally arrived I dropped everything and gobbled it up. Your garden sound so beautiful and how great that your husband is helping. The French Breakfast radishes sound intriguing. We are fortunate indeed!
Love seeing good old Pasadena City Hall; the old gal has withstood the earthquakes, fires, and whatever else gets thrown at her and still looks elegant. I hope for the same. Judging by the billboard, one thing that looks hopeful in LA are all the (literal) signs that there are MANY folks aghast at the state of the government…this would be a dreadful time to be a True Blue in a Red State, so I guess we should count our blessings and keep up with the protests. I am currently, cautiously, optimistic that within about six weeks, I’ll be out of Oregon and back in my home state of California for FOREVER! Lots of moving parts in any move, but it’s looking real. Many boxes to pack while fingers stay crossed we get through inspections and what-not.
You’ll be returning at a nice time – early spring. Maybe you’ll find your way back to the Griffith Observatory and can do some time traveling regarding your long ago job there (if memory serves). xo
Hi MAM. I am so happy to hear you are enjoying your retirement. I am also in retirement due to the fact that my employer asked me not to come back after my disability leave was up. I was not planning on coming back anyways. One more year till I get my Social Security so looking for a job. Sucks. I am taking an oil painting class at the community college and hope to create many masterpieces that will suddenly overtake the art world like a tsunami and fund my penchant for mindless spending. Just can’t have too many craft supplies. Currently reading Gods of Jade and Shadow by Sylvia Moreno Garcia,it is a spellbinding, fairytale rooted in Mexican mythology, according to one comment. I am enjoying it very much. We adopted a five week old kitten that was born in a barn and we named it Jesus. Just kidding. His name is Riley and he is either loving you to death or biting you.TTFN.
When the tsunami hits let’s get a hot air ballon and go for a ride . You buy I’ll fly. Jesus can accompany us. I mean Riley.
Ahhh, it was me who suggested Barbara Pym to you and I am so glad you are enjoying those books. Sometime after you have read all the novels, you might enjoy A Very Private Eye– Pym’s autobiography in Diaries and Letters edited by her sister Hilary and her friend and literary executor, the author Hazel Holt. Happy reading! Next up for me is Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum and The Book by Keith Houston. And building an artist book of my own for a show coming up in June.
I am forever indebted to you, Kim! I will put these new-to-me books on my list. Your artist book sounds marvelous.
Dear MAM, you are riding the retirement wave! When you’ve read all of Barbara Pym and want a little more vintage fiction, you might like Dorothy Whipple. Sending love!
Thanks! I will see what I can find of Dorothy Whipple! How I love these leads.
Sister! I love what your garden is getting up to right now. Every plant is talking to its neighbors and coordinating their colors in a very pleasing manner. I want to see a snowy egret and then go sit outside at Pierre LaFond and draw the people at the other tables (and listen to their very interesting conversations) after I eat a cinnamon rose and have a dark roast coffee.
I’m thinking you are a friend of mine separated somehow! I hear you. I see you. What a great post. I will say I didn’t know I was retiring when they helped me leave the school when Covid hit but it turns out I did and I still see the pink and gold edges and I take naps when I’m tired on a rainy day, like today. I have created an art room in my old house (sorry son who once had a bedroom here.) We yanked the walls and the closets out and build shelves and pantries and drawers so I can house all the art things (can one own too many pens?) and we put up the pretty wallpaper and are waiting for the sleeper sofa (and a grandbaby). So, I like it! Different days. I don’t miss the school. I do miss the questions from the kids when I was walking potential parents on the campuses. They were precious and tho I wasn’t, they always called me “Teacher.” Charming buggers, and now, I am reading The Correspondent and handing out with my small white dog who seems to like me much more now that I’m here more often than not. It’s a joy. We sometimes watch a little TV to catch up on what Jon Stewart thinks about the president. I draw flowers in one line. It’s good.