It’s day 294 of retirement and here’s what I’m doing while the world is falling apart. I’m painting with my art besties, still reading Barbara Pym, drinking strong English tea with milk and sugar nearly every day, sitting quietly, cleaning my bookcases, listening for the daily arrival of the parrot flock to my African Sumac tree in the front yard, writing in my journal, thinking about a travel journal for Paris, reading nearly everything David Michie writes because it speaks to me so perfectly and wisely and calmly. Also. Sending out smoke signals to you. I hope you’re well. You’ll let me know.
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love the cutout portraits what a fabulous idea! road landscapes so inviting too…find it amusing you are counting the retirement days! how much it reminds me of the Captain’s Log book. Bravo Captain Moss…
I didn’t know about Barbara Pym before you began posting about her books. And then yesterday there was mention of her by Ann Patchett of Parnussus Books With so many to choose from, is there one BP book YOU recommend to start with?
I’d suggest Excellent Women or Jane & Prudence or Quartet in Autumn
I think spring is finally here, but the weather is still like a roller coaster. 70 degrees one day, then in the 40s the next. Early days, I guess.
Counting the days until my trip to England. A little nervous because of world affairs. I’ve been rereading and re-listening to Jim Carroll. Do you remember him from the early ’80s, with his song “People Who Died”? Also wrote “The Basketball Diaries.” He was an interesting person.
Take care, stay well. XOXO
Well I for one, love your horses, and landscapes, and streetscapes, and people… everything you are painting. AND everything that is blooming there at Moss cottage. Today, while I was listening to an education program on Zoom, I got up and looked for what will be my next everyday journal and while I was looking for that, think I found the perfect thing for my Paris travel journal! Maybe.
we are awaiting our Spring Arrival of hummingbirds…..should be very soon….
I have been thrilled to read many books lately…..and work on donations for the
local ScrapRVA, which accepts all types of sewing & art donations….
and officially I have had my cataracts renewed….next Month more health care
exams…..and getting Cardinal Plants for the hummingbirds.
Really like your outdoor paintings and the richness of color. “Art does not reproduce what we see. It makes us see.” You are making wonderful use of your
retirement. How lucky we are.
Paris is so wonderful. I could list so many things I enjoyed on my two short visits there but here is what comes to mind.
Pere LaChaise Cemetery; Vide-greniers on the streets of Paris; Siene River night boat cruise; and meals at local restaurant plat du jour, steak frites and an evening
outdoors being part of cafe soceity. Add in some of the famous tourist attraction and smaller museum such as Mamottan (BertheMorisot, among all the greats) And a high speed train to the south of France is an added bonus if you have the time.
Life is short and memories are forever.
Always enjoy you emails.
Thanks for your Paris memories, Catherine. I can well imagine them. Soon I’ll be making my own with my sister. woo hoo xo
Is that a Bride of Madeira I see finishing its bloom in your front yard? I’m currently in love with the many plants I didn’t get to see in Oregon, and that one is my absolute favorite. The closer to the beach you get, the more colorful the BOM blossoms seem to be.And the parrots are in your neighborhood — how wonderful! Didn’t they start by just a pair that got loose in Pasadena or Highland Park a few decades ago, or maybe that’s an urban myth! As for me, I am keeping my word to myself and making sure I do at least one good beach bluffs hike or toes-into-the-sand walk a week. It’s something I’m never going to take for granted again. Going to check out your book recommendations as soon as I finish “Water Moon” by Samantha Soto Yambao, which I’m a bit on the fence about at this point.
Pride of Madeira yes indeed! I started them all from cuttings long long ago and that particular one outside my window is a volunteer. Don’t know how the parrot flocks established themselves but some combination of urban myth and pure parrot magic. Love your weekly beach walks. How nice that is!
I couldn’t agree with you more… While I keep myself informed of the chaos in charge, I focus on my peace of mind. Gardening, painting, volunteering, spending time with family and friends gives me the peace and beauty I want to surround myself with.
I’ll have to check out Barbara Pam, I need a few happy books on my summer reading list.
BP definitely writes about a different world that doesn’t exist anymore. I’d suggest Excellent Women or Jane & Prudence or Quartet in Autumn to see if you like her type of slower vintage reads. I find them funny…and lovely.
good morning! i have been working my way through the Pym novels (thank you). i wish more were audio. but, my absolute favorite is her biography ❤️❤️❤️ by Paula Byrne. it’s long, but that’s because she had such an interesting life. wow. there’s enough experiences in there for 4 books. i absolutely loved all of it. so, in case you haven’t read it, i urge you to give it a go. it was 17 hours on audio!
otherwise, the twin cities no kings was a must for me and it didn’t disappoint. i’m plugging away at my art/creative work. in semi-retirement, self-employed art jobs aren’t so bad. extra $ don’t hurt. i’m also waiting for spring so i can be outside and garden.
i’ve been doing some volunteering at an elementary school. 4th grade. one class is art and all the kids are challenged in some way. luckily there’s only 10 or 12. a few of them are convinced….. “hey, you’re WENDY. wendy’s. yeah, you’re Wendy!” i don’t think i ever convinced them i wasn’t 😊
thank you for your posts. i really enjoy them.
Mary Ann, thank you for this wonderful post and for introducing me to the words of David Michie. What a gift. And thank you for sharing your art and life with us lucky ones that know you. I’m a long time student and admirer of your art and musings and insights. You’ve made my morning and my day much brighter.
Thanks for this Joan xo
Thank you for telling us (me) about David-I read the article in the link you gave and then subscribed to his substack. It subscribe to many political substacks-some art ones-and Anne Lamott–David will be a welcome addition to my reading–it felt good just to read his words. Always love looking at all your art and life–you are making the best of retirement!
Janet, I draw much courage and calm from reading alternative voices that lead down different paths beyond moral outrage. Makes me feel there are different ways to stand and respond to what is happening in our breaking-apart world.
YES to all the days of retirement, may they be long.
Wow, I so ADORE your roadside paintings, and those cut-out people “shelfies” — AMAZING!!! You are such a clever monkey. Am enjoying your FTB class, after many years ago… Dang, so ahead of your time and still so current. Falling in love with your sparkly personality once again. Thank you MAM!!!
Arlene, that is really nice of you to say. I’m enjoying getting to know you through Art Mammals and getting special tours of your gorgeous art studio!
I’m doing a lot of the same thing in retirement: art, spending time with friends and family, reading novels and David Michie (his books too). Feeling so grateful!
I only know him through Substack so thanks for telling me about his books, Debbie. I will check one out from the LAPL posthaste!