Chasing Down The Muse:

I then gave her the location, returning the phone to its place on my back. I knew that a lot of us artists are struggling to make ends meet for the summer shows and that perhaps she might find these frames useful for her beautiful paintings.

I love our town’s residential streets. There is such a wonderful mix of old and new, cared for and untended, drab and colorful. Every house is different, expressing the character of the residents. This is one of the beauties of this unique place we call home. It seems I see something new each time I wander like I did that day. Many others were also out, apparently headed for town and the Saturday farmers’ market next to City Hall.

At last reaching town, I did my errands easily, even stopping for coffee under the pepper trees with my young friend Emily before heading back up the hill. As I turned up St. Ann’s Drive I began to question the wisdom of not getting a bite to eat too as my stomach protested loudly. My step not quite so spry now, I trudged on, taking a different route home just to see what I might see.

Passing our resident goatherd with the lovely, friendly smile, I happened to hear a hawk call out overhead. I watched this glimpse of wild nature as he soared above the stately canyon eucalyptus. My step slowed some as my eyes sought to follow the red-tail until it passed out of sight up-canyon. I love that we live in a bird sanctuary and that our many trees are home to so many species.

Home again and stretching out tired but well-used muscles, I thought again how lucky we are. To live where nature and even a touch of wilderness surround us is such a gift. We have the sea and the hills and even the streets to explore. To have the good health to enjoy it as I am able to do is sweet blessing. There is a spiritual necessity for these moments of solitude and solace in nature to be cherished — I do.

CHERRIL DOTY is an artist, writer, and creative coach exploring and enjoying the many mysteries of life in the moment. She can be reached by e-mail at cherril@cherrildoty.com or by phone at (714) 745-9973.