MassArtEd.org

June 2009

A stupendous landscape in North Devon...one of the best places I've been, although I say that about many places in England.  The cliffs in Lynton are the highest in England.  The wild goats roam free.  They're not at all afraid of humans.  One morning I found a group of them on the North Walk path, and they  just walked away quietly as I approached.  Two white goats  moved to the edge of the cliff and stood looking out to sea, as if posing for me.

For several days as I walked the cliff paths and the Valley of the Rocks, I saw the goats grazing on the gorse throughout the area.   They're most amusing with their long beards and curving horns and quizzical looks.

One evening I was alone on the summit of Hollerday Hill just before  sunset when two male goats began banging their horns against each other.  From the clash of horns it sounded as if they were trying to kill each other.  I stood transfixed for about five minutes while this ritual went on.  The goats reared up on their hind legs, charged at each other, banged their horns together.  All the while a female goat grazed peacefully in the background.  The setting sun trailed a  dazzling path over the sea, a cold breeze ripped across the hills, and I was alone on the hill top, watching these goats  enact this ancient ritual. 

From the top of Hollerday Hill one actually looks down on the massive Castle Rock, and the entire Valley of the Rocks is spread out below.  In an inland direction green hills roll away to the horizon.  It doesn't get much more spectacular than this.

Jamaica Pond
December 20, 2008

The snow started on Friday the 19th and continued most of the weekend.  I couldn't have been happier.  The college announced Thursday that Friday would be a snow day, which meant my Christmas vacation would start a day early!  A snow day is heaven any time, and in those days before Christmas, which are so charged with anticipation, I was in highest heaven.

After a quick run to Whole Foods ahead of the storm Friday morning, to start the Christmas food shopping, I lay in my chaise longue by the tall windows Friday afternoon, under my soft pink throw, and watched the lovely snow fall.  I think the city never looks better than under a cover of snow.  My two-and-a-half week vacation stretched ahead of me.  A pile of books was beside me, as always.  I had prepared a tea tray and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon tea.  The Christmas tree shimmered and glowed, with its delicate glass ornaments.  I lit votive candles as the dark came down.

Not until Saturday morning did Peter and I go out into the transformed white world.  It was still snowing as we walked around Jamaica Pond.  Few other humans were out.  We were mostly alone with the animals and trees.  I fed pecans to a squirrel under the big tree.  The ducks and geese swam over to me when we reached the northern cove--they had had a hard night and were famished.  When they come out of the water, their legs start to freeze and they have to plop down on the snow and warm their wet legs with their bodies.  I fed them by hand so they wouldn't have to get up and freeze their legs.  I am so glad to be able to help them out.  They're very dear creatures, and after years of observing them at the Pond, I really love them.

December 2008

In these hard times I hope you'll be snug in a cottage of content this winter holiday season.

Maybe it's not such a bad thing if we all stop buying and stay home enjoying what we already have.

As for me, I'll be in my urban cottage, which this time of year seems like heaven on earth to me.  I'll sit by the Christmas tree with candlelight and books and tea.  I'll walk around the Pond and play with the animals.  I'll enjoy my small family and friends.

I'll hope for snow and dream of English cottages in the snow and coming in from the snow to sit by a warm fire and have a steaming cup of tea as the early darkness falls. It doesn't get much better than this.