The film industry started to shut down on March 12th, and for the week prior, while my husband was on set I was climbing up and down ladders, doing a deep cleaning on the house the likes of which this place has never seen. When he called during the afternoon of the 12th saying the production was shutting down for the rest of the day and Friday — returning to work Monday — I said, “Please just come home as soon as you can.” As the shortened day drew to a close the producers and director and powers that be were urging the mister to join them at a bar for a drink, he declined their kind offer because he said he had to prepare for Monday. Needless to say he hasn’t been back to work since.
We have been social distancing, staying home, only venturing out to get prescriptions or groceries, oh, and as you can see from the photo we’ve been walking — keeping at least 10 feet between us and anyone we see. I always detour into the road when I see anyone approaching, which is easy because there’s barely any traffic.
This vantage point above the city is about two and half miles from our house. To get there we stroll past a park, some beautiful old homes from the 1930s, and as we climb so do the decades in residential architecture. Some great, some not so… Once past some McMansions of the 1980s there’s a blocked off fire road where you can slip through the iron gate, note the warning signs about mountain lions, and look out from the ocean to downtown.
There was nobody on the road. It was beautiful. When we climbed back down and approached the gate my husband stopped in his tracks and said, “Skunk! I smell skunk.” Envisioning a nasty bath in tomato juice I froze. Only to see a black SUV parked by the gate and a young man hastily putting out a joint on the curb. I don’t know why he ground it out. We were a good 30 feet away from him. It’s legal here. Hm. Maybe there was something in the tone of our voices that struck his core, we must have reminded him of his parents.
I should have called out, “Hey, whatever gets you through the day. Enjoy the view.” Instead I just gave a big wave and smiled.
Cheers, dears! Be well.
What a beautiful world you live in. Snow yesterday in Boston. All the buds struggling, waiting to come out, but having hope deferred.
Snow! I just looked up your weather, chilly. Please stay warm in your lovely brownstone. And thank you for the recommendation for the Criterion Channel, we just signed up.
I love my city and will not abound on her. I wish however, we could retreat to your oasis.
I just took a picture of the lemon blossoms in front of the house to send you and then I came in to see your comment! Our oasis is love and forever friendship — thank you for sharing it with me.
That is one spectacular photo, lady! I imagine it’s hardly ever as clear as that. May I re-post it on my Facebook page (with full credit, of course!)
Of course you may! Trails and fire roads are closed now but if you can walk up a hill take a good look. You’re right it’s hardly ever this clear. Be well and be safe, dear Martin.
Thanks much, Ms Vickie!
I know this misses the point of your post, but your photo is lovely. We’re having sub-zero temperatures here – even for us that is abnormal – so I’m gazing longingly at that foliage…
Stay warm and well, soon it will be spring. xox