L.A. Arboretum part 2 ~ Sketching at the Cottage and One Amazing Peacock

I work very hard, and I play very hard.
I'm grateful for life,
and I live it.
I believe life loves the liver of it.
~Maya Angelou

After walking through the orchid house and some of the other lovely areas, in the Arboretum, I headed toward the Queen Anne Cottage, to do a little field sketch.

Mendelssohn: Spring Song

Love recognizes to barriers.

It jumps hurdles, leaps

fences, penetrates walls

to arrive at its destination

full of hope.

~Maya Angelou

Surviving is important.

Thriving is elegant.

~Maya Angelou

Queen Anne Cottage

built 1885

You might recognize from a previous post ... or as the house at the beginning of Fantasy Island! Yep, they filmed that here.

Lift up your eyes upon

This day breaking for you.

Give birth again

To the dream.

~Maya Angelou

A beautiful view from the terrace ...

And I found my spot!

A lovely view for a quick field sketch!

This was my "Vine" video, which has a limit of 6 seconds! Don't blink!

The arboretum is definitely known for its peacocks, though there are quite a few geese cruising around.

On my way out, I saw these ladies ...

And this beautiful gentleman!

I walked around, so I could see him from the back ...

And as you can see, he was incredible. These following photos were not taken with a telephoto. He let me get so close and for probably 10 minutes! It was amazing.

Nothing can dim

the light which shines from within.

~Maya Angelou

I wrote this post on the night Maya Angelo passed, as you might have guessed, by all the quotes. I'm always so inspired by her words, as so many of us are and I love the story she tells in this clip, below.

Listen to yourself

and in that quietude 

you might hear the voice of God.

~Maya Angelou

her final message on twitter

Many blessings and light!