The Art of P. Buckley Moss

Dear Friends,

I took New Year's Day off to carry soup made from a ham bone to the Old Folks Home and attend a party on the beach. By Thursday evening I had completed three more paintings to send home via a friend and Malcolm suggested I take a break after almost a month of painting.

Pat and friends enjoy the beach.
Beside the Carribean on New Years Day, with friends, Marilyn Johnson and Joanne Gadd.

On Friday we flew over the mountains to the Pacific side of Panama. We stayed in David, the country’s second largest city and shopped for the things we cannot find in Bocas. That evening we visited my favorite restaurant, Café Milano, and the owner, Valerio Brunetti, prepared a delicious fettucine dish with seafood. The journey was worth it just for this meal, but there was more to come.

Pat and Malcolm out to eat.
Valerio Brunetti working wonders with fettucini.

On Saturday we rented a car and drove into the foothills to visit Claus and Dorothy Clausen, Canadian friends we first met more than five years ago during our early days in Panama. The view from their veranda is breathtaking, looking down on a long expanse of coast reaching as far as Costa Rica. I plan to have a dinner party for them when they visit Bocas at the end of this month.

Pat at the seashore with abandoned ship.
On the Pacific side.

Sunday we drove on rough and deserted roads through farms of sugar cane, corn and bananas, making our way along the coast towards the border. On the beach near Puerto Armuelles, we came across a ship high and dry on the sands. It was as if someone had built a huge sculpture likening a ship to a beached whale. It was sad to see a ship ending its days in this manner.

Mountain view from the plane.
Crossing the mountains, a view of Volcan Baru, Panama's highest volcano.

On Monday morning we flew back over the mountains and had a spectacular view of Volcan Baru. I was ready and eager to get back to my studio.

Love,
Pat