A generation before, it had been sagebrush and coyotes; a

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the evocative words of Kage Baker, whose reflection on the transformation of Hollywood speaks to the ebb and flow of time and the inevitable change that shapes the land: "A generation before, it had been sagebrush and coyotes; a generation later, it was a burgeoning movie town. But for that brief idyllic time in 1910, Hollywood looked like the perfect place for a successful writer to settle down, build his dream house, and maybe do some gardening." In these words, Baker captures the essence of transformation—the shift from a raw wilderness to a thriving metropolis, and the fleeting moments of idyllic peace that can often be found at the threshold of change. For a brief moment in time, before the rising tide of modernity engulfed it, Hollywood seemed a perfect haven, offering a quiet refuge for the creative and the contemplative soul.

In the ancient wisdom of the Romans, there was a recognition that landscapes are not static; they are shaped by time, human activity, and natural forces. Virgil, in his great work the Aeneid, speaks of the rise and fall of civilizations and the changing face of the land. The poet’s words remind us that the earth is a living entity, always in flux, and that no place, no time, remains the same. Just as Virgil’s Aeneas witnessed the destruction and rebirth of Troy, so too did those who came to Hollywood in 1910 experience a transitory moment in time—an idyllic place, soon to be overtaken by the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Baker’s words remind us that transformation is both inevitable and profound, and that in those brief moments of peaceful stillness, there is much to be learned.

Consider, **O children, the story of the American frontier, where pioneers once encountered the vast, untamed wilderness—the sagebrush and coyotes of which Baker speaks. This land, with its rugged beauty and unspoiled promise, was viewed as a land of opportunity, a place for the hard-working and the visionary to stake their claim. But as the years passed, the wilderness was replaced by towns, cities, and new industries. Hollywood, once a quiet haven, was transformed in the same way. The rise of the film industry and the influx of dreamers and creators turned the land into a bustling hub of creativity and commerce. Baker’s 1910 Hollywood evokes the idea that such brief moments of peace, when the land is untouched and ripe for personal growth, are fleeting, passing into history like a dream.

In the same way, Shakespeare speaks of the inevitable passage of time in his "All the world’s a stage" speech from As You Like It, where he describes the seven stages of a man’s life. Just as Shakespeare sees each stage as a transition, so too do we see the transformation of Hollywood—from sagebrush and coyotes to a burgeoning movie town. This shift mirrors the rise and fall of empires, cities, and societies throughout history. Every generation experiences moments of change, where the old gives way to the new, and opportunities arise even in the most unlikely of places. Hollywood in 1910 was one such moment, a time when it still had the quiet charm of a small town before the roar of progress overtook it.

Consider also the example of John Steinbeck, the great writer whose own connection to California and its landscapes shaped his life and work. In his book "The Grapes of Wrath," Steinbeck captures the shifting landscape of California, from the dusty plains and farming towns to the growing cities that brought both opportunity and hardship. Steinbeck’s depiction of the migrant workers in search of a better life parallels the story of Hollywood’s evolution. Just as Steinbeck’s characters sought peace and prosperity amid a changing landscape, so too did the early writers and artists who arrived in Hollywood, hoping to build a life in a place that seemed to offer freedom, inspiration, and possibility.

The lesson here, O children, is that change is a constant, and moments of idyllic peace are often short-lived. Baker’s reflection on Hollywood reminds us that we must appreciate the fleeting beauty of those transitory moments, where the world around us is in flux, and the opportunity for personal growth and creativity is ripe. Just as we cannot hold back the tides of change, we can embrace these moments with open hearts, understanding that they offer us the chance to build and create, just as the writers and artists of Hollywood did in 1910.

So, O children, remember that change is both inevitable and beautiful. When you find yourself in a moment of transition, like the early days of Hollywood, seize the opportunity to build your dreams—whether it is a home, a family, or a creative endeavor. Know that these moments of stillness will pass, but the work you do in them will shape your legacy. Like the writers and dreamers of 1910, let your time in this world be marked by your creativity and your willingness to embrace change. And when change comes, as it always does, be ready to adapt and find new ways to grow.