A Room to Grow

Virginia Woolf said it first and best:

"Women, then, have not had a dog's chance of writing poetry. That is why I have laid so much stress on money and a room of one's own."
- Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own
For the first half of this year, I sat on the couch in my living room to write.

It was very distracting.  This was due to many reasons:

1) I could see the kitchen and that just seemed to make me hungry or want to clean up.  It turns out that when you must write, you can think of a million things to do other than write.

2) despite writing on a couch, my bottom often got sore.  This is not due to anything other than needing a better couch cushion.  I have a bony butt.  There - I have said it.  If I ever end up in some prostrate position for months at a time, you must come and turn my old carcass, will you?  There - I feel better having asked.

3) People in the house seem to know when I am writing and randomly show up to chat about the weather, the laundry, do I have any money, how is the writing going anyhow....

So we decided to clear out the room off of Barry's office/library.  It is still a work in progress, as I am needing some curtains to close off the closet, and I am looking for some more hooks and a little bookshelf for my writing things, but it is on its way.  Now I sit in here and write and write and write and my productivity has increased ten-fold.

Almost Bloomsbury-ish, if only I could get rid of black chair..

A spot to watch the world go by when things are stalled

note the cushion on desk chair for bony ass...

family heirloom rocker, covered in orange velvet by my dad in late 70s...

Miniatures corralled until I get that dollhouse



paint supplies in corner



Antique lamp and picture of me on Christmas Day to remind myself the ability to create is a gift and well, just because I love Christmas....



pictures of children...

and grandfathers...

whimsy on the wall...

my parents getting their degrees at UNB in the 1950s

favourite picture of my grandfather with favourite picture of my dad with us at Disneyworld.  That man loved Disneyworld

The mirror behind the reading chair showing the clutter which will soon be hidden..

Love this reading chair!

View when I look out the window from my desk..

Can you have too many hats that you don't wear?  I didn't think so...



One of my grandmothers - not the one you saw a couple of weeks ago - this one was the artist



one must always have a mask ready.

a corner still in the process of being reclaimed - note the crazy old mirror that distorts everything...

So there you have it.  I write in here, I paint in here, I do the odd bit of yoga in here.  It is so comfortable and peaceful. 

"I told you in the course of this paper that Shakespeare had a sister; but do not look for her in Sir Sidney Lee's life of the poet. She died young--alas, she never wrote a word. She lies buried where the omnibuses now stop, opposite the Elephant and Castle. Now my belief is that this poet who never wrote a word and was buried at the crossroads still lives. She lives in you and in me, and in many other women who are not here tonight, for they are washing up the dishes and putting the children to bed. But she lives; for great poets do not die; they are continuing presences; they need only the opportunity to walk among us in the flesh."
- Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own
I was the woman washing the dishes, putting the children to bed, holding down a stressful job that did not make my heart sing.  Now I have a room of my own and I am forever grateful!

Do you have a space for yourself in your home, whether it is a room or a nook and cranny?  I would love to hear about it!
Have a fabulous Monday and Stay Safe out there!