Working at Home

"Writers have license to eavesdrop; also to stare into space for long periods of time and call it working."  I keep reminding myself of one of my favorite Elizabeth Berg quotes as I sit here in my cushy red arm chair, a cup of tea at my elbow and my much-loved and tattered quilt over my lap.  It's 3:15 and I've been working since 8:30...it just doesn't feel like working. I mean, how could it? This is not what I'm used to. I'm hanging out in my own living room, wearing sweat pants and my favorite too-big blue thermal underwear shirt with my hair sticking up all over my head. I'm not wearing mascara! I didn't eat lunch until 2:00 and I took longer than an hour!

I'm  not sharing a too-cold office with an icy office mate. I don't have any deadlines other than the ones I impose on myself, and the phone isn't ringing every 9 1/2 seconds with someone needing something ASAP on the other end.  Is this heaven?

No,  it's just my new life, rising up to greet me on this cold November day.  I can work while playing Christmas music. I can take a break and stretch out on the couch just 3 feet away from me. I can get supper started and eat before 7:30! I can stand on my head if I want. The possibilities are making me absolutely giddy!

Georgetown, from Popham Beach

It's not as difficult to stay focused as I thought it would be. Natasha T has been a cracker-jack performer while the formidable and loyal (but boggy) Dorice Dell plays back-up. (I'm going to actually have to retire her soon-I offered her to a non-profit but she's even too old for them. Shhhh. I'm waiting until after the holidays to give her the proverbial boot.)

Right now though, I'm headed out for a walk before the sun goes down. The rest of the work can wait til after dark.