Sunday, August 8, 2010

Writer at the Window


One great thing about rain is that it makes it easier for me to stay at my desk and work.   The lure to be outside in dry weather--warm or cold--is great.  That my desk now faces a window with a view of lake and trees, of birds and squirrels and chipmunks is sometimes a danger ('Come out, come out'), but just as often, staring out the window seems to realign the tangled circuits of my brain. 

In our many years in England, we lived in charming 300-year-old cottages, but the hardest part of living in them was their darkness:  low ceilings and tiny windows. You have to get right up to the window to peer out. You are begging the light to enter, but it does not enter, and so you have to flee for the outdoors before you go mad.  

Well, maybe not 'you,' but me.

21 comments:

  1. This makes me think of the time I spent at a Catholic women's college. The library was a new one, with large windows and views of old trees, and shade, and walkways where the occasional nun would walk slowly by, lost in prayer. They still wore habits in those days, and the scene could have been from medieval times.

    I didn't get much done during my study sessions in the library. I left school to begin a gypsy life with an irresistible violin-playing motorcycle rider, but I never forgot that peaceful time wasted in the library, looking out at the past.

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  2. This makes a wonderfully soothing scene. It looks as if the sun is making a dramatic reappearance at the end of the storm. Was there a rainbow?

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  3. I live in Houston where, between the months of May and late October, outside is anything BUT tempting unless you are a mosquito who adores heat and excessive humidity. But the minute we get our first real cool front, there's no window in the house that DOESN'T call me! Once I answer, it whispers, "Come on out, Kai! You KNOW you want to!" Love your nice window! That rain looks so calming and zzzzzzzz ... oops!

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  4. I am saving some sewing for a rainy day. No rainy days. A glorious summer.....no complaints.....but no sewing.
    That's ok.

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  5. I would last about 3 minutes in one of those cottages you described!

    As Kai suggested, the heat of places like Houston and Ocala might negate your desire to be out and about. If I need prodding to get to work, I just go outside for a few minutes. Then, I'm happy to come back in where there's air conditioning and park myself in front of my computer!

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  6. I love a good rain, probably because I've spent much of my life in the desert.

    PS: I wrote you a fan letter at my blog last week. LOVE THAT DOG really spoke to me. Thank you.

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  7. That's funny, it's the opposite for me, if it rains I want to be out in it!

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  8. This is a wonderful image. I too get lots done on days like this. Early morning thunder and rain-- the best to me.

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  9. It's my kind of place for sure.I like to stay calm and quite at home, I could read or make some paintings, collages, play with pictures and so on...
    Amazing picture, great job!
    How lucky you are to have this opportunity to work at home!:)
    Hugs
    Léia - Bonjour Luxembourg

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  10. I understand about looking out the window to untangle the brain. I love the sound of rain, and watching the drops on the window turn to rivulets. Then, I watch the paths of the rivulets. That can be just as hypnotic as it is cathartic.

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  11. We've had some problems with the heat this summer, but this is Florida so it is to be expected. What I'm amazed by is all the rain we're also getting. Maybe that's why I'm handling a stress fracture better than I would have if the weather was drier. I think it always pays to look on the up side of a situation...

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  12. In Zurich the rain has finnaly stopped after a couple of weeks that have been punctuated with regular, heavy downpours. I'm typing this in the garden at *:18 in the evening, with the sun just going down behind the hills. Sometimes its nice when the rain stops : )

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  13. I moved from the Midwest for just that reason.

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  14. I love the rain and love to hear its patter on the roof. I'll soon be moving into a rooftop apartment, where I am really looking forward to the sound of raindrops....no leaks, please.

    I love to stay indoors with a cup of tea, my dog, read, write....

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  15. As I'm living in a very "dry" country, rain makes me go out! I love walking under the rain, and feel it on my face!
    but I can understand you..
    Have a nice week-end!

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  16. Speaking of forays--- been to the Belfast area yet, or are you coming in September?

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  17. Birdman: we were just there but only for 4 days and didn't leave Lake Megunticook because it was so SUBLIME. Going back next year for longer period. . .and to explore more.

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  18. Sharon, thank you so much for your kindest comments in Georgia blog today. I post Jemal's photos (which I am in love with) and tell the author about the reaction from viewers, as he does not speak English and is not friends with blogging. I am so glad people see his treasures.
    And your post reminded me that soon we will have never-ending Moscow grey winter and will dream about the sun.

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  19. Hi Sharon...thanks for your comment on Ocala DP...interesting choice of words...

    ...what does it mean to "happen" upon a horse?

    Heh, heh. I know what you meant, but I have a strange mind!

    Have a great day!

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  20. The Amish, and I am sure there are others, here in our country, are using sky lights that magnify the light, and it seems like 25 halogen bulbs are lit somewhere. I could not believe the first one I saw. It was amazing. I only hope to learn more about them soon.That may be what you need.

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