Years ago I used to fight with my kids for my sacred space to write in. I had a room that was called my study where I had a desk and a typewriter — yeah, I started writing in the dark ages. Problem was, the study soon became the room where stuff was stored when nobody knew where else to put it. So I would have an odd assortment of boxes and bins and things stacked in and around the desk and filing cabinet that made finding my space a challenge.
Then if we had company, either the company stayed in the office and slept on the sofa bed or one of the kids did. First obstacle to overcome was finding the sofa bed under the piles of things “stored” in the office. Then came the challenge of figuring out if it was an invasion of a guest’s privacy if I went into the study now and then to work.
Now that the kids are grown and out of the house, I have an office all to myself. Or at least I thought I did, until the cats decided they would like to share the space with me.
Wait. Did I say “share?”
The cat’s have taken over the space.
This week, John has decided that he will help me with my writing. He has taken over half of my desk, and periodically reaches down to play with the mouse or keyboard.
Misty, our calico, took over my office chair weeks ago, and she does not know the meaning of “share” either. She glowers at me when I move her so I can sit down. Then she jumps up behind me and pushes on my back to get me to move.
The last time one of the kids came to visit, he laughed because my office chair was rolled aside and I had a kitchen chair in front of my desk. When I told him why, he asked why I didn’t just move the cat.
I glowered at him.
Oh, I know what you mean about losing your office. We don’t have cats, but whenever we have a visitor, I lose my office. When the sofa bed is opened, that’s it, there’s no more room. You can barely squeeze between the extended sofa and my desk. I end up taking my laptop up to the bedroom and working in a dark corner on a folding table. That happened this past Christmas when I had a book due date. Looks like it’ll be happening this year in March when I have a mid-April due date.
I envy you for having a cat who massages your back.
We were fortunate to have found a house with a bedroom for each of our 3 kids, plus a guest room. Now that the kids are gone, we have independent office space, and still have the guest room, plus an overflow room.
Every now and then, we get more than 1 set of kids home to visit, and I have to give up my office for extra sleeping space. I pretty much have to use the laptop anywhere I can find room to work.
So far, visits haven’t conflicted with writing deadlines.
Helen, you wouldn’t envy me if you saw her claws. 🙂 She really does not want me in her chair.
Too funny! I have a Mutts cartoon hanging on my wall in front of my desk. It shows the lady trying to write a letter and the cat comes by and lies down right on top of it. Her comment: “Writer’s Block!”
LuAnn, love the cartoon caption. Today, John decided he not only wanted to take over my desk, he insisted on being held. He walked right over the keyboard and halfway up my chest so I would stop work and cradle him like a baby.
Jeesh, what a sap I am. 🙂