details

I moved back into my office after fleeing to the family room for a month or so. The sheer volume of paperwork that needs to be filed (hobbitt? help?) or dealt with (me: lazy ass) was daunting, so my response was to pick up the laptop and bolt. Then we had company and there's a sleeper in there which had to be put to work. That family room sofa is pretty comfy, too, so I wasn't in too much of a hurry to get back in here.

I finally moved back in on Friday night, I think. I shoveled enough crapola to the side of the desk to make room for the laptop. The ergonomics aren't good here, which may not be a bad thing: I spend way too much time with a computer in the first place. This chair will not be moving with us. This desk may not be moving with us, which could be too bad. This is a cool desk. It was left in the basement of the home we bought in Illinois, probably because it was large and heavy and no one wanted to hoist it up the stairs. hobbitt and I hoisted it up not one but two flights of stairs and I've used it ever since 1990 or so. It's solid oak and old. It has three drawers (I've had to remove the center one because of the previously-mentioned ergonomic issues) and two cubbies, but my favorite parts are the two pull-out work surfaces on either side of the center, both of which are pulled out now and loaded with paperwork, because I run out of space on the desktop itself, which is approximately 1530 square inches of beautiful oak surface. (I had to measure that with a 15-inch straight edge because I didn't feel like rifling through the piles of paper to find the tape measure that I know is there somewhere.)

So anyway here I am back at my desk and reacquainting myself with the lovely view I have of the south woods, which is an acre of tranquility. In winter the sun, even at its highest, appears through the trees and today there is a liberal dusting of snow, which sparkles in the light. In summer this is a dark room but today the sun is pouring in through the large windows and illuminating my entire desk top, and would be in my face, too, if I hadn't installed the honeycomb blinds. The little pool that forms when the south sump is running (and we've had a lot of rain lately) is a gorgeous spot for birds to bathe and drink, and today they're there in force. Robins mostly. The best part of sitting here is the chance to see the hawks and deer. A moment ago a small group of whitetails (about 12) went bolting down the path in alarm. Since they've eaten away most of the understory there is very little to block my view.

I do like it here at druid labs east. It's lovely. We got very lucky when we had to come here. The house itself is inviting and friendly, and though larger than we need, still lends itself to being well-used. Don't even get me started about the pool and hot tub, the stars at night, the herons and hummingbirds. I have to keep reminding myself that next year this town will be reassessed and our property tax, already a steep $9,000, is likely to double. There are many reasons that it's time to go. I have to keep reminding myself of those little details.