Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

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A Writing Room of My Own–A Tour

January 16, 2010 By Sandra Heska King

It’s not exactly a palace.

But it’s a step up from the pit. With a penthouse view. Where I can look down on the fields.

I used to work in the dungeon. The furnace room. In the basement. Where I could look up at some face staring at me. A possum. A woodchuck. A raccoon. A skunk. Or a cat. Some critter that sought refuge under our porch. Nose pressed to window. Only one made it inside, though. King Kobe.

Now I work two floors up. In the room where my son slept for 20-plus years. In the room where my husband slept for 20-plus years. At the top of the house. On the north side of this 150-plus-year-old farmhouse. Where it gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Where the floor slopes just so, so that I often have to hook my leg around the desk leg when I work to keep from rolling out the door and down the stairs.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

But it’s mine. All mine! A real writing studio. I’m on top of the world.

And I don’t need to worry about looking up to see a face out the window. I only have to worry about jumping out the window if my heater or fan or ‘puter or another of my many electrical devices catches fire. Or if someone sneaks up behind me while I’m engrossed in my writing world.

There’s a bit more clutter here than you’d expect given the dump truck mentality I’ve described in my other blog. But almost everything has some meaning and provides inspiration.

Let me take you on a brief tour. Or not so brief.

Welcome. This is what you would see as you enter.
I spend hours in this chair. Notice the paraffin bath under the desk? Great way to pamper and work at the same time!  By the way, I hate cords!
My reading place, also known as the pansy corner. “Pansy” was my father-in-law’s pet name for his wife.
This is actually a porch rocker from Cracker Barrel–oh so comfy!
 
This picture hangs above my rocker. A family friend painted it in 1997. She took painting classes after her husband died, and I think she must have been in her 70s when she did this. I’ve noted many of her paintings in stores around my hometown, and this reminds me that you are never too old to pursue your dreams.
My dad created this relief carving and the pansy letter opener. (He carves canes, too.) It reminds me that God has placed a gene of creativity within me, actually from both parents since my mom has penned some fun poems.
I had to hang this with the rest of the pansies. It reminds me of the wonderful gifts God has given us in our children–in His time and in His way.
What I see as I sit at my desk. I might catch a glimpse of deer or a fox. Once we even saw a coyote chasing deer. And I can watch Gracee as she plays.
Binoculars stand ready for a wildlife closeup!

My son made the clay project in Sunday School. The lamb was a gift to him from our adult Sunday School class when he was baptized. A reminder to let the Good Shepherd guide me in all I write. Well, actually in everything!
A little prayer corner.
Another Sunday School project. This time my husband’s–probably over 50 years ago.
The view from the prayer corner, facing east.
I love to chair fly to the bookcase. Not all my books are here. There are two identical cases downstairs as well as on a wall in another room and in cabinets in the garage. Most books escaped the declutter brigade. I’m thinking the white boxes on the top right shelf will be perfect for storing manuscripts. (Will they each hold 90,000 words?) The three white magazine boxes on the left hold research material for my works in progress. The fourth one on the right and the white notebook hold current Bible study materials. The books on that shelf are ones I’m planning to review. I’ve already written reviews for those on the bottom. The white box on the second shelf, right bookcase, holds material related to the Bible study I’m currently teaching.
Closeup of a picture done by a local artist, Jesus and children. The caption reads, “A merry heart doeth good medicine.” It reminds me to be childlike in my faith.

I cross-stitched this back in 1983.

Moving now to my desk . . .
The Lord is my shepherd! Hangs above my computer.
Chocolate for energy! I use the colored Twistables for marking my Bible. The dogwood reminds me of  Georgia (we lived there three times) and of Jesus because of the legend that is attached to the dogwood.
My sister gave me “A Quiet Moment” (Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus) that sits on top of this antique spool cabinet that houses supplies. I seldom watch the TV, but the Worship Network shows some awesome nature videos combined with scripture and music.
 
Moleskine planner and notebook. I keep another notebook in my purse. Great for capturing notes, last forever, and make me feel like a real writer. Purchased at Barnes & Noble.
And, of course, my bookworm pen.
 
Compassion International! Releasing children from poverty, in Jesus’ name.

A sheep bank to remind me I can actually make money doing something I love. And an aromatherapy candle. Serenity!
Another drawing by local artist, Barbara Bosworth. Amazing Grace! “And you shall call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20.
“The draped ribbon joining these images symbolizes our common need of God’s Saving Grace forming the name of the one who alone can offer such . . . Jesus.”
Can you see His name?
She also incorporated lambs in the composition to represent the parable of the Good Shepherd.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Given to me by my Precept class more than 25 years ago. This verse has carried me through many trials and doubts.
From my daughter.
From my son. Turn it on for light, shimmering water, and the sounds of birds.
This is a Homedics sound machine that plays sounds of a rainforest, ocean, thunder, a summer night, a waterfall, and rain. Currently I have a CD playing “soothing sounds of the Native American flute.” I also play “spa sounds” of Celtic harp and hammered dulcimer. At some point I’ll try some soundtracks. I’m just getting used to having music while I work. One of the white boxes holds music CD’s and the other holds photo and backup CDs.
 
Last, but not least, this floor register provides heat. The animals like to lie over it.
I supplement with an electric heater on my feet, so the paraffin bath is a necessity!
And that concludes today’s tour.
I’m glad you stayed until the end, and I wish we could sit down and have a cup of tea–or coffee–together and share a bit of chocolate. Maybe next time.
My writing “studio” is a work in progress. My writing is a work in progress. I am a work in progress!
Where do you write?
In Pursuit,
Sandy
Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King

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Filed Under: stories and reflections, writing

Comments

  1. ~~Melinda Y.~~ says

    January 16, 2010 at 10:04 pm

    Loved it! Absolutley loved it! You are surrounded by tokens of love, hope, faith & beauty. The views that you have are magnificant. Thanks for sharing this part of you with us:)
    ~Peace & Love~
    Melinda

  2. Sandra Heska King says

    January 16, 2010 at 10:50 pm

    In the first picture, the window, not the cat, on the left, do you see those 2 little cards? YOU sent me those. 🙂

  3. ~~Melinda Y.~~ says

    January 16, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    Just when I thought I didn't have a tear left in me from this week…

  4. Linda Yezak says

    January 17, 2010 at 8:21 am

    I love this, Sandy! I have an old table in the living room. It butts up to the center sofa on the left, and the cats sit atop the sofa back and beg my attention. On the right is the glass patio doors overlooking the pond. (Guess what? I keep binoculars on my desk too!)

    One thing I don't have in here is privacy, but with the fireplace on the left wall and the wildlife out the right windows, I don't complain.

  5. Tamera Lynn Kraft says

    January 17, 2010 at 9:01 am

    I love your writing room. I wish I had one like that. Maybe someday.

  6. Sandra Heska King says

    January 17, 2010 at 9:35 am

    @Melinda: Did you recognize the chocolate? Aren't you proud that I haven't eaten it ALL yet?

    @Linda: When we were in Georgia, I had a desk behind the sofa! The fireplace was in front of me, and a big glass patio door that opened to a yard filled with pine trees, dogwoods, and azaleas was to my left!

    @Tamera: Thanks for visiting! I feel blessed to finally have a pleasant place after 20 years in the hole! 😉

  7. ~~Melinda Y.~~ says

    January 17, 2010 at 10:01 am

    Snady,
    Just let me know when you need replenishing…I got "connections to get you more confections"{GRINS}

  8. Melinda Lancaster says

    January 17, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    I love it so much, Snady. It is all so well thought out and full of inspiration.
    Once upon a time I had a special writing area in our great room. When we moved I gave all of my furniture to my Mom for her study.
    Any writing I do now is from our bed. I earned two degrees there, writing what felt like millions of words, so I can't complain.
    Your writing room is absolutely beautiful. You've done a wonderful job. The inspiration it provides is already so evident in your writings for this year. May God continue to bring inspiration and anointing upon every word!
    Hugs!
    PS: What? Our friend Melinda sends you confections…and has connections? Hmmm…

  9. Sandra Heska King says

    January 17, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    @Melinda #1: Deal!

    @Melinda #2: I so admire your persistence and look forward to another million words! Thanks for your encouragement, love, and prayers. And the confections? Purely medicinal.

  10. K.M. Weiland says

    May 16, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    Lovely! And I don't see hide nor hair of any dust bunnies!

  11. Sandra Heska King says

    May 16, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    Ha! That's cuz I'm not as brave as you are. I corraled them in the closet. And I'm not taking pictures today!

  12. Lori says

    June 26, 2010 at 1:15 pm

    Sandra, just stumbled across your blog and I love your room! Thank you for sharing….I write at my kitchen computer but I would dearly love a room like yours….Lori

  13. Sandra Heska King says

    June 26, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    Welcome, Lori! Lately, I've been dragging the laptop down to the living room, to a soft leather chair, to catch a window breeze, and write and surf during baseball inning breaks. 😉

  14. Kelly Sauer says

    April 9, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Oh I love seeing what you see, getting to visit where you are when you’re here! Thank you for sharing, Sandra!

    • Sandra says

      May 18, 2011 at 12:03 pm

      And I loved your place as well. 😀

  15. Robin O'Bryant says

    May 18, 2011 at 9:18 am

    I want to know how you hid your cords!! I hate all the crap under my desk!

    • Sandra says

      May 18, 2011 at 12:02 pm

      Hi, Robin. There’s one of those power strips hiding behind the silk plants. 😉

      I haven’t figured out yet what to do with the ones I can still see.

      I really need to edit this post. It didn’t transfer over from my other blog so well . . .

  16. Anne Martin Fletcher says

    May 18, 2011 at 10:30 am

    I love it and all the meaningful details you keep to inspire you. I also have a room of my own to write in. You have inspired me to put up a similar blog post. Not today, but soon. I’ll link back to this when I post it.

    • Sandra says

      May 18, 2011 at 12:03 pm

      Cool! And thanks. Do remember to link or let me know somehow. I love seeing everyone else’s “digs.”

Trackbacks

  1. All Because of a Root « Sandra Heska King says:
    August 27, 2010 at 11:03 am

    […] All Because of a Root By Sandra, on August 27th, 2010 This is the window view today from my little prayer corner in my writing room. […]

  2. Outside Inside « Sandra Heska King says:
    October 8, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    […] is the penthouse. Where I do most of my study and writing these days. From here I can look out over yard and field […]

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“Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to “Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. . . Let me keep company always with those who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.” ~ Mary Oliver in “Mysteries, Yes”
🌱
No way could anyone ever convince me that this world in all its beauty and creativity and mysteries is here by accident.
Food truck night with a newcomer—@crepstick. So Food truck night with a newcomer—@crepstick. So yummy! I hope they come back.  But maybe not too often or I’ll have to do double time on the exercise.
“Embrace this day knowing and showing the world “Embrace this day knowing and showing the world that your God is more than enough for you.”
🌿
@tamiheim @tonibirdsong 
In @stickyJesus: How to Live Out Your Faith Online
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the str My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion.” Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
🌿
I’d almost forgotten what quiet mornings on the patio were like. (Quiet except for the birds and the sound of the neighbor’s AC.)
So yesterday I saw my cardiologist. It was the fir So yesterday I saw my cardiologist. It was the first time he wanted to see me in 6 months instead of a year. He said my aortic stenosis had gotten worse. Like on the cusp of moderate to severe. 😬

So the first thing he asks me is, "How's you daughter?" Wait. Isn't this supposed to be about ME?

Then he asks if I've had any symptoms. "Well, I don't know. Maybe. I felt a little dizzy out of the blue a couple times. And felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I wouldn't have paid any attention if I didn't know I was supposed to be watching for symptoms. I DID walk all over Israel and up a bunch of steep hills, even all the way up to the Golan Heights--against the wind--without anything but normal fatigue.

He laughs. "I created a monster." Ummm, yeah.

"Have you been exercising?" 

"Well, yeah. We walk a couple miles a day. I'm back on my Nordictrack Strider." I didn't tell him I'd been lifting some light weights and some very heavy boxes and other items during this renovation, though I was told in December not to.

So he listens to the beating of my heart. Then he says, "Well, I don't think the valve is ripe yet. I don't expect you to have symptoms for three or four years. You don't need to come back for a year."

Wait! So you ask if I have symptoms. But you don't expect symptoms--yet. And when I do have symptoms, someone is gonna do something. And then I'll be older and maybe weaker. Or what if I have some sudden and silent symptom and boom! And now I have to worry about that. 

(In other news, my oldest grand texts me the other day, and our conversation runs like this...
Last weekend we were in northern Michigan. And the Last weekend we were in northern Michigan. And there were lilacs. They even shook their heads over tornado-induced devastation. Look for the beauty and sweet scents in the midst of the mess. I miss the lilacs.
Yesterday’s morning view. We haven’t seen the Yesterday’s morning view. We haven’t seen the sun all day today.
When the folks in my hometown of Gaylord, Michigan When the folks in my hometown of Gaylord, Michigan ate their breakfast Friday morning, they had no idea what terror and devastation they'd face before dinner. Everyone has a story. You've probably seen pictures.

If not, take a peek at @mlivenews .

My great-nephew, not quite 12, had just gotten home from school when the EF-3 came down the street and left its mark on every home. My niece frantically tried to find her way from work through debris and blocked roads. My sister was 30 miles away visiting my dad in rehab. I don't want to know how fast my brother-in-law drove. 

The house and yard took a hit, worse than some, not as bad as others. A mobile home park was demolished--two deaths there. I heard one person is still missing. So many injured. So much awful. But the town is coming together for each other. Pray for them.

We plan to fly up Thursday--already planned to celebrate my dad's 95th birthday. 

Also, if anyone feels led to help, the Otsego Community Foundation and Otsego County United Way are accepting donations. Note “Tornado Relief.” Beware of any other fundraising requests.
Cutting tonight’s walk short. Stupid blue jay. N Cutting tonight’s walk short. Stupid blue jay. Not this one. A different one. But still. (My niece believes blue jays are a visitation from Grandma—my mom.) 
My shirt says “Walk in love. But I’m not feeling very loving. And if it WAS my Mom AKA Mother Mary Esther of the Order of Perpetual Birdwatchers, I’ll bet she’s having a good laugh. A passerby said she heard it was good luck and I should buy a lottery ticket tonight. In other news, I also banged my hip bone against our bed’s footboard and gave myself a mighty bruise. Then I burned my arm on the top of the grill. I did manage to wash all the knives without cutting myself and didn’t start any fires. So how was your day?
And now… “From the rising of the sun to the pl And now… “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”
The world’s a mess, but His mercies are new. The world’s a mess, but His mercies are new.
When we were in Israel last month, we visited @yad When we were in Israel last month, we visited @yadvashem - the World Holocaust Center in Jerusalem. There wasn't enough time to spend nearly enough time. 

The Valley of the Communities was very moving. It's a labyrinth of stone from which there seems no way out. Our guide said It gives an idea of the endlessness of the horror. His parents emigrated from Vilna (the Jerusalem of Lithuania), before the Holocaust. In 1935, thirteen of his family members still remained there. By 1945 only one--an uncle--had survived. He wrote a book about them from a bundle of old letters. "One story out of millions."

"This memorial commemorates the Jewish communities destroyed by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, and the few which suffered but survived in the shadow of the Holocaust."
#Israel2022 #HolocaustRemembranceDay
“From my favorite spot on the floor, I look up a “From my favorite spot on the floor, I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, ” Anne Frank wrote in the Diary of a Young Girl. Watching the tree change through the seasons her family spent in hiding in an attic gave her hope. The Holocaust Memorial Center is one of only eleven sites in the United States to receive a sapling from that tree. I stand at “her” window and imagine hanging hope on a tree.

"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.” ~ Primo Levi

From a post I wrote for @tspoetry after a visit to the @holocaustcenter.

https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2016/07/27/regional-tour-holocaust-memorial-center-farmington-hills-michigan/
Stunning tree I parked near at Bible study yesterd Stunning tree I parked near at Bible study yesterday. I was in a rush and failed to snap the whole tree. I need to run back before the flowers fall. I think it’s a jacaranda? I want one.
Speaking of birds... bluejay in my backyard this a Speaking of birds... bluejay in my backyard this afternoon. I thought he was hurt, but I think he was just trying to cool off. (Maybe it's a young one.... unless it's the light?)
Someone should do something about that dog. She’ Someone should do something about that dog. She’s yelping and carrying on like she’s in some awful pain.
“Now in the place where he was crucified there w “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” ~ John 19:41

“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay…’”~ Matthew 28:5-6

Many wonder if this tomb, which lies just a few yards west of Golgotha could be the place where Jesus lay and rose. I wish we could have lingered longer here in this garden and in the tomb itself. It was easier for me to imagine the events of that weekend happening here than in the heavily incensed, decorated, dark and crowded Church of the Holy Sepulchre… though my hairdresser said her old boyfriend “got chills”’when he entered that tomb. We did not go inside that one because the line was way too long. 

At any rate, the most important thing is that he tomb is EMPTY and HE IS RISEN!

HAPPY EASTER!
#Israel2022 #GardenTomb #Easter
 “Peter said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to g 
“Peter said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me.’” ~ Luke 22:33-34

The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (rooster crowing) built over what tradition says was the house of Caiaphas where Jesus was brought after he was arrested. Perhaps he was imprisoned in one of the underground crypts while awaiting trial. 

“On top of the church, higher than the cross—I loved this—stands a golden rooster! I’ll never look at a weathervane the same again. How would you like to have a church commemorate your weakest moment?” ~ Wayne Stiles in Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

#Israel2022 #GoodFriday
The olive trees here are ancient… some carbon da The olive trees here are ancient… some carbon dates to the 12th century, according to my Eyewitness book on Jerusalem. “DNA tests have shown that eight of the trees grew from cuttings from the same mother tree—perhaps taken by Christians who believed the tree to have witnessed Jesus’s agony.” 

Gethsemane means “olive press.” Jesus was pressed to his very depths that night.  He knew what was ahead. He could have run far away. But he went where he knew Judas would look for him. 

“And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” ~ Luke 22:41-44

Garden of Gethsemane and Church of the Nations

#Israel2022
A "blue preacher" right outside my door, nearly as A "blue preacher" right outside my door, nearly as tall as I am. I wonder what he's wondering. Is he finding the answer blowing in the wind?

"Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness." ~ Mary Oliver in "Why I Wake Early"
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