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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“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final t “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” ~ Philippians 4:8 

#fall #southflorida #hope #thoughts #philippians4 #dayafterelection
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A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.” ~ William Wordsworth in “My Heart Leaps Up”

🌈🌈🌈

From my back door and then from the patio. A phone can never capture the true glory of a rainbow. I hope my heart never fails to leap at the wonder of one.
We were monarch parents a couple years back, but o We were monarch parents a couple years back, but our food was not enough to support all our “children.”
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But some were better parents. And next month @tspoetry is celebrating with a garden party. And you are invited. 
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✨ An evening poetry celebration with Dheepa Maturi, Laura Boggess, Jules Jacob, and Sonja Johanson
✨ sign up today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/year-of-the-monarch-garden-party-tickets-1005650847757
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This is called a sweetheart plant. I bought it at This is called a sweetheart plant. I bought it at a farmers market in Ponte Vedra in Feb 2023. And it hasn’t done a thing except not die. I did repot it a few months back just cuz I thought it might need it. A few days ago I noticed it was sprouting a sprout. And today—10 days after having my aortic valve replaced and the day after having a loop recorder inserted—it has UNFURLED!!! A new heart. 🩷
Looking west this morning. “Sometime, enough o Looking west this morning. 

“Sometime, enough of us should plan
to gather and form our own
luminous cloud.” ~ Luci Shaw in “The Weight of Air” (from The Generosity)
Security is on the job. Security is on the job.
So after 13 years of checkups and annual echos, it So after 13 years of checkups and annual echos, it's finally come to this. One week from today I will have my aortic valve replaced. Eeeek! I know it's done all the time--piece of cake. But that's to other people. 😂 Speaking of cake, I've always hoped to blow out 100 candles (at least), and I keep singing this line in my head...

"And my heart will go on and on." Thanks to @celinedion. 💕
Hi! Long time, no post. So… I grew this from a Hi! Long time, no post. So…

I grew this from a pineapple top. We repotted it again over the weekend. Still no fruit, though. Our neighbor has a baby growing on a small plant, though. What’s up with that?

(Also, I do not have a green thumb. Currently the only things still living are this, an avocado, and a little Boston fern.)
We got out here early today, but it was already so We got out here early today, but it was already soooooo hot (later on the"feels like" was 110), and I was just plodding one foot in front of the other wishing I was still in bed. There was not much to see--except the crane family, some blackbirds, a dove. And it was buggy. And a deer fly bit me on the forearm, and it swelled up, and I still have a 1- x 3-inch reddened area. But then... a pink parade.
Just snapped a couple photos of a normal looking s Just snapped a couple photos of a normal looking sky from my back patio with my iPhone! I grew up in Michigan and never saw them before! #northernlights #westboca #southflorida
“So they took branches of palm trees and went ou “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” ~ John 12:13
🌴
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PALMS

He had a date with them. ~SHK
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~ Six words I wrote on my blog in 2015 as part of a daily “One Word Less for Lent” series.
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Photo taken in Israel, 2022.
Dressed for success... Dressed for success...
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Whole poem (with lots of favorite lines) here:
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https://open.substack.com/pub/everydaypoems/p/the-first-spring-day?r=3acod&utm_medium=ios
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Wild red poppy anemones from our spring trip to Israel in 2022. And, of course, red is the color of hope. 
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Sweet baby colts. Just one parent. Apparently the Sweet baby colts. Just one parent. Apparently the other was hit by a car. 😭💔
Bufo serenade AKA the Ballad of the Bufo Bufo serenade AKA the Ballad of the Bufo
South Florida is confused. South Florida is confused.
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"You have what you need / is what the birds sing a "You have what you need / is what the birds sing all morning" ~ Annie Lighthart in "Conditions of Happiness."
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In my email this morning from 
Every Day Poems via @tspoetry.
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If you’ve made it this far, the rest of the week If you’ve made it this far, the rest of the week should be a snap. #wednesday
Stay behind me. I’ll protect you. No worries. So Stay behind me. I’ll protect you. No worries. So will all those shots. Mostly.
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D still has PTSD from the Great Possibly Rabid Raccoon Brouhaha of 2021.
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