Depending on
where you live, the world is starting to reopen in dribs and drabs. Here in my
corner of Pennsylvania, we’ve gone from “red” (stay-at-home orders,
non-essential businesses ordered closed) to “yellow” (slight easing of
restrictions, a few non-essential businesses permitted to open, no gyms, no
hair salons, no dine-in restaurants) to “green” ( gyms and salons reopening,
dining rooms in restaurants re-opening) with lots of restrictions in place.
From my
observations, those restrictions are being largely ignored by customers.
As for me, I’m
venturing out while using extreme caution. Face masks are a must. And I have to
resist screaming “stay away!” at the people who ignore the six-foot rule. I
want to support small businesses, so I’ve made an appointment to get my hair
cut and colored for later this month.
But mostly, I’m
content to stay home.
Over the last few
months, I’ve established my favorite spots around my very small house. I have
my workspace, which is the same place it’s always been.
I have a variety of
Zoom spots. I even went so far as to buy a new laptop because neither my
decrepit old one nor my desktop has cameras.
I’d been using my Chromebook for Zoom meetings, but the camera quality was severely lacking. Once I decided this new world of virtual events wasn’t just a passing fad, I knew I needed better A/V equipment. I even bought a ring light. But where I set up varies depending on whether it’s a casual critique group, a meeting where I need to be able to see documents on my desktop while Zooming, or an author presentation where I want to look as professional as possible with Covid hair.
I’d been using my Chromebook for Zoom meetings, but the camera quality was severely lacking. Once I decided this new world of virtual events wasn’t just a passing fad, I knew I needed better A/V equipment. I even bought a ring light. But where I set up varies depending on whether it’s a casual critique group, a meeting where I need to be able to see documents on my desktop while Zooming, or an author presentation where I want to look as professional as possible with Covid hair.
I also have a
variety of perfect reading spots. All winter and spring, I’ve alternated
between a corner of my couch and Hubby’s recliner.
But now that summer’s here and the weather is nice, I’ve moved to my front porch swing.
But now that summer’s here and the weather is nice, I’ve moved to my front porch swing.
Weeks ago, I’d
scrubbed down the rest of the porch, making it ready for lounging, but my swing
was missing. Hubby declared it needed to be stripped and refinished (it did!),
so he hijacked it off to his garage. I honestly figured I’d never see it again.
But last weekend he surprised me by re-hanging the like-new swing. I was giddy
with joy.
It really is the
perfect spot for reading. And maybe a little writing on that new laptop.
Where are your
favorite reading and/or writing spots? Are they seasonal? And have they changed
since the pandemic struck?
Your front porch swing looks like a piece of heaven, Annette. I would be living there!
ReplyDeleteI find myself working more often in my dining room because it has a picture window, and I can see people walking outside. Otherwise, I’d be in my office at the back of my house. No people. Just rabbits and squirrels.
ReplyDeleteMartha, it's definitely one of my "happy places."
ReplyDeleteSusan, I love watching rabbits and squirrels playing in my yard. Out here, we don't have people walking by.
I work at the kitchen table so I can turn the door handle and let the dogs in and out and in and out. I've migrated to the porch table on cool days, propping the door open for the dogs.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, Margaret. Our fur babies often control our work locations!
ReplyDeleteI have a comfy desk chair in the spare bedroom I use as an office. the windows look out over the front "yard," which is a basically a clearing in front of the woods.
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that it's all your fault. I bought a new laptop for Zooming because my phone not cutting it! Great post--I just have all my old spots, except for my Zoom Spot.
ReplyDeleteKM, I bet your view of the woods is lovely and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Kaye, I hope you like your new laptop as much as I like mine! Happy Zooming!
The swing looks glorious! My favorite writing spot is at my desk, both in Florida and in Maine. My favorite reading spot is at poolside in Florida or on a granite outcropping in Maine. Both excellent Kindle spots. For hard covers, my back porch or the corner of my couch, often with a cat resting against me.
ReplyDeleteKait, those spots sound truly perfect.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, I like to write sitting on my living room floor, back against the couch, computer up on the coffee table! (That puts it right at eye level without ducking down.) I think it's because I can sit next to the biggest window in the house, where trees and flowers are always in my line of sight. That porch swing looks even better though!
ReplyDeleteGabrielle, that sounds like a terrific spot!
ReplyDelete