That I did always love...

The writing cave. I know it looks ridiculously crowded and cluttered. Every single item on the shelves that aren’t books are things given to me or have special sentimental value. (Oh, except for the jars of office supplies. I like putting my highlighters, sharpies, erasers, etc. in jars so I can see what I have.) And yes, I’ve read all the books except the top right shelf on the side. That’s my “to read” shelf. The shelves wrap around the room and are full. It’s not that I hoard them for hoarding’s sake. It’s that as a teacher and writer I never know whether or not I’ll need them for research again. (Most of them are non-fiction.)

Book shelves are lined up down the middle or the room to create a very insulated writing nook. In fact, I’ve fallen before in that nook and no matter how I yelled no one could hear me!

I dream of a minimalist, neat, open airy office like these — who doesn’t? But I feel comfortable and secure and at home in my cave. It’s all mine and all me.