The blog title almost sounds like book or a mystery series doesn’t it? Well, I suppose it could be the birthplace of one, but I am getting ahead of the story…
When I moved in to my lovely Frobbit House last year, one room was a designated storage room with items that to be shipped at a later time and be reunited with their owners. Well, moving day arrived last Saturday, and the house was full of boxes with a charming all-brazilian crew that took care of matters. For me it was almost a walk in the park, since relocation and packing is something I can do with my eyes closed, but it is tiring nevertheless and it definitely rattled Cherry (NB: she was spared the experience in Berlin because she was brought to Portugal before my daughter packed up the apartment). The outdoor cats were also traumatised, not understanding the sudden and radical change of their haven, so they took refuge in the garden for the day. As is with any relocation, you have to stay on your feet and keep your eye on the ball, or on the boxes in this case, lest something end up in it that shouldn’t – including a curious cat.
It was day when a lot of things were put to the test, especially my language skills. None of the crew members spoke English, but because they were all Brazilian, they understood my version of Portuguese and I didn’t have to struggle with the local pronunciation (where nothing, absolutely nothing is pronounced as it is written!). We bonded over food and my relocation stories, telling them about my experiences with the various crews in different countries, which they found highly amusing. Lunch seemed like a family affair with a bunch of long-lost cousins, it all seemed so natural. I thorough enjoyed myself and it kept my mind off my daughter’s departure the previous day.
Long story short, I have the precious gift of additional space that allows me to redistribute the remaining furniture and whittle everything down to an almost minimalistic stage. It is the perfect step in the right direction towards physical and emotional decluttering. After spending most of my life in houses that were packed with furniture from top to bottom, it is such a relief to embrace the space and be able to work with it, adding my own personal touches to the nooks and crannies. It may not sound like much to many, especially to those who prefer to be surrounded by endless furniture and memorabilia, but I am over that now. Less is more.
Naturally, after each move comes two days of cleaning and fixing. Luckily the weather played along and I was able to wash all the rugs and blankets and hang them out in the sun. Once the laundry and the cleaning were done I hatched a plan for the former storage room. In my heart I have always known that I wanted to carve out a special writing area that was worthy of being called a room-with-a-view, and this is absolutely perfect (honestly, every room in the house has a wonderful view!). My Mac no longer wanders and wonders from pillar to post around the house, temporarily squatting in whatever surface that suits the purpose and mood of the day or week. Nothing I’ve tried so far gave me that sense of permanence and belonging (in terms of the writing space, until Monday evening.
There is nothing fancy in terms of adornment, and I am still waging an inner battle on whether or not to go all out and splurge on a proper old fashioned escritoire, or continue with this wobbly garden set that has both character and charm. It is definitely a work in progress, but I have the internet set up, the window open to the magnificent view of the Mafra / Malveira valley and I have direct view to Sintra. It doesn’t get better than this! Hermit writer mode activated! I feel as though I am in my own little cocoon, ensconced in this special place where magic can truly begin to happen. In fact, this is the first blog entry being churned out from the new writing room. Some of the cats already discovered my new location and have set foot in it either via the window or the door, which prompted me to place the cat beds / floor cushions in here.
Effectively I have two offices in the house now. One for my day job (home office Monday to Friday) but then I get to physically leave the office and change sceneries. I don’t think of this new room as an office but rather a workshop of sorts, a place where new creations will manifested into existence. Some people have a tool shed or a sewing room, I have a temple of creativity. It is the change of location and mindset that I have been yearning for.
To GR and FZ, thank you for the magic and giving Marie Balustrade her new residence.
FrogDiva Thoughts 