I was walking up to my writing place on the edge of the national forest when I ran into Floppy. “You are looking a little pregnant, Girl” I told her. She gave me the look and laid back her ears. “There is no such thing as being a little pregnant, Curt” she said primly in deer language. And she should know. She’s been dropping babies on our property for the past several years. Her two teenagers were hanging out in the grass 10-yards away. Floppy has been urging them to leave home lately. I saw one dashing down the hill yesterday with Floppy hot on its heels. This isn’t cruelty; it’s normal doe behavior. Floppy is about to have her fawn and the teenagers hanging around will give away its hiding spot to any number of predators.
I have several writing places around our property. In general, all that is required is a flat spot and a comfortable chair. And a view. Inclement weather normally calls for a more protected environment, preferably with heat. Thermometer-busting heat also sends me scurrying inside. This time with air-conditioning. I’m such a wimp. But the view is still required. As I mentioned on Friday, the variety has proven particularly valuable in the Age of Coronavirus. It helps counter the stir-crazy feeling of isolation.
It can’t decide whether to rain, or snow this morning. Blue skies are predicted for this afternoon and seventy-degree weather later in the week. It’s spring! I started writing this morning at 5:30 in the living room and then moved back to the bedroom at 7:00. Peggy, on occasion (2-3 times a week), likes to be served breakfast in bed. Who doesn’t? And she likes company. Nine a.m. is our limit for getting up and about, however, and I have now landed in the library.
My living room view, assuming of course that the sun has come up. The Red Buttes are looking a little wintry today.My bedroom writing location. Peggy has already vacated the premises but she returned to take the photo. The gorgeous quilt is one she made.The view from the bed.
Today I am going to take you on a tour of my favorite outside spots. I’ll start from the top and work down.
Quivera the Van’s home in the pole barn makes an excellent writing space. It is both protected and outside. It also sits on the edge of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. I took this photo from the national forest sign that marks the edge of our property.Peggy took this photo of me working in my comfy chair.A view down our road from my writing chair.Another advantage of the pole barn is that Quivera provides an even more protected place to write. She also comes with a stove for making coffee or tea and a restroom. This, BTW, is my writing place when we travel in the van.My next writing place is down the hill and sits on the edge of our canyon. The round object is my Weber smoker. It’s a good place to write and watch baby-back ribs smoke. The three handprints were put on the shed by our grandsons Ethan and Cody plus our neighbor William when they helped paint the shed a few years ago. The coffee table is our old safe re-purposed. And no, it is not stuffed with cash!While Peggy was taking my photo, one of the kids showed up to check out what we were doing. It even came with a teenager mohawk! (Actually it is shedding its winter coat.)Here I am writing on our patio. The table is covered with a large patio umbrella that works as a sunshade. We find bats sleeping in the folds of the umbrella on occasion when we open it. Eventually, they fly off. Our back porch also comes with a writing chair. The window is the library window that provides my view of the backyard. The extra chair is for visitors. My Weber grill is much smaller than the one that used to live in its space. A very large bear came up on our porch and tipped it over on a dark night. It made a big bang.I have no problem filling the visitor’s chair.While most of my views from the porch are the same as the library, I can check out the side hill with its white oaks (the deer like to lie up there and chew their cuds).Or look up the hill behind Quivera where Peggy and I do much of our hiking. It’s a great escape and exercise as we hang out at home. It’s a lot higher than this photo implies— about a thousand feet!I can also admire the beautiful madrone that stands next to the porch and provides welcome shade in the summer. Deer like to sleep at its base.And finally, there is our sunroom, lit up here by the early morning sun.Except on hot days, it is always a prime location to write.The views are always great, but a storm adds drama.If I need a break, I can talk to the giraffe…Or if I am suffering from a particularly bad case of writer’s block, watch Peggy’s sunflowers grow.I’ll conclude with a final photo of the sunroom. Romantic, eh? I caught the picture when I was rolling our garbage can down to the road! Oh yeah, one final thing. Thats not a squirrel up on the roof. It’s the top of a tree on the other side.
WEDNESDAY’S POST: It’s off to Athens as part of my armchair series.
Wanderer, writer, photographer and activist. I've now settled in Southern Oregon. 1.8 million acres of national forest are out the backdoor and the beautiful Applegate River is out the front door. I like travel, reading, history and wild places. I am married to the lovely, funny, bright Peggy.
Wow, I’m surprised you ever want to leave home.
Then I console myself with the thought that I would not want the maintenance involved with such a lovely spot – sure, I tell myself, a city condo is better. 😢
Absolutely, Ray. 🙂 Fortunately, I am a firm believer in natural surroundings, grin. Most of our property is allowed to get along on its own. I call it a ‘wildlife sanctuary’ and feel smug about the neglect.
The deer just charged out of the canyon and are all ears. Something upset them. Probably the fox. –Curt
Wow! Curt, what breathtaking views as you sit around your various writing places! Your home is in a stunning location and I found myself pausing to absorb the beauty around you! You look relaxed and ready to write and a lovey photo of Peggy towards the end! Wishing you, Peggy and your family all well during these times. Annika
The only possible complaint I could have about the writing spaces, Annika, is my tendency to look around instead of write. 🙂 Yesterday it was a fox that went trotting by and a deer that was stalking it! Yes, I am lucky to be surrounded by beauty and to have my lovely companion to share it with. Take care. And thanks. –Curt
Yeah, the giraffe stands head and shoulders above my other woodland buddies. 🙂 Except the deer when they stand on their hind legs to harvest acorns! And who could ever complain about the writing spaces— one for all occasions. Thanks, MB. –Curt
South and West are for the views, Kelly. North and East are for the wildlife. Well there is a bit of view beyond the three deer that are staring at me right now, as well. 🙂 –Curt
Thanks for this tour with magnificent views on all sides. No wonder you are inspired to write! My favorite view is the one from the living room — magnificent!!
Thanks, Alison. As for writers block, not as much as usual. Keeping a journal and all of this blogging is good practice for knocking words out! 🙂 –Curt
I love Peggy’s Crocs. How very stylish. Her quilt is impressive as well! As for those views… don’t know how you manage to leave then (in earlier days when you could.)
I can see how you could relax and write in such a place, apart from the danger of relaxing too much. Nice views all around, although I’m partial to the mountains.
I confess a weakness myself, Dave. Our living room, bedroom, patio, deck and sunroom all provide splendid views. Plus, it was the Red Buttes that tempted me to go backpacking again at 71, after my pack had been retired. 🙂
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33 thoughts on “On Sharing Your Writing Space with a Pregnant Deer…”
ralietravels
Wow, I’m surprised you ever want to leave home.
Then I console myself with the thought that I would not want the maintenance involved with such a lovely spot – sure, I tell myself, a city condo is better. 😢
Curt Mekemson
Absolutely, Ray. 🙂 Fortunately, I am a firm believer in natural surroundings, grin. Most of our property is allowed to get along on its own. I call it a ‘wildlife sanctuary’ and feel smug about the neglect.
The deer just charged out of the canyon and are all ears. Something upset them. Probably the fox. –Curt
Annika Perry
Wow! Curt, what breathtaking views as you sit around your various writing places! Your home is in a stunning location and I found myself pausing to absorb the beauty around you! You look relaxed and ready to write and a lovey photo of Peggy towards the end! Wishing you, Peggy and your family all well during these times. Annika
Curt Mekemson
The only possible complaint I could have about the writing spaces, Annika, is my tendency to look around instead of write. 🙂 Yesterday it was a fox that went trotting by and a deer that was stalking it! Yes, I am lucky to be surrounded by beauty and to have my lovely companion to share it with. Take care. And thanks. –Curt
M.B. Henry
You have some fantastic writing spaces – and office friends 🙂 I especially love the giraffe!
Curt Mekemson
Yeah, the giraffe stands head and shoulders above my other woodland buddies. 🙂 Except the deer when they stand on their hind legs to harvest acorns! And who could ever complain about the writing spaces— one for all occasions. Thanks, MB. –Curt
Anonymous
It looks like you’re wearing a smile in all the candid shots! Happy to see you’re safe and enjoying the beauties of this world
Teddy Bermes
It looks like you’re wearing a smile in all the candid shots! Happy to see you’re safe and enjoying the beauties of this world
Curt Mekemson
Hard not to smile, Teddy, when the photographer, Peggy, is giving me a hard time. 🙂 –Curt
CompassAndCamera
Wow, what a patio view behind you! Loved the tour. Always fun to see where writers go to be inspired — especially at home. Thanks Curt!
Curt Mekemson
South and West are for the views, Kelly. North and East are for the wildlife. Well there is a bit of view beyond the three deer that are staring at me right now, as well. 🙂 –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for this tour with magnificent views on all sides. No wonder you are inspired to write! My favorite view is the one from the living room — magnificent!!
Curt Mekemson
You are welcome! I’m sitting there now, Rusha. And three deer are walking down the road. Four birds are busy at the bird feeder. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
I can just picture this ideal life!
leggypeggy
That quilt is magnificent. Thanks for the tour of your writing spots.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, Peggy. I’ll pass the quilt comment on to my Peggy. 🙂 –Curt
Andrew Petcher
How grand, thanks for inviting me into your home.
Curt Mekemson
Absolutely my pleasure, Andrew.
Animalcouriers
It’s no surprise that you have such a happy smile on your face Curt. How lucky you are!
Curt Mekemson
Lucky indeed! 🙂
GP Cox
Yes, you have this quarantine under control – I on the other hand….
Curt Mekemson
Love it, G. 🙂 Good thing we have the toilet paper to joke about. Thank god for the folks who thought they had to run out and buy 50 rolls. –Curt
GP Cox
Their families will know what to get them for Christmas – a new supply.
JoHanna Massey
Oh I enjoyed seeing your writing spaces. Peggy’s quilt certainly holds much creative juice in each stitch. Simply lovely. Thank you. All my best.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, JoHanna. I plan on using all of them this week. 🙂 And Peggy’s quilts are indeed works of love. –Curt
Alison and Don
Nice little tour around your property Curt. You? Writer’s block? I don’t believe it.
Alison
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, Alison. As for writers block, not as much as usual. Keeping a journal and all of this blogging is good practice for knocking words out! 🙂 –Curt
Arati
Wow, thanks for showing us your writing spots and the wonderful views.
Curt Mekemson
You are quite welcome. It’s a great place to hunker down!
Gunta
I love Peggy’s Crocs. How very stylish. Her quilt is impressive as well! As for those views… don’t know how you manage to leave then (in earlier days when you could.)
Curt Mekemson
I’ll pass your comments on to Peggy, Gunta. Laughing about the latter. I have a restless soul. But I will admit, it’s a great place to come back to!
Dave Ply
I can see how you could relax and write in such a place, apart from the danger of relaxing too much. Nice views all around, although I’m partial to the mountains.
Curt Mekemson
I confess a weakness myself, Dave. Our living room, bedroom, patio, deck and sunroom all provide splendid views. Plus, it was the Red Buttes that tempted me to go backpacking again at 71, after my pack had been retired. 🙂