I so need a place to write. I need my own space. I’ve tried writing in the office. No go. RJ usually watches TV in there and I can’t really keep my mind on writing. Usually I use that space for work, so that’s where I go to do bookkeeping, reservations, or phone calling. 

     I’ve tried writing in bed.  Not comfortable.  My laptop sits on my lap and gets too warm. Sam comes into bed with me and walks all over my keyboard (15 pounds is a lot of cat to walk on a keyboard). I usually read in bed, so I get distracted and want to read whatever is sitting on my nightstand. I’m almost finished with The Ruins by Scott Smith. I already have several books waiting on my desk for me.

     I’ve tried using the kitchen table. It’s a high table with tall chairs and not conducive to writing. Because it’s in the kitchen, I’m usually cooking something at the same time. No very good for trying to immerse oneself into the process of putting words to paper.  For instance, today was spent boiling down my next 5 gallons of sap (I still have 35 gallons out on the front porch waiting the pot!), I baked a cranberry nut bread, fixed dinner, and cleaned up the kitchen. The dog finally got clipped this morning (in the kitchen for easy clean-up) and the floors were vacuumed (because the dog fur got everywhere!). So there goes my writing space.

     Speaking of sap, my last 15 gallons of sap produced approximately 40 ounces of maple syrup. That makes 160 ounces of maple syrup or 1.25 gallons! Wow!!! I have arrived!

     I attended a committee meeting this afternoon for the Greater Rochester Visitors Association on web 2.0 applications. By the time I got back to the Inn, RJ had finished the Stewart’s bathroom and returned to the little house to see if I could get a few things finished before dinner.

     Now it’s going on 10:00 PM, and I’m just sitting down now to write. I have travel article deadlines to meet; I’m getting emailed from the contributors for our book that need responses and well as the day-to-day email; and I still have a newsletter and brochure to finish. Michael (oh, wonderful webmaster) said he will put my brochure and newsletter on the web so anyone can download it from the site. He is so clever. What would I do without him?

     It looks like the dining room may be my space. It’s quiet, spacious, good lighting, a large sliding glass door that overlooks Spring Creek (I have the some of the water going over the falls – very inspirational) and close to the kitchen so I can get my tea. I think I may just move my reference books into the bookcase in this room along with a few “my things” to help me focus and write. Hmmmm... This may actually work. I think tomorrow after I finish my Inn work, I’ll try out this space in the afternoon and see how it goes.