This is a second chapter on the foibles of my family room desk and writing corner with a little illustration to indicate only too clearly the dearth of good housekeeping which too often invades that particular space.
(Editor – a link to the first chapter is at the end of this one).

However, the new year has brought about a few changes; I was going to say improvements, but that’s not exactly the right word in every case. When last year’s computer of a certain age (known to me and a few in the loop as ‘Alvin VI’ ),  seemed to be forgetting a lot of what I’d told him and displaying certain antics which contributed nothing to my deathless prose, I took the leap to Windows 10 and all new accoutrements thereto.  Perhaps Alvin VII is still struggling through his orientation, but there are mornings when he’s living dangerously as my new desk corner companion.

I do have to give Al VII credit though, for forcing me to attend to several neglected corners of my corner below working level. In order to proceed, the heavy tomes on the top bookshelf had to be removed … that lineup was edging toward an edge disaster at either end, bookends notwithstanding. The books took up temporary residence on the family room loveseat. A superfluity of refences were immediately noticed and weaned from the lineup … Windows 97, 98, XP, 7  … ‘visually’ or not they need not be referred to again.

Here are the volumes that made the cut and returned to their top shelf priority … Webster’s New World Dictionary (there’s a tale in itself), Roget’s Theaurus, Bartlett’s Quotations, and a selection of well worn books collected hither and yon. These latter volumes are of emergency importance, for when a column looms and the mind is blank, they offer tidbits on half the subjects known to man, and with the right one, I can weave it into a story of my own experience.

The only way to accommodate new Al’s umbilicals was to haul the whole desk/bookcase structure out of its corner. I don’t have to describe the furry little creatures who, whether in field or indoor corner, multiply ad infinitum when left undisturbed in a suitable environment. The vacuum performed yeoman service, my expert helper actually eliminated one power bar from the melange, and the decks were clear for Al VII’s coronation.

But the throne was not quite ready; desk’s drawers and cubbyholes were agitating (me!) for equal time, and more look, throw, and dusting was performed. Things were looking pretty efficient, so with all in place I took some moments to sit in my wheely chair and simply admire … and remember.

I remembered telling my husband, when he asked, that what I wanted for my birthday was a really good dictionary; he let me know that my request was the most ridiculous birthday gift he’d ever heard of … but he wandered the aisles with me till I chose the fading, dog-eared one that sits on the top shelf to this day.

Above the letter-writing\daydreaming section of my desk is the wall covered with photos and paintings of every size and quality, but each with a message and happy/sad thoughts and memories. One monochromatic painting of an elegant feather (read quill) lying across a section of beach rocks is a gift from an east coast friend giving me the nudge to “…write the book…”. That endeavour is still locked into ‘the list’. Several of the framed ‘works of art’ on the picture wall serve as handy edges on which to tape clippings of life-changing (at the moment) events.

Laid open to whatever page on one of the ‘addendum’ bookcases, is the giant ‘Oxford Universal Dictionary’ – given to me by a friend from his own library.  Most people, at first glance, take it for the family bible!

Now Al VII has done today’s duty for his new home, and although he can still be belligerent at times, we’re learning to listen to each other and I can only hope he’ll become as happy with my desk corner as I am.

( Editor – click Here to read the first chapter).

Nancy Whelan
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