Drop-in visitors can be the bane of the working writer. They don't mean to be, of course; and it's not like you aren't glad to see them. Sometimes they even provide you with a good excuse for a well-needed break.
Unfortunately, that's not typically how it works—in fact, it's uncanny how they invariably seem to know when you're struggling with a piece that refuses to shape up, or hard-pressed against a deadline with the clock ticking. You're desperate, exhausted, strung out from being inside your head for hours, witless and near to the point of babbling or screaming or possibly taking up a new career as a Wal-Mart greeter. That's when these unwelcome folks appear at the door.
And it should go without saying they're immune to any hint that NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR A THREE-HOUR GABFEST!
As a working writer sharing a riverbank with an array of potential drop-in guests, I also often have my creative stints interrupted by the shenanigans of critters furred and feathered—like the gray squirrel above. A bushy-tailed doofus who hung headfirst off the eave of the roof and stared at me sitting at my desk staring back. I suspect we both looked a bit dumbfounded.
Notice the slack jaw, the perky ear, the beady eye. A window-peeping tree rodent if ever I saw one…and as it happens, I see this one, or his kin, quite regularly.
Nope, not really a complaint. Just thought I'd show you what I have to deal with here…
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12 comments:
Great photo! These days I'm woken from my slumber by the harsh call of grackles that hang out in my yard. In the last few days we've a had a groundhog, too, who distracts me from my work (because he/she's so cute).
There could always be worse things interrupting your work--like annoying customers!
HI GRIZZ- Great picture of your visitor!! Mr squirrel is well-intended, or perhaps he is ill-intended on being part of your day. I love that you notice, and involve, and enjoy. :-) You truly are "one with nature."
Love Gail
peace.....
p.s. two black bears were sighted less that 20 miles form here, and last year black bers were sighted just half a mile from here in the woods out back. uh-oh!!
I don't know how you ever get any work done Grizz - there is so much to look at out of your window. I do wish I could call in for coffee - it all looks so exciting.
Wow what a close-up you can see your house reflected in his eye amazing photo.
Grace…
Distractions such as this are why a two-hour writing job sometimes takes me five—not that I much mind.
Funny you should mention groundhogs…I had one pop out of its burrow yesterday while I was watering plants. Maybe ten feet away, it couldn't decide whether to be afraid of me or not, and would give me a look, creep about two yards from the hole, look at me again—whirl around and dash back into the den. This whole business was repeated a dozen times. I finally said to this goofy groundhog, "Hey, make up your mind before I drown my hostas!" Which did the trick, either because of fear or embarrassment at being criticized for indecision, because the critter dashed back into the hole and stayed there while I finished my watering job.
Gail…
Personally, I'll refrain from speculating on any squirrel's intentions…though they're generally up to no good. You may be giving me too much credit for observation as it's hard not to notice a bushy-tailed nut-gnawer three feet away when it's hanging off your roof eave like a furry icicle.
No bears here yet—though one showed up about 25 miles from here last spring. That would be a REAL distraction.
Weaver…
I don't believe I've ever claimed to be highly efficient. The truth is, I'm easily and often distracted…and enjoy every moment. Hey, I always have the coffee—but the excitement and distractions come when they come, unscheduled. You'd enjoy the view and river and scarlet cardinals, however. I can all but guarantee redbirds galore anytime between daylight and dark.
AfromTO…
Well, huh…you're right—you can see part of the east side of the cottage. That white line on the left is my gravel walk; the river would be beyond, and the top of the eye image is showing sky. That's my writing-room window in the center. Close? I'm literally about three feet away.
As to interrupting guests -sometimes I put up a sign when painting "shhh working"or"please don't disturb"that might be an idea for your front door.As to the animals I don't think they can read.
I don’t think I have ever been that close to a squirrel. I have tried to take them at the birdbath and the bird feeder but through my window and with a little lens I don’t get very good results. I just published a post and included the snake that I saw a while back. It moved quickly and I did not get its head, but maybe you can tell me what type it is? Your pictures are truly outstanding.
AfromTO…
[Forgive the delay. I finally got back to my desk an online.]
I don't think most people view writing as a real job. "Why, there's no labor involved! You just send off stories and get paid. That's not work." Moreover, my friends aren't the sort who'd believe such a sign actually applied to them, anyway…and as you point out, squirrels don't read.
Vagabonde…
[Forgive the long delay—I haven't been online or at my desk for several days.]
Your snake is almost certainly a black rat snake—a very beneficial snake to have around. Black rats are harmless (unless you're a mouse) and quite docile, often captured and kept as pets. If, say, a local park district or outdoor center has a snake they take around to schools and such for kids to handle, it's usually a black rat. They get quite large, upwards of 10 feet, and are arguably the longest snake in North America.
The squirrel in this pix hanging off the roof is literally 5 feet from my keyboard. But almost every day, they sit on the window ledge, which is at desk level and maybe 2-1/2 feet from the keyboard, and stare in at me with beady dark eyes and nose pressed against the glass. Sometimes they stand upright, scratch and tap at the window, and make it impossible to concentrate. I have to shoo them off to get any work done. My windows are deep-set and fairly free of glare must of the time. Believe me, regardless of the camera, you could get your close-up shot here, no problem.
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