A Writing Shed

I am dreaming of a writing shed set in a shady part of our yard where two majestic oaks once stood before a storm toppled them like giant dominoes. I imagine the shed having two barn-style doors  I would open wide when writing at my desk. Sitting there, I can hear songbirds who nest in our yards many trees and shrubs. I hear water running over rocky riverbeds before dropping into deeper pools from three ponds near the greenhouse. Cisco and Finn, two Golden Retrievers who roam the property come by to check on me from time to time. If nothing more interesting is going on, they lie on the rug under my desk or stretch out on the front porch waiting to see if I throw them something to retrieve.

Windows on each side of the shed allow morning and evening sunlight to stream in, and I watch as the light moves across the rough-hewn Barnwood floors throughout the day. On breezy days, the light creates ever-changing shadow art patterns along the shed walls.

 The exterior paint is bright white with a black trim to match the main house. An oriental rug in varying shades of blue lies underneath my desk and extends several feet beyond the dimensions of the desk in each direction. The desk is an old farmhouse kitchen table made of pine, and its chair is an antique wooden swivel chair with spindle back, and wheels that roll quietly on the rug.

 Several shelves mounted to a wall behind the desk hold artifacts found in the yard with my metal detector. One of the shelves holds some of my favorite books. A modern LED task light provides a concentrated pool of white light in the center of the writing desk. The light aids me when writing in my journal or reading a book. A wooden cigar box containing my collection of pens sits on one corner of the desk.

Several paintings of oil on canvas hang on the walls depicting landscape scenes with dramatic skies. In one corner, a wood-burning stove with decorative soapstone panels sits atop brick pavers and raised tin tiles provide a protective heat shield against the wall — the stovepipe standing straight exits through the ceiling and roof. Next to the stove, a copper container loaded with split wood and tall matches in a decorative cardboard cylinder. Several large pinecones dipped in cinnamon-scented wax are scattered across the top of the wood, and used as starters.

 In front of the shed, a wooden deck with two rockers extends the width of the shed and has a step up from the cobblestone path leading to the entrance of the shed.  The deck has a metal roof that is supported by 4×4 posts along its front. Two planters filled with herbs mounted under the front windows provide a  pleasant earthy fragrance inside the space.

 A small ceiling fan hanging from the center rafter keeps air moving on warm summer afternoons. There is a small comfortable red settee in a grouping with another upholstered chair, side table, and lamp. The lamp has a beautiful stained glass shade, and in the evening, its subdued light is a perfect complement to the space.

The cobblestone path winds through a natural area of smaller trees, wildflowers, and mulch. A narrow antique side table sits underneath a window and has a propane cook-stove, several of my favorite ceramic cups, a French press, and a variety of teas. The view from the front porch is to the west across the yard facing the greenhouse with a long view of the polo field and a corner of sky where spectacular sunsets perform each evening.