This is my office. The clean side.
Thank you to my friend Karen McFarland for tagging me in her post about Inspiring Spaces!
So, I write in my office. My office has books, pictures, quotes, and so many writing utensils you might believe I’m preparing for some kind of apocalypse. Well, the kind of apocalypse where one is not SO preoccupied with survival that they may like to sit and write, or doodle, for a bit. (Perhaps, a creative apocalypse?)
Oh and there’s some ladybug stuff in my office. Because ladybugs inspire me too.
But then there’s the creative inspiration outside of the office.
The stuff that makes me curious.
A tree grows in Vermont.
And maybe plants a creative seed.
Centuries old Tulip Poplar log on Saunders-Monticello Trail in Charlottesville, VA
I love the kind of curiosity that leads to the funny
That’s dear hub checking out the poop on the Sawmill Run portion of the Appalachian Trail
I told him it was poop (aka wild animal scat) but he didn’t believe me. 🙂
But I understand wanting to take a closer look at nature.
An Appalachian Trail bee
A praying mantis on my porch
Oh and I got a curious kick out of the kids at the park who were fascinated by my hub The Fisherman
They had A LOT of questions about fishing.
Oh and there was some brain sprouting at my son’s school.
It was Family Weekend and I attended a geology class and while I’m sure that the subject is fascinating I couldn’t get over how note taking has changed in twenty years.
There were more electronics than paper and pen. Trees will be happy, but how will people survive the creative apocalypse?
Family. I find a lot of inspiration with my family.
And sometimes in a little Fro Yo. Why not?
What’s inspiring your work this week?
Happy Monday!
Coleen Patrick 
Love that bark, not the poop. I stood in Sandy’s this morning after fetching a bag for it yew! Love your working space!
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Yes! The tree log was very cool to look at up close (kids were even allowed to climb in it, so extra fun). Thanks, Catherine!
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I”ll try this again! Forgot the subtraction.
Love your photos and your office!
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Doing math on a Monday for someone is another definition of friendship! Thanks, Susie. 🙂
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I think, like you, nature is one of my greatest sources of inspiration and curiosity!
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I agree wholeheartedly! 🙂
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What a handsome family you have! Your photo of the bee is poster-worthy. There has been some research recently that seem to indicate that people retain more when they take notes with pen/pencil and paper versus with the computer/electronics, but I’m sure there will be another study soon that will contradict that. LOL!
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I’m glad to hear about this research, Teresa. At least for my work. Because I still like to jot story notes down in an actual, paper notebook. I will take memory retention however I can get it! 🙂
Thank you!
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Fabulous pictures, Coleen (as always)! It’s great you have a freeze frame of your hubby sniffing poop. 🙂
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A poop sniffing freeze frame is kind of perfect, right? 🙂
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Your office looks really friendly. I would always want to write in an office like that! I’m happy for the trees too, but I don’t know how efficient I’d be taking notes on a laptop???
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Maybe it’s my age, but I still don’t consider digital as permanent, or perhaps, safe. I much prefer actually writing in a paper notebook. For notes anyway. 🙂
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Coleen, you must have a REALLY nice camera to take close-ups of bugs like that. The bee one is fascinating 🙂 And next time, tell dear hub not to be actually picking up the questionable poop. Better NOT to touch 🙂 And your office looks divine. I’d love to see a close-up of your Seuss print! 😀 Another thing—all that note taking on an electronic notebook is dangerous ’cause if the battery runs out and there’s no way to charge it, there’s no access to the notes!
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I’m with you about the access! That’s another reason I like my notebooks. I’m still taking pictures via the camera on my phone. One of these days maybe I’ll graduate to a “real” camera. 🙂
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Your picture essay is lovely as always. You really have a gift. But, the three shots of your husband and the look on his face is priceless — “Yes, it’s poop.” How nice you could visit your son’s class. He looks a lot like you.
And, I love the soft colors in your office. It’s soothing.
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Priceless. Yes! I completely agree. Thank you, Patricia. 🙂
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With people and places like that, who wouldn’t be inspired? Your photos inspire me! Now I need to come up with something for this post, since Karen tagged me too… 😀
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Look forward to seeing what you come up with!! 🙂 Thanks, Jennette!
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What a cute post! I loved the pictures and your personal space, but most of all I agreed that curiosity often begins outside, it’s the glimpse of something we see while walking in the park, it’s a banner we see while waiting on a bus or maybe a plant or insect that makes us consider other possibilities. It’s a big world out there worth exploring. What inspires me is other women who are courageous and who defy the odds. I’m inspired by some quotes that I keep around and by pretty things that make the day much better. Thank you for sharing Coleen! Have a beautiful day.
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Yes, definitely worth exploring. I’m also very inspired by courage too. 🙂
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My desk is wherever I plant myself that has wifi. I get inspiration from everything here in NYC.
Your photos are inspiring I must say! As always.
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NYC is awesome when it comes to inspiration! Love it–and not just because one of my kids lives there. 🙂
Thanks Phil!
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Oooo. I love that tree. And your office is so cute and inspiring. I’m jealous. My daughter thinks my office is an extension of her room, and when she doesn’t want clutter, she comes and dumps it in my office (the spare room). Grrrr! Old clothes, her paint supplies and school books do not inspire me at all…except to nag at her to clean up her mess. It definitely doesn’t help me write.
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I made my hub stop the car when I saw that tree! There was just something about it. 🙂
Clutter, especially other’s clutter, definitely gets to me too. Here’s to “zen” work spaces!
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I love this! It’s amazing how much our workspace influences our creativity, isn’t it? I have been working on putting together my new office space and I’m kind of floored by how much difference a new desk or a framed piece of art makes in my state of mind!
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So true! I think, not just the space, but also just knowing we’ve attached some priority to our creativity is a big boost too. 🙂
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What’s up with the praying mantis invasion? I’ve seen 4 in the last week. I can count on one hand the number I’ve seen in the last ten years. I meant to tell you, every time I see your picture you remind me of a blonde Pam Dawber from the Mork and Mindy days:)
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Pam Dawber is a compliment! 🙂
And just looked up the symbolism of seeing a praying mantis. Apparently it’s symbolizes stillness, but also creativity! 🙂
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Great post and I am glad I side-tracked myself to see what’s up with your world Coleen. I admire your office, but I cannot take a photo of mine – it’s alive and growing – but a space of inspiration……I am behind as always at this time of the year, but making in-roads with the students (I think).. you just have to stop and sniff the roses and check out the scat – it’s gonna be a great day!
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Alive and growing sounds like a place creativity might thrive! Thanks for stopping by, Clay!
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Coleen I love your studio, I can dream. Your photo’s are beautiful. The Preying Mantis is a testament to a healthy garden, the bee is divine. The scat…. I identify from afar being on a rural property most of it is large and smelly cow pats. My children tell me it is only wet grass lol Love this magical post by the way.
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Thanks, Kath! Thankfully the scat wasn’t large and smelly. 🙂
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Love this photo essay and your office.
Thanks for bringing it to the party!
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Thanks for being the hostess with the mostess! 🙂
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Hi Coleen! You did it! Sorry to be late to the party but I’ve been sick this week. 😦
What an awesome post! Can’t tell you how much I love Lady Bugs. And…is your son adorable, or what? Yep, family is an inspiration. I’m not so sure about the poop though. I haven’t quite figured out how that might inspire me. Maybe a critter perhaps?
As always, your post was an inspiration Coleen! Thanks for participating. Love your writing space! Now back away from the sharpie! lol. ((Hugs!))
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Hope you’re feeling better, Karen! And I can’t resist a Sharpie. Don’t let me near the office supply store. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your inspiration. Popped over here from Susie’s Wild Ride. I have to say, YA fiction is actually my favorite genre of writing. It tends to deal with subjects in a much more realistic fiction than most adult writing ever could!
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Thanks for stopping by! And ok, so I’m biased, but YA fiction is my fave too. 😉
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Can I come write in your space? I especially love the photo of the praying mantis, and of course, the scat.
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Yes! There’s plenty of time when my office is free. 🙂
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Hi Coleen, Susie sent me 🙂
And I’m glad she did. I’m a writer too, and really love the set up of your site. I love that you blog about life, and have so much charm infused in this page. It’s lovely. Part of my writing life is podcasting, and you’ve inspired me with an idea for a podcast: Blogs by Writers 🙂 This is a great place to illustrate story moving beyond the pages.
So, all that to say, love the site! Catherine
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Thanks so much, Catherine! Happy you stopped by too. 🙂 I will hop on over and check out your site right now!
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Curiosity is always a great thing. It always allows us to learn new things.
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