Where I write in our new home in Panama is a cluttered desk right now! Hello, again, this is Larada Horner-Miller, participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge for the month of January, day 2! I have written ten books and three cookbooks and have recorded three audiobooks. I’m working on book eleven!
Why My Desk is Cluttered?
When my husband, Lin, and I moved to Panama, we consolidated our office space into one spare bedroom, so our desks face each other. He has a view of the back yard where he can watch the birds. I have a view of the front area of the compound we live in, seeing anyone who come to visit. Sometimes I have trouble focusing because he thinks we are in the same room makes me available to talk when what I need is quiet. But we manage!
Yes, my desk is cluttered! It’s been that way my whole life. When I was teaching, my teammate had a nice clean desk; I had stacks. She marveled at how she could come in, ask for a paper and I knew exactly where it was.
Still Cluttered!
So, here years later, its’ still cluttered. Sitting to the left of me, I have the proof copy of my new book, Time Measured Out!: Navigating Lifes’ Journey Through Poetry, sitting besides me. I just went through it and made the corrections on the computer I needed to make. I will update the paperback copy on KDP.com.
Also, I have my book, Was It a Dream?, book one of the five-book series stacked under Was It a Dream?. I needed that out to make sure to lay out my second book in the series, Time Measured Out! to be identical to the first.
Also, I have out all the paperwork I had for my Hair on Fire Book Launch to compare it to my recent book launch for statistics and names of book promoters.
Because we live in the tropics, I have my good camera out on my desk, ready to take pictures—mostly birds—whenever the occasion pops up.
At the recent Christmas parade, I bought a doll small dress that looks like the dresses some of the native women wear here. It’s purple, red and turquoise, and really makes me smile when I saw.
My Technology
My iMac desktop computer sits as queen of the desk. I brought it from the states with me in one of my three suitcases. Carefully, I packed it with lots of clothes for cushion and it arrived safe and sound. I couldn’t imagine doing the layout for my new book without it. I love the big screen and the space it allows to open programs side-by-side! Also, it’s great to watch football games on when Lin and my teams play at the same time, like what’s going to happen on Sunday!
Our shared printer sits next to my desk on top of a file cabinet for me. The printer has issues—sometimes it prints; sometimes it doesn’t. When it prints, it’s a great printer, but we never know.
At this point, the file cabinet doesn’t hold a lot. I have some folders I brought from the states, but I’m allowing room to grow!
To my left, I have my laptop on a folding table. For many years, I have been a two-computer person. I use the laptop when I travel and at different times in the living room while I’m watching TV. I love my laptop!!
Desk Necessities Don’t Count for Being Cluttered
The rest of my desk is cluttered with desk necessities: a hole puncher, stapler, and scotch tape dispenser. Also I have a cup of pens and scissors. Right in front of me, I have a stack of relevant papers: the Ultimate Blog Challenge calendar, Book Launch checklist and directions.
And one final super-special item: every year for about the last twenty-five years, I have created a Horner calendar for our family. I don’t have a cork board up yet, so my 2025 & 2026 calendars on sitting here in front of me, folded in half, just showing the month, but they make this home for me. Last week, I bought a small cork board, so when we get it up, I will love being able to see my calendar up.
Yes, I thrive with a cluttered desk, surrounded by papers and things important to me. How do you do with clutter?
My Newest Books
Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 – $.99 for limited time
Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE
Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book or $3.99
Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99
Buy My Audio Books:
This Tumbleweed Landed
Let Me Tell You a Story
Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook
I also have a cluttered desk! The funny thing is, if I clean it I can’t find anything! I think as creative people we just do well with clutter. Thanks for posting this. I know now I am not the only one!
Good morning. Thanks for commenting. Now I know I’m not alone!
Sorry about the delay in responding. Yes, we think alike!🫶🏻