The Wash House

When Dramaman and I began work on the Wash House as a place to do my felting and other stuff, I was thinking of it as somewhere I might use once or twice a week.  Now that it is almost finished, I'm feeling that I will want to be there a lot more than that.  Cleaning up the dusty, damp, cluttered shed, getting rid of rubbish and dirt, unblocking and bleaching the old sinks, has been enjoyable and rewarding.  I can see so much potential for it as an inspiring place to work.  I've also had to face up to the reality of problems with my right knee, which has meant the decision this week to stop driving until I've had further surgery.  I was feeling quite down about it, as I do like the freedom my car gives me, but am beginning to see it now in a positive light.  It will save money on petrol.  My younger daughter can use it.  It gives me a good excuse to avoid going places unless I really want to.....

It also gives me the opportunity to spend more time doing constructive work at home.  Last winter when my knee got bad, I fell into the trap of daytime television, sloth and over-eating.   It was just too easy to go from bed to sofa and back to bed again.  So I've done a re-think of how I spend my days.  Coming downstairs in the morning and using the dining room means I get the kitchen tidied up, washing done etc. ready to start work, either in the house, writing the war memoir, or in the Wash House, making and felting.  I can take a break to play the piano (hoping to solve the problem of getting to my lessons by using Skype!) or have a coffee or some lunch.  If I have a client or a friend comes to visit, I'm there to answer the door.   I've re-located the broadband router from the top floor, which means I can get online in the Wash House! 

So lots of good stuff to look forward to this winter.  Still haven't completed my Open Studios application, as I need a photo of me in my studio, but this week should get us to the point where we can dress the place up and take the picture.  I've put up an actual washing line with things on it (fabric pieces and a Victorian nightshirt) to screen off the storage area.  There's also a mirror from a Nearly New sale (for trying on jewellery and scarves) and my display boards which I used for drama performances and presentations, which will be useful for showing off finished pieces.  Once the shelves are up, I'll use them to store merino roving, beads and so on.

There is something about having the right physical environment for working and living.  Keeping things clean and tidy, feeling warm, having colour and texture around you, helps create and maintain a sense of self-worth and well-being, a theme which is coming up in my clinical work just now.  I used to see clients at my old house in what the family called 'Mum's Therapy Shed'.  Maybe the Wash House is my own therapy space!

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