Every now and then you just have to get away from it all. But getting away from it all in this economy can be downright next to impossible. How about getting away from it all while staying exactly where you are? Impossible? Heck, I get away from it all on my back ‘porch’ every day!
I have a beautiful sunroom that is attached to the back end of my house and garage. With a solid ceiling, one plain wall (upon which I can hang all my favorite things) one wall that is mostly a sliding door into the house as well as third and fourth walls consisting of ceiling to nearly floor sliding windows and screens with a sliding door in the corner where those walls meet, I have more than enough room to disappear in comfort.
The room has blinds if I want privacy and seclusion. I’ve got my satellite TV, my DVD player, a futon (two actually), a desk, table and chairs, my mini refrigerator and my hot plate. When I step down into this room off of our living room, I’m pretty much removed from the rest of the world. Close the sliding doors, draw the curtains connecting to the house and I’m in my own private environment which is whatever I choose to make it that day. This is not to say that I don’t like to get out of the house in which I live but if I turn on my sound machine with waves crashing on the shore and the cries of sea gulls, it’s a nice temporary fix; suddenly I’m on the porch of my very own private beach house.
Turn on sounds of traffic and I’m in my New York loft. And if I turn on the deep woods setting, then I’m off in my own little country cabin in the woods. And, when desired, I can press a button and listen to a summer storm. I can disappear in there for days at a time and only come out for bathroom breaks and meals that don’t fit in the mini refrigerator (which contains mostly adult beverages). I can open all the windows and enjoy the fresh air, turn on the ceiling fan and my private mini fan and be completely comfy. At any given time I can step outside and sit in a lounge chair on the patio, make something on the grill, enjoy a bonfire or watch the local wildlife.
My backyard contains an outdoor fireplace and is mildly landscaped with a pond and rock garden with bird feeders and birdhouses galore. Everything was purchased on sale or through some other discount. I even have a small barn up on the top of the hill that was done by a private contractor who has worked for me before, and delivers quality work for reasonable prices. Stepping back into my private abode, I can watch a movie, listen to music, light candles, crack open a beer and relax or even work surrounded by beauty, comfort and convenience.
Alone but shared
If I choose not to totally hole up in my ‘environment’, I can leave the sliding doors to the living room open, but draw closed the light drapes. The dogs are free to come and go and even though I’m away from everything I’m still here if I’m needed. My significant other sometimes chooses to enjoy this environment with me but frequently chooses to leave me to my madness. This room was a pricey little addition to a beautiful house and thanks to my parents’ financial planning and forethought; it is now where we reside. The room has more than paid for itself 1000 times over and considering all of its uses, was well worth the money. It is where I choose to do my work, where I choose to relax, invite company and entertain and where I send my smoking friends to chill out in.
This ‘all season room’ is my ‘vacation for every season getaway’. It is big enough that I don’t feel claustrophobic, but small enough that it needs little to no care. It has the conveniences and comforts I require and then some. It affords me the opportunity to enjoy the out of doors while protected from its elements and bugs. Every time I step into this room, no matter what I choose to do in here, it’s a tiny little ‘vacation spot’ that I can enjoy. And I do… everyday… And it doesn’t cost me a dime that I wouldn’t ordinarily be spending. Do you have your own vacation room?