Because muddle disturbs my wa, I like a dedicated work space — the study or the basement, or (for big , time-limited tasks) the music room/library. That way, I always have somewhere to sit, and I can offer someone a cup of tea without apologizing. Task materials deployed in an official work space are not “put away”, so they’re not out of mind even if out of sight.

Cats take up less space than most dogs, but they interfere with work even more effectively. Watson and Isobel both insist on climbing into my lap when I’m at my desk, and Watson is so big that he slides off if I don’t hold him with at least one arm. I hate to think how many choir newsletters were typed one-handed while Watson rammed his head into my chin.