This is Command Central

By Elizabeth Prata

I think we do enjoy seeing each other’s libraries and study nooks and workspaces. I know I do. So here is mine…

I’ve had 2 weeks off from school and I used it to rest and relax. Also to do a little re-organizing of my laptop files, clearing out dead links and checking bookmarks. I am mulling over the upcoming year’s books I want to read, topics to consider for blogs, and setting up what Bible Reading Plan and which devotional to follow (FYI I chose The MacArthur Daily Bible, Dustin Benge’s new Hearts Aflame Puritan devotional podcast, and Valley of Vision for the afternoon reading).

I have a nice apartment, for which I am extremely grateful. Like, grateful every day. Rents here in this rural area went through the roof in the last few years, and occupancy is almost 100%. We are adjacent to an SEC college city and our county has been ‘discovered’. Realtors call it “fast-growing.” Which practically no one likes, except realtors.

Despite being in a poverty area, our school system is in or near the top ten for the state. It’s a farming community and when I first learned of the farm gate take being in the hundreds of millions, well I was shocked. LOTS of farming, which means pasture after pasture with cows, horses, low roofed chicken houses. All that, combined with (now gone) lower cost of living, proximity to a mid sized city and the bucolic beauty all around, well, suburbia is here. Development is here.

Anyway, back to my apartment and my command central. Though there are several rooms, I spend most of my time in the kitchen at the kitchen table. Here is my command center I’ve created:

The laptop is the main feature, it is my music, sermons, TV, social media, and writing & photography tool. Next to that is my agate coaster, which I switch out for a granite one. I love stone. The green larger piece of round marble is the coaster I place my teapot on.

The brown mini teapot in front of the laptop is a pencil cup. Behind that is a slightly raised up shelf of books. These are the books I am currently reading or referring to for a research into a topic for the blog. And my Bible.

To the left of the pencil-cup teapot are some practical things, hygrometer to check the humidity levels and temperature, lotion for my hands, and extra bookmarks. I have tissues on the bookshelf because I always have a stuffy nose, or for sad scenes in movies, or heartfelt prayer. Also some post it notes, notepaper, and eye drops.

The only thing I don’t like is that I have the laptop cord extending from the table to the wall which is in the way on the floor. I have a lighting problem and needed some extra light for reading at night. But I didn’t want to extend more cords on the floor.

I fixed my lighting problem by getting a chargeable lamp, and a friend bought me another one I put on the right side. And last, on the silver tray is just for beauty. Flowers, flameless tea candles, and crystal holders.

I love flowers. Just love them. If I was a rich lady with a big house that had a foyer (foy-YAY) I’d have a large round oak table with marble on the top and a huge vase of ever-changing fresh flowers. (And a butler to change them out).

I usually read here at the table, but sometimes I go over to the living room and sit in my comfy chair with a handmade quilt over my lap. Everything I need is here and within reach.

For 2025 I am planning to do the same thing I’ve done for the last 18 years, work full time, write every day on the blog, read stuff, and go to church. It’s a little life but it’s a good life.

As 2025 begins, I am reminded that the Lord has been so good to me in these past years, and He will do so again in the next year. Even if whatever happens seems bad to me, it’s good. Why? because all He does is good to those who love Him, and I do love Him.