I’m an early riser, and an owner of two rescue parrots, so breakfast for me is around 4 am. With no commute, in Summer I can spend some time playing with my parrots (In winter they keep different hours to maximise the sunshine, so breakfast for them is a sliding scale depending on the time of year). Pidgeon likes to join me in the kitchen to watch me make him his breakfast salad, and steal all the good bits before Sam. Thankfully, they enjoy different foods, so Sam’s best bits are still in his bowl.

I like to start work early, so I’m often at my desk before 6 am. And I usually just pick up whatever I’ve left strewn across my desk from the day before. Paper sculpture making takes several days and many processes, so I’m often in the middle of making a batch of owls or garden birds. Occasionally my desk is clean and tidy, in which case I’ll have a new design to start. That, or I need the space for screen printing, or wreath making. I spend the morning working under my massive window. I love to hear the birds and watch the clouds. I also love it when it rains, as it gets rather loud on the roof. It’s such a therapeutic noise.

Eventually I will hear some discontented squawking from the room next door, and that tells me it’s noon and my rescue parrots are ready to play. It’s also an excellent reminder to feed and water myself, as I’m likely to forget without their input. Parrots like a schedule, and their ability to tell the time is uncanny. Am I a grown woman who relies on her pets to remind her it’s meal time? Yes. I like a lazy dinner time. I have pets to play with, and I need to stretch my legs, so this is a good time for any errands, or to just be outside in the garden for a moment.

Early afternoons are spent at the computer. I have two desks, because I’m precocious and enjoy having a making desk and a business planning/doodling station. Desk number two is in the parrot room, so they can be free and get up to all sorts of mischief while I’m working. I usually have photographs to sort for my website shop and social media. I might watch a webinar from The Design Trust to learn some business skills I can implement, which will lead to some note making and brainstorming. This time is always interrupted with Pidgeon wanting to play, and Sam wanting to sing songs or have a chat. Sam does not enjoy tickles, but he has a lot to say and knows lots of words and phrases. He’s especially fond of the Superman theme tune and Gizmo’s song from Gremlins. And he will absolutely continue to sing the first few bars forever until you sing with him. My Gizmo impression is pretty good these days. Eventually, I’ll be interrupted by Pidgeon one final time, when he dances on my laptop keys until I switch it off, whereupon I must pay the pecan toll.

And then it’s either back to my making desk, or I might have some photography to do, or some orders to pack up for customers or a gallery. And then it’s tea time.