My wife and I added a porch to our house 25 years ago. It was the best decision ever. My wife grew up on a farm with a porch and loved to sit and watch the rain or the world going by. Her Dad warned us that he had better hear the porch swing squeaking when we were sitting on it in the evening, otherwise he’d have to see what was up. I like to sit on our porch while using my computer while my cat sits with me. We added a few Amish rocking chairs to add to the experience. I guess that makes us nobodies too :)
You're right, Sean. The porch just connotes a feeling of warmth, love, safety, and security. You describe the ideal porch well. I think ferns, wicker... old rugs. The evening breeze wafting over. The morning dew glistening on the nearby shrubs. The blessed shade. And yes, watching the world go by. And yes, kisses. First kisses. Losing our porches is a real loss. It's the connective tissue of a neighborhood.
giant open window to many sights and sounds….and sometimes quiet, the night air filled with lightening bugs. My favorite porch setting was often entertaining with hummingbirds claiming their territories, wrens calling out to each other from the rhododendron, and the mighty Hogback Mountain which stood as a daily guard. Music for me was a bold rushing mountain stream. The mountain climate allowed an all day porch setting for any chosen time except in winter. Miss this…..but good to relive it through memories and good storytelling!
We have a front porch and a side porch. It depends on the weather and time of day which porch we use. My wife has a picture of us playing dominoes during a slow rain. We have spent a lot of time on our porches over the years. Maybe because of the giant trees that provide shade in the summer.
Porches are the best. And you painted a great picture of one. We have a patio and I spend hours sitting on it. But it is not the same. Every afternoon I walk my tasmanian devil around the block. I take the same walk everyday because it is fun to see how things change. I digress. Anyway everyday the same old gentleman sits on his porch and waves at me to come up --where he greets my pup with a piece of cheese or something tasty. We don't say much other than how about this weather, fall is here....but I treasure it all the same and so does my pup.
Our last two houses (1890) both had porches spanning the width of the house. Our current house (a young 24 years) also has a full width front porch and a deciding factor in its purchase. I can't prove it, but porches may be the solution to world peace.
I live in a 18 year old raised beach house that sits on a salt marsh in South Carolina. It has a porch on the street side that has a love seat, two rockers and a built in fan. The back of the house has a big porch overlooking the marsh. There there six rockers in the screened in area and a table and BBQ on the open area. We sit on the back porch to watch thunder storms and water spouts. We sit in the screened in section so we can be slaves to our cats.
That sounds wonderful. You are lucky, and so are your cats. My porch is barely large enough for a small bench and some plants, but I can still read there.
You must not be from SC. Here it's called a grill, not a BBQ. That's something we eat :)
Unlike NYC where honking your horn, which is against the law there, is a ritual, in rural Tenn. we always wave and never ever honk the horn. I miss Tenn.
Sean, contrary to your information. and according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, about 65% of new American homes are built with a front porch, up from 42% a quarter-century ago.
I’m happy to know that front porches aren’t dying. They are too valuable! Best way I know of to interact with our neighbors!
My wife and I added a porch to our house 25 years ago. It was the best decision ever. My wife grew up on a farm with a porch and loved to sit and watch the rain or the world going by. Her Dad warned us that he had better hear the porch swing squeaking when we were sitting on it in the evening, otherwise he’d have to see what was up. I like to sit on our porch while using my computer while my cat sits with me. We added a few Amish rocking chairs to add to the experience. I guess that makes us nobodies too :)
Love a porch swing!
So it’s 6:22 pm, I’ve had my supper, ah d the dishes, cleaned up and am now enjoying the early evening on my front porch.
An 83 year old porch sitter.
Life is good.
Mac B
You're right, Sean. The porch just connotes a feeling of warmth, love, safety, and security. You describe the ideal porch well. I think ferns, wicker... old rugs. The evening breeze wafting over. The morning dew glistening on the nearby shrubs. The blessed shade. And yes, watching the world go by. And yes, kisses. First kisses. Losing our porches is a real loss. It's the connective tissue of a neighborhood.
Life on a porch is truly life! A
giant open window to many sights and sounds….and sometimes quiet, the night air filled with lightening bugs. My favorite porch setting was often entertaining with hummingbirds claiming their territories, wrens calling out to each other from the rhododendron, and the mighty Hogback Mountain which stood as a daily guard. Music for me was a bold rushing mountain stream. The mountain climate allowed an all day porch setting for any chosen time except in winter. Miss this…..but good to relive it through memories and good storytelling!
We have a front porch and a side porch. It depends on the weather and time of day which porch we use. My wife has a picture of us playing dominoes during a slow rain. We have spent a lot of time on our porches over the years. Maybe because of the giant trees that provide shade in the summer.
Porches are the best. And you painted a great picture of one. We have a patio and I spend hours sitting on it. But it is not the same. Every afternoon I walk my tasmanian devil around the block. I take the same walk everyday because it is fun to see how things change. I digress. Anyway everyday the same old gentleman sits on his porch and waves at me to come up --where he greets my pup with a piece of cheese or something tasty. We don't say much other than how about this weather, fall is here....but I treasure it all the same and so does my pup.
God made weather so we would have something to talk about!
Where might one get a Tasmanian Devil? Sounds like my kind of pet.
Just find a breeder for Jack Russells and you will come close :-D. She can also stand in for Honey Badger.
I have a little mixed terrier. He's my baby
Katybetb, that old gentleman's day is made by you and your little one. How sweet! ❤️
You had me at the title.
Our last two houses (1890) both had porches spanning the width of the house. Our current house (a young 24 years) also has a full width front porch and a deciding factor in its purchase. I can't prove it, but porches may be the solution to world peace.
I'm sitting on our front porch reading your column❤️
Awwwwwww……nice!
I live in a 18 year old raised beach house that sits on a salt marsh in South Carolina. It has a porch on the street side that has a love seat, two rockers and a built in fan. The back of the house has a big porch overlooking the marsh. There there six rockers in the screened in area and a table and BBQ on the open area. We sit on the back porch to watch thunder storms and water spouts. We sit in the screened in section so we can be slaves to our cats.
😆you have a comfy lap!
That sounds wonderful. You are lucky, and so are your cats. My porch is barely large enough for a small bench and some plants, but I can still read there.
You must not be from SC. Here it's called a grill, not a BBQ. That's something we eat :)
Grill, BBQ, same thing just different names.
My front porch faces West. It's lovely to watch the sun set as the Night rises.
We don't have a front porch, but our back patio porch faces west, so we can enjoy those beautiful sunsets, too.
We have porches up and down our street and people even sit on them occasionally. I always wave if I see someone on their porch.
Unlike NYC where honking your horn, which is against the law there, is a ritual, in rural Tenn. we always wave and never ever honk the horn. I miss Tenn.
WZy to be, Of sura!! Gives both a warm feeling.
What?! Laura. That was supposed to say, I'll bet that old gentleman looks forward to your greeting!! How sweet for you both!!
I guess that means I’m a “nobody” too👍🏼
If a man says he will do something he will. There's no need to remind him every six months. This is what Tim would say about your fishing poles.
There is nothing like a porch swing.
What is it about moving gently back and forth that synchs up with a sense of well being?
Sean, contrary to your information. and according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, about 65% of new American homes are built with a front porch, up from 42% a quarter-century ago.
I’m happy to know that front porches aren’t dying. They are too valuable! Best way I know of to interact with our neighbors!