When I was in the 7th grade, we read a short story about the
evolution of the front porch, including the role it had played in American culture. I realized there in Mrs. Meeks reading class that I had discovered a
SYMBOL FOR SOMETHING I HELD DEAR ~
the art of passing time with family and close friends...the JOY of CONNECTING with others. Ah, the FRONT PORCH!
My Memaw, Papaw, and sweet Aunt Mable who lived next door to them had influenced me with our times on the porch of shelling peas in the summer & picking out pecans in the winter. Their porch was a place you 'visited' with friends -- something most people don't do enough of these days.
"Come out here and visit with me," Papaw would say...or
"Come sit a spell," Aunt Mable would chime in.
In a world of texts and IM's, facebook posts and tweets, and yes, even blogging, we've gotten away from spending time with those we love...from catching up with each other.
Through the years since junior high,
I've become huge fan of porches. I love to see a porch decorated with a little personality - it truly makes my heart smile. I've collected house plan books featuring front porches and dreamed of owning a home with a big front porch, a place where I couldn't wait to crack open the door, embrace a friend and say,
"Welcome, come on in!"
So, this blog has been inspired from the welcome feeling a porch creates....to the JOY OF WELCOMING friends and all of those who warm our hearts.
LET'S MEET HERE ON MY FRONT PORCH AND VISIT A WHILE....LET'S SHARE IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE CAN WELCOME OTHERS INTO OUR HOMES...OUR HEARTS...OUR LIVES.
Welcome FRIENDS! LET'S SIT A SPELL!
