Porches I In those days the front porches with their wicker chairs and hanging baskets of flowers became chapels of rest at the day’s end, long arms of the setting sun reaching out to us. Talk came in soft murmurs like a prayer. The children gathered from their games to sit in silence on the wooden steps. The trees were ancient guardians around us and the closing down of evening was like violet eyelids lowered over the day’s brightness. “We should light the lamps,” someone said. But who would care to spoil the quiet ritual of sundown, nightfall? Somewhere just ahead lay the ceremony of sleep. ~ Virginia Hamilton Adair, from ‘Living on Fire‘. The Southern Front Porch The porches in the south were both a welcome mat and a place to spend two hours saying goodbye after the announcement of “Its time to go!” I grew up watching my elders interact with their friends and family and I noticed that one of the most casual moments of the day was spent on the front porch. While shelling peas, mending or just relaxing and sipping tea or coffee conversations would be shared with family and, often, drop in company. There was an element of familiarity that enabled the visitor to join in the work or sit and share stories or topics of the day while just keeping company. Although most, if not all, of the women in my life worked, in those days the housework was done without most of the conveniences we have today. The routines were predictable and it was not rude to continue ironing, cooking or shelling peas on the porch while visiting with a neighbor. The work and social parts of life were intertwined. I am, in this location, going to take breaks on the proverbial “front porch” to share experiences, stories or events of the every day. Some will be from the casual to the purposeful musings that could be inspired by a visitor or the current events of the day. I hope you will join me from time to time. Have a cup of tea, coffee or lemonade and relax a bit. |
Jillian Porter
Front Porch musings from a down South girl. The Southern Front Porch The porches in the south were both a welcome mat and a place to spend two hours saying goodbye after the announcement of “Its time to go!” I grew up watching my elders interact with their friends and family and I noticed Archives
December 2020
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