Retirement, Simple Living, and Me: The Power of the Porch

I didn't grow up in a porch sitting kind of family. My house was ranch style and while we had what would pass as a patio, there was not a porch. You know the kind that had a railing and a place for a swing. I'm talking about that kind of porch.

I do a lot of porch sitting now, however. Well, technically it's a deck with a screened in part that we call "the porch", but it certainly serves the purpose.

It's my firm belief that porch sitting is essential to my physical and mental well being. For me, it is a place to eat breakfast or lunch, read, write, daydream, watch the birdies taking a bath, watch the pups stalk squirrels, and simply "take the sun".

My mother-in-law recently passed away. While thinking of what I could say at the funeral service, aside from the fact that she was a sweet and supportive mother to her three sons and a "non-invasive" mother-in-law to me and her other daughters-in-law, the main thing that came to my mind was that she was definitely an accomplished porch sitter.

In fact, I learned everything I know about porch sitting from her.
When I first met her, the house she lived in had two porches, one upstairs and one downstairs. The house sat on a wooded lot and the view, from both porches, was of trees, wildflowers, and the occasional owl or black squirrel. 

When she moved to Texas the first house she lived in had a front porch, the kind with the railing and rockers, and morning glory growing all over the place. I loved spending time on that porch for sure! There was also a deck in the back with the perfect amount of potted plants, comfortable chairs, and plenty of room for family to gather.

But my favorite porch was the one of the last house she lived in before moving to an assisted living apartment. This was the one that had access not only from the living area, but also had access from her bedroom! French doors opened up to a covered patio. It was a perfect spot in the early morning to enjoy tea and toast while watching the hummingbirds go by. It also was an enjoyable place to enjoy a glass of wine on a warm summer evening.

Now by some strange coincidence , one of the top items on my house hunting wish list has always been to have a house with access to a porch from the bedroom. I know, you're probably thinking, what a full and interesting life you have led! 

When we were house hunting some fifteen years ago now, we happened upon, you guessed it, a house with a bedroom that had access to a deck! The minute I walked into the room, I turned to the hubby and said, "go make an offer". Which he did and the rest as they say "is history". 

Anna enjoys some reading time in great grandma's rocking chair,
while Gracie takes some time to squirrel watch.

That's it for now.
Check back later!