Hey Everyone,
I heard a sermon once about the increasing isolation of American families -- specifically, the fact that what used to be the front porch has now moved to the back of the house, because everyone wants a private space of their own.
Porches are now facing the backyard, not the street, and solid, opaque fences, not chain link or anything that can be seen-through, help to enforce the growing "Go Away" and Keep Out" vibe.
I was recently paging through a magazine about restoring and remodeling old houses. I came across the "before" and "after" pictures of a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian (my favorite style!), but was heart broken -- because it's charismatic front porch had been removed.
I grew up in the Northern USA, and I was trying to think of whether I saw many houses with front porches in the north -- a few, yes, but mostly in older areas, and not in the suburbs where I lived. (There also seemed to be mostly brick houses, which I no longer see anymore either.)
Now I have to admit: I probably love the IDEA of a front porch a whole lot more than I would actually find in having one. I'm sure the maintenance (scrubbing, sanding, painting, and polishing) wouldn't be very much fun. And to be completely honest, as an introvert and a single woman, I wouldn't be very keen over strangers coming on up to my house, plopping down, and making themselves right at home.
But there's just something so romantic and beautiful about a front porch. I guess I've always pictured it as a Southern (USA) thing, with rocking chairs or a porch swing and a fresh pitcher of lemonade.
These days, it feels more like a myth, as I'm surrounded by apartments and it's rare to see houses at all, let alone ones with a cozy, inviting front porch.
What about you?
* How do you feel about porches?
* Do you have one? Do you prefer a front or back porch, and why? (Does anyone have cookouts on front porches?)
* Would you prefer to buy a house with a front or back porch, or no porch at all?
* What do think are the best uses for a porch? Or what do you think makes a good substitute (the living room?) if you don't have one?
C'mon over and sit for a spell! Pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade or iced tea, and pay tribute to an American classic -- Grandma's front porch!
Uh oh... I'm sure this will spark another heated debate: "Does Pink Lemonade Count as REAL Lemonade?!"
But that's another debate for another time.
Right now, let's all talk about that lovely front porch we're all going to be drinking that lemonade on!
I heard a sermon once about the increasing isolation of American families -- specifically, the fact that what used to be the front porch has now moved to the back of the house, because everyone wants a private space of their own.
Porches are now facing the backyard, not the street, and solid, opaque fences, not chain link or anything that can be seen-through, help to enforce the growing "Go Away" and Keep Out" vibe.
I was recently paging through a magazine about restoring and remodeling old houses. I came across the "before" and "after" pictures of a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian (my favorite style!), but was heart broken -- because it's charismatic front porch had been removed.
I grew up in the Northern USA, and I was trying to think of whether I saw many houses with front porches in the north -- a few, yes, but mostly in older areas, and not in the suburbs where I lived. (There also seemed to be mostly brick houses, which I no longer see anymore either.)
Now I have to admit: I probably love the IDEA of a front porch a whole lot more than I would actually find in having one. I'm sure the maintenance (scrubbing, sanding, painting, and polishing) wouldn't be very much fun. And to be completely honest, as an introvert and a single woman, I wouldn't be very keen over strangers coming on up to my house, plopping down, and making themselves right at home.
But there's just something so romantic and beautiful about a front porch. I guess I've always pictured it as a Southern (USA) thing, with rocking chairs or a porch swing and a fresh pitcher of lemonade.
These days, it feels more like a myth, as I'm surrounded by apartments and it's rare to see houses at all, let alone ones with a cozy, inviting front porch.
What about you?
* How do you feel about porches?
* Do you have one? Do you prefer a front or back porch, and why? (Does anyone have cookouts on front porches?)
* Would you prefer to buy a house with a front or back porch, or no porch at all?
* What do think are the best uses for a porch? Or what do you think makes a good substitute (the living room?) if you don't have one?
C'mon over and sit for a spell! Pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade or iced tea, and pay tribute to an American classic -- Grandma's front porch!
Uh oh... I'm sure this will spark another heated debate: "Does Pink Lemonade Count as REAL Lemonade?!"
But that's another debate for another time.
Right now, let's all talk about that lovely front porch we're all going to be drinking that lemonade on!
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