Shootin' the Breeze

We've been doing a whole lotta front-porch-sittin' this week. Grandaddy Norton is with us for several days while Ken's sister takes a much-needed vacation. Ken is shuttling him back and forth so that he can sleep in his own bed at night. Funny, how old age really does reverse the process...often, our parents eventually become our children, and then they become the infants. Sometimes we get lucky and die with our boots on, but maybe not as often as the alternative. I'm guessing that all of it is has something to do with sanctification. The temptation is to get crabby, and it takes a lot of resolute courage not to cave to our lowest common denominators. 

Thankfully, there are porches. We've had them on most of our houses. Long ago, all we had was a little stoop facing the street, maybe a 4x4 spit of concrete. We only had one baby at the time, and I'd sit there and watch him happily play in the little front yard. Wherever we've lived, the bit of porch had an important role. There's fresh air and free entertainment, even if there's no traffic. When we eventually built a house, way out in the country, we made sure the porch wrapped around the house. My morning coffee was had in our swing there, contemplating the deeper things of life and watching the wildlife while I read my Bible. The front of the house faced west, so the setting sun cooked everything to a crisp. We'd head for the back deck as the evening waned. Then we moved to our old Victorian gal in downtown Villa Rica. Right off the bat, it was obvious that folks knew how to build a porch back then. The house is oriented East-to-West, so the breeze runs straight across. When the sun sets, it doesn't scald you. We eventually installed ceiling fans, a curtain on the west side for really hot days, and party lights to get everyone in the mood. There are three different fountains bubbling, enticing folks to sit and breathe for a minute. Once you sit down, it might just be difficult to get back up. With our particular spot in town, there's always some sort of drama walking or driving by. This week, Georgia Power is sadly taking down numerous trees across the street, so we've been watching the circus. It has been slow-going and scary, with people taking their lives into their own hands. There was even a fuss yesterday between two of the workers. I guess things get a little tense, when life is on the line. 

Ken's Daddy has been entertained by all this, but we're also making the rounds with our children and grandchildren. Yesterday we had dinner with our "stoop baby" who is now 6'5" and has a wife and four babies of his own. Then there was a soccer game for the 5-year-old twins. Grandaddy laughed as he tipped backwards in his lawn chair and spilled onto the ground when Bennett came in for a big hug. I'm glad he's still got his sense of humor. We will be distracting him all week, with hopefully no broken bones. 

If you are sad or depressed, lonely or tense, find you a porch (or just a stoop) somewhere. Bring a cool drink and a friend. A dog or cat always helps, too.