This porch
has been on the job for
140 years.
Over time,
I think it has done its job well.
There are certain duties
that are demanded from
a porch
and they are:
To give a warm welcome
to all who
climb the steps...
...to offer a place
of solitude and rest...
...and all the other
numerous and varied
duties and pleasures
stated above.
There certainly are
many more pleasures
that a front porch can provide and
everyone has
their own opinions...
...for some
it is a vantage point
to oversee that all
is safe and secure...
...and, for me,
it is a place for daydreaming and
sorting out the plans for
today and beyond.
Sitting on the porch
conjures up all kinds of memories
of the ones that have
sat here before
and
what their dreams and their stories
might have been...
One of the biggest jobs of our porch
is to preside over the garden
that surrounds it.
We have had so much rain
this past winter, and
it was hard to distinguish
how the garden might survive it all.
For some reason,
I didn't think that
it had been successful, but
after a few days of sunshine and
a little elbow grease,
I can now see
the fruits of our labors.
We have not had
official summer yet,
but greenery is showing up and
buds are forming
so, I think,
there is great hope
for a robust and healthy garden.
I have snapped a few photos
(well, maybe a little more than a few)
to illustrate my point:
The old lavender
is regaining its place of honor
once again.
The old-school phlox
are covering the beds
with their thick, lush greenery,
not yet showing
their lacy white blooms...
The busy butterflies are appearing...
...and the California poppies
are sticking out of small pockets.
A simple David Austin rose,
in the dappled sunlight,
lingers under the covering of...
...a tangle of
green trees and bushes
that are hiding places for
the birds that sing
their whispery little songs that
accompany our porch rocking.
I have heard
that a frog in the garden
will ward off any evil tricksters
that might dare to intrude
so the porch is prepared.
Tiny buds of hydrangeas are showing up,
ferns are intermingling and
the valerian is now making its move
to invade more cracks and crevices
around the garden.
Because the old-school phlox
is so invasive in the garden beds,
we added a trio of barrels
filled to the brim with
coreopsis, zinnias and snapdragons.
Even some nasturism seeds
are tucked in and...
...Chinese Lanterns
are coming up showing the white blossom
that will be a nice addition
to the fall garden, and
the pretty pink blossoms
of the spirea
are showing off against
the bright green of their foliage.
Under the Crepe Myrtle tree
is a foundation of
valerian, ivy, grasses and jasmine
all tumbling over each other,
showing the lack of skill
of the resident gardeners,
but looking almost
perfect regardless.
Last summer,
we took a bit of lawn away and
added bark, under the lilac bush,
to make a tiny spot for
resting in the garden.
The little bistro set and umbrella
has since been gifted to
Jake and Jacenda
for their little spot of garden and
we have replaced it with...
...two perfectly comfortable
plastic chairs
that match the feel
of the patriotic garden.
A bit of color needed
on this side of
the garden.
Soon
it will be time for the addition
of stars and stripes
in celebration of
America's birthday...
...come on by,
sit a spell,
our porch and others like it,
will be here for
another 140 years,
tending to memories of the past and
making new ones
for the future.
...Judy...
As if this post wasn't long enough,
we just got back
from the kids (a story for next week) and
I couldn't help sharing with you
my Mother's Day gift from Tami and Tim.
Perfect for the porch and
so sweet.
I just love them.
"My grandmother used to say
that the front porch
is a postcard of
all who live
beyond the door."
Alda Ellis
Sharing today with:
and
