THE POWERS OF THE PORCH...

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

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ALL OUR WOE'S...

Still raining here.

 A little more than 

just spring showers.

  I feel rather foolish

 complaining about it 

when so many are going through 

such hard times in their areas 

but living in California

 tends to spoil a person's outlook 

on the way things ought to be. 

 It is so often a matter of "sameness" 

that goes on during the year here 

and when anything is out of the norm

 we tend to freak out! 

 I am not a person 

who is in favor of winter anyway,

 and when it tends to hang on 

for longer than normal, 

it seems to become a big problem.

  

OK, now,

 enough of my woes!

Here he is, showing his new "do", and his "whatever" pose

Kai 

went to the beauty shop last week.

  Since the groomer happens to be 

in his vet's office, 

we had her check out Kai's teeth.

 He was softly whining a lot

 over the week before and 

wouldn't eat one of his harder treats 

that he truly loves. 

 Before we left the office,

 he was scheduled for 

a day of dentistry!

They kept him all day 

and we picked him up 

just before closing time.  

He still wasn't fully awake 

so we had to carry him 

to the couch...

He had all of his front teeth, 

top and bottom, removed, 

only leaving a few in the very back.

 Because of the lack of front teeth 

it is hard for him to lap water and 

to keep his tongue in his mouth.

 He is slowly getting the hang of 

the water thing,

 but I guess there is no help for

 keeping the tongue where it belongs.

 He still is hopeful, though, 

that he will be able to eat

 his hard treats! 

But, his woe is: maybe not! 

It is amazing

 how a dog's determination 

is so strong.

He is feeling much better now 

and the stand off 

for the sun spots 

continues...

...and speaking of 

a dog's determination: 

the winner is! 

The little Birdie 

seems to have no woes.

Last week I showed the 

beautiful Cecil Brunner rose bush...

Here it is today,

 a symbol of

 all our woes.

In honor of the men and women 

who have fought for us. 

 We owe them so much and 

are so appreciative of 

their continued service to our country.

  Thank you all.

...Judy...

P.S.
 I started writing this post 
a few days ago,
 and in the meantime,
 we have had a couple of
 beautiful, sunny days...

...so wanted to give you
 a sneak preview of next week...
Oh, life is good!

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