Back to school is hard. I feel like the children do, apprehensive and unsure. Summer is ending. The crickets are telling me so. During this transition, the place that grounds me is my porch.
On my porch, I’m still part of the outside. I fully understand the term Mother Nature. Yes, nature is my mother. She calms me. More importantly she makes me see the good.
When night falls, my porch is even better. Like the child who has played outside all day, I’m now under the covers, feeling deeply.
I listen to the crickets, hear the sound of a distant train whistle. I am filled with goodness, and memories. There is wood everywhere. Wood, like my cabin at summer camp many years ago. Wood and old furniture. There’s a dry sink that has been in my family for ages. It’s 200 years old. There’s a table that has been in Hubby’s family for 100 years. There’s a cabinet that my father and Hubby made together from wood that was over 200 years old.
Old means beautiful and memories and stories, and furniture that is so well made it can be on a porch. It means my family is always here. Perhaps that is why my porch grounds me.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
I would love to have lived in a house with a porch. All my life I have seen American porches, and wondered why nobody ever had them in England.
Best wishes, Pete.
That’s so curious why people don’t have porches in England. I can understand why you would love to have had one. Some porches here are completely open to the outside, except for a roof. Others are fully screened, like mine, or glassed in. Come and sit on my porch with me anytime! 🙂 Best to you, Pete.
what a lovely place for so many reasons. and here’s to your school having a peaceful transition back into learning.
Thank you, Beth! ❤️
What a beautiful spot to just be . . . .
It really is, Pam, just to ‘be’. Thank you!
You are so precious!! Thank you for sharing (part of) the grounding of your life. You ARE surrounded by so much love on your porch. Happy for you!
That is so nice, Ren. Thank you! 😍
You are more than welcome, Jennie!
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Beautiful. I am building a new house and I definitely want a closed in patio so I can be outside late at night and not worry about mosquitoes. I love the sounds of night.
Thank you! I would recommend screen panels that go floor to ceiling. You will not be disappointed. The sounds will carry and you won’t have mosquitos. Best place, ever! Thank you.
looks wonderful Jennie. Looks like you’re in the midst of nature. Have a good return to school!
I really am in the midst of nature. Lucky me! Thank you, Opher.
What a wonderful porch. A great place to read, or sit and contemplate. xo
Absolutely! When it gets cold, I put on my fuzzy bathrobe and warm slippers, and I’m all set. 🙂
What a cozy place. I love the big windows for this time of year, and the wood inside that gives it a warm feeling in the evening. Lovely spot! Best of luck with your new batch of kiddies. They are in for such a treat with all the chapter stories and other books this year.
Thanks so much, Anneli. I think so, too. 🙂 I have “Charlotte’s Web” ready to go next week.
Yay! I love that book and so do the kids!
Wonderful!! 😀
I can understand why you spend so much time on your porch, Jennie. The windows let in so much light! It looks like the perfect spot to read, spend some alone time, or to socialize with friends.
Exactly! The best part is no windows at all, just floor to ceiling screen panels.
Such a lovely and homey place!! 🙂🙂
Thank you!
A beautiful porch, Jennie. It is always nice to be surrounded by old wood and mother nature.
Exactly, John! Thank you.
It’s funny. Here in the UK a porch is a small enclosed area in front of the front door!
Good luck with School 💜💜💜
We have plenty of those here, too. And side porches, and back porches. Thanks, Ritu! 😍
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What a lovely place it is. Best of luck with your study.
Thank you!
Such a peaceful ‘grounding’ – so glad you have this.
I feel the same way, Laura. Thank you.
I love my front porch too. That’s why I bought this trailer. It had a huge front porch unlike any others. It invites the neighbors up for a visit and you can watch the trees blow in the breeze. They are the best thing ever designed. Are they actually opening up schools there? Hope you get to see your kids again.
I’m glad you have a big porch! Nothing beats listening to the wind or the birds, or watching a sunset. And yes, it is inviting for neighbors. School openings are a mixed bag. Most public schools have children in school two days and distance learning two days each week. That cuts the class size in half. They’re not opening till mid September. My school is opening next week (teachers came this week) with smaller classes and a gazillion guidelines. Keeping children six feet apart and wearing masks will be a challenge. Stay tuned!
I’ve always wanted a porch, but of the two houses, I’ve owned not one has had one! Your porch and furniture sound so beautiful and lovely.
I feel very lucky to have a porch. Thank you, Deborah.
I love your porch. Porches have always been a special part of my life as well. Yours reminds me of the one at my grandparents’ cottage in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
How lovely! There’s nothing new on my porch, which is just the way I like it. I bet your grandparents felt the same way. I’m glad porches are special to you, too.
Yes, the porch was furnished from the Nova Scotia farmhouse where my grandmother grew up.
That is wonderful!
Yes, it was!
I hope all goes well at school, Jennie. And you always have that lovely porch to come home to…
Thank you so much, Becky. 🙂
It looks like a lovely place to be! How lucky you are to have such a space – though I do know the joy of having possessions handed down through the family. I have several embroideries from my great grandmothers on both sides – my favourite being my great-great-grandmother’s sampler that she stitched aged 10 in 1866…
How wonderful to have those possessions! I do feel lucky to have that space. Best to you, Sarah. 🙂
And you, Jennie. And all the best with the new class, and have a lovely term with them:).
Many thanks, Sarah!
It looks so comfortable and inviting, Jennie. I can see why you retreat to it. Good luck on the new (and different) year.
Thanks so much, Dan. It’s my favorite room in the house. And I will take all the good luck you can give. Haha! 🙂
Such a beautiful piece of writing Jen…. Your porch along with Mother Nature so comforting .. Would love to hear those crickets making themselves heard in the background…. ❤ love and Hugs my friend
Thank you, Sue. It is my oasis for all the reasons you say. Our senses are a trigger to our heart. As soon as I hear the train whistle or smell the flowers, I am swallowed in good feelings. Love to you. 😍
Beautiful.. Keep in that Feel Good Zone my friend ❤
I will, Sue. Thank you! 😍
What a perfect porch. It sounds lovely.
Thank you, Shoes. Best room in the house!
Very lovely!
Thank you so much!
beautiful post-and thqt porch is beautiful!
Thank you, Michele!
I totally get it. 🙂 And I know how many are torn with indecision about sending kids or not. Good luck and please stay safe. ❤
Many thanks, my friend. 😍
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the feel of a good porch where you are both inside and outside. It sort of like the poem halfway down… your not in or out… your halfway
Yes!! Thank you.
Very well worded, bringing out lots of emotions and meanings..if one reads deeper! Enjoy the porch, looking outside to the green, looking inside to memories.
Well said, Veena. Thank you!
Sounds and looks like wonderful, Jennie! A great place to rest, and honestly your posting sounds like from another world, without this hectic and “just in time” mood. Best wishes, Michael
Thank you, Michael!
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