The Porch Cure (Jennifer R. Hubbard)
Our house is surrounded by trees, and we have a back porch (shady) and a front porch (partly sunny). They’re great places to sit and read. But between my day job, my writing, all the business that goes with writing, keeping up with the people in my life, and random household chores, I found myself not quite making it out there. I kept looking out there and saying, “I should get out there and enjoy this yard I spend so much time working for,” and I kept not doing it.
It finally hit me that there is ALWAYS something else to do. I will never run out of things to do. I will never get to the bottom of every list.
So this summer I made a special point of dropping everything for an hour on weekend days when I was home, and I sat out there and read. We have had many glorious days this year, dry and sunny. Even the hot days weren’t so bad when spent in the shade, lying still.
I did not bring my phone or any computer or any other gadget out on the porch. I brought my book and a glass of water. Sometimes I read, and sometimes I watched the leaves rustle in the breeze, and sometimes I watched my cat groom himself or change position as he napped.
The wind chimes rang; birds flitted past. On June evenings, just when it was getting too dark to read, the fireflies came out, flashing green.
I love taking week-long vacations away from it all. But I don’t have to save up all my tiredness for those; I don’t have to wait so long. The Porch Cure is a simple break that I can do regularly.
It finally hit me that there is ALWAYS something else to do. I will never run out of things to do. I will never get to the bottom of every list.
So this summer I made a special point of dropping everything for an hour on weekend days when I was home, and I sat out there and read. We have had many glorious days this year, dry and sunny. Even the hot days weren’t so bad when spent in the shade, lying still.
I did not bring my phone or any computer or any other gadget out on the porch. I brought my book and a glass of water. Sometimes I read, and sometimes I watched the leaves rustle in the breeze, and sometimes I watched my cat groom himself or change position as he napped.
 |
| An example of the cat's napping positions. You can see why one would find him entertaining. |
The wind chimes rang; birds flitted past. On June evenings, just when it was getting too dark to read, the fireflies came out, flashing green.
I love taking week-long vacations away from it all. But I don’t have to save up all my tiredness for those; I don’t have to wait so long. The Porch Cure is a simple break that I can do regularly.
Awww...I want to scratch that kitty's tummy...
ReplyDeleteHe would probably love that. He adores attention!
DeleteYou've inspired me to go out and read on my hammock. It's been in the backyard, just swinging there emptily all summer...
ReplyDeleteYay for hammock time!
DeleteI've always wanted a great reading porch. Just thinking about you on yours made me feel more relaxed!
ReplyDeleteThere's something special about reading outdoors. Even when I lived in the city in a high-rise, I went to a nearby park and read on a bench or in the grass.
DeleteI agree with Sydney. For a moment, I was out there listening to the wind chimes, too. What a perfect idea.
ReplyDeleteNice to have all these writer friends visiting in spirit!
Deletemy mother in law and i call her front porch swing our "mood swing". :)
ReplyDeleteI love that!
DeleteOh, I'm jealous! I wish I had a porch; I always dreamed of living in my own house someday with a porch and a porch swing. But unfortunately I live in an apartment building and the only "yard" we have is a small patch of grass outside where my neighbors like to hang out and smoke. It's good that you make time for yourself, though; it's important to take time to just breathe, relax, and read.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find your happy place, likewise!
Delete