Front Porch Life, and the Living is Easy

When I think of that old fashioned front porch it stands out in my mind as a never confining, simple way of enjoying summer days for the whole family and sometimes the surrounding neighborhood. The idea was that though a family space - the open air of this extra room was also a place for the sharing of all kinds of conversations. Those leaning over the rail discussions which often filled the time were a part of what became treasured memories. This extended living room that families shared with a neighborhood was a place where the world of the city could actually become a family.

Last weekend my husband and I went to a pig roast which really wasn't our usual weekend front porch type of activity. We sipped Coke, and beer too and enjoyed quite a few incredible musicians as they shared their love of that medium. It was a truly fabulous concert with great rock songs from a Steppenwolf piece right up to pieces from today's multi-layered music scene. There were tasty summer salads and a well roasted pig to share. But the fun was really had through conversation and sharing that special summer evening which was really grand.

I love to take time just to sit back and revel in these kind of moments every weekend during the summer. These kind of days really hold the warmth and beauty that we all long for during those dark months of winter. The days are slower, and often very warm and always perfectly illustrates the beauty of my small corner of Michigan. I really love sharing these moments with my neighbors whether they are friends from across the street, or across the state which can makes it even better.

Creative Thunder

It's raining, it's pouring...and thundering like crazy too! With flashes across the sky that illuminated the road and front yard and left shadows that were wonderfully eerie in the darkness of this stormy night.

These kind of storms are difficult for me to even rest during, let alone sleep through so as this loud disturbance was racking our neighborhood with its light show I headed into the kitchen and plopped down at our table with pen and pad in hand. Listening to the fan in the window as it slowed with each gust of wind I contemplated what do read, write or simply revel in the wonders that are a thunderstorm.

Before I could think of anything the wind and rain began to press against our half-closed windows sending curtains flying and me rushing about lowering the window panes down to a crack to keep the room dry. The humidity fell in through those small openings and that sticky wet air formed beads of sweat despite the 70 degree temperatures.

I usually love the rain storms that come in the night because of the sounds and smells that accompany them. But I also like them because it can be a time to revel in the magic that is an evening's weather event. The flashlight like affect of the lightening is a great companion for reading a book or an evening scratching my thoughts onto pages of a journal.

These evening escapes from the normal summer night entertainment have often made for good memories over the years. The best thing about these summer escapes are they're mine alone because while others remain in their beds under covers while the rolling echos of thunder reverberate through the house I am enjoying a bit of time to myself. Though my bed may be calling, my love of the storm keeps me here in the kitchen.

My kitchen in such a storm is a special place to be for me because it really is a haven in this light show that is extraordinarily beautiful. It always seems to become a place where I can watch the many rivers of rain push past clumps in the lawn and through the thundering lights to become the shadows of a ghost story that I just have to get down on the page before me.

General Convention, July 2009

I have been following the speakers and news briefs that have come out of the General Convention of TEC and it has been a bit exciting. I certainly wish I could be there that is for sure! Today I listened to the ECW (Episcopal Church Women) speaker the wonderful Phyllis Tickle. As I am a huge fan of her writing and have a read a number of her books, I wanted to hear her speak. Since I could not be there the video of her speech was the next best thing. Her talk was interesting, and thought provoking and was impressive as well.

I'm very proud to be called an Episcopalian.

The Real America

I have been ranting and raving for years about about the lack of real statesmen in our government these days, and like many of you I listen to the political punsters and get frustrated or angry about the side I am presently against or for whomever they are these days. But today, I watched one of most literate and funny men in the pulic eye these days on a PBS television show and he made a really profound statement - When we rise to sing together our national anthem The Star Spangled Banner politics does not matter.

We usually sing it together either just before a game, or else at the beginning of a concert. If we think about it, the song truly celebrates not the country or the land, but the people of this vast land. From the very beginnings of those small 13 colonies with those rag-a-muffin revolutionaries who despite their difference came together as one nation, right up to today and those who change our world here in the 21st century.

Whether we are Republican, or Democrat we are always first and foremost Americans, together.

When Garrison Keiller said that, I heard it reverberate through my mind and it made me realize that when we all stand, no one single voice stands out because it takes all our voices to sing it together to make us sing those words as one.

Now, granted there are often just that one famous voice who is asked to sing these verses but it becomes so much more, if we sing them together and sometimes it is in way too high a key or sometimes it can also be with tears that we sing those words.

This year, as we raise our voices remember we are drawn together as one nation. Afterall, this is the season to celebrate who we are and what we have as Americans with all the fireworks, as well as in singing our national song. Let those words wash over each in our nation and help us to celebrate our diversity, and fellowship as Americans.

Happy Fouth of July 2009 everyone!