If you haven't been reading this series on porches, you should probably go below and read the two previous posts, just to catch up. Go ahead, we'll wait for you.The last two porches were giant, gracious, stylish gathering places. Poody asked if they could be called a veranda? I put the Wikipedia click through there, because apparently there is not uniform agreement on what a veranda is.
But today's porch is little more than a "stoop" in the New Orleans lexicon. Apparently a term of Dutch origin (what are Dutch words doing in New Orleans?).
I think a porch is more a state of mind than a piece of real estate. The owners of this stoop seem to get as much use out of it as many of the giant (and barren) porches around town.
The two chairs seem well worn and leave evidence that this is not a solitary pursuit. Sitting, re-sifting the events of the day. Catching up on people and places. Venting, stewing, chewing it over. Postulating, pursuing passions.
As I see it, the porch's main function, as it evolved, was a place of sharing -- time, memories, ideas, frustrations and joys. The size is not so important. In a sense, I would think the smaller spaces would encourage more bonding.
I promise to finish this series on porches up tomorrow, if you promised to come back. You won't want to miss it. I'm going to muse on my "virtual" porch -- a true story, well worth telling.
Bring a friend.
12 comments:
Very interesting series, esp. the variety you introduced with today's photo.
this is beautiful and my favorite of your porches! it has a feel like it has been used
This one has a charm about it. Nice photo.
Today I posted something yummy. And, if you'd like to see more of my vacation, just click on the bold link.
Well, now you are getting down to my level of affordability. During the war years most of the porches were like this or similar. My dad's front porch had a wall about seat high so nobody walking past could see your legs but everything else was visible.
He used to chew Mail Pouch chewing tobacco and would lean over the side of the porch where he sat and spit in the bushes. A disgusting habit but it got him in the end.
I like the series.
I hope you can come tomorrow on theme day and see me as Moses.
Brookville Daily Photo
I think this porch is my favorite of the ones you posted, especially after reading your comments on it! I picked your pic as one of my top three fave daily photos for today
Today's is my favourite. Of course! Great series this.I absolutely love your sentiments today. Super photos too.
I too like this one better (although the three of them are beautiful) because we can "feel" the human presence, and probably also because it seems to be more affordable as Abraham suggests.
This is about as big as the porch on my house. Some of the porches in my neighborhood have chairs (a few have swings!). On the occasional afternoon or evening before the mosquitos get too bad, I'll see folks sitting outside and enjoying the end of the day.
lovely series ... never had given so much thought to porches before..
very interesting ...
I have been checking out your porches. I just love them... The ones below are very grand and beautiful. We call those Lanai's here... :) :) What ever you call them they are always a welcome addition to any home... Well at least I think so. Nice series of images. Aloha, Renee :)
There must be a book or two about porches and the role they played in US neighborhoods. It is a shame that the social interation that used to go on on porches is a thing of the past.
In Switzerland, balconies are very important as many people live in apartments rather than single-family housing (saves land for other purposes, consolidates things like public utilities and transport). Even the tiniest balcony is pressed into service with a small cafe table and plants. I'm thinking of a balcony-living blog, like you're thinking about the porch blog :-)
I love it! It looks like it was the set for a movie. Ialmost looks too perfect to be real! The lighting is excellent.
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