I was driving Little Girl home from a playdate and took the chance to look around. So many houses had fences. Nice houses. Nice cars. Nice fences. No porch. Or a very small porch.
I had the privilege to grow up in the house my grandparents built. After they passed my mom continued to live there. I lived there as well. My sister and her husband were looking to build. After much discussion, we decided to take the 4 original rooms and add on making it a 16 room “sort of” duplex. It is not a true duplex because you can walk between both houses without going outside. There are 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms and loads of bedrooms and bathrooms. A multi-generational house. We are very close! I have since married and moved out but live less than a mile down the road. My brother lives less than a mile in the other direction! 
One thing we added was a huge farmers porch. One with rocking chairs and lovely flowers. Any given day you can find my mom on the porch chatting with this person or that. You can not come and drop something off without stopping to sit a spell. Even myself when I come over find myself sitting in the rockers chatting away. People walking past always wave and say hi. My sister’s kids grew up reading on that porch. Many a thunderstorm was observed on that porch. Their mailman Charlie has been known to have a seat and take a break on that porch! The memories made and still being made on that porch are priceless.
Compare that with the houses with fences. Fences keep people out (or little ones in). Porches invite people to come and sit a spell. More so when the porches have comfy rockers. In a world where there are so many walls up, we need more porches. Walls due to political disagreement, lifestyle choices, race, color, economic status…so many walls. We need more porches. A place to come together and just chat. We could all use some time on grandma’s porch!
LOVE front porches — weather permitting – you will ALWAYS find me out on my front porch – reading my newspaper, typing on my lap top, talking on the phone, reading a book, just sitting and relaxing . . .
That is so good to hear. Enjoy it.
Yeah , except i live in rather rural area , fences keep critters out 🙂
I totally agree we need more porches! The house sounds fabulous and I personally would love to live in a house with a porch out front. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
In my country we don’t really have front porches like you, ours are more like little entrances. I’d love to be able to sit outside on a porch it sounds delightful. I have neighbours who like to sit in their front garden weather permitting and you can’t leave the house without speaking to them, so I know what you mean.
#keepingitreal
Little gardens work just as well! Tell them hello from the United States!
Porches are a wonderful place to gather and talk. #keepingitreal
A Porch has always been part of my dream home. One like the hollywood movies!! It just seems so calming to watch the sun set on a porch swing with a blanket and drink.
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!
It really is lovely. In the winter my mom decorates it with white lights and a small tree. Even in the winter season it is a warm space!
We had a porch when I was little and a big old table in it that people would sit and chat around. You’re right it is sociable. I live in the UK now and porches are not a thing over here. Makes me want to add one and see what happens.#keepingitreal
Add one and report back!!!
We live in a condo but I personally would love to live in a house with a porch out front.
#BloggerClubUK
Well for those of you who have read the post..I am the sister that lives there. I am very particular about our porch. It is truly a place to just be and have some “you” time. I love my house and our porch!!! We are truly blessed to have a great place to live!!! And you T i read your blog!!!
Hi Nik Nik! I love you bunches!
For us in the UK, porches are just something you see on US TV or in films, big country houses with a white porch and wooden furniture. They look beautiful and it’s so lovely you have had that experience #KCACOLS
Hi Tracy, you’ve painted a lovely picture of that old porch. I never really thought of it like that, but you are right, porch or balconies are inviting to sit a while, whereas a wall is a definite divider. Having a family that is spread across the world I can only imagine what it must be like to have them so close by. I would love to have my sister close by and to sit on our balcony putting the world to rights (or just to speak utter rubbish).
Thank you for stopping by and linking up with #keepingitreal.
xx
Ah this sounds lovely and definitely like something out of a film! I love the idea of sitting a spell, there’s not enough of it. #kcacols
I wish mine was big enough to use. Perhaps one day. #BrilliantBlogPosts
I have a love of everything American and I know you guys love your front porches. We have a little garden I just spent ages doing up so it looks half decent. I’d give my hind leg to have a memory filled front porch like yours! #KCACOLS
I know how blessed I was to grow up with that. Thankful for a close family!
You are so right, we need to let the walls come down. We fenced in our backyard when we bought our house but I drew the line at fencing the front. It seemed unneighborly. #DreamTeam
Just moved to a house with a porch and I so much agree with you. It was an amazing read.
I love front porches, especially when they actually get used!!
Porches are nice, and people would also need to take some time to enjoy them. I recall now visiting an elderly neighbor, and sitting on the porch, it made for a nice visit.
There is nothing better for me then after long hard day sit on my porch with bottle of beer and just relax
Yes, the days of sitting on the porch and chatting with neighbors is long gone, now when you hear the word “porch” you think of “porch poachers”! #TrafficJamWeekend