“If the world had a front porch like we did back then, we’d still have our problems but we’d all be friends. Treatin’ your neighbor like he’s your next of kin.” – Tracy Lawrence
When I’m ready for our next home, my must-have list will be short.
I want a home with a covered front porch, in a neighborhood full of other front porches.
That’s it. My list will stop there. Good schools, a walkable urban setting, age-friendly, nearby parks are nice, but neighborhoods without front porches no longer interest me.
You see, a front porch creates the world I want to live in. When you are with family and friends on the front porch, everyone needs to be kind. Shouting and arguing are not part of a front porch neighborhood. At least, not for long. Someone will tell you to, “Take it inside.”
Or worse, they will call the police.
When there are people on their front porches the streets are safer and the cars go slower. The world becomes kind and that is the world I want to live in.
I can speak to my neighbors when they walk by, even get to know their names. They may invite me over to visit and have a glass of tea on their porch. Wouldn’t that be nice? We could visit and never once get into politics or religion.
The environment likes my front porch neighborhood also. When we are all outside in the summer, I can set the thermostat higher. In the winter, all I need is a sweater. No need to crank the heat way up. We also won’t need a light on in every room when we are out on the front porch in the evening. The TV will be off. We will talk to each other more.
That sounds good to me. What about you?
What do you think the most enjoyable part of a summer evening on a front porch would be? Visiting with neighbors? Reading a book? Listening to the evening sounds of the birds bedding down for the night?
Aways Welcome is a great label for our city. It will fit on my new front porch as well.
As always, the conversation starts here.
“In the ordinary choices of every day we begin to change the direction of our lives.” – Eknath Easwaran
Epilogue
Do you know this Tracy Lawrence hit?
Love it! God bless a front porch!
Thanks. Yes, the world needs more front porches.
– Bruce
I want to live there. Let me know when you find this neighborhood…I also want a white picket fence. Peggy
Peggy –
Yes, you can have a white picket fence. Maybe we all go together and find the perfect neighborhood. That would be fun. Thanks for the comment.
– Bruce
Memories of growing up!! We always had a front porch. When we visited aunts and uncles, in town or in the country, we sat on front porches !
Mary Lou –
Yes, for sure. Front porches make the best families even better.
– Bruce
Well said Mr. McIntyre. This will be “the” requirement for my first home as well. One of my all-time favorite songs, too.
Jesse –
I hope you get your first home soon. That will be wonderful. Yes, that Tracy Lawrence song says it all for me, I’m glad it is one of your favorites also.
Thanks for being part of the Choices Do Matter family.
– Bruce
I been preaching this for years. I was born a front yard/front porch kid and think that we have all retreated to our backyards has had a detrimental effect on our communities. This is one of the primary reasons I came up with Yard Art Day. I wanted to get people out in their front yards and on their porches talking to their neighbors and waving at those who drive by or walk/bike by. This kind of communication creates strong and safer neighborhoods.
Deborah, I absolutely LOVE “yard art” day. I wish it got more publicity. When is it?
Margaret –
Yard Art Day is Labor Day every year, so September 5, this year. It needs all of our support to do what they do. Spreading the word within your sphere of influence would be wonderful. Let’s cover all of Charlotte with Yard Art this year!!! Here is the web site: http://www.yardartday.org
– Bruce
Deborah – Thanks for joining the conversation. Yes, I know you as a front yard/front porch kid. Actually, it was one of your FB post that started me thinking about this little story. Yard Art Day is a perfect front yard, neighbor friendly ministry. I say “ministry” because of all the good it does for our community, thanks to your tireless efforts. I also like your tiny house ideas and the thought of creating a community of close knit friends sharing their common friendship. You inspire more than you realize. Our actions, words, even thoughts, have a ripple effect –… Read more »
So, we Rixhams spend our summers in Monteagle, TN, which is much like Montreat and not far from Sewanee. All the cottages were built in the late 1890s – early 1900s. At that time, there were no “family rooms” or “playrooms” or backyard-outside-fireplace type set-ups. No one sought privacy from their neighbors. Instead, the homes were built with the front porch as a focus. Screened or unscreened, every single house. in the community (approximately 150) has a porch. They’re great for sitting on the swing, reading, napping in a hammock, or just watching the world go by. My dogs lie… Read more »
Margaret – Monteagle sounds wonderful. I took a look on Google Maps and love the location. It’s ideal. I need to visit sometime, or even put together a road trip to seek out communities like Monteagle around the country. What an exciting series that could be. “Front Porch Communities in America.” The world would be a better place. Your description of life on your porch gets me excited for you and your family and the great summer you will have together. Thanks for the comment. – Bruce P.S. Yes, the backyard-outside-fireplace type set-ups often look nice in the slick magazines… Read more »
You are right on, Bruce. Had a big one growing up and have a nice back porch now. But it is not the same. My oldest daughter and family live in Ardrey off Ardrey Kell. Every house has a front porch and most have first and second floor porches! It’s terrific.
Bob – I am glad your daughter enjoys their porch. I know they love having you and Joan visit. Yes, somehow our back porch is not the same as the big old front porch. But I must say, I am sitting on ours now, typing this, as I watch the sun lower in the sky and listen to the evening sounds of the birds finding their way home. Our new puppy, Louisa, is running around chasing some of them to their nest, so I better go check on her. Life is good. Thanks for being part of this family. –… Read more »
Yes, I know which is you. In fact, I can name all in the picture. That particular porch is still in the family and a great place to contemplate the world. Indeed, God bless front porches.
Ken –
Yep, but I knew you would know. I am not sure on all the Lunsteads, except Gladys and Al. Can you name all of them?
Please pass this story around your extended branch of the Clan and see how they do with the names. That would be fun and I would love to hear from them.
– Bruce
The house that I grew up in had a front porch that could seat 50 (at least that is what this little child remembers) for a meal. Spent many an afternoon and evening on that front porch. I will send you a picture some day.
Today our porch overlooks the back yard and we use it often with neighbors and friends.
Richard –
Yes, my childhood memory plays tricks on me as well. I would love to see a picture of your porch when you were growing up. Especially if you can find one with all 50 sitting down for dinner. 🙂
I’m glad you can draw a crowd to your back porch – most don’t get that much non-family use, except for the occasional party. It’s the unscheduled front porch parties that I like.
– Bruce
Hi Bruce, the one thing I continue to feel true, deep loss about from our recent move is the loss of our front porch, white picket fence, cul-de-sac neighborhood in south Charlotte. Last fall, when we came home from the family outing when we told our kids we were moving, we found most of our neighbors in one of the driveways sitting on chairs, talking, watching kids running up and down the street. Many, many tears were shed that night as the reality of our move began to set in. When it came time for our goodbye party with our… Read more »
Heather –
Thanks for your comment. I miss our chats as well. Moving can be hard, I hope the children are adjusting well.
Yes, somehow front porches create neighborhoods and neighborhoods build communities and communities are the world ….
We all need each other – everyone of us.
I am glad you are still in our Choices Do Matter family. I think soon your two blue stone backyard patios will be teaming with friendly neighbors who come to visit you and your wonderful family.
– Bruce
I still own the porch we stepped down from for the picture taken in 1946….and yes, I can name everyone, except for Donald’s girlfriend…By the way you’re the one being held down by Ken..seems you were quite ‘active’ in your childhood…The porch is still my favorite place in the summer time…my neighbors can’t get away with anything! As a matter of fact my daughter was engaged on the porch swing and I have a picture of them on the swing, after the wedding, still dressed in their wedding attire. The porch is building memories.
Tim –
“Porches Build Memories.” I like that. Think of all of the memories from that porch over the years! I am happy your home connects the family as it does. We need to plan a reunion on that porch soon for a happy celebration. You can make the ice cream!
Thanks for commenting, cuz. Say hello to the Swallow’s family for us.
– Bruce
Hi Bruce, Growing up in Baltimore & in an apartment & then a row house, there was no such thing as a front porch – just white marble steps I had to scrub every Saturday! When I went to visit relatives in Florida & when we eventually moved back there, I loved going to their homes w/front porches & sitting on the swing, just catching up on family history. Now Ken & I have a front & back screened porch overlooking a small pond! We love the front when the sun hits there at the right angle & we can… Read more »
Faye –
Thanks for your comment. It sounds like you and Ken have the ideal setting.
I remember my mother talking about scrubbing front porch steps. I wonder if that is still done?
– Bruce
Glad to know I’m not alone in my front-porch advocacy! Here’s an excerpt I wrote on the subject a few years back … Our house had a large back porch, bordered by a lush crop of Concord grapes – enough to give you a stomach ache – and an upstairs back porch – used mostly for playing house and sunbathing. The front porch was more democratic. Summer evenings, it was our family room. The wooden swing was longer than most, but still it would accommodate only four or five of us, depending on relative size, plus a lap-child or two.… Read more »
Lynne –
Thanks for your description of your porch. I can see it clearly. I enjoy your being part of our conversation.
– Bruce
Love this Bruce! Thanks for spurring some memories. We have been lucky enough to have a porch in all our houses, no matter how tiny. I even had one at Athens at an old bungalow with friends while at UGA. Love porches. Hope you get one. Or, stop by! To be able to sit outside and read and relax, nap, chat with family and friends, watch kids in street, eat dinner (like we did last night, even with the rain), and invite people up to for a visit is really a joy. We need more of it days. Even when… Read more »
Amy –
Thanks for your comment. It is great that you have always enjoyed front porches. Our back porch is wonderful and we enjoy the sunsets, but it would be better with neighbors walking past. 🙂
Yes, that is a great video – thanks for sharing.
I am excited about your joining the AG family. That is good news.
– Bruce