| I remember sitting on my porch in Texas watching | | | | the olderneighbors. |
| the fireflieslight up. My friends and I would play | | | | When I was transferred to California, there were no |
| games catching the firefliesand putting them in a | | | | porches. Infact my friends had never experienced |
| bottle. The person with the most fireflieswon the | | | | the camaraderie of porchsitting. They did not know |
| game. Summer nights were always special times. My | | | | that a valuable learning experiencehad somehow |
| friends and I could stay outside light at night running | | | | escaped them because they never knew the joy of |
| and jumping on the porch swings at the neighbors | | | | porchsitting. |
| house. | | | | Porches are making a revival all over the country. |
| I can still see my grandmother sitting on her porch. | | | | Some homeownersare searching for that connection |
| My grandmotherlived next door to us. She would call | | | | to their childhoods. Somehomeowners who never had |
| to me from her porch so I couldcome over and get | | | | a porch in childhood see the addition ofa porch as an |
| a treat. I had several porches in my childhoodbecause | | | | inexpensive addition to their living space. |
| the neighbors would gather on someone's porch and | | | | A porch can offer a place to eat, a quiet place to |
| drinklemonade and eat cookies. Everyone's porch was | | | | read, relaxand experience nature. Porches are used |
| available for animpromptu get together. | | | | to get acquainted withnature. Sitting outside can |
| Our porch was nothing elaborate just concrete steps | | | | provide the opportunity to chat withneighbors and |
| that lead to awider expanse of concrete. The porch | | | | get to know them. These inexpensive additions |
| was wide enough so that thefamily could gather | | | | canprovide a valuable tool for building and uniting a |
| outside when the weather permitted and | | | | community unit. |
| enjoyconversations, tell jokes and find out all the | | | | The porch in its simplest terms can help the |
| latest gossip. | | | | neighborhood become anextended family. |
| Mr. Henderson and his wife lived across the street. I | | | | Neighbors passing by feel free to say "hello". They |
| can stillsee him rocking in his rocking chair watching | | | | just might beinvited to the porch to share a glass of |
| the neighborhood. | | | | water. Americans areemerging from a cocoon |
| We considered "The Henderson's the noisy neighbors | | | | weaved from their need for privacy. Americansare |
| because theyknew everybody's business. They | | | | stepping out from their air conditioned homes and are |
| would tell stories to the parentsabout the antics of | | | | movingoutside on the porch to meet their neighbors |
| the children. Mrs. Henderson took her seat onthe | | | | and enjoy nature. |
| porch in the morning and made quilts with some of | | | | |
