Recently several events in my life have got me to thinking about front porches. Not the minuscule entry ways that now appear on so many of the cookie cutter homes. But big honking front porches with the suspended swing seat. Where you could watch life go by .Chat to you neighbors.Drink your favorite iced beverage. The one that from her front perch the nosy neighbor could get word to your folks faster than a speeding bullet. Notification to your parents.That you were misbehaving and in to more...
Recently several events in my life have got me to thinking about front porches. Not the minuscule entry ways that now appear on so many of the cookie cutter homes. But big honking front porches with the suspended swing seat. Where you could watch life go by .Chat to you neighbors.Drink your favorite iced beverage. The one that from her front perch the nosy neighbor could get word to your folks faster than a speeding bullet. Notification to your parents.That you were misbehaving and in to hooliganism.We as a society wonder why crime has risen. I feel it is in part because you don't know who your neighbor are. Because we now run and hide in our air conditioned , socially insulated homes.Having little social interactions with our neighbors. A report in the news recently that police has found a deceased woman(6 months) in her home.Police were called after , because the utilities lines easement had to be cleared and lines upgrades.The repair crews had to notify the home owner's about the impending work.To make a long story short none of her neighbors ever checked up on her. They complained about the tall grass in her yard to others. but none never went to ask if she needed help with the cutting the grass. If they would have had front porches and used them this might have prevented. Because if you know whom your neighbor is.You will be able to figure out if that moving truck parked at your neighbors is really moving them or in the process of robbing them. TO illustrate the point I remember years ago while at collage. I lived in the dorm. I was the type when I heard a noise I'd look out to see what it was .Well the guy next door got upset.Because I had always done this.One day he confronted me(REALLY NASTILY)So I told him OK . I won't.Between the confrontation and next morning he got robbed.He came back crawling and asking. If I had seen anything. I told him no because you were so upset about me seeing who came and went down the halls.I heard noise from his room. But, since the (NICE TALK ) we had had did not check. I guess what I am trying to say is (NO ONE IS AN ISLAND).We all must look after our neighbors.
Because, If you don't who will look after you ? When you are in need ? Or when you are away from your home? less...
Wow! Your absolutely right. 5 years ago I moved into a new sub-division where every home as a big front porch. The kids play in the front of their homes and parents are out mingling. I knew all my nighbors before I ever moved in. I love it!
Wow butterbll, How true, I think I know a few of the bloggers better than my neighbors. Conversely they don't bother to know me either.
We have done away with our societies, small knit communities. My kids grew up on a block with 52 kids, mothers on each corner and in the middle, watching them.
Now we do huddle in our homes unless a disaster strikes, for instance Charley. I saw all of the neighbors out helping pick up debris.
This is so true...I am lucky to live in a small neighborhood where we all look after each other. I am basically the youngest person here and all my neighbors are 60+ so I tend to look after them.
The nice thing is I have a very large deck/porch that I can enjoy everyday (except when it's snowing) and my neighbors all come over to visit and have coffee when they see I'm home from work.
Some things I miss from days ago are:
1. People holding doors for someone who is coming behind them i more...
This is so true...I am lucky to live in a small neighborhood where we all look after each other. I am basically the youngest person here and all my neighbors are 60+ so I tend to look after them.
The nice thing is I have a very large deck/porch that I can enjoy everyday (except when it's snowing) and my neighbors all come over to visit and have coffee when they see I'm home from work.
Some things I miss from days ago are:
1. People holding doors for someone who is coming behind them into an establishment.
2. Sending an actual letter in the mail to a penpal instead of shooting off an e-mail.
3. Actual pictures instead of digital cameras you have to upload to a computer.
I would love an old fashioned front porch and the neighbours to go with it - you have to take the nosey with the friendly and not so friendly. When I lived on a crescent and had small kids it seemed the neighbours were more of a community but only hi/bye at neighbours now that in townhouse and kids are adults. Don't even say hi when snow shovelling as the changing neighbours/renters can't even be bothered to do that. Hate to say it as dating myself but I miss the good old days....
So true, Butterbll. So true. No one wants to take the time to get to know one another these days. Time is of the essence, even when it only takes a minute to check on someone. It's the all-mighty dollar that pushes the clock, and we are all too interested in that dollar, despite what we miss making it. Front porches are only the tip of the iceburg. Here are a few things I think we should all miss:
1) standard 9 to 5 days
2) families living close to one another
3) using BOOKS to write re more...
So true, Butterbll. So true. No one wants to take the time to get to know one another these days. Time is of the essence, even when it only takes a minute to check on someone. It's the all-mighty dollar that pushes the clock, and we are all too interested in that dollar, despite what we miss making it. Front porches are only the tip of the iceburg. Here are a few things I think we should all miss:
1) standard 9 to 5 days
2) families living close to one another
3) using BOOKS to write reports, from the library, after using the Dewey Decimal System!
4) employer/ employee loyalties
5) work ethic
--Just a few of my long lost favorite things. Thanks for the memories...True less...
