I grew up in the South! Can I get an “Amen.” From an early age, a southern porch held many special memories of a time I will never forget. I realize and appreciate just how important it was, and is, in the fabric of my life!
It has this magical charm that can bring a sense of calm and relaxation, perhaps better than any other room in the house. It’s a great place to rock and swing your troubles away, ponder life or just enjoy a few quiet moments with a cup of coffee!
Southern Porch History
From its humble beginnings, the southern porch was the original “social media” setting, but so much more!
In researching southern history, I stumbled on Cornell College: Stories from Southern Steps:”
“Typically, the southern porch was women’s domain. It was acceptable to step on the porch in pajamas or a bathrobe because the porch was part of the home. Women performed domestic duties on the porch to escape the heat that is trapped in the home. Shelling peas, sewing and other similar tasks were popular porch activities, as they provided a time when women could visit with each other but accomplish chores at the same time. If there were children still inside, women could keep an eye on them while they worked on the porch.
Porches were special places for youngsters. Children can entertain themselves for hours with a porch, playing on it, around it and under it. The porch was not just a place of fun, however. Poorly behaved children were switched on the porch. Their shame became public knowledge. And, at the end of the day — in an era before bathing was an everyday occurrence — bare feet were washed on the porch before children were allowed inside the house.
Many porches were adorned with swings, where young couples could retreat from nosiness of family members.”
My Memories
As I read this account, several things jumped out at me that I remember quite well.
My southern paternal Grandma, that everybody called “Maw”, had just such a porch described above. As a young child, it held both fascination and fear!
Maw’s porch was a popular place in the summertime! Everybody loved her. There were times when numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends would drop in just to chat and say hello. Maw was a socializer and loved every minute. On the other hand, I was terribly shy. Although it fascinated me to see these different characters approach this social setting, I was fearful of a few!!
Visits
As children visiting Maw in the summer, it was the coolest spot to try and escape the brutal southern heat and catch a cool breeze. We spent countless hours talking, laughing, swapping stories, shelling peas and snapping beans straight from her garden. It was common to pluck a cucumber from the garden, walk back to the porch and enjoy it!
I remember a few specific pieces. She had 2 rockers and a metal glider that had been painted so many times. It was also screened in which allowed us to sit late in the evening without being eaten up by mosquitos. It wasn’t fancy, but held great memories of that simple time! The time before cell phones, iPads and internet! When a Grandma looked like a Grandma! It was a social gathering where you had real conversations with family and friends that didn’t include texting, email, Facebook, etc. How in the world did we survive childhood without this stuff?!!
The other end held some strange things from a child’s perspective! She had this rustic sink with a small white enamel pot above it hanging on a nail. It was a watering hole of sorts for thirsty travelers that stopped by to chat and quench their thirst! No glasses, just a pot!
On the right end was this unusual array of hanging old panty hose containing seeds from her garden. Maw was an original seed saver and used them to plant her gardens from year to year. I spent many summer days walking barefoot down those hot, sandy roads to her gardens.
My Southern History
With such a rich southern history, I have carried that love with me to our farmhouse build in Virginia. The first time I officially saw our front porch completed, I cried tears of joy. I couldn’t help it!
It was massive with a high ceiling and ran the full length of the house. I called it Solomon’s porch! It has the feeling of being perched among the trees. Of course, we have that beautiful mountain view to look at every single day.
The style and look is still an ongoing process! Once piece I am tremendously proud of is my Grandma’s metal glider from the 1940’s! It bears the markings of time, but is still a piece of beauty and history.
After being stripped of layers of paint applied through the years, it’s now a pretty buttery yellow and white. She would love that it now sits gracefully on my porch to be used and enjoyed. It will always be a great reminder of her and the lasting imprint of a great southern tradition!
If you are blessed enough to have a porch, don’t underestimate its importance.
Take the time to spend quiet moments together with family and friends. Unplug from your devices, set your phones and tablets aside and share stories, laughter, encouragement and most of all love!
In the meantime, you can find me on the porch, swinging, rocking or sitting in the glider with my sweet dog Charlie, and occasionally, with some gentle coaxing, my Ambitious Feller!
Lover Darlin’
