The women rush through the kitchen door, hands burdened with bags of food from a quick run to the store, and faces burdened with the cares and worries of the day. Each one feels sure she is the only overwhelmed one in the group, but very quickly realizes that she is not alone.
The house is cluttered with the detritis of the week … piles of mail on the table, various pairs of shoes scattered about on the floor, books perched on every surface … but the porch chairs have been brushed clear and the table tops are clean.
The food is quickly laid out on the table,
flowers placed in a vase,
and the candles are lit.
The talk that initially bursts forth after being surpressed all day eventually calms, and the women begin to relax, surrounded by friends who know and understand.
The porch offers a welcome respite from the world, even if temporary.
And we breathe …
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
That sums it up perfectly!
So glad we’ve been able to spend so many lovely evenings on the porch!
😀
Ahhhhh….
Yes! Glad you’ve been one of the women on the porch!
I feel SO refreshed now!
And THAT is a good thing!
Your photographs as always were gorgeous, so mellow they in themselves slowed the breathing. Oh but the words! Captured this scenario so perfectly and brought tears to my eyes.
Love you, Liz, and so glad we’ve had so many wonderful evenings on that porch!
Take cover and enjoy
Perfect sentiment, Bruce!
Really beautiful, LB! xoxox
Maybe someday, even if in our dreams, you can come visit the porch!!
Wish I was there!
I wish that, too, Mae!
Love it!
It truly is something to love 🙂
One might think there was a hidden camera in my house, LOL. I can truly relate to your beautifully written post LB. Aside your thoughtful and calming photo’s, I can feel the whole chill-out vibe, and I like it. Yesterday was busy but today is calm and I plan to move more lightly. I would guess you need both type of days to actually appreciate the latter. It would be so awesome to share one of these evenings with you (( Laurie )). Not sure of any logistics yet, but maybe it’s doable? How far are you from Alexandria? Is there a train I can hop on to arrive in Radford? xoK
I’m glad you had a calmer day … hopefully you were able to breathe a bit. And yes, I do think we need to find that balance. Somehow!
Alexandria is about 4.5 hours from Radford, and it’s a beautiful ride by train or by car. It goes without saying that I’d love to host all 3 of you here, and you are welcome anytime. BUT we truly can replicate The Porch vibe anywhere. It’s all about the women who gather. I’m just so excited to know that you will be gathering in Virginia and DC. So much to do!!!
That made me smile. Wish we were meeting there tonight! But I dare not send a new email. Ha!
Definitely no more emails 🙂
The story added so much to the photos, which filled up with characters when I learned the background. How excellent of you all to remember to make time for the healing powers of eating together, laughing together, breathing together.
You are so right, Crystal … theses things do provide healing!
What lovely images and thoughts, Laurie. So calming.
Thank you for saying so, Lynda. It is so calming being surrounded by friends and love!
So, now you are also a writer! 🙂 AND THERE IS MY BIRTHDAY PHOTO – SQEEEEEEE! 🙂
You captured the essence of harried work days and friendship perfectly – just lovely!! I love that photo – it was the perfect one to post for me on the day you did – it encapsulated the essence of my time with my girls – thank you xoxo
You have no idea how glad I am that you liked the photo but also that you had such a wonderful time with your girls. Thank you for your lovely words (as ALWAYS)
Stunning photo essay. !!!!
Thank you! I really appreciate that!
It is the company we keep and how we keep it, not the house that we keep and how we keep it that really counts
You know, you said that so perfectly. Thank you
You are, of course, most welcome.
What a wonderful day to end the day. That’s my kind of unwinding. 🙂
Yes!! We all need a little more of that don’t we? Thanks Suz!
What beautiful words to go with the beautiful photos! Love it!
Thank you, Jo! I’ll tell ya, that porch can be magical!
Fabulous! Candles, wine, food & good girlfriends = perfection!
Brava! Brava! Brava!! Bravissima!!!
Sounds like bliss. We all need to do this more. Men married to women live longer than men on their own, maybe partly because this is a regular and well-loved thing we do. Sigh of pleasure, I’m having lunch with a friend today. So looking forward to it. 🙂 Blessings, Brenda
I’m sure your lunch was lovely and restorative, too! Thank you for your comment 🙂