It was the first summer I allowed myself to sit out on my porch in the morning with a cup of coffee. And as you already know, I basically lived on the porch during my silent retreat in NH. Currently, I’m in one of four white rocking chair on the front porch of an adorable old Victorian in Cape May, NJ. The white house is adorned with light blue shutters. The four white rocking chairs are coveted by all.
I’m here with my Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Brother, Mom and Dad. It has been such a joy watching life pass by while sipping coffee, or wine, depending on the time of day, saying hello to passersby and sometimes engaging in conversation. It’s our favorite part of this vacation home.
All of this lovely porch time got me to thinking!
My little RI House of Light is truly adorable but tight, a tad bit too small for two. And so, I often dream of expansion. One summer I purchased a canvas gazebo thingy. My uncle and father helped me build it on the side of the house and the ridiculous conversation that ensued was peppered with high-test swear words and bursts of laughter!
Sadly, I used it maybe twice! I think its failure to launch was a combination of the location and the mosquitoes!
Then, I started making plans for a two car garage with additional living space above to include a guest bedroom and 1/2 bath. It sank like the Titanic hit by an iceberg of sound reasoning. This clearly didn’t make sense alongside my desire to retire and travel.
And so if I can’t have duck feet, I would like to have a three season screened in porch.
I started sketching out the plans while in Cape May and shared my desires with family. Auntie said, “If it’s not attached to your home, it won’t count toward property taxes.”
Is that true?
Uncle enthusiastically added, “Bust out that wall and put a slider in!”
But that would involve rerouting baseboard heat among other additional expenses.
As Dad studied my sketch, I carefully searched Stone Fox’s face for a sign. After a few moments of squeezing my kegels, he plainly stated, “Let me think about it.”
I had worked so hard to carefully pair it down to bare bones to appeal to my father’s conservative mindset; the foundation would be set on Sonotube and the structure would only require electrical wiring.
But alas, he came back with, “Just wait a while.” My father waits and it has served him well. I shall do the same.
Be still and know.
I