Lesson One: The Purpose of a Porch
This is a lament for the loss of the front porch. Not that they are no longer built, but that they are no longer used. Folks build decks or patios these days. Some might add on a front porch, or pretend with a "stoop". Folks huddle inside to keep warm in the winter and air conditioned cool in the summer, forgetting the multiple benefits of the front porch.
The front porch, in the days of glory for all front porches, was the shaded spot to relax after supper, to sip coffee on Sunday with the Preacher (and his wife!), to watch folks go by and discuss the goin's on around the area.
It might have sounded something like this; "Well, I swan, here comes Homer Wagers in his new truck. ain't new, 'course. I heard Homer went to the bank an' got a loan for that truck. Law-zee, can you imagine? Gettin' into debt an' owin' the bank for somethin' such as a truck. Next thing you know they will come an' take his truck an' his house an' where will Emmerline an' his none youngin's go? Probably end up in Ohio or even worse, Michigan workin' in them factories, don't ya know."
(As the truck pulls up and stops) Well, howdy Homer, Emmerline. We didn't know that was you drivin' along in that fine fancy truck! It cain't be more than two years old! What? four years old? I swan, it don't look it. Been taken good care of, it has.
Y'all hear 'bout Charlie Clark? He 'bout got et up by a groundhog he pulled out of its hole. He needs to quit that silliness. Gropin' for groundhogs. That is plumb nonsense. Gropin' for catfish is one thing, groundhogs is another.
Y'all come on up and sit a spell. No? Well, drive that new truck back when you can visit longer"
(As the truck with Homer and Emmerline drives off) "Did you think they was actin' uppity? Give a hillbilly a new truck an' he thinks he is the king of the hills. Hmmph. I knew him when he was a stealin' chickens to feed his family."
This is a lament for the loss of the front porch. Not that they are no longer built, but that they are no longer used. Folks build decks or patios these days. Some might add on a front porch, or pretend with a "stoop". Folks huddle inside to keep warm in the winter and air conditioned cool in the summer, forgetting the multiple benefits of the front porch.
The front porch, in the days of glory for all front porches, was the shaded spot to relax after supper, to sip coffee on Sunday with the Preacher (and his wife!), to watch folks go by and discuss the goin's on around the area.
It might have sounded something like this; "Well, I swan, here comes Homer Wagers in his new truck. ain't new, 'course. I heard Homer went to the bank an' got a loan for that truck. Law-zee, can you imagine? Gettin' into debt an' owin' the bank for somethin' such as a truck. Next thing you know they will come an' take his truck an' his house an' where will Emmerline an' his none youngin's go? Probably end up in Ohio or even worse, Michigan workin' in them factories, don't ya know."
(As the truck pulls up and stops) Well, howdy Homer, Emmerline. We didn't know that was you drivin' along in that fine fancy truck! It cain't be more than two years old! What? four years old? I swan, it don't look it. Been taken good care of, it has.
Y'all hear 'bout Charlie Clark? He 'bout got et up by a groundhog he pulled out of its hole. He needs to quit that silliness. Gropin' for groundhogs. That is plumb nonsense. Gropin' for catfish is one thing, groundhogs is another.
Y'all come on up and sit a spell. No? Well, drive that new truck back when you can visit longer"
(As the truck with Homer and Emmerline drives off) "Did you think they was actin' uppity? Give a hillbilly a new truck an' he thinks he is the king of the hills. Hmmph. I knew him when he was a stealin' chickens to feed his family."
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