Thursday, July 11, 2013

Front Porch Pleasures



Summertime by Mary Cassatt

Summertime
An aria by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess.
Summertime, 
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high

Oh, Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky

But until that morning
There's a'nothing can harm you
With your daddy and mammy standing by

Summertime, 
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high

Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

In the full swing of summer we are. But I wouldn't say the livin' is easy. Never is. For me, summer brings outdoor chores that aren't present during cold weather (self-inflicted wounds, I call them!)

However, life does change somewhat during the heat of summer. We slow our steps and take in the sights and sounds of the season, enjoy the scenery, reflect more. Time out of doors is limited to early morning and late afternoon -- at least for me.

That leaves the middle of the day. And what better way to spend it than reading inside the air-conditioned house or in the shade of the front porch?

Since I last posted, I have been on a book binge. After completing The Moonflower Vine, which I posted about here, I also read the author's only other book,  Clair de Lune, on my Kindlefire.

Next I moved on to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, a novel by Helen Simonson, a thoroughly charming read with its crisp wit and gentle insight.

The two books to the right in the photo below are in my soon-to-read stack.



Currently, I'm reading Lowcountry Summer, a hilarious novel full of the sights, smells, attitudes and tastes of the South Carolina lowcountry.


It, and the book below, were purchased at the Dollar General Store for $1 each. At a price like that, who could say no?


Reading on the front porch is enhanced by having this old glider and (two) chairs borrowed from my mother's front porch. They are old, once green but painted black some decades ago. I happen to like the mottled look, however.


The glider is the perfect spot for kitty naps. The pillows are temporary for kitty comfort. I'm trying to decide if I want to choose a fabric and sew pillows or take the easy way out and purchase them.


This old baker's rack provides some respite from the hot sun for my shade loving potted plants.


Here's one of the pots I crafted a few weeks ago. Once I get the process perfected, I will do a post on how to transform plain clay pots to French flea market looking finds.


I have to admit this fern stand is reminiscent of weddings and funerals, but I couldn't resist buying it because I love wicker.  I am looking for a white wicker seating arrangement for the porch but have been unable to find the right one. I could really kick myself in the pants for not buying the one I found a few weeks ago and didn't purchase on the spot.

Another recent flea market find. A place to rest a tall frosty drink on a summer afternoon. I am not wild about the flower pictures painted on the tray and at the bottom and may very well paint over them.


Wicker again. Great for taking to the garden for flower cutting.


Well, that about sums up what I've been doing instead of blogging. I am way behind on reading your posts but hope to catch up soon. Today is the first time I've sat at the computer in almost two weeks. Where does the time go?

11 comments:

  1. what a lovely porch! i like your glider/chair set, and even without cushions I'd find it the perfect place to read a book (or play on the computer). and that baker's rack is a wonderful idea. my pots just sit on the patio during the summer, and yours is a much better way to display them.

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    1. I've had that old baker's rack for years and it's been used for many purposes. A few times I've thought of sacking it but now glad I kept it, what with its new life on the front porch.

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  2. WoW, you sure have done a lot of reading, heavens.
    Are there no biting insects bothering you, if you sit on the porch?
    As to the porch, it is very inviting, looking at the pussy, would make me fall asleep very quickly.
    Wicker furniture is a good choice. The old ones you have, are charming as they have aged.
    Summertime - a favorite of mine too. And, having the rough winters, I agree with the songs words:
    Living is easy. It is so much easier to move, do everything during the summer!

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    1. Yes, I've been on quite a reading binge. Oh yes, plenty of insects that bother us; esp. mosquitoes. I spray myself with DEET (which I hate, but it's better than getting eaten alive!) When I'm out for extended periods I wear socks, long pants and long sleeved blouses, which helps.

      Wicker is such a summery thing and I love it!

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  3. Welcome back, I missed visiting with you. There is something about white wicker that says "summer" to me. I read The Kite Runner (liked it) but will have to check out Lowcournty Summer.

    Darla

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    1. Me too, Darla. I am slowly getting caught up on reading all blogs I follow. I am sailing on through Lowcountry Summer; it's funny, clever and keeps you guessing about what will happen next. Looking forward to reading Kite Runner next.

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  4. Great post, Sanda, with lots to see and love. Mary Cassatt is a favourite of mine - I have enjoyed her beautiful paintings in many art museums. And Summertime, the great aria of Porgy and Bess - never tire of hearing that! I love wicker too, and have some pieces on my deck. Like you, have to nurture the pot plants in the hot weather, and I am running about shifting them and watering them every day. I for one would love to transform my pot to the French look - can't wait for that post! Have a great weekend on that beautiful patio.

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    1. I love Mary Cassatt as well; paintings are so "idyllic." The weather is cooler today after rain yesterday. A perfect time to sit on the porch and read! Stay tuned for the post on the French flower pots!

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  5. Love new look on your porch. The old glider looks great and that sweet kitty makes it even nicer! Love the smells and sounds of summer. ..it goes away too soon. I love July even though humidity is bad....morning and early evening especially wonderful.

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    1. Have to enjoy these summer days while we can as winter will be back all too soon. I just looked out the bedroom window and Kitty Myrtle is back in the suitcase bed, flat of her back and sleeping up a storm. I suppose her big brothers are out hunting or engaged in some other manly endeavor.

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  6. It looks like you enjoying this first Summer of your retirement. Don't you find that you are busier now that you have all this extra time? (I sure did!) Great finds - I especially like the tray with the flowers, or at least what it will look like after you paint over the flowers. Isn't Dollar General great?

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