front porch....

If the world had a front porch like we did back then
We'd still have our problems but we'd all be friends
Treatin' your neighbor like he's your next of kin
Wouldn't be gone with the wind
If the world had a front porch like we did back then

-Tracy Lawrence

Okay, its safe to say that I am not a big fan of country music, but I always liked Tracy Lawrence, and I always liked this song. "If the world had a front porch" I guess because some of my most memorable times growing up was summers over in Easley, SC with my grandparents. I am sure most of you can concur that life revolved around the front porch.  

Supper would be finished, dishes washed and put away, it was time to retire to the  porch.  No kidding-every neighbor seemed to drop by and we kids played in the front yard chasing lightening bugs or eating a cold piece of watermelon. There was no TV, the comings and goings of the ole mill hill were our nightly entertainment.
Friends would catch us up on all the local gossip, and My Grandmother ( God rest her soul) would sit in her porch swing with her two pekingese puppies next to her. She was a great debater, and would keep you up past midnight arguing the issues. She went to her grave believing that man never walked on the moon and it was all one big puppet show.  In one evening we would have all the worlds problems solved and then enjoy a dish of ice cream..

My Grandfather would sit in a rocker that was once my great grandmothers, and laugh at my Grandmother, and all her theories on things. He would get us kids together and scare the crap out of us telling stories of local "haints" as he called them. He taught us the way of the hill people, and all the superstitions.

So, when we got the house done, with our lovely porch...Senior surprised me one day with rockers. It was so reminiscent of those simpler times when I was a kid, much like back then we turn the TV off, and retire to the porch, take a breath and enjoy life.....

-JUGM

My most memorable Christmas

 

Growing up in a household that was 1/2 Italian and 1/2 heinz 57 made for some fun holidays. My mother was the Italian part..The cooking would commence the start of Christmas week, and last until the Eve. Food would abound in our house. Then there is the dishes all the relatives would bring in.

Christmas Eve dinner was purely Italian. Every pasta, sauce and dessert imaginable. It was the one time of year my parents let us kids sip red wine- a big thrill! 
The one Christmas I remember most was when I was 7. My grandmother had been diagnosed with Lung cancer and  was  given 3-6 months to live. I knew this would be my last with her.
She sat in a chair and I next to her on the floor while we opened presents. I held her hand and wished it would last forever. I burned everything from that Christmas in to my mind, never to forget it.

That next March she passed. After that, Mom stopped the Italian food and Christmas was never the same.

 So, Once Senior and I were married. I started the tradition up again with my own little family. I have cooked meatballs, fresh bread, boiled spaghetti noodles, and my special sauce. The house smells heavenly. Christmas Eve is a magical time. I love seeing the excitement on the little faces of our boys, and I am so thankful for the things we have and my family to celebrate this Christmas with.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas !

-JUGM