The Front Porch Deal

I like this!

A Garden of Her Own

I lay aside the stones of judgment,
the weeds of other people’s fears,
for too long they grew across my soil,
choking the roots of who I am.

Now I take back the tending of my ground,
my hands in the earth of my own becoming.
I choose what seeds to scatter,
what blooms deserve the sunlight of my care.

Not every passerby may call it beautiful,
the true beauty may be hidden beyond their gaze.
See how the wildflower does not look for praise,
nor does the oak bend amid adversity.

This is the art of pruning gently,
to let go of voices that wither the vine,
and nurture instead the quiet knowing
that worth is planted deep, unconditional, enduring.

Here in this garden of self,
I am unshackled,
growing toward the open sky,
free to root, to rise, to flower
in the way only I was meant to bloom.

~ 'A Garden of Her Own ' by Spirit of a Hippie

✍️ Mary Anne Byrne

~ 'Garden of Her Own' by Sugar & Canvas Fine Art

Start your Monday off with some love! You are loved by me!

Don’t wait til I’m gone
And then stand up to speak
About all the things
That you loved about me

Don’t sing all my praises
Through all of your tears
When I am no longer
Beside you to hear

Don’t leave all that love
Like a secret unsaid
But tell me tomorrow
Or right now instead

And I’ll tell you too
Of the things I admire
About who you are
And how much you inspire

I’ll speak from my heart
Whilst you’re still here to know
“You are” not “you were”
Or “it used to be so”

I’ll speak of your light
Whilst you’ll still hear the words
And not leave that love
In the darkness, unheard

So tell me tomorrow
Or right now - don’t wait
Because we don’t know
When it might be too late

Because we don’t know
When our time might be up
And we need to hear - while we are here -
How we’re loved.

~ 'Tell Me Tomorrow’ by Becky Hemsley ~ Becky Hemsley Poetry

~ Art by Marika Campeti

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Today's porch was a beautiful taste of the Autumn that is to come. This is my favorite time of year. The world is ripe and full of all the richness that it should possess! It was just a taste, a little amuse bouche, of what is to come. Sweet corn and tomatoes trade places with apples and pumpkins. Bonfires and walks under the stars replace sand and sunburn.

Autumn is my time of reflection and thanksgiving for all the fruits of seeds planted in Spring and labored over in the Summer sun. One of my favorite places to be is "down south" in the rolling hills of southern Indiana with my adopted family. I learned to love "slow time" in my early 20's. I would seek refuge among "my" people. They were (are!) the most giving, and forgiving, people in my life. Wanda and Dave had this beautiful refuge that had a fishing pond and a garage with a kitchen to rival any Food Network set up.

We would get together there; share community, basically, just enjoy one another and reconnect with each other. Once we had had our fill, those of us of a certain age would go grab a rod and fish, or stay a while at the table and enjoy a tale told of "how it was". These were good options, but my favorite was a hammock. It wasn't fancy, just a simple heavy rope concoction that, when mounted properly, would melt and conform to my shape (tempur pedic, my arse!). The nap that would ensue was bliss that I have yet to repeat in any time or place since.

My wish for you, dear porch friends, is a quiet Sunday with just a taste of chill. Listen to the laughter of beloved friends. Smell the air that is sweet and gills your lungs in ways you can now only remember. Embrace the memory. Enjoy the moment.

So, anyway, today was a beautiful glimpse...

The Front Porch is my happy place. I sit on my wicker and watch the world walk by. There are people who stroll with purpose and others who wander. Some days I stroll with purpose and others I wander. I used to fear wandering, but now I am happy just to hear the sounds around me and see bits and pieces of others' lives as I walk by. In my life, bits and pieces of those around me help to make us whole. They make up the beautiful of our lives.

There is loveliness in everything. If we are fortunate, we can see it, even in the ugly, in the terrible. I have had some pretty ugly things in the past few years, but now, I see the ultimate blessing of this terrible blessing. Today I choose to seek the beauty of the wandering or the purposeful stroll. I will enjoy the journey. You are welcome to join me and see where this story goes.

Happiness and joy for my friends! I am starting the Front Porch blog! Daily musings regarding life in Kokomo and where we can find the best of Kokomo for the most frugal price!

The Deal has moved! We still love our roots in the Near Northwest, but we call Patterson Park home. Our heart is all about supporting local merchants, so stay tuned as we search out our local heroes who bring personality to our home!

Go Ask Debbie Miller what she wants to sell today! Ask her what the Front Porch Deal is!!! oh, and say HI to Ed up at Marsh! Finally tell the drive up crew at Lexi's that you want the management to give you a front porch deal!!!!