I Stand on My New Porch | Chickens in the Road

Nov
9

I stand on my new porch and through the leaf-barren trees and down the hill I spy a river. Across the river, I spy the ground where my great-grandfather’s house once stood. I spy my father stopping by his front porch every day when he walked home from school for a snack or a hug from my great-grandmother. I spy her waiting for him wearing her big apron, wiping her hands, telling everyone, “Whatever he did wrong, he didn’t go to do it.”

From my new front porch, I spy the one-room schoolhouse on the river where my grandmother taught. I spy her ringing the old bell, calling her students inside, loading the woodstove to keep them all warm. I spy the house over the next hill she built with her own money after my grandfather died. I spy the little cemetery where he’s buried. I spy my father coming back from the war to see my great-grandfather one last time. I spy my great-aunts and great-uncles and innumerable cousins who lived and loved here once upon a time.

And sometimes I stand on this new porch and I think they spy me. :smile:

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32 Responses
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11-9
12:24
pm

I love the one picture, it looks relaxing. The construction looks like too much work, but will be worth it when it’s done.

Yes, please put me in the draw.

Tammy G. - Reply
11-9
12:31
pm

Such great memories No one can ever take them away. I,too have a lot of memories. Now I just have to pray I don’t get Alhiemer’s(spelling?) and lose them. The home is really coming along nicely. I enjoy the progress reports. Have a great week-end and to all.
PS please enter me for the drawing.

Fannie M Wiggins - Reply
11-9
12:36
pm

The house is taking shape very quickly!

You do have lovely memories, Suzanne, memories to hold close to your heart and cherish all your days.

Please do enter me in the draw and happy Friday to all.

-Kim

Kim A. - Reply
11-9
12:52
pm

Great post. I love your memories. The house is coming along nicely. Please include me in the drawing.

Crystal B. - Reply
11-9
12:55
pm

Such great pictures. I’d like to be included in the draw!

Gina - Reply
11-9
1:16
pm

All the pictures were lovely — the ones from the camera AND the ones from your memory…

Marianne - Reply
11-9
1:49
pm

Wonderful memories and pictures!
I’d like to be included in the draw too.

Eva S - Reply
11-9
1:52
pm

Great pictures and I envy you being surrounded by family history. I would love to win the book.

Maureen - Reply
11-9
2:06
pm

:flying: I spy a romance novelist sitting on her porch, with her laptop, surrounded by cats, dogs, kids, friends, all munching on homemade bread!!!! I think you’re right about your relatives spying you! I’m sure they are very happy to have the Dyes back in the hills!!!! :treehugger:

MARY - Reply
11-9
2:10
pm

:flying: How lucky you are to be back where your roots are! My immediate family is scattered from coast-to-coast and I envy all the others who are still in PA. I do so enjoy your musings, pics and blog.

Karen B - Reply
11-9
2:25
pm

Great pictures! Please enter me in the draw.

Minna - Reply
11-9
2:53
pm

Wonderful photos! You paint such vivid pictures with your words.

Susan - Reply
11-9
3:07
pm

It’s wonderful to have such deep roots.

Count me in the draw.

Alice Audrey - Reply
11-9
3:15
pm

Enjoyed the pictures today and I’m glad that you have such good memories. I’d like to be included for the draw!

Teresa W. - Reply
11-9
3:47
pm

Your words paint a haunting yet lovely visit to the past. And your photos are gorgeous, the house is really coming along!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Brandy - Reply
11-9
4:10
pm

That was touching :purr: I just finished reading Seducing the Mercenary and it was a great story so good luck to everyone else in the running!

catslady - Reply
11-9
4:36
pm

Memories are such heartwarming treasures.
Please add me to the drawing.

Estella - Reply
11-9
5:55
pm

Can You add me too

lily - Reply
11-9
6:05
pm

I sometimes think someone is watching me… can I be entered

Nathalie - Reply
11-9
7:22
pm

I live in the desert so this looks really inviting to me. Happy Thanksgiving

JOYE - Reply
11-9
8:20
pm

I love love love the porch!!! It will be so nice to rock in the six rocking chairs! :rotfl: I love sitting out on the porch during a thunderstorm too! :elephant:

Carol - Reply
11-9
8:45
pm

Lovely history.

The house is looking so good – what a legacy YOU are leaving. :smile:

Ellen - Reply
11-9
10:08
pm

Thanks for all the great pictures Suzanne, I can really see it taking shape it’s almost like I’m there. Have a great weekend.

Dena - Reply
11-10
12:36
am

What great memories you are spying. Please enter me.

RobynL - Reply
11-10
2:29
am

Oh man, Suzanne … you have a way with the heart strings. I spy a tear in my eye…

Loreth Anne White - Reply
11-10
2:30
am

Catslady — thank you!!

Loreth Anne White - Reply
11-10
7:16
am

:purr: Thank-you! Suzanne. I got the Blenko Glass Star yesterday. It was perfect, Thank-you!!! :purr:

Tammy G. - Reply
11-10
9:12
am

You’re making me tear up. I’m sure they do spy you and I’m also sure they’re very, very proud of you. Thanks so much for sharing the pics of your house with all of us as it’s being built.

Please put me in for the draw too.

Cheryl S. - Reply
11-10
11:49
am

Love the pics!!!

Jill - Reply
11-11
1:19
pm

Enter me in the drawing, please.

What lovely pictures — your house and land are so full of memories!

I spy….

Ericka Scott - Reply
11-15
1:37
am

Catching up because life is insane, but couldn’t pass up the chance to say the house is coming along nicely! I love it! I have house envy again!

Danica/Dream - Reply
11-5
1:11
pm

that is a beautiful story and there are time you have to take a step back into their world

cindy smith - Reply