The calming nature of my front porch
My front porch has become my “go to” escape during this “at home” summer. It's a place I can be outside the house without going anywhere. It's pleasant and breezy. My two favorite trees are right there in the front yard — two huge silver maples. They were one of reasons my dear Baheej wanted to buy this house.
The porch is a place where friends can come over to visit safely, to chat and have a cup of coffee or glass of wine, and a snack or light lunch. There's enough room to sit with needed social distance. It's covered with a roof but open with no screens or walls, just summer breezes. It will be fine to sit out on the porch up into the fall.
There is a great old Motown song, “Up on the Roof,” where the air is fresh and clean. It is peaceful and restful. Well, my front porch is like that, pleasant three seasons of the year. It has chairs and a little table. This summer I have baskets with plates, cups and glasses at the ready.
I spent Memorial Day out there. And also the Fourth of July. I'm there right now, just watching the neighbors going by — taking a walk or walking their dogs, jogging, riding bikes.
A swallow built a nest on top of one of the porch pillars under the roof and raised two broods right before my eyes. This has also been great entertainment for my kitties who can see the nest right out the front window, and hear the hatchlings chirping for food.
Recently, two friends came over for snacks and tea on the front porch. It was so pleasant. Donna is a superb baker so she brought homemade banana bread and sugar cookies, which I love. They were a great treat, as was seeing friends in person!
Today, another dear friend, Jolie, came by to visit after running her errands. I had a little light lunch of asparagus and bites of havarti cheese for her. She liked it. Also, the porch is a nice place for me to eat, even if just alone or watching nature. I usually have some music playing.
My other escape route is, of course, my back patio with its potted plants. They must be watered frequently, so that's enjoyable and a reason to get some sunshine. My garden hose is close by, so it's easy.
I read an article recently that people are happier, and are less stressed, when they have planted little home gardens. Even more so if they grow some plants they can eat. I've done that and am already harvesting the herbs and some tasty zucchini so far. Tomatoes are coming along, still green.
According to this article, the positive influence is true whether a person gardens at a city condo, apartment balcony, a suburban patio or typical yard. I can understand this; I personally enjoy watching plants grow and flowers bloom. My beebalms are magnificent this year, having grown very tall because of all that rain this spring, giving them a strong start.
We must stay safe, which means staying still mostly “at home,” though we don't have to sit on the couch and watch TV. We must use our imagination. There are many more options than it seemed last March when this “quarantine” started here in Illinois (already over four months ago).
My dear Baheej was a big fan of getting out in nature. He instigated many nature trips and explorations — the Continental Divide, the Grand Tetons, Mesa Verde. I sometimes think of those big trips, but there's nature to be appreciated right in our own homes, patios and neighborhoods.
The point is: We have lots of opportunities to immerse ourselves in nature right here. It doesn't take a big trip or extraordinary experience.
I have a bird sanctuary right across the road in front of me. It's at the end of the village green and has a small creek running through. It's full of red winged blackbirds who nest there and other wildlife. Even coyotes are in there. They come out and trot right across my front yard on the way to check out the backyard bird feeders.
More daily appreciation of nature will help us in these stay-at-home times, especially for those of us who are bereaved. It's true, necessity is the mother .... Well, we must invent our own entertainment these days. Now I recognize all the neighborhood dogs, I am cooking with my own fresh herbs and I have been spiralizing my own organic, patio-raised zucchini. And it's all homemade fun.
• Susan Anderson-Khleif of Sleepy Hollow has a doctorate in family sociology from Harvard, taught at Wellesley College and is a retired Motorola executive. Contact her at sakhleif@comcast.net or see her blog longtermgrief.tumblr.com. See previous columns at www.dailyherald.com/topics/Anderson-Kleif-Susan.