Hi, all! May I join you on the porch for a spell? I love porches!
The hundred year old house I live in had a porch back in the mining days, but it's long since been converted to an entryway. I would dearly love to have a porch to sit on on summer evenings. When I'm traveling, and passing through neighborhoods, I'm always exclaiming, "Oh, look at THAT porch!" I notice little about the rest of the structure, but the porch never escapes me.

Just the thought of a porch evokes warmth, relaxation, community, laughter.....

Susan, your mention of the "skeeter" abatement got my attention. Last night I played for a dance which was indoors. It was a gorgeous evening, and the heat cranked up as the dancers got going. Someone opened the door during one set and quite suddenly, the band was being eaten alive! (by an army of tiny little things we call "no-seeums." ) I was playing fiddle and it was with great difficulty and discipline I attempted to keep a steady rhythm for the dancers. The rest of the band was in the same boat and we were a mess in very short order! One of the dancers heard our cries for mercy and supplied us with some bug dope, but not before those little buggers had had their way! When I got home I looked like I had the measles....counted 23 and that was only on one arm between elbow and wrist!