I suppose it’s our way to keep re-imagining our home, our lives and our back porch. We had essentially turned it over to the chickens and barn cats, but a few weeks ago, we decided to reclaim. it.

I often think of our Open Houses when I think of the porch, this is where I usually get to meet people as they come to our farm and do us the honor of introducing themselves to us.

This is the first October in eight years that we won’t have an Open  House, but it feels right. We need to re-think them and their purpose.

I’ve made some really good friends through the Open Houses.

We aren’t doing an Open House this year, and I will miss getting to put names and faces together. I loved showing off Red and introducing people to the donkeys, my role while Maria was holed up in her studio selling stuff.

But we did need a break from it, we are both busier than ever and the work that goes into an Open House just seemed too much this year, especially for Maria, who lost a month’s work on  every Open House.

Next year may be different, we may want to try it again In the meantime, our porch has been transformed. New table (old table moved downstairs and out to the porch), red chairs, some hanging plants and a mushrooming garden.

I think our “Books” and “Heal” signs will stay for good. Minnie and Flo are happier to sleep lower to the ground and spend the nights stalking chipmunks, mice and baby rabbits.

Maria and sit outside sometimes and have some coffee or watch the sun set. We have, to some degree, re-claimed our porch. Perhaps one day, I can meet some of you there again.