Just redid our porch and deck. Waiting on the slab to be done. Garden has been planted. Got carrots coming up. Not a big as yours but a little paradise is good for the soul.
I write from Portland, Oregon. Years ago I ran across a school teacher's desk from the 1930s. It's huge and heavy, solid oak with six drawers and a slate top. My office is quite spacious. I sit at that desk to write, surrounded on three sides by floor-to-ceiling bookcases, my dad's WWII medals, a B&W photo of his 1936 CCC corps in Albuquerque, some pieces of my wife's art, and a wall of windows to my left, through which I gaze upon a large star magnolia tree. There are often bunnies in the yard and the squirrels run rampant. This my refuge. I spend most of every day here, working, writing, reading, and thinking. I'm often interrupted (my wife has late stage Parkinson's and frequently needs my help) but return to my desk soon as I can. I love the silence of the place. Late in life I find that what I prize most are the occasional moments of reverence about the world that come to me - not a religious sensibility, but reverence for the beauty and complexity of life and our struggle to make sense of it all.
I love knitting on our back deck, where you can’t see the neighbors out back for the trees. But this is Pennsylvania, and the fingers get a little cold and stiff this time of year, except for an unpredictable day here and there. It's time to move indoors, in front of a yet-unlit fireplace and prepare for hibernation season. I don’t write much as I’ve had a falling-out with GoDaddy, and I doubt what falls out of my brain is of interest except to a limited few. Knitting must suffice.
I know exactly how you feel. We haven't eaten a dinner inside for years. I live in urban Izmir, Turkey with a view of the bay making it worthwhile. Overhead heater in the winter of course, but not quite there yet. Enjoy for as long as you can!
Thanks, Rick. I sit at my computer in front of a window that looks out on the pasture and forested hill behind our 1830 farmhouse here in New England. The trees are still showing some remnants of fall. The summer birds are all gone now leaving behind the chickadees and nuthatches to fend for themselves. I've watched turkey families, bald eagles, kestrels, and red-shouldered hawks as I listen to The Lincoln Project for example.
That sounds so wonderful. I love my backyard too . I have a picnic table with a bird feeder close bye
and in the summer we get grosbeak, finches, and others. I may not put it up next year because I lost 6 grosbeak this year because they all caught something from EACHOTHER and died. If I don’t feed them they will be safer from the decease. Love what you have to say. Toni Lawrence
It’s really lovely to hear these things from you…a moving glimpse into what sustains your spirit and gives you the heart to do the political analysis this world needs. Thank you.
Love this and it reminds me of buying our own house. It’s an early 80’s brick ranch, nothing remarkable. We looked at it on a hot August day and when I stepped onto the deck I also “knew”. The back of the house opened to a wooded ravine and we couldn’t see our neighbors on all sides. We expanded the deck and built a second deck directly under a sugar maple where I sat yesterday under a blaze of fall leaves, a good book and glass of red. I live in Michigan and I’ll sit out there until it snows.
I did not picture you as this person. No idea why... We likewise chose our home, in fact our whole neighborhood, for the porches. They saved us during the thick of the pandemic.
Thank you. The writing I'm doing here is more personal. Twitter has devolved into an endless brawl. Any sign of humanity is punished. I've opened the gate on Instagram to some more personal aspects of my life. Yes, this is political, but I'm a man in full, so...
Unfortunately that nice weather hasn't made it down to Tampa yet. We love to sit on our front porch and people watch Ybor City and its denizens go by. But that'll have to wait for the real Fall weather to arrive.
What do you mean ? Otters ? You have fresh water Otters ? ....heaven is real ..
My Cathedral of choice still appears to still be somewhere down in Keys.... Even with a resurgence of popularity...it's still kind of a beautiful exhale whenever I can go down there. It's about 2 hours away from me. Sunrise in Islamorada..is still pretty good. Also on my list is a country of love. Spain.
Sounds lovely.
Just redid our porch and deck. Waiting on the slab to be done. Garden has been planted. Got carrots coming up. Not a big as yours but a little paradise is good for the soul.
I write from Portland, Oregon. Years ago I ran across a school teacher's desk from the 1930s. It's huge and heavy, solid oak with six drawers and a slate top. My office is quite spacious. I sit at that desk to write, surrounded on three sides by floor-to-ceiling bookcases, my dad's WWII medals, a B&W photo of his 1936 CCC corps in Albuquerque, some pieces of my wife's art, and a wall of windows to my left, through which I gaze upon a large star magnolia tree. There are often bunnies in the yard and the squirrels run rampant. This my refuge. I spend most of every day here, working, writing, reading, and thinking. I'm often interrupted (my wife has late stage Parkinson's and frequently needs my help) but return to my desk soon as I can. I love the silence of the place. Late in life I find that what I prize most are the occasional moments of reverence about the world that come to me - not a religious sensibility, but reverence for the beauty and complexity of life and our struggle to make sense of it all.
My writing is done anywhere I get the fragile idea that needs a deeper commitment.
Great porch, I envy the wildlife but not the humidity. I’m in Az the anti Florida? Thanks for the tour. Very nice. A mazel on you.
I love this piece. Love knowing that The Rick Wilson is a full dimensional human.
I write on my back terrace until it turns cold- much sooner in the Hudson Valley than in Tallahassee but a grateful for every second.
I love knitting on our back deck, where you can’t see the neighbors out back for the trees. But this is Pennsylvania, and the fingers get a little cold and stiff this time of year, except for an unpredictable day here and there. It's time to move indoors, in front of a yet-unlit fireplace and prepare for hibernation season. I don’t write much as I’ve had a falling-out with GoDaddy, and I doubt what falls out of my brain is of interest except to a limited few. Knitting must suffice.
Wonderful piece. Porches are magical places. Thank you for this and for all you do!
I know exactly how you feel. We haven't eaten a dinner inside for years. I live in urban Izmir, Turkey with a view of the bay making it worthwhile. Overhead heater in the winter of course, but not quite there yet. Enjoy for as long as you can!
Thanks, Rick. I sit at my computer in front of a window that looks out on the pasture and forested hill behind our 1830 farmhouse here in New England. The trees are still showing some remnants of fall. The summer birds are all gone now leaving behind the chickadees and nuthatches to fend for themselves. I've watched turkey families, bald eagles, kestrels, and red-shouldered hawks as I listen to The Lincoln Project for example.
That sounds so wonderful. I love my backyard too . I have a picnic table with a bird feeder close bye
and in the summer we get grosbeak, finches, and others. I may not put it up next year because I lost 6 grosbeak this year because they all caught something from EACHOTHER and died. If I don’t feed them they will be safer from the decease. Love what you have to say. Toni Lawrence
It’s really lovely to hear these things from you…a moving glimpse into what sustains your spirit and gives you the heart to do the political analysis this world needs. Thank you.
Love this and it reminds me of buying our own house. It’s an early 80’s brick ranch, nothing remarkable. We looked at it on a hot August day and when I stepped onto the deck I also “knew”. The back of the house opened to a wooded ravine and we couldn’t see our neighbors on all sides. We expanded the deck and built a second deck directly under a sugar maple where I sat yesterday under a blaze of fall leaves, a good book and glass of red. I live in Michigan and I’ll sit out there until it snows.
Up here in Massachusetts, porch season just ended; we squeezed out every last drop. Good things happen on porches. Enjoy.
They sure do. In the climates I’ve lived, screens have been a must. However, the time spent in them has soothed my soul many, many times.
Ain't it the truth. ❤️
I did not picture you as this person. No idea why... We likewise chose our home, in fact our whole neighborhood, for the porches. They saved us during the thick of the pandemic.
Happy heaven season.
Thank you. The writing I'm doing here is more personal. Twitter has devolved into an endless brawl. Any sign of humanity is punished. I've opened the gate on Instagram to some more personal aspects of my life. Yes, this is political, but I'm a man in full, so...
Unfortunately that nice weather hasn't made it down to Tampa yet. We love to sit on our front porch and people watch Ybor City and its denizens go by. But that'll have to wait for the real Fall weather to arrive.
I'm from Tampa, and I feel that pain.
What do you mean ? Otters ? You have fresh water Otters ? ....heaven is real ..
My Cathedral of choice still appears to still be somewhere down in Keys.... Even with a resurgence of popularity...it's still kind of a beautiful exhale whenever I can go down there. It's about 2 hours away from me. Sunrise in Islamorada..is still pretty good. Also on my list is a country of love. Spain.
I do!