because I have much to say

because it brings me a lot of joy

because it has had a positive impact on my life

because it is always right there, in the back of my mind...

just a few of the reasons I can't let this quiet little blog of mine go.

So, here I am, after another long silence. Wondering if anyone still visits. Especially with the recent demise of google reader.

Anyone out there?

Hello : )

I'm still here. Sitting on my porch this morning in soggy North Carolina. Boy, it's been a wet summer in my little corner of the world. It's nearly noon in the middle of July in North Carolina and I'm on my front porch wearing a sweater. What???

I've been spending lots of time, here on the porch. Rocking and thinking. Sometimes accompanied by my favorite little 5 year old, sometimes just me.

I love my porch. The house I lived in for part of my growing up years had a big front porch. It was my great-grandmother's house. We lived there with her because she had Alzheimer's disease. It was my great-grandmother, my granny, my mom, my sister and my granny's brother all living in this house.

I have such fond memories of that house and that porch, probably because it was the only time in my life that my mom was there and was going to be there. She wasn't going to be gone for days or weeks or months. She wasn't going to be in a hospital or another state because of drugs. She was off drugs and was there when I went to bed and there when I woke up. She had to nearly die to get to that place and it only lasted a few years before she would die from lung disease, but for that brief time of my life, it was good. For once, to let down that heavy burden I'd always been dragging around. The worry, the shame, the fear, the anger, the disappointment, all wrapped up in one heavy bundle, it got really heavy sometimes. So, for those couple of years that I was able to put that bundle away, it was a good place to be. Time spent on that porch with my mom and my granny, my sister and whoever else happened to be over, those were good times. 

I knew when I had my own house, it had to have a porch. Maybe to me it was a tangible representation of that treasured feeling of security I felt. That security that my family was together and at peace.

I do a lot praying on this porch of mine. A great deal of self analysis and soul searching as well. Things haven't fallen right into the place I sort of always expected they would. Not in a bad way, really, just not what seemed to be the natural progression of life in the little dream I'd dreamed. I sit here and pray for God to help me be at peace for what is not and what may never be. 

Mostly though, my prayers are of gratitude. Things may not be just like I'd hope they would be, but they are pretty darn good, none the less. I'm so undeserving of the blessings I've been given, how can I be anything but grateful?

How is the summer shaping up for you, my friends?

 

Comments

[Autum]

Hello Doris.
I'm so happy to hear you've stuck with me.  I've been a terrible blogger of late.
Sewing was a wonderful distraction for me during a difficult time too.  It has been such a blessing in my life in many ways! 
I have someone close to me who is going through a really bad time and I'm hoping that sewing can provide her with not only a distraction,  but as a help in healing. 
Thanks again for sticking with me.  I'll try to do better ;)
XO Autum

[Lisa]

Oh, still here in rainy Ohio (although we've had two or three spectacular rain-free days in a row!) As with the Ohioan above, NC has been an oasis for our family for about 30 years, although we don't make the trip every summer as we did when our kids were small, and that makes me sad. About 15 years ago we brought home a couple of porch rockers, painted them white, and just the sight of them on our front porch takes me back to when my family was young and things were so, so beautifully simple. So glad you checked in from your porch!

[Autum]

Hi Lisa :)
I do love my white porch rockers. 
I imagine in 30 years,  my granddaughter will think back to the simple times she spent on the porch with her nana,  and it makes me smile. 
People travel many miles to enjoy the NC beaches.  I'm so fortunate to be just a two hour drive away.  I know our state has some beautiful mountains as well,  but I'm an ocean girl,  all the way.
I hope it isn't long before you are able to visit again!
XO Autum

[Autum]

Thank you for not giving up,  Rita :)
XO Autum

[Autum]

Hi Jo.
Is it winter now in Australia?

[Autum]

Thank you Missy :)

[Autum]

Thank you Dena!
I used to think I wanted a wrap around porch too,  but now I am happy not to have more square footage to sweep ;)
I have a good friend who has a big wrap around porch and it is beautiful,  but I don't think she ever uses anything but the front portion. 
My neighbors probably wonder if I ever do any house work anymore,  I'm always on the porch. (that way I don't have to look at the undone house work)
I hope you've had a lovely weekend!
XO Autum

[Autum]

Thank you Carol :)
XO Autum

[Autum]

Thank you so much for your kind words :)
Just one more reason to keep blogging.
I feel unworthy of your admiration.  My boundless energy has been nowhere to be found these days.  I'm hoping something will jump start it again. 
Maybe if I read back through some old posts,  I can find that girl who used to be able to get so much done,  I sure do miss her ;)
I hope you get some cooler temps soon.
XO Autum

[phyll]

I have loved your blog for years, I also understand how draining kids are I have 6 grandkids 3 girls live right next door & the other 2 boys & granddaughter live just about 5 miles. I retired to help take care of them & now all but the littlest guy will be in school . It will be like retiring all over again. I keep thinking I will have time for {that) when they are in school. Well it is coming up fast & I think I will really miss them being here. I guess I will need a jump start also . Thanks for all the inspiration you have given me in the past.

[Sherry]

Lovely post, especially "I knew when I had my own house, it had to have a porch. Maybe to me it was a tangible representation of that treasured feeling of security I felt. That security that my family was together and at peace." that is going into my book of quotes! Love the Jar sippy cup, I have one just like it that i keep m&m's in when i walk by I can flip that lid and I may or may not get a treat, depending on which side gets opened. The candy just wont fit throught the holes!

Keep posting we are here reading!

[Thimbleanna]

Hi Autum! It's so nice to see you back. I enjoy seeing you on Instagram, but Instagram just isn't the same. It doesn't allow you to express your thoughts -- well, not in any big way. I'm so sad that so many people have abandoned their blogs for Instagram and facebook, -- their just not the same. Beautiful post today. Oh -- and HOW can it possibly be that Bayleigh is FIVE??? Amazing!

[Jen]

I am always glad to see your posts. I like the style you have and how you keep it real. I am in NC with you and all the rain. I love a porch in the summer.

[Mary]

I live in beautiful sunny Florida, but if I had a front porch to sit on which I don't I would have an ugly view of the house across the street with people that don't bother to cut their grass. So I would love to sit on your porch and just listen to the rain and enjoy the view with a cool glass of ice tea, maybe some handwork too! Its Beautiful! mburnette912@bellsouth.net

[Willow Caroline]

Things are very much the same for me - rain drenched in my corner of NC - using my porch for relaxing with family and friends as I try to rejuvenate and prepare for the next school year - facing my struggles and trying to appreciate "what is" instead of longing for the picture perfect "what I had hoped would be" - trying to find contentment in the hear and now in recognition that time is fleeting. Good to hear from you!

[Fromsuetoyou]

I never used Google Reader but always seem to check in to your blog shortly after one of your lovely posts. I am a very sporadic blogger as well and appreciate the work that goes into meaningful entries. I have gotten tons of inspiration from your projects...more of a sewer than a tool-wielding crafter, but love seeing what you're up to.
So yes, still here on my sundeck, and grateful for your words, as always.
Susan

[Michelle]

I love front porches too. I still get your updates in my email so even though I'm not here I'm still reading : )

[tricia]

I still read your blog and always look forward to your updates. I'm in rain soaked Asheville, spending lots of time on my front porch. The rain hasn't bothered me too much, though I have my coffee consumption and cake baking has increased exponentially :)

[nancy]

Hi, I have read your blog for a long time. I'm not a big commenter, but just wanted you to know that I transferred my Google reader feeds to Feedly. I was flipping through my reader and this post appeared. I too struggle with writing on my blog with all the other ways to connect, FB, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. I think blogging has it's purpose and I love all the photos and stories we all share. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I love hearing what you have to say. <3

[Sandra]

Hi! I do miss Google Reader, but then again, it will probably spur many of us to go back to actually visiting our favorite blogs and commenting. I always looked forward to my morning coffee while visiting blogs from my list of favorites, seeing the actual blogs and all the spiffy links and artwork contained in each. I always left a comment, as well. With Reader's ease of creeping around the blogs without actually "seeing" them it was way too easy to just lurk and never say a word. I've been missing my blog, too, and as I made my first post in a long time yesterday afternoon, I was thinking the same thing: it's a sort of diary with a select few to answer back. I love your porch. And, I agree, porch sitting makes for the very best time to reflect. Nothing better, really.

[Kim @ Vintage Pretties]

I'm still here & so glad that you are as well! Funny, I was just thinking of you today & here you are in my blog feed. I was sewing & I always think of you as the person who helped me start to like sewing. I'm the same kind of blogger as you -- I haven't written in a few months, but I can't bear to give it up. I love your front porch -- porches (especially with rocking chairs or swings) are magical places.

[Dawn]

I am still here, Autum.
Have almost closed my place.
It is still open.
Issues with aging parents-in-law and health issues of the hubs keep me from doing the blog thing as often.
Always good to see you.
D xox

[Laura]

Yes...I am still here too...I check in every now and then to see if you have recently posted.

Glad to see you still there, and that you and yours are okay.

Have a happy day on your porch with your little one...mine are asleep taking their naps right now (3 and 22 months), then their Daddy will come get them and take them home to enjoy their weekend with he and their Mama (my daughter), who just had a little minor surgery this week.
Love our little ones!

[Mary Claire]

I've so missed my "visits" with you. Glad you are here again! Please keep it coming. I've always enjoyed your ideas and enthusiasm for decorating, DIY, sewing and all the rest! I've been in NC this summer myself. It is so nice to get to come and stay here a while to visit family! But soon I will be back to my home in TX. Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and that the rain lets up a little in NC!!

[katie]

I'm here again . . . making a tote bag today, and needing to consult the tutorial I used when I started sewing them a couple of years ago . . . and from the back recesses of my memory I remembered Creative Little Daisy! So glad you are still here.