>> One of my favorite things to do while watching all the various episodes of TAGS is to pay special attention to all the front porches that are on the homes within Mayberry. <<
'Twas a wonderful dissertation on the importance of the front porch, Ken. It reminded me poignantly of my growing-up years on our small Midwestern farm. The front porch was a gathering place during daytime and nighttime hours alike. We had the homemade ice cream, strawberry shortcake, friends and family coming and going, and all the rest. Then, after curfew, the porch became my sleeping place during hot, humid summer nights, with my dog beneath my canvas army cot. Our only neighbors during those hours were fireflies (we called them lightning bugs), June bugs, nighttime insect symphonies of sound, lonely distant coyotes, and occasional thunder. I don't know if the good folk of Mayberry ever slept on their front porches, but I think Gomer might have tried it if it hadn't been for "them spiders" down there. The trouble nowadays is that people feel they need to retreat to inner sanctums, either inside their homes or within high fences of back yards and patios for safety, security, and privacy. And besides, I wistfully ask, who has time to sit anymore anyway? Front porch sitters symbolically have their arms and hearts opened to the world, or at least to their community. They are ready to receive, accept, and enjoy their neighbors and even strangers who pass by. Surely that is the Mayberry Spirit we cherish and actively promote. At least, maybe it's the simple Mayberry way of life we'd like to reclaim and relive. It is a moment in time that my kids may never know. Long live Mayberry and its front porches, spiders included. Larry in CO _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
