I've fallen in love again--with my porch.

This is the article that will appear in the Valley Times News this week.  Hope u enjoy.

I have fallen and I can’t get up.  I’m on my new porch and it’s cool, pleasant, the birds are singing, The Hooch is reflective as glass showing off the beautiful green still on the trees.  Double N is stalking a mid-morning snack.  He brought me a baby mole last week.  The workmen were surprised to see me grab my dead gift by the tail and do a perfect two pointer into the trash can below.  Double N is not deterred by my rejection of his gifts. He continues to be as regal as a tiger purposefully stalking the perimeter seeking his next victim.

I promised the Baptists that I’d write about them.  They put on a feeding that was something to brag about…a low country boil with shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn.  Then they had the audacity to serve dessert…I had homemade ice cream with a scoop of peach cobbler. Wow.  Unfortunately, I can’t lay claim to the reason for the festivities at Riverview Baptist Church.  Paul Coker was named their man of the year so the party was in his honor.  They did get a little scoop of something unexpected with their meal though since I was their speaker.  We had a little chortle about the wisdom of having someone like me speak to Baptist men.  I am a cradle Methodist with a brief year spent in the Episcopal ranks.  When I was debating over what I’d say to Baptist men I decided to share my own story about important men in my life.  Duke Boy, his Dad and of course, my own Dad are all on my list.  My Dad left a rich legacy for me to drawn on with his life story of loss of his Dad at age 10, and heroism at age 23 when he received the Medal of Honor.  Riverviewans, male and female, to whom, I feel a kinship due to my own view of The Hooch, got to see pictures, read the “Helen Keller” letter, and hear my version of my Dad’s heroism to country and family.  Thanks to all of them for their gift of hospitality.

While writing a hummingbird buzzed outside the screen to see what that pink T-shirt was all about.  I’m looking forward to adding some bird feeders to my yard.  I haven’t had one in a while because I haven’t wanted to make snacking too easy on Double N.  Still working on a plan for the best spot.  Squirrels here were raised watching old Tarzan movies and they can swing, leap, and bound from amazing heights to strip bird feeders bare. I have a bag of sunflowers seed in my laundry room.  I’m truly surprised every morning to not see the door chewed off from their latest discovery of my hiding place. 

Little BW isn’t quite sure about this porch thing. We are in the air with the squirrels after all.  Double N is ticked because he isn’t allowed into the screened part of the porch.  He has to deposit his gifts at the door.

Thanks to all of you who made our Pastoral Institute event a success. We had lots of laughs with a clown, balloons, laughter Yoga, beautiful songs from the Signature Singers from Point, catering by Railroads, and great door prizes.  Thanks to all of you who sponsored tables.  Call Bradley Bonner and ask him to show it on HPTV if you haven’t seen yourself yet.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the Director of the Pastoral Institute in Valley, AL.  She provides individual, marriage and family counseling by appointment.  Call 334-768-2341 for an appointment or more information. 

I have fallen and I can’t get up.  I’m on my new porch and it’s cool, pleasant, the birds are singing, The Hooch is reflective as glass showing off the beautiful green still on the trees.  Double N is stalking a mid-morning snack.  He brought me a baby mole last week.  The workmen were surprised to see me grab my dead gift by the tail and do a perfect two pointer into the trash can below.  Double N is not deterred by my rejection of his gifts. He continues to be as regal as a tiger purposefully stalking the perimeter seeking his next victim.

I promised the Baptists that I’d write about them.  They put on a feeding that was something to brag about…a low country boil with shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn.  Then they had the audacity to serve dessert…I had homemade ice cream with a scoop of peach cobbler. Wow.  Unfortunately, I can’t lay claim to the reason for the festivities at Riverview Baptist Church.  Paul Coker was named their man of the year so the party was in his honor.  They did get a little scoop of something unexpected with their meal though since I was their speaker.  We had a little chortle about the wisdom of having someone like me speak to Baptist men.  I am a cradle Methodist with a brief year spent in the Episcopal ranks.  When I was debating over what I’d say to Baptist men I decided to share my own story about important men in my life.  Duke Boy, his Dad and of course, my own Dad are all on my list.  My Dad left a rich legacy for me to drawn on with his life story of loss of his Dad at age 10, and heroism at age 23 when he received the Medal of Honor.  Riverviewans, male and female, to whom, I feel a kinship due to my own view of The Hooch, got to see pictures, read the “Helen Keller” letter, and hear my version of my Dad’s heroism to country and family.  Thanks to all of them for their gift of hospitality.

While writing a hummingbird buzzed outside the screen to see what that pink T-shirt was all about.  I’m looking forward to adding some bird feeders to my yard.  I haven’t had one in a while because I haven’t wanted to make snacking too easy on Double N.  Still working on a plan for the best spot.  Squirrels here were raised watching old Tarzan movies and they can swing, leap, and bound from amazing heights to strip bird feeders bare. I have a bag of sunflowers seed in my laundry room.  I’m truly surprised every morning to not see the door chewed off from their latest discovery of my hiding place. 

Little BW isn’t quite sure about this porch thing. We are in the air with the squirrels after all.  Double N is ticked because he isn’t allowed into the screened part of the porch.  He has to deposit his gifts at the door.

Thanks to all of you who made our Pastoral Institute event a success. We had lots of laughs with a clown, balloons, laughter Yoga, beautiful songs from the Signature Singers from Point, catering by Railroads, and great door prizes.  Thanks to all of you who sponsored tables.  Call Bradley Bonner and ask him to show it on HPTV if you haven’t seen yourself yet.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the Director of the Pastoral Institute in Valley, AL.  She provides individual, marriage and family counseling by appointment.  Call 334-768-2341 for an appointment or more information.