Refreshing the front porch -

Yesterday I went shopping. 

No, not grocery shopping which seems to be what I've done mostly since

 the pandemic started. This was real 'go with a girl friend' shopping to a

 store well known here in the USA, HOMEGOODS!  

We had a ball - the type of fun one can only have with

 a true friend of many, many years.  A friend whom you know so well

 and are so comfortable with, you can share all and anything, laugh,

 giggle, shed a tear, and on looking back you've done it all and more in

 thirty five plus years. . . . . . that's how I feel when with Loretta. 

She has been an awesome friend in so many ways and I love her dearly.

Our small house has a small front porch. It's nothing spectacular but it is
 a place to enjoy the outdoors. Bob and I sit out there a lot, especially in

 the late afternoon at this time of year - usually with a drink, sometimes

 a snack, and something to read. People stop to visit now and then. 

With distancing of the past months we have felt safe entertaining

 one or two at a time with a cup of tea or glass of wine in the open air.

We do a lot of waving and have short chats with passersby - usually the 

younger neighbors who pull off their earbuds and pocket their phones

for a few minutes which is appreciated. The cul-de-sac stays busy 

enough with turning delivery vehicles, dog walkers, a few younger

 children on trikes, and some runners usually in the cooler air of

 morning.

So did I buy anything?

Just this all cotton, woven in Turkey, casual mat. I like the pattern and

 blue and white colors, and think it just brightens up the concrete floor

 of the porch for these summer afternoons. It's machine washable

 if necessary, however I think I'd probably just hose it off and let it

 dry in the sun. It's a bit hefty and might finish off my aging

 washing machine!

Have a feeling the hydrangeas may require a major pruning soon - or we'll be 

invisible on the porch - or rather too secluded and will miss all the action 

in the street. . . . . . .or perhaps be forgotten about, lol!

Do you have a front porch?

Do your neighbors stop to chat?

What would you enjoy drinking on the porch on a

 hot summer afternoon?

A nice French rosé is chilled and waiting!