Porch People

Last night as I turned the corner I could hear laughter coming from across the street. There were  two ladies sitting on the porch and Joe who lives across the street. Joan and I walked over and I asked if it wouldn’t be too much trouble if I sat for a bit and of course they didn’t mind. JoanJett ,I have to say, was very well-behaved. The rock star sat very quietly on the porch for quite sometime. If I had to name some of Louisiana’s favorite pastimes I would have to say football,eating,and porch sitting and in that order. Wether you’re sitting on your porch or your neighbors porch you are  most likely to be smoking, drinking, or talking and sometimes maybe all three. Last nights sit session involved smoking and talking but I was not involved in lung deterioration. There were three black woman who live there MaMi(mah-me) and her 2 daughters and her grandson Trent. They told me they were from St Martinville and had lived in Lafayette for a year or so. Well what we have in common is that the ladies and I are big Saints fans and we all agree Reggie should not lose the Heisman Trophy. Our other neighborhood dog walker disagrees but we don’t care what he thinks. The street that they live on is always action packed . Up until about three weeks ago drug dealers lived in the house across from theirs and needless to say never a dull moment. Since the dealers left our little community, Mami says its been pretty peaceful. Porch sitting involves a lot of observation. In this neighborhood porch people are the watchmen. They are the eyes and ears of all the goings on in the hood. They keep their eyes and ears open and there mouthes shut and for good reason. They see everything from the husband and wife having a screaming match that has made its way to the front yard to the crackhead sneaking in the backyard looking for something to steal. The porch is an open forum anything goes. I would  say the porch is equivalent to the local barbershop. Last night Joan and I stayed on that porch about 2 hours.We talked about boys walking around with the drawers hanging out of their pants,football,Katrina, and spanking your children . If you want to talk about anything at all and hear everyone’s opinion about it, all you have to do is bring it up. I enjoy talking to older women I appreciate their wisdom. I don’t talk to too many young people or people to close to my age because there annoying. Before I over stayed my welcome I exscused myself and thanked them for their hospitality. I hope we do it again real soon I truly enjoyed their company. Joan and I made the block and there was not a soul in sight so we went in for the night.I almost forgot porch etiquette. Always ask permission to sit in a certain chair or rocker because you don’t want to sit in grandpa’s chair after he left to be with Jesus a week ago.Also pick up on the little “its time to go” hints that the porch proprietor often drops such as “Oh well…” or “Wow is it that late already” or “I don’t know why I’m so tired?” If you hear any of these comments you best take your butt home. Oh I almost forgot never pass people sitting on the porch without acknowledging their existance. Say “Hello” or “How are you doing?” something just don’t NOT say anything because then they’ll talk about your mamma and question your upbringing. The world could always use a few good porch people and there is no use having a porch if you’re not going to use it. I encourage you if you have a porch , to sit on it and then maybe graduate to inviting one of your neighbors  over for some ice tea or coffee. Step out of your comfort zone live a little . As I’m starting to find out on this little Joan journey ,you can learn a lot from people you don’t know.