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The Back Porch
The foundation of this back porch
is beginning to look vulnerable, and if something isn't done
soon,
it will drop off the main house. That will be a pity.
This is a place where so much pleasure was experienced.
There were long tables here,
set with food piled up for the workers who were at the ranch
to help with a particular event, such as hay season,
or working with the cattle in dehorning, castration, calving
season,
or sometimes because of a particular up-keep job that had to be
done.
The back porch was a place where the worker felt comfortable.
The windows gave a fresh feeling to the room,
and they were never covered.
The uproarious laughter of the men
as they ate, before they had to return to their work, was a good
time.
The family stayed out of the way, and the men were given their
privacy.
I remember peeking out of the kitchen door on one occasion,
to see everyone there on the back porch.
Ura May must have remembered the pleasant times, too,
because in the West corner of this room off the kitchen,
she later set a large round oak table, painted it a soft yellow,
and here, she served most of the family meals.
The formal dining room was used only in the Winter,
when the back porch became too cold to be comfortably used.
If there are any spirits here, it would have to be the spirit
that
remains of the men's jolly laughter
(men much like the one pictured farther below).
"Did you see that old hoss clearin'
those fences
with old Melvin just a hangin' on fer dear life?
Hot dang! I thought for sure he was a goner. I'd reckin
he'll do a lot of thinkin' afore he draws that hoss again!!
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
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