Catharine Kavanagh“The power of the front porch” is my favorite passion. Organic, physical communities are essential, and society lost something when the stereotypical practice of families hanging out on the front porch disappeared. I try to do the opposite – anything that can be done outside (reading, work, etc) should be done outside, because such a setting invites interactions – hellos, how are you’s – from others. It’s impossible to live this way without developing natural connections, friendships, and learning experiences. My own neighborhood has been knit together through introductions made while walking dogs; shared cheerful grumbling while doing yard work; and from hashing out parking spaces. Mainstream culture of extracurriculars and organized volunteerism is good, but these things take us away from where we live and the people we live with, and that’s sad. My focus and passion will continue to be on forging community with people of all ages & walks of life – teenagers, entire families, elderly & retired folks, and busy professionals – who comprise my neighbors.
