Porch + Prairie Summer 2023 Preview

It may seem like just a flight, but it is far more than that. Each journey is the culmination of careful planning, flawless execution, and an unbridled passion to provide the best in world-class customer service. It is in each friendly handshake with the industry’s best pilots and it is in the calm that takes over as you settle into your seat aboard a perfectly appointed aircraft, all Owned and Operated by NICHOLAS AIR.

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FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Peder von Harten

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Todd Malone

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Abby Carlton

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Peder von Harten, Abby Carlton, Kelsi McKee, Robin Young, Cameron Riser, Rebekah Iliff, Edgar Castillo

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Nathan Johnson, Alee Noland, Jessie Roberts, Victor Banta, Tom Coe, Todd Trapani, Frank McKenna, Debby Hudson, Beau Carpenter, Karen Pancho, Tom Gainor, Jack Cohen

NATIONAL SALES

Tonie Ellis at tonieellismedia@gmail.com or advertising@porchprairiemag.com

TO SUBSCRIBE visit porchprairiemag.com/subscribe Porch + Prairie is published four times a year by Flying V Media, LLC DBA Piper Ranch Media, Oxford, MS 38655. Subscriptions are for one and two years (5 issues per year), Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 587 Oxford, MS 38655

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

To offer stories and /or photographs to be considered for publication in Porch + Prairie,email them to todd@porchprairiemag.com. Emails should include full contact information. We reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, brevity and print quality.

Porch + Prairie may not be reproduced or photocopied without permission of the publisher Flying V Media, LLC or Piper Ranch Media © Flying V Media, LLC 2021.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Peder von Harten - Editor-in-Chief

Dear Friends,

First and foremost, thank you for the great remarks about our Spring 2023 issue and what is has meant to the evolution of our magazine. As an editorial team, we looked at our past stories and have tried to list out what has been missing from P+P since inception and to really make those stories stand out. After all, this magazine is about sharing stories from every corner of the landscape and being able to tell them in such a depth that you can feel your presence in each of them. It’s not easy and sometimes we might miss that mark, but I hope you can see that there is a great deal of intent in curating each issue.

In the pages ahead, our lens focuses on folks who have seen something in their day, who have a bit of grit in their teeth, and who have had to overcome some odds to make the most of their lives. On a grand sense, we’ll highlight an entire generation of Americans who have quite literally been a part of some of the biggest accomplishments and milestones that our nation has ever seen. Of course, with that comes the occasional heartbreak or setbacks that set the stage for huge comebacks and signs of resilience and grace. Speaking of the stage, you will be moved by the story of the wildly-talented Laura Osnes, whose story will strengthen the resolve of anyone who has once had to stand firmly behind their beliefs, even as the possibility of losing their livelihood, their career, and their friends stared them in the face.

Each issue of Porch + Prairie is supposed to look different and be different because from one region to another in our country, we are different. That said, over the years we have found a way to unite under one flag and mainly all with one mission--- to make our country better for the generations to come after us. For those of the Silent Generation (born 1927-1945), they have done just that but now it is our chance to carry their legacy forward for another 50, 60, or 70 years. In times of war, in times of poverty, and in times of unrest, they all still leaned on each other as Americans to help make even the darkest days bright again. With all of the unrest in our world these days, it may be hard to see, but I assure you those same values and ideals that our parents and grandparents grew up on are still present in our country today. Now it’s up to us to recognize that, take those lessons from the past, and bring them back into our world soon.

- PvH

CONTRIBUTORS

Abby Carlton was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, where her and her family never shied away from a road trip or flight to a new city. She loves exploring new places she’s never been before and creating traditions around spots worth returning back to. Whether it’s making someone smile or laugh, or spending a little time out of her day helping others out, Abby is always appreciating the little things that help her choose joy each day. Abby currently lives in Oxford, Mississippi and enjoys traveling to visit her family on the Mississippi Coast and back in Louisiana, which will always be home.

Kevin Martone balances a busy professional life with his passion for the outdoors. A nationally recognized expert in mental health and the Executive Director of a national non-profit, Kevin’s business travels enable him to enjoy the local culture and landscape in states throughout America. From Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, to New England and across the South, Kevin creates opportunities in the outdoors whenever and wherever he can. Kevin spends his personal time hunting, fishing, trail running, and enjoying sunsets with his wife, Sasha, on the dock of their family pond.

Kelsi McKee has been writing poetry and stories since she was old enough to scratch words on paper. She completed her first novel when she was 18 and continues to write while balancing a full-time job in the news industry. Originally from Northwest and a graduate of Texas A&M, Kelsi has enjoyed adventuring across the country and making her way to her current home in South Carolina. Away from pen and paper, Kelsi enjoys her time on the golf course and of course, cheering on her Aggies.

Rebekah Iliff is an award-winning humor writer, author, and entrepreneur raised in the midwest living in the south. She has a knack for turning difficult topics into digestible stories and loves giving people the unexpected laugh. Her work has been featured in publications ranging from Fast Company and Forbes to Weekly Humorist and the Erma Bombeck Blog. She released her first book, Champagne for One, in February 2022. Rebekah’s favorite part of the day is sitting on the back stoop, watching the sunset with her husband and pup.

Personal website: rebekahiliff.com

IG: @rebekahiliffweaver

Book website: ChampageforOne.com

Robin Young is a senior pre-law student at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, majoring in Criminal Justice with minors in Psychology and Intelligence and Security Studies. She is an adventure-lover at heart with a passion for the outdoors and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. In her free time, you can find Robin spending time with her dogs or her two horses named Izak and Too, hiking in a new city, playing the acoustic guitar, or at the gym. Robin is an active member of the Chi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta and the Ole Miss Equestrian Team.

Edgar Castillo is a recently retired law enforcement officer for a large Kansas City metropolitan agency. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for twelve years. Edgar was born in Guatemala, and when his family came to the U.S., his father, a new bird hunter himself, would take Edgar afield in search of roosters and bobs. Edgar’s passion lies in the uplands as he self-documents his travels across public lands throughout Kansas and the U.S., hunting open fields and prairies, walking treelines, & bustin’ through plum thickets, in a never-ending chase to hunt wild birds in wild places.

You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @hunt_birdz

AMERICA’S BOUNTIFUL WATERS

150 YEARS OF FISHERIES CONSERVATION AND THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

Edited by Craig Springer

Fish and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the direct descendant of the U.S. Fish Commission, founded in 1871. In 2021, FAC marks its 150th anniversary, the oldest conservation agency in history. To commemorate this milestone, USFWS has published a compelling history to celebrate the broad-thinking scientists, writers, and artists who led us through the gilded age of American ichthyology into the present day. You will read stories about fish—trout, bass, salmon, pike, muskie—and a few you have never heard of, all crafted by the USFWS biologists who know them best. America’s Bountiful Waters is biography, evocative memoir, natural history, and human history supported by fresh dramatic photography and compelling historic images from the National Fish and Aquatic Conservation Archives.

Stackpole Books

SpringReads

Praise for America’s Bountiful Waters:

“This inspiring book celebrates the passion of countless sportsmen and women who have achieved monumental conservation successes on behalf of all Americans and serves as a powerful reminder that each of us has a responsibility to ensure the wise management of our natural resources.” – Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder

“No other book so thoroughly and insightfully connects the history and culture of fishing with the species themselves. It’s brilliantly edited and perfectly packaged for anglers of every level and all who care about our natural resources.” – Kirk Deeter, Vice President, Trout Unlimited and Editor-inChief, Trout Magazine

“A mixture of both human and natural history, this book is a must read for anyone interested in fish and other aquatic creatures that live in America’s waters and the people who manage them.”

–

Scott A. Bonar, Past President, American Fisheries Society

“For 150 years, the men and women of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fish and Aquatic Conservation program have come together to protect our rivers and lakes and the species that inhabit them. This book is a beautifully crafted history lesson told through a compilation of stories by those who have worked endlessly to safeguard the waters we call home.”

– Jen Ripple, Editor-in-Chief, DUN Magazine

OTHER PAGES TO PERUSE

CRAZY '08: HOW A CAST OF CRANKS, ROGUES, BONEHEADS, AND MAGNATES CREATED THE GREATEST YEAR IN BASEBALL HISTORY

by Cait Murphy, forward by Robert W. Creamer

From the perspective of 2007, the unintentional irony of Chance's boast is manifest—these days, the question is when will the Cubs ever win a game they have to have. In October 1908, though, no one would have laughed: The Cubs were, without doubt, baseball's greatest team—the first dynasty of the 20th century.

Crazy '08 recounts the 1908 season—the year when Peerless Leader Frank Chance's men went toe to toe to toe with John McGraw and Christy Mathewson's New York Giants and Honus Wagner's Pittsburgh Pirates in the greatest pennant race the National League has ever seen. The American League has its own three-cornered pennant fight, and players like Cy Young, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and the egregiously crooked Hal Chase ensured that the junior circuit had its moments. But it was the National League's—and the Cubs'—year.

Crazy '08, however, is not just the exciting story of a great season. It is also about the forces that created modern baseball, and the America that produced it. In 1908, crooked pols run Chicago's First Ward, and gambling magnates control the Yankees. Fans regularly invade the field to do handstands or argue with the umps; others shoot guns from rickety grandstands prone to burning. There are anarchists on the loose and racial killings in the town that made Lincoln. On the flimsiest of pretexts, General Abner Doubleday becomes a symbol of Americanism, and baseball's own anthem, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," is a hit.

Oh, and it was the last time the Cubs won the World Series. Destined to be as memorable as the season it documents, Crazy '08 sets a new standard for what a book about baseball can be.

THE PERFECT MARRIAGE: A COMPLETELY GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE

by Jeneva Rose

Would you defend your husband if he was accused of killing his mistress?

Sarah Morgan is a successful and powerful defense attorney in Washington D.C. At 33 years old, she is a named partner at her firm and life is going exactly how she planned.

The same cannot be said for her husband, Adam. He is a struggling writer who has had little success in his career. He begins to tire of his and Sarah’s relationship as she is constantly working.

Out in the secluded woods, at Adam and Sarah’s second home, Adam engages in a passionate affair with Kelly Summers. Then, one morning everything changes. Adam is arrested for Kelly’s murder. She had been found stabbed to death in Adam and Sarah’s second home.

Sarah soon finds herself playing the defender for her own husband, a man accused of murdering his mistress.

But is Adam guilty or is he innocent?

photo by Debby Hudson

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

by Kelsi McKee

photo by Todd Trapani

PassingThrough

by Cameron Riser

photo by Beau Carpenter

On the Hunt for Luxury? WELCOME TO CHAMPION RANCH

The Price of Bravery Remains the Same with Every Generation

Laura Osnes, celebrated Tony Award-nominated actress, sets the record straight and offers a story of hope to those who choose to stand by their convictions.

By Rebekah Iliff

The irony of walking into the Woolworth Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee to hear the story of ousted Broadway darling Laura Osnes was not lost on me. It was November 2022, and Osnes was at the beginning of the gut-wrenching journey faced by many famous targets before her: setting the record straight.

Tonight at the Woolworth, along with the official release of her first solo album “On the Other Side - Part One”, she would tell her side of the story to an audience of supportive fans—shedding

light on what transpired roughly a year earlier, when the New York Post’s gossip column, Page Six, published a falsified version of an incident in which Osnes was the main attraction. What ensued was the polar opposite of what the Tony Award-nominated actress had experienced her entire Broadway career: praise, acceptance, support, and rounds of applause. As a result of the fall out, she and her husband, photographer and film producer Nathan Johnson, moved halfway across the country to Tennessee. In Nashville, they were met with open arms and a welcome wagon as only Southerners can do.

Photo by Nathan Johnson

The only crowds out here are under the water.

The fish are biting all along the Mississippi coast, which means it’s the perfect time to plan your next guys’ trip. Start things off with some deep-sea fishing, and then hit our casinos for nonstop gaming, live music, and a round of Topgolf – or, if you prefer, zombie dodgeball (which you’ll be glad to know is just a simulation). Learn more at VisitMississippi.org/GuysTrip.

#WanderMS

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Silent and Incredible

By Peder von Harten

Ihaven’t seen all of the generations, but I know that as each year passes, many more from what is perhaps America’s greatest generation will no longer be with us and gone with them are the stories from the iconic, nation-forging moments that have defined our journey from life in black and white to life lived streamed, searched, connected, and in full living color.

For the majority of our readers, this means our parents and their friends. For a fair share of our readers still, this means you. And for the paths you’ve walked and the legacies you leave behind you, you are owed a great standing ovation. What you’ve seen, endured, and accomplished over the past 80-90 years in our (still very young) country is nothing short of amazing. To me, you are “Generation Incredible” and while the humble nature that defines the generation precludes you from acknowledging the greatness that lies within, the accomplishments speak for themselves.

Time, the most prominent publication for the bulk of the 20th century coined the term, “Silent Generation” as a moniker for anyone who was born from the end of the Great Depression and through the end of World War II—some 17 very important years in our history. The “silent” adjective stems from the notion that the generation was markedly quiet, reserved, and uncertain given the uneasy period of time they were born into. Following the end of the Depression, Americans held tight to what they had—their families, their faith, and the little bit of money they had coming out of one of the worst economic periods in our history. It was just hard to

muster up some optimism and if there was some to be found, you knew that you might be alone in that thinking.

From there, we were thrust into a war on two fronts, taking young men from their communities and carrying them off to battles that collectively saw a Killed-In-Action Rate of roughly 55%. While there was some optimism coming from the end of the Depression or in watching folk heroes like Charles Lindbergh achieve the great feat of making the first transatlantic solo flight, the thought of action in Europe or the Pacific, and then later into the Korean War, would suppress much of it. Now I wasn’t there for it, so I can do nothing but imagine the horror and uncertainty in knowing the world was capable of the atomic bomb, which in 1945, was shown to be a very real part of the American arsenal and as the search for military supremacy took over the globe, it wasn’t far off to think that the Germans or the Soviets or the Japanese could also develop such a weapon that would threaten our homeland. This was hardly the moment in our history where the world felt secure, but yet as a resilient people, we continued to forge ahead knowing that the war would someday end, the dawn of a new era would be upon us, and that despite the odds or the noise around us, the country begged for progress.

True to the name, this “Silent Generation” seemingly never spoke openly about the realities of war and for the ones that made it back home, reintegrating into daily life and normalcy proved difficult. Simply put, deep in the memory of those soldiers are images that most of us have only seen in movies. There is nothing that could

Countless are the benefits of small-town or rural life, and, for some, a life farther off the grid. But for a family with a remote abode and very sick child needing to access lifesaving medical care, the once cherished remoteness poses a substantial roadblock to accessing cutting-edge medical care at a distant children’s hospital. A unique aviation charity, AeroAngel, has helped eliminate that barrier for many families through its service of providing free private jet flights flown from small, rural airports.

A nonprofit with a unique mission

AeroAngel has a unique mission - provide free, private jet flights for children with serious health challenges needing to travel to distant, lifesaving medical care when no other safe travel option exists. AeroAngel carefully vets each flight request to ensure only those children who have no other safe travel option, such as a commercial airline flight or reasonable drive to medical care receive a donated flight. According to AeroAngel’s Executive Director and Founder, Mark Pestal, “our flights serve a unique niche of passengers. They are not air ambulance flights, but reserved for children, for instance, with no immune system, often the result of chemotherapy or a genetic disorder.”

An AeroAngel private jet flight is a critical link in the healthcare chain for many families. Private jets that typically seat eight or more passengers can accommodate small medical devices not allowed on a commercial airline flight, or a nurse or extra caregiver. The organization can also fly in and out of small airports with shorter runways not accessible by a regional airline. There is no standing in a long TSA-screening line with a medically fragile child. In fact, there’s no wait at all from the time the family arrives at a private general aviation terminal. In most cases, a family can drive their vehicle right up to the plane and have only a few steps to unload and then hop on board, thereby avoiding their sick child having any contact with the general public.

Aviation charity provides critical transportation links for seriously ill children living in remote locations.

Photos

Courtesy of AeroAngel

The Making of a Cowboy

From observational farming to a crash course in calving

by Rebekah Iliff

Mississippi’s Only Children’s Hospital Offers Hope...

Children’s opened the new Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower, a sevenstory hospital expansion, in November 2020. This effort was led by Kathy and Joe Sanderson with a $10 million donation and NFL great, Eli Manning and his wife Abby, who contributed $1 million.

PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

Retirement in

Oxford, Mississippi is known as many things: “America’s Best College Town,” “The Cultural Mecca of the South,” but as a certified retirement city, Oxford has established itself as a premier retirement destination in the United States, providing an exceptional retirement experience with activity, leisure and community. Though known as one of the best college towns in America, the lively spirit of the university energizes all life in Oxford and brings constant excitement to its residents.

Retirees can enjoy the arts and cultural scene at the University of Mississippi Museum, featuring Greek and Roman antiquities, an extensive collection of Theora Hamblett, as well as a constant rotation of exhibits. Visit and explore literary icon William Faulkner’s home Rowan Oak or check out a Broadway performance at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts. Nationally acclaimed independent bookstore, Square Books has monthly book readings by visiting authors and plays host to the live taping of the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour each Thursday during their Fall and Spring seasons.

The University of Mississippi also provides activities, entertainment and classes to more than just students. Whether attending a football game at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium or

Artist performing at Thacker Mountain Radio Hour

Oxford

watching the 2022 College World Series National Champions play baseball at Swayze Field, taking a communiversity class, or enjoying a lecture from a visiting scholar, the Ole Miss campus is as much a part of retiree life as it is the students.

For an active lifestyle, enjoy Oxford’s many great parks or sightsee around town in this bike-friendly community. Stay on top of your game at one of Oxford’s premier golf courses or enjoy tennis and pickleball at one of the Oxford Park Commission’s many outdoor and indoor courts.

After a day of exploring and activity, good food is not hard to find in Oxford. Whether looking for a casual meal or a fine-dining experience, Oxford’s culinary scene has it all. Spend the evening at one of Oxford’s James Beard Award Winning restaurants while the sights and sounds of the historic Oxford Square come alive. With live music around every corner, there is always one more event to add to your agenda.

Beyond the day-to-day activity that Oxford has to offer to all its residents, the town is a certified retirement city for a reason. Retirees love the excitement of Oxford but also the benefits of having a lower cost of living, low crime rates, and a warmer climate where residents can enjoy all four seasons.

Enjoy the tranquility of Lake Patsy at the Pat Lamar Park

Double Decker Arts Festival Double Decker Arts Festival

PRESENTED BY: BY:

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

MARCUS KING

BLACKBERRY SMOKE

LISSIE

THE SENSATIONAL BARNES BROTHERS

SOUTHERN AVENUE

VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ

THE MISSISSIPPIANS JAZZ ENSEMBLE

FRIDAY, APRIL 28

ASHLEY MCBRYDE

CHAPEL HART

THE STEWS

A Treasure of the West.

By Cameron Riser

Zion National Park is one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes in the United States. Within its 232 square miles are high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep, sandstone red canyons, and the Virgin River and its tributaries. The Park’s principal feature is Zion Canyon, which received its name from the Mormons who discovered it in 1858 and settled there in the early 1860’s. Climb, hike, camp, and backpack along Utah’s first national park located in southwestern Utah.

Zion was once a flat basin close to sea level. Through years of erosion and change, the mazes of canyons and plateaus formed. Change became very noticeable after sand, mud, and gravel eroded. You add in streams and wind that carried the material to what is now identified as sections or layers. What sets Zion apart is its serene element of beauty. Sandstone walls and the dramatic, intensity of colors makes this park indescribable and a must-see in person. To tackle Zion, you will need the appropriate footgear, salty snacks like trail mix or bars, and plenty of water bottles.

One of the most daring hikes is found at Zion known as Angels Landing. This hike is not for the faint of heart. The trail is 5.4 miles roundtrip which will take you roughly two to four hours

to complete. The hike will take you 1,500 vertical feet along a narrow fin of stone that reaches a top elevation of 5,790 feet. There is a chain railing which adds an element of safety to make this hike less dangerous. If I were you, I would hold on and not let go. To tackle Angels Landing you will need the appropriate footgear and be well-prepared for the vigorous trek. If you hike safely, you will be rewarded with a view that is unmeasurable. If heights make you weak in the knees, I suggest opting out or you can muster up some courage and say to yourself, “Y.O.L.O.” When it rains, the trail can be slippery so it is important to plan your hike around the spring and summer months which is peak season for the park.

Zion isn’t known for its natural stone arches, but there are a few to be found. Located deep in the backcountry of Zion National Park’s Kolob Canyons District, sits Kolob Arch, perched high on the canyon wall with a majestic curve. Kolob Arch is one of the world’s largest arches at a little over 287 feet long. Make sure your camera roll has plenty of storage because you won’t want to miss the jaw dropping beauty found in Utah. Truly a climber’s paradise, Zion National Park is a bucket list journey for all ages.

photo by Tom Gainor

Callipepla californica catalinensis…

the GIANT quail of Catalina Island

By Edgar Castillo

Imagine a place where the quail are noticeably larger. Now throw in that the hunting of such “oversized” quail ended over 30 years ago. These quail were once the highlight of hunters and adventure seekers from the late 1870s, and sporadically into the early 1900s. Interest rose again during the Roaring 20s and Depression Era 30s by Hollywood’s elite and Cub’s baseball players. Do you know of this quail? The bird I am referring to is a variant of the California Quail, and it is found on Catalina Island.

Santa Catalina Island is a rocky island about 29 miles off the coast of Southern California. The island is 22 miles in length and 8 miles across at its greatest width. It is often referred to as simply Catalina.

The California quail (Callipepla californica) is a native upland gamebird to western North America The bird populates several western states. California hosts four valid sub-species; three mainland and one island...the Catalina Island Quail. Though some reports show the quail can now be found on surrounding islands.

The California quail, sometimes referred to as Valley quail, are small ground dwelling gamebirds. Adult California quail grow to 9.8 inches in height. Both sexes have a noticeable curved plume, made of six feathers that droop forward, atop their heads. The regal males sport a black exclamation, while the females a shorter brown teardrop headdress. Males have a dark brown cap and black face with a brownish back, and a grey-blue chest accented by an almost yellow patch, and a light brown belly. The females are mainly grey-brown with a light-colored chest.

Avalon Bay, Catalina Island 1910, Library of Congress

Q&A with KEVIN LEE

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back porch

by Peder von Harten

An Old Soul

I’m one of them. Cliché, I know. But in saying that, I also know there are many people who will tell you they are old school and yet bear no resemblance to yesteryear or who at the first opportunity to forget the past and become absorbed with only the latest and greatest of anything, they do. Innovation is great, but not at the risk of forgetting the past. I don’t like the modern world any more than any other old soul because in the search of something new, modern society quickly wants to forget about everything that’s old. Great orators, wonderful writers, and the old hits from the radio have been replaced by whatever is popular for the next ten minutes. Perhaps it’s because the old stuff took time--- time to build, time to create, and time to truly appreciate. Apparently taking time to enjoy what life has to offer is simply no longer in style. What a shame.

I’ve always been a little bit different in the way I approach the world and the way I take in my surroundings, or knowledge, or conversation. I want that slow draw of a book or magazine, while sitting on a patio and looking out into a pasture that seemingly never changes. All of the need of rushing through things or surrounding yourself with scores of other people--- I don’t need or want any of that and yet I feel like that is just fine. While not formally labeled as such by any professional, I would say I am an extroverted introvert in that I am quite often seen out and about, but yet prefer to keep to myself. A loner? Probably not. Prefer a more private, subdued life? Absolutely.

I don’t know what it is specifically, I’ve always aligned myself more with the old ways of keeping to yourself, to living a quiet life, to keep a very small circle of trusted people nearby, and that there was no replacement in life for hard work. Look, I don’t know if I am living life the way I’m supposed to or if I’m doing it right, but I’m doing it the best way I know how. Many might look at me and tell me that I’ve got it all wrong and that life is meant to be surrounded by as many people as possible and to experience as much as possible. If that’s their experience and desire, then they too are right. We each get to choose our own path and I’ve undoubtedly decided mine.

What I do know for sure is that Porch + Prairie and the places we see are reminders that being an old soul is a compliment. It means that through all the noise in the world, the good things still matter the most. It’s not about who follows who, it’s not about the “look at me” culture we have, and it’s not about creating a massive argument or trying to ruin someone’s life or career just because they don’t share the same opinion as you. Conversely, it means taking care of those you love and that are no shortcuts to the things that matter most.

Do I think some of the things we appreciate the most about the old days will eventually fade away, sure, but let’s not rush them out the door. Appreciate that “old soul” way of life while we still have it, much in the way we cherish loved ones while they are still here. Both will eventually pass, but their memory never should. And if somehow our pages help keep that candle burning just a little bit longer, then I’d say we’ve done our job.