Haven

My grandma had a screened porch when I was a kid - nothing could touch the fabulousness of being outside, view of the lush, midwestern backyard, without the pesty mosquitoes bothering us as we ate, talked, relaxed.   I haven't been blessed enough to come across a screened porch many times since, much less live somewhere that had one.  I made several attempts to simulate such a feature on the back deck of the house I lived in in Colorado, only to have the great winds of the front range destroy gazebo after gazebo.

Boyfriend and I live in a cabin that boasts the screened porch of all screened porches, to which I escape daily to birdwatch, take a nap or read my latest cancer book or raw food manual.  We eat meals and drink tea at our little cafe table. I've moved my herbs here, out of harm's way (turkeys!), now that the indigenous vegetation has become so scarce.  When we're feeling romantic, (who, us?) we both fit on the built-in daybed for a cuddle and the opposite end has a comfy swing.  A trunk and two chairs stand ready for a game of dominoes, one of our favorite after-dinner, wind-down evening activities. It's the most amazing haven for together time or alone time, and it's been quite the luxury to have friends and neighbors dine or hang out on our 'patio' too.

Until yesterday's ash storm, brought to the surrounding area by the La Brea wildfire raging east of Santa Maria, it was as clean and cozy as this picture depicts.  I need to find a spot on the to-do list for some housecleaning...

Where's your haven?