Surviving Wisconsin Summers
We live in Wisconsin. You might ask what this has to do with Porches and Patios? In the summer we have mosquitoes the size of crows and other flying creatures that make being outdoors difficult except if you have a screened-in space to spend your time in.
When I was young, we didn’t have a summer place to go. We would slather ourselves with off and other chemicals and go outside like it didn’t matter. We called it our summer perfume.
When my older sister Kathy was sick, we had her bed in our dining room in front of two nice-sized windows. After she passed away, my mom and dad decided to put sliding glass doors where the windows were and to build a nice-sized screened-in patio. My dad felt that it would change that space into a special spot for Mom to enjoy her summers.
Over the years she loved her screened-in heaven. In the summer she completely gave up TV and spent her time in the pleasant space of the screened-in patio. She would read and entertain the neighbors and visit with friends and her grandchildren.
My sister picked up on this pleasant idea and in each of her family homes, she has had a lovely screened-in porch. Her Cottage in Door County has this pleasant outdoor space as well. We have all spent many summer evenings eating and spending time on her patios whether we’re at home or in Door County.
Whenever our son’s birthday came around, he insisted on having his birthday parties on Aunt Sandy’s porch.
He said it wouldn’t be his birthday if we didn’t celebrate in this special space. June 10th was often buggy and could be hot so we all enjoyed this tradition. We would all gather on the patio to share the festivities. Each of us benefited from Sandy’s rule for any home she owned to have a screened-in porch and a fireplace.
I love my current home. The one change I hope to make soon is to add a screened-in porch. I don’t want a three-season room. I have several cozy places to hang out without having another living space. What I want is that special screened-in spot where I can enjoy the evenings, the breezes, and the mosquito-free space on a warm summer day.
I have some patio spaces but what keeps me from using them is the constant invasion of the nasty Wisconsin bugs. Give me relief from these creatures and let me enjoy the Wisconsin summers without the unwanted intrusion.
Life is too short to waste it swatting mosquitoes and scratching mosquito bites. In case I haven’t been clear, I want my very own screened space to call my own. I want to read, relax, and enjoy the Wisconsin summers free of unwanted visitors- the flying kind at least.
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