This quirky cultural criticism extols the value of relaxing, retreating, and watching the world whiz by from a specific vantage point: the American porch. While taking life a little slower offers such medical rewards as lowering blood pressure and regulating serotonin levels, porching is also presented as a lifestyle that draws from past days of old-fashioned hospitality and neighborly banter. The ironic and tongue-in-cheek tone provides an eccentric and inspirational perspective on contemporary life. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.