Why are Summers Wasted on the Young?

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher At any given moment, I feel certain I am going to self-combust into a ball of flames.  This August-like heat at the end of June is just about to do me in.  And it’s not just me.  Virtually everyone I talk to is experiencing the same misery – every adult that...

The Perils of Down Under…and I Don’t Mean Australia

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher Though none of us truly knows what hell is actually like, we are fortunate to have some descriptive points of reference.  I was raised that the Bible is the definitive source when it comes to defining hell.  Growing up with Southern Baptist grandmothers who could quote...

Never Underestimate the Value of a Solid Itinerary

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher Now that we’re empty nesters, Mr. Kaminski is dead set on he and I taking more trips.  Now I know what you’re thinking:  Isn’t that sweet?  At first glance, it’s a lovely concept, and these little jaunts he’s planning are actually grand adventures, and his...

Baby Blues

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher I’ve always said that as a mother, May and December are the most hectic months out of the year.  But this particular May, something has happened, and it’s not good.  There were no proms to plan, no graduation parties to throw, no college festivities to attend, no...

Broke Shit

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher Every grown woman has mastered the art of the “Honey Do.”  It’s a skill set that is ingrained in our DNA, and it goes something like this:  We women make a list of things that must be dealt with in our lives that we don’t particularly have the passion or...

“Aww” Activities

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher Every so often Mr. Kaminski will take one for the team and offer to engage in what I’ll refer to as an “aww” activity.  What that means, of course, is an activity that I absolutely love and one that he’s not particular fond of, but he will put on his happy face...

The Struggle is Real

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher After being married to a human of the male species for nearly 30 years, there’s one thing I know for certain:  men and women are not even remotely the same.  And I can’t even fathom adding in the them, they newfound pronoun business into the mix – mostly because I...

Life, Loyalty & Libations

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher Sharin’, sippin’ and spillin’ the tea. Those are the words that are reminiscent of my childhood guided by wise women. And those were the words that came to me when I decided to write On the Porch with Patti. Those words wove the fabric of my youth, and it’s where...

Leapin’ Lizards!

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher At this point in my life, no one lives in my house unless they pay rent.  That goes for Mr. Kaminski as well.  He is gainfully employed, and he pulls his own weight when it comes to providing for this and that, so he’s good.  Our babies have their own homes, and they...

Grand & Gregarious Adventures

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher I have never seen so many gorgeous people in my life.  It was downright unsettling.  Well, unless you count a certain plastic surgeon’s office in the Galleria area.  I suspect it’s a prerequisite that in order to be gainfully employed with this particular top doc...

My Love Affair with Peeps – Not the Real Ones

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher I love peeps, but let me clarify.  I’m talking about the sugary, marshmellowy goo shaped like a bunny rabbit, sometimes like chicks, that hop on the shelves in abundance this time of year.  I clarify because the older I get, peeps, real peeps, as in people en masse on...

Let Them Eat Cake!

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher Apparently as of last week I have been married to Mr. Kaminski for 29 years.  I realize math is hard, but I can’t quite fathom that particular timeframe since I am fairly certain I’m only 29-years-old. I have proof.  Every year when my birthday rolls around my...

Throwing Mr. Kaminski From a Train

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher I rode a train.  Not the little open-air cart-type train that takes you around the Houston Zoo, but a real live steam-powered locomotive riding the rails through the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.  Now, I know what you’re thinking.  What a grand adventure to hop a...

And the Winner is…Cocaine Bear?

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher I love small towns.  They are my jam.  There’s something quite peaceful to me about small towns.  The limited offerings, the familiarity of everyone and everything, the ease of it all.  So on a recent trip to one of my favorite small towns – Pagosa Springs,...

Spring Fever

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher There are those who roll their eyes at the concept of Spring Fever.  They believe it’s a mythical state, essentially a non-state if you will.  Well, I’m here to tell all of the nay sayers, this Spring Fever thing is not only real, it is an ailment, and I, for one,...