‘Porchologists’ Write the Book
Dr. John Buchino ’70 never met a porch he didn’t like. So enamored is he of porches that he wrote a book on the subject, Porching: A Humorous Look at America’s Favorite Pastime. Flying in the face of modern wisdom, it urges people to consider a less active lifestyle, thereby preventing injury, saving money, and conserving valuable heartbeats. Porching includes a list of famous porchers; a sampling of philosophical questions raised while sitting on porches; a porch glossary (deck: a yuppie porch); famous quotes (“To porch is human”); and scientific information (porching consumes up to 50 calories per hour but can be “dramatically increased to 57.6 calories per hour with active rocking”).

The book includes photographs by Dr. Joseph Buchino ’68. This is not the first time the brothers have collaborated on a publication. They’ve coauthored articles on more serious subjects—such as thoracic splenosis, a rare chest condition. The two attended the same elementary school, high school, college, and medical school. Each now holds the title of director of pathology—John at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Ky., and Joe at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va. Each has five children—though they’re a little out of sync on the gender balance.

Porching’s publisher has suggested a sequel. Since John and Joe like to cook as well as porch, they are contemplating a porching cookbook. And they know of a good place to contemplate it!