48 Comments
User's avatar
Paula's avatar

The online seminar sounds great. And I think it's awesome that June is mental health month on the porch.

Thanks bunches for sharing this edition of the porch with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.

Expand full comment
Lauren Muller's avatar

Your basement shelves look amazing, Linda! I’m hoping to dive into some projects around our home over the summer. But right now June is filled with the first waves of summer company. Because that’s life on Cape Cod, right?

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Yep, here we go into the summer of 2025. Hold on to your hat, girl. We're gonna make it!

Expand full comment
Maryleigh's avatar

What beautiful organization! Maybe I will get to that this summer - but it is not on my list. I have to get through June first - which is our big birthday month in our family, and some of the grandkiddos are daily at my house. I am working on a schedule though - Pickling Tuesday (Pickle Ball and Pickling something with the grandkiddos), Fishy Friday (taking them fishing out and about), and Writing Wednesdays - hoping for some coffee shop writing time with one son and a grandgirlie!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Maryleigh, you are the best . grandma . ever! Your weekly schedule sounds delightful, fun, and awesomely creative.

Fishy Friday indeed! I just love it all. Enjoy absolutely every second you have together. A true gift indeed.

Expand full comment
Lois Flowers's avatar

Your basement looks wonderful, Linda. Once I'm back to normal speed, I might be reorganizing a lot of stuff in my house. That said, "grace and space" is a good motto for my current season of life! One step I took last week was ordering groceries online for Randy to pick up. That way he doesn't have to go shopping for me after work. I've never done this before and it felt a little strange, but it's a good shopping alternative for now (maybe longer? I guess we'll see!) I signed up and listened to Day 1. "The way we think influences the way we feel." So true!!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Dear one, you're showing us how to pivot, give ourselves grace, and learn to dance just a bit differently. I love how you're taking the pressure off yourself, allowing your body to heal in her own time.

xo

Expand full comment
Kay's avatar

Linda your basement looks great. I'm tackling the same project but mine isn't near done. I'm caregiving for my mom who is 91 and I don't get to run down to the basement to organize/de-clutter as often as I'd like. I am making progress with labeling things though. A little at a time. I've signed up for the videos and look forward to the discussions. And oh, those paper piles...mine are growing with a lot of journals too waiting to be documented in & caught up. Sigh. Headed to church. Have a wonderful day.

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Kay, hi and thank you for our little Sunday morning visit! I hear you about taking care of your mom and yes, you're so right, a lot of things get put to the side in this late in life season. I remember well.

I look forward to getting to know you better in the days ahead and to hear your thoughts on the videos. I'm kind of excited about the presentations.

Bless you for reaching out today.

Expand full comment
nancyaruegg.com's avatar

Those orderly basement shelves are a delight to behold--WELL done, Linda! I'll look forward to reading your insights from those videos about growing stronger in all aspects of our lives. And now I'll go sign up for myself!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Those little videos pack a big compassionate punch filled with hope. I'm excited about them, Nancy!

Weekend blessings to you, friend.

Expand full comment
Lisa Blair's avatar

Great job tackling your basement shelves, Linda, and they look great!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Once I got going, I . couldn't . stop.

Expand full comment
Amy Johnson's avatar

Congrats on the basement shelves! That looks amazing!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Amy, it's like playing Jenga. I love fitting everything together, just so!

Expand full comment
Jean Wise's avatar

“what can I do now to make summer or some aspect of summer easier later?” what a great question to consider! decluttering is always a perfect task for me and getting my outside flowers all set. I have my summer calendar in order too. and most of the yearly cleaning done. But I think I will hold this question a bit longer... a great question!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

The longer we hold this question and sit quietly with it, the more will come to our attention ...

Expand full comment
Brooke Shorey's avatar

those shelves. #goals

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

I know, right?!

Expand full comment
Lisa notes's avatar

Your shelves do look fabulous, Linda! My goal this weekend is to clear away the little volcanic piles on my dresser, the dining room table, etc. :)

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Volcanic piles! THAT'S funny.

Expand full comment
Cheryl's avatar

I'm signing up! Sounds amazing! Thanks so much for sharing, friend. God bless you.

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Oh I'm so glad, Cheryl! I'm looking forward to what God is going to invite us all to as we learn and grow together.

Expand full comment
Debby Hudson's avatar

Our seasons are so thinly disguised summer sneaks up on us. Usually, with regular afternoon rains which are a good time for a little reorganizing or reading which is why I'm not as organized as I'd like :) Thanks for the info about the AACC daily boost and sharing your encouraging voice.

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Today's a drizzly day and I'm happy as a clam, puttering and resting inside. Like the tides, each season has its ebb and flow. All is well.

Expand full comment
Martha Jane Orlando's avatar

I love your to do list for the summer prep, Linda. Looking forward to following everyone here at Grace and Space. Blessings!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

And I hope you are feeling stronger as the weekend approaches, Martha.

Expand full comment
Marilyn Davidson's avatar

I like your list to do before summer! The random piles of papers - I definitely need to do that. I'm happy you get such joy out of organizing, but that's not me! Your basement always looks organized!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

I've only taken one quick peek at your basement so far, but it sure sounds like you're making great headway, one box, one discovery, one surprise at a time!

When / if you finish unpacking and organizing, I hope you'll give me the grand tour ... and I'll buy you an ice cream cone.

xo

Expand full comment
Marilyn Davidson's avatar

You would probably have an anxiety attack so stay out of my basement! By the time it is done, that ice cream cone will be a hot fudge sundae!

Expand full comment
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser's avatar

Yesterday was very good,

memory to be glad I kept.

I sat upon a floor of wood,

and as I worked, I wept

from nausea and searing pain

as the drill press motor spun,

but I elected to remain,

and in remaining, won

the knowledge that I still could make

the parts to build a thing of flight,

and that the cancer could not break

my journey back to warming light,

a dream that came from misty youth

that holds me in its lovely truth.

###

Yeah, aeroplane parts. Yeah, it hurts so much to do it, but I have to invest in a future. Otherwise I won't have one.

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Yep, keep focusing on that plane, man. It's breathing life and hope into you, giving you a purpose for your days.

Expand full comment