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Hello, I'm so glad you're keeping me company again this weekend.
If you're like me you like to keep your inbox next-to-empty, so I always hope that PORCH's weekly arrival will be of some value to you. If you leave here a bit calmer, refreshed, or somehow strengthened, praise be to the One who specializes in joining our hearts closer to each other ... and to Himself.

Lean forward into your life.
Begin each day as it were on purpose.
- Radmacher -
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I don't know about you, but I've been through lots of transitions that I never want to experience again. But autumn's gentle rhythm, its compelling rhyme, its steadying cadence, its awaiting invitations?
There are the transitions that breathe fresh life, that kick off brand-new routines, that open doors to long dreamed of opportunities that wait around the next corner. These are the graces that let you know that the earth keeps spinning, that life goes on, that all will be well.
We're experiencing it here, now. It starts when we awake. Instead of throwing off the covers, we reach to pull them up closer and linger in the cozy overnight cocoon we've created for ourselves ... even as we vow to dig those gently fraying flannel sheets out of the back of the closet and get them tucked over and on to the awaiting mattress.
We start our days by donning the worn, warm robe and wonderfully fleecy socks instead of a tee-shirt and shorts. And when we stumble to the kitchen, we grab a favorite mug and brew a 'hot cuppa,' rather than reach for a glass to fill with icy cold juice.
As we prepare for the day, we hear the engines of school buses passing by instead of the fan's endless whirring or the air conditioner's incessant hum. We leave the oven door open after pulling the golden blueberry muffins out, just to get a bit more warm air in the room. And when we head out the door, we grab a scarf or a sweatshirt, just in case.
We dig out the crockpot instead of lighting up the grill. Candlelight emerges once again, starting at suppertime and soothing us with its warm glow and gentle fragrance as the coolness of evening descends and another day comes to a close.
And as we chat back and forth, catching up with the day's details, we realize that our nightcaps have morphed from ice cream sundaes into steaming mugs of hot cocoa with whipped cream on top ... as we hunker under an old quilt or two.
I'm leaning right into it all.
Who We FollowErin Loechner
'Your college mentor is in a red bikini on the coast of Santorini. Your hairdresser’s kids are at the baseball diamond. Your friend’s daughter is at a party with a Solo cup ...' Healing Traumas of Omission
Brian Morykon
'if there is insecurity, unworthiness, or shame welling up inside, a little boy crying out to be safe and known and loved, this is not something that needs to be killed but needs to be healed ...'
5 Ways I'm Choosing To Embrace Fall (In Spite of Myself)
Andrea Debbink
'I’ve always lived in a land of long winters. I know that after pumpkin-flavored-everything time, it will get cold and dark. It’s hard to be wistful about “sweater weather” when it lasts for seven months ...'
click here to peruse three new-to-me Study Bibles from Zondervan ... at crazy low prices
life as a low energy person - not leaving my cottage for a week
an exquisite video
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- Oh, how sweet to walk
in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path
grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
- Elisha Hoffman -
1887
From my heart to yours ~
Linda
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Leaning into seasons of change....a rhythm easier followed when we let go and let God. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Lynn. And the more we let go, the more we wonder why we waited so long to release our 'supposed' control ...
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I can't say I'm ready for the fall just yet. With having back surgery taking me out of cycling for a month or so, I am just now getting into some rhythm with it. I would like it if it went on for much longer. But I also know it won't. I will simply take it as it comes, or to borrow your phrase I will lean into it.
ReplyDelete'I will simply take it as it comes.' Yes, we get freed up when we give up our imaginary timetables and let our Creator and Healer call the shots. I hope you're healing well, Bill.
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So looking forward to cooler days and cozy nights in the weeks to come, Linda.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
This is the best sleeping weather, isn't it ...
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Your pictures and your words are lovely Linda. Even though I've been more than ready for the cooler and less humid days of fall, your post has me looking even more forward to this autumn season.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those times when I'm grateful again that God has created seasons!
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Harmonizing with you on the hymn. Fired up the crock pot yesterday!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of cooking, I've been loving the peeks at your kitchen and garden activity on your LinkedIn posts. Inspiring!
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Trying to learn another platform....
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What were we thinking?
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Linda, I definitely lean into my favorite season. I join you on singing that old hymn!
ReplyDeleteThose are the songs that come to us in the night, aren't they ...
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Oh, sweet friend! I feel just awful about not visiting you lately. For some reason, I have stopped being notified when several bloggers publish a post. And if it isn't in my email to remind me, I completely forget. It hit me just now that I hadn't seen a post from you in a while, and I panicked and came here to check on you. I loved reading this. I am leaning into fall coming soon, too. It is my favorite season and I was just thinking earlier of how many autumns God has allowed me to live to see. How I praise Him that I am still here to see another one ushered in! I pray for many, many more, in Jesus' name. It was so wonderful to visit with you this morning. May His presence be ever near you as you miss your sweet Mom. Love you.
ReplyDeleteHey, friend! No apologies necessary. Blogger slowly dropped Feedburner last year and I moved to MailChimp. I'm guessing most writers who use Blogger have been impacted if they somehow missed the memo. In the process of switching to Mailchimp, I lost ALL my subscribers and had to start from scratch.
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It was not the best day of my life, but God has been gracious despite my lack of any technological skills!
http://www.lindastoll.net/2021/06/yep-i-lost-all-my-subscribers.html
I just re-subscribed to see if I start getting your posts again. I certainly never unsubscribed and would never do so, but I thought maybe something glitched. This has happened on multiple blogs, and I can't figure out why. It is happening to those who read my blog, too. They aren't being notified when I publish a post and several have had trouble commenting. I don't know what is going on, but trust the Lord will let it all work out. I don't like losing touch with my blogging friends!
ReplyDeleteYour start of fall sounds a lot like our winter. We do have more defined change in this part of Florida. Thanks for the links. I found the first and last particularly interesting and though-provoking. - Debby
ReplyDeleteDebby, thanks for your encouraging word about the links. Yes, thought-provoking, for sure ...
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I always come away from here refreshed and strengthened, Linda, by your words and photos. (I would LOVE to sink my bare feet in that sand!) I love the links you share here, especially the first two. I, too, am shy of social media. I thought maybe I'm being anti-social or something is wrong with me, but I've come to understand I'm just wired differently. To me, social media is exhausting and depressing, and that's okay if it's not for me. The older I get, the more I feel left behind in this technological world. It discourages me when even some of our kids and grandkids are distracted by their phones while we're visiting. :( I'm so with the author - "The truth is: I don’t want this for my kids. The deeper truth is: I don’t want this for myself, either." And I love the second one about healing from the trauma of omission. So true. Love and blessings to you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteHey Trudy, I'm absolutely with you about social media. Way back when I decided it wasn't for me, mostly because I'm so technologically challenged and I simply wanted to focus on blogging. Now even though I know I'm missing out on some beautiful stuff (Instagram), 'exhausting and depressing' is how I end up feeling when I spend too much time online.
DeleteSo I feel like I made the right decision for me. I'd love to know how some of our readers create balance that they're comfortable with. (I feel a blog post coming on!)
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We've had a blazing hot summer in Texas this year, so I'm definitely ready for some cooler weather. I'm not sure that I'm quite ready for Fall, but I am saying yes for lingering under the covers, candles, and hot beverages! Have a blessed week, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to finish up a citrus candle so I can get started on the cinnamon one!
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We're seeing only the slightest hints here of fall coming. It's typically a season that I don't look forward to, but I do enjoy the cooler temperatures. I need to keep staying aware of God's goodness all around me in every season.
ReplyDeleteHow blessed we are that He doesn't change like 'shifting shadows' ... or the whims of weather.
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Leaning into the seasons and appreciating the new rhythms that are ushered in with the Fall air are so important, Linda. A cup of hot chocolate sounds good while I join you on your porch today.
ReplyDeleteWhipped cream or a couple of marshmallows, Lisa?!
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About those watering cans ... is the one with the long neck to water plants from a distance because you don't like them?
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Victor S E Moubarak http://timeforreflections.blogspot.com
Ya know, Victor, I never really thought about it that way. It had a free sign on it and I jumped out of the car, grabbed it, and took it home!
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Keeping you company on your porch. Hummm... Are we having coffee this morning? I would say hot apple cider, but I'll kill over if there's cinnamon in it. π Wonderful quotes. I love your descriptions I can feel autum at your house.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.
I've got a whole lot of cinnamon sticks stashed away for the months ahead. I'll serve your hot cider without. Don't want you keeling over upon arrival, Paula!
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I like the quote about leaning forward into each day. I'm not sure I'm ready for autumn yet, but it is definitely coming! I love your photos as always.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're here, Lesley. Have you been watching the sadness and the pageantry and the drama unfold on TV? So many heartfelt moments, so many memories.
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Beautiful thoughts, Linda. The morning temps are growing cooler here, the sun is rising later, and I think I’ve finally found my fall-ish groove. That watering can with the long spout intrigues me—I’ve never seen one like that before. Also appreciated Trudy’s comment and your answer …
ReplyDeleteIt's either vintage or a very good repro. Probably a repro. Just too fun!
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Thank you for your celebratory list of All Things Fall to Savor and Enjoy. I too love fall when the temps and humidity come down, we can open the blinds and curtains to the sunshine, and the leaves give us their spectacular, final display. After 40 years in FL, I relish the variety that four seasons provide!
ReplyDeleteI like the change of seasons, too, Nancy. Variety is the spice of life I hear. No wonder our creative God's designed the world to spin as it does!
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Beautiful and encouraging post! I am waiting for the feel of autumn to enjoy every bit of your description! I love the change of seasons. Your photos are lovely, as always!
ReplyDeleteWhoever you are, thank you! Talk about encouraging ...
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Beautiful words and photos, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI think fall would be my favourite season if we had the 4 seasons over here in our tropical corner of the world.
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Oh a tropical corner sounds like bliss right now, Veronica! Sure would love to travel again someday. We'll see ...
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