GON Reader Letter #1:
Book Club Picks Worth Reading
Our June book was All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, and I really loved it. It spans from the 1970s to "modern" times and tells the story of a teen boy who is kidnapped when he
saved a girl from attack and held in complete darkness for almost a year.
The story unfolds with his rescue and the decades following while he and his best friend try to find another girl he believes was held with him.
The characters are so well described and fleshed out, and the story develops so well. It's a lot of pages (595), but the chapters are so short (many less than a page) that this causes a high page count. Hope you give it a read!
-- Marcy Rao
GON Reader Letter #2:
Memories of Dad’s
Organized Garage
Thanks for bringing up good memories of my Dad and his garage workshop (June 15th issue). He had a lot of things you mention...a pegboard for tools, mason jars with nails and screws, and an organized area for projects.
His grilling utensils were always cleaned and ready to go, gardening tools and supplies were handy and easy to get to, and he was very much into sports, so there was a corner of our garage full of baseball bats and gloves, basketballs, and tennis equipment that never gathered dust because everything was used frequently then put back in its place.
I hadn't thought about all that in a long time, and your Decluttering Dad's Domain article brought back a lot of fond memories.
--
Lorri Nicolini
GON Reader Letter #3:
Handy File and Crafting Tips
I know there are certain digital files that I will look at more often than others. I add a 1 to the beginning of the file name or folder name. That puts the file or folder at the top of the list. When sorting by Name, numbers precede alphabet. Much easier to find such files.
On another note, regarding scissors in my cross-stitch & knitting bags: I keep small scissors with a needle threader attached via a short loop of thread in a finger hole.
Thank you for all your hard work.
-- Arleen Murray
GON Reader Letter #4:
From “Zippy” to a New
Ride
This week, I traded in my 16-year-old Honda Civic for a new Subaru Crosstrek. Before trading in “Zippy,” I cleaned out every nook and cranny. It is amazing what I fit into that car in 16 years (and several community yard sales). The items are still sitting on my dining room and kitchen floors and
tables.
I have not driven the new car yet, being that I am not sure what to place back in the car without it being cluttered. (There is no trunk to “hide” items.)
I am also not a member of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) anymore, so how much first aid and safety items should I realistically carry in the car? And what about shopping bags (insulated, canvas, nylon, folding, various sizes, etc.)?
Once again, any suggestions of what to keep in a car (bare basics/no clutter) would be of great help. Thank you once again for your guidance and suggestions.
A few weeks ago, I participated in a community yard sale. I used several of your suggestions and feel much “freer”
from previous clutter. Thanks again.
-- Mindy
Maria Responds...
Hi Mindy,
Congratulations on your new Subaru Crosstrek! Starting fresh with a clean car is such a great opportunity to be intentional about what you keep inside. Here’s what I
recommend for a clutter-free but prepared vehicle:
Glove Compartment: Registration, insurance, owner’s manual, and a pen.
Center Console:
Small pack of tissues, hand sanitizer, and lip balm.
Trunk or Cargo Area: A compact first aid kit, flashlight, small umbrella, and 4 to 8 reusable grocery bags (determine how many are needed for your biggest grocery run). The rest can likely be stored in your garage...smaller bags stored inside the largest
one...and only keep if you actually use them. Otherwise, donate.
Emergency Supplies: A multipurpose tool, jumper cables, and a small blanket (especially important during winter months.)
Personal Items: Keep only what you use regularly, like sunglasses or a phone charger.
Avoid duplicates, and reassess every season. If you find items you haven’t used in months, take them out. Your new ride will stay organized, practical, and easy to maintain.
On another note...
Turn your
home into a retreat with my specially curated bed and bath picks. From crisp sheets and plush towels to a cozy robe and spa-inspired extras, these favorites bring hotel-style comfort right into your own space. Every item is designed to make your bedroom and bathroom feel like a personal getaway! Visit:
