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Bits and Clips for November 2018

Polly Castor > Ideas > Bits and Clips for November 2018
Bits and Clips for November 2018
November 30, 2018
Bits and Clips for November 2018
Posted by Polly Castor on November 30, 2018 in Ideas
1 Comment

Bits and Clips for November 2018

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This bits and clips post is a monthly feature of the best that I read, saw or heard on the internet during the last month. click on the categorized links below and don’t miss the ton of memes below that. I hope you find something that is inspiring, helpful, educational, gratifying, thought provoking, or motivational:

Art:

Thomas Deininger Art

Richard McKinley – The Journey Never Ends

Easy to Make Inspiring Holiday Cards (video)

Painting Knife Techniques

10 University Art Classes You Can Take for Free Online

Doing Something Creative Can Boost Your Well-Being

British Doctors May Soon Prescribe Art, Music, Dance, Singing Lessons

Ottawa: The City of Makers

5 Reasons Why Arts Education Is Important For EVERYONE

Photography:

Take the Perfect Portrait with Cell Phone Depth of Field App

Spirituality:

I’m Tired (podcast)

Listen to your angels and not someone else’s

Pastor Wanted to Know the Truth About the Migrant Caravan. So He Joined It

Claim Your Divine Inheritance

Ideas:

These Spectacular National Monuments are Under Attack (video)

Amazing Hairstyle Video

The Three Lessons You Can Learn From Ruth Bader Ginsburg About Ambition

Canada is richer than the US, according to a new wealth ranking — in fact, the US doesn’t even make the top 10

We broke down what climate change will do, region by region

Helping students overcome the impact of No Child Left Behind

If your house needs an extreme deep clean, pay close attention to these 9 tips

SNL mocked my appearance. Here’s why I didn’t demand an apology.

This European comedy sketch explains how the world sees America’s gun problem

Books:

Small bookstores are booming after nearly being wiped out

The True Story Behind Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Her Mixed-Up Files

Michelle Obama Gets Candid With Oprah About Her New Memoir, Becoming

Reading Too Soon

Food:

A Regenerative Secret – Kiss The Ground (video)

Food Waste (video)

PlanetBox Lunch boxes (gift idea)

Food Is An Art Form: Feast Of Fish And Veg For Eyes And Palate

This Creative Woman Excels at Baking Art Pies with Avant-Garde Crust Designs

Hope:

Muslim Groups Raise Thousands For Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims

Beyond Political Division

Farmers Stand Together In Silence So A Young Man Can Buy Back His Family Farmhouse

The election cleared the way for bold climate policy in these 6 states

Rwanda Breaks Its World Record: Now Has 68% Women In Parliament

In Blow to Pipeline Project, Court Invalidates Trump Administration’s Keystone XL Environmental Review, Blocks Construction

Two Native American women are headed to Congress. This is why it matters.

All 19 Black Women Running for Judge in a Texas Race Won

Victory: A Climate Change Denier Will No Longer Run the House Science Committee

The US just elected 10 new scientists to Congress, including an ocean expert, a nurse, and a biochemist. Here’s the full list.

A List Of Firsts For Women In This Year’s Midterm Elections

Girl dresses up like Ruth Bader Ginsburg for superhero day, RBG sends letter

Desmond Tutu awards peace prize to Parkland shooting survivors

In New Class of Young Lawmakers, a Former Girl Scout Goes to the Statehouse

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About Polly Castor

I work to amplify good wherever I find it. I love color, texture, beauty, great ideas, nature, metaphor, deliciousness, genuine spirituality, and exploring new territory. I encourage authenticity, nurture creativity, champion sustainability, promote peace, and hope to foster a new renaissance where we all are free to be our most fulfilled, multifaceted, and terrific selves. Read more here.

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1 Comment

  1. Deb Quinn-Munson 6 years ago
    Reply

    Thank you, Polly, for including my article on palette knife painting! I am honored! I love your blog, especially Bits and Clips.
    All the best,
    Deb

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Reviews from Readers

Thanks so much for this recommendation Polly. We watched in awe … and have recommended in turn.

Your blog has inspired me to get back into painting, cooking, prayer and meditation.

Thank you for your efforts. I look forward to your positive thoughts and love.

Thank you for sharing such a personal, and at the same time, universal, love of beauty.

Absolutely beautiful!!! I love these particular colors together and the different styles and techniques really give it a lot of depth and texture. Brilliant!!!!

Thanks for your strong, bright and clear art work!

Wow Polly!! You are buzzing with ideas.

That definitely sounds like a book I’d like to read! Thanks Polly!

Your food is presented in such an artistic way that it looks beautiful, wholesome and totally delicious!!

Wow!! I cannot wait to try this recipe! Thank you!

I  appreciate the joy, inspiration, and great information you provide us in your blogs.

Polly! I love this poem! Letting our true, authentic self come forth! Yes!! Thank you for all the delightful imagery!

Amazing, Polly! A wonderful example of seeing the possibilities…creativity at its best.

I just want to say that I have really been enjoying your blog! It gives me hope for the world…

Wonderful words of wisdom, Polly!

Perspective is everything – and choosing a liberating one blesses everyone, as you point out!

This couldn’t possibly be more perfect, – so reassuring, and so fully expresses in every way what we all are praying for. Thank you for your a beautiful heart and generous giving of it!!

I enjoy your strong, bold artwork– there is so much going on in them that my imagination takes off. I really appreciate your blog. It brings joy every day.

Your work is always spirited and inspirational.

Thank you for your generosity and your overflowing sense of soul which you share so beautifully and articulately with everyone!!

The Spirit at work is so well described here. In between the lines I read that
our only true peace is in pleasing Our Creator! Thank you deeply, Polly!

These are awesome. You have such a gift for photography…and for pastels…and for cooking…and for finding interesting books…and, and, and. Where does it end?

What an inspiring and uplifting painting. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with the world!

Love this– actually so “timely” for what I have been thinking about lately.

Thank you for passing along such wise words.

Polly, your wonderful blog is doing more than its bit in this dreadful time. Thanks, and keep on keeping on!

I just had to comment on today’s blog. I LOVED it! I have had similar thoughts for some time.

The Brussels sprouts were an exceptionally BIG hit here…. could you direct me to more literature on spiritual healing?

I want to express my gratitude to you for such a well thought out essay. I found it quite enriching and resonate with those true answers.

I have just started this book and am really loving it! Thank you so much for recommending it.

Thank you for the joy you share. I look forward to reading your posts!

Polly, I love your poem “you were never unwanted”. This poem really hit home. Thank you for your words of wisdom

Love the poem so so much and the first painting with the trees is INCREDIBLE!!

Magnificent poem. How blest you are to be a poet, photographer, artist, metaphysician, all wrapped up into One.

Thank you Polly for sharing those wise words! I heartily agree with them all now I have a bigger perspective on life.

Thank you for using this platform to share these references for listening & learning. Now the work required to make a lasting change is up to each of us! ❤️

Thank you for sharing this quote. It is very appropriate for our times. A beautiful wake up call to change our thinking and focus on what is real and true.

Polly, I am absolutely amazed. My mouth was watering! I’ll be thinking about it all night…and tomorrow we will break out the paints!

So beautiful, Polly. Thank you for spelling out – through such artful means – the beauty of patience.

Your zest for the good things in life makes me feel happy too!

I love that you live such an active life, have so many interests, and share your insights with me. Your blog is like a conversation with a dear friend.

I can’t tell you how helpful this has been to me today. I must’ve read it half a dozen times or more. It’s helping me with a great challenge. Thank you!

Thank you very much, Polly. You are a bright light!

Polly….I’m happier because of you; I sure do thank you.

Thank you for your transparency of love, your generous sharing of what you are pondering and doing.

Love your pastels!

With its awesome art, recipes, book reviews, and really excellent writing, this blog is the perfect corner of the internet.

Once again, you have come through for us with such clear and coherent thinking and put into words the feelings in our hearts.

Thank you for all the inspiration you share so generously. I am deeply grateful!

A powerful message. Thank you for getting it out there.

Really beautiful, very hope filled. I love this!

Thank you for bringing to light and sharing an undeniably important part of the one stupendous whole we all share…the countless ways beyond sight, and not to be missed, always at hand.

Your eyes are keen and your photographs dynamic.

Thank you for your efforts. I look forward to your positive thoughts and love.

You are so incredibly sweet, gracious, kind, thoughtful, creative, generous, joyful, witty, courageous, tender, persistent, compassionate, brilliant, articulate, ad infinitum!

Every day I look forward to your blog. It’s encouraging me to find ways to express what God reveals in me.

Butter! Lemon! Garlic!

It’s like a prayer!!!

This blog is colorful, beautiful, and edifying.

I love the feeling of playfulness and of uninhibited joy.

Your photos are so vivid and expressive and inspiring and artistic and alive!

Illuminating thoughts, thank you for sharing them. Very clear.

Thank you Polly for your radiant joy and embrace of each of us, wrapping us in your color and beauty of Soul.

Sounds delicious and simple! Two of my favorite adjectives!

This is such a beautiful and loving blog and feels much like your amazing dynamic spiritual art. You are proving and sharing truth in a precious, creative, encouraging, and heartfelt way. You inspire me!

Oh yum, Polly… These gorgeous photos made my mouth water and my eyes pop!

You brighten my life with your thoughts, views, words, pictures….

My mother adores your blog and speaks to me often about what recent nugget you shared which she thought was wonderful!

Your site is bolstering my creative thoughts. I need to put them into action.

Thank you Polly for this article on supply! I cherish the healing thoughts therein very much, and they are very helpful.

Polly, you have such a great feel for things. I will enjoy you forever.

I read and feel the security of the hearth and home. Many thanks…

I’ve just finished this book and I loved it! Thanks for recommending it.

I love your Blog, Polly!! Therefore, I love you! Your art, your poetry, your philosophy, your religion, your book reviews, your photography, your … husband!

I LOVE THIS BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love your blog’s colour and joyfulness and the inspiring leads, Polly. Easy to see why you are much loved. Thank you.

I’m grateful for you opening my eyes to the wonders that surround us.

Today’s post was a Gift from God. Opening your email this morning truly lifted my Spirit. Thank you.

This is a fantastic article Polly…so much in it, I know I’ll have to re read it at least twice more!

Wow, super powerful and definitely what I needed to hear today.

This is absolutely magnificent. Bless your precious and beautiful soul for sharing this.

What a stunning place! It is just a slice of heaven. Thank you for sharing its beauty.

I LOVE YOU!!

You amuse-inspire-edify-entertain-inform-uplift-enhance-educate-color!-…my days!

Love your blog. Today’s is dynamite and very helpful to viewing our role as individuals at this time.

Your reading challenge has inspired me and given me permission to read again, as previously I had just fitted reading round everything else. Now it is a legitimate activity in my life and I am enjoying it immensely!

I love this poem! Letting our true, authentic self come forth! Yes!! Thank you for all the delightful imagery!

Polly, thanks for “amplifying good”. That’s what you really do!

You inspire goodness, wholeness, contentedness and joy.

I’m so grateful to be able to enjoy all you so generously share on your blog, the colorful photos, the recipes, the art works, the insights, the book reviews and so much more!

I love your website, messages, poems and art. Thank you for the blessing of community that you provide.

This is so well thought out and written. Thank you for this compelling essay. I agree with you on all points, Polly.

This blog is so prolific and original, inspiring and joy producing.

This is relevant and an excellent way for me to look at some situations I have been in recently.
Thank you Polly.
I will continue to benefit…

I have tremendous admiration for your strength, your depth, your compassion, your passion and your love. You are a woman deeply filled to the brim…

You are such an inspirational person Polly! I love everything you share with us – such a joy to have your daily input in my inbox! X x x

Your photos have opened my eyes to the beauty surrounding us everywhere.

All of your work is eye and mind popping. I love it!

Lovely Polly! You are an inspiration! I am so happy to have your blog in my life!

Thanks for the nudge!

You continue to inspire, impress, and
amaze me, Polly.

Loved your plein air painting, the pictures of the garden plenty — oh wow. Love opening your blog each day — it is a treat that I save sometimes.

I think one reason I enjoy your blog is that you Stand Forth In All Your God-given Glory, expressing everything Good!

Thank you so much for this wonderful insight! You put into words what I have been grappling with for a long time. This is just what I needed today.

Your posts are treasure troves of your beautiful and giving heart.

Thank you, Polly, for bringing clarity to the stressful events we’re experiencing. Your insights are thought-provoking and inspirational. I’m very thankful for your blog.

I am one of your readers who definitely looks forward to a positive message from you every morning. You grow people.

Hi Polly, loved this poem. It radiates hope and feeling of calmness. I am glad I came across these beautiful words. Keep posting similar reads and spreading positivity.

Excellent post, dear Polly! Thanks!! There is lots that I relate to in your comments!

Your blog is full of the wonderful, multilayered colors and textures that you play with, and share so unselfishly with the world.

Wow…you have made carrots sexy!

Oh my goodness Polly, this is absolutely magnificent and reaches so far deep into my soul.

Your poem feels like a lesson, a treatment, and a love letter all rolled into one perfect package.
Thank you, Polly.

What an incredible blessing and inspiration you are. Thank you so much for your beautiful heart!

Love your blog. Today’s was dynamite, and very helpful for understanding our role as individuals at this time.

Love all you do and express. You’re an amazing role model!!

These photos are so wonderful, it really warms the heart.

Wish I had gotten this message 75 years ago. It makes so much sense and would have saved me a lot of self criticism. I love your blog.

I have to tell you that your spiritual to-do list was the springboard for a great talk with my older daughter. We are going to check on each other, and progress.

I for one want to thank you so much for writing this blog. I started about a year ago and look forward to reading it every day. I feel like an armchair adventurer…

Thank you! I enjoy reading your notes from the Bible Lesson. Your interpretation is helpful for my thought and I’m sure many others.

You are an inspiration to me, and I’m sure to many others. With appreciation for all you do to magnify good!

I love your swirling universes, the spirals that draw one in and introduce us to ourselves.

I did your tomato tart a few days ago, and it was fabulous! I am vegetarian and look for meals I can make that have lots of flavor. Your tart was just perfect!

This blog deeply resonates while being beautiful, delicious, inspiring, and fun. Not easy to do!

This blog is simultaneously simple and profound– a perfect, balanced combination of seriousness and light.

Your blog captures a life well lived, constantly imparting good– truth, health and happiness– including beauty, harmony, art, science to the world.

A wonderful poem Polly! Thank you. Deeply nourishing…. like a bird, natural and beautiful, just singing out truth in her special song on a fine winter morning.

I love your coffee cake recipe, I have a book list from your blog, I love the photos, the poems, the paintings, the movie reviews, the humor, the honesty, the color.

I am so totally impressed with your photography, poetry, and painting.  Your talent is incredible!!!

Polly, I’m grateful for you, your prayerful work, your blog, your art, photos, words and colors.

This is one of the BEST explanations of one’s understanding of God I have seen in a long time. The image paired with the text was spot on!

I think you have covered absolutely every way anyone would wish to be blessed

Thank you for sharing yourself and creativity in such a transparent way, it is very inspiring and humbling to me.

Just a wonderland of possibilities and ideas and the materials to explore and discover. What a beautiful, exciting place!  I’ve taken all this glory into my heart today and am grateful for it.

I am a silent regular reader of your daily blog, and I’m finally in touch to tell you how much I like it. I love it!

Without a doubt my life has been enriched and uplifted by my acquaintance with you through your blogs. Every day I look for the interesting ideas you amplify and the lovely arts you share with us. I am never disappointed.

This poem is what I needed to further focus on moving out of the fear of COVID.❤️

I did your 52 books challenge, and loved the structure that it provided to my selections. Doing it again this year too!

I find the ideas you share on your blog very encouraging in having a sense of order when it comes to goals and priorities.

Neat! Love the black and white contrasts enhanced by the light.

You are my favorite artist. I just have to say it. Your paintings make me so happy.

Thank you for introducing me to wonderful, amazing authors.
Love the pictures of your elegant flowers.

It’s a rare inspiration that can uncover an aching joy — but those poems do that. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Yummy and beautiful! I love all the colors and this food looks amazing! The plates too!

Wow, you outdid yourself this month with your Bits and Clips. It was a wonderful mix of beauty, humor, and thoughtfulness.

What a fine piece! You certainly are a shining example….[it] was uplifting and instructive.

Well said Polly!

Life is so exciting we should limit ourselves less!

Let’s all have a productive day and be joyful!

Polly your blog is simply a marvelously enriching, thought provoking part of the daily wonders of life! I give thanks for you and the blog!

You show us how God’s love shines in all things. You are a blessing!

I am touched by this well thought out, well written essay. You have put into words what so many of us have in our minds and hearts. Thank you!

Thank you for your burst of sunshine reflected in your positivity this morning… I look forward to your blogs.

Thank you for bringing your hydrangeas into my home via the internet. Other flowers are lovely too, but hydrangeas are SPECIAL.

Yes, lots of good flavor triggers in there. I printed it out and will try it. Thanks so much!

Everything on your site is so colorful, spiritual and alive!

What lovely Soul-inspired insights! Thank you for these great ideas!

You encourage me to grow with your everyday wisdom and your lovely contributions.

Polly, please keep sharing these pages! I love seeing them. You inspired me to do the same thing.

Polly, your reflection of Soul’s endless creativity is truly wonderful!  Thank you for letting the divine shine through you so brightly!

Graciously and lovingly spoken, like a true friend to all. Thank you for your blog Polly.

Your multiple images and vocabulary choices give energy and renewed resolve to flagging spirits. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for this. Read it. Gave me hope. Going through an “unsure” time. Thank you for these words of strength, hope, and faith.

AUDACIOUSLY GORGEOUS!!!!! (:

I feel the joy and love of the color and thought in all your work! You are letting your light shine.

Thank you so.much, Polly. It says with abundant clarity what thousands upon thousands of thoughtful men and women think and believe. I appreciate you!!

Deep and encompassing. Passionate and motherly. Loving and expansive. The photos speak volumes too…and I see the connections with the poem perfectly.

I never before found computers this beautiful….

Thank you for writing this opinion so eloquently, Polly. You have addressed many nuances that I have been espousing for years, and your words are powerful and thought-provoking.

Quite unforgettable. You truly have a way with words:  warm; strong; inviting; enlightening; so substantive, and more.

I salute you! And I sure do thank you for inspiring me to greater efforts along all lines of life!

Polly lets her spirituality into her art as you can see in the many abstract paintings she creates. We were wowed by her ability and her encouragement of others to express themselves artistically.

Thank you for the insight. Especially separating church from a building or denomination. The passion and joy of color in your paintings is marvelous.

I enjoy your blog so much. But today you are on top. Every thought you expressed so lovingly…. some very funny but always with love. Thank you for all you bring to so many .

I made your fabulous Fish Tacos and they were BEYOND delicious!!

Thanks for sharing from the seat of your soul with generosity and openness.

Oh so beautiful! I keep coming back to look at the paintings again.

Polly, I just love your spirit, innovativeness, receptivity to beauty and to God’s goodness expressed. Thank you for your blog.

What a beautiful spirit you have, shining right through your source.

You are such a gem Polly-  it is an incredible blessing to daily read your blog!

Your abstracts are interesting and you have a unique style that is all your own. Original, demonstrating individuality and confidence! I see joy and love expressed.

Love these colours and the strong contrasts Polly!

Thank you for focusing in on and capturing the little things we so often pass by and/or take for granted.

This is a beautiful summary and reminder of how we can both individually and collectively dissolve the powerless, baseless lies with Truth. Thank you, Polly!!

You capture so vividly the beauty of nature. Thank you for bringing such beauty into my every day.

I’m so grateful for all you share with us.

The phrase ‘divine choreography’ is resonating with me. Bless you for sharing your inspiration with us all.

I really enjoy reading your blog – but I have to say that your monthly ‘Bits and Clips’ posts and your ‘Grace Notes’ posts are my favorite :)

I look forward to your messages each day, like a delightful gift to unwrap.

What a delight to experience the beauty of nature you shared of your slice of the world through these beautiful photos.

Excellent. Thank you for sharing this welcome thought to redirect today’s thinking.
I am grateful for this blog.

Beautifully written, Polly … captures my sentiments exactly.❤️

That’s all very helpful for me today, Polly. Thanks for going deep on this. I’m sharing your joy in our Source.

Thank you for all your uplifting daily contributions, wherever form they take – photos, recipes, artwork, book reviews and smiley faces!

Absolutely stunning, Polly. I love the infinite range of ideas, expression, and media in this BIG blog of yours.

Putting the art of poetry, photography and painting into your hands is God’s gift to us who get to read it and see it. Thanks.

Thank you for Saying So Well What Needs To Be SAID!

Hoping others can/will read this…

Polly, what amazing and timely insight in these wise words! Thanks for sharing this wisdom.

I wanted you to know that I found the time I spent on your blog to be relaxing, refreshing, inspiring, and totally enjoyable.

WONDERFUL blog, Polly! Thank you for your spiritual calm, support for each of us, uninhibited creativity, and amazing paintings. I am just left in awe !

Thank you so much for this thoughtful, informative and articulate book review, Polly!

These thoughts you shared are a keeper for me to revisit when in need. You are a blessing to many!

Your inspiration and love of nature is appreciated!

Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration! I love reading your blog with it’s many insights.

You are doing so wonderfully at praising God with your talents.

A wonderful poem Polly! Thank you. Deeply nourishing….

Your blog is very interesting and insightful.

Thank you sincerely for your joyful out-pouring of love, light, color, comforting, inspiring words…

Thankful every morning to see another treasure from you in my emails !

You are … just plain wonderful, Polly! Your blog is bursting with poetry, art, writings, love of God, family, friends, all things great and wonderful and good!

Polly, you are a whiz at living life the way it’s meant to be. I’m fascinated by all you do!

The last day of the month on your blog is always a BIG treat . . . This morning I went from fasting to feasting . . .

Thank you for expanding my ways to see, Polly.

Excellent, meaningful, quotes. Thanks!

Thank you so much for your fantastic, soulful images– your photos really capture the love, joy, camaraderie, power, and intensity of the present moment.

This blog is a daily dose from an spiritually-oriented, artist, thinker, sage.

Thanks, Polly, for listening so carefully and sharing so selflessly.

I must find the higher spiritual path that nature often helps me see. Thank you for this beautiful poem.

I feel such gratitude for the beautiful way in which you express God. Thanks for blessing my life and being such a shining light in the world!

Such a complete radiance of Soul you are demonstrating. I find it very inspiring!

This blog is upbeat, progressive, sincere, colorful, metaphoric, and exploratory. Such a rich feast!

I love this poem, Polly, and I shall read it often! I feel sure it will help lift my thought to healing.

Yes indeed! You are a shining light and you are definitely using all your wonderful talents

This is absolutely beautiful and so incredibly helpful and inspiring! Thank you so much! ❤️

Very helpful in these seemingly uncertain times. I found a couple of specific ideas expressed here that apply to a specific situation in my life. Thank you!

I just love your photos, Polly. Whether it’s food or art or nature . . . They are always so beautiful and interesting and full of life !

Your blog is uplifting and enlightening, and seems to speak to me just when I need it most.

Oh my gosh how did you know I needed this today? I am in absolute awe of your thorough and articulate way you describe how all of this works.

Beautiful photos! All that color, texture & gorgeous pattern….

I am simply amazed at the wealth of beauty, soul, and experience. Love it. Love you! Thank You for sharing your innermost so openly.

I am grateful for the myriad ways you celebrate Life in your art, activities and relationships. Your blog is inspiring in its magnification of Soulful goodness!

Thank you for this….I absolutely love reading it!

I really enjoyed this book, thanks for recommending it.

Grace is a beautiful quality and you exude it in spades – thanks so much for all you do and are! You are a treasure!

Providing us with wonderful refreshment, enlightenment, peace, encouragement, joy,
and a whole lot more. Thanks, Polly!

This is spectacular, Polly! I love it!

Polly always captures the balance between what I can do, and all the miracles I am given.

LOVE it. Made me smile while I was reading it.

The colors are exquisite!!! Thanks for bringing so much beauty into our lives.

Wow! What a stunning collection of gorgeous images and though-provoking quotes. They made my day.

Wow! Love the abundance of exotic shapes and colours in the Autumn sunshine!

I get so happy when I see your paintings. I really do. They bring me such joy. I feel your heart when I see them.

I’m new to your site and I love today’s post about being grateful!

Thank you for sharing the joy of your trip with us. I feel blessed this morning to know you in all the ways you reveal good and magnify it.

Beautiful and profoundly perfect for pandemic season, your poem empowers hope for what’s next. I plan to read it at Sunday Devotional. Thank you!

I have been blessed beyond words by your daily posts. I often quote you to others, saying I got the idea from a wonderful friend I’ve never actually met.

So beautiful and I have shared it with so many others. Thank you!

Love the photos, as usual. You are a Creative Genius, Polly.

Polly this is absolutely exquisite and so inspiring. I will refer to it often.

I loved this post! It gave me much to think about. Thank you for being such a beautiful and prolific source of inspiration. You are a wonder! I’m a fan!

How blessed we are to have someone like you on this Earth.

You share so freely, with so so so much love and joy and an open-open-heart…

I truly love and am inspired by your blog, including capturing the beauty of life in the moment, teaching by example, taking time with children, and spirituality.

I loved this book, Polly. Thank you so much for the recommendation.

Really enjoyed your poem on Animal magnetism. Very clear truths. Thank you. Your vibrant art work is superb.

What a breath of fresh air!! Thank you for your honesty, integrity and willingness to speak out for Truth and Justice!!!

I am so grateful for your generous sharing of ideas across so many different fields! Your colorful art, your beautiful photography, your tasty looking and well presented dishes, your uplifting ideas, your insightful book reviews, and your wonderful healing work! You truly are a polymath!! I so look forward to your daily offerings and rejoice in them all.

When you get famous, I need to be the president of your fan club.

Yes, healing does happen when we deeply and humbly pray. Thanks for keeping that idea alive.

We are so blessed with your access to nature and your talent to communicate visually….

I recently I recommended your blog to a friend saying, “She’s like a dear friend, she just doesn’t know me.” Thank you for all the delight you add to my days!

How blessed we are to have someone like you on this Earth.

Thank you for bringing your beautiful great outdoors into my world.
You do a great job taking pictures. The colors are so vibrant and I like that you notice
shadows.

Well Done! This is such a wonderful venture. Your work is just extraordinary!

Oh how I love this! Thank you, thank you!

I so enjoyed your trip blog. The outstanding photos and the amazing narratives made me feel I was on vacation for a few minutes each day.

Thank you for revealing this idea you’ve been following. I can tell when an angel has tapped me on the shoulder–it feels light and right and fun.

Outstanding, superb and beyond all imagination.

Thank you Polly, for saying what needs to be said.

Your art is thrilling.

Your blogs are a delight.

Way to go on your artistic journey. You show great courage, humility, and such support for everyone around you.

WOW! Polly! Some truly marvelous work there!!!

Wow. Yes, quite something to contemplate. Thank you, Polly!!

Synesthesia! I can taste the yellows and hear the oranges! A feast to the senses! Brava talented Polly

Beautiful photos. It is uplifting and energizing to see such bright, cheerful, healthy and fresh images. Thanks, I needed that!

It is always refreshing to see the loves, joys, challenges, and triumphs that you share on your blog.

Thank you for the constant good thoughts and beautiful expressions of love and joy that you share on your blog.

Thank you Polly!! This has needed to be said for a while!

Helen Frankenthaler’s works were interesting, but I like your abstracts better.

Thank you for sharing this.
Strange, nothing surprising here.
You are who you are.

This is absolutely wonderful and so helpful.

Thank you dear Polly!

Outstanding message! And a sure “wake-up” call for me regarding mortal decline. I’m off on a refreshing direction. Thanks, Polly.

You are such an inspiring person, Polly, and I love the variety of your activities you share with us all! Thank you so much.

You are terrific and amazing. In many outstanding ways.

Polly, I needed you today and there you were and it was enough. Thank you for being a motivator.

You have a great eye for beauty Polly. I love your blog.

This blog is really stimulating and motivating.

Thank you for this exercise in balance, Polly. Helps a lot!

I love your blog! I shared it with my mom, an artist, and she is impressed with your art. I’ve also spent time studying your paintings. Just listened to your interview, it was stellar! Thank you!!

Thank you Polly–you are always such a clear thinker and always willing to share your God-given gifts.

I love the photos – such a gift which makes me feel closer to Fall, my favorite season.

Gorgeous new work. I love the vitality of the city scenes and vibrant color palette.

This speaks to me. Love your work, Polly.

Thank you for your commitment to reality and our true nature!

Well done Polly, I love your book reviews!  Please carry on the good work of guiding our book choices.

Glorious! Thank you for tending these lovely flowers together, and for posting on your blog, Polly.

Thanks, Polly! Your zest for the good things in life makes me feel happy too!

Thank you for your ultra positive, upbeat, cheering and cheerful expressions in so many forms. What great seeds to sow in world thought!

I appreciate your blog. It’s a breath of fresh air, beauty, and innovative thinking!

I just adore all of your wonderful posts and everything that you share so generously. ????? You have a beautiful sense of soul that you share – it blesses me and so many!

I have so enjoyed your recent posts– about your garden, your reflections about parenting, your vibrant artwork– so many wonderful expressions of Spirit.

I always appreciate your reviews. Our fave film in 2019 was The Green Book – which we watched following your recommendation.

Just beautiful, Polly. So honest and uplifting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and the helpful ones of others.

When I open my email in the morning I read all the have-to emails first; I save yours to read as dessert. Thanks, Polly!

I am so happy to have found your site and to be able to enjoy your expression of Spirit! Love your poetry, your photos, your ideas, your …YOU! THANK you for sharing so abundantly!

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pollycastor

I was thinking about how I’m a devotee of “big I was thinking about how I’m a devotee of “big shapes and small shapes” as a compositional guideline that I preach to my painting workshops. I continue to stand by that. However, my life right now is many small moving parts, and I wanted to paint a feeling that was based on the happy juggle of disparate parts. Could I make a pleasing composition of all small (with some tiny) parts? I compensated by contrasting other things, like making sure I had value contrast, warm vs. cool color contrast, straight lines contrasted with circles, sharp edges contrasting with soft ones. I needed to do this complete with a focal point and finding ways to move your eye throughout the piece. This painting is the result.

I’ve Got a lot Going On is 19.7″x26.5″ and is painted in pastel on Sennelier mixed media sanded paper, which I spritzed with India ink before commencing, so the small parts could contrast with a base of minuscule ones.

#gotalotgoingon #alotgoingon #conceptualart #contemporaryabstraction #abstractart #artistoninstagram  #pollycastor #softpastels #sennelierpastels #contrast #composition
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©2025 Polly Castor. I encourage you to freely share and forward my blogs in context, with proper attribution, and with links back to this website attached. Feel free to use the "Print" button provided to utilize Polly's recipes for personal use. Prior explicit permission is required, however, for any portion of Polly Castor’s photographs, art works or writings to be otherwise copied, reproduced in any way, re-blogged or downloaded (Contact Me Here). Please don’t steal my work. Copies of photos and artwork are available for purchase in my Gallery.

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