Fostering a new renaissance through creativity, authenticity, spirituality, and art
Polly Castor 
Yesterday we packed this van to the gills, which seems like an apt phrase because when we got the side doors of the van squeezed closed (after multiple tries) we opened the windows and stuffed things in up to the ceiling through the sides. This van included fifteen boxes of books (like below) and some … Read more
Respect And I don’t mean just that easy respect that comes when everything is rosy: the influential job, and impeccable behavior with every word and deed done just right. I’m talking about that fundamental respect that everyone inherently deserves regardless of what they do or how they behave – the kind that treats everyone well, … Read more
The day after graduation, I remained to get my daughter moved out of her apartment and facilitate her transition into her next situation in Syracuse. Today was her last day working for the governor, so while she was there, I worked on researching apartment options for her beginning in July. (You can see her above … Read more
We are so proud of our daughter Virginia who graduated today from St. John’s college in Annapolis. Out of 140 students in her class, 97 made it to graduation. This is a challenging place, and she has done very well. The college paper picks one senior each year to highlight in an article and this … Read more
Tomorrow our daughter graduates from St. John’s College in Annapolis. Today we’ve come down to begin the festivities, picking up our son from Swarthmore where he is in the middle of finals. We brought two cars so my husband can take him back soon after the graduation tomorrow, and return home to a busy week … Read more
I’m a Herman Wouk fan from as far back as the 70’s. I loved this recent light work written in his nineties in the form of correspondence – email, fax, skype, texting, etc. Oh, to be able to be so “with it” at such an age! The title refers to the story of Moses, which … Read more
Wednesday evening meetings in our church are a time for the congregation to share what has been helpful to them, and I loved this idea that was offered last night by Diane Staples, who long ago wrote a short article about this topic that I encourage you to read here. Last night she said: “It … Read more
My most recent hand-thrown bowls are these top two. The three blue hand-thrown pieces beneath were made by our sixteen year old daughter, but I love the frog she made the best! Currently she’s painting lifelike lizards on a bowl she threw; I can’t wait to see how that comes out.
I found this framework of prompts on the April 25th entry of the Design so Vast blog and thought I’d give it a try: Vanity – Anything good God gets the credit for, which wipes out vanity fairly expeditiously. And if we’re talking about the type of furniture which I think we are, that is … Read more
I listened to this audio book because I was intrigued by the two videos I include at the bottom of this post. My basic review of this book is to watch those and skip the book, which was lots to wade through, unnecessarily complete with a systematic review of technology, history and business. Alternatively, you … Read more
All Wandering Stars I am a transplanted Michigander germinated in New York City before setting down roots in small town Connecticut, where I am now lolling in the sun on my front porch. The day is spectacular – the weeping cherry tree is festooned with blossoms overhead the pungent mulberry colored buds of the earliest … Read more
If you either love Maine or love watercolors you’ll enjoy this artist. I recommend this lovely book from which the photos below come.
What could be better for the National Day of Prayer than this natural beauty that is shared by all faith communities?
A lot of what you see here already has these recipe links on the blog: Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup Salmon Cakes Crustless Seafood Pie with Celeriac Mash Baked Eggs Over Power Greens A Better Banana Bread Baked Winter Squash Soup Watercress, Pear and Walnut Salad Roasted Asparagus Roasted Carrots Roasted Strawberries Vegetable Soup with … Read more
I love this painting of mine with its raw expression and vibrant intensity.
