Fostering a new renaissance through creativity, authenticity, spirituality, and art
Polly Castor 
Today we met up in Tennessee with my daughter’s Destination Imagination team and their sister elementary level team. Our teams are now registered and Globals has begun for us! We first went horseback riding, then had a terrific lunch at Sister Cats Cafe, and then went spelunking 500 feet underground in the Tuckaleechee Cave which … Read more
If you are ever in the western mountains of Virginia, we strongly recommend taking time to do the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail. Take a shuttle to the top of White Top mountain (the second tallest peak in Virginia next to Mt. Rogers), and bike (or rather coast!) down the gradual slope that was originally a … Read more
We happened to be out to dinner where the kids in Marion, Virginia gathered for the Prom. I couldn’t resist blending in with the rest of the eager photographers taking in the fascinating scene. Now you can enjoy it too…
We are on our way to Destination Imagination Globals, which has allowed us to visit a good friend in Marion, Virginia for the weekend. This is also the home of Hungry Mother State Park (click here), often ranked the #1 State Park in the country, but simultaneously is a well kept secret, frequented mostly by … Read more
Long ago, I read a translation of this book but had never seen the real (illuminated!) one in German until a couple days ago. I took some shots of it to share with you. I was very impressed with the fastidious workmanship of this large volume.
I’ve never made mugs before… these are my first two! I’m really happy with the white interiors; I want to know how steeped my tea is, and also when they are washed clean. I’m planning on working on a variety of mugs in different sizes and colors, but all with the same white interior. I’ve … Read more
Today I moved our eldest daughter from college into Asher House for the summer. Many cities have Asher Houses for young students to live in along with other Christian Scientists. This D.C. Asher house is particularly lovely and well located – right off Dupont Circle. Our daughter is sharing a third floor room (over the … Read more
Eating out in Annapolis is a treat! I especially recommend The Main Ingredient (click here) for delicious, local, wonderfully prepared food. It will take a long time to work through that menu!
I disagree in general with the depiction of heaven in this book. Let’s explain ourselves and understand the why’s of our human lives in the ongoing here and now, instead of waiting until the afterlife. I also challenge his assertion that, without exception, every parent messes up their kids. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book … Read more
Purge Belief and Wear Only Understanding It is clear that the opposite of Truth is error. A mistake like 2+2=5 is also an error; errors defy Principle. It is not so obvious, however, that “Error is belief without understanding.”* I used to believe there were good beliefs and bad beliefs. But it turns out that … Read more
One of the advantages of parenting (let alone homeschooling!) is you learn so much! Below are words my 16 year old son is learning that I did not know. Do you know any of these? If you know any, you know more than me! obloquy: a verbal condemnation or abuse of a person or thing … Read more
Mother’s Day is such a wonderful occasion to receive kid’s pottery. My son made the two flower bowls and my daughter made the two coasters…
I collaged together different types of watercolor paper and then painted this.
One of my spiritual mentors, Virginia Harris (CSB), was interviewed in this little book Life Messages for Moms. I thought I’d share some of what she had to say in this book about motherhood, to support all you moms out there on Mother’s Day. Like me, she is a mother of three… • “I don’t … Read more
Several of you blog readers have been after me to see this movie and I finally did. You are right, I give it five stars. We do not need to wait to write our own bucket lists and get going on the living involved in checking them off. Also, the wisdom here of being sure … Read more
I really value what the Dalai Lama is trying to do here. Living in India, where many religions have been coexisting harmoniously for centuries, he highlights his understanding and appreciation of each tradition in turn, underscoring their overlapping commonalities. Even though there are fundamental differences between the theology of the various faith traditions, he finds … Read more
The magnolias burst on the scene quickly this year, and lost their petals just as fast… emitting blissful fragrance meanwhile…