Fostering a new renaissance through creativity, authenticity, spirituality, and art
Polly Castor 
No April Fool, I was at the State level competition of the National Geography Bee today. Although admittedly I was witnessing top students, it was encouraging to see these kids’ familiarity with our world and their facile command of its facts. We were honored to have our daughter participate at this level! Our daughter missed … Read more
Five Smooth Stones David, calmly confident went after Goliath armed with five carefully chosen smooth stones. Turns out, he only needed to use one: it was enough. When facing my giants what smooth stones do I select? I’ve decided on these: 1)God is good 2)God is omnipotent 3)God is ever-present 4)God is infinite 5)God is … Read more
As discussed yesterday, I went to an awesome show in New York City titled, “Infinite Variety: 300 years of Red and White Quilts.” Click here to read my review of the event and see my photos of the unique displays. Below are some close up photographs of some of the 651 red and while quilts … Read more
After a tip in church on Sunday (thank you Julie), I kidnapped my husband and daughter for an excursion today without telling them where we were going. Our life is so busy, when do we have time for fun? You’d think being self-employed and homeschooling we’d be the image of flexibility, but not exactly! I … Read more
The answers to questions we are having are everywhere in nature, and we just need to change our lens in order to see them. Life creates conditions conducive to life, and we can follow that example as we find ways to meet our needs while making this place an Eden for future generations. This cogent … Read more
This page represents March 14, 2011 through March 25, 2011. See close-ups of recent entries below. Enjoy!
My youngest daughter’s Destination ImagiNation middle school level team came in first place in their division today in Connecticut. They are going to Globals in May! They won last year and went to Globals then as well, but this year the competition was much stiffer, and they didn’t expect to win. Their team, called Vision … Read more
Many people think both good and bad are real. I’ve even heard people say they are codependent: that you can’t know one without the other. I’m still growing in my understanding, but I’d have to say, against all indications to the contrary, that I strongly disagree. To me, God is good, so we also can … Read more
This is a really good, nourishing chowder. Not too rich, it resembles more a wonderful chicken vegetable soup (at least as far as I remember since I haven’t had chicken in thirty years!) Warm and comforting, it is a complete meal in a bowl, and not hard to make either. It’s snowing here today, … Read more
This amaryllis was slow in coming and intended for earlier in the year, but it is glorious nonetheless, gracing our foyer right now!
I hope you enjoy this St. Benedict quote: “O Lord, I place myself in your hands and dedicate myself to you. I pledge myself to do your will in all things – To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength. Not to kill, not to steal, not to … Read more
This stunning orchid is gracing our church right now, inspiring us with it’s lavishly extravagant, long lasting blooms…
Here’s a different than usual version of tabbouleh that I like better than the traditional one. It is wonderful to make ahead for quick lunches or dinners; the flavors are best if they mellow a bit in the refrigerator anyway. And with the shrimp in it, it is a complete meal in a bowl! … Read more
I enjoyed this novel whose theme is domestic violence as much as one could on the topic. It begins rather innocuously, but is a real page turner by the end. Nicholas Sparks does a fairly good job getting inside the heads of both husband and wife while clearly contrasting it as well with a healthier, … Read more
Below please find the response I received from the College Board, obviously an official form letter since it refers to me taking the exam. Regardless, I thought it may be of interest: March 17, 2011 Dear Polly: I am writing to you today in response to your email regarding the essay prompt on the SAT® … Read more
Yesterday I wrote a formal complaint to the College Board, the folks who put out the SAT placement test. The content of my letter has been brewing ever since Saturday, when my son took the SAT test, and the essay question was about reality TV. I referred to my disgust over it in my rather … Read more
