Fostering a new renaissance through creativity, authenticity, spirituality, and art
Polly Castor 
I have been contemplating rainbows recently, spurred by something I read in the Sentinel magazine (see here). As a physicist, I know that a rainbow does not exist “out there” but actually exists on the retina of the eye. You can never get to it or touch it, because that remarkable beauty you see is … Read more
By way of an update on our peach tree – I mentioned that we had lots, and I wasn’t exaggerating – the tree was so burdened with peaches that the largest branch of them actually broke off under the weight and came crashing down! This cobbler is the first thing we made with our … Read more
I enjoyed this encouraging book of lessons from centenarians, and give it five stars. Written by Neenah Ellis about her interviews for her NPR series, it is more than the sum of its parts, as she examines her own life and responses in the process. I found her digression about “limbic response” fascinating, for example, … Read more
Above is a skewed close-up detail of the entire piece shown below, which is vertical. My original intention was to color this in, but I have been talked out of it by those who like it as it is, so here it is in black-and white. Would you have colored it in?
What to do with all this cabbage? We like this casserole recipe by Mollie Katzen from her revised edition of the Moosewood Cookbook. Mollie calls it Macaroni & Cheese Lite (page 126), but if you are thinking it will be Mac & Cheese, you will be sorely disappointed for it it is mostly veggies, especially … Read more
A friend of mine used this title phrase in casual conversation last night, and I can’t even remember what she was referring to in the flood of connections I made the second I heard it. It resonated with me as the answer to art questions I had been getting as well as parenting advice I … Read more
This page represents August 7, 2009 through August 18, 2009. See below for some close up photos from this page. Enjoy!
This novel raises controversial issues about sex education and about the separation of church and state in suburban America. It raises questions about whether we should inflict our opinions on others, and if we do, whether or not it helps them. This book contrasts not only conservatives and liberals, atheists and fundamentalists, promiscuity and abstinence, … Read more
I have some awesome friends. One of them is Judy Reilly. She was a fellow church member here for some time before moving to Vermont. I miss seeing her regularly! She is an amazing quilt artist. I love her quilt’s color and whimsey and insight. My three photographs on this post are of quilts of … Read more
I’m celebrating the colorful joys of the season! I’ve had a wonderful time recently meeting the owners of these flowers. First, I stopped on a bike ride to photograph moon flowers near a sidewalk. The house happened to be on the market and this accomplished gardener showed off her gardens to me, and took me … Read more
I took these photos this morning at our Farmer’s Market here in town. It is a true feast for the eyes and a wonderful place for friendly community spirit. In the last six pictures you can see what we brought home, that is, besides happiness, sunshine, and light hearts.
We are members of what is called the “Limekiln Swimming Association,” but what everyone here affectionately calls “The Quarry.” There are 75 member families, although surprisingly we often have it to ourselves, and we’ve been members long enough that our friends have become members so we often run into church or homeschooling friends here. It … Read more
I checked this book out so many times from the library, I finally bought it with one of my amazon credit card coupons. I’m so glad I did! I find this book very inspirational. Claire Harrigan’s paintings I think are stellar but her advise is just as good. You can see in the sneak preview … Read more
Our peaches are starting to ripen! There are a lot of them, although a little spotted… Not bad for the third year. Last year we had only a couple but they were delicious. Now we just have to compete with the squirrels for them, but we took precautions this year…
You’d be proud of me, I’m actually cleaning out my office, which has been long overdue, but is finally progressing in the right direction. One of the side benefits is I’m finding all sorts of things. The poem below is one of the things I was delighted to see once more. I vividly remember writing … Read more
My two younger children fly in from northern Michigan today where they have been at camp for a month. Strangely enough, this set me to thinking about sunflowers, since the last time I was in the vicinity of their camp I photographed fields of sunflowers. I’ve searched out and resurrected those photos from northern Michigan … Read more
