Polly Castor
New Day (Poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson)
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.
Recent Black & White Photos
Urban environment contrasted with the natural one… organic shapes and texture contrasted with geometric, built, and man made angles.
Layered Scribbles by Others
Approach scribbling with mindful noticing and inquisitiveness, and let one thing lead to the next by asking questions.
Layering Scribbles (Sketchbook Ideas #11)
It is highly useful to practice scribbling and to know the idiosyncrasies of layering scribbles in different media.
My Symphony (Poem by William Ellery Channing)
To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury…
Bringing Down the Duke (Book Review)
If you want an intelligent, passionate romp, with both a cause and a woman’s virtue in the balance, read this one.
Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup with Gruyere (Recipe)
I got this recipe from Heidi Swanson, and have only altered it slightly. I’m grateful to this soup’s perfect soul-warming goodness in my cooking repertoire. Everybody loved it. You can use whatever mushrooms you want here, but this was fabulous with the fancy mushrooms (shown below) found at Costco. I’ll also make this the next … Read more
Family Holiday Photos (with Food and Games)
Christmas eve at church We had a lovely holiday with both our daughter’s home, as well as our older daughter’s boyfriend. In the photos in this post you can see what we ate and what we played. Among us we got a few new games we enjoyed, which might be great gift ideas for you … Read more
My New Year’s Resolution for 2024: Use What You Have
A Firm Foundation (pastel) by Polly Castor I have so much! And I find having a yearly theme a helpful focus, not as a hard, self flagellation reformation tool, but as a gentle, purposeful guide toward intended progress, with plenty of forgiveness and compassion thrown in. Besides, I know it is especially powerful to write … Read more
Book Challenge 2024 (A Totally New Approach)
I’ve heard from many of you and your feedback was helpful in radically changing our Reading Challenge this year.
Bits and Clips for December 2023
This bits and clips post is a monthly feature on this blog of the best that I’ve seen on the internet in the past month. I hope you find something among all this artwork, photography, poetry, memes, links, and quotes that spurs you on, inspires, supports, educates, or motivates you: Spirituality: Best Bible Podcast Episodes … Read more
Hike Photos from Huntington State Park (December 2023)
I’m still walking in the same place, trying to see it freshly every time.
Our Anniversary 2023 (Year in Review Photos)
My husband and I have been around the sun together again!
Assessing Last Year’s Resolution (2023)
I was only partially successful at my “tech” resolution for 2023.