Out on a Limb into the Next Fifteen Feet
This all feels miracle to me, and I’m so very grateful for the shepherding and care I’ve the whole way.
Polly Castor
Dress Ourselves in Gentleness (Quote by Henri Nouwen)
Once in a while we meet a gentle person. Gentleness is a virtue hard to find in a society that admires toughness and roughness. We are encouraged to get things done and to get them done fast, even when people get hurt in the process. Success, accomplishment, and productivity count. But the cost is high. There is no place for gentleness in such a milieu
A Sand County Almanac (Book Review)
This is a lovely little book of well observed nature writing. In a time where the environment is in peril from bad policy and practices, it was refreshing to read a beautifully written book about cherishing nature, which didn’t have such threatening overtones.
Celebrating Soil Life (New Abstract Painting in Oil)
Most people think of soil as a brown decaying place, but actually it should be full of life! I read recently a whole chapter on soil life in a book called Regenesis, which prompted my thoughts on this subject, which led to this painting.
Rhubarb Salad Dressing (Recipe)
This is yummy. I like it with roasted beets and strawberries with candied nuts on my husband’s beautiful homegrown lettuce!
Annual Meeting 2026 (Highlights and Photos)
We should not hide our light under the bushel, where it will suffocate and go out. We are not protecting it there. The safest place for your light is on a candlestick where it thrives in lots of oxygen,
Photos of our Peonies with links to Peony Poetry
Loving our peonies!
Check out these new photos of them from our yard, as well as these peony poems
Recent Pages in my Bible Lesson Journal
Since some of you have found seeing these pages useful, I occasionally post them here.
Incline Toward the Big Questions (George Saunders quote)
Err in the direction of kindness nd avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.
Hike Photos from Huntinton State Park (Early June 2026)
There are some blossoms, and the air smells pungently amazing, but most it is just green, green green!
Four Abstract Charcoal Drawings
I recommend playing with charcoal: vine, compressed, and pencil, to get a range of marks and values. Maybe try it in your sketchbook?
Trees (Poem by Mary Oliver)
Heaven knows how many trees I’ve climbed when my body was still in a climbing way…
I’m in this New Haven Paint and Clay Show
I’m in this lovely New Haven Paint and Clay show at the Guilford Art Center Gallery in Connecticut. It will be up until June 20, if you’d like to visit,
Crab Mac & Cheese (Recipe)
This is so sumptuously delicious it is hard to explain. It is rich but packed with protein, and superbly satisfying.
Bits and Clips for May 2026
I hope you find something among all this artwork, photography, memes, links, and quotes that spurs you on, informs, inspires, supports, educates, encourages or motivates you.
Yesteryear (Book Review)
Yesteryear packs a punch and is different than anything you’ve ever read. It merges many different themes – Christian evangelism, politics, feminism, online influencers, exposure of children on the internet, delusion, and idealism of the traditionalism of the past– in a compulsively readable story, that left me sad in end.
A Bouquet for You (New Large Floral in Pastel)
I love the exuberance and cheer of this piece. I made this for the PSME Monthly challenge for May to paint “a bouquet of flowers.”