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Polly Castor

Fostering a new renaissance through creativity, authenticity, spirituality, and art

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Mindfulness

Advice on How to Apologize

May 21, 2022 by Polly Castor
Advice on how to apologize

If what you said or did would have bothered you if it was said or done to you, than an apology is in order.

Categories Ideas Tags advice, life lessons, Mindfulness, patience, Release, Virtue 3 Comments

Avoid Doing it Wrongly by Doing it Rightly

April 24, 2022April 24, 2022 by Polly Castor
Avoid doing it wrongly by doing it rightly, explaining sin

Identifying the correct way to do something will steer you clear from all sorts of pitfalls.

Categories Ideas, Spirituality Tags advice, Christian Science, God, Mindfulness, Release, Spiritual Healing, Virtue 3 Comments

Using a Viewfinder for Small Vignettes from a Magazine (Sketchbook Ideas #3)

April 13, 2022April 13, 2022 by Polly Castor

Try this exercise and I think your find it not only fun, but skill enhancing. It also encourages an expanding compositional sense.

Categories Art Tags creativity, education, Mindfulness, sketchbook ideas 1 Comment

Can We? (New Poem by Polly Castor)

April 11, 2022April 11, 2022 by Polly Castor
Can We? poem by Polly Castor

Can we throw inertia off? Can we figure out what we want? Can we chunk it down and start? Can we get moving towards it?

Categories Hope, Poetry Tags authenticity, Mindfulness, patience, Poetry by me, Release, Virtue 5 Comments

Silence Your Inner Critic

April 7, 2022April 7, 2022 by Polly Castor
Silence You Inner Critic

This attitude is like a non-stick pan for the inner critic; it slides right off, with no residual effect.

Categories Art, Hope, Ideas Tags advice, authenticity, creativity, Essay, life lessons, Mindfulness, Release 1 Comment

Transparency is Important

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022 by Polly Castor
Transparency is Important

Messy but true is always better than tidy but fake.

Categories Hope, Ideas, Spirituality Tags authenticity, life lessons, Mindfulness, Release 2 Comments

Lessons from White Kitchen Floors (Quote by Heather Maio)

March 15, 2022March 15, 2022 by Polly Castor
White Floors Heather Maio quote

Its only when you ignore problems that they have the chance to grow.

Categories Hope, Ideas Tags life lessons, Mindfulness, Quotes, Virtue 4 Comments

Other Names for MSG (Avoid Eating These Ingredients)

March 14, 2022March 14, 2022 by Polly Castor
Other Names for MSG (Avoid Eating These Ingredients)

Please join me in avoiding all these ingredients masquerading as something other than the well known villainous super-toxin, MSG.

Categories Food Tags advice, Mindfulness, Release, Virtue 6 Comments

Eight New Mixed Media Paintings in my Artist Journal

August 15, 2022March 7, 2022 by Polly Castor
Seeing in the Dark (mixed media) by Polly Castor

This is what I’ve been painting recently in my artist’s journal.

Categories Art Tags Artist Journals, creativity, Mindfulness, mixed media 1 Comment

Overcoming Impositions to Spiritual Growth (Quote by Jill Gooding)

March 6, 2022March 6, 2022 by Polly Castor
overcoming impositions to spiritual growth

When these impeding impositions of error are recognized and overcome, our lives soar…

Categories Hope, Spirituality Tags advice, life lessons, Mindfulness, Release, Spiritual Healing 2 Comments

Sickness is Not Necessarily a Crisis of Faith (Deep Think #17)

February 20, 2022February 20, 2022 by Polly Castor
Sickness not a crisis of faith

The world needs us not to be so heavenly minded we are no earthy good.

Categories Spirituality Tags Christian Science, essays, life lessons, Mindfulness, Prayer, Release, Spiritual Healing, Virtue 8 Comments

Mexican Food, Sunsets, Reflections, and Textures (Photos)

February 12, 2022February 12, 2022 by Polly Castor
Mexican Food, Sunsets, reflections and textures photos

Here are the rest of our photographs from our trip to Mexico.

Categories Food, Photography Tags Mindfulness, Travel 2 Comments

Conscious Creativity (Book Review)

February 5, 2022February 5, 2022 by Polly Castor
Conscious Creativity (Book Review)

This is a nice little book that encourages us to take in more of what is around us– the sights, sounds, smells, textures, tastes, shadows, atmospheres– to have more to bring to your art making practice.

Categories Art, Books Tags 4 Star books, Art Books, Book Reviews, creativity, Mindfulness 3 Comments

Measuring by Degrees (New Poem by Polly Castor)

January 18, 2022 by Polly Castor
Measuring by Degrees poem

For doing that well is what determines our level of realized marvelousness…

Categories Poetry Tags life lessons, Mindfulness, Poetry by me, Spiritual Healing 2 Comments

The Choice (poem by Alfred K. Lamotte)

January 15, 2022January 15, 2022 by Polly Castor
The Choice poem by Alfred K. Lamotte

It’s up to you… a bitter, seedless life or sparkling joy?

Categories Poetry Tags Mindfulness, poetry by others, Release 3 Comments

How to Talk to Girls (Quote by Lisa Bloom)

January 14, 2022 by Polly Castor

(Hint: Don’t tell them how pretty they are…)

Categories Ideas Tags life lessons, Mindfulness 3 Comments

Year End Personal Assessment Summary 2021

December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 by Polly Castor

I think it is always helpful to own how you’ve done, both the ways you did well and where you could have done better.

Categories Ideas Tags abundance, gratitude, Mindfulness 5 Comments
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Reviews from Readers

This couldn’t possibly be more perfect, – so reassuring, and so fully expresses in every way what we all are praying for. Thank you for your a beautiful heart and generous giving of it!!

Providing us with wonderful refreshment, enlightenment, peace, encouragement, joy,
and a whole lot more. Thanks, Polly!

Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration! I love reading your blog with it’s many insights.

Graciously and lovingly spoken, like a true friend to all. Thank you for your blog Polly.

Gorgeous new work. I love the vitality of the city scenes and vibrant color palette.

You are an inspiration to me, and I’m sure to many others. With appreciation for all you do to magnify good!

I love your website, messages, poems and art. Thank you for the blessing of community that you provide.

Your blog is very interesting and insightful.

You brighten my life with your thoughts, views, words, pictures….

Love the poem so so much and the first painting with the trees is INCREDIBLE!!

I must find the higher spiritual path that nature often helps me see. Thank you for this beautiful poem.

Thank you for your commitment to reality and our true nature!

It’s a rare inspiration that can uncover an aching joy — but those poems do that. Thanks for sharing this with us.

You show us how God’s love shines in all things. You are a blessing!

Oh my goodness Polly, this is absolutely magnificent and reaches so far deep into my soul.

Really enjoyed your poem on Animal magnetism. Very clear truths. Thank you. Your vibrant art work is superb.

You capture so vividly the beauty of nature. Thank you for bringing such beauty into my every day.

I love your swirling universes, the spirals that draw one in and introduce us to ourselves.

I am so happy to have found your site and to be able to enjoy your expression of Spirit! Love your poetry, your photos, your ideas, your …YOU! THANK you for sharing so abundantly!

I am a silent regular reader of your daily blog, and I’m finally in touch to tell you how much I like it. I love it!

When you get famous, I need to be the president of your fan club.

Really beautiful, very hope filled. I love this!

This poem is what I needed to further focus on moving out of the fear of COVID.❤️

Today’s post was a Gift from God. Opening your email this morning truly lifted my Spirit. Thank you.

LOVE it. Made me smile while I was reading it.

What an incredible blessing and inspiration you are. Thank you so much for your beautiful heart!

Thank you for the insight. Especially separating church from a building or denomination. The passion and joy of color in your paintings is marvelous.

This is such a beautiful and loving blog and feels much like your amazing dynamic spiritual art. You are proving and sharing truth in a precious, creative, encouraging, and heartfelt way. You inspire me!

Your poem feels like a lesson, a treatment, and a love letter all rolled into one perfect package.
Thank you, Polly.

Thanks for your strong, bright and clear art work!

We are so blessed with your access to nature and your talent to communicate visually….

You are so incredibly sweet, gracious, kind, thoughtful, creative, generous, joyful, witty, courageous, tender, persistent, compassionate, brilliant, articulate, ad infinitum!

Your multiple images and vocabulary choices give energy and renewed resolve to flagging spirits. Thank you for sharing.

Magnificent poem. How blest you are to be a poet, photographer, artist, metaphysician, all wrapped up into One.

Oh yum, Polly… These gorgeous photos made my mouth water and my eyes pop!

Grace is a beautiful quality and you exude it in spades – thanks so much for all you do and are! You are a treasure!

This blog is really stimulating and motivating.

Thank you for using this platform to share these references for listening & learning. Now the work required to make a lasting change is up to each of us! ❤️

Wow, super powerful and definitely what I needed to hear today.

Thank you so much for this thoughtful, informative and articulate book review, Polly!

Sounds delicious and simple! Two of my favorite adjectives!

Your blog is full of the wonderful, multilayered colors and textures that you play with, and share so unselfishly with the world.

Thank you for your burst of sunshine reflected in your positivity this morning… I look forward to your blogs.

Thank you Polly, for saying what needs to be said.

Such a complete radiance of Soul you are demonstrating. I find it very inspiring!

With its awesome art, recipes, book reviews, and really excellent writing, this blog is the perfect corner of the internet.

I just want to say that I have really been enjoying your blog! It gives me hope for the world…

I truly love and am inspired by your blog, including capturing the beauty of life in the moment, teaching by example, taking time with children, and spirituality.

Your eyes are keen and your photographs dynamic.

Thanks, Polly, for listening so carefully and sharing so selflessly.

You inspire goodness, wholeness, contentedness and joy.

Thank you for expanding my ways to see, Polly.

That definitely sounds like a book I’d like to read! Thanks Polly!

Thank you for your efforts. I look forward to your positive thoughts and love.

Loved your plein air painting, the pictures of the garden plenty — oh wow. Love opening your blog each day — it is a treat that I save sometimes.

I love the feeling of playfulness and of uninhibited joy.

Thank you for sharing this.
Strange, nothing surprising here.
You are who you are.

A wonderful poem Polly! Thank you. Deeply nourishing….

I’ve just finished this book and I loved it! Thanks for recommending it.

You are such a gem Polly- it is an incredible blessing to daily read your blog!

Thank you Polly–you are always such a clear thinker and always willing to share your God-given gifts.

Love the photos, as usual. You are a Creative Genius, Polly.

The last day of the month on your blog is always a BIG treat . . . This morning I went from fasting to feasting . . .

All of your work is eye and mind popping. I love it!

I never before found computers this beautiful….

I made your fabulous Fish Tacos and they were BEYOND delicious!!

Oh so beautiful! I keep coming back to look at the paintings again.

Love this– actually so “timely” for what I have been thinking about lately.

I wanted you to know that I found the time I spent on your blog to be relaxing, refreshing, inspiring, and totally enjoyable.

Wish I had gotten this message 75 years ago. It makes so much sense and would have saved me a lot of self criticism. I love your blog.

Outstanding, superb and beyond all imagination.

Butter! Lemon! Garlic!

It’s like a prayer!!!

Thank you for this….I absolutely love reading it!

What lovely Soul-inspired insights! Thank you for these great ideas!

Thank you for sharing yourself and creativity in such a transparent way, it is very inspiring and humbling to me.

Polly! I love this poem! Letting our true, authentic self come forth! Yes!! Thank you for all the delightful imagery!

I am so totally impressed with your photography, poetry, and painting.Your talent is incredible!!!

Thanks for sharing from the seat of your soul with generosity and openness.

Way to go on your artistic journey. You show great courage, humility, and such support for everyone around you.

Quite unforgettable. You truly have a way with words:warm; strong; inviting; enlightening; so substantive, and more.

Absolutely beautiful!!! I love these particular colors together and the different styles and techniques really give it a lot of depth and texture. Brilliant!!!!

You share so freely, with so so so much love and joy and an open-open-heart…

Polly, thanks for “amplifying good”. That’s what you really do!

I am grateful for the myriad ways you celebrate Life in your art, activities and relationships. Your blog is inspiring in its magnification of Soulful goodness!

I really enjoy reading your blog – but I have to say that your monthly ‘Bits and Clips’ posts and your ‘Grace Notes’ posts are my favorite :)

Excellent, meaningful, quotes. Thanks!

I feel the joy and love of the color and thought in all your work! You are letting your light shine.

Your art is thrilling.

Your blogs are a delight.

Deep and encompassing. Passionate and motherly. Loving and expansive. The photos speak volumes too…and I see the connections with the poem perfectly.

Polly, please keep sharing these pages! I love seeing them. You inspired me to do the same thing.

I appreciate the joy, inspiration, and great information you provide us in your blogs.

Thank you for Saying So Well What Needs To Be SAID!

Hoping others can/will read this…

Love your pastels!

This is a beautiful summary and reminder of how we can both individually and collectively dissolve the powerless, baseless lies with Truth. Thank you, Polly!!

Wow. Yes, quite something to contemplate. Thank you, Polly!!

Wow! Love the abundance of exotic shapes and colours in the Autumn sunshine!

Beautiful photos. It is uplifting and energizing to see such bright, cheerful, healthy and fresh images. Thanks, I needed that!

Wow! What a stunning collection of gorgeous images and though-provoking quotes. They made my day.

Polly your blog is simply a marvelously enriching, thought provoking part of the daily wonders of life! I give thanks for you and the blog!

Polly, you are a whiz at living life the way it’s meant to be. I’m fascinated by all you do!

That’s all very helpful for me today, Polly. Thanks for going deep on this. I’m sharing your joy in our Source.

I am touched by this well thought out, well written essay. You have put into words what so many of us have in our minds and hearts. Thank you!

I have to tell you that your spiritual to-do list was the springboard for a great talk with my older daughter. We are going to check on each other, and progress.

Thank you Polly for your radiant joy and embrace of each of us, wrapping us in your color and beauty of Soul.

Well said Polly!

Life is so exciting we should limit ourselves less!

Let’s all have a productive day and be joyful!

Every day I look forward to your blog. It’s encouraging me to find ways to express what God reveals in me.

Love your blog. Today’s is dynamite and very helpful to viewing our role as individuals at this time.

I am so grateful for your generous sharing of ideas across so many different fields! Your colorful art, your beautiful photography, your tasty looking and well presented dishes, your uplifting ideas, your insightful book reviews, and your wonderful healing work! You truly are a polymath!! I so look forward to your daily offerings and rejoice in them all.

I recently I recommended your blog to a friend saying, “She’s like a dear friend, she just doesn’t know me.” Thank you for all the delight you add to my days!

You are such an inspirational person Polly! I love everything you share with us – such a joy to have your daily input in my inbox! X x x

I loved this post! It gave me much to think about. Thank you for being such a beautiful and prolific source of inspiration. You are a wonder! I’m a fan!

I read and feel the security of the hearth and home. Many thanks…

Neat! Love the black and white contrasts enhanced by the light.

I have been blessed beyond words by your daily posts. I often quote you to others, saying I got the idea from a wonderful friend I’ve never actually met.

Oh my gosh how did you know I needed this today? I am in absolute awe of your thorough and articulate way you describe how all of this works.

Your abstracts are interesting and you have a unique style that is all your own. Original, demonstrating individuality and confidence! I see joy and love expressed.

Thank you for revealing this idea you’ve been following. I can tell when an angel has tapped me on the shoulder–it feels light and right and fun.

I just had to comment on today’s blog. I LOVED it! I have had similar thoughts for some time.

WOW! Polly! Some truly marvelous work there!!!

You encourage me to grow with your everyday wisdom and your lovely contributions.

This is absolutely magnificent. Bless your precious and beautiful soul for sharing this.

Thank you for this. Read it. Gave me hope. Going through an “unsure” time. Thank you for these words of strength, hope, and faith.

Your inspiration and love of nature is appreciated!

Your photos are so vivid and expressive and inspiring and artistic and alive!

Yes, healing does happen when we deeply and humbly pray. Thanks for keeping that idea alive.

Excellent. Thank you for sharing this welcome thought to redirect today’s thinking.
I am grateful for this blog.

Glorious! Thank you for tending these lovely flowers together, and for posting on your blog, Polly.

I love your coffee cake recipe, I have a book list from your blog, I love the photos, the poems, the paintings, the movie reviews, the humor, the honesty, the color.

I look forward to your messages each day, like a delightful gift to unwrap.

Polly this is absolutely exquisite and so inspiring. I will refer to it often.

Illuminating thoughts, thank you for sharing them. Very clear.

You are terrific and amazing. In many outstanding ways.

I’m grateful for you opening my eyes to the wonders that surround us.

This blog is upbeat, progressive, sincere, colorful, metaphoric, and exploratory. Such a rich feast!

Your work is always spirited and inspirational.

Thank you for sharing this quote. It is very appropriate for our times. A beautiful wake up call to change our thinking and focus on what is real and true.

So beautiful, Polly. Thank you for spelling out – through such artful means – the beauty of patience.

Thanks for the nudge!

You continue to inspire, impress, and
amaze me, Polly.

Love your blog. Today’s was dynamite, and very helpful for understanding our role as individuals at this time.

Beautiful and profoundly perfect for pandemic season, your poem empowers hope for what’s next. I plan to read it at Sunday Devotional. Thank you!

I love your Blog, Polly!! Therefore, I love you! Your art, your poetry, your philosophy, your religion, your book reviews, your photography, your … husband!

How blessed we are to have someone like you on this Earth.

A wonderful poem Polly! Thank you. Deeply nourishing…. like a bird, natural and beautiful, just singing out truth in her special song on a fine winter morning.

So beautiful and I have shared it with so many others. Thank you!

Helen Frankenthaler’s works were interesting, but I like your abstracts better.

You are such an inspiring person, Polly, and I love the variety of your activities you share with us all! Thank you so much.

Beautifully written, Polly … captures my sentiments exactly.❤️

I have just started this book and am really loving it! Thank you so much for recommending it.

Thank you for sharing such a personal, and at the same time, universal, love of beauty.

Wonderful words of wisdom, Polly!

Perspective is everything – and choosing a liberating one blesses everyone, as you point out!

Polly, I just love your spirit, innovativeness, receptivity to beauty and to God’s goodness expressed. Thank you for your blog.

Yummy and beautiful! I love all the colors and this food looks amazing! The plates too!

Yes indeed! You are a shining light and you are definitely using all your wonderful talents

Just beautiful, Polly. So honest and uplifting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and the helpful ones of others.

What a delight to experience the beauty of nature you shared of your slice of the world through these beautiful photos.

Thank you Polly for this article on supply! I cherish the healing thoughts therein very much, and they are very helpful.

Polly, I love your poem “you were never unwanted”. This poem really hit home. Thank you for your words of wisdom

The Spirit at work is so well described here. In between the lines I read that
our only true peace is in pleasing Our Creator! Thank you deeply, Polly!

What a stunning place! It is just a slice of heaven. Thank you for sharing its beauty.

Outstanding message! And a sure “wake-up” call for me regarding mortal decline. I’m off on a refreshing direction. Thanks, Polly.

Thank you Polly for sharing those wise words! I heartily agree with them all now I have a bigger perspective on life.

My mother adores your blog and speaks to me often about what recent nugget you shared which she thought was wonderful!

Wow, you outdid yourself this month with your Bits and Clips. It was a wonderful mix of beauty, humor, and thoughtfulness.

Thank you, Polly, for bringing clarity to the stressful events we’re experiencing. Your insights are thought-provoking and inspirational. I’m very thankful for your blog.

I love this poem! Letting our true, authentic self come forth! Yes!! Thank you for all the delightful imagery!

Putting the art of poetry, photography and painting into your hands is God’s gift to us who get to read it and see it. Thanks.

Polly….I’m happier because of you; I sure do thank you.

I’m new to your site and I love today’s post about being grateful!

I love the photos – such a gift which makes me feel closer to Fall, my favorite season.

Polly, I am absolutely amazed. My mouth was watering! I’ll be thinking about it all night…and tomorrow we will break out the paints!

What a breath of fresh air!! Thank you for your honesty, integrity and willingness to speak out for Truth and Justice!!!

Thank you for sharing the joy of your trip with us. I feel blessed this morning to know you in all the ways you reveal good and magnify it.

Your blog captures a life well lived, constantly imparting good– truth, health and happiness– including beauty, harmony, art, science to the world.

Polly, I needed you today and there you were and it was enough. Thank you for being a motivator.

Thankful every morning to see another treasure from you in my emails !

I’m so grateful for all you share with us.

I think you have covered absolutely every way anyone would wish to be blessed

What a fine piece! You certainly are a shining example….[it] was uplifting and instructive.

Thank you for bringing your hydrangeas into my home via the internet. Other flowers are lovely too, but hydrangeas are SPECIAL.

I get so happy when I see your paintings. I really do. They bring me such joy. I feel your heart when I see them.

You are doing so wonderfully at praising God with your talents.

Your posts are treasure troves of your beautiful and giving heart.

This blog is simultaneously simple and profound– a perfect, balanced combination of seriousness and light.

Thank you! I enjoy reading your notes from the Bible Lesson. Your interpretation is helpful for my thought and I’m sure many others.

This is a fantastic article Polly…so much in it, I know I’ll have to re read it at least twice more!

What an inspiring and uplifting painting. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with the world!

Love all you do and express. You’re an amazing role model!!

I love this poem, Polly, and I shall read it often! I feel sure it will help lift my thought to healing.

I did your tomato tart a few days ago, and it was fabulous! I am vegetarian and look for meals I can make that have lots of flavor. Your tart was just perfect!

Thank you for this exercise in balance, Polly. Helps a lot!

The colors are exquisite!!! Thanks for bringing so much beauty into our lives.

I LOVE YOU!!

You amuse-inspire-edify-entertain-inform-uplift-enhance-educate-color!-…my days!

Love these colours and the strong contrasts Polly!

Yes, lots of good flavor triggers in there. I printed it out and will try it. Thanks so much!

Thank you so.much, Polly. It says with abundant clarity what thousands upon thousands of thoughtful men and women think and believe. I appreciate you!!

This speaks to me. Love your work, Polly.

Just a wonderland of possibilities and ideas and the materials to explore and discover. What a beautiful, exciting place! I’ve taken all this glory into my heart today and am grateful for it.

Polly, I’m grateful for you, your prayerful work, your blog, your art, photos, words and colors.

Thanks so much for this recommendation Polly. We watched in awe … and have recommended in turn.

This is so well thought out and written. Thank you for this compelling essay. I agree with you on all points, Polly.

A powerful message. Thank you for getting it out there.

Once again, you have come through for us with such clear and coherent thinking and put into words the feelings in our hearts.

Excellent post, dear Polly! Thanks!! There is lots that I relate to in your comments!

These photos are so wonderful, it really warms the heart.

You have a great eye for beauty Polly. I love your blog.

I enjoy your strong, bold artwork– there is so much going on in them that my imagination takes off. I really appreciate your blog. It brings joy every day.

This is one of the BEST explanations of one’s understanding of God I have seen in a long time. The image paired with the text was spot on!

I am simply amazed at the wealth of beauty, soul, and experience. Love it. Love you! Thank You for sharing your innermost so openly.

I loved this book, Polly. Thank you so much for the recommendation.

Thank you so much for this wonderful insight! You put into words what I have been grappling with for a long time. This is just what I needed today.

How blessed we are to have someone like you on this Earth.

Everything on your site is so colorful, spiritual and alive!

The Brussels sprouts were an exceptionally BIG hit here…. could you direct me to more literature on spiritual healing?

Wow…you have made carrots sexy!

Synesthesia! I can taste the yellows and hear the oranges! A feast to the senses! Brava talented Polly

I want to express my gratitude to you for such a well thought out essay. I found it quite enriching and resonate with those true answers.

Your blog has inspired me to get back into painting, cooking, prayer and meditation.

Thank you for introducing me to wonderful, amazing authors.
Love the pictures of your elegant flowers.

I have so enjoyed your recent posts– about your garden, your reflections about parenting, your vibrant artwork– so many wonderful expressions of Spirit.

I really enjoyed this book, thanks for recommending it.

Thank you very much, Polly. You are a bright light!

I so enjoyed your trip blog. The outstanding photos and the amazing narratives made me feel I was on vacation for a few minutes each day.

These thoughts you shared are a keeper for me to revisit when in need. You are a blessing to many!

Your site is bolstering my creative thoughts. I need to put them into action.

Well done Polly, I love your book reviews! Please carry on the good work of guiding our book choices.

I feel such gratitude for the beautiful way in which you express God. Thanks for blessing my life and being such a shining light in the world!

Wow Polly!! You are buzzing with ideas.

This blog is a daily dose from an spiritually-oriented, artist, thinker, sage.

I always appreciate your reviews. Our fave film in 2019 was The Green Book – which we watched following your recommendation.

I just adore all of your wonderful posts and everything that you share so generously. ????? You have a beautiful sense of soul that you share – it blesses me and so many!

Your food is presented in such an artistic way that it looks beautiful, wholesome and totally delicious!!

Love your blog’s colour and joyfulness and the inspiring leads, Polly. Easy to see why you are much loved. Thank you.

This blog is colorful, beautiful, and edifying.

Polly always captures the balance between what I can do, and all the miracles I am given.

Thank you for the constant good thoughts and beautiful expressions of love and joy that you share on your blog.

Thank you for focusing in on and capturing the little things we so often pass by and/or take for granted.

I enjoy your blog so much. But today you are on top. Every thought you expressed so lovingly…. some very funny but always with love. Thank you for all you bring to so many .

I love your blog! I shared it with my mom, an artist, and she is impressed with your art. I’ve also spent time studying your paintings. Just listened to your interview, it was stellar! Thank you!!

Your photos have opened my eyes to the beauty surrounding us everywhere.

Very helpful in these seemingly uncertain times. I found a couple of specific ideas expressed here that apply to a specific situation in my life. Thank you!

When I open my email in the morning I read all the have-to emails first; I save yours to read as dessert. Thanks, Polly!

Polly lets her spirituality into her art as you can see in the many abstract paintings she creates. We were wowed by her ability and her encouragement of others to express themselves artistically.

This blog is so prolific and original, inspiring and joy producing.

Thank you Polly!! This has needed to be said for a while!

I find the ideas you share on your blog very encouraging in having a sense of order when it comes to goals and priorities.

Thanks, Polly! Your zest for the good things in life makes me feel happy too!

Beautiful photos! All that color, texture & gorgeous pattern….

Well Done! This is such a wonderful venture. Your work is just extraordinary!

I did your 52 books challenge, and loved the structure that it provided to my selections. Doing it again this year too!

These are awesome. You have such a gift for photography…and for pastels…and for cooking…and for finding interesting books…and, and, and. Where does it end?

I am one of your readers who definitely looks forward to a positive message from you every morning. You grow people.

Thank you sincerely for your joyful out-pouring of love, light, color, comforting, inspiring words…

This blog deeply resonates while being beautiful, delicious, inspiring, and fun. Not easy to do!

Your zest for the good things in life makes me feel happy too!

This is absolutely beautiful and so incredibly helpful and inspiring! Thank you so much! ❤️

WONDERFUL blog, Polly! Thank you for your spiritual calm, support for each of us, uninhibited creativity, and amazing paintings. I am just left in awe !

Polly, what amazing and timely insight in these wise words! Thanks for sharing this wisdom.

You are my favorite artist. I just have to say it. Your paintings make me so happy.

Thank you for passing along such wise words.

I think one reason I enjoy your blog is that you Stand Forth In All Your God-given Glory, expressing everything Good!

I love that you live such an active life, have so many interests, and share your insights with me. Your blog is like a conversation with a dear friend.

I LOVE THIS BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is spectacular, Polly! I love it!

Polly, your reflection of Soul’s endless creativity is truly wonderful! Thank you for letting the divine shine through you so brightly!

Thank you for your ultra positive, upbeat, cheering and cheerful expressions in so many forms. What great seeds to sow in world thought!

Thank you so much for your fantastic, soulful images– your photos really capture the love, joy, camaraderie, power, and intensity of the present moment.

I just love your photos, Polly. Whether it’s food or art or nature . . . They are always so beautiful and interesting and full of life !

You are … just plain wonderful, Polly! Your blog is bursting with poetry, art, writings, love of God, family, friends, all things great and wonderful and good!

Thank you for your generosity and your overflowing sense of soul which you share so beautifully and articulately with everyone!!

Thank you for your efforts. I look forward to your positive thoughts and love.

Oh how I love this! Thank you, thank you!

Thank you for bringing to light and sharing an undeniably important part of the one stupendous whole we all share…the countless ways beyond sight, and not to be missed, always at hand.

Thank you for bringing your beautiful great outdoors into my world.
You do a great job taking pictures. The colors are so vibrant and I like that you notice
shadows.

This is relevant and an excellent way for me to look at some situations I have been in recently.
Thank you Polly.
I will continue to benefit…

Absolutely stunning, Polly. I love the infinite range of ideas, expression, and media in this BIG blog of yours.

What a beautiful spirit you have, shining right through your source.

I appreciate your blog. It’s a breath of fresh air, beauty, and innovative thinking!

Without a doubt my life has been enriched and uplifted by my acquaintance with you through your blogs. Every day I look for the interesting ideas you amplify and the lovely arts you share with us. I am never disappointed.

This is absolutely wonderful and so helpful.

Thank you dear Polly!

Polly, your wonderful blog is doing more than its bit in this dreadful time. Thanks, and keep on keeping on!

Thank you for the joy you share. I look forward to reading your posts!

Hi Polly, loved this poem. It radiates hope and feeling of calmness. I am glad I came across these beautiful words. Keep posting similar reads and spreading positivity.

Polly, you have such a great feel for things. I will enjoy you forever.

AUDACIOUSLY GORGEOUS!!!!! (:

Thank you for all your uplifting daily contributions, wherever form they take – photos, recipes, artwork, book reviews and smiley faces!

The phrase ‘divine choreography’ is resonating with me. Bless you for sharing your inspiration with us all.

Amazing, Polly! A wonderful example of seeing the possibilities…creativity at its best.

Your reading challenge has inspired me and given me permission to read again, as previously I had just fitted reading round everything else. Now it is a legitimate activity in my life and I am enjoying it immensely!

I’m so grateful to be able to enjoy all you so generously share on your blog, the colorful photos, the recipes, the art works, the insights, the book reviews and so much more!

It is always refreshing to see the loves, joys, challenges, and triumphs that you share on your blog.

Thank you for your transparency of love, your generous sharing of what you are pondering and doing.

Lovely Polly! You are an inspiration! I am so happy to have your blog in my life!

I salute you! And I sure do thank you for inspiring me to greater efforts along all lines of life!

Your blog is uplifting and enlightening, and seems to speak to me just when I need it most.

I for one want to thank you so much for writing this blog. I started about a year ago and look forward to reading it every day. I feel like an armchair adventurer…

Thank you for all the inspiration you share so generously. I am deeply grateful!

Wow!! I cannot wait to try this recipe! Thank you!

I can’t tell you how helpful this has been to me today. I must’ve read it half a dozen times or more. It’s helping me with a great challenge. Thank you!

I have tremendous admiration for your strength, your depth, your compassion, your passion and your love. You are a woman deeply filled to the brim…

Thank you for writing this opinion so eloquently, Polly. You have addressed many nuances that I have been espousing for years, and your words are powerful and thought-provoking.

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Archives

Recent Posts

  • Spiced Purple Sweet Potatoes with Oranges (Recipe)
  • Angle of Repose (Book Review)
  • Two Doodles in Acrylic
  • The Most Important Thing (poem by by Julia Fehrenbacher)
  • VOTE!
  • Gloria Steinem Quotes (Part 1)
  • Jewel from the Archives (Distinction Between Jesus and the Christ)
  • Happy Pumpkin Day!
  • Bits and Clips for October 2026
  • Hike Photos from Huntington (October 2026)

Rotating Jewels from the Archives:

  • Feeling Alive (New Poem by Polly Castor) →

  • The Importance of Silent Prayer →

  • Mushroom, Mustard, and Gruyere Omelet (Recipe) →

  • New Pastel Landscape: Evening Sun in Yellowstone →

  • Undergrowth Now Green, but Trees Not Yet (Photos) →

  • The Farmer’s Market in Stonington →

  • Recipe: Our Best Berry Cobbler →

  • Day 26: Cavendish Beach at Sunrise →

  • Blessing (Poem by Dawna Markova with Hike Photos) →

  • Two Completely Different New Paintings and Why I Paint a Range →

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