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Polly Castor

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

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Special Occasions

My Birthday 2018

February 8, 2018 by Polly Castor

Thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes via email, text, social media, and snail mail! I’m so grateful you are all in my life!

Categories Books, Photography Tags Family, Gift Ideas, Special Occasions 4 Comments

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2017 by Polly Castor

I’m sending you all holiday hugs and the warmest wishes for a meaningful, joyful, love-filled day.

Categories Hope, Photography Tags Family, Holidays, Special Occasions Leave a comment

Christmas Bits and Clips 2017

December 27, 2017December 24, 2017 by Polly Castor

Here are some Christmas links and memes to get you in the Spirit… Merry Christmas!

Categories Ideas, Spirituality Tags Christian, Holidays, Special Occasions Leave a comment

Solstice Poem (by Polly Castor)

December 21, 2017December 21, 2017 by Polly Castor
Solstice Poem by Polly Castor

The longest night
of the year
pivots, turns,
and tends
towards more
expansive light…

Categories Poetry Tags Poetry by me, Special Occasions, Winter Leave a comment

Five Years After the Sandy Hook School Shooting

December 14, 2017 by Polly Castor
Five Years After the Sandy Hook School Shootings

But now after five years, guns are fired in schools on a weekly basis, barely even making the news. Far from shocking us into preventative action, it seems that the tragedy in Newtown paved the way for other atrocities.

Categories Hope, Poetry Tags community, Connecticut, Special Occasions 3 Comments

Black Friday Free Shipping on My Gallery Merchandise

November 24, 2017November 24, 2017 by Polly Castor
Polly Castor merchandise

Take advantage of free shipping today and buy all sorts of great gifts from here on my gallery! Most popular by far are the cell phone covers.

Categories Art Tags abundance, Gift Ideas, Special Occasions Leave a comment

I’m Grateful for You (New Poem by Polly Castor)

December 12, 2017November 23, 2017 by Polly Castor
I'm Grateful for You

I’m grateful for a lot of things:
For Truth, Life, and Love
For family, marriage, and home,
For progress, hope, and fruition,

Categories Ideas, Poetry Tags gratitude, Holidays, Poetry by me, Special Occasions 2 Comments

Happy Halloween!

October 31, 2017 by Polly Castor

So for trick or treat today, we are waiting to see if we’ll get our power back and be able to get out of our driveway any time soon.

Categories Hope Tags Holiday, Special Occasions 3 Comments

Our Youngest Daughter Moves into Her First Apartment and Begins Junior Year

August 24, 2017August 23, 2017 by Polly Castor

The apartment is owned by the campus itself, complete with campus furniture and a full kitchen. It is quite charming, in good shape, very convenient to class, and our daughter is looking forward to cooking for herself instead of eating in the dining hall.

Categories Hope, Photography Tags College, Family, parenting, Special Occasions 2 Comments

Eclipse Links

August 21, 2017 by Polly Castor
Eclipse Links

Here are a few links for today’s solar eclipse: facts about it, places to view it, and to watch a live stream.

Categories Ideas Tags Special Occasions Leave a comment

Our Niece’s Wedding in Chapel Hill

December 4, 2017July 29, 2017 by Polly Castor
Our Niece's Wedding in Chapel Hill

We went to our niece’s beautiful wedding– check out my photos of this very happy family occasion!

Categories Photography Tags Family, Special Occasions 2 Comments

Wedding Prep and Rehearsal Dinner in North Carolina

July 28, 2017July 28, 2017 by Polly Castor
Wedding Prep and Rehearsal Dinner in North Carolina

The photos in this post represent over 24 hours prior to the wedding. The time was filled with constant activity and it was great to be together with all these people.

Categories Photography Tags Family, Special Occasions Leave a comment

Two Oblong Ceramic Plates I Made for Father’s Day

June 19, 2017June 18, 2017 by Polly Castor
Two Oblong Ceramic Plates I Made

He uses these plates everyday for his smorgasbord of a breakfast, and they help him start his day with a smile.

Categories Art Tags Family, gratitide, pottery, Special Occasions 4 Comments

Photos from Kallie and Kameron’s Wedding Day

May 21, 2017 by Polly Castor
Photos from Kallie and Kameron's Wedding Day

Kallie and Kameron’s wedding was lovely. There was so much joy and we all loved being together.

Categories Photography Tags Amarillo, Family, happiness, Special Occasions 2 Comments

Kallie and Kameron’s Rehearsal Dinner Photos

May 20, 2017 by Polly Castor
Kallie and Kameron's Rehearsal Dinner Photos

We flew to Texas for the wedding of Kallie and Kameron. Kallie is a cousin in my husband’s large, warm family. We love to be with this whole crew.

Categories Photography Tags Amarillo, Family, happiness, Special Occasions Leave a comment

Goodbye to our VW TDI

March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 by Polly Castor
VW TDI buy back

Today VW buys back our 2012 Jetta TDI because they cheated on the emissions and designed the car to appear to pass emissions tests instead of actually doing it.

Categories Photography Tags gratitude, Release, Special Occasions Leave a comment

I Bought a New Car!

February 23, 2017February 23, 2017 by Polly Castor
my new honda civic sport stick shift

So I bought this bright red Honda Sport turbo Hatchback that gets 39 miles/gallon and has only 22 miles on it (much of which was driven by us). It is my first ever new car ever.

Categories Hope Tags Cars, gratitude, Special Occasions 11 Comments
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Reviews from Readers

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 :)

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

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.

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

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.

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

Excellent, meaningful, quotes. Thanks!

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

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

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

I never before found computers this beautiful….

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

Your work is always spirited and inspirational.

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 efforts. I look forward to your positive thoughts and love.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

I really enjoyed this book, thanks for recommending it.

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

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

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

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.

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!

Really beautiful, very hope filled. I love this!

You are terrific and amazing. In many outstanding ways.

Thank you for expanding my ways to see, Polly.

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…

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

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

AUDACIOUSLY GORGEOUS!!!!! (:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your inspiration and love of nature is appreciated!

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

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

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

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

Wow Polly!! You are buzzing with ideas.

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

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.

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

This blog is really stimulating and motivating.

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

This speaks to me. Love your work, Polly.

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

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

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

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

Butter! Lemon! Garlic!

It’s like a prayer!!!

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

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

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

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!

Sounds delicious and simple! Two of my favorite adjectives!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Love these colours and the strong contrasts Polly!

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!

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

Your blog is very interesting and insightful.

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

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

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

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.

Love your pastels!

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

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

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 .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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! ❤️

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.

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

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 saying what needs to be said.

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.

You inspire goodness, wholeness, contentedness and joy.

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Your eyes are keen and your photographs dynamic.

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 !

Thank you for passing along such wise words.

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

This blog is colorful, beautiful, and edifying.

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 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!

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

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!!

Wonderful words of wisdom, Polly!

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

Well said Polly!

Life is so exciting we should limit ourselves less!

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

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 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 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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

This is absolutely wonderful and so helpful.

Thank you dear Polly!

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

Hoping others can/will read this…

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!!

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

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

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

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…

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

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

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

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 !

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

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

Outstanding, superb and beyond all imagination.

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

Beautifully written, Polly … captures my sentiments exactly.❤️

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Wow…you have made carrots sexy!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

Thanks for your strong, bright and clear art work!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for the nudge!

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I LOVE YOU!!

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

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

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

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.

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!

This is spectacular, Polly! I love it!

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

Your art is thrilling.

Your blogs are a delight.

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Recent Posts

  • What to Pack (New Poem by Polly Castor)
  • Heaps of Windblown Dried Grasses at Christmas Cove (Landscape Painting in Pastel)
  • Recent Food Around Here (with Photos and Recipe Links)
  • I’m in this National Show at Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Floodwood Pond (Poem by Danny Dover)
  • Church Tomorrow (Book Review)
  • My Brilliant Career (Movie Review)
  • Jackie Leishman (Featured Artist)
  • New Blog Design is Now in Operation
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Rotating Jewels from the Archives:

  • Featured Artist: Brian Rutenberg →

  • A Wayside Sacrament (a Charles Kingsley Quote with Photos) →

  • Recent Food →

  • Brown Butter Corn Bread (Recipe) →

  • My New Oil Painting: Sunset Harbor →

  • Listen to Your Life (Quote by Frederick Buechner) →

  • What I Painted at the PSME Plein Air Retreat →

  • Memoir Class: First Day →

  • Quotes from Abraham Heschel’s book The Sabbath →

  • Photos of Beekeepers →

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