We went to Arlington, Vt. today to our favorite framer, Leslie Olcott, the owner of East Arlington Framer’s, she  framed a new water color I purchased from a New Zealand  artist, Carolyn Gale, for $200. It is already up on my study wall, and it has brightened the room.

Carolyn, who I’ve never met, is a member of the Creative Group at Bedlam Farm, a gathering of creative people – artists, writers, bloggers, poets, painters, fiber artists, weavers, experimenters – who gather to share their work in peace and encouragement.

It’s a wonderful group, I have little to do but admire  other people’s work. No cruelty or hostility of any kind is permitted, and we have (recently at least) been spared the anger and argument that has done in so many creative or any kind of communities online, and causes so many other people to hide.

On the group, we seem to trust one another and are eager to share our work and get some support along the way. Life for creatives is never simple and we appreciate one another. Carolyn Gale lives in Christ Church, New Zealand, and it is unlikely I will ever meet her face to face.

But I value her work and friendship quite a bit.

Online communities can be real communities, if someone is around to take responsibility for keeping people safe and getting rid of the outraged and angry. Any hostility brings instant removal. No second chances.

In the past three years, we’ve only had to toss two people for  hostile posting.

Some Americans no longer know how to express themselves in a civil or empathic ways, I hear from the dally, so do many other people.

Social media is a breeding ground for the rude and disconnected.

We don’t have any on the group.

We have nearly 200 members, we don’t wish to get much bigger.

Leslie did a beautiful job steering me to a blue frame to frame this striking painting. She is shy, but was happy to let me take this photo, she also admirers Carolyn’s work. My study is grateful, we had a drab spot in the corner. It is drab no more.

Thanks for the painting, Carolyn, and thanks for selling it to me. You have put up a dozen more I would love to buy.