Apples and honey
on the blue kitchen counter.
Round braided challahs,
waiting to be sliced.
Soup is simmering,
and tables cleared.
Preparation done.
Guests arrive
in a swirl of
arms, legs,
hugs, and kisses.
Mom’s walker
appears
before she does.
I pull;
my brother gently pushes–
she’s in.
One cat dashes
up the stairs,
vanishing for the evening.
The other watches us
with his huge eyes—
What does he think as the
sun-dappled day turns
to cool moonlit night?
Try this wine.
You don’t like it?
No—
it’s like bubbly, sweet air.
My daughter and I look
at each other
and open the red.
Snapshots of a moment;
pause to remember.
Family and friends
around the table;
the symbolism of
the new year explained.
Pre-teen eyes roll–
when do we eat?
Golden pumpkin soup,
salad with pomegranate seeds,
noodle kugel,
brisket and chicken, too,
because. . .well, just in case.
If my stomach is any indication,
this is going to be a very good year!
Love and laughter.
That’s what holidays mean.
Kids scurry away from the table.
Talk of youthful “adventures.”
Kids return—
Ooops! Change the subject!
Change—
the subject now!
Laughter.
Mouths covered by hands.
They both do it.
Is it genetic?
Latin scrapbooks
and “Footloose” dancing
across wooden floors—
the innocent joys of
being high school nerds.
Own it.
But you were always
incredibly poised,
and wise beyond your years.
Apple Cake, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Baklava–Early Celebration requires extra desserts to ensure sweetness for the year! 😉
Desserts!
Yay!
Extra sweetness
for the new year!
More wine?
Coffee?
I can’t eat another bite.
Guests leave.
Tables back
to their usual spots.
No Disney dancing
cups or magic cleanup.
But wouldn’t that be great?
The vanished cat
runs down the stairs,
hesitates at the kitchen,
stretching his long legs–
he sniffs,
and yawns.
Did I miss anything?
Love and laughter.
The joy of a holiday dinner.
Snapshots of life.
Pause to remember.
I got special cards! ❤
Because of our schedules, our family gathered for a dinner to celebrate Rosh Hashanah early this year. Wishing all of you health, happiness, and sweetness for this new year–and throughout your years!
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Fallish and a nice invitation to both harvest and holiday season. 🙂 Well done!
Thanks so much, Susan!
Happy New Year! Your challah looks amaazinggggg. 🙂
Thank you, Shanna! They came out extra good this year–I made 6-strand braids.
I’ve been thinking of you–and hope you are doing well. Happy New Year to you and yours. I know you’re waiting for your extra little bit of sweetness to arrive. 🙂
How in the world did I miss this choice morsel! Absolutely delectable post, the poetry and the prose. Occasionally notifications of blogs I follow are blocked in WordPress. This must have been one of those times. Happy New Year, belatedly but no less sincerely, Merril.
My son is a beekeeper. We are waiting now for his sweet, golden harvest.
Awwww–thank you so much, Marian. I appreciate your kind words. I know I’ve missed posts, too, so please don’t worry about that, but I’m so glad you discovered this one and took the time to comment.
How cool that your son is a beekeeper! I’m sure you enjoy that sweetness! My younger daughter and I love this local honey that our library sells. We call it “library honey.”
🙂
An obvious wonderful gathering and celebration … and seems to be one that I would enjoy. Red wine for me too, please. 🙂 A belated cheers to your new year!
Thank you! Have a glass of red wine tonight! 🙂