Monday Morning Afternoon Musings:
“Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist.”
–Rene Magritte
“Tell all the truth, but tell it slant—”
A portal beneath the water’s surface?
What lies beneath the surface–
the secrets and mysteries we carry within
our hearts and minds,
many layered labyrinths
we follow the breadcrumbs
(when we’re able)
or, wander aimlessly–
well, it can be a pleasant journey–
but what will happen?
Every story has a mystery—
truth and fiction both.
Between the beats of morning’s song
a small red bird is illuminated
against charcoal clouds it journeys on
then it disappears into the green canopy
gone to me,
but I am just a bit player,
in his story,
and he is the same in mine,
a chance encounter with flyby beauty,
remembered for a time
as I ponder the mystery
of beating hearts
and those at rest,
listen for the harmony
that is no longer there—or is it
all of a part?– life and love–
and the stardust drifting from space
to course through our veins.
The universe is full of secrets
that may devour you–
or surround you with magic—
either way, it remains a mystery
we don’t know what will happen
until it does—
and then we move on–
or we don’t,
perhaps wondering,
what happens next?
New masks
Today is Memorial Day here in the U.S. This holiday honors the memory of those who died in our various wars. Yesterday, the New York Times posted a frontpage memorial to those who have died in the current pandemic here in the U.S.—nearly 100,000 lost and counting. Among them, my mother, as well as the loved ones of some of you reading this. Here’s the interactive link.
Merril’s Movie Club: We watched four movies this week, and it struck me that idea that every story has a mystery (not a unique or profound thought, I know, but you work with you have, right?). Frantz and The Half of It were the best of the four.
Our movie-watching buddy.
Frantz (2016) is such a Merril movie, that I wonder how we missed it. I’ve seen both the leads in other movies since, and they are excellent, especially Paula Beer, who plays a young German woman whose fiancé was killed in battle during WWI. A French veteran appears in her town, where she lives with her fiancé’s parents. She sees him laying flowers on the grave. Eventually, they meet, and he explains he was her fiancé’s friend from when he studied in Paris. The movie is a low-key anti-war film. It’s mostly in black and white, but with some color scenes, and it’s in French and German. It’s on Amazon.
The Half of It (2020) is a new Netflix film. It’s a spin of Cyrano, with an Asian-American female self-described high school nerd in the Cyrano role. So, it’s also a coming of age story with a lesbian subtext. It’s sweet and funny, with some philosophical musings by the main character. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.
Sweetheart (2019) is also on Netflix. It also is a take on a familiar trope—the person shipwrecked and stranded on a deserted island. In this case, the shipwrecked person is a woman, and the island is not exactly deserted—because there’s a monster. Kiersey Clemons is excellent, and the movie was enjoyable, though I wouldn’t say it was great.
Photograph (2019). On Amazon. We watched while we ate my homemade naan and chana masala. I had high hopes for this one because we enjoyed the director’s previous film, The Lunchbox, but this one was only OK. It’s like they had an idea for a movie, but then didn’t know what to do with it. A street photographer in Mumbai is being pressured by his grandmother back in their village to get married. He sends her a photograph he took, and then convinces the woman in the photo to pretend to be his girlfriend.
Homemade Naan
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I skipped through to all the images (because I’m like a child on Christmas morning). Reading back though I adore the way you tell a story through them☀️
Your comment made me laugh and smile. I’m pleased you stopped by and then went back to read the text. My Monday Musings have some constraints now. 😏
It has become a task for me too in finding new trails close to home. But that’s the beauty with nature, you can revisit a place two weeks later and find something new ☀️
That is very true. I’ve found that even wandering streets in my neighborhood. 😀
Me too! 🤓
I love Mondays – morning or afternoon!
I have been having such a frustrating time with Netflix Canada vs US. Friday night movie nights have become a how about this? Nope… How about this? Nope… Why oh WHY???
K. Sorry… I had to release my frustrations 😉 But your reflections are always thoughtful and reflective and lovely to read.
Oh! And that naan, though… yummers!
Thanks. It was so good! 😋
I don’t doubt it for a second!
😀
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the reflections and the movie suggestions.
According to the Google, The Half of It and Sweetheart are available on Canada’s Netflix. You’re welcome. 😏 Frantz was on Amazon.
Amazon is as bad as Netflix!
And I don’t trust the Google. I’ll check on my Netflix directly…
The Half of It, I have… Sweetheart, I do not. 😒
OK. Well you have one! 😀 And maybe you can find Frantz, too, if it’s something you want to see.
And I checked. I have Frantz, too. Will see if my partner in crime is in!
😀 We will probably watch another movie or two this week. Did you watch the show “Dead to Me?” It’s on our Netflix, and Season 2 just came on. I’m not sure if there might be triggers–it’s about death and grief and other deep topics, but it’s also funny and about female friendship.
We’re all bit players, but there’s magic when those bits join. That will be soon again, hopefully.
Thank you. Yes, I hope so.
Beautiful musing today, Merril. Your photographs are stunning!
Thank you so much, Jill!
Your prose is lovely. In a poetic way, I feel you are speaking to me, not just saying what you think or how you feel.
Have a loving Memorial Day!
Your masks are very cool.
Thank you. That’s such a lovely comment. I’m touched.
My daughter told me that the rescue group where she got her pit bull puppy was selling masks, so I bought some from them. 😀 I hope your day is filled with love and beauty.
Very Good! 😀
Wish more people would wear one.
I’m starting to think in terms of Hazmat Suit! Lol!
Hahaha. Yes, I understand!
All those ifs. It’s like falling into space. Your poems often give me that feeling.
Is that a good thing?
I managed to do all the ifs what actually using the word. 😏 It’s probably the way I’m feeling these days.
You didn’t need to write the ifs, they were in the subtext 🙂 I like that feeling that there’s nothing to hang onto. In an abstract way. If you dropped me out of a space capsule I’m sure I’d feel differently 🙂
Thank you. 😀. Yes, being dropped into space for real would probably give you a different feeling!
🙂
That first photo is amazing.
I cried when I saw the Times yesterday, but I also felt grateful that someone is remembering and honoring these lives, so many, now gone.
There are so many lines intersecting all over the place now. We are unmoored. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe. I agree with you–the remembering, the intersections, and the feeling unmoored.
I loved your musings and the beautiful pictures, my heartfelt sympathy is with you for your mother. I liked the naan too.
Thank you very much, Jude!
Quite so – “we never know what will happen”.
Yes. Thank you, Derrick.
Hi again, Merril,
Lovely story-telling through poetry to complement such gorgeous photos. And what would we do without Netflix? I’ve been watching Grey’s Anatomy. 🙂 It’s a good place to zone out. Love the blooms, the blue sky, and the water that reminds me of our backpacking trips to the lakes. Your masks are cute, too. Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day.
~Lauren
Thank you so much, Lauren. I love Grey’s Anatomy! My daughters watch it, too, and it’s my go to show. I was sorry the last season on regular TV had to end early. I hope you’ve had a good weekend.