Blue Mood with Pegasus clouds racing across the sky. Delaware River at Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ ©️ Merril D. Smith 2020
Monday Morning Musings:
“Your voices matter, your dreams matter, your lives matter. Be the roses that grow in the concrete.” –Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give
“There’s a saying in Hebrew, ‘No matter how dark the tapestry God weaves for us, there’s always a thread of grace.”—Mary Doria Russell, A Thread of Grace
Glowing ships on the aquamarine sea,
Moon and Venus shine their beacons–
Farewell night!
The moon smiles a crooked grin,
and Venus titters
such fools, these mortals be.
***
I hate everyone, she says to me.
Well, not you—not my family—
and I know what she means, because I feel it, too,
the constant barrage of evil and ignorance,
people who refuse to wear masks,
who spread misinformation,
and insist they’re not racist while sharing racist posts—
the people, who like black holes, swallow the light,
but not all of it.
Sigh. Breathe. Walk. Begin again—
as each day does–
the sun rises, even if we don’t see it
shining over the horizon
waking the world
again and again,
though some never awaken
to see the world around them,
its beauty
flowing on a river of hope
reflected over and over
Delaware River at Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ. ©️Merril D. Smith 2020
a dream
of what was and what could be.
Some of the things I’ve seen on my morning walks this week:
These mushrooms that look like umbrellas set up for fairies.
Deer and red-tailed hawks this morning.
On Friday nights, we get together virtually with our children and their spouses. We light the Sabbath candles and share the things that we’re grateful for.
Saturday night homemade pizza and movie night
Lots of baking
Merril’s Movie Club: We watched The Hate U Give. (Amazon Prime with an additional slight fee, but I believe it’s on other streaming platforms.) We both thought it was a very good movie, and I highly recommend it. It’s based on a YA novel of the same name. It gets very intense, but in a thoughtful, nuanced way. Here’s a review in The New Yorker. We finished Season 3 of Bordertown, which I mentioned last week. I’m happy that apparently Season 4 is in the works.
I’m rereading Mary Doria Russell’s A Thread of Grace, a historical novel set in WWII Italy. She’s an author who does her research, but also tells a good story with captivating characters. Another story that seems timely when read now.
And this–unconditional love.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Loved this, Merril! Insightful write 😀
Thank you very much!
Merril, I enjoy seeing your Instagram photos through the week and then how you weave them all together for your musings. Just lovely how they come together!
Aww–thank you so much, Cheryl. I appreciate that.
I’m beginning to feel guilty. You’re out there strolling in the heat and humidity while I sit in the A/C and enjoyed your gorgeous photos. I’m happy we connected on Instagram, I get a double shot fix! Thanks for the lovely Monday Musing, Merrill.
You’re too funny, Jill! I sat out a couple days that were just too humid or rainy. Today, it’s actually nice, and we’re not even running the a/c. (Uh oh, now I’ve done it.). Anyway, thank you very much! 😀
Yes, Merril. We have to find the love amidst all the hate that wants to take over. It’s up to us not to let it. I, too, understand your friend. It feels like it is so hard and exhausting to keep being the light sharer, trying to get rid of those black holes.
Always a beautiful write on Mondays, enhanced by your gorgeous pictures.
Thank you so much, Dale. I appreciate the love and the light you share.
What a beautiful thing to say. I am touched.
I think we each do our part in sharing our love and light.
You’re very welcome, and yes.
There’s a tired feel to this one, and a retreat into family and people who care. I can understand all that. There are so many ugly people in the world with their ugly messages. Take comfort in what you see around you, the things that don’t listen 🙂
Thank you. Good advice! 😀
🙂
I’m feeling exhausted by the darkness too and some days everything is just so difficult. I don’t know where the light is exactly right now, but your words and photos always add some brightness to my day. (K)
Aww–thank you, Kerfe. I’m happy to help. It is exhausting. Walking and writing help some.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I saw the title of your post come across my email. Your musings eloquently express this strange, ambivalent existence we seem to be caught up in, hopeful in one moment, filled with rage and despair in the next, then back to hoping again.
Thank you very much, Liz. I appreciate that. It is a very strange time, and though I’m normally even-tempered, my mood seems to swing back and forth lately.
You’re welcome, Merril. It’s good to know I’m not alone in what I’ve been feeling lately.
I think so many are feeling this.
Yes, sadly.
Beautifully done, with a thought for those who will never again waken. Lovely photos.
Thank you very much, Derrick.
I understand the sentiment. I, too, have days of feeling like I hate everyone. Then I see beauty somewhere — perhaps during my own walks or in your words and images — and the hate dissipates. You express all this so well in your musings. ❤
Thank you so much, Robin. It was so good to have a really nice day yesterday to take a walk–and then to see deer and watch/hear the hawks by the river, was really magical.
I love the quotes, the words, the photos … I remember for what it’s worth that ‘indifference’ is the opposite of love. With hate there is at least energy that can be worked with – thanks Merril …
Thank you so much, Susan. Yes, there is more energy in hate, but. . .
You share so much beauty here…ribbons of hope that spread out like ripples in a pond. The waves are lovely; God’s Holy breath moves upon the waters when we speak of love. You are a wonderful baker!!!
Thank you so much, Linda. I’m not a religious person or believer, but I appreciate your kind words.
Again, your poem is deep yet graceful, intense yet hopeful. We must always look for GRACE. (and yes I loved that book by Mary Doria Russell. It may be time for me to re-read it!
Thank you very much, Pam.
Yes, I read it when it first came out, and I don’t know why I didn’t remember it very well because it’s so good. I saw her mention it recently, and it turns out I already had it on my Kindle.
I just put it in my Library hold…