Monday Morning Musings:
“Light breaks where no sun shines;
Where no sea runs, the water of the heart
Push in their tides;”
—Dylan Thomas, “Light breaks where no sun shines”
Seek the stillness in the storm,
as grey consumes,
delight in light, within cold blue,
find warmer hues
aglow in candle flames;
await the glimpse of golden glimmer;
delight in company–and dinner–
watch the shimmer
Pumpkin Split Pea Soup 
These are the best doughnuts. 
of sun on water; and if time
flows, listen for its shadow-wings
that soar and circle back, to bring
song from stars, soul-stirring
Geese in flight. ©️Merril D. Smith, 2020 
Geese in flight. Delaware River at Red Bank Battlefield. ©️Merril D. Smith, 2020
heart-burnished flickers. Rejoice in blood-pounding,
and surf-tossed waves; a symphony blend
of love, life, light begin and end,
the past returns, and over again
in the passage of indigo night
to rose-tipped sky
find all is right, in the lullaby
of the moon, the gentle sigh
of wind recalling
earth-yearning, and the constant turning
to find the songs and all the light, burning.
Last Thursday marked the start of Hanukkah. In this pandemic year, we could not be with family, but still we celebrated. I bought my sisters, daughters, and myself a bracelet that says “kvetch.” It seems appropriate.
As we move closer to the winter solstice, the sun sets earlier and earlier, but our weather has been crazy. We’ve had storms and sunshine, and the temperature was in the 60s F yesterday. We met my sister-niece to exchange gifts and walk on Forbidden Drive along the Wissahickon. We met younger daughter and her husband at William Heritage Winery for an early birthday celebration. Right now, there’s a steady rain. We’re supposed to get snow on Wednesday.
Wissahickon Creek 
Forbidden Drive ©️Merril D. Smith, 2020 
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I think I’ve said this before, but luscious language fits again. Beautifully evoked with splendid rhythm and rhyme
Thank you so much, Derrick. I appreciate your kind, thoughtful comment.
It’s all worth it just for those views and the geese!
It is indeed! Thank you! 😀
But it was good to get out and see some people and different scenery, too. And a beautiful December spring day.
It certainly looked beautiful 🙂
It was a beautiful day–especially for December!
Yes, we’re always pleased to get a good day at this time of year.
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you so much, Paul!
I’m not the cook in our house, but you sure make it look like fun, Merril…especially the wine part. 🙂 Lovely musing today. Your photos are gorgeous! I think you all are going to get a lot of snow. I hope you’ll share photos.
Hahaha. Thank you, Jill. There’s a Hanukkah CD that I listen to every year while I make latkes, so I was dancing around to it. 😀Usually, my younger daughter and I fry latkes and drink wine together, and older daughter, too, depending when Hanukkah is. Younger daughter gave us a bottle of champagne when my husband dropped off some of those special doughnuts for her. 😘
Yes, they’re saying we’re getting snow. I’ll believe it when I see it, but yes, I’ll post photos, if it does snow. And if I can, I’ll try to get some river shots.
You’re creating so many great memories for your daughters. If you do get snow, be safe walking around!
Thank you, Jill. We did a Zoom Hanukkah dinner with our daughters and their spouses–lots of things come up now. Like apparently they once toasted marshmallows over the Hanukkah candles. I have no idea where I was. 🤣. I will take care in the snow. One nice thing during pandemic, we don’t have to worry about going anywhere!
“Like apparently they once toasted marshmallows over the Hanukkah candles.” LOL! That’s hilarious! 🙂
I know! 🤣 I’m glad they didn’t start a fire. And I wonder where I was?
Getting more wine!😉
Hahaha. No. Probably in the bathroom. 😀
🙂
I just finished watching a PBS special on the rituals of Hanukkah, including food that looks much like yours. Right now I could gobble up a latke . . . or two!
Thank you, Marian.
I probably had at least four, and then more the next night. 😘
I love that bracelet. And the food!!
The geese are truly stunning. Theres a blue cast to the world this week, and yet its more of a stillness than a sadness. Waiting. (K)
Thank you so much! The bracelet seems appropriate and the food was delicious.
I think you’re right about the blue of stillness.
Beautiful photos to go with lovely poetry. Mmmmm…. I want some latkes!!
Thank you! The latkes were so good–worth the house smelling like oil. 😀
The only downfall to frying… but ohhh… the rewards! 🙂
Hahahaha. Yes!
😉
Beautiful photos and lovely lines of poetry… almost like a song with pictures. Wishing you joy as you celebrate Hanukkah! You do look very happy and that is a wonderful thing.
Thank you so much!
A feast of photos and words threading through – so lovely Merril thank you –
Thank you very much, Susan!
These shares and the poetic verses are so beautiful 😃😭
Thank you so much, Jude!
My pleasure 🌼
This post was such a delight. Oh, those river images!! The poem goes beautifully with them. I was particuarly struck by the mouthfeel of the second stanza. (Immediate gut reaction.) And of course it was fun to see you cooking your Hanukkah dinner.
Thank you so much, Liz! There’s a Hanukkah CD I always play while frying latkes–something I bought years ago when our daughters were at home, and it’s our tradition to listen to it and fry latkes, drink wine, and dance around. 😏
Life doesn’t get much better than that!
😀