Monday Morning Afternoon Musings:
Crystalline sky turns grey, and again,
the sun holds sway, briefly a queen,
till retiring her light in longest night,
thoughts flit in shadows, reappear
to soar on broad heron wings
toward faint morning’s misty glow, and slow
John Heinz Wildlife Refuge 
Delaware River at Red Bank Battlefield 
Delaware River at Red Bank Battlefield
the brightening, diffused through pink-tipped clouds. But–
do you hear the river’s tongue, lapping up the shore,
waking the day? Watch, stay
there, from a tree a cardinal chirps and robins sing,
remember spring. And here, amidst festive red and green,
we recall summer bright
and keep its flames burning in candlelight, reflecting out
across the miles, ever fainter, like the stars
that gleam, while
the moon hums a silver sheen
across the snow. And buried below,
are seeds and dreams, waiting–
and so, it goes. Again, birth to end,
spinning earth, time flows, and light transcends
us all, singing, winging across and beyond space
that shimmering star glow.
So a quick bit today for the winter solstice because I’m behind on everything, including reading others’s work. I apologize. I hope to catch up this week.
My birthday was last Tuesday. We took a long walk at the John Heinz National Wildlife Center at Tinicum. I will post more photos another time. It’s a wetlands sanctuary. The day was cold and there was ice on the water, but the sun was shining, and it was beautiful. We tried a new to us Indian restaurant for take out dinner, and it was great! (And we had it for two more dinners!). Younger daughter baked and delivered a chocolate-salted caramel cake. We celebrated the rest of Hanukkah this week, and I started on Christmas baking. Santa Claus drove by on a fire engine (no, I can’t explain it)—but in this time of Covid, everything is exciting.
Merril’s Movie/Theater Club: We streamed The Wolves for my birthday. An excellent production by the Philadelphia Theater Company. We watched Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, a terrific film adaptation of August Wilson’s play. Nuanced and powerful performances from all, and an especially fine performance by Chadwick Boseman in his final role. This is an intense and beautifully filmed movie. We also watched Enola Holmes, which was perfect, lighter viewing. It’s a lot of fun. Both movies are on Netflix.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Short, like a sprint to get back home again! You’re baking already? I wish I was looking forward to the cooking but I’m dreading it. And where everyone is going to sit. We ought really to cancel Christmas but I haven’t seen my children for so long now!
Thanks. I feel a bit like I’m sprinting in circles today. 😀
I bake all the time, so. . .I’m doing it in stages, since we won’t be getting together with anyone. Younger daughter and I will exchange some cookies later in the week–meeting outside. Sigh. Yes, it’s sad not to get together with family or friends. We’re going to do some Zoom meetings.
We’re hesitating over calling it all off. I don’t want to but there are too many of us.
I guess it depends on how careful all of them are.
It’s out of their hands now. We’ve cancelled the plan. Nobody can get tested so it’s just too risky.
I’m sorry. But better to be safe. 😔
It would be a shame to have been ultra careful since March just to do exactly what we’re advised not to do now, when it looks as though there’s a more virulent strain of the thing going around.
Yes, exactly, but still sad.
I’m pleased that they have all understood and son says he was annoyed that the rest of them had even considered coming here and bringing their germs with them!
Good for him! 😀
🙂
Great afternoon musings, Merril! I loved the photos of you in the kitchen. I can tell it’s your happy place…that’s great. The red blooms with the dusting of snow is gorgeous!
Thank you very much, Jill!
I was in the dining room with the kitchen behind me. Our kitchen table is much too cluttered right now for photos. 😀
What a way to pass a Winter’s Solstice day…the verse & photos were spot-on and well, you had me at that Salted Carmel Chocolate Cake! Happy Birthday, Merril!
Thanks so much, Laura!
Beautiful words and wonderful images for the solstice. So I add a song for you and your readers. https://youtu.be/zGTILQ7yYV4
Thank you very much, Frank!
Happy birthday again. And, Santa was riding fire trucks around here too. !!!
Thank you!
It’s a strange tradition, isn’t it? But somehow, strangely enjoyable to see.
Happy birthday, keep celebrating! Looking forward to more photos too. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe!
A wonderful “quickie”!
Bizarrely, I am not allowed to “like” this post.
Ma Rainey was next on my list! And I was wondering about Enola Holmes…
And you are not alone in feeling like you’re running around in circles! ‘Tis the season!
Thank you so much, Dale! I hope you enjoy both movies. Let me know.
I was getting spammed with “Likes” yesterday, so I finally figured out how to turn off the Like button. I might turn it back on, but the spam likes stopped.
Ahhhh… Now I understand. It’s so annoying, isn’t it?
And I will!
It was super annoying. I think I’ve added the Like button back, so we’ll see. . .
It is difficult to believe that this beautiful poem was a quick effort. We enjoyed Enola Holmes, too.
Thank you very much, Derrick. That’s very kind.
Happy birthmonth and thank you for this wonderful post.
Thank you very much, Ann!
I love the candle’s recurring reflection. Thanks Merril for the lovely nature pictures, prose and food deliciousness.
Thank you very much, Susan! Happy Solstice–summer for you–and happy holidays!
Such a beautiful piece, words and images! (And happy birthday!)
Thank you so very much!
Happy birthday! (never too late)🌺
Santa rode past my house (twice!) atop a fire truck with lights flashing and sirens wailing. I was inordinately excited!!
Beautiful photos, musings, and birthday celebration! Wow! Amazing post! 💗
Thank you so much, Gwen! ❤️