Monday Morning Musings:
On the first day of spring,
I take my shadow for a walk
she doesn’t talk—but the crows do
remembered views, the death and blight–
a year has passed
upside-down and inside-out,
and birdsong comes again, devours the dark
as dawn glows bright from each spring night
after winds of winter go,
and summer storms not yet here, she knows,
to go softly on tippy-toes, then stop, perch
till too soon off like a bird in flight
she soars—another year–
but while she’s here—oh!
She flicks colors with her feathered wings
yellow, pink, purple, white—the sight
of all these tiny, bright beautiful things brings
more song and whispered longings—
all things yearn, and we turn, yearn,
learn spring returns, despite
Mockingbird 
Cardinal 
Geese with Philadelphia shipyards in the background
would-be tyrants and corona drops
spread from the unmasked walking brain-dead, threads
of lives unraveled and songs unsung—yet, listen, see–
birds, bees, tender buds in bloom—and the light!
Delaware River–morning ©️Merril D. Smith, 2021 
Delaware River–morning 
Delaware River, late afternoon
It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? Now spring is back. The crows are once again very busy, the songbirds have started singing before dawn, and the light lasts longer each day. Even the cold mornings now don’t stay cold. There are still ignorant people spreading lies, and new strains of the virus also spreading, but hopefully, more people will be vaccinated before too long. I get my second vaccine later this week.
We started watching Shtisel (Netflix). It’s a family drama about a religious Jewish family in Jerusalem. We’re enjoying it. We’re still on Season 1. The third season is dropping this week.
I made chana masala and garlic naan on Friday night.
Garlic Naan 
Chana Masala 
Shabbas Zoom
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I’m glad your spring is springing. Let’s hope it heralds a calmer summer than the last one.
Yes, let’s hope so!!
It got cold again last week, but this week it’s supposed to be warm during the days all week.
It’s on its way 🙂 It’s been cold here, exceptionally so. Down to freezing some nights. No idea when it’s going to go back to normal.
And you were just telling me how warm it is there! March is crazy. 😀
It was and it’s supposed to be! During the day it’s warm enough but there’s a cold east and north wind and when it’s clear, there’s a light frost early morning. I blame Brexit 🙂
Seems likely. 😀
There was frost on the grass and cars the last couple of mornings, but it warms up in the afternoon. As long as it’s not windy, I don’t mind.
Forecast just now is for above seasonal norms by Wednesday. As you say, crazy weather.
Wind is the worst. Hope it stays calm for you!
Thank you! 😀
I think our hearts are melting with the spring! I hear it in your words 😊 beautiful photos too!
Thank you very much, Ingrid. I think you are right about our hearts melting with the spring. 💙
The photographs are fabulous. Love the food too 😀 Drooling 😛
Thank you so much! 😀
Welcome 🙂
Lovely musings today, Merril. I love the photographs of the flowers. I’m looking forward to some warmer temperatures this week and less wind. All of the beautiful blooms are blowing off of the trees.
Thank you, Jill!
Our trees aren’t in bloom yet, but I hate when the beautiful spring blossoms get blown off.
Very beautiful
Thank you!
It’s a pleasure
Just beautiful Merril, melodic, uplifting – the photos are gorgeous …
Thank you so much, Susan!
You begin with sky and color and end with food – sustenance all around. My favorite lines, so inspired:
On the first day of spring,
I take my shadow for a walk
she doesn’t talk—but the crows do
remembered views, the death and blight–
Thank you so much, Marian. Yes, you’re right–two typed of sustenance. I’m pleased you enjoyed it! 😀
A splendid harbingering of spring. Your Friday meal looks good.
Thank you so much, Derrick!
Beautiful spring time poem!
We’re having beautiful days, too… but they are calling for snow on Saturday. Oh March! You can be such a tease!
Still no green on the trees, but I’ve seen a few bulbs sending up shoots. And a cardinal sings outside my window every morning. Wonderful photos! I especially like the trees reflected in water. (K)
Thank you so much! How lovely to hear that cardinal every morning.
It is.
Just beautiful! Love your photographs!!!
Thank you so much, Linda!
A photo-rich post! The last one is absolutely stunning … all aglow with gold. Lovely, and lovely poem 🙂
It boggles my mind how disinformation continues to be spread, and by people who know full well they are lying. There must be a special place in Hell for them.
Thank you so much, Marie!
I agree with you about the disinformation spreaders. UGGGGHHHH!
I LOVE your ode to spring–and the pictures are just splendid, resplendent!!
Thank you so much, Liz! That made me smile. 😀
A poignant poem! Thank you, yes, it’s been a helluva year.
“the unmasked walking brain-dead” make me angrier than I have ever felt in my life!
A working cohort of mine died last week from the virus. He was 50.
Thank you so much, Resa. I’m so sorry about the loss of your friend. It makes me so angry, too. You may remember that my mom died of Covid in the first wave last April. Yes, she was old, but if our former twice-impeached president and his followers had acted decisively from the beginning, she might have lived longer.
I do remember!
I agree, that your mom might have lived longer, and got to be surrounded by loved ones in the end.
Unfortunately rump and co. philslopify have spilled into Canada.
How are we ever going to get things in control with so many aspholes running around?
😔
Sigh!