Monday Morning Musings:
Let me tell you about the clouds, the sun,
the flowers, tall and smiling, the tons
of debris left, the work that must be done.
Now the hawk screeches and broad-wing flies
in concentric circles, as the wind sighs
at summer leaving, but with the prize of bluest skies
September comes, and we are in-between
the muggy green and russet- gold; not yet seen
the frosted crunch, yet geese convene
debating if–or when–to leave.
But I don’t grieve summer’s end, perhaps naïve
I must believe
that it will come again.
And so, I dip my apples, and ponder time,
drink my wine, as the sun sets and moon climbs.
Another year passes, she chimes,
while the stars in constellated chorus sing,
and light scatters from white egret’s wing
in the universe’s laughter, from winter to spring.
Most of you know we had storms, tornados, and flooding in my part of the world last week. Then we got beautiful September weather. We went to Dalton Farms, where they have a sunflower festival going on. Yesterday we went to William Heritage Winery. It was rainy, but we were fine under an umbrella. Part of their weekend sales were going to help Mullica Hill homes and farms damaged in the tornados last week.
Sunflower Reflections 
Bees on the Sunflowers 
Dalton Farm sunflowers
Today is Labor Day, and tonight is Rosh Hashanah. I’ve baked some challahs, and we’ll be dipping apples in honey and drinking wine tonight.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
This is so lovely, you express the upheaval of the storms but also the beauty that follows, the colors in between, and hope for the seasons ahead. The photographs are gorgeous. Happy Rosh Hashanah, the Challahs look scrumptious!
Aww–thank you so much, Rene! 💙
💙
Love this–all the aspects of fall that I can’t experience: fall weather and what it brings in nature; not being hot; AND gluten!!!
Thanks, Luanne–and sorry! 😀
Lol. Shana tova!
And to you! 💙
Such gorgeous photos … including those of the challah and your visit to the winery 🙂 The sunflowers are impressive. I love the hopefulness of your poem. I sense a joyful acceptance of seasons changing.
Thank you very much, Marie.
I suppose there’s not much else to do but accept it. 😀 It was nice to get out though. We almost didn’t go to the winery, since it was raining a bit, but decided to try–and had a good time.
Oh, the sunflower festival looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos, Merril. Happy Rosh Hashanah!
Thanks so much, Jill! 💙
Your river is looking particularly lovely in this group of photos, particuarly with the birds. The sunflower festival looks like such fun! (I’ve asked my husband to plant sunflowers in the vegetable garden next summer, as my study window overlooks it.) Happy Rosh Hashanah!
Thanks so much, Liz. Sunflowers are such happy flowers. I hope next year at this time you’ll be able to see sunflowers from your window!
You’re welcome, Merril. It may take a bit of nagging, but I expect I’ll get my sunflowers. 😉
Good luck!🌻
Thanks!
I’m pleased the weather has calmed and you’ve been able to enjoy the sunshine. The challah looks delicious: I still remember the pictures from last year!
Thank you, Ingrid!
I bake challahs all year, but the round ones are for Rosh Hashanah. Same recipe, just a different shape.
Ahaa, I didn’t think my memory was that good 😂
I was really impressed by your memory. 😀
The calm after the storm well evoked
Thank you, Derrick.
Oh, this poem was such a delight! I feel like I was swept along on a September breeze. Enchanting!!! Love the photographs. Sunflowers are awesome and you have captured the magic of these beautiful flowers. 🙂 And, your Challahs look amazing!
Aww–thank you so much, Linda, for your very kind words! 😀
I’m so glad that you, personally, were not affected by those crazy storms. And yes, this poem is full of renewal and hope. Beautifully done. All your photos are gorgeous (that challah!!) and my favourite is the pretty pink flowers under that sort of rainbow effect caused by the sun… Perfect to go with this poem.
Thank you so much! They are still cleaning up from the tornados here–so many trees down and houses destroyed. And the areas around us in PA that got flooded have to watch out again for that tonight.
I liked that flower with the rainbow, too! 😀
Mother Nature has been wreaking more than her usual share of havoc!
My timing was good to be out of there when I did!
It was blessed by light.
Yes, she has, and yes, your timing was good!
🙂
Let’s start with the most important item. Your cat is GORGEOUS!!!!
Love, love & love!
All I can do is hope all of the recovery work goes well.
If it does, it will be as wonderful as all of your pics.
The William Heritage Winery is rockin’!
Thank you! I will tell him you said so. 😀
The winery was rockin’, even in the rain.
😀