Monday Morning Musings:
Not after, but in-between–
the seasons fold gold into green,
the sun emerges, or stays unseen
between, behind, beyond, but true.
Can we linger here awhile?
Jackets on and off, a smile
at pumpkins and the deer—miles
to go, and much to fear
from demagogues and misinformation—
the destruction of our world and nation.
Yet, we don our masks and leave the station—
a celebration, we’re still here.
We plant flowers and bulbs—is it a trope
to say we’re planting hope?
That we’ll not slide from the slippery slope
because this is not after, but in-between—
still, even after winters of despair,
spring comes, with petrichor in the air
and robins’ song, searching and aware
of being between—here and there.
And we on our pale blue dot
look for light, our shot, our spot, our ifs–or not.
I feel like we really are in this in-between place. The pandemic is not over, and fanatics are still going strong. I’m beginning to feel like we’re in the late 1850s in the US or the 1930s in Germany—but with better technology.
Still–we went to the theater for the first time since the pandemic began. We saw Minor Character: Six Translations of Uncle Vanya at the Same Time, which was truly as the Wilma Theater blurb says: “a joyful and music-filled comedic kaleidoscope. A band of actors come together to perform a warm-hearted yet bittersweet look at love, longing, and the limitations of language.” The Wilma Theater required proof of vaccination, IDs, and masks. We had assigned seats with empty seats left around us, and the theater kept at half capacity. They also updated their HVAC system. So, we felt safe—at least as much as we can in these times. We also took Patco for the first time since the pandemic. It was OK, though some people did not wear masks despite the notices and announcements. Also this weekend, we pretended to be Derrick and Jackie Knight and visited a nursery to buy some plants.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Beautiful words and pictures, Merril! I’m glad you managed to get out and enjoy a trip to the theatre after so long.
Thank you so much, Ingrid! I’ve enjoyed the plays we’ve watched streamed–I kind of forgot how it felt to see a show live.
It’s a special feeling, right?
Yes, definitely! You feel the connection between actors and between actors and audience. The woman a couple seats away from me kept laughing and had such a delightful laugh. 😀
I love it. I haven’t been to the theatre for so long: I think last time was in Stratford upon Avon 😊
Well, I guess that was the place to see one! It’s hard when you have kids at home. Hopefully, we’ll feel safe enough to see more.
I just don’t have any English theatres nearby 😅
LOL! If all of our gardens could like like Derrick and Jackie’s place! Lovely musings and photos today, Merril. I’m glad you had a nice time at the theater.
Thank you so much, Jill!
We are not very good or experienced gardeners. 🤣 It was good to see live theater.
Wonderful, as always. So happy you and Doug went to the theatre (I got tickets for December 3rd at the Centaur – my favourite – for my two friends and me and I cannot wait!)
Happy Monday, my friend!
Thank you very much, Dale. I couldn’t seem to get this one started today!
I’m glad you have theater tickets, too. We actually have season subscriptions for three different theaters in Philadelphia. 🤣 We have one more streaming play that we’ll be watching soon.
I get it. Boy, do I ever! 😉
Oh yes. I am a member of this theatre and, while I didn’t get season tickets (yet), I do get the notifications and will probably be attending everything!
I am so happy for you as I know you are even bigger fans of theatre than I am …. well, maybe not… 😉
I think I became more of a fan once we really started going, and since both kids were so involved in theater. . .
I believe it. I was at the point where I would go alone, if I had to. Then invited one friend and another wanted in and voila. I love that we have this. And for sure, having two kids involved in the theatre helped.
I feel that we’re all stuck in an in-between place. Either that or balanced on the edge of a precipice.
What’s a Patco, by the way?
I had precipice in my first draft! So weird (not). 😀
Patco is the train we take from NJ to Philadelphia.
That’s funny is a good way—thinking the unwritten thought behind the written one 🙂
Ha ha! I thought Patco must be some kind of anti-covid medication!
It is funny. 😀
And that’s funny about Patco. I should have written Patco train. 🤣 I was in a hurry to get it up.
I know what you mean, that feeling that I haven’t posted anything and if I don’t do it now, I never will.
Yes. 😀
You captured some incredible skies. Your theater outing looked and sounds like fun. I feel we’re stuck in that in-between place, too.
Thank you very much, Robin. The sky was pretty amazing this week–before it turned all grey and gloomy. 😀
It was fun to get out to the theater!
It looked and sounded like a glorious weekend. Naturally your words took it to new heights and your sense of fun left me with a smile.
Mammoth Hugs
Thank you so much, David! Hugs back to you!
I was thinking today how I’m so tired of all the people deliberately prolonging this misery. And I wonder: will I ever feel safe again?
But we always have the natural world as balm. (K)
Yes, you’re right on both points, Kerfe. Thanks.
I’ve been feeling the same way about being fed up with all of the people deliberately prolonging this miserable pandemic. Viruses are not sentient beings that hold political views.
So true. They could care less. (K)
I just saw someone call our governor a king because he imposed orders to keep people safe. It makes me so angry.UGH.
Mass insanity.
Yes, exactly. There are people being manipulated by extremists so that they think freedom is the right to spread disease.
I just don’t get it, when all they have to do is use a validity criteria framework: https://researchguides.ben.edu/source-evaluation.
Some people only look at memes and listen to soundbites.
Scary . . .
😔
Merril, I don’t think that it is “a trope
to say we’re planting hope. . . .”
I like that you used that awesome word “petrichor” here once again. Nature is a balm and so is the thought that 2022 may bring better news.
Thanks for the theatre update. I’m glad you actually got to see a live performance at long last. 😀
Thank you very much, Marian.
Nature is a balm. I’m not sure that 2022 will bring better news though. There are lots of people bent on destruction. 😔
It was great to see a live theater performance!
Such a very apt description of the now – with splendid photography
Thank you very much, Derrick. 😀
Oh, the water, the sky, the lone bird skimming!
Your musings are right on point about living in the in-between. I’m beginning to think that the in-between is going to be permanent, as if we’re stuck in the doldrums.
Thank you so much, Liz.
I think I may prefer this in-between though to what could come. . .
You’re welcome, Merril. I’m having the same thoughts.
Lovely words and images, friend. Great post! 🕊
Thank you.
“at pumpkins and the deer” …. of “cabbages and kings”
This in between you write of is cruel, in some ways. Life is not back to normal. Nothing is normal.
Insanity eats sanity. Man eats oysters.
I find this post profound, dear Merril. Thank you!
Thank you and you’re welcome, Resa!
🥂 This is in lieu of NO pumpkin or cabbage emoji. 🦌 & 👑
🤣
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