Monday Morning Musings:
The Ancient Light Always Takes Me to Blue
Here again is blue–blueberry blue
and blue jay blue, the blue of morning glories,
robin’s egg blue to peacock blue, asters bright and bee-besieged
under the cerulean of sky, the azure of river flowing into green and grey
the blue of Earth, here to stay
till long after we’re gone, till our star expands,
and swallows worlds as amuse bouche before it dies,
but for now, there’s blue, and green, and
summer flowers of yellow and pink, red tomatoes,
and grapes turned to wine,
rabbits nibbling grass around sprouting vines,
robins in puddles, rivers with trout
that rise to breath as osprey dive–
this is what we do to survive. And–on cave walls, with sculptures,
scribbled marginalia in books, in songs and legends,
we tell stories that travel through time.
We are both base and sublime,
holding dust of stars and sometimes recognizing their light.
We had a short break in the haze and humidity this week when I got outside to see a bright blue sky and river. On Saturday afternoon, we visited Auburn Road Vineyards. It was a beautiful day, though hotter than I expected it to be. We enjoyed wine (Gaia, a red blend of cab franc, merlot, and Petit Verdot) and excellent wood-oven pizza and just sitting outside talking. I got out early this morning today when it was probably the coolest it will be all week—though very humid. We may get a thunderstorm in a little while, and a heatwave coming this week. I know it won’t be as bad as it’s been in some places, but 98 degrees F plus humidity is plenty hot—and of course it’s hotter in the sun.
We finished the second season of La Otra Miranda. We became so fond of these women and girls. I don’t think there’s a third season, which is fine. I can think of them all as settled and with bright futures before Franco’s rise to power. (Kind of like people in Florida before DeSantis, or LGBTQ people in many states.) We started Season 8 of Grantchester. I like the dark, angst-ridden Scandi-noir mysteries, but I also like this type of cozy mystery, too.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Pizza and vino… my favorite! Beautiful shots, Merril!
Thank you, Jill!
Pingback: Two Book Reviews: One Poetry, One A Novella That Soothe – Selma
I love Grantchester! The tortured vicar and his struggles with his faith endear him to his struggle. The blue sky in that first photo captures the deep blue of the summer sky. Thanks so much, Merrril.
Thank you, Colleen! It was good to see that blue–we’re back to hazy skies now.
We still miss “Sydney,” but we like Will, too. It was fun to see James Norton as Sydney, and then as someone who is the total opposite in Happy Valley. 🙂
I loved Sydney! Where do they find such gorgeous vicars? We watch quite a few of the mysteries on PBS. I remember you have PBS Passport. How do you like it?
I really like Passport. We seldom watch shows “live,” and I often record them, but Passport has shows that might not have been on your local station (like some of the foreign language mysteries) or shows you might have missed.
We’re on cable. My husband has a hard time with the streaming capabilities, but I might have to check it out. I love PBS.
I’m not certain what you mean. We don’t have a smart TV, so we use Chromecast, then cast from the Passport app on my phone.
Oh, I see. We’re on Xfinity (Comcast) cable. Some of the apps I can access from our TV. I’ll take a look.
We can get Netflix on FIOS, but I just use the app on my phone.
The blues of the seas and skies ever changing in light and hue. Loved all the other colours in your gorgeous photos Merril – and your news, always interesting.
Thank you very much, Susan!
You never cease to amaze me with your talents. I love the many hues of blue in the poem. The scenery is incredible! (Is that roofline from the winery or is it yours? Stunning!) If the meat was removed, that looks like a delicious pizza underneath! 😊 I definitely miss my pizza from New York. They don’t know how to make it down here in Florida. Splendid job, Merril! ❤️
Thank you so much, Rachel.
I’m not certain which roofline you mean. If you mean the last photo after the poem, it’s the eighteenth-century house at the park I often walk in. You should be able to see some captions, if you click on the photos.
I don’t eat meat at all. The sausage pizza was my husband’s. Mine was the yummy one with the arugula on it. 🙂 This winery has an arrangement with this pizza business, and they built a pizza oven area. But they’re only there on weekends. It’s really good.
I actually meant both of them — the one with the birds on the chimney and the other one. Thanks for the tip – I do see now when I click them that a caption tells me more info. I always love the old architecture up north. We don’t have a lot of old historic buildings here. Yes, I’m with you on the no-meat pizza! ❤️
Thank you. 💙
Our house is old, but not 18th century. 🙂
You’ve probably read this before, but the house belonged to a Quaker family, who had a farm and business. It’s on the Delaware River. In 1777, the Continental Congress built a fort there to defeat the British in Philadelphia. In Oct. 1777, there was a battle there between the Hessian troops and the Americans. The house served as a field hospital after the battle.
Your post is a good reminder that there is something about a blue sky summer day that makes life worth living.
Thank you very much, Liz. I’m glad you think so.
You’re welcome, Merril!
Wonderful reflections for a Monday, Merril. It comes across to me like an ode to being in the present moment, and enjoying what’s in front of us in the world, while still being aware in the backs of our minds about all that we don’t see (or would rather not see/hear).
Thank you, Steve! You are exactly right. That is what I was thinking and how I intended it.
You’re welcome, Merril. 🙏🏼
I hope it doesn’t get too hot for you, Merril. Glad you’re getting out and enjoying all those colours of summer!
Thank you, Ingrid!
What on earth was in that wine?
Hahaha. He was just being goofy. I said the photos looked like he was sleeping, so then he did that. The wine was very good!
🙂
🙂
I’m reading away, rich musings on blue, sweating out colours in your heat.
Then suddenly…I burst into laughter …
.”(Kind of like people in Florida before DeSantis,”
It’s not really funny, I’m disturbed by the far right, so it must be your wry way. 💙
Thank you very much, Resa.
Sometimes you have to laugh. I also sometimes get very invested in characters, so I’m worried about them. 😂
😂
😂