APLACECALLEDMERRYMOUNT

This week, Americans will celebrate the signing of the “Declaration of Independence” that officially formed our nation.  It took Thomas...

Hubbard Lake, Michigan The Lake Isle of Innisfree I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay...

Michelangelo's "The Creation of Man" June 15, 2025 Let’s begin with KJV: Matthew I, verses 1&2 and 17: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat  Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat  Judas and his brethren …etc… So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying into Babylon unto Christ are fou

6/8/25 Today I echo a shout out from my daughter Caroline. Justice flows in our blood, for Caroline's paternal grandmother's maiden name...

5/31/25 Yesterday was a glorious day at Hubbard Lake, Michigan: cloudless blue skies, a steady breeze, 65 degrees, a perfect day for a...

Here is the story of how the red field poppy came to be known as an internationally recognized symbol of Remembrance. From its...

As a family, we call ourselves the “Nautical Bunch” and we consist of a full-sized bed, a chest of drawers, and a dresser with a mirror...

5/11/25 Today will be bitter/sweet. I will enjoy a family brunch celebrating three wonderful mothers and will revel as their children...

Dogwoods, daffodils, and dandelions, Oh my! Blessed are those who live in the hills and valleys of love and delight. 'Tis the gift to be...

People across the world this week are mourning the loss of Pope Francis, who died on April 20,2025 at the age of 88.  “He was a Pope...

April this Year (After Millay) April this year, is otherwise   Than Aprils from long ago; Full of tears, and full of sighs,   Unlike days with smiles aglow. Dogwoods that pleased us so Are a sight for other eyes. Memories invade me throughout the day,   My grief follows me through the doors; In orchards near and far away   Bluebirds look for you and mourn;   I earnestly try to do my chores, But daffodils stop me as they sway. Life surrounds me full and deep,   Noisy and quiet

Dad holding me while Mother looks on, circa 1953. from Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry “And now, nearing the end, I see that my life is...

On the first day of Spring 2025, my dear Mother passed into the “Soothest Sleep”.  I was blessed to be next to her when she took her...

On this March 17th, many of us will acknowledge St. Patrick’s Day and in so doing will contemplate our pot of gold to be found at the end of a rainbow.   Last week at Merry Mount, a beautiful one appeared just east of our property line.  I texted my neighbor to ask if I could borrow his backhoe to dig at the spot where the rainbow ended.  Then my memory sent me back to 1967 when as a Freshman in high school, I was casted in a musical production of “Finian’s Rainbow.”  The fol

Sonnet 24 Mine eye hath play’d the painter and hath steel’d, Thy beauty’s form in table of my heart; My body is the frame wherein ’tis...

My funny valentine, Sweet comic valentine, You make me smile with my heart. Your looks are laughable, Unphotographable, Yet you're my...

February Morning crystalized in grey the dim light exposes shapes of future bliss CPW

As the Liar in Chief takes office, the search for truth is essential. When the mind's eye rests on objects illuminated by  truth and reality , it understands and comprehends them, and functions intelligently; but when it turns to the twilight world of change and decay, it can only form opinions, its vision is confused and its beliefs shifting, and it seems to lack intelligence.  ( Plato , Republic) The truth will stand, when the world's on fire. -C. L. Woliver and Others Th

"Ice Queen" by Nathan Myhrvold / Modernist Cuisine Gallery, LLC Drawing by five year old Riley Ratliff Snow arrived at Merry Mount this...

Resolution: To drink a cup of kindness and toast to Love, Peace, and Order. Happy New Year! CPW