Monday Morning Musings:
“History is all about ‘what ifs’”
“It was a long time ago now. And it was yesterday.”
Kate Atkinson, Life After Life
“And while we are playing
The candles are burning low
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago”From the song, “Hanukkah oh Hanukkah” Traditional
And so, again, we celebrate Hanukkah
as the nights grow longer
the days grow colder
I make soup, bake bread,
time passes, a thread
connecting me to the past
I think of ancestors, steadfast
(I wonder) in determination
to leave the past, a cessation
of persecution, a new life.
We watch Mrs. Maisel, no longer wife
laugh, but still I think of the past
Borscht Belt and women’s rights, she and cast
moving through Paris, the Catskills, New York City
with dazzling designs and dialogue so witty
each episode a Hanukkah present,
and so it goes, we’re content
to pass the Hanukkah nights
watching the candles burn bright
then I fry latkes again
with daughter remembering when
we grated, stirred with spoons
and listened to these tunes–
the maidel with the ladle—
I am happy we’re still able
to be together, to cook
to discuss friends, life, a book
and dance, sing, drink some wine,
eat some donuts, the company is fine–
as are the pets–
an asset to any set,
with tails wagging
they brighten moods flagging,
hers look for scraps on the floor
and bark at any noise at the door,
while mine watch the candles bright
and play with the dreidel in the light.
Generations, birthright, hindsight–
generations, frying latkes in the night
hoping for a miracle and promised lands–
my hands—
reach forward,
toward the unknown, hold present close,
but touch the past.
Still life goes on
as we remember days long ago,
time moves fast, or it goes so slow,
circling, dashing, we travel, with it flow.
We’re watching Season Two of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime). Here’s the Season 2 Trailer. For years my daughters and I have listened to an album, A Child’s Hanukkah by the Jewish Wedding Band. Here’s the first song, which includes the phrase “kiss the maidel with the ladle.”
Your Hanukkah traditions are lovely, the food and the chorus of candles burning brightly. 🙂
Thank you very much, Marian. I do love the Hanukkah candles (and the latkes, wine, donuts. . .). 🙂
Thanks for sharing your lovely traditions, Merril. It looks so warm and cozy.
Thank you very much, Jill!
So beautiful, Merril! And I love that Hanukkah song, too. Your daughter is right to cook with a glass of wine ;). xo
Thank you, Luanne! Other daughter said her wife knows the words to the songs on the album now. 🙂
Yes, the wine is a must. Haha.
Thanks Merril so charming and enfolding! Warm and bright, full of delight 🙂
Thank you so much, Susan! 🙂
Lovely glimpse into your traditions (and your kitchen!) 🙂 I loved that Kate Atkinson book you quote, and the “sequel.”
Thank you, Jennifer. The photos of my daughter and me are in my daughter’s kitchen, but the dining room table with the menorahs in the window are at my house. 🙂
I haven’t quite finished the Kate Atkinson book yet, but I’m really enjoying it!
Happy Hanukkah – your pictures are as moving as your celebration and traditions!
Thank you for sharing…wonderful.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words.
Your poem, your photos—so warm and cozy 🙂
Awww–thanks, Marie!
I need to get Amazon Prime! Wonderful share, once again, Merril! I love how you do this. I know I’m late, the last day of Chanukah has already passed… I see you had a marvellous time!
Thank you so much, Dale. It was a lovely week of food, wine, laughter–and candles.
Mrs. Maisel is SO good! 🙂
Oh man. It looks fantastic!
It is! 🙂
A lot of warmth in this one, Merril.
Thank you, Ken!
Family and history bound together so joyfully
Thank you, Derrick.
Your traditions are so warm and lovely, Merril.
Thank you, Robin!