APLACECALLEDMERRYMOUNT

The Verona Colosseum is no stranger to spectacle which is perhaps why it was chosen for the Closing Ceremonies of the 2026 Olympics. It “embodies Italy’s rich cultural heritage, providing an unparalleled setting to conclude an event of global significance.”  Media reports that the significant upgrades to the stadium, plus production costs, were estimated at approximately $23,000,000. The Arena is home to the Verona Opera Festival. From January to December 2026, the Arena wil

"IN BILLIONAIRES WE TRUST" Really? Yes. Like it, or not! In an oligarchy, the extreme concentration of wealth leads to the extreme concentration of power, allowing an ultra-rich few to tighten their control over governments, economies, and media.  When power belongs to just a few, democracy suffers, as extreme inequality worsens. -Oxfam A Royal Table Ruppert Murdock Apple's Chief Executive, Tim Cook accompanies Tiffiany Trump But wait... Trump's State Dinner for Crown Pri

February 15, 1976-February 15, 2026 Happy Golden Anniversary I Love You! Pat P.S. Continuing the adventure together

"The Kiss"-Gustav Klimt Cupid and Psyche That Special Kiss Let me kiss that special kiss the one that's more than touch That gentle pressing of the lips persuading blood to rush The kiss that makes you tremble and makes your legs go weak a moist embrace of tenderness that takes you to your peak With a heady scent of passion It makes your body sway the kiss that penetrates your soul and takes your breath away It lingers for a lifetime you never will forget the bursting of your

In the early 1940s, in Norway, knitters began to knit red "nisselue" caps as a non-violent symbol of resistance against Nazi occupation. The Norwegian caps were worn to boost morale and represented national identity, unity, and hope. When the Nazis became aware of the protest, they officially banned them on February 26, 1942. Wearing them could result in fines, imprisonment, or being sent to camps. from the NYT: This month, a group of Minnesota hobbyists — upset and agitat

January 2026 “Now is the winter of our discontent”-opening line from Shakespeare’s “Richard III” ICE in the streets of Minneapolis memorial on the site of Alex Pretti's murder During the winter of 1978-79 in the UK, widespread strikes and industrial chaos led to national disruption and public anger that resulted in the downfall of that country’s Labour Party.  That period was labeled, “The Winter of Discontent.” Now the Trump Administration’s actions and narratives have sprea

January 25, 2026 Last month we witnessed another Trump travesty that was a direct hit to my past. A stacked Kennedy Center board, of which Trump is the self-appointed chairman, installed Donald J. Trump’s name on the facade of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  In 1964, the Kennedy Center was officially designated a "living memorial" to President John F. Kennedy by Congress, the year after his assassination, under Public Law 88-260, with President Lyndon B. Johnson

Manifest Destiny was the 19th Century belief that the United States was divinely ordained to expand its territory and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Now the Trump Administration, in an attempt to position itself among the three great superpowers of the globe (Russian and China being the other two) wants to expand its territories across the Western Hemisphere and thus attacks Venezuela and threatens

The Sick Rose O Rose, thou art sick: The invisible worm, That flies in the night In the howling storm, Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy; And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy. -William Blake For Renee Nicole Good Killed by I.C.E. on January 7, 2026 They say she is no more, That there her absence roars, Blood-blown like a rose. Iced wheels flinched & froze. Now, bare riot of candles, Dark fury of flowers, Pure howling of hymns. If for us she arose, Somewhere, in

Make America Great Again It's about Power and Money Many of us had hoped that 2026 would be a better year for us politically than 2025, but NO, within 48 hours of 2026 the Trump Administration attacked a sovereign nation and our Ill-Mannered, Imperialistic, Snollygoster in Chief stated, "We're going to be taking out a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground, and that wealth is going to the people of Venezuela, and people from outside of Venezuela that used to be in Vene

Happy New Year! Camille Claudel's "The Waltz" Please listen through the entirety of this magnificent piece! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ShxQ5_dY_U&list=RD3ShxQ5_dY_U&start_radio=1 BRAVO TUTTI Happy New Year! CPW

The Solstice Stone at Merry Mount On December 20 & 21, 2025, our dear friend, James Woodford, set a time lapse camera adjacent to the Solstice Stone at Merry Mount and pointed it at Polaris (the North Star). During the longest night of the year, the camera recorded the sky from a fixed position. To see the result, click on the link below, and watch for approximately two minutes. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B2JGtnIORkaMPg;FF893483-2AE7-4FE9-9B3E-2FCF404E8872 Choose S

May we receive the messages from the Prince of Peace and live our lives uplifting the least amount us. Merry Christmas CPW

"PoohPooh to the Whos!" he was grinchishly humming. "They're finding out now that no Christmas is coming!" "They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!" "Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, Then the Whos down in Whoville will all cry BooHoo!" "That's a noise," grinned the Grinch, "That I simply MUST hear!" So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the snow. It started in low. Then it started to grow. But the so

Snow moon over Hubbard Lake, MI 12/21/25 This morning at 10:03AM Eastern Time, Earth reached its maximum tilt away from the Sun and began a reverse trajectory that will conclude on Summer Solstice 2026. Today Winter officially arrives. "The Solstice is a time of quietude, of firelight, and dreaming, when seeds germinate in the cold earth, and the cold notes of church bells mingle with the chimes of icicles. Rivers are stilled and the land lies waiting beneath a coverlet of sn

Joyeux Noel "Peppy" at 90, and Noelle to you! What type of meal does one experience when the ingredients include a famous chef, a composer, a poet, a singer, and a pianist? Cuisine d'amour! In this season of celebration, I draw your attention to two birthdays: the 90th birthday on December 18th of Jacques Pépin , (see an article in the NYT by Melena Ryzik below) and a HBD today (December 14) to our friend, Noelle Woods Chesney . https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/dining/ja

Some folks have itchy feet and crave the next travel experience, while others (like me) are homebodies. Which are you? Wanderlust Freedom Give me the long, straight road before me, A clear, cold day with a nipping air, Tall, bare trees to run on beside me, A heart that is light and free from care. Then let me go! - I care not whither My feet may lead, for my spirit shall be Free as the brook that flows to the river, Free as that river that flows to the sea. -Olive Runner  

11/30/25 Today is the first day of Advent, so in deference to Saint Nicholas Day (December 6), I offer "manna" excerpted from the link below: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/about-st-nicholas.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20251072681&gbraid=0AAAAADq2By2yDeXpoO8PpIInGGq0g2-gy&gclid=CjwKCAiAlfvIBhA6EiwAcErpyZasgDMXSw8gXZ-xXFrIatAandGtZbWSz1o6qrmkGdJmdI2GCJaB4BoC5_AQAvD_BwE Saint Nicholas was an early Christian bishop of the ancient Greek city of Myra (modern-day Demre

From our family to yours, may the year ahead be one of good health and happiness. from Thanksgiving Day 2024 Today we also honor the Indigenous people who for centuries occupied the grounds on which we currently reside. CPW

photo taken on October 6, 2013 On November 23, 1989 my "sweet Caroliney" entered my life. Caroline Elizabeth Robinson Woliver has gently touched Rett's and my life since that wonderful day! One endearing moment that is etched on my heart took place when she was around three years old. I often had to be out of town for work and so when I was home I enjoyed snuggling with her in her bed as she was going to sleep. We both would be lying on our sides with my belly up against h