An Interview with a Determined Poet

Seven years ago I met a poet at a reader where Nicolas Eckerson (above) was the featured poet. Wowsa! I’d not heard anything like that since I was into Lawrence Ferlinghetti in grad school in the late 70s. Nicolas took the audience of some thirty poetry aficionados. Line after line of Nicolas’s poems lead readers

Music, music, music—and a poem!

In addition to warmer temperatures in North America, and, hopefully, with it sunshine and lilacs. But spring goes even better with some tunes to accompany the spring in your step. Sit back and enjoy, please. And feel free to email me (klmerrifield@yahoo.com) with your suggestions—or leave them right on my blog! Whatever’s easiest. I’ love

In Memoriam Penelope Allen

When I first drafted this post, I had no idea that she had died. I just happened to have been scrolling through Facebook in the past week, and learned that dear “Pen” had passed over the rainbow. But in her honor, here’s the review of Penelope Allen’s slim 2010 volume, Zodiac Zoo, a beautiful book,

A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett

I first encountered Jimmy as a teen when he burst on the national scene from his roots in Florida. “Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude” opened me up to a lifelong admiration. And I introduced my beloved British friend Julie to him when she visited me a couple years ago and we went up to

Cancer Journey in Whiteboards

Communication is key. There are three wonderful women in my condo building here at Baypointe Yacht and Racquet Club in North Fort Myers—Mary, Alice and Mary Ellen (whose hubby Bob has been a gem helping out too). To keep them as well as my handyman Bob (another Bob!), on the latest in my chemo and

Like Revisiting an Old Friend

Earlier today I went to my back to my old Google-based blogspot for a pleasant scroll, which I did on this platform a few years ago on this platform. Trippy!  Now it’s your turn to take a walk back in time with me. Surprises await! (They did for me!) This time to travel back to

Crank Up the Music!

It’s that time again—for music!  So break out the vinyl records and CDs or your YouTube app, and get dancing! Here’s a wide-ranging selection for just about every musical taste. My thanks to contributors: Joe Morrissey, Anne Morriseey (no relation), Penelope Allen , David Tilley, Joe Craig, Paul Garthwaite, and, of course, Facebook and Instagram,

Ahoy, mateys!

This voyager has returned from the sea aboard Cunard’s Queen Victoria with my British bestie, Julie. Despite my limitations from being on chemotherapy, together we managed well and were able to avoid contracting the norovirus that was going around. Masks! Gloves! And we certainly enjoyed the voyage together for 16 days from Fort Lauderdale to

Two Book Reviews, One Stellar Author

And, from a prolific author who’s returning to the pages of The Muse’s Refugia with two intriguing books of her to delve into—NOW! Hope you’ll put them both on your reading list for the long, dark winter ahead. A very strange book? Certainly a wonderful one. Interested in reading a very strange book? Here are

Music to Ring in the New Year

Happy new year, readers! Hope you’ve been enjoying the holiday season and are ready to usher in 2024.It’s uplifting to me to see many folks returning with musical selections for the blog—and to welcome newcomers! Back again are Joe Morrissey, Anne Morrissey (no relation), Jeff Spevak, Penelope Allen, singer/songwriter Clare Means, Nicolas Eckerson, Dennis Schedele,