Scaffolding
Building Strong Relationships.
Scaffolding, by beloved Irish poet Seamus Heaney, reminds us that relationships that have stood the test of time will remain strong, even if the customary supports that have held them up in the past come down.
Hummingbird Weekly Quote. 2026 Edition.
Appreciation.
A Hand-Me-Down Quote on Appreciating Goodness. Handed down from Kurt Vonnegut’s Uncle Alex to Kurt Vonnegut, and from Kurt Vonnegut to us. We should all appreciate the many special things that make us happy and bring us joy. Curated by Sandra Novick.
Mornings at Blackwater Pond
Hummingbird’s Featured Poem.
Mornings at Blackwater Pond. A poem by Mary Oliver that encourages us to follow our passions, to live life, and to become the person we choose to be. A message full of hope and encouragement for us all to be and do more.
“Hope” is the Thing with Feathers
Hope is “perched in our soul—”
Emily Dickinson deftly uses a bird as a metaphor for “Hope.” Click through for a beautiful and classic poem.
Hummingbird Featured Poem
To A Daughter Leaving Home. By Linda Pastan.
A beautiful poem about a child gaining independence and freedom, while a parent must let go. Curated by Lynda Bernard.
Hummingbird Featured Poem.
The Loved Ones. By Wendell Berry.
A unique perspective about loss, grief, permanence. There is much comfort in the company of loved ones. A beautiful and uplifting poem. RIP Wendell Berry.
Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.
The Company of Owls.
Extraordinary moments can arrive on silent wings. Such is the case in Polly Atkin’s memoir depicting her journey through nature and life. Reviewed by Lynda Bernard.
Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.
Cool Machine
Cool Machine is Volume 3 of Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Trilogy. With 1980s New York City as its backdrop, corruption is rampant. Main character Ray Carney gambles his future and joins forces with a criminal mastermind to help his wife achieve her business goal. As one would expect, mayhem ensues. Review by Barry Novick.
Hummingbird Featured Poem.
Just as the Calendar Began to Say Summer. By Mary Oliver.
Don’t let the joys of summer pass you by. Although the days are already getting shorter, there is still time to enjoy the simplicity of summer and being “set free.”
Hummingbird Featured Poem.
Sonnet 18:
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? One of William Shakespeare's most well known poems. A relatable expression of love, and perfect to think about on these beautiful summer days.
Fireflies
Fireflies.
Remember when hundreds of fireflies lit up the summer lawns? A symbol of summer, Fireflies by Mary Oliver, reminds us of the beauty, lushness, and essence of summer. An exquisite poem about nature and fruition.
Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.
Endangered Pleasures
In Defense of Naps, Bacon, Martinis, Profanity, and Other Indulgences by Barbara Holland. Here’s to enjoying life in the Not-So-Fast Lane! An insightful book of “opinionated” essays, agreed with and reviewed by Lynda Bernard.