So, we did it again.
The Repository of Neglected Things, volume 2
So, we did it again.
Author: coffeehousejunkie
When music & poetry warmed the night with the Traveling Bonfires
Home is over the mountain and down in the holler
The darkest time of the year
Eat. Sleep. Read.
A cure for lean-back listeners
What is a “lean-back listener”? According to a leading music streaming service it is their target audience. A person who clicks on a list of songs, a playlist, for background music to help focus on work projects, or an exercise routine, or to relax after a long day on the job. One writer summarizes it: “Low-effort acquisition led to low-effort consumption”.
Remember what it was like to admire the artwork of a vinyl record or audio CD, to open a CD tray to read liner notes, to place a record on the platter or the compact disc in the tray?
Remember listening a whole album from start to finish? I mean, Really listening to the order of the songs and how each song relates to each other. Why does the album begin with an explosive tempo (presto) then moves to a walking pace (andante) before slowing to an adagio? And then listen to the album again. And again.
The art of listening to an album requires intent and practice. Plan a musical playlist. Where do you start? For me, the journey began with a cellist playing Adagio in G Minor in a novel set in Sarajevo. What does that music sound like and why is it important to the narrative?
I visited the public library. They no longer provide audio CDs to local patrons. So, I requested CDs using the online interlibrary loan service. This service allows access to libraries across the state. A music playlist developed from many interlibrary loans transactions.
A Brad Mehlda recording began the daily musical practice. But within a week the Mehlda CD switched positions to the last slot in the five-disc CD player changer.
During the summer a lot of music CD selections were returned to or retrieved from the library. Liner notes were read and album cover artwork admired. Effort made to learn about the music and the artists and the producers provided a journey. The order of the songs mattered. As Bailey and Micah, folk musicians of the band The Figs Present: The Figs, quip: “If you’re listening to this album on shuffle this won’t make any sense. Right? but also, if you’re listening to this album on shuffle, why?” Streaming music on shuffle is low-effort acquisition for low-effort consumption. By the end of summer the playlist that formed became a rich audio tapestry, an intimate soundtrack, and not unmemorable streaming background static.
All beauty exhausted, duck in winter
It is cold. Choose your own adventure.
Third Sunday of Advent 2025 – Joy
Here is a poem and reflection for the third Sunday of Advent.
The Repository of Neglected Things
A couple of the drawings and illustrations featured on this web site during the last month or two appear in The Repository of Neglected Things. This private project originally started as way to collect unpublished drawings, illustrations, and stories into a physical package for friends and family. An anthology, if you will. Or maybe a portfolio. Plans are in process for a third and fourth volume. It has a limited print run. And distributed privately by invitation only.
A galaxy of snowflakes descend
Clock tower on a snowy day
Breakfast with brush and paper
Second Sunday of Advent 2025 – Peace
A reflection and poem for the second Sunday of Advent.
“The clearing rests in song and shade”
15 years of sharing Advent poetry and art
What began was a hunt for good Christmas poetry became an annual curation of art, poetry, and reflections. Here are some thoughts and links to many poems you may find helpful during the Advent season.
Exploring Advent poetry
Many years ago I started collecting poems that for the Advent season. Here is a list of twelve poems and some reflections. It is a three-minute read. Enjoy!
Hanging the Advent calendar
It is Advent again. Here is a one-minute read about the Advent calendar with web links to help you prepare your home for the season.
First Sunday of Advent 2025 – Hope
The weekend’s winter storm prohibited normal activities. Here is a poem and reflection for the first Sunday of Advent.
“What is it that I see?”
More Thanksgiving leftovers – playlist
For the holiday season, listen to the In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond show: Autumn and Thanksgiving.
You may also enjoy going through the archives of the In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond podcast:
KL Replay 2025 – In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond
This post-holiday episode is taken from the Replay 2025 list of most recordings that I played most frequently throughout the year. It is, perhaps a reflection of my current musical tastes that I would like to share with you at the years end. Hope you enjoy.
Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Out Of/Into ~ Ofafrii ~ Motion I
ARTEMIS ~ Komorebi ~ ARBORESQUE
Noah Preminger ~ Carry Me Ohio ~ Ballads
Charles Lloyd ~ Cape to Cairo ~ The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow
Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ The Windup ~ Belonging
Emmet Cohen ~ Surrey With the Fringe on Top ~ Vibe Provider
Mike Wofford ~ J.P.'s Afternoon ~ Synergy
Ahmad Jamal ~ Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child ~ Marseille
Thanksgiving feast leftovers – playlist
Gratitude for a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast
The pressure to perform and succeed at holidays stresses everyone. The lists of things to do, people to see, and places to go is overwhelming. That is the simple and delightful plot of the 1970s film A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. A favorite scene is when the Peanuts characters prepare the Thanksgiving feast: buttered toast, popcorn, pretzels, jelly beans, and an ice cream parfait.
One year, our family put together a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving feast of toast, popcorn, pretzel sticks and gummy bears (could not find jelly beans at the convenience store) to share. The snacks were placed in brown paper lunch bags and shared at gatherings. The disappointment was that most of those who received the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving snack bags had never scene the film. Or did not remember the feast items. But I am grateful for the lesson.
Are you thankful for a challenge or disappointment that turned out to be better than expected? What teaching or teacher are you grateful for this year? Name a person in your life currently who is a blessing. Who is a person in your past for whom you are grateful? What is something you learned to do that is a blessing?
There so many things and people to be thankful for that an individual might be able to fill a bare November maple tree with bright red paper thanksgiving leaves.
Grove Arcade decorated for the holidays
Coffeehouse Junkie 