The Park Next Door

Songbirds Of The Season

11/28/2023

The holidays are filled with a different kind of songbird. So much music to enjoy.

I like Christmas music. No, actually, I love Christmas music. At the risk of highlighting the number of years I have walked this earth, I will admit to waxing nostalgic during the holidays, longing for the days of CD's and mixtapes. In particular, when it comes to Christmas music.

I'm not any happier than most when I hear radio stations start playing Christmas music the day after Halloween. The songs that get radio play are generally the tried and true, and usually overplayed. Still, they have their place. And gift shopping really requires some kind of festive background music.

A mix of the classics, and pop music Christmas tunes are the perfect accompaniment for holiday shopping.

From Celtic to rock, pop to jazz, I could never buy just one holiday CD.

Decades ago (!), as the holidays approached, I would venture out with a co-worker or two at lunch and shop for new tunes to add to my collection.

After some preliminary discussions, wish lists of artists we'd love to hear singing seasonal songs were made. We'd check the new release listings in search of something original. Not just covers of existing songs, but new and different holiday music.

And, finally, we'd head out to the record shops in search of new discoveries. I'd usually spend more than I could really afford on new albums/CD's. But, rarely was I disappointed.

Some of my favorites over the years have been compilations released by different labels. Nowadays you can find these types of collections on YouTube and Spotify, and so on.

But back then (in my day), CD's were the thing (I'll spare you the cassette and vinyl album nostalgia). And the technology had advanced so much that we could make our own mixtapes and compilation CD's. I adored making them.

For many years I would gather some of my favorite Christmas tunes and put together a CD compilation to gift. A musical Christmas card of sorts. I really miss doing those, actually. But with all the streaming service options these days, it is rather antiquated.

I had so much fun picking songs from my holiday CD's to create a musical Christmas card each year.

I know, I know, I could make Spotify or Pandora playlists. But it's just not the same. You can't gift a playlist. Can you?

Some of my favorite label compilations purchased through the years.

I have collected more than my share of holiday CD's. A lot of them, actually, are on a flash drive, connected to my car stereo so I can listen to them there.

Realistically, CD's are lot to tote around. Even without cases and tucked into a binder. I still do it on occasion, though.

With Thanksgiving in the rearview, and the advent of Christmas on the horizon, I've been thinking more and more about my favorite seasonal tunes. When we moved into our house five years ago, I brought most of my CD's. I have yet to organize them. They are all languishing in boxes for that "rainy day".

So the other night I ventured downstairs with a box and started pulling out just some of the holiday CD's I've really loved through the years. And came up with a selection to highlight and share.

There's lots more where they came from. I'll save those for next year. Maybe it should be an annual thing.

I'm especially fond of the "A Different Kind Of Christmas" collection, and The Roches "We Three Kings" is just fun with it's harmonies and acapella arrangements.

Somewhere back in the mid-2000's, before I started drinking coffee, Starbucks was releasing Christmas CD collections with a diverse roster of artists. And though I wasn't a coffee drinker at the time, I was not going to miss out on that. So, I purchased a hot chocolate instead, and left with a new holiday CD, which went straight into the CD player. Say what you want about Starbucks, but those were some memorable music days for me.

Curious, I recently asked the barista who was making my coffee order if she recalled the Starbucks holiday CD's. She did not. My age apparent. She did ask a couple other co-workers, and one of them did actually remember them. So, yeah. I'm not sure if I should stop in to the shop again for a little show and tell, now that I've dug them out for a nostalgic listen.

Just a few of the Starbucks holiday music collections I purchased over the years.

Other companies were getting into the holiday mix game back then, too. It wasn't unusual to find a holiday release at the checkout lane at Kohl's. Target got in on the game, too.

I have two double-CD sets that were sold at Bath and Body Works. Yes, the shower gel and body lotion store. Both of them were fun combos of classic artists and pop and rock artists on the scene at the time.

Two Christmas collections worth keeping, from the Bath and Body Works store, no less.

Christmas CD's by "Over The Rhine" strike a different, yet very beautiful chord.

Somewhere in the early 2000's I went to a local flea market, where I happened upon a CD by the duo "Over The Rhine". It was "Films For Radio", and it was so good!

Little did I know that they were about to become one of my very favorite artists, releasing original Christmas CD's over the years that never get old. I'm especially fond of "Snow Angels".

They might include a cover here and there, but their originals, holiday and other releases, are just simply poetic, heartfelt music. They're amazing to see live as well.

For a more ethereal, relaxing bit of holiday music, I love the series of CD's released by the Windham Hill label. A Winter's Solstice is a collection of several CD's, that harken back to the late-80's, late-90's and early 2000's.

These are great to listen to during the holidays, and all winter long as well.

The Celtic Christmas collections are my favorite, though. With four volumes in the series.

They also released a series of Christmas Carols as well.

Windham Hill's holiday collections offer a relaxing, ethereal take on the holidays.

"Joy To The World" - the first holiday release by Pink Martini.

I first heard of Pink Martini somewhere in the early 2000's. Once I heard them I snapped up several of their releases. They do a lot of classic, multi-language music, with a big band, and a bold style. Strong vocals.

They released their first Christmas CD, "Joy To The World", in 2010. It was definitely worth adding to my collection. It's a classic mix of seasonal covers, presented in worldly arrangements.

A few more favorites include A Big Band Christmas, a compilation that includes one of my oldie favorites "There's Frost On The Moon"; an independent release by the duo "She & Him" (featuring Zoey Deschanel), and a small label release called "This Warm December" - Brushfire Holiday Vol. 1, which includes several Christmas covers by Jack Johnson.

Big Band, folk/indie, and indie/rock selections.

The final title I pulled out is a two-song offering by Canadian singer-songwriter Jane Siberry. Her song "Calling All Angels" is a stunner, and the "B" side (kind of) is "Are You Burning, Little Candle". Both unique holiday songs. Both evoke the beauty, the difficulties, and the hope in this world. A fine finale, I suppose.

"Calling All Angels", by Jane Siberry, was featured in the film "Pay It Forward".

So many CD's not mentioned here. It's impossible to include them all. But tell me, do you recognize any of these? Did you ever pick up any of the compilations featured here? What's in your holiday music collection? Do you have a nostalgic favorite? A favorite style of holiday music? Or do you despise holiday music altogether? Please feel free to share in the comments below.

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Just A Snowy Sunday

11/26/2023

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The pond at Jacobus Park looking scenic in a bit of freshly fallen snow.

Snow fell last night. Quietly. Not with a bluster like the surprise snowstorm at the end of October. Just an inch or two, a bit soggy, perfect for making snowballs, if you're so inclined.

I didn't have plans to go out to a park today, having other commitments. But on the way to the grocery store I decided to stop at Jacobus Park and check out the snowy scene for just a few minutes.

It's these sneaky stops in nature that keep me going when there isn't time for a nature walk, or an even longer hike.

If you're looking for great adventure, I guess I'm not your style. But if you want to know where to get a quick nature fix, I've got plenty of ideas.

It couldn't really break through the snowy clouds, but the sun was up there trying anyway.

Quiet and peaceful at the pond.

Winter does have a certain sparkle that's hard to replicate in other seasons. Add in the twinkle of lights in windows as you pass by, and there is a bit of magic in it. Despite the freezing temperatures, and the need for a shovel and an ice scraper. Life is hard enough. If I can find a bit of peace and joy in a passing moment in nature, I'm going to take it. I hope you can, too.

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The Pumpkin Diner

11/18/2023

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A carved pumpkin makes a great bird and wildlife feeder filled with a variety of nuts and seeds.

My husband has been stealing pumpkins. Early in autumn I picked up a few good sized pumpkins, and several smaller ones at local farm stands. They've been occupying space on the front stoop and around the backyard patio since then.

But recently, I noticed the ones on the front stoop were multiplying. I messaged my husband, and he confessed. On his evening walks he's been picking up pumpkins from the curb line, where they sit amongst the leaves raked and ready for pick-up.

Mini pumpkins mixed in with the flower pot arrangements for a fall motif.

A variety of sizes of smaller gourds and mini pumpkins fill the raised bed with a selection of seeds for both birds and small wildlife.

Now that Halloween has passed, and the autumn season is speeding by, we did a bit of seasonal clean-up, and decided to use the pumpkins as feeders for the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks.

In the past we've cut open a couple pumpkins so that the squirrels could help themselves to the pumpkin seeds and pulp. This year we changed it up a bit.

This time out I added some trimmed greens to the cleaned out raised beds and made space to put in a selection of pumpkin feeders. They've been a great success!

I love looking out the window in the morning to see squirrels, birds, and chipmunks scrambling about, snacking on the variety of seeds and nuts we've provided, including some of the saved pumpkin seeds. I've carved up bits of pumpkin for snacking as well.

Bite size chunks of pumpkin, along with pumpkin seeds offered for the squirrels and chipmunks.

The resident chipmunks have been enjoying the selection of nuts offered, but peanuts in the shell are a favorite.

It's been a learning process, as far as placement goes. Too many in one spot causes more scuffles, so spreading them out a bit more has worked well. Though, in rainy weather, I have been keeping more of them beneath the eaves, in an effort to keep them dry.

Seeds can be a mix of different types. We've been using woodpecker nut mixes, along with black oil sunflower, safflower, and shelled, and unshelled peanuts. And working in some of the pumpkin seeds as well.

The squirrels tend to ignore the safflower seeds, but the birds and the chipmunks enjoy them. The juncos, sparrows, and house finches have been enjoying the safflower and black oil sunflower seeds, as well as picking up bits and pieces of the nuts leftover.

You can cut pumpkins in a few different ways, depending on size, and where you want to put them. You can drill holes for dowels so you can hang them from a tree or hook, if you like. We've been using ours in the raised beds, and on top of a few of our emptied planters.

Cut them in half and scoop out the guts. You can cut up some of the pumpkin and save the pumpkin seeds for the critters, or you can compost them straight off. I remove the stem from the top of the pumpkin once it's cut in half, then I can use both the top and bottom as feeder bowls.

You can even carve it so that there is a ledge for the critters to perch on.

An ice cream scoop works well to clean out the guts and seeds of a pumpkin.

One of the carving style options.

I've been scooping out the spent seeds at the end of the day, and assessing the state of the pumpkins. If they've pretty much shriveled, it's time for the compost heap. Same thing if they get moldy.

Otherwise, empty them out and refill for the next day with the seeds of your choice. We'll replace the faded ones as we go along until we've used them up.

We usually have a few different bird feeders hung throughout the yard. We've been keeping that to a minimum at this time.

Some of those will go back out for the harsh winter months, when they really come in handy for resident wildlife.

In the meantime, using the pumpkins as feeders is a fun way to put some fall decorations to good use. One more useful step on their way to be composted for use in next year's garden.

It's been fun for us, and definitely a tasty treat for our backyard wildlife.

Just a few of the critters enjoying the pumpkin feeders.

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Songbirds Of The Season

Just A Snowy Sunday

The Pumpkin Diner

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