a very merry

I'm non-religious to my bones, but there's something about this hymn (especially when it's sung by the glorious Sufjan Stevens and accompanied by a banjo) that makes me weak in the knees and strong in the heart.

May you all have the very best of Christmases.

the eve of the eve

I thought these pictures from Ezra Jack Keats's children's book (published in 1962) might bring holiday cheer to one and all.

The snow here melted as swiftly as it snowed down. But I've been making mince pies and playing Christmas songs, and I've hung my stocking already, and nothing will discourage me now.

I'm on holiday and there's finally no shortage of time. There are hours for sleep and for reading and cooking and simply being. I've banished all thoughts of revision and work out of my head, for just a while.

Today's Christmas song is called Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance! and it is beautiful. Because what's Christmas without Sufjan Stevens?

hello darkness, my old friend

I made a mixtape, again, in celebration of spring and hope. Always hope. Sorry about the rambling title. 

Happy weekend!

Treatment for Melancholy, or, Hello Darkness My Old Friend (You're My Only Vice)
Simon & Garfunkel: The Sound of Silence
James Blake: Limit to Your Love
Camera Obscura: Happy New Year
The Tallest Man on Earth: The Gardener
Emilíana Torrini: Big Jumps
Angus & Julia Stone: Mango Tree
Sufjan Stevens: Pittsfield

perhaps we don't like what we see

I received some really bad news yesterday evening about a dear friend of mine. I might stay away from the blogosphere for some time. Be safe, all of you, and a vast thank you to all my friends who have helped me out yesterday and today.

Quote from the magnificent and talented Sufjan Stevens, my go-to artist in times of trouble.

dirty glasses

I only notice how dirty my glasses are when the sun starts shining again. (Sometimes I think it's counter-effective, glasses improving my eyesight and the dust motes impairing it again.)

Look, I made you a mixtape! (It's called Dirty Glasses & Futile Devices. Enjoy.)

Rosie Thomas and Sufjan Stevens: Say Hello
Mumford & Sons: Awake My Soul
The Weepies: Take It From Me
Laura Marling: Ghosts
Sufjan Stevens: The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!
The Maccabees: Toothpaste Kisses
Sufjan Stevens: Futile Devices