A Doors-Filled Story (Third Edition)

Yeah, Another Blogger

Well, here I am, dispensing thoughts about doors for the third time. Huh, doors? Damn straight! I mean, doors are cool. Or can be, anyway. And I’m hardly alone in holding this opinion. Various WordPress writers, for instance, launch doors-centric articles into cyberspace every Thursday. And they publicize the pieces by placing links to them on the No Facilities blog, of which a fine gent named Dan Antion is the heart, soul and brains. I’m part of that Thursday club today.

Okay, then. On a clear and comfortable morning in late May I visited the sprawling town of Glenside, a community in the Philadelphia suburbs about five miles from my home. Leafy, handsome residential blocks abound in Glenside. And there also are business sections that include Main Street-like corridors. Now, I wasn’t about to stroll up the front paths of homes to check out their doors closely (I wasn’t eager to hear something on the order of  Yo, asshole! What are you doing on my property? directed at me), so I confined most of my investigating and picture-snapping to commercial blocks. In the end, though, I also got pix of a couple of residential doors that were not set back from their respective sidewalks.

While I didn’t cross paths with any doors that might take your breath away during the hour I spent in Glenside, I became fascinated by the varieties of doors on public display. They ran the gamut from the solid and stolid to the utilitarian to the well-worn to the neglected. I passed at least two hundred doors, possibly many more than that, and a dozen or so of them grabbed me almost instantly. I’ve chosen images of seven of them to grace this page.

Could I possibly have resisted a sky-blue door, endearingly shop-worn a bit, whose street address (number 12) beams proudly above it? No way! I tell you, if that door were a human being I’d have smiled at it generously and then given it a great big hug. Yup, the blue door is the one I felt most in tune with in Glenside. In a low-key manner it exudes warmth and wisdom. It’s my kind of door.

Unexpectedly, the four garage doors belonging to Santilli’s auto repair shop connected with me. They’re ordinary, right? We’ve seen doors such as these a million times. Yet, as I stared at them I thought to myself they are worthy of admiration. Non-complaining and tireless, they enable important work to get done. In the doors-ian realm, these four are among the salt of the earth.

And what can you say about the rust-stained shed door that probably hasn’t been opened in years? The healthy green plant a few feet away, doing all it can to brighten the scene, knows that the door has been ignored. It’s the norm to pass by a door such as this without a thought. But I’m a softie at heart, and so my old ticker went out to it. Its life has been anything but easy.

By the way, I had no intention of having my spectral double show up in five of the photos, but that’s what happened. Yeah, I saw the f*cker aiming his phone’s camera at me from a door beneath the NAPA sign as I snapped that picture. But not till I was examining all of the Glenside pix a day or two later did I realize that he also was present in other doors, the sky-blue door and the ones belonging to Elcy’s, the antique store, and Santilli’s. “It figures, Neil,” my wife Sandy just mentioned to me, shaking her head in disapproval as she looked over this article before I hit the Publish button. “It’s bad enough that you write about yourself incessantly in your stories. Now your readers are likely to overdose on your sort-of-spitting image too. Give ’em a break, for crying out loud!”

Shit, she’s right. She almost always is. On the other hand, has a ghoul ever before rocked a Cape Cod-emblazoned cap so magnificently? I think not!

The time has arrived to bring this essay to a close. On a musical note, of course, as that’s what I did with my first two doors pieces. With each of those, I included a tune by the hippie era band The Doors. This time around I’ve decided to forego one of their blasts from the past. Instead I’ve selected a blast from the present. It’s called, appropriately, Leave The Door Open, and it’s by Silk Sonic, a new band led by pop superstars Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. The song is a throwback to the sweet soul/R&B music, lovingly orchestrated, that The Stylistics, The Delfonics and other groups filled the air with during the 1970s. I dig Leave The Door Open a lot.

I’m done! Goodbye till next time, boys and girls. Please don’t be shy about adding your comments.

162 thoughts on “A Doors-Filled Story (Third Edition)”

  1. sloppy buddhist's avatar sloppy buddhist June 10, 2021 / 12:18 am

    Wonder what’s in the cooler 🤔🤓and doors and The Doors are cool Neil…fun post…it’s great to read your narrative ☺️ sending joy hedy 💫

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 9:19 am

      I should have taken a look in the cooler. Maybe a nice cold beer was in there waiting for me!

      Like

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  2. Sandy's avatar SandyL June 10, 2021 / 12:29 am

    You do weave blogging magic around simple topics Neil. Glad to find someone else who likes Leave the Door Open. When I first heard it I thought it was an old song from the 70’s . I was surprised to see the artist – Bruno Mars wasnt even an idea back then!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 9:22 am

      Morning, Sandy. I wonder if there are a good number of current songs that are in the style of classic soul and R&B. I have a feeling that maybe there are. Do you know?

      Like

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      • Sandy's avatar SandyL June 10, 2021 / 10:55 am

        I’m no expert but here are few who do it well, in my opinion. None of them are as recent as this song, but they’re all young ‘uns who’ve made ’70s sound good again 😉

        Bruno Mars certainly seems to have embraced the sound. I’m sure you’ve explored more on this album
        Another one is Tom Mirsch https://youtu.be/M1N_wbhAfQ4
        I also like this Elise LeGrow who has an addictive voice https://youtu.be/PvMDwJkvZaw

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  3. Audrey Driscoll's avatar Audrey Driscoll June 10, 2021 / 1:41 am

    I like that sky blue door too, Neil, and your reflection adds a bit of mystery (for those who don’t figure out who that guy is, anyway).

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. janesturgeon's avatar Jane Sturgeon June 10, 2021 / 4:18 am

    I love the blue door, Neil and your narrative. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. janesturgeon's avatar Jane Sturgeon June 10, 2021 / 4:20 am

    Great track too… 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 9:27 am

      I noticed that this song has been played a zillion times on YouTube. The same for sure must be true in re Spotify, Apple Music et al. A whole lot of people have learned about it and like it.

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  7. wings of a tern's avatar rivertoprambles June 10, 2021 / 6:05 am

    I’ll agree that the Blue Door probably opens to a kind of Soul Kitchen with a table set for two. Nice job!

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Dan Antion's avatar Dan Antion June 10, 2021 / 7:04 am

    I am glad you collected these doors to share with us. I like your descriptions, and if your worried about your face being recognized, keep the camera down and I’ll never know it’s you. That first door is my favorite today. I love the stone around the entrance and the doors themselves are magnificent.I also like the four-bay repair garage. Those are hard working doors, for sure.

    Thanks for joining us and for the kind words. As for the brains behind the operation, well, I have to share that with Norm, but my heart is in it. I hope you have a great weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. swabby429's avatar swabby429 June 10, 2021 / 7:59 am

    The garage doors remind me of the shop doors of the now defunct Buick dealership in Lincoln, Nebraska where dad bought one of his cars. I hadn’t thought of that place since way back when.

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  11. marianallen's avatar marianallen June 10, 2021 / 8:51 am

    Thanks for the doors and the track. I wasn’t aware of it. Mmmm, Bruno Mars music….. Great collection of doors. It’s funny — in a wonderful way — how looking for doors leads to looking AT doors. Really LOOKING. That’s good for the brain and the spirit. Very pleased to have followed you from No Facilities. *waves to your wife*

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  12. Laurie Graves's avatar Laurie Graves June 10, 2021 / 8:55 am

    Wonderful diverse selection! I, too, am taken with the sky blue door. But the line of doors at the auto repair also caught my attention. I could almost smell the pungent odor of oil that fills those garages. And then there was the rust-stained door. So many different ways of being a door. A lesson in that? (Nowadays, it seems I am always looking for lessons.)

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  13. Cindy Bruchman's avatar Cindy Bruchman June 10, 2021 / 8:56 am

    I’m a sucker for antique wooden doors, so I like the very first one the best. Your voice is humorous and embracing. Nice post!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 11:37 am

      Hey, Sam. That cafe is in what once was the Glenside train station. Don’t think I ever ate there. If I did, it was a long time ago.

      Like

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  17. Paddy Tobin's avatar Paddy Tobin June 10, 2021 / 11:14 am

    I can tell the future – well, not very far into the future but I managed it by a few minutes just a little while ago. Shortly into your article, after the first line or two, I said to myself that this was going to end with music from The Doors! My day is made, my precognition is in good form! Our doors, front and back, are teak in a teak frame. Now, I wonder what that shows of me: old-fashioned, conservative, solid, dull or whatever?

    On another matter you mentioned above, the sharing of your blog to a hosting blogger: I do this with a weekend gardening report. It is called Six on Saturday though my gardening is far better than my mathematics. It brings with it a level of obligation to read all the other contributors and I haven’t always found that interesting!!!

    Keep snapping at the doors and reporting but a word of warning: If you find yourself talking to that man in the doors, you are in trouble!

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  18. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray June 10, 2021 / 11:17 am

    I was ready to declare that first door the winner and then I came to the working door–transmissions. That takes #1.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 12:16 pm

      Hi Jacqui. I’m sticking with the blue door as my favorite, but the auto shop doors are gaining on it. I like the shop doors a lot.

      Liked by 1 person

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  19. Monkey's Tale's avatar Monkey's Tale June 10, 2021 / 11:31 am

    I love the first residential door, but also because of the stone around it, and of course the sky blue door. Funny I didn’t notice your reflection until you mentioned it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 12:19 pm

      Yeah, that reflection was everywhere. It’s especially hard to see it in the auto shop photo, but it’s there in the second door from the right.

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  20. Rosaliene Bacchus's avatar Rosaliene Bacchus June 10, 2021 / 12:10 pm

    The sky-blue door is my favorite. It does have a welcoming look that says, “Come in and brighten your day.” Love the song choice 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. liliannemilgrom's avatar liliannemilgrom June 10, 2021 / 12:17 pm

    I feel the same way about chairs as you do about doors! Especially abandoned chairs…

    Liked by 1 person

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  22. JT Twissel's avatar JT Twissel June 10, 2021 / 12:36 pm

    You got some cool doors! I know what you mean about standing on someone’s yard pointing a camera at their door! Love Bruno – thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 1:46 pm

      I don’t know much about Bruno, but I saw him on the tube once (maybe on SNL) and thought he was really good.

      Like

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  23. Bindery's avatar vprofy June 10, 2021 / 12:43 pm

    Several photographers have created posters — The Doors Of ?

    Liked by 1 person

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  25. Ann Coleman's avatar Ann Coleman June 10, 2021 / 1:02 pm

    You came up with some amazing doors! And doors are more important than we think…they can totally change the look of a house or building.

    Liked by 1 person

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  27. tanjabrittonwriter's avatar tanjabrittonwriter June 10, 2021 / 3:19 pm

    Nice selection of doors, Neil. They are so evocative, aren’t they? And always leave us wondering what goes on behind them.

    Liked by 1 person

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  28. sniderjerry's avatar sniderjerry June 10, 2021 / 3:55 pm

    Hey there Neil, I think you might enjoy the song “Swinging Doors” by Merle Haggard. Have a great day and please close the door, you’re letting the flys in. Jerry

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  29. Helen Devries's avatar Helen Devries June 10, 2021 / 3:59 pm

    Father used to say that if you wanted a sensible reply to a question you were best to talk to yourself…so chat to that chap in the hat!

    Liked by 1 person

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  30. Kim Smith's avatar Kim Smith June 10, 2021 / 4:06 pm

    Oh man, I was going to say something deep about your door essay…but then you showed me Bruno. Leave the door open, indeed. #Sigh

    Liked by 1 person

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  31. Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter's avatar Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter June 10, 2021 / 4:22 pm

    Great doors, must air my fine collection from Glasgow some day. As for the song, I really thought I had gone back to my youth. Very Stylistics, I could hear echoes of Betcha, by golly, wow.

    Liked by 1 person

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  32. eden baylee's avatar eden baylee June 10, 2021 / 4:56 pm

    Hi Neil, great tune.

    We got two new doors in the last couple of years. The last was to replace the old, ill-fitting wooden front door for a red, steel tri-glass model, and LOVE it. We aimed for light, and it’s perfect.

    Love the colourful doors of your blog. Enjoy your weekend!
    eden

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 10:51 pm

      Hi. Thanks for adding your thoughts. The shade of blue on the blue door is so soothing and calming. And uplifting too. All of that is a major part of the door’s appeal, I think.

      Liked by 1 person

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  34. sustainabilitea's avatar sustainabilitea June 10, 2021 / 7:53 pm

    Philly’s got great doors, although any I photograph (taken when visiting our daughter) are in the city.

    janet

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  35. FROLIC AND FEED FARM's avatar workinacresnothours June 10, 2021 / 9:02 pm

    I love the big ole wooden double doors & what looks like the quintessential Aussie outdoor dunny with the esky out front here In Aus it would be full of coldies. Best selfies I’ve seen. lol

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 10, 2021 / 10:59 pm

      Hi. I agree about the wooden doors. They’ve got what it takes! As best I could tell, they are part of an old building that’s been converted into rental apartments.

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  37. Cindy's avatar Cindy June 10, 2021 / 11:17 pm

    While I was reading your post, a documentary about Ready Steady Go was playing on PBS, and a clip of the Stones singing (I See a Red Door and I Want to) Paint It Black came on. Weird, huh? I’m partial to blue doors (and blue everything else), so I agree with your #1 pick–and with your song choice! Bruno Mars is such a talent. A resurgence of Philly soul would be a wonderful thing!

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  38. Alyson's avatar Alyson June 11, 2021 / 3:41 am

    Love the doors, and love the song – It was familiar as I must have heard it on the radio but hadn’t realised the mix of the people who made it. Just perfect and barks back as you say to the fine sounds that came from those Philadelphia based groups from the 70s. Think I might have to make a sneaky wee purchase.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 11, 2021 / 7:32 am

      Hi. You know, Philadelphia is still a hot spot for music-making. Loads of musicians live and work in the city, many of them from the indie rock genre.

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  39. JOYCE HAMILTON's avatar JOYCE HAMILTON June 11, 2021 / 7:59 am

    Loved all your door photos. If you walk around Bryn Athyn cathedral , Glencairn and Cairnwood Estate all the doors and hardware are different.

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  40. AmericaOnCoffee's avatar Americaoncoffee June 11, 2021 / 10:46 am

    Great post Neil. Doors can tempt us to find out what is in the inside. Maybe that how many burglars start out.🤔

    Liked by 1 person

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  42. selizabryangmailcom's avatar selizabryangmailcom June 11, 2021 / 4:08 pm

    I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve heard a lot about Bruno Mars but never heard him sing before, and he’s got an amazing voice ! ! !

    And I love the old, worn down doors. I love old buildings, for some reason. No idea why.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 11, 2021 / 8:35 pm

      Evening, Stacey. I don’t know much about Bruno. I need to listen to a lot more of his music. I’ve seen him on the tube, though, and was impressed.

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  43. annieasksyou's avatar annieasksyou June 11, 2021 / 11:43 pm

    I looked and looked, but I don’t see no spectral presence in the Blue Door pic. So you’re safe from any Od-Ing on my part. Or perhaps it’s my aging eyes.

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  44. Jeff the Chef's avatar Jeff the Chef June 12, 2021 / 9:20 am

    The very idea that you should see yourself reflected in a door obviously means you are meant to go through that door. You can already see yourself inside this structure. In a way, you are already inside. Personally, I would not want to see myself in a Napa autoparts store, because it means that not only is my car busted, but I’m trying to fix it myself, and I suck at fixing cars.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 12, 2021 / 10:18 am

      Man, for car maintenance just about the only things I can do are add gas, add window washer fluid, and add air to tires.

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  45. alhenry's avatar alhenry June 12, 2021 / 10:45 am

    The rust-stained shed door … where all great murder mysteries wind up. Creeeeeaaaaakkk. WAHH! (faint and fade). Some see doors everywhere. I see stories. 😂

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  46. stargazer's avatar stargazer June 12, 2021 / 12:17 pm

    I enjoyed your photos, doors are a great motif for photographs. When visiting Zanzibar a while ago, I spent a whole day photographing doors, they have some wonderful exemplars.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 12, 2021 / 1:20 pm

      Zanzibar! I probably never was sure where it is. I googled it a minute ago, so now I know. Did you enjoy being there?

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      • stargazer's avatar stargazer June 12, 2021 / 1:24 pm

        It was a lovely place, but everything was very laid-back. Almost too laid back, but a couple of days there to investigate Stone Town and do some diving and swimming in one of the beach resorts was perfect.

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  47. Manja Maksimovič's avatar Manja Mexi Mexcessive June 12, 2021 / 4:23 pm

    Oh! A little bow, first of all. I like your style. Well met.

    Second, The Doors came first for me too, only after I got pulled into our beloved blogging door challenge. (It was six years ago and I’ve been a regular since. That is a lot of Thursdays.) But I approve of your today’s choice too. (Still need to read your first two door posts.)

    Third, I agree with you on most of these, but especially on the sky-blue ones as the favourite, even thought the first one is pretty splendid too.

    And finally, here is an old post of mine that has it all, doors and Doors and a sky-blue one: https://manjameximovie.wordpress.com/2016/06/09/thursday-doors-june-9/

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  49. Dave's avatar Dave June 13, 2021 / 3:29 pm

    Late to the comment party (so this could be a repeat) but the sky-blue door is utterly compromised by the cream-colored brick on the right. A little spray paint to match the brick on the left, please. Then we could be looking at a shop straight out of Notting Hill.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger June 13, 2021 / 6:00 pm

      Don’t be fussy!
      Hi Dave. Just kidding.

      I kind of like the contrast that the cream color gives, but I see what you mean.

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