Oddly enough, life continues!!

August 8, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

Wow, is it just me, or is life just really strange these days?

Let me just say one more thing about fiverr (see yesterday’s frustrated post)– my tax paperwork got approved and before the day was over, I had already received 6 scam attempts through my new fiverr account.

Needless to say, that shit never used to happen in the old days.

Plus, I recently had a scam attempt through a writing group on the Substack app. I’ve never had that happen before on Substack, either.

And I personally think the semi-scams for writers are endless now on LinkedIn so I try to stay off of there. (LinkedIn started out as a whole different thing 20 years ago, when I first started using it — long before it was an overcrowded phone app.)

Anyway. I won’t go on and on about it, but phone apps targetting writers (that have basically replaced the corresponding websites) are my new pet peeve.

But I have to say, that both the Tabor Research Group and Ross K. Nichols’ private Yachad, now have phone apps and they are fantastic. But they’re private, members-only type apps.

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Okay!

So.

On to happier things!

I had a chance to read the short story Maxim Jakubowski contributed to our upcoming anthology honoring the life of M. Christian, and it was fantastic. It was such a joy to read it — erotic but also an undercurrent of sci-fi. And I know for certain M. Christian would have loved it.

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Before I forget, I thought I would just post a little update regarding me and Sandra and our upcoming staged reading in NY for our play, “The Guide to Being Fabulous”.

Sandra is in Los Angeles, working on a different project right now and we are sort of playing “text-tag.”

If I don’t get assigned to a jury on Tuesday (when I have to report for jury duty), then we will finally get a chance to really catch up.

But if I do get put on a jury, then who knows how long it will be…

Ditto for the podcast that Valerie and I are trying to finally launch. Valerie’s hands have recovered quite nicely from the surgeries and she texted me a photo of her current painting-in-progress yesterday and I just loved it!!

So now she’s just waiting on me and my unkown schedule at this point. But it’s all coming, eventually.

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Okay, on to the Sealey Challenge!

I did indeed re-read half of Lunch Poems (by Frank O’Hara, City Lights Books, 1964) last evening. I will finish it tonight.

And it was indeed very emotional for me. Quite a few of the poems were familiar to me long before I first read Lunch Poems in 1984, because those poems had been included in The Selected Poems of Frank O’Hara, which I’d pretty much had memorized since I first read that in1975.

And yes, I even took the book to school with me back then, even though it quite clearly has a drawing on the cover by Larry Rivers of Frank O’Hara totally naked…

I digress!

The emotional part about re-reading Lunch Poems last night was all those references to places in NYC (and also Paris) that were totally foreign to me when I was first reading his poems at age 15, alone in my room in Ohio in 1975.

Not only are they no longer foreign, but they became places, buildings, shops, museums, even train stops, that I came to know very well.

And now it’s all part of my distant past. When did that fucking happen?

Anyway. I found the short video below online last night and I wanted to share it. It is Frank O’Hara reading 2 poems in 1964 that I came to know by heart as a young girl. (The first poem is about the day Billie Holiday died.)

But mostly, I wanted you to notice at the end of the first poem, when they pull back and show you Frank’s apartment in downtown NYC — my apartment on E. 12th Street looked exactly like that, with the built-in bookshelves next to the old fireplace! And everything painted white. (My apartment had two fireplaces! And they have since gutted the apartment and got rid of all of that cool stuff.)

After Lunch Poems, I will either re-read Baudelaire’s Flowers of Evil (a 1952 edition that I’ve owned for over 40 years, that has the original French alongside the English translations).

Or I will read Drunk on Angel Breath by R. Nikolas Macioci. (He was the the teacher I was so blessed to have in Jr. High School who literally taught me how to write, on his own time, after school.)

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Okay!

There is only one “here’s this” today that is not connected to Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds!!

And that “here’s this” is THIS!!

From Johnny Depp’s new Sauvage campaign with Dior!

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Okay.

Here’s an older photo of Nick Cave that I just loved!

And here’s a photo from July, back in Vienne, France, that I also just love!

And the rest are all from Belgrade last night — and I have to say (again), the show looked INCREDIBLE! So many great photos and videos that it was sort of overwhelming this morning.

Here’s Warren Ellis last night:

And the rest are basically Nick Cave.

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Romania tomorrow night. You can buy tickets here!

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And that is it for today, gang!

I have so much to do at my desk today — in preparation for maybe not having anytime at all after Tuesday, if I get assigned to a jury.

I am still hoping that they will let me go but we shall see.

In the meantime, enjoy your Saturday, wherever you are in the world, gang!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

Some more of that making-the-bed music!!

From the Oldies FM Radio Station on the retro boombox next to my bed!

Saturday mornings are “Amazing 80s Day” and the DJ launched this morning’s show with this absolute gem!! Talk about memories from my Paradise Apartment on E.12th Street in the East Village in NYC!! I used to play this song so loud!

“Born in the USA”, Bruce Springsteen, 1984. Enjoy, gang.

Sorry I’m Late!

August 7, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Wow, gang.

Just another one of those things that make me insane–

When I awoke this morning, I decided to register over on fiverr again — as a private writing/editing coach.

Many years ago, when it first got started, signing up was easy and everything was sort of immediate and personal.

I could put up an add that I was a writing coach and I listed my contact info — and then I got some students that I really enjoyed.

It was so simple.

Now it’s like you’re applying to be an astronaut. It has taken 3 hours so far– and now I’m waiting to get my tax paperwork approved. That could take a couple more days…

It doesn’t actually matter because it’s not like there’s any hurry or anything — especially since I might be on jury duty next week. I just suddenly thought it would be a cool idea to be back on fiverr. I enjoy helping other writers.

Anyway.

Things on the web that used to be easy and much more person-friendly are now few and far between. (And within a nanosecond, they want you on their phone app instead…)

(And don’t even get me started on the constantly swirling shark-infested waters that now pass for the endlessly, endlessly, endlessly updating “LinkedIn”… Jesus, you know? When do people find time to just write?)

All I can say, really, is that I’m glad I became a professional writer back when it was actually really fun. And full of people and community and in-person meetings.

I don’t know how new writers can even stand it these days. But I am an old-timer now. What can I say??

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Okay!

That aside!

Guess what I discovered about my brand new and super-fast Honda Accord yesterday, gang????

I will try to set this up so that you can feel the joy the way I felt it!

ME (on the highway heading home and going about 20 miles over the speed limit): “Jeez. This new car is so fast! I better slow down.”

MY HONDA ACCORD (woman’s voice suddenly filling my car): “Police reporting up ahead.”

Holy shit, gang! That’s, like, not legal, right??

But I went down to the the speed limit, pronto, and sure enough — up ahead on the left, a black & yellow Sherriff’s car was sitting there, waiting for speeders!!

Wow! I love my fucking new car!!!

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On the “read a poetry book a day” front —

I decided that today, I am going to read a slender, amazing book that I haven’t read in years. It was written by my favorite poet — Frank O’Hara — whose poetry I “discovered” when I was 15 and I absolutely fell in love with him.

By then, he’d been dead for almost 10 years.

But this particular book — which was already legendary — I didn’t find until 1984, when I was already living in NYC (not far from Frank’s old apartment, and I was working where he had worked: the Museum of Modern Art!):

I am really looking forward to reading it. To see how I am going to react to all his wonderful words, and all the fantastic NYC imagery, all these decades later.

I’m guessing it will be a little bittersweet.

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Okay.

Not much in the “here’s this” department, since I spent all those HOURS on fiverr this morning…

But here’s this!

And I’ve posted it here before, but I love this photo of Keith:

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Okay.

If you go to the UK side of the Nick Cave store — you can pre-order some of the Brighton Beach homecoming merch! But it is only on the UK side of the store.

And Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Belgrade, Serbia tonight! If it’s not too late, you can still buy tickets here!!

Then they’re off to Romania!!

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And honestly, that’s actually it for now. I gotta scoot! And a terrific thunderstorm is now filling the skies across the Hinterlands so I want to go down to the kitchen porch and check on a couple of those cats!!

Enjoy your Friday, wherever you are in the world, gang.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s scoot outta here with this–

Live in Paris, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, “God Is In The House”. 2007. Enjoy, gang.

Already a really lovely day!

August 6, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

It was supposed to rain all day today, but now it’s looking like maybe only a little rain, later tonight. We shall see!

I do not have to drive to town today!

However, since the weather will likely be nice, I will probably drive to town today!

Why? Because it’s Thursday and they have that live acoustic music over at the Archive Lounge in the Historic Arcade in Newark. I might not be able to go again this summer, depending on what happens when I show up for jury duty on Tuesday — if I get assigned to a jury or not.

Plus, I want to stop in at the bookstore there and finalize everything for the book signing next month — the owner of the bookstore is leaving for vacation next week.

Holland’s Book Nook, Historic Arcade, Newark

Oh!

And check this out!! I got word on Instagram last night that another independent bookstore — this one in Old Worthington, Ohio, (basically Columbus) — is going to carry my new book! (The Curse of Our Profound Disorder. Pre-order here!)

It looks like an awesome bookstore — The Whispering Page. It is getting ready to open this month:

“The Whispering Page is a bookstore, café, and bar tucked into the heart of Old Worthington — the kind of place you mean to pop into for ten minutes and end up staying for two hours. Browse new releases and staff-favorite reads, then settle in with a coffee, a glass of wine, or a local beer.”

And on a sort of personal, bittersweet note…

Old Worthington is where that old private mental hospital was located. It was summer, 51 years ago, that I was committed there for 6 months after a suicide attempt. The hospital has long since been torn down, but the hospital was right around the corner from where this new bookstore is located!

So, I figure, let’s tell that unbelievably terrified 15-year-old girl, locked up in a padded room one night, 51 summers ago: “Hang in there, honey. You are going to have an amazing life.”

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Some other wonderful things that have already happened this morning — not only did I get to once again see probably my all time favorite photo of Nick Cave smoking on Instagram the moment my eyes opened!!

But also, Maxim Jakubowski sent in his contribution for the M. Christian tribute anthology!! I can’t wait to read it! Thank you, Maxim!!

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And here’s this!!

Keith!! And that cigarette he smoked in 1966!!

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And here’s this!

Are they rehearsing in Shanghai??? I have no idea! But the Hollywood Vampires are getting ready for their imminent European Tour!! Buy tickets here!

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Warren Ellis is tired for some reason!!

And here’s Warren saying something about the Detroit Tigers before the 2nd show in Croatia last night but I honestly don’t really know why!!

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And here’s a big bunch of photos from the Bad Seeds’ 2nd show in Croatia last night — and wow, does that arena look incredible!!

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Belgrade, Serbia, on Friday. You can buy tickets here!

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And I believe that is it for today!

I’m gonna make a couple phone calls now. Then go out and take a magnificent walk! And then get down to work here at my desk for a few hours and then probably get into my brand new super fast Honda Accord and head to the Historic Arcade!

Enjoy your Thursday, wherever you are in the world, gang.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

My morning-listening music. A truly haunting song.

“Carnage”, from the album of the same name, by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, 2021. Enjoy, gang.

Yeah, well, so guess what happened??

August 5, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

Does this give you a clue?? (1 min):

You perhaps recall that yesterday, I was heading into town to run my errands and thought that maybe I’d stop in at the Honda dealership and see if I could get a better rate on the final year of my current car lease —

OR —

Perhaps even trade in the current lease, on my beloved 2025 Honda Civic, for a new lease altogether…

Holy shit, gang.

I know I have said it here many times before — that the Honda dealership in town that I’ve used for the last 9 years is super nice.

But yesterday was off the charts.

Not only was the sales rep who greeted me super friendly, it turned out he and his little family had been my neighbors 9 years ago, when I briefly lived in town and rented a house from one of my friends. (I thought I was on my way back to NYC back then, but I wound up buying a house and staying out here.)

Anyway!

Within a nanosecond, they basically had me set up with a new 3-year lease on a brand new 2027 Honda Accord — it had 7 miles on it. Just came in from the factory, like, that moment.

Inside the car, it was a little overwhelming because it is like the car from the future. It does all kinds of shit that is, like, scary. And it even has a tiny red button at the top of the rearview mirror that calls 911 when you so much as tap it…

All kinds of stuff I don’t need but now it’s all mine for 3 years. And if you thought it was hard for me to drive less than 95 mph in the Honda Civic…

I don’t know — I guess re-watch this!

Shit. That new car goes fast.

And the most highly improbable part of it all? It will cost me less each month than the Honda Civic did. And it now includes all oil changes, tire rotations, new battery (if needed), and new windshield wipers when needed.

So I guess that’s a better monthly rate…

It felt like God and a whole big bunch of angels led me to that Honda dealership yesterday, gang. Wow.

I was kind of in shock all evening: I’ve got a brand new car. (This is actually the 5th brand new car I’ve gotten from Honda in the last 9 years…Kind of interesting when you consider how much I hate driving.)

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Okay.

Also yesterday, I thought I was starting a new habit of going to town on Tuesdays to do the grocery shopping–

But last evening, I finally got that call from the courthouse that my jury duty starts nextTuesday morning at 8:45AM.

Oh well.

I might not get put on a jury. We’ll see. But if I am, at least I’m getting it over with (and I’ll get paid). But if I am on a jury, it will be really hard to post to the blog. We shall see how it goes.

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Okay.

Well.

Since I got held up at the Honda dealership for quite a while yesterday, it took me a lot longer to get my actual errands done and come back from town. So I didn’t have enough time to read an entire poetry book yesterday, but I did read half of it–

And in case I didn’t make it totally clear yesterday that I actually know both Madeline Artenberg and Iris N. Schwartz (authors of the above book from 2006)– well, I do. And not only that, Iris has been a close friend for a really long time.

But it’s been 20 years since I’d read this specific book. What a fucking delight. All those years of living in NYC and going to poetry readings to listen to Iris, in particular, read her poems — it all came back to me last night. She could really control a room with her poems.

She is such a great writer. Succinct, emotional, honest, funny.

She’s had a few poetry & fiction books out since 2006, and has a new chapbook coming out in October. I will keep you posted!!

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And speaking of the Sealey Poetry Challenge for the month of August (read one book of poetry a day) —

This poem was sent to me from a reader last night! (1 min 23 secs) (Thank you, Martha!!):

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All righty.

Here’s this!

The Rolling Stones in 1964, looking extremely well behaved!!

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And if looks like Johnny Depp is heading to Shanghai at any moment, getting ready to open his Art Exhibit there!

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And it looks like that first show in Croatia last night was awesome! Lots of videos of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds making a lot of people happy!

I did not have enough time to save many photos yet, but here’s the set list:

And here’s a photo of Nick Cave that I liked!

Tonight’s show in Croatia is SOLD OUT. I should have more time today to hang out on Instagram and scroll through photos…

Meanwhile–

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Belgrade, Serbia, next — on Friday, August 7th. You can buy tickets here!

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And, during my illustrious dinner hours, I am currently watching the Joe Strummer documentary from 2008, “The Future Is Unwritten.” It is very good, but really intense.

Here’s the trailer:

And that is it for today!!

Have a wonder-filled Wednesday, wherever you are in the world, gang!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

A real gem from Bill Wyman, and it is so fun to drive to!

“Drive My Car”, 2024. Enjoy, gang!!

New habits underway in the Hinterlands!

August 4, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Okay, so it’s looking like Tuesdays are now my new day to go to town and get the groceries!

And, wow, it is another really gorgeous day today, gang. It will be such a lovely drive.

And I’ve decided to stop in at the Honda dealership in town, too, and see if there’s any way at all they would let me either re-negotiate the lease on my current Honda Civic, or let me trade it in a year early (on a 3-year lease).

My current lease was negotiated back when I still had really horrible credit, leftover from the bankruptcy caused by the scamdemic lockdowns. And so my monthly payment is really high — over twice what I usually paid on leases before the bankruptcy.

I was really grateful that they still arranged a lease for me on a brand new car when I had such lousy credit, but, well, I thought I’d just see if I have any options 2 years later. (Sometimes they want the cars back so that they can turn around and sell them used for a “truckload” of money…) We’ll see. I still love the car. I just don’t love the high payment.

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All right.

If you didn’t see the recent video on social media of the new Rolling Stones song, “Mr. Charm”, underscoring some really funny footage of Ronnie Wood being, well, annoying in the recording studio… Well, it was really cute!

And now! Ronnie Wood announces a new work of art! Limited to 195 prints, each is hand-signed, numbered, and named. Coming August 7th!! (Order it HERE)

“Mr. Charm”:

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Yesterday, the weekly newsletter from Black Lawrence Press reminded us to take the Sealey Challenge in August!!

“The Sealey Challenge, a community challenge to read one poetry book a day in the month of August, is in its 10th year! Be sure to check out their website for bingo cards, participation suggestions, and ways to modify the challenge if you don’t have the time to devour 31 whole books this month.”

And, yes! Since I have plenty of TIME now, I began the challenge yesterday by reading Thaddeus Rutkowski’s new poetry collection, Tracks In Snow (Finishing Line Press).

I really enjoyed it! (Although I love everything he’s ever written…)

I realized that I easily have at least 31 books of poetry in the house already — about 29 of which I haven’t read in a really long time. Plus, about 15 of them were written by poets that I actually know, so it will be fun to revisit everyone.

Next up is Awakened (2006, Rogues Scholars Press) by Iris N. Schwartz & Madeline Artenberg. Both just wonderful poets! But apparently, I haven’t read the book in 20 years!! I’m looking forward to reading it again tonight.

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Before I forget, I found out some really disturbing news yesterday about the new neighbors across the road from me — the ones who recently bought and are rehabbing the little 125-year-old house that has sat empty for 8 years…

They spend their winters in Florida!!!

I was flabbergasted!

ME (flabbergasted): “You mean, you’re not going to be here for Christmas??!!”

HE: “We’re not into Christmas. Never have been.”

I was so looking forward to seeing how they were going to decorate the little house… Oh well.

(Loyal readers of this lofty blog no doubt recall that I am in no way over-the-top about Christmas…)

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Okay.

Here’s this!

I hear that train a-coming, honey!!

Johnny Cash, in front of Folsom Prison, 1968!!

And here’s this (again), while we’re at it! One of my favorite songs of all time!! Johnny Cash, “Folsom Prison Blues” LIVE, 1968!!

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And here are a few more photos from the Bad Seeds’ show in Dresden on Sunday!!

George & Larry!

And here’s this! Nick Cave in “Fucking Dresden — so beautiful!” I concur!!

And another WONDERFUL shot of Nick–

Tonight & tomorrow, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Croatia! Tomorrow is SOLD OUT, but you can buy tickets here for tonight if you hurry — and if, you know, you , like, live down the block…!!

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All righty.

That is it!

I am off to town to run the various errands.

Have a terrific Tuesday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

Speaking of poetry in August…

Yes, I am still reading John Cooper Clarke’s really long autobiography (and still loving it!!) I Wanna Be Yours (Picador UK, 2020).

So, from the punk poet himself, John Cooper Clarke, a punk poetry recital on London TV in 1980: “Beasley Street”. Enjoy, gang!

Monday Swings Around Again!

August 3, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

As you can see, I did not make it back here to the blog yesterday. But never fear, here I am now!

I did go to the Sunday Mass at the Children of Mary convent yesterday. Wow, are the grounds amazing. You would never, ever, EVER, in a million years, guess that a convent was hidden up in those woods — unless somebody told you about it.

Obviously, it is way out in the country. And then you follow a twisting, turning gravel road — up and up, surrounded by trees — and then suddenly there are a bunch of old cabins and barns. Some cows and sheep. Some sacred statues hidden among all the trees. And you are there.

About 20 Sisters live there, and they basically built the chapel themselves (25 years ago), which is like a really large and incredibly peaceful, beautiful log cabin-ish kind of thing.

Really, just beautiful.

It turns out, though, that the convent is not that far from my house but I live directly on the other side of it from where my girlfriend lives (in town). So, coming from her direction, it felt like we were way out in the middle of fucking nowhere yesterday — and that’s pretty much where my house is! In the middle of fucking nowhere!

But I digress!

Anyway, I’m glad I had the opportunity to experience it. Plus, it was supposed to rain yesterday, but it didn’t. It was a beautiful day.

Here’s another photo I found online:

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Today, I have quite a few things to do here at my desk, so I need to get started on that soon.

Plus, since I didn’t post yesterday, I have a ton of “here’s this’s” today!!

So let’s get started!!

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First, this was very, very interesting!

From Ross K. Nichols’ Sunday School, yesterday afternoon:

“The Bible tells us that one family was entrusted with the care of Israel’s most sacred objects, including the ark of the covenant and the scroll of Moses kept beside it. The biblical writers use different terminology for this family. Were they priests or not?

“In this study, we will survey competing priestly claims, disputed genealogies, and traces of an ancient struggle preserved by biblical writers.

“Then something remarkable happens: the ark disappears, the scroll vanishes from view, and the family entrusted with their care is no longer mentioned.

“What happened to the Bible’s most holy things, and could the words of one member of the chosen family help us carry on without them?”

The Disappearance of the Bible’s Most Holy Things (1 hr):

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From the Mid-America Arts Alliance:

Artist and Arts Organization Opportunities and Deadlines:

“(MAAA) is accepting pitches from creators interested in showcasing local artists, cultural events, and creative communities across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Native nations that share these geographies. Selected contributors will receive $250 to capture 10 short vertical smartphone videos (15+ seconds each) and provide a brief written description. Arts in Mid-America will edit the footage, add narration, and share the finished videos on its social media channels, with contributors receiving credit. The opportunity is open for events taking place between August and December 2026. Check out this example video for an idea of how your footage will be used.”

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Yesterday was the anniversary of the death of Bill Burroughs!

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Here are the Rolling Stones looking happy in London in 1969!

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And Saturday was the Heavenly Birthday of one of my all-time favorite people, Jim Carroll!

From Phyllis Stein! Jim with Keith in NYC, 1980. Yes, Jim Carroll was TALL!!

Oh, and here’s this. Being retired now (!!) gives me time to do all sorts of interesting things — like look through books I’ve owned for a million years!

I took this book of poems by Jim Carroll down from my bookshelf last week —

The book came out in Spring of 1986, after I’d taken that amazing songwriting class with Jim Carroll at the West Side’ Y’ in NYC for several months in 1984.

I flipped open the book and discovered this on the title page:

And then I remembered how, when I presented the book to him at the bookstore in NYC to have him sign it, in that intensely thick, inimitable, high-pitched NY accent, Jim said: “Marilyn! How ya been?”

It just thrilled me that he remembered me.

Had I not retired 2 weeks ago, I would not have taken that book down from my bookshelf last week, and I would never have remembered that beautiful little moment of my long-lived life…

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Okay.

Here’s this!

From Phyllis Stein!! Information about how to watch this movie online!!

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Okay.

I had tons more photos from the Bad Seeds’ show in Brighton, but it turns out, that couple who were in Brighton — and who I now follow on Instagram — actually attended the show in Dresden, Germany, yesterday and so I will sort of move along to Dresden!

From that same couple:

Oh — well, here’s this. George Vjestica posted this of the crowd in Brighton, nearly 50,000 people:

Warren Ellis, waiting on a plane to Dresden!!

Warren Ellis on an elevator in Dresden!!

The set list!

And this was really great.

This morning, Nick Cave sent out a Red Hand File about his homecoming in Brighton. He said, in part:

“…I want to thank everyone who came to the concert – so many faces I recognised from years gone by. It was a homecoming in many different ways, and although part of me is relieved the Preston Park show is behind me – sometimes my job is so completely and emotionally overwhelming – I’m happy we could, for a delirious moment in time, create a place where the absent and the present could dance together. Again, thank you….”

You can read it in full HERE.

NICK AND KYLIE, PRESTON PARK, PHOTOGRAPH BY CHLOE IRVING

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Croatia next — on August 4th & 5th — but the show on August 5th is SOLD OUT. You can buy tickets to Tuesday’s show HERE.

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And that is it for now!!

The laundry is actually already done.

And now I’m gonna head out for another one of those amazing walks because the weather is beautiful yet again.

And then I’m gonna get to work around here.

Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Happy Sunday!

August 2, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

I might check in later with a post, I’m not sure. But I’m getting ready to head to town here, to attend Mass at the Children of Mary convent up in the woods!!

I’ll try to get photos…

Meanwhile, have a happy Sunday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting! See ya! 🙋‍♀️

A wonderful Saturday is upon us!

August 1, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Cloudy, grey, humid — but still! What a great day!

Before I forget — I will not be posting tomorrow, at least not in the morning, because I am indeed going to attend Sunday Mass at that convent hidden up in the hills! And I need to be at my girlfriend’s house over in town by 8:30AM.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to get any photos because I really don’t like having my phone with me in church, but we’ll see. The grounds are allegedly just beautiful, so I might want to try to get photos of that.

I did indeed tune into the the online Collapse Press poetry reading last night! It was really engaging. But it sure made me miss the poetry readings I used to attend all the time in NYC, before any of that kind of stuff was online.

Back when everything was more personal…

And then I remembered —

ME (remembering): “Oh wait. I was one of the pioneers in getting poetry and spoken word readings online!”

Marilyn’s Room, Inc. sometimes partnered with Broadcast.com and Psuedo.com back in the late 1990s in NYC, and I brought all kinds of writers and poets to be on the live broadcasts for the very first time! Back when all of that impersonal Internet stuff was brand new!

How quickly we forget…

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From Metrograph Weekend, an interview with Tsai Ming-liang!

His 1998 movie, The Hole, is now on 35mm and currently showing at Metrograph in NYC.

I love that movie!!! It’s sort of indescribable and it is so entertaining. (I love all his movies.)

One of my favorite scenes from the film:

The Hole by Tsai Ming-liang | Trailer HD:

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Okay.

Here’s this!!

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers! Smoking in Amsterdam in 1977! I love that HAIR!!!

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And I absolutely loved this!

I thought I knew all of Ethan Russell’s photos of Keith from 1972! But this was a new one!

Keith smoking backstage in LA, on the 1972 Exile On Main St. Tour:

And here’s another one of Keith with Buddy Guy on his 90th birthday.

(Oh, and when I was at lunch with my “buddy” Steve yesterday, he told me that one of our mutual friends from high school will be in NYC with her husband in October to see the Buddy Guy 90th Birthday Bash at Radio City Music Hall!! Buy tickets here!)

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From Phyllis Stein.

A lovely photo of the late, great playwright Sam Shepard!

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And now let’s return to Brighton!!

First — today and tomorrow is the Nick Cave Cinema Takeover at Duke of York’s Picturehouse in Brighton! (It’s probably going on right now. Well, I’ll be, um, curious to see how people respond to some of these films, gang…)

And that random couple I started following around (via Instagram) on Thursday had some great photos from yesterday!!

And the HUGE surprise of the night was when Kylie Minogue joined Nick and the Bad Seeds onstage. There were literally TONS of videos and photos of that, but here are just a couple:

And here’s this, while we’re at it!! From way back in 1995!

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ft. Kylie Minogue – “Where The Wild Roses Grow“:

And a couple more photos from the concert last night:

It really looked like everyone had such a great time in Brighton the past couple of days. I had so much fun scrolling through all the videos and photos.

The tour resumes in Dresden, Germany on Sunday. You can buy tickets here!

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And I think that is it for now!! I gotta lot of work to tackle here at my desk today, so I’m gonna get started!

Enjoy your Saturday, wherever you are in the world, gang!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

From Brighton, last night!!

Where to begin?!?!

July 31, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Lots to post about this morning and so little time!

First–

Well, I was trying to collect whatever photos I could that people were posting from Brighton yesterday. Here are the 3 that I saved:

Then these 2 are from a couple whom I don’t know. First, she is posting a letter to the Red Hand Files inside the Resident Record Shop! Then they are out on Jubilee Street:

But then, when I got on Instagram this morning to look for more fan photos from Brighton– Lo! & behold!!

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds did a secret surprise 4-song concert from the rooftop up above the Resident Record Shop early this morning!

Details HERE at NME:

“Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds surprise Brighton fans with rooftop gig ahead of huge homecoming show

“Fucking Brighton!” declared Cave as they performed a stripped-back four-song impromptu set ahead of their gig at Preston Park …” – [by Andy Trendell]

The article (link above )includes some video footage of the impromptu concert.

And this from George Vjestica, after the quick surprise show:

From Jim Sclavunos, BEFORE the secret concert! Dropping hints!

And here’s a shot from the brief concert itself!

We’ll see how the rest of the day unfolds! The concert is tonight!

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And here’s this–

Apparently, Buddy Guy turned 90 yesterday!! Seems like there was a party and Keith was there!

And here’s this — Buddy Guy and the Rolling Stones share experiences about being onstage together (5 mins):

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And here’s the Clash in 1980!!

And here’s this! “Somebody Got Murdered,” 1980 — from their legendary album Sandinista!

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And here’s this!!

The Rolling Stones on Montauk in 1975! Just prior to their US Tour– and yes! Keith is smoking…

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Okay, so!

Debbie and I had a really great time at the Archive Lounge yesterday, even though the musicians who were scheduled to play, never showed up! But it gave us time to chat and just have some fun.

And, oddly enough, while we were sitting there, chatting and having some fun — the owner from the bookstore there at the Historic Arcade came into the lounge to speak to me!

You can imagine my shock — that he recognized me and that he even knew I was in the lounge.

Anyway, he did indeed offer me a book signing in September when my new novel comes out! And he went over all the various things they will do to publicize it. (There will be 2 other writers at the same book signing there at the store.)

He said that he didn’t actually like my book — much like my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn, he couldn’t finish it. However, he said that he knows he has customers who will want to read it, so YAY!! What a big-hearted guy!!

I will keep you posted…

My upcoming novel — I guess you either love it or , you know, it gives you nightmares… pre-order it here!!

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And now I need to take care of some stuff before I head out to have lunch with my buddy Steve!!

In case I gave you the wrong impression yesterday — that Bummies on Main is indeed a completely deserted restaurant out West somewhere…

This is how it looked inside at Christmas!

Bummies on Main, not deserted in Newark, Ohio

And that’s it for now.

It will be fun keeping up with all the photos and videos that get posted from Brighton today! And I’m also planning on tuning in to this later this evening (it’s online and it’s free!):

From Collapse Press-– a poetry reading!

“The Friday Collapse

The Friday Collapse is a bicoastal, virtual performance series with features and an open mic. It happens on the last Friday of the month, 6:30 PST and 9:30 EST. We run it on zoom and we usually stream it live on Facebook, too.

Hosted by Collapse Press, Paul Corman Roberts and E. Lynn Alexander, with poets, banter, and those talking squares we’ve all grown to love. Come hang out with us.”

Okay!

Have a fantastic Friday, wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this, shall we??

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, “Jubilee Street,” LIVE in Copenhagen (2018)! Enjoy, gang.

We’re getting it figured out around here!

July 30, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Wow, I’m tired this morning.

I slept great, so I’m not sure what’s up. I absolutely need a nap. But I did have a great evening last night.

Mostly, lots of texting — in between studying French, reading Jesus’ Bible: A Concise History of the Hebrew Scriptures, still reading John Cooper Clarke’s autobiography, I Wanna Be Yours (it’s a really long book, but I’m almost done and I’m still loving it) —

I also got texts from several people, basically all at once. Including from Wayne — who really got me chuckling, I must say. His text auto-corrected itself and so, unbeknownst to him, he updated me on his Cadillac surgery from yesterday. It took me a moment to realize he’d had “cataract” surgery. But that sent us off on a little tangent that was so funny. (I then remembered perfectly why I had married Wayne…)

I also got a few texts from my buddy Steve, the guy I’ve been friends with since we were 11. He asked me out for lunch for Friday! So he and I are meeting at Bummies on Main tomorrow! It should be really fun!

I love this specific photo because it looks like it’s totally abandoned out West somewhere…

I also got a few texts from the girlfriend who told me recently about the hidden Convent out in the woods! We might be going to Mass there together this coming Sunday morning!! Not confirmed yet, but I hope so!!

After I was done reading and studying and texting all at the same time — I lay in bed listening to this on LibriVox. It is read by David Barnes, who is one of my favorite readers on LibriVox. (This is the YouTube link, but it is the very same audiobook that’s on LibriVox.)

Written in 1373, Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich (7 hrs):

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I thought this announcement today from the Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC was really cool. (This is the theatre under the West Bank Cafe on W. 42nd Street.)

“The Laurie Beechman Theatre and York Theatre Company are thrilled to introduce the first three “Stars To Be” as part of their new Star to Be Project, which gives support and performance opportunities to the next generation of theater and cabaret artists.

Created in response to the rising costs of producing live performance in New York City, the program removes financial barriers for emerging performers, writers, and creators while ensuring the theatre can continue its legacy as a vital incubator for new work. The goal is to bring these talents to a wider audience through solo performances, guest spot opportunities, and Beechman sponsored industry showcases.”

The first show in the series will be on August 27th. You can get info and tickets HERE.

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Johnny Depp’s Art Exhibit, “Figures of the Fringe”, is headed to Shanghai in August! (I believe this is the same “A Bunch of Stuff” exhibit that I saw in NYC with Wayne and just loved.)

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On a very sad note–

Glen Hansard, an Irish singer-songwriter/musician, died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin yesterday. (Here is his obituary in the NY Times.)

He was not a musician I was familiar with, but there were outpourings of grief all over Instagram yesterday. Including this:

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Okay, here’s this lovely photo of Johnny Thunders from Phyllis Stein.

In NYC in 1973 (photo by Toshi Matsuo):

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And the huge Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ homecoming bash in Brighton has officially gotten underway. There have been a couple of videos on Instagram but no photos yet! (A really, really long line to get into the Resident record shop there.)

But in the meantime, here’s this!! From the fantastic FB page!

By tomorrow, there should probably be a lot more photos, and then tomorrow night is the actual SOLD OUT concert.

I’m guessing it’s gonna be off the charts!!

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And I believe that is it for now!

I’m gonna go out and take a walk and see if it helps me get my energy back.

This evening I’ll be at the Historic Arcade, in the Archive Bottle Shop & Lounge with Debbie!! A little live acoustic music, beer, wine, and charcuterie boards!! Plus, most importantly, (quiet) conversation!!! Yay!

Okay.

Have a great Thursday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this! (It’s got a lot of Keith stuff!!)

The Rolling Stones – Speaking In Tongues | The Official Podcast (Episode 6) Enjoy, gang!