Another one of those happy days!

July 15, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Yes, today is my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn’s birthday!!

Yes, exactly one week before mine — and I have known her for 43 years now. That’s a whole lot of “happy happy” memories, gang.

They are of course having an awful heatwave in NYC, and she’s still recovering from her hand surgery, but I hope she has a terrific day!! And a fantastic year!!

Valerie, middle, the bottom row. The old gang at Val’s place in Brooklyn, about 40 years ago.

And guess what else??

It is Johnny Thunders heavenly birthday today!

And while we’re at, here’s this, from Phyllis Stein!

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Okay, this came in this morning, in case you weren’t aware of it!

If you purchase the new Rolling Stones’ record, Foreign Tongues, on iTunes, you get a Bonus Track! “Bad Luck Hideaway”!

Purchase HERE.

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This short documentary video is free to stream online–

“Code For the People: The Human Story of the Open Web“

“The open web is arguably the world’s most vital invisible utility – and it is under siege.

“We have traded a free internet for a collection of walled gardens. Today, a handful of digital landlords use algorithms to dictate our reality, while closed AI threatens to change the ways we connect. We are at a breaking point: we can either let gatekeepers continue to consolidate their power, or we can reclaim the open source spirit that built the web in the first place.

“From acclaimed director Bao Nguyen (BTS: The Return, Be Water, The Greatest Night in Pop), Code for the People is a documentary short exploring the past, present, and contested future of the open web….”

WATCH IT HERE, Free (19 mins)

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And here’s this grant update from LGBTQ+ Heritage Alliance–

2026 National Grant Program
for LGBTQ+ Historic Places

The LGBTQ+ Heritage Alliance facilitates the first nationwide grant program dedicated to documenting, recognizing, and interpreting historic places connected to LGBTQ+ culture and heritage in the United States.

Building on a successful pilot round, the program continues to promote a fuller understanding of the contributions of LGBTQ+ people in American history with a focus on historic preservation projects.

Learn about the program and how to APPLY here!

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A bit of happy news of my own —

I received the first official submission for the M. Christian tribute anthology last night — 2 pieces of flash fiction from the wonderful poet/author Thad Rutkowski (writing under a pen name). And I am just delighted with them!!

It really brought such a smile to my face, gang. And BTW — Thad has a new poetry collection out from Finishing Line Press: Tracks in Snow. You can purchase it here.

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The Franz Kafka Museum in Prague has new hours!!

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And here are a couple of Tours of UK/ Europe that are ending!!

Joe Satriani!

Steve Vai!

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Here’s Ric Ocasek in the studio in 1980! Who’s he with?? Let’s take a look!!

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Another great one of Willy DeVille from Phyllis Stein!!

Willy in Montreux in July 1982!

And let’s hear this gem again, just because I love it so fucking much!! “Just to Walk that Little Girl Home”! From Savoir Faire, 1979:

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This was posted on Sean Stone’s page yesterday and it actually helped me get through a REALLY difficult afternoon —

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And if that isn’t enough– a bunch more Bad Seeds stuff!

In no particular order!!

A long shot of the Madrid show from George Vjestica:

The Bad Seeds in Nimes!

Nick Cave in Nimes!!

Tonight they play Vienne, France. You can still buy tickets HERE!

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And yesterday was the anniversary of the death of Nick Cave’s son, Arthur. Nick sent out a very beautiful tribute in his Red Hand Files. He said, in part:

“…I am acknowledging that although this day marks the 11th anniversary of the worst day of our lives, it is also a beautiful day, with the sun shining, a child playing, a man enjoying a cigarette, a world quietly waking and moving forward…”

You can read it in full HERE.

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And I believe that is it for now!!

I will be with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat this afternoon, but we are seriously “counting down” around here, gang: FOUR more caregiving shifts are left.

I am getting my energy back and my excitement for LIFE.

Meanwhile, have a wonder-filled Wednesday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

Yes, just when the heat, humidity, and constant DRIVING is making you lose your fucking mind—

THIS fantastic song comes on your playlist and suddenly the whole world is beautiful again.

“Besame Mucho, ” by Andrea Bocelli. Enjoy, gang. Play it loud and have a blessed day.

A Happy Tuesday All Around!

July 14, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Well, first off!

The cats around here are seriously hyper today — could this have something to do with it??

From the Cainer Horoscope newsletter this morning:

The sky opens up in a big way this week. Between July 15th and 21st, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Jupiter all move into alignment together.

We're more open to new ideas, more drawn to people and experiences outside our usual circle, and more willing to follow our own instincts instead of someone else's script.

Ambitions come into sharper focus, old talents get a chance to resurface, and you'll find that a little boldness goes a long way.

The invitation this week is simple: stay curious, aim a little higher than usual, and give yourself room to think and live differently.

Interesting, though, right?? We’ll see how this plays out!

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Gorgeous weather again here today, although it’s gonna get HOT by this afternoon.

Which is good, because I only have a ton of fucking errands to run after I see my clients later…. but, you know, at least I’m still alive and it isn’t raining.

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Okay!

Well, since I got a lot of work done yesterday at my desk — and also took a walk, did yoga, etc. — I don’t have a whole lot to post about today.

Although the good news is that, so far, my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn’s hand surgery went very well yesterday! So all of these delays are almost all behind us, and soon we will launch the new artists & writers podcast !! Yay!!

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A short one from James Tabor this morning — taken from the intro to his online course, “Quest for the Historical Paul.”

Does Paul Misread His Two Favorite Bible Verses? (3 mins):

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This one was from a few days ago, but in case you missed it–

The Rolling Stones: Foreign Tongues | Zane Lowe Interview (1 hr):

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And oddly enough, the only “here’s this’s” I have for today are about the Bad Seeds.

So, here’s this!!

To kill time between the show the other night in Madrid, Spain, and the upcoming show tonight in Nimes, France, Jim Scavulos took in some ruins!

However, Warren Ellis used that time to dash quickly to Cleveland — a trip of approximately 4,350 miles, and which takes about 17 hours each way — just to say hello! Yay! (I was going to dash over to say a quick “hello” back, but Cleveland is a good 2 hours from here and I hadn’t had my coffee yet.)

Anyway.

He also delivered a warning that not all rock icons are willing to make publicly; “Don’t Smoke In Bed”!!

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An interesting photo of Nick Cave in Montreux, with a fan (?):

And onstage in Madrid!

As we already discussed, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Nimes, France, tonight. You can buy tickets here!!

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And aside from all that…

I did get word from another local bookstore yesterday that I could drop off a review copy of my new novel, The Curse of Our Profound Disorder, anytime this week! I will probably get there on Friday.

That particular store does a ton of promoting for local writers, so maybe it could lead to an instore signing of some sort. We shall see.

Other than that —

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Okay. Let’s close with this today.

From Warren Ellis’s sage advice while in bed earlier…

Nina Simone’s heart-wrenching, “Don’t Smoke In Bed”. 1958. From her debut album, Little Girl Blue. Enjoy, gang.

“Don’t Smoke In Bed”

I left a note on his dresser
And my old wedding ring
With these few goodbye words
How can I sing
Goodbye old sleepy head
I’m packing you in like I said

Take care of everything
I’m leaving my wedding ring
Don’t look for me
I’ll get ahead
Remember darling
Don’t smoke in bed

Don’t look for me
I’ll get ahead
Remember darling
Don’t smoke in bed

c – 1958 – Willard Robison

Okay, here it is!

July 13, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Here is the official Call for Submissions, if you are interested, or if you know a writer or publisher who might be interested.

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July 13, 2026

Dear Writer or Publisher,

This is an invitation to contribute to a tribute anthology to honor, celebrate, and remember the life and works of our beloved friend and colleague, M. Christian.

Publisher: Angel Ackerman, Parisian Phoenix Publishing, Easton, PA.

Editors: Marilyn Jaye Lewis; Ralph Greco, Jr.

The Work: Your contribution can be a new work of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art – or a reprint. The primary requirement is that it be a work that connects you in some way with M. Christian – did he inspire something you wrote or created? Did you write something together? Did he publish something you wrote? Did you publish something he wrote?

This is a celebration of the world surrounding M. Christian as we knew it. Along with your short bio, you are asked to submit a statement about how your contribution is connected to Chris.

Length: A maximum word count of 5K is suggested, but we are open to considering whatever you feel moved to send in.

Compensation: As of now, this is a labor of love on the parts of the Publisher and the Editors. Discounts will be offered on contributor copies.

Deadline: October 1, 2026

Please send all submissions to:

marilynjayelewis@protonmail.com

Disclaimers:

Since much of what we will be publishing in this tribute anthology will be adult-themed, we ask that you be of legal age in your territory to contribute.

We ask that you refrain from themes of pedophilia or bestiality.

If you are contributing a reprint, please ensure you have all legal rights to the work.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to any writers who you feel would likely be interested in contributing work to honor M. Christian.

Thank you for any interest you have in joining this project! I look forward to hearing from you.

Marilyn Jaye Lewis

Just a really beautiful day

July 13, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

So, not only do I have the entire day to sit at my desk and focus on the M. Christian tribute anthology stuff, but it is truly a gorgeous day here, weather-wise.

So sunny. Not humid at all. And only about 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

And I just now took a lovely walk to the post office.

My first husband, Chong, had sent me a Certified letter. And while I was guessing it was something for my upcoming birthday, when I opened the letter — right there in the lobby of the post office — I was not expecting to SMILE so fucking much!!

Not only was it money (yay) — and a lot more money than I would have expected — but he had also put together a little greeting on a piece of paper and folded the money inside it (a homemade “birthday card”):

I just smiled and smiled and smiled.

I even took the long way home, because I didn’t want to stop being out in the beautiful weather and smiling.

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Okay.

I don’t have a lot to post about today.

However, this happened!

When the Rolling Stones had their first gig at the Marquee Club, it officially started the “group” — meaning, it was the first time they publicly went by the name “Rollin’ Stones”.

The anniversary of the gig was yesterday– a lot of sites posted tributes. Here’s a couple:

And here’s Keith at Joshua Tree in 1968. Photo by Michael Cooper:

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Here’s this from Phyllis Stein!

A really great one of David Jo and Johnny Thunders in 1974!!

And speaking of 1974 — what a year that was. Truly the nadir of my entire existence. So many horrific things happened to me that year, that I don’t know how I would have survived it without rock & roll records to listen to and pictures to look at in rock magazines, while hiding up in my room… Jesus.

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Ooh! Speaking of Jesus–

Ross K. Nichols recommended that those of us in his private Yachad Group get the following book, so I did, and it is really interesting — what the Old Testament would have been like in the time that Jesus would have been reading it:

Jesus’ Bible: A Concise History of the Hebrew Scriptures by Christopher Dost

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And speaking of Ross K. Nichols, this was also very interesting–

From his Sunday School class yesterday.

“No human figure dominates the pages of the Hebrew Bible more than David — the sweet Psalmist and celebrated shepherd king of Israel. But one biblical writer dared to tell what another desperately tried to hide.

In this class, Ross Nichols compares Samuel, Chronicles, and the Psalms to explore how David’s story was preserved, reshaped, and, in one unforgettable case, quietly covered over.”

The Truth About David They Tried to Hide (45 mins):

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And here are a couple more things from the Bad Seeds’ show in Madrid the other night– (again, there have been tons of great videos, but not a whole lot of just plain photos):

The set list!! (Which actually looks sort of intensely tight — no encore. But look at that chunk moving toward the end, especially: “The Mercy Seat,” followed by “Papa Won’t Leave You Henry,” “Red Right Hand,” “The Weeping Song,” “Jubilee Street” — then just sort of rip your heart out and stomp all over it with “Hollywood”. Then “Into My Arms,” then goodnight! That must have just been fucking INTENSE!!)

Okay. Anyway.

And here’s this — The Bad Seeds onstage in Madrid:

Tomorrow through Thursday, they play 3 different venues in France. Buy tickets HERE.

And then they’re taking a long-ish break to ~~come to Crazeysburg and celebrate my birthday next week~~ — Oops, I meant, to I guess relax?? I don’t know.

But at the end of July, is the great big bunch of stuff to celebrate the homecoming show in Brighton, but the show itself is SOLD OUT!

Then, things resume on August 2nd and continue at a heady pace for the rest of the month.

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And that is it for today!!

I’m gonna finish up the laundry and then go out and water all my many flowers… And then get to work on the official Call for Submissions for the M. Christian antho and send it out.

I hope you have a magnificent Monday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this.

In keeping with the above-mentioned Sunday School class about King David–

I have always loved this version of Leonard Cohen’s masterpiece, “Hallelujah,” by k.d. lang.

From her album Hymns of the 49th Parallel, 2004. Enjoy, gang.

“Hallelujah”

I heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
You don’t really care for music, do ya?
Well it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
Well she tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne and cut your hair
And from your lips she drew Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Baby I’ve been here before
I’ve seen this room and I’ve walked the floor
used to live alone before I knew ya
But I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch
Our love is not a victory march
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
It’s not a cry that you hear at night
It’s not someone who’s seen the light
It’s a cold and broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah…

c – 1984 Leonard Cohen/ 2004 k.d.lang

We have all the earmarks of a perfect day here! Sort of!

July 12, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Except for all that stuff at the beach and everybody looking like they’re on vacation.

We don’t have any of that.

However.

It is sunny and sort of mild-ish. And the fantastic AC is still working splednidly — this is sometimes spelled “splendidly” but it means the very same thing — so I will take what I can get. Yay!

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Wow, so first let me say that I am really, really happy with the enthusiastic responses we’re getting from other writers about contributing to the M. Christian tribute anthology.

And these are writers I have not worked with in such a long time. I know M. Christian would be so happy about all of this. So I am going to do my absolute best to make this a true homage to him.

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I need to share this with you.

Loyal readers of this lofty blog no doubt recall that my dearest friend on Earth. Paul Martin, passed away from AIDS back in 1999. We had been best friends since high school. We met in the Theater Dept., where he designed and built all the sets for our school plays.

As an adult, Paul designed and built sets for professional theaters and then got into doing the same in the movie industry.

One studio he worked for was called Carolco. He specifically moved to North Carolina to work for them.

Well, yesterday, Metrograph sent out their weekend newsletter and there was a wonderful essay about Carolco!!

When Carolco Was King

“DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN MULTIPLEX movies—we’re talking glossy, obscenely budgeted, star-studded mainstream entertainments primed for blockbuster status—were not only fun, but quite possibly kind of renegade and daring at the same time? For at least a solid decade, a heavy-hitting salvo of the period’s most pop-culture defining smashes, like Ted Kotcheff’s First Blood (1982), James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and Paul Verhoeven’s Total Recall (1990) and Basic Instinct (1992), were all coming from one studio: Carolco Pictures. They were an indie Icarus who out-stratosphered the Tinseltown majors…”

Wow, such memories, gang. Not just because the movies were so much fun back then, but Paul always had the best stories about working on all the various movie sets. For me, movies just aren’t the same anymore.

” [Carolco] made hugely successful films with respectable casts, defied the system, and managed to have a good time during that period. They raised their profile in an era when the majors were perceived to be the voice of American films, and really broke the studio stranglehold on things.”

Me, long ago, at Paul’s beach house on Wrightsville Beach, NC. Photo by Paul..

And while we’re at it– Paul’s favorite movie! He absolutely LOVED working on this film. (It was filmed on the Carolco lot in North Carolina, but it was produced by New Line.)

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All right.

Well, here’s this!

More great ones from Phyllis Stein!!

Johnny Thunders!! By that well known Punk photographer, No Info!!

And, wow, gang, did I used to LOVE this magazine!! Rock Scene. It usually featured photos that you couldn’t really find in the other rock magazines back then. There was a local drugstore within walking distance from me when I was 13 that sold Rock Scene. It was the only place I could find it.

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And moving on to the Bad Seeds in Madrid…

Once again, there were TONS of videos posted from the show and it looked like another great one. But I couldn’t find many photos that really jumped out at me.

But here’s this!

Before the show, George Vjestica takes in the Art!!

Warren Ellis took in (wore) local sculptures, and warned that Madrid last night was going to be hot, but he does not say whether he meant the city itself would be hot, or the Bad Seeds’ show would be hot, or maybe stuff going on in his hotel bed later? Perhaps all 3?? We just simply do not have enough info to know for sure:

And here’s Nick Cave! (He seems a little hot, so maybe that was it…)

Okay!! Next, the Bad Seeds play 3 different venues in France between July 14th thru the 17th, you can BUY TICKETS HERE!!

Don’t forget, the huge homecoming show in Brighton is SOLD OUT. However, you can still go there and do this!!

“Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will take over Resident, Brighton’s legendary independent record shop, as part of a series of activities in the city around their huge homecoming show in Preston Park on 31st July.

The shop will host a merchandise pop up with an array of existing and new items on offer, including a limited edition vinyl release (details to follow next week), discounts across album catalogue, giveaways, and a special post box where fans can send physical letters to Nick Cave’s The Red Hand Files.

The merchandise pop up will include a range specially designed for the Brighton show – only available at Resident and the Preston Park event, plus an exclusive tote bag made in collaboration with Resident, as well as classic Bad Seed and Cave Things items.”

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And I guess that is it for today.

Have a swingin’ Sunday, 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!!

Wayne texted this to me yesterday. It was very interesting, indeed.

I am really kinda stunned that not only did I not see this show, I did not even hear about it. Granted, I was (briefly) away at college at the time, but I majored in TV-watching and I of course LOVED the Stones…

Anyway! Go, Keith!! (And thanks, Wayne!) (BTW, this is AI)

Keith Richards heard Carson’s joke from backstage — grabbed a guitar — Carson apologized on live TV (15 mins). Enjoy!

Another Exhausting Saturday in the Hinterlands!

July 11, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

But as you all know, one week from tomorrow, I am retiring from caregiving.

So the exhaustion won’t last much longer.

However, now most of the exhaustion is coming from telling each of my clients that I’m retiring and will be focusing strictly on the writing again. Everyone has been very understanding, but I’m also adding to their feelings of general “loss”, and I really hate to do that.

All of my clients have already lost so much. But you know. I have to get back to my life. And everyone has been so accepting of that, even though they are sad about it.

So. Okay.

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I am making steady progress on tracking down writers from the “old crowd” to let them know about the tribute anthology for M. Christian.

And my phone chat with Ralph Greco Jr. on Thursday went great. I will keep you posted as the project unfolds, but he and I intend to have some sort of “in person” reading or event when the anthology comes out– somewhere on the East Coast, so that as many contributors as possible can be involved. (Which is sort of weird to say, since Chris was based on the West Coast, but anyway…)

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Okay!

This very important thing happened yesterday, too:

Yes, the Rolling Stones’ new album, Foreign Tongues, is officially out!!

So far, this is my favorite song, but as you know, I’m not super fond of “visualizers”. I prefer to just listen to the fucking song. But anyway–

“Mr. Charm” — The Rolling Stones, 2026:

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I have sort of a bunch of “here’s this’s” today, since I couldn’t properly post here yesterday!

So let’s get on with it.

Here’s this!!

A great shot by Bob Gruen of Patti Smith, backstage with her sister, in NYC 1976!!

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Another great one from Phyllis Stein!!

Billy Idol in London, 1978!! Photo by Gus Stewart:

And while we’re at it– Billy Idol & Generation X with “Your Generation” from 1978. Check this out, though, Marc Bolan introduces them!!

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I love this one of Ronnie Wood!! It’s just so Ronnie….

Backstage in Philadelphia, 1981. Photo by Ken Regan:

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And here’s this!

The Cars onstage in 1980!! (Well, 2 of them, anyway…)

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And, in addition to the Bad Seeds, Keanu Reeves with his band Dogstar also played in Lisbon the other night!!

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Which of course leads us to–

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds in Lisbon the other night!!

In no particular order…

George Vjestica hangs out with nice people in Lisbon!

Jim Scavulos gets to the gig!!

The set list!!

Nick Cave on the screen!

Also Nick Cave but on the actual stage!

And Nick Cave looking darkly fantastic!!

Honestly, just based on videos and photos posted by fans and band members alike, it looked like everyone had a great time at that show — onstage and off.

And while we’re at it, here’s this!

NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS | “Carnage” | NOS Alive 26 (Lisbon) | July 9th:

The Bad Seeds play Spain tonight, and then from July 14th – 17th, they play 3 different venues in France. You can BUY TICKETS HERE!

After that, it’s the great big homecoming show in Brighton, but that one is SOLD OUT.

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Okay, so I believe that is it.

I am continuing to absolutely LOVE my new glasses, gang. The prescription is perfect. The “old” glasses (which were actually still pretty new — less than a year old) made me totally nuts. The prescription was really wonky. So in addition to my constant exhaustion, not being able to see clearly, especially while I was driving and driving and driving, made me so fucking depressed.

Anyway. I can see again now and it feels great.

Meanwhile, I need to get myself ready for a really LONG shift with a client. So I gotta scoot.

Enjoy your Saturday, though, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

An oldie from Johnny Cash that I have always adored.

“I’d Just Be Fool Enough (To Fall)”. 1960. Enjoy, gang. I always do.

Oops! Forgot Again!

July 10, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

No post today, gang. I have to head out early again.

However, I do have enough time to tell you that I was able to go over and get my new glasses yesterday!! And now I look really smart!! (Seriously, though, the prescription in these new lenses is 100% perfect!!! I can indeed SEE again!!)

And on that note…

See ya tomorrow!! Have a great Friday, gang, wherever you are in the world!!😄🤓🙋‍♀️

Yes!! The new glasses are ready!

July 9, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

I don’t know if I have time to go out and pick them up today. We’ll see. But certainly by tomorrow afternoon. And I can’t wait!!

I truly hate the glasses I currently have… I am really, really hoping that with those new glasses, I’ll be able to see again!

Okay. So.

The good news is that my “chat” with Sandra (for well over an hour yesterday) went splendidly.

We have both agreed to shelve the TV show for now. And maybe forever. Because we both want to focus on the play. (“The Guide to Being Fabulous”.) Yay!

We are still aiming for the Staged Reading to happen in the Fall, but — and as usual, I can’t go into the details yet on the blog — it will be at an entirely different venue. One I didn’t see coming and I am truly excited, gang.

Wow.

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Okay.

I have a phone chat scheduled at noon today with Ralph Greco, Jr. He was probably M. Christian’s closest friend/colleague. (Ralph is someone I have worked with off and on for 30 years.)

We’ll be going over the basic ideas for the tribute anthology and then I need to formally write up the Call for Submissions. But to be honest, just from the emails I’ve already sent out to people privately, I already have most of the contributors onboard. I maybe only need 3 or 4 more writers.

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On another sad note–

Bonnie Tyler died earlier today. Thanks for everything, Bonnie.

And here’s this again– I will never get tired of this song:

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Switching gears–

Here’s this!

A couple of Rolling Stones!

Ronnie Wood, sort of with wings?

And Bill Wyman, smoking!!!

Oh, and here’s Marlon’s little leg, Keith, Anita, and Mick, in a crowded elevator a long time ago…

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And since I wasn’t here to post to the blog yesterday, I have a bunch of Nick Cave photos!

Another one from Poland:

A bunch of great ones from Stuttgart!

More Stuttgart (I don’t think I posted these yet, but I posted them to my Instagram page already):

Now, I did go to Lisbon (Portugal) yesterday — just quickly — hoping to get my picture taken with Nick Cave, but I couldn’t find him anywhere and had to come straight home. You know, because I’m, like, busy and stuff. However!!

Here are some luckier ducks in Lisbon yesterday!!

The Bad Seeds play Lisbon tonight — or perhaps, now — and you can buy tickets here! And they will be in Spain on Saturday!!

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And that is it for now.

Starting tomorrow, I have EIGHT caregiving shifts left, gang. And then that phase of my life will be over.

I am getting my momentum back, for sure. I am starting to feel my own life returning. But I still have some broken feelings around the edges of my heart. But on we must go. I still have “miles to go before I sleep”…

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.   
His house is in the village though;   
He will not see me stopping here   
To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   
To stop without a farmhouse near   
Between the woods and frozen lake   
The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   
To ask if there is some mistake.   
The only other sound’s the sweep   
Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.

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.

Breakfast-listening music.

The more I listen to this song, the more I think Tom Petty wrote it not only about being a kid and loving rock & roll, but also about loving the Beatles — in particular, the man who became his dear friend later in life and who had recently died: George Harrison. (Verse 2)

Well, needless to say, I love this song. So haunting and beautiful.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. “Dreamville,” 2002. From The Last DJ. Enjoy, gang.

“Dreamville”

Goin’ down to Lillian’s music store
To buy a black diamond string
Gonna wind it up on my guitar
Gonna make that silver sing

Like it was Dreamville
A long time ago
A million miles away
All the trees were green
In Dreamville

I keep wakin’ up all by myself
With a bluejay in my brain
Flappin’ his wings, makin’ me sing
It was just about to rain

Like it was Dreamville
Where I was born
Light years from here
And the air smelled good
In Dreamville
In Dreamville

Like it was Dreamville
A long time ago
Light years from here
And the trees were green
In Dreamville

Ridin’ with my mamma
To Glen Springs Pool
The water was cold
My lips were blue
There was rock-and-roll
Across the dial
When I think of her
It makes me smile

Like it was Dreamville
A long time ago
A million miles away
All the trees were green
In Dreamville, in Dreamville

Yeah it was Dreamville
A long time ago
Light years from here
And the air smelled good
In Dreamville, in Dreamville

c – 2002 – Tom Petty

Gotta scoot!

July 8, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

No post today! Gotta head out early.

Have a wonderful-filled Wednesday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting. See ya tomorrow!!🙋‍♀️☀️

Let the countdown begin

July 7, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

Okay, gang.

Including today, I have 10 more caregiving shifts left with the Agency.

TEN.

I turned in my 2 weeks notice yesterday.

My depression and exhaustion had gotten off the charts, especially last week, when the heat & humidity were off the charts and I still had to transport my clients (and their walkers and wheelchairs, etc.) hither and yon, in & out of the car, and I thought I was going to collapse…

And I finally confronted the fact that my life has been inundated with death & dying & deterioration, every single darn day for the last 2 years. With next to no energy leftover for myself and all my various writing projects.

I had no life left but I was not yet ready to die. What to do, what to do…

I could not take it anymore, the constant depression while trying to smile and help everybody.

Plus, my beloved Honda Civic is a leased car, and with a lease, you can only put a certain number of miles on it, otherwise it costs you additional money when the lease is over.

I was already over my mileage because I was doing NOTHING but driving and driving and driving…. (I still have over a year left on the current lease, though, so I can now put the brakes on that, as it were.)

So, I spoke to the Agency yesterday, gave my notice. And now I’m focused strictly on writing. (Freelance as well as my own works-in-progress.)

And on we go…

Plus, it leaves me very flexible for when the jury duty stuff comes up, so I can get that over with, too.

All righty.

Before I forget — I will not be posting here tomorrow because I have a very early shift in the morning.

But at some point, either this evening or tomorrow afternoon, I will finally be catching up with Sandra to see what “page” we’re on regarding our work on the play, and/or our work on the possible TV pilot.

And regarding the M. Christian tribute anthology — I made some great progress with that yesterday. Mostly continuing to locate people that I haven’t worked with in a long time (all of whom also worked with M. Christian).

Had some great email exchanges, and even some pretty amazing phone chats, with writers & publishers living overseas.

It will be a great feeling to just focus on writing/editing again — which is what I did for many years (until the stupid scamdemic).

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All righty!

Here’s this!

From Ross K. Nichols’ “Sunday School”–

“Scribes changed our Bible. In some cases, they even told us where and why. These are called the Emendations of the Scribes: deliberate alterations, admitted in the fine print of the Masoretic notes by the very scribes credited with preserving the text behind our Bible.”

They Admitted They Changed the Bible! (40 mins):

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And in a totally unrelated “here’s this”–

I forgot to post this the other day!!

The Rolling Stones – Speaking In Tongues | The Official Podcast (Episode 2) (22 mins):

The new album comes out in 3 days…. Pre-order here if you haven’t already!!

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And here’s this!!

Keanu Reeves’ band, Dogstar, is on tour in Europe right now.

Keanu in Berlin!

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And here’s this!!! From yesterday–

The anniversary of the death of the great Louis Armstrong:

And while we’re at it– “Dream A Little Dream of Me”!! 1968:

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And here’s Tom Petty, on a PR trip in NYC in 1976! Not smoking and with no attitude whatsoever!!

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And from Castle Fine Art yesterday — more on Johnny Depp’s new print collection, Yesterday’s Flowers:

Buy signed, limited editions HERE.

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And yesterday, Nick Cave sent out one of those Red Hand Files wherein he answers a great big bunch of questions with very short answers! (Wherein I also discovered that the recent Red Hand File he sent out about the old people & aging that just broke my heart — was actually a made up story…) Anyway.

This one was my favorite:

Q: Why doesn’t Warren play a REAL guitar?

A: I asked him. He said, because when you pick up a real guitar in the Bad Seeds, you end up getting thrown out of the band.

You can read them all, in full — a lot of them are funny — HERE.

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And here are a bunch of Bad Seeds things from the past couple of nights.

Well, first, this one was from that Facebook page that always pops up first thing in the morning, but I honestly have no idea where the photos are from or when: