So this is where THAT’S going

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A grey Tuesday morning here in the Hinterlands. It’s supposed to get sunny later. We’ll see.

But my overall mood — I’m really battling an entire brain full of grey rain.

Yesterday afternoon, my wonderful day off came to a screeching halt when I got a phone call from Seattle. It was my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man’s daughter. She has never called me before — she rarely even texts me. She had awful news — and she was just as shocked by the news as I was.

Her dad’s private nurse — who has been with the family for 6 or 7 years now (she was the private nurse for his 2nd wife when she got ill), and who has had “health problems” for the last week or so, is dying.

As in — in hospice already, in a coma, with only a few days left to live.

I had no clue she had cancer. She’s about 20 years younger than me, and always seemed full of energy and life.

So, not only am I stunned that I will never see or speak to her again, but it also sounds like I’m going to be needed to pick up more responsibilities — time-wise — with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man, and even though he matters so much to me, I am just not prepared to take on anything else. I’ve been aiming all my energy and attention at the writing projects.

We shall see.

I immediately called my supervisor at the Agency yesterday and asked her to please start lining up some additional caregivers for him. But since this is catching us all out of the blue, I might have to pick up some extra hours until the schedules can be arranged. I will find out more later today. But I have been praying, gang, that they find people right away, even though, obviously if they need me, I won’t say no.

The daughter is flying in from Seattle on Sunday, just for 2 days, and she hopes to take her dad to say goodbye to the nurse, if she is still alive by then.

I’m also worried that with the nurse gone now, and since she oversaw his meds, his doctor appointments, his trips to the barber, his lawncare service, etc., there’s even more reasons for the daughter to put him in a nursing home now.

I’m really trying to just sort of ignore everything I’m feeling and just see where everything falls. I think it’s called avoidance, but it’s almost the best I can do right now.

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Meanwhile, before I forget.

A continued thank-you to everyone who is buying 1954 Powder Blue Pickup.

After all these years of watching it sort of float out there in limbo, it really makes me feel so happy to see people have access to it again.

If you missed my post yesterday, I believe the eBook edition is free to download all this week, with or without Kindle Unlimited.

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That’s really kind of it for my brain right now, so here are few “here’s this’s”.

The beautiful Charlie Watts at Villa Nellcote in 1971, during the recording of an album that certainly changed my 12-year-old life forever: Exile On Main St.

And I’m not kidding you when I say that I actually have the very same creamer that’s on the table there. It’s by Johnson Brothers/Wedgewood Group. Back then, the dishes were made in England. (I have the whole set, service for 8.) (I’m a dish-a-holic, if you’re new to the blog. I live alone and yet have more fine china than you can possibly imagine.)

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A very early shot of Keith! 1963:

And then a few years later… he switched out wearing the watch for a pair of handcuffs:

And here’s Keith with Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar, the greatest reggae rhythm duo that ever lived:

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Oh!

Here’s Cuddles McGee this morning, looking out the bedroom window:

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And some more wonderful old photos of Nick Cave.

A multi-patterned Nick in London, 1989:

I don’t know where or when or photo-by-whom, but I love this:

And this one is by Mike Owen:

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And that’s it for now.

My best friend Valerie in Brooklyn and I had a great phone chat yesterday — before the call from Seattle came in.

We are aiming to start the mini-podcast of “Marilyn’s Room” in mid-May. And we’re hoping to have 2 if not 3 episodes out there before I leave for NYC in mid-June. We might even try to do a mini-podcast from my hotel room in NYC, or someplace where we can be in the same room together while we tape it.

That’s the plan, anyway. (And wow, did she tell me a really fun story from the early 80s that she’d never told me about!!! It involved Debbie Harry!!)

So even though I’ve known Val since 1983, there are still great stories for me to hear, too!

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Okay.

I gotta put on my “I’m happy and here to help you” face and scoot to town to see my clients for today.

Have a terrific Tuesday, wherever you are in the world, gang.

Thanks for visiting. (And for buying my books. It means so much to me.)

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this.

The awesome Debbie Harry, onstage with Blondie — 1978!

“One Way or Another”. Enjoy, gang.

Brain Starting to Function!!

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I’ve been having a really nice morning out here in the Hinterlands, and now my brain is actually putting in an appearance, too!

So it should be a nice day-off.

Yay!

Before I forget — it looks like the eBook edition of 1954 Powder Blue Pickup is totally FREE to download this week, with or without Kindle Unlimited. The link is HERE.

And that said — a continued thank you to all of you who have continued to purchase the book!! I just appreciate it so much.

I was actually glancing through the book last night for the first time in a few years, and I just want to say that I don’t remember writing all that filthy dirty stuff!!!

Actually, I do remember.

I remember every moment of it because the Muse was in high gear throughout the writing of that book. (I originally wrote it for Black Lotus Books, and they designed the cover, which I love. But the company soon closed down when they couldn’t get a distributor.)

Anyway, whenever I’m working on a novel, I always have an unlit, unfiltered cigarette in my mouth — usually a Pall Mall, because they are the closest thing to a Chesterfield that is still in circulation.

I haven’t smoked a lit cigarette in about 16 years. Luckily, I never had a real smoking habit. I was what was called a “social smoker” — I smoked when cocktails or wine were lurking about.

Anyway, I remember NOT smoking an entire pack of unfiltered Pall Malls while writing 1954 Powder Blue Pickup (whenever a cigarette got too soggy, I tossed it out) and I remember the Muse being a sort of palpable presence throughout that book. Which is the very best feeling when you’re trying to write something under a deadline.

All these years later, though — skimming through it last night. Man. Non-stop sexual shenanigans!!

ME (thinking): “Christ! Did I really go there??”

Yes, I really did.

What’s in those Pall Malls?!

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Okay!

Since it’s my day-off, I’ve got a load of laundry going. And at some point, I need to walk over to the dollar store and buy a can of coffee.

I usually buy hoity-toity fairtrade coffee from somewhere in Central America that “is characterized by balanced acidity, distinct tasting notes (chocolate, nutty, fruit), and a clean finish”, etc., etc.

But I ran out this morning. I guess my brain was elsewhere when I did the grocery shopping in town on Friday. And I absolutely need my coffee in the mornings, so I’m not going to get picky. (The dollar store actually has an interesting brand of coffee from Vietnam. It tastes, well, interesting.)

Other than that, despite living in a veritable cat sanctuary these days, I am hoping to have a totally relaxing day. And I really hope it includes finally completing that short story that STILL only needs about 400 more words… we shall see.

Not me! Since this gal appears to be smoking a lit pencil…

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This just in!!

Ronnie Wood has added a show in Barcelona on Saturday, September 12th! Buy tickets HERE!

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And this also just in!

“The Original Series Soundtrack for Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis is out now on digital and streaming services.”

You can LISTEN NOW!

I have already added it to my library on Amazon Music, but haven’t listened yet.

Even though the series is streaming now on Netflix, when I read stuff like this:

“We loved working on this adaptation – Harry Hole’s murky, morally complex world has been brought to life in all its darkly brutal glory, and it was an honour to work with the legendary Jo Nesbø.“ – Nick Cave

Methinks that I will likely be skipping the series itself. Just gonna listen to the music part.

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Which sort of reminds me — I’m really loving the Czech documentary about Libuse Jarcovjakova on Metrograph, “I’m Not Everything I Want To Be” (2024):

“In Soviet-occupied Prague, a young female photographer embraces wild nights of rebellion, desire, and resistance to conformity. Through thousands of her raw and candid photographs and personal diaries, I’M NOT EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE traces her twenty-year quest for freedom and self-acceptance.”

I started watching it last night, but since it’s all in subtitles, my eyes kinda wore out, but I’m hoping to finish it tonight.

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And meanwhile–

Here’s this!!

A lovely photo of George Harrison, almost smiling in Los Angeles:

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And a few of Keith!!

Keith, with a guitar, smoking. I don’t know where or when:

Keith, with a guitar, not smoking, I don’t know where or when, but it probably only lasted a minute — the not-smoking part, I mean:

And Keith, not smoking with his dog, his Bentley, probably London, probably 1966, etc.:

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And last but certainly in no way least!!!

Nick Cave!! Smoking and multi-tasking onstage in Melbourne, 1990!!

And here’s this upbeat little ditty. Excuse me, here’s the above-mentioned song!

“The Carny”

And no-one saw the carny go
And the weeks flew by
Until they moved on the show
Leaving his caravan behind
It was parked out on the south east ridge
And as the company crossed the bridge
With the first rain filling the bone-dry river bed
It shone, just so, upon the edge
Away, away, we’re sad, they said

Dog-boy, atlas, half-man, the geeks, the hired hands
There was not one among them that did not cast an eye behind
In the hope that the carny would return to his own kind
And the carny had a horse, all skin and bone
A bow-backed nag, that he named “Sorrow”
Now it is buried in a shallow grave
In the then parched meadow

And the dwarves were given the task of digging the ditch
And laying the nag’s carcass in the ground
And boss Bellini, waving his smoking pistol around
Saying, “The nag is dead meat”
“We can’t afford to carry dead weight”
The whole company standing about
Not making a sound
And turning to dwarves perched on the enclosure gate
The boss says “Bury this lump of crow bait”

And then the rain came hammering down
Everybody running for their wagons
Tying all the canvas flaps down
The mangy cats growling in their cages
The bird-girl flapping and squawking around
The whole valley reeking of wet beast
Wet beast and rotten hay
Freak and brute creation
Packed up and on their way

The three dwarves peering from their wagon’s hind
Moses says to Noah “We shoulda dugga deepa one”
Their grizzled faces like dying moons
Still dirty from the digging done
And Charlie, the eldest of the three, said
“I guess the carny ain’t gonna show”
And they were silent for a spell
Wishing they’d done a better job of burying Sorrow

And as the company passed from the valley
Into higher ground
The rain beat on the ridge and on the meadow
And on the mound
Until nothing was left, nothing at all
Except the body of Sorrow
That rose in time
To float upon the surface of the eaten soil

And a murder of crows did circle round
First one, then the others flapping blackly down
And the carny’s van still sat upon the edge
Tilting slowly as the firm ground turned to sludge
And the rain it hammered down
And no-one saw the carny go
I say it’s funny how things go

c – 1986 – Nick Cave

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And I believe that is it!

Have a great Monday, wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this!

Late-night listening music!!

I just love this song, gang.

From Tom Petty’s first solo album, Full Moon Fever — which recently turned 37 years old!!

“A Face in the Crowd,” 1989. The original official video. Enjoy, gang.

“A Face In The Crowd”

Before all of this ever went down
In another place, another town

You were just a face in the crowd
You were just a face in the crowd
Out in the street, walking around
A face in the crowd

Out of a dream, out of the sky
Into my heart, into my life

And you were just a face in the crowd
You were just a face in the crowd
Out in the street, thinking out loud
A face in the crowd

Out of a dream, out of the sky
Into my heart, into my life

And you were just a face in the crowd
You were just a face in the crowd
Out in the street, walking around
A face in the crowd

A face in the crowd
A face in the crowd
A face in the crowd

c – 1989 Tom Petty

I wish Sunday morning went on all day!!

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It’s not raining here, but it’s really grey and cool, and since it’s Sunday, it makes me feel like just being lazy all day.

Here were some of us being lazy about an hour ago — Freddie and Calico snuggling against my legs, on the bed; Cuddles McGee on the corner of my desk:

And here’s a couple of the things we were listening to while I had my coffee (in bed):

These hymns startled the cats because usually they prefer rock & roll…. so I switched back over to rock & roll!

Anyway.

The lawncare guy has already been here and my lawn looks great!! (He got here at 8:15AM. I’m curious if my neighbors appreciated that…)

And my Sunday shift with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat starts earlier now, so I don’t really have time to just hang out and do nothing…

So I’m up, and dressed (after being awake for 5 hours) and now here I am.

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If you saw my post from late yesterday afternoon, you know that yesterday was a really great day.

My trip to NYC is set. And my books are selling on Amazon!!

Plus, my shift with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man was just terrific. About 5 minutes after I got there yesterday, he was up and dressed — had his wooden leg on, his hearing aides in, his glasses on, his teeth in and he had even made his bed. He was still beaming and just so happy from our trip to the golf course on Friday. He made his way into the kitchen and said: ‘Thank you so much for that beautiful trip yesterday!”

He brought it up many times during my shift. It had made him so happy.

I find it so interesting, how he can remember our trips there so well, when he has almost no short term memory. Clearly, when he’s completely engaged in something, his mind connects. (He always remembers when we go out for sashimi & sake, too. And he remembers that I get off the freeway whenever possible and take the backroads, which are so beautiful. He always says: “You are the only one who takes me on this road. I love this road.” I love it, too.)

Anyway. We had another really great afternoon yesterday, just hanging out and chatting in his living room. He was thoroughly engaged.

Several times during the afternoon, he sang me the chorus of “You Are My Sunshine.” (So, yes — the thought of this man stuck a nursing home with no visitors, just waiting to die, breaks my heart. I have not heard anything more from his daughter, but she communicates through the private nurse, who has been really sick this past week.)

Obviously, I’m hoping his daughter will change her mind. But if he does get put away, I can’t imagine not visiting him all the time. And where I would find the time to do that, who knows…

Some neighbors are taking him to a guitar concert tonight in Granville. His neighbors all adore him, too. He is going to love that concert.

Just some random Japanese guy, 72 years ago…

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Since I get home earlier now on Sundays, this evening I’m planning on watching this on Metrograph:

I’m Not Everything I Want to Be (Directed by Klára Tasovská, 90- mins, 2024):

“Oft referred to as the Nan Goldin of Czechoslovakia, Libuše Jarcovjáková chronicled after-dark Prague in the 1970s and ’80s, her photographs of let-it-all-hang-out gay clubs, factory hands working the third shift, and clandestine parties giving a picture of communist-era Czechoslovakia very different from the official one. Klára Tasovská’s candid and compelling documentary provides Jarcovjáková with a platform to tell her story: that of one woman’s tireless search for liberation in an era of state repression.”

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And a slight, though none-the-less cryptic update regarding the streamer channel, BET+, closing down in June — a few of their shows have moved over to Paramount+, and Sandra will be shooting another episode of “The Miss Pat Show” with them in late June — and having a “discussion” with a couple of the producers who have seen our TV proposal and who also moved over to Paramount+….

So I’m extremely, well, interested.

However, this also means that when I’m in NYC in mid-June, I will be able to focus on just hangin’ out in NYC and seeing old friends (we’ll be working on the play later in the summer):

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Okay!

Here’s this!

A triple-play!! And of course, it’s from Phyllis Stein!

Patti, Bob –and Keith!! At the Bitter End in Greenwich Village, 1975!! (And I played on that same stage in the early 1980s, gang. What a history that stage had!! It was so cool.)

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This next one was very long but very informative and had a few photos. But here is the main gist:

Gram Parsons at Harvard in 1965:

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Which, of course, leads to Keith!

I liked these photos because they were just sort of a little strange — Keith, staring at something:

And Keith and Mick backstage in 1972 — on the phone??

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And I loved these!

Two photos of Nick Cave and Blixa Bargeld in Japan in November, 1985. Photos by Midori Tsukagoshi:

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And I believe that is it for now!

I’m going to do a little yoga and then get ready for my drive to town!

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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This is what the cats insisted on listening to after the Sunday-hymn-singing was over!!

A few great ones by The Kinks!

I have narrowed it down to the 2 that they seemed to like best!! (And it turned out they were also long-time favorites of mine!)

From 1981, “Better Things,” from the album, Give the People What They Want:

“Better Things”

Here’s wishing you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Hoping all the verses rhyme
And the very best of choruses to
Follow all the doubt and sadness
I know that better things are on the way

Here’s hoping all the days ahead
Won’t be as bitter as the ones behind you
Be an optimist instead
And somehow happiness will find you
Forget what happened yesterday
I know that better things are on the way

It’s really good to see you rocking out and having fun
Living like you just begun
Accept your life and what it brings
I hope tomorrow you’ll find better things
I know tomorrow you’ll find better things

Here’s wishing you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Hoping all the verses rhyme
And the very best of choruses to
Follow all the doubt and sadness
I know that better things are on the way

I know you’ve got a lot of good things happening up ahead
The past is gone, it’s all been said
So here’s to what the future brings
I know tomorrow you’ll find better things
I know tomorrow you’ll find better things
I hope tomorrow you’ll find better things
I know tomorrow you’ll find better things

c – 1981 – Ray Davies

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And from 1983, “Come Dancing,” from the album, State of Confusion. Enjoy, gang!!

“Come Dancing”

They put a parking lot on a piece of land
Where the supermarket used to stand
Before that they put up a bowling alley
On the site that used to be the local Palais
That’s where the big bands used to come and play
My sister went there on a Saturday

Come dancing
All her boyfriends used to come and call
Why not come dancing?
It’s only natural

Another Saturday, another date
She would be ready but she’s always make them wait
In the hallway in anticipation
He didn’t know the night would end up in frustration
He’d end up blowing all his wages for the week
All for a cuddle and a peck on the cheek

Come dancing
That’s how they did it when I was just a kid
And when they said come dancing
My sister always did

My sister should have come in at midnight
And my mum would always sit up and wait
It always ended up in a big row
When my sister used to get home late

Out of my window I can see them in the moonlight
Two silhouettes saying goodnight by the garden gate

The day they knocked down the Palais
My sister stood and cried
The day they knocked down the Palais
Part of my childhood died, just died

Now I’m grown up and playing in a band
And there’s a car park where the Palais used to stand
My sister’s married and she lives on an estate
Her daughters go out, now it’s her turn to wait
She knows they get away with things she never could
But if I asked her I wonder if she would

Come dancing
Come on, sister, have yourself a ball
Don’t be afraid to come dancing
It’s only natural

Come dancing
Just like the Palais on a Saturday
And all her friends will come dancing
Where the big bands used to play

c – 1983 – Ray Davies

A sort of perfect Saturday in the Hinterlands!

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Except that, of course, I’m exhausted today. But it’s all good stuff.

I ended up driving about 110 miles, total, yesterday because my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man and I did indeed go to the clubhouse at the golf course for lunch!

It was spectacular! But it always involves a ton of driving for me. Plus, I decided to go get groceries after my shift.

So I think that’s part of why I’m exhausted this morning. (For some reason, even though the golf course is only about 6 minutes from my house, I never go there from here. I’m always driving there from 30 miles away.)

Anyway!

It was a success! A truly gorgeous spring day and so the scenery outside the clubhouse windows was just so green and beautiful for miles and miles. And the sky was a perfect blue.

And when the waitress set the vodka martini in front of him — straight up with olives in a lovely martini glass — his whole face lit up. And the food there is always really, really good.

He was just so happy. Plus his energy, overall, was just really vibrant yesterday. We really had the best time.

Not us!! But the energy is the same….

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Okay!!!

So, day 2 (!!) and both editions of 1954 Powder Blue Pickup remain for sale on Amazon!!

So this could be real, gang.

Although when it got re-published, it lost it’s 5-star review from the first edition (that they banned 5 years ago). So if you have already read 1954 Powder Blue Pickup and want to review it, I would really appreciate it. (You can always just hit the “stars” review button, if you don’t want to use your name while publicly reviewing a hardcore sex book…) (Just sayin’…) The book is here.

Meanwhile!!

The eBook edition of The Curse of Our Profound Disorder is now available for pre-sale!! $7.00 (This will not be part of Kindle Unlimited.)

And a huge thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered it!

When I got my advance review copies, I sent a copy of it to a guy I know in NYC who had requested a copy last month. He has probably read everything I ever wrote over the years and often reviewed it.

He texted last night that he has read through Chapter 2 so far and is enjoying it.

So, yay!

This means that now an additional 3 people are reading the book…

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All righty.

Some quick “here’s this’s” for today because I gotta drive 30 more miles here soon and see my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man again!

Another photo from the recent 60th Anniversary Sip-In, at Julius’s Bar in NYC the other night!

This photo is specifically staged to copy the first sip-in, back in 1966. (If you’re new to the blog, it used to be illegal to serve alcohol to suspected gays & lesbians in NYC, and the first sip-in at Julius’s Bar was the first public protest that eventually led to big changes for the rights of the LGBTQ community.)

The man at the far right actually participated in the first sip-in and was sitting in that same spot.

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And here’s this!

Apparently yesterday was the 37th anniversary of the release of Full Moon Fever!! Tom Petty’s first solo album.

And here’s this, while we’re at it. From Full Moon Fever, Tom’s fantastic cover of The Byrds’ hit, “Feel A Whole Lot Better” !!

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And here’s this!

A great photo of Keith. I have no clue where he’s at here, but gambling seems to be involved (my money is on him!!):

And here’s Keith at the recording session for the Stones’ song “She’s A Rainbow” at the Olympic recording studios in London, 1967:

And, yes! Here’s this! From Their Satanic Majesties Request album, 1967, “She’s A Rainbow”:

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The history of this next photo — according to the Instagram post, it maybe had something to do with honoring his legendary “suck my dick” comment and a girl said “I would!”(!) (I was not “the girl” btw, and whether or not “I would”, is a private thing that I probably wouldn’t post on a blog…)

And if you want to re-live his legendary comment, you can purchase these stickers from Cave Things and stick them everywhere!! ($21 plus shipping)

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And here’s this!

More from Johnny Depp and his duet with Imelda May on the upcoming tribute album to Shane MacGowan (you can pre-order the album here):

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And that is it!!

I seriously gotta scoot!

Have a super Saturday, wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s leave with this!!!

From my retro boombox next to my bed this morning!!

From 1995!!

That wonderfully addicting hit from Musical Youth, “Pass the Dutchie”. Enjoy, gang!!

A very happy Friday!

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Okay, so–

It has happened.

As of now — 1954 Powder Blue Pickup has been published on Amazon Kindle, in eBook and in print!

The eBook is available now — $2.99 (free if you are in Kindle Unlimited).

And the print book is now available here!!! ($8.95) Yay!!

“A young man with a pickup truck in 1950s America, navigates the strict sexual morals of the era by introducing a pretty, unmarried virgin to the true joys of “backdoor” sex — how it can save her virginity for her wedding night so that no one will ever be the wiser. The two agree to embark on an affair of unbridled licentious behavior with no strings attached, in the privacy of his pickup truck out on the edge of town. However, neither of them is prepared for just how well suited they are to each other’s carnal appetites, as the young woman is introduced to more and more sexual surprises, until they are each forced to admit that they’ve crossed over a line they can’t come back from without each other.“

It is a love story, but it is absolutely hardcore and absolutely for ADULTS ONLY. (“Thank you for your attention to this matter!” — DJT)

(“Wow, Jane, this is the best book you ever wrote!” — my seriously open-minded 94-year-old uncle in Virginia.) (It’s a long story, but my uncle’s nickname for me is “Jane Galloway.”)

Jane Galloway, ace reporter

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I am just so thrilled, gang. And I’m still sort of holding my breath, because we’ve gotten this far before…

But so far, so good. And it only took me about an hour and a half, yesterday, to get both editions back up there.

I still had plenty of time to take that walk yesterday — it was unbelievably gorgeous outside.

And I did yoga. And I vacuumed the whole house. All the windows were open, so the air just felt so great in here. Like, I could actually breathe. Yay!

And I officially put in my request at the Agency yesterday for time off in June to go to NYC for the Lammy Awards.

As of right now, I will be staying in a hotel west of Times Square, in my old OLD neighborhood — in Hell’s Kitchen, between 9th & 10th Avenues.

I lived in that area briefly when I was 20 years old, from February 1981 until I married Chong, in April 1981, and then moved with him to 8th Ave and W. 45th Street and my whole life turned around .

I don’t have the best memories from that Hell’s Kitchen apartment, or of the guy I lived with there.

In fact, below is the song I wrote later in 1981, about that brief and intense time in my life!

However, the song was very popular when I finally started performing in the folk clubs in the West Village, a couple months later. (Photo below is of me in the E. 12th Street apartment, a few years later.)

My song, “Breaking Glass” — as it appeared on vinyl in 1982!! Still available on Folkways Records!!

“Breaking Glass”

I was doomed to live in New York City
On a block where accidental babies
Went out with the trash;
We shared a two-room apartment,
Tiny and cold
To the tune of a love, by winter,
Growing old
And the sound of an angry young woman
Breaking glass.

I recall our lives were never empty
There were tears enough for the third who entered
And beckoned your past;
The hours you kept were deceitful
And it had to show
The passion of time she burned
I couldn’t control;
I was trapped in my raging fury
And breaking glass.

CHORUS
There’s no telling how the coming of love
Will find us
There’s no guessing in what way
It’s gonna set us free
There’s no doubting that the anger of love
Can break us
When our actions don’t even come close
To the people we wanna be most
And our dreams don’t work out as the glories
They’d promised to be.

Without excuses I left the table
Well, I ran like hell while I was still able
I started anew;
I’ve lost some weight and I’m strong 
And happy now
I got over the fiery anger, though
I don’t know how;
The songs we knew, they don’t drive me crazy
Well, I stopped the drinking and being lazy
It’s over at last;
The painful sheer rejection has 
All gone past;
The tunes of deceit and loneliness
Fading fast;
Gone are the days of anger
And breaking glass.

CHORUS
 There’s no telling how the coming of love
Will find us
There’s no guessing in what way
It’s gonna set us free
There’s no doubting that the anger of love
Can break us
When our actions don’t even come close
To the people we wanna be most
And our dreams don’t work out as the glories
They’d promised to be.

c- 1981 Marilyn Jaye Lewis
First of May Songs, BMI

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Anyway. I digress. It will be interesting being back in the old neighborhood — in a hotel, no less. It’s a lot nicer there now than it was 45 years ago. (Unless of course, I end up staying with Sandra on the Upper West Side, then all of what I’ve just said, changes…)

Okay!

Here’s this!!

I have never seen these photos of Keith before and I just love them!!

Photographer is Jean Marie Mazeau. Not sure, but maybe 1966?

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And here’s this!

Two photos of Nick Cave that I don’t think I’ve seen before, either!

Nick, waiting on a phone call from the distant past??

And Nick, reading from his upcoming novel And the Ass Saw the Angel, in Melbourne, in 1988 (?) (I absolutely loved that novel!):

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And this just in!

Official lyric video of ‘Haunted’ performed by Johnny Depp & Imelda May. Written by Shane MacGowan. From the upcoming “20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan”. (Pre-order here.)

Johnny Depp & Imelda May – Haunted (Official Lyric Video):

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Okay!!

You know, I forgot to mention that back on April 17th, my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man and I were not able to go to the clubhouse at the golf course that has those fantastic views! (There was a health problem with his private nurse last week, so things got screwy for a few days.)

However!! Assuming he is up to it when I get there–

We are indeed going today!! And the weather is perfect once again!! So here’s hoping that in a few hours, he’ll be having his vodka martini while sitting next to one of these windows!! (I don’ t know where I’ll be, but my guess is that I’ll be sitting right next to him!! Minus the martini!!)

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And I think that is it for now.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

*********

I leave you with this!!

Yay!!

From my retro boombox next to my bed this morning!!

Tom Jones! His version of “She Drives Me Crazy” from his absolutely fantastic album, Reload, 1999. Enjoy, gang.

Miracles Springing Up All Over the Place!

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Okay, gang.

So far, another great day-off is underway!

The weather is perfectly splendid, for one thing! Which means I will get to go outside later and take a walk and just see all the stuff that’s turning green and blooming all over the indescribably peaceful village today.

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As far as miracles go…

Now that I’ve transferred The Muse Revisited Collection from Smashwords over to Amazon Kindle, the eBooks are actually selling again. And not the “free downloads with Kindle Unlimited” but actually selling.

I find this astounding. But in a good way! (The collection has been available for well over a decade, and it is a collection of my erotic fiction from 1997-2009). (Yes! That means that the “newest” piece in the collection is 17 years old already…)

I am going to try to move A Man In Her Arms & Other Stories over to Kindle, as well. Both in print and eBook. I say “try” because I have to start the formatting from scratch with that one, and sometimes that stuff makes me a little looney — it used to be so much easier in olden times.

But I am also going to see if Amazon will let me re-publish 1954 Powder Blue Pickup with Kindle, as well. We’ll see how it goes this time.

Back when I first released it, in late 2021, I was up to my eyeballs in 5gw stuff and Amazon was doing some seriously destructive shit to my career and they were remarkably effective at it.

But now that that seems to be over, I’m gonna try to slide 1954 Powder Blue Pickup back in there and see if it sticks this time.

I love that book so much and it gets more and more difficult for people to find it.

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Another miracle!

If you google my name with The Curse of Our Profound Disorder, now Barnes & Noble comes up!!

They have not carried my books in, like, forever.

I used to have a really, really GREAT relationship with B&N. You used to be able to walk into any B&N in the English-speaking world, and find all of my books for sale there.

And their online bookstore used to carry everything, too.

But now that — what was once — the really burgeoning world of literary erotica has been almost thoroughly erased, BN.com has carried maybe 2 or 3 of my books that are still with traditional publishers.

Anyway, when I saw B & N come up on Google this morning, I was once again really, really thrilled with my decision to go with a private PR firm for my new novel.

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And speaking of the new novel–

Yesterday, I was able to drop off an advanced review copy to the bookstore in Granville, Ohio, that said they will carry my book (!!).

And I was also able to stop in at the old train station, where I used to be the night manager, and lend my dear friend Wendy a review copy, as well. She is helping me brainstorm the whole book launch party thing in September.

It was such a thrill to see her face light up when she saw me walk in to the station, carrying my book! And she gave me a big hug and was just so excited for me.

You know, in the old days, when I actually had people in my life and not just cats, I would have gone to some great restaurant and celebrated.

So it felt really great to hand the book to Wendy. Plus, she is planning on buying the book from the bookstore in Granville in September. And she also said that a couple of the customers from the station who remember me from the old days are really excited about the book, too, and will be buying it at the Granville bookstore, too.

So that makes me feel really, really great, because the owner of the bookstore will get to make some sales.

*********

And in other miracle-news!

I paid all the bills this morning and I still have money left over…

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All righty!

On a somber note–

Today is the anniversary of the death of Johnny Thunders, who died on this day in 1991.

About 8 years ago, Wayne made us both T-shirts: “Johnny Thunders for President”. So in honor of Johnny’s passing, we are both wearing our T-shirts today.

Here’s me in mine:

RIP, Johnny Thunders.

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I would have posted this yesterday, if I hadn’t had a weird morning.

Back on Tuesday (April 21st) —

The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Sip-In was held at Julius’ Bar in NYC, and in other places across the country.

They ran the opening ceremony in NYC live on Instagram, so it was really cool to watch it happen:

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And over the weekend, Patti Hansen and her daughters and 2 of her grandchildren did a special Mother’s Day ad campaign for Burberry, and yesterday, Patti, Alexandra, and Theodora posted a bunch of photos and videos on Instagram. (Theodora is currently pregnant with her second baby.)

Patti and Alexandra, with comments from Alexandra and Theordora:

Alexandra with her 2 kids
Theodora with her neice

And on a related note–

A great photo of Keith from the 1980s, taken by Ronnie’s then-wife, Jo Wood:

And just proof, in case you needed it, that Keith has been able to play the piano for a really long time now:

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Yesterday was John Waters’ 80th birthday!!

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And here’s this — buy tickets HERE:

And speaking of Nick Cave…

He sent out a Red Hand File this morning, wherein he discussed the various podcasts he has time to listen to and some of the books he’s had time to read!! (You can read about those HERE.)

He also said that he is:

“… looking forward to reading Andy Beta’s biography of Alice Coltrane, Cosmic Music, which I’ve just ordered. Thanks for the recommendation, Peter, I had no idea it had come out (I’ve sent a copy to Warren too).“

And apparently Warren received his copy quite speedily as he already posted this today:

And Nick added:

“…I am back in my office writing lyrics at the moment and am particularly in need of quiet, so that the words can find their way – and so that I have something to sing when I go into the studio next week with Warren to begin what may, in some far-flung future, when all the stars align and the planets clap their hands in joy, amount to the next Bad Seeds record.”

So, YAY! (Read it all HERE.)

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And that is it, I think!

The only thing I am completely certain of about today is that I will take a walk later, do some yoga, and VACUUM!!!!

Other than that, we’ll just see what unfolds. (Oh, and BET+, the streamer channel, has announced that they are closing down on June 11th, so that sort of makes the “TV proposal” life a little interesting around here…)

Anyway.

Life seems really fluid right now, so I have no idea what is likely to happen at any given moment.

Enjoy your Thursday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys, See ya!

*************

I leave you with this!

From my retro boombox next to my bed this morning!

I have always loved this song, from the first moment I heard it, and as fate would have it — it was a huge hit on the Top 40 radio when I went to visit my birth dad in Fallon, Nevada for the first time (1989).

He and I were standing in my stepsister’s living room — I was meeting her for the first time, too — and this song came on her radio.

I quietly thought to myself at that moment that I would never forget that moment, ever, and would think of it every time I heard that song.

And 37 years later, that turned out to be completely and entirely true.

Love and Rockets, “So Alive”, 1989. Enjoy, gang. 

"So Alive"

I don't know what color your eyes are, baby
But your hair is long and brown
Your legs are strong, and they're so, so long
And you don't come from this town

My head is full of magic, baby
And I can't share this with you
I feel I'm on a cross again, lately
But that's nothing to do with you

I'm alive, huh, huh, so alive
I'm alive, huh, huh so alive

Your strut makes me crazy
Makes me see you more clearly
Oh, baby, now I can see you
Wish I could stop
Switch off the clock
Make it all happen for you

I'm alive, huh, huh, so alive
I'm alive, huh, huh so alive

I don't know what color your eyes are, baby
But your hair is long and brown
Your legs are strong, and they're so, so long
And you don't come from this town

My head is full of magic, baby
And I gotta share this with you
I feel I'm on top again, baby
That's got everything to do with you

I'm alive, huh, huh, so alive
I'm alive, huh, huh so alive
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Ooh

 c- 1989 - Daniel Gaston Ash / David Jay / Kevin Haskins

Morning update

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It looks like there won’t be a post today.

Rasha’s mom is coming by to get Rasha and take her to the vet.

She had to change the time that she’s coming to get her and now it will be right in the middle of me trying to get ready for my shift and head to town.

So have a great Wednesday wherever you are in the world!

I’ll be back tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!!🌸🙋‍♀️

Big Day in Marilyn’s Room!

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We potentially have 2 birthdays today, gang!

Reader Martha is having a birthday today. She is something like 21 years old for the 4-and-a-half-th time!! Yay!

AND–

Iggy Pop turns 79 today!!

While I have never seen both of them in the same room together — ever— I still feel 99.9% certain that they are 2 different people!!

So Happy Birthday, Martha!

And Happy Birthday, Iggy Pop!!

Iggy! And probably not Martha!
Happy Birthday!!

And here’s this fun song to continue the celebration! 1980, “Loco Mosquito” from Iggy Pop’s fantastic album, Soldier:

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Wow, so yesterday wound up being just an incredible day here.

Not only did more alerts continue to come in all day about other wire services that were re-posting the press release for my upcoming novel, The Curse of Our Profound Disorder (i.e., the Palm Beach Daily News??!!)–

But also, my author copies of the new Amazon edition of Twilight of the Immortal arrived, along with my advance review copies of The Curse of Our Profound Disorder!! (Hard to believe that it is now an actual book that I can hold in my hand…)

Plus, I had a great chat yesterday with my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn — more game-planning for the upcoming weekly mini-podcast of “Marilyn’s Room”.

And I also had a great chat with Wayne, who’s gearing up to spend a few weeks in Australia and in Vietnam. I made him promise to WhatsApp me a bunch of photos!!

And he also said that while he is in the Mekong Delta and in Saigon (which is, you know, not called that now), but while he’s there, he’s going to keep his inner antennae tuned for Don’s spirit (my birth dad — who served in the US Navy, mostly as a SEAL, throughout the entire duration of that war).

So it was a really fun day off and when I got the email alert from the Tom Petty Store that THIS ITEM was in stock and ready for ordering — YAY!!!!! The day got even better!

This will soon be mine!! A Zippo lighter!! (Featuring lyrics from probably my most favorite Tom Petty song, ever!!)

“Even the Losers”, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, 1979:

No Chesterfields are included with the lighter…

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Okay — 47 years ago, yesterday!!

This incredible solo album was released!!

Ronnie Wood, Gimme Some Neck, April 20, 1979:

I loved this album, gang, and I also bought the cassette version so that I could play it on my boombox in the car!! Or in the cars of others (for instance my best friend, Paul Martin) and drive them crazy!!

And when I moved to NYC in November of the following year, that same cassette (and same boombox) helped keep me from being totally lonely in my brand new, far-from-Ohio world!

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And on a similar note–

Ronnie Wood announces the addition of 2 more shows (pre-sales start tomorrow):

Buy pre-sale tickets for the London show HERE.

Buy pre-sale tickets for the Koln show HERE.

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And some sad news just arrived from Variety.

I just loved these guys when I was a young girl:

“Alan Osmond, Eldest Member of the Osmonds, Dies at 76“

“…As the eldest brother, Alan was often seen as the band’s de facto leader. Both a singer and guitarist, he wrote and produced many of the group’s songs with brother Merrill….”

[full article here]

Alan Osmond — I’m guessing 1970s. Getty Images

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And here’s this!

Sort of a weird photo of Keith smoking in London, I’m guessing 1966?

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And here’s this!

Sort of a weird photo of Nick Cave smoking, I don’t know where or when:

And a great photo of Nick Cave onstage in 2017, holding a microphone and wearing GOLD!!

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And I think that is it for now.

I gotta head to town and hit the Rural King for cat food!! And then go to my shift for today.

Have a terrific Tuesday — whether or not it is your birthday — wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

**********

Let’s close with this!

Another great song from Iggy Pop’s Soldier album, 1980: “I Need More”. (It was also the title of a short but great memoir he wrote in 1982!!)

Enjoy, gang.

Wow, gang

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The official Press Release for The Curse of Our Profound Disorder went out over the weekend and I am absolutely thrilled with the results thus far.

The book doesn’t officially come out for 5 more months, so I will keep you posted with how the PR goes as the month of August winds down.

But as of right now, I couldn’t be happier. It got picked up by a few press wires in the UK and a bunch in the US.

And from there, it even got picked up by the Cincinnati Enquirer! (If my dad were still alive — he lived in Cincinnati — he would have been really thrilled.) (Yes, the very same city where I absolutely hated going to college — I dropped out after the first quarter — was the very first significant site to pick up the press release for my new book!!) (Makes having gone to college there for 3 agonizing months totally worth it!!)

Me! In college! Just add copious amounts of bisexual sex… yes, 1978 looked good on me!

I find this next part very interesting — today, if you enter my name and the book’s title into Google, the AI description absolutely nails the fucking book! It astounds me. Because, you know, no one has read the book yet. Just me, Wayne, and the publisher — Valerie hasn’t finished reading it yet. Review copies have not gone out anywhere.

Here is the Google AI description, in part:

Key aspects of the novel:
Protagonist: Jemima Callahan, who is born to a teen mother and is the illegitimate daughter of a town preacher. 

Plot: Chronicles Jemima's journey from a troubled childhood with abuse in foster care to her life as a young woman surviving on the streets, and eventually finding a new direction. 

Themes: Coming-of-age, trauma, identity, generational pain, survival, and societal taboos, particularly around sexuality. 

Central conflict: Jemima's search for her father, Reverend Parker Peabody, and the hope that he will live up to the idealized image her mother created.

I’m really just happily amazed by the whole process. I am so glad I hired that PR firm.

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Okay, for some reason, I am getting a really late start here this morning, although the second load of laundry is already underway.

It is, of course, my day off. And the first day off wherein ALL workmen and repair guys have completed all the upgrades to This Old House (& barn) and so the day is completely and utterly mine.

And it is a gorgeous day here, although it is really cold. I had to cover up the rose bushes last night so that the frost wouldn’t kill them.

Anyway, I’m not sure why my brain seems to be lagging here this morning, but I am hoping (really) to get some writing done today. I still have that one short story that needs about 400 words before it is complete.

************

Anyway–

Here’s this!

Piccadilly Circus, in London, as it looked in the mid-1970s!

This was exactly how it looked when I made my first trip to London, in 1976. And yes! I was 16. And yes — since it was the 1970s, why wouldn’t I have had copious amounts of booze and then some sex with a Greek taxi driver in his taxi, late in the August evening, just off of Piccadilly Circus??? While my mom was waiting back at the Kensington Hotel…

(I am absolutely not kidding you, gang — if you weren’t alive in the 1970s, you just wouldn’t understand this! Anyway…)

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And here’s this!

I have no idea how he got his hair to do this, but I’m guessing he encountered electricity in some way?

Warren Ellis, end of tour!!

Warren, saying goodbye to that room with the view…

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And here’s this!

The last known photo of George Harrison and John Lennon together — in Los Angeles, in the mid 70s:

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And here’s Keith!!

Having no problems in NYC in 1988! (Press promo for his first solo album, Talk Is Cheap.)

Photo by Timothy White

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Here’s Keith again. Only with Mick, in 1967! Just sort of hanging out, I guess.

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And here are these!!

Two more classics of Nick Cave!!

Nick, not smoking while wearing shades and standing near a peace lily!

Nick, smoking, while not wearing shades and not standing near a peace lily!

I could stare at this photo all the fucking time, but I’m already having enough trouble getting anything fucking done around here…

********

And with that!!

I guess I will get back to that laundry now, maybe do some vacuuming, and then focus on some short story writing!!

I hope you have a great Monday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

********

I leave you with more breakfast-listening music!

Still have the Best of Sam Cooke CD in the kitchen juke box!

I love this song. It is so “yesteryear”! I find it sort of addicting, it just feels so nice and so non-threatening.

“Having A Party”. Sam Cooke. 1962. Enjoy, gang.

“Having A Party”

We’re having a party
dancing to the music
played by the DJ
on the radio
the cokes are in the icebox
the popcorn’s on the table
me and my baby, we’re out here on the floor

So listen, Mr. DJ
keep those records playing
’cause I’m having such a good time
dancing with my baby

Everybody’s swinging
Sally’s doing that twist now
if you take request, I….
I got a few for you
play that song called Soul Twist
play that one called I Know
don’t forget the Mashed Potatoes
no other songs will do

Let me tell you Mr., Mr. DJ
why don’t you keep those records playing
’cause I’m having such a good time
dancing with my baby

Having a party–yeah
everybody’s swinging–oh we’re
dancing to the music–yeah
on the radio–oh we’re
having a party–man
everybody’s swinging–yeah
dancing to the music–yeah
on the radio–say it one more time

We’re having a party–yeah
everybody’s swinging–oh we’re
dancing to the music–yeah
on the radio (song fades and ends)

c- 1962 – Sam Cooke

The world of author Marilyn Jaye Lewis