Soon I will be off and running to Day #2 at the health & wellness store!
I’m thinking that today should be really fun, since my favorite Q-following girlfriend in town works today, too! She wasn’t there on Monday, it was her day off. She texted me last night from her grandson’s football game — a bunch of happy smiley face emojis! “Looking forward to tomorrow!”
So I’m thinking it’s going to be a great day. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to have somewhere to go now that really makes me smile and feel energized, gang. It has been such a long time.
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Okay, here’s an interesting update. I guess we’ll find out soon enough if it’s true–
My new guy texted last evening from Florida, saying that trying to get to know someone through texting is making him crazy so he’s thinking of flying back to Ohio for a few days in early November!
Wow. It sounds serious!
I’ll keep you posted, of course.
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All the houseplants that were outdoors have now been brought back inside. And so far, there have been only two incidents between the plants and the cats –and one of them was a pretty BIG one!!
An absolutely gigantic spider plant toppled down onto tiny little Calico and scared her to death!!
So maybe they’ll give it a rest for a while and leave the houseplants alone… we shall soon see.
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All righty!!
Here’s this!
Nothing says “Keith Richards on a European tour in 1990” like a good wholesome game of dominoes!! (It almost even looks like he’s keeping score!!)
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And here’s this!
From my wee bonnie teenage “I’m dropping out of college after about only 12 weeks” girlhood!!
The First Time Tom Petty Ever Played “Refugee” Live | Winterland 1978:
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And here’s this!!
Smoking & drinking with Iggy!! Yay!!
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And this!! From Facebook!
Nick Cave sitting on stage somewhere!! And smoking!! And looking at something or other that has to do with Blind Lemon Jefferson!!!
And I guess here’s this, while we’re at it!! Almost 100 years ago!! Shit.
BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON – One Dime Blues [1927]:
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And this was on Nick Cave Official yesterday–
From July — a few photos from just before the Bad Seeds did that surprise gig on the rooftop of the Resident record store in Brighton!
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And I guess that’s it for today!
I’m making steady progress on editing the M. Christian tribute anthology — and getting a sense of how I want it to feel, overall.
And I will soon be proceeding with the audiobook version of The Guitar Hero Goes Home, so I’m looking forward to that!
Other than that, I’m still sort of astounded by how much my life has turned around in only a handful of weeks.
Okay!
Have a wonder-filled Wednesday, wherever you are in the world, gang!
Thanks for visiting.
I love you guys. See ya!
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Let’s close with this!
A short with Nick Cave, a long time ago!! (1 minute):
Not only is it a really beautiful Fall day here today, gang, but it has also gotten cold enough at night now, that today I am bringing all the green houseplants indoors until next Spring.
Which also means that the 6-month battle between me and the cats gets underway today!
The cats LOVE exploring the houseplants and, whenever possible, toppling the flowerpots onto the floor and spilling soil all over the carpeting!! Yay!!
So this is a time of year that I really look forward to!!
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It has also been a splendid morning because of this!!
Yes! It’s the New Guy In My Life’s birthday today!!
So — Happy birthday to the new guy in my life!
We spoke briefly at 5:03AM (“Happy birthday!”)
Then a little lengthier chat at 6:55AM (other stuff that I won’t go into — but, yay!)
Then a very, very brief chat at about 7:25AM… (him, quickly reiterating stuff that I won’t go into — yet!)
Mostly we laughed a lot. But he also said, “I’m so sick of Florida already! I want to be back there in Ohio!” (He’s been gone about 5 days, with the rest of the entire winter to go…) (If you’re new to the blog — when he’s not at his home in Florida, he lives in the house directly across the road from me. And we decided to start dating, like, the day before he left for Florida.)
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Okay.
Today is also this —
Gone 6 years today. RIP Eddie Van Halen.
And here’s this, from 1984, “Panama”!
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Okay!
Here’s this!!
Keith!! Doing the polka!!
OOPS! Of course, I meant, wearing polka DOTS!!
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And I loved this.
Allen in his apartment just a few steps away from my old apartment on E.12th Street! And I had 2 fireplaces in the old apartment that looked very much like his looked below. PLUS, I love that he has that photo of Mick & Keith stuck on his fireplace!!
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In the “Urgent Dog Update” Department!!
Oh no! It seems Tupac threw up again!! Apparently, this time, right on Warren Ellis’s brown suit and it appears that Warren might have had to change clothes!!
And here’s this! “Back in Black”!! AC/DC, 1980!!
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And here’s this!!
Your guess is as good as mine on this one, gang!!
What I can at least tell you is: Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, black & white!! From Facebook!!
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Well.
So, yesterday! I really, really loved being back at the old health & wellness store, gang.
I’m re-learning some basics– like how to work the cash register and credit card processor.
But, for the most part, it all came back to me. God, I just love that store. I literally love being in it. The energy of it — it’s a privately owned alternative health store, that’s been run by the same family for about 40 years now.
And at the end of the evening, the owner gave me a big hug and a smile and she said, “I am so happy you came back!!” Yay!
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All right.
I guess that’s it for now.
I gotta get busy bringing those plants indoors and then get back to work on editing the M. Christian tribute anthology.
Have a terrific Tuesday, 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!
Can’t wait for “Ludwig” Season 2 to begin here in the US!! One more week, gang!!
First, a short– (2 mins 22 seconds):
David Mitchell LUDWIG 2 Exclusive Announcement interview 2026 (5 mins):
Okay, gang. I don’t really have much to post about today.
Yesterday was mostly about talking on the phone to everyone imaginable, and also getting the house ready for me to be going off to a job again (3 days a week).
You know, mostly this —
Oh, and you know, after I’d vacuumed my entire house — while my birth mom was here for 3 days:
SHE (when I got home from the airport): “I went ahead and vacuumed. Hope you don’t mind.”
I guess it’s hereditary — this nonstop vacuuming.
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I’m really excited to get back into that store today and start learning again, gang.
I used to know every product in that store, what it was for, why it worked, why you might not need it, why you should stay away from it, or why it might save your life.
A lot of it, I still remember, but a whole lot of it I will have to re-learn. Plus, there’s new stuff out there that I need to find out about!
I’m also really excited to start wearing my regular clothes again!!
For the last 4 years, I’ve worn shirts with specific logos on them. I’d actually forgotten about some of the really pretty sweaters and fall clothes that I had because I hadn’t worn them in so long.
So that feels really great, too! Sort of like having a new wardrobe, but more like getting reacquainted with things I used to love.
I guess it’s called having a life…
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Okay.
Sandra called yesterday to update me on the various things I will most likely need to go to Rhinebeck and NYC for in December and January. I’ll post more exact details here when I can.
God, I just LOVE Rhinebeck, NY!!
Sandra’s cabaret at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in Times Square, in NYC, will still be happening in January, but I’m not sure of the exact date yet. (But another hotel stay is in my not-too-far-off future, gang!!)
And for the next week or ten days, when I’m not working in the store, I will be completing the editing of the M. Christian tribute anthology and turning that in.
After that, my guess is, I will need to focus on tightening the script for Sandra’s one-woman cabaret show (which includes a couple segments from our play, “The Guide to Being Fabulous”).
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Okay!
From Ross K. Nichols Sunday School yesterday–
“Jesus made the Kingdom of God the centerpiece of his message. He said it was the reason he was sent, told his followers to seek it first, and taught them to pray for its coming. But where did the idea come from, what did it require, and was the work ever completed?”
The Kingdom of God: Jesus’ Unfinished Mission (52 mins):
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And here’s this!
A couple from Phyllis Stein!
Joe Strummer atop the Rock, in NYC, 1981! (I love his t-shirt!) (Photo by Bob Gruen)
And regarding the t-shirt — in summer 1981, The Clash played a week-long gig at Bond’s in Times Square, which was one block from where I lived back then. Absolute pandemonium!
AND–
Johnny Thunders smiling in London in 1985! (Photo by Jane Simon)
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Upon first glance here, it almost looks like the family that smokes together, stays together!
However, Marlon isn’t really smoking…
Anyway!
A quite perky Keith, with family, in Germany in 1970!!!
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And here’s this!
From Facebook, no doubt!!
And I think that perhaps this one is a little AI enhanced (?), but I still love it!
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And that is actually it for the “here’s this’s” today.
And I’m guessing that I won’t have too many tomorrow, either. Unless of course the store has a firm policy now that staff members remain on their phones, scrolling through Instagram at all times…
I wouldn’t want to go against a firm policy or anything…
Anyway!!
Enjoy your Monday, 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!!
It’s been all over Instagram lately, to promote the release of the 49th Anniversary, My Aim Is True, 5 CD Boxed Set!!
Elvis Costello, Watching The Detectives (Live On Top Of The Pops, October 11, 1977) Enjoy, gang!
It seems like 5 minutes ago, I was in Charlotte, NC, at James Tabor’s conference, staying in that beautiful hotel!!
Honestly, where does the time fly to, gang?? It is mind-boggling.
Here’s something I wanted to mention about the book signing yesterday:
Two different times, young women (19 or 20, tops) came up to buy a copy of my book. They were excited to buy it. Because they already had heard about it — but not through social media. I found that extremely interesting, especially since no one is reviewing the book, except for Ron Bass, and it doesn’t seem to be selling very well. So I have no way of knowing how people are responding to it.
It seems to be word of mouth.
So, I just found that really, really interesting. Here’s hoping it continues.
The whole event was such a strange experience for me, since all the book signings I’ve done in the past were when my books were really well known. And people came to the event specifically to see me.
Yesterday, except for my friends who stopped by to be supportive, no one had a clue who I was. Plus, it was only me. I thought 2 other writers were going to be there signing, as well, but it was just me. With a table of books, in an empty (but really pretty) mall.
So I really was thrilled to sell almost all the books I had brought with me. I hadn’t expected that.
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Also, on the New Guy front–
We spoke briefly on the phone yesterday. He got to Florida just fine, but his AC is out and it’s 90 degrees Fahrenheit there right now, so he has to sort of drop everything and fix it…
But we had a nice chat and it sort of seems like we’re in a “relationship” — in his opinion. Which is actually totally fine with me.
Sadly, though, I found out why he prefers to get to Florida before Christmas. One of his sons died from cancer many years ago, and then his wife died a few years ago. And so he doesn’t want to be in Ohio anymore at Christmastime.
But he said yesterday on the phone that maybe next year, he won’t head down to Florida until after Christmas. So we shall see, gang.
(He wouldn’t want to miss this insanity, right?? So, we’ll see.)
Simple, downhome Christmas.. Nothing fussy.
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Okay!!
I have an odd mix of “here’s this’s” today.
Someone on Facebook considered this to be the “greatest rock band in the world”… Hmmmm. I’m guessing that I couldn’t agree more! (Rolling Stones, 1969)
And here’s that Happy Family of Rock!!
Keith, Anita, Marlon…. long, long time ago, gang. Marlon is a grandad already.
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Here’s this!
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Stan Lynch, the original drummer for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, released a song he wrote & sings (with his band The Speaker Wars), in honor of Tom Petty on the 9th anniversary of his passing the other day.
It is just beautiful!! The song and the video.
Stan Lynch and the Speaker Wars – High Flying Bird (Official Video):
“High Flying Bird”
What do you see from way up there What’s it like in that soft clean air Quiet calm and understood Ode to a high flying bird Flying bird Flying bird Flying bird
Must be sweet to have no plans But how do you know when it’s time to land Stunning view so I’ve heard Ode to a high flying bird Flying bird Flying bird
I know you’re out there flying round Hidden in the broken clouds Will you be singing when it’s my turn An ode to a high flying bird Flying bird High flying bird High flying bird
c – 2026 Stan Lynch
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And I think ALL of these are from Facebook–
I’ve posted this before, but just a reminder that rock & roll is serious business, gang.
Nick Cave & Iggy Pop!
Have no idea why this is titled “Lost”– but here it is! Nick Cave, lost!
And here’s this!! Couldn’t agree more!
And I know for sure I’ve posted this one before, but I love this photo!! Including but not limited to that shirt!!
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And that’s it for the “here’s this’s”!
Meanwhile…
Valerie in Brooklyn and I are both very excited that Season 2 of “Ludwig” is finally coming to Britbox here in the US!! It starts Oct. 13th!! Yay!!
We both totally adored Season 1…
And BTW — a little update on Valerie .
Even though her hands have both healed nicely from the surgeries, she is now having a terrible ordeal with her eyes. Cataracts and macular degeneration. She is hoping to get surgery by late October, but it might not be until November. And meanwhile, the idea of doing the Writers & Artists mini-podcast is starting to look like it will not happen.
But I guess we’ll see, gang. I could do it by myself, but it just doesn’t seem like it would be nearly as fun.
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Okay!
I officially start back to work tomorrow!!
I am really excited, gang. It’s looking like my schedule will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. About 20 hours a week, total. Then the rest of the week will be for my writing projects.
I really think this is going to be a great balance for me.
Meanwhile–
I’m gonna go get the laundry finished here.
Enjoy your Sunday, wherever you are in the world, gang!!
My dear friend Kara did indeed show up toward the end of the event and bought the Lucky 13th copy!!
So, considering I expected to sell about 3 copies, and since the Ohio State football game was going on and the place was dead, I think it was a complete success.
And the owner of the bookstore invited me to come back next year and sell any new titles and/or old titles if I can get copies of them, so, yay.
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And while I was doing that, the owner of the health & wellness store texted me and asked if I can start on Monday!
One of my former writing students from 10 years ago showed up to buy a book! He saw the ad on Facebook! Drove an hour to get all the way out here. It was so cool to see him. He brought along his 5 month old son!🥰
It occurred to me, gang, that I won’t be able to post to the blog in the morning.
I’m going to want to get to the bookstore early, and before I leave for town, I will probably want to try on 14,000.02 outfits!
You know, to get the look just right!!
Especially since I will be seated at a table the entire time!!!
I will maybe try to post some photos from the book signing while it’s going on, if it isn’t crowded or anything. (I’m expecting about 3 people to show up: Kara, Wendy, and Debbie. But we’ll see…)
Okay. More from the Historic Arcade in Newark, Ohio, tomorrow afternoon!!
