Are we tired of cake yet?? No way!!!!

July 22, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 5 Comments

Okay, so far, I am having, like, the most perfect birthday.

The weather today could not be prettier. Right now, it’s only 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The AC is off! The sun is shining. The skies are blue. It’s only supposed to go up to 72 degrees today.

And btw, the cats are loving having all these windows open again. And according to the weather app on my phone, the windows might stay open for a couple of days!

And speaking of cats and my birthday–

This came special delivery from Valerie in Brooklyn yesterday afternoon — it’s about 2 inches tall and it’s adorable. Now all I have to do is keep the cats from discovering it and totally destroying it:

And this came from the Cainer Horoscope website (more cats!):

And I thought this was really interesting because I had never heard about this before (and I love eagles):

Oh, and I can’t forget to add this– I share my birthday with my beloved Cleveland, and it is 230 years old today!!

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Well, wow, gang. Yesterday was wonderful.

I spent about an hour on that phone call yesterday morning and I think it’s okay to post here that I’ve been invited to contribute a proposal to speak at a writer’s conference in Pennsylvania this coming Spring.

I will keep you posted with details. But I had been concerned that I didn’t have anything to speak about that would be of interest to today’s writers, you know? (Even though I’ve been a professional writer for over 40 years, the peak of my career was already a few years ago.)

But it became clear, from the conversation, that I actually do have things I can speak about that would be of interest to writers in all stages of their careers. So I’m going to put together a proposal and submit it. And I will let you know if it gets accepted!

So this means a trip to Charlotte, NC in late September. A trip to NY in (I think) November, and maybe a trip to Eastern Pennsylvania in March!

And my new novel coming out in September. Another new book (the M. Christian anthology) already in the works. And the Staged Reading of our play probably in November. And getting down to work on my memoir of the 1970s…

My mind feels just so different from how it felt even just last week. I am so glad I retired. Every shred of all that depression is simply gone.

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Okay!

Here’s this! (Speaking of depression being gone!)

Keith in shades — with curious onlookers!! — apparently imbibing in Jack Daniels at a bar but he does not seem to be smoking! (Although ashtray IS present!!)

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And this was last night! An explosive Iggy meltdown!!

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And this was posted to YouTube a few hours ago. (And the Hollywood Vampires go on tour in UK/Europe beginning August 12th. You can also buy tickets through this same YouTube Page.)

Hollywood Vampires: “Ace of Spades”. Live at Montreux Jazz Festival:

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And George Vjestica is living La Dolce Vita until the SOLD OUT Brighton homecoming bash gets underway on Friday July 31st!!

And this melted my heart yesterday!!

And while we’re at it — here’s this!! From the day after my birthday, 6 years ago… “Sad Waters” by Nick Cave alone at Alexandra Palace:

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Oh, btw– this was extremely interesting. You might want to check it out.

Charlie Reports From Dubai: Was the Airport Really Attacked? | Daily News 22nd July 2026 (8 minutes):

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And I guess that is it for now, gang.

I’m not going to do too much work at my desk today. I’m planning to head to town early. I need to renew my driver’s license today. And I want to stop in at the bookshop over in Granville and see if the owner is in today.

I’m not planning to stop in at that bookstore in the Historic Arcade until next week, but if I have time, maybe I’ll drive over there today, too. We’ll see.

Then it will be OUT TO DINNER with Kara!! Yay! (We’re having pizza at my favorite pizza place!!)

And meanwhile have a wonder-filled Wednesday, gang, wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!!

No explanations needed… Enjoy, gang.

Off to great start!

July 21, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Yesterday was wonderful, gang.

I got so much done right here at my desk!

And I took that walk — wow, what a gorgeous morning it was around here. It was one of those perfect summer mornings that sort of seemed unbelievable — the birds were singing, the sky was so blue & the smoke haze was gone. Everywhere flowers were blooming and the trees were so green and the corn is getting really tall out in the fields now.

And I did get a lot of stuff done at my desk but I also had a great chat with Wayne on the phone. And I got some promising updates regarding reprint rights I am hoping to secure for the M. Christian tribute anthology from the estates of both Simon Sheppard and Bill Brent.

AND– I got an email from Amazon’s Kindle that a royalty check is on its way to my bank account, so thanks again everybody!! I really, really appreciate that you keep on buying my books and eBooks.

I also discovered yesterday that my reprinted books at Kindle (which are no longer banned or blocked!!) appear to be eligible for Audible audio books now, too! So I am going to be taking care of the paperwork for all 7 of the reprinted titles, so that those can get underway.

So, yay. A great day yesterday.

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All right.

I have a phone chat scheduled for 10AM today so I need to get moving —

So, here’s this!!

This artist lives here in Ohio, although I don’t know her. But I always love her pet illustrations (she and her family have lots of dogs and cats). These 2 from yesterday really jumped out at me — big surprise!

“She believed she could so she did … She rescued every animal that came her way.”

“Enjoy the little things in life for someday you will realize they were the Big Things”

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And here’s this!

Yesterday in Boston! Peter Wolf dropped in on Jim Lauderdale before the gig!

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And here, well, I’m thinkin’ Charlie’s not so sure about that balloon on Keith’s guitar…

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And here’s this — from all the way back in 1976!

Richard Hell and Voidoids in a photo taken by Blondie’s Christ Stein!

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A couple more great ones from Phyllis Stein!

Johnny Thunders in NYC in 1981 (photo by Kathy Findlay):

And the Sex Pistols in London in 1977! (Photo by Adrian Boot)

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It looks like Johnny Depp has a new Sauvage ad campaign coming soon from Dior (perhaps just in time for the Hollywood Vampires’ tour of the UK and Europe, starting in August??) (BTW– you can BUY TICKETS HERE!):

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Over at Nick Cave’s Cave Things, they’re having a 2-for-1 t-shirt sale!! You can check it out HERE!

And although it won’t reach me by my birthday, which is tomorrow, I am still in need of this one — lyrics to “The Mercy Seat” (thanking you in advance):

And speaking of Nick Cave!!

From that FB page yesterday!!

And, while on break before the upcoming SOLD OUT homecoming bash in Brighton, George Vjestica was getting caught up on his photo-posting yesterday!

Including–

And George with Larry (although George seems sort of shocked that Larry would say that…) —

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And that is it for now!

I’m gonna scoot downstairs and snag another cup of coffee, and get all my notes and thoughts ready for my upcoming phone call.

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!

From the Rolling Stones’ new one, Foreign Tongues — “Side Effects” lyric video! Super catchy, in my opinion. Enjoy, gang.

Not only great, but it turned my hair brown!!

July 20, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Yes! My first cup o’ joe on my first morning of freedom! So great!

And the stress was so non-existent around here, finally, that it turned my silver hair back to the lovely shade of brown it once was!!

Honestly, gang, it feels so interesting. This freedom thing.

And it is such an incredible morning, here! When I awoke at 6AM (again, second morning in a row — I’m trying really hard to sleep in later and stay up later), it was only 55 degrees Fahrenheit outside! Wow.

When I stepped out onto the kitchen porch to feed Rasha and Kon Tiki, the sun was up and the flowers out there were loving the cooler temperature. They looked so vibrant and full of life.

Anyway. It is just sort of a perfect morning.

I don’t remember the last time I didn’t feel the pressure to “do” something. And what’s weird is that I actually have a ton of things I want to do. But it’s all writing-related. At my desk. Or reading-related, downstairs on the couch.

I do not have to get into the car and drive the 30 miles to town and back until Wednesday — when I meet Kara for dinner to celebrate my birthday!!! Yay!

I actually have stuff on my calendar now that goes clear to November (possibly even to March, depending on a phone chat I’m having tomorrow). So it’s not like I don’t have things to do, but the difference between constant caregiving and just thinking about my own life now and the things that make me happy…

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Okay.

And here’s something that always makes me happy — a midnight text from Wayne, that also had a link to a song on YouTube!

Here’s the song!

“Save It For Later,” covered by Pete Townsend and The Deep End:

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I thought this was very interesting.

From Ross K. Nichols’ Sunday School yesterday–

“We all know who killed Goliath, right? Well, I thought I did until I realized that the biblical writers who told the story were not on the same page.”

The Goliath Story Has a Giant Problem (43 mins):

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And in keeping with my new approach to my own life, here are these!

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And during his break before the upcoming SOLD OUT Brighton bash, Warren Ellis posted some photos that I really thought were great. I think they were from the Australian tour earlier this year (?). Here’s 2 of them:

Colin Greenwood:

Warren himself:

And since the Bad Seeds are indeed on a break until July 31st, we go to the private desktop stash for that photo I love of Nick Cave from yesteryear — smoking and waiting!! Near the water!!

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And, oddly, that’s really all my “here’s this’s” for today.

But in honor of the fact that I now not only have time to get to work on that memoir of my life in the 1970s, but I am also finally in an emotionally calmer place wherein I can actually deal with my memories of my life in the 1970s…

Here’s this from the desktop stash!! Best father-figure ever!! (IMHO)

Keith, smoking…

And with that, I’m gonna finish up the laundry and maybe take a walk before it gets too hot out there.

And then–

Have a lovely Monday, gang, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

From all the way back in 1957, but I mean it more than ever today!! Feel free to join me on this new path in life–

“Come Go With Me” !! The Del-Vikings. Enjoy, gang.

Around here, we take what we can get!!

July 19, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Yes! It is currently only 68 degrees Fahrenheit!! Yay!

And even though the weather app on my phone claims that the air quality is “worse than yesterday” it doesn’t actually feel like that outside!

My hydrangeas are finally blooming around my kitchen porch!

The morning glories are blooming around my back door!

I can at least see the foothills at the end of the road — even if it looks a little “foggy”, I can actually see them.

So I’m in a really happy place.

Plus, I slept in until 6AM, since I came in a little later than usual last night (and had a bit of a difficult final shift with my favorite retired Chaplain , so I was exhausted emotionally). But it felt great to sleep in. And to wake up feeling like certain chapters are simply over now…

And this afternoon, my shift with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat is my actual FINAL shift—

And I am already feeling like I have my life back, gang.

And at around 6PM this evening, I will be free.

I have not felt really free (in terms of having the time to just devote to my writing projects) since before the scamdemic hit, 6 years ago. Wherein I basically lost everything except “The Guide to being Fabulous” — the play with Sandra Caldwell.

Anyway!

The sun was up when I was having breakfast, which never happens around here. And since it was Sunday, I decided to watch the EWTN Mass. Even though I’m not Catholic, there are certain things about the Mass that I enjoy thinking about.

It was too early for this morning’s Mass, so I watched yesterday’s, and I really liked Father Ricardo Pineda’s sermon and remarks. He starts at about 4 minutes in:

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Okay, there was a great blog post on Stage 32 on Friday (that I read yesterday) — very timely for me, and maybe it will be for you, too, if you have a new book coming out:

6 Free Marketing Resources Every Author Needs to Know by Jonathan Jordan :

“No matter what, book marketing is hard, but at least these tools will help you make some serious headway without having to spend a ton of money upfront.”

I found the post concise and just really helpful.

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And I also found Andrew Lloyd Weber’s remarks about Broadway extremely interesting.

He made the comments on Instagram on Tuesday, but I only got around to reading them this morning in the Broadway World weekly roundup:

Andrew Lloyd Webber Says Broadway Is In ‘Dire Danger’ After CATS Closing

He said, in part:

"The truth is that, for any show, it makes practically no financial sense to come to Broadway with things as they are. Creators, writers and directors have been forced to take minimal royalties from new shows, often surviving on a fixed weekly fee rather than a royalty. It makes it impossible for young creatives to make a living from theatre alone. Investors count themselves fortunate indeed if they see a portion of their money back. Of course, the established big hits are still profitable. But Broadway can’t survive because of three old shows."

He ends the statement by begging executives to come up with a solution to fix its current financial issues.

"As someone who is still as in love with Broadway as I was when I was a teenager, I beg the theatre owners, unions and producers to come together urgently to address what is a crisis coming to a head. Broadway is in dire danger of rivalling Hollywood’s empty soundstages with increasingly dark theatres."

All of the above has a lot to do with why Sandra and I are shelving the TV project, and also why we’ve changed venues for the Staged Reading of “The Guide to being Fabulous” but I can’t go into any of those details here.

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Okay.

Here’s this–

A shot of the Strand Bookstore in NYC:

But upon closer inspection, we see why I really love the Strand Bookstore in NYC! (It was just up the street from my paradise-apartment on E.12th Street!!)

Blurry, but that street sign says “E.12th Street”.

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What is weirder than this — the fact that I can recognize Iggy Pop’s back in a nanosecond??

From Phyllis Stein! Iggy in Miami:

And Phyllis also posted another great one of Johnny Thunders — a screen shot off YouTube:

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And it looks like we missed ANOTHER one, gang! Jeepers! SO many birthdays in July!! (Including, you know, “hint hint“: the initials are MJL.)

Someone else I totally loved throughout my wee bonny teenaged girlhood and on up into my lofty adult years (wherein he allegedly died by “suicide”)–

But I never really knew when his birthday was!

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Hunter S. Thompson (it was yesterday):

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And, yes! Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds are on a break until Friday, July 31st!! So, you know, here’s this instead–

From that Facebook page that never gives photo credits or the where or when info, but I still loved seeing it yesterday morning:

And after the great big SOLD OUT homecoming bash in Brighton, the tour resumes on August 2nd, in Germany. Buy tickets here!

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All right.

That is it for now.

I still have a few hours before I need to head to town, so I’m gonna go water the many flowers, do yoga, think about LIFE (which is returning to me even as I type!!)…

Have a super 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!!

You know, the week coming up will be my week of “vacation”. And it includes my birthday, and my adoptive dad’s Heavenly Birthday. And dinner out with my dear friend, Kara, to celebrate.

And while I have a stack of all my notes for the Caiaphas play on one side of my tiny desk, and all my notes for the M. Christian tribute anthology on the other side of my tiny desk, I really, really think it’s time to FINALLY focus on getting my memoir about my life in the 1970s, Joy: The Shortest Season, underway.

So with that in mind, here’s this!

From 1974!! Yes, the very same year as the nadir of my existence! From the British band, The First Class, a song I just loved!! “Beach Baby”. Play it super loud, dance around a little, sing along and enjoy, gang!!

Like this! Except with lousy air quality!

July 18, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 4 Comments

Well, the air is a little better today. So far.

And thunderstorms are expected all evening, which should move the rest of the smoke out of the air.

LUCKILY!! I have a long evening shift with one of my favorite clients, the retired Chaplain — my final shift with her before I retire TOMORROW — and this means I get to not only drive home in the dark tonight, but in thunderstorms as well!

So I guess I’m going out with a “bang”… (and tomorrow is my final final shift — and it will be with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat.)

And oddly enough…

I got an email notifying me that TODAY is the anniversary of my Ordination and that I should make sure all my credentials are still up to date.

Wow. So I looked at my credentials and sure enough, on July 18th, 2013, I was ordained as a minister and received my Authority from the State of Ohio to solemnize marriages.

So I’ve officially been a minister since 2013. But for some reason, I had thought it was 2015… So, like, how old am I getting around here???

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Okay. Anyway.

Yesterday was a really good day, except that by late afternoon, I was coughing like crazy from having been out in that smokey air. (I guess that’s why they told people to stay indoors yesterday but, I guess, you know, I don’t consider myself “people”…?)

However, yesterday afternoon, I stopped by that bookshop over at the Historic Arcade (see post from Thursday). And even as I was driving over there, I was having second thoughts because I don’t want to offend a bunch of strangers with my intense novel, etc. But I went over there with a review copy of the book anyway….

And the owner was there, alone in the shop. And he was really nice. And he said that they were open to everything except hate speech stuff. And he was happy to read my novel. And he said (without my saying anything at all about it), “If we like it, we’ll set you up with a book signing when the book comes out in September.”

WOW!

Here’s hoping he likes it.

Then I stopped in at the art gallery to say a quick hello to my friend, Kevin, and I told him about what the book store owner had said, and Kevin said, “Oh yeah, they do book signings all the time over there.”

So that made me feel really hopeful, gang. So we shall see! It would take so much stress off of me.

Historic Arcade. The bookstore is pictured on the left

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All right.

A bunch of “here’s this’s” today, so let’s get started!!

Here’s this!

I realize this wasn’t exactly addressed personally to me, but I still loved getting it in my email yesterday!! (The Stone’s new album officially hit #1 in the UK.)

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And while we’re at it!

A bit of Keith and a little Ronnie!

Keith!! In Dallas, in 1975!

From Phyllis Stein– Keith in a BIBA shirt!

And Keith, not smoking or drinking but very close to a glass that contains some sort of beverage–

And Ronnie — not smoking or drinking, but very close to a large sign that promotes Budweiser Beer!

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Oh!

I keep forgetting to tell you some really great news.

The little house across the road from me, that has sat empty the entire time I’ve lived here (over 8 years already), is no longer empty!!

A couple around my age bought it, rehabbed it, and moved in last week and they are so nice!! I’ve already been over to visit them a couple of times. (And that little house is the same age as mine — 125 years old. So cool to think about who might have lived in our houses back when they were first built, right?)

This little house is finally a home again!

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Okay!

Here’s Dwight!! Cowboy hat, long legs, etc. (Photo by Emily Joyce Photography)

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And here’s Jack Kerouac and a cat!

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And I loved this!

I loved David Cassidy!! (This is happening in London.)

Oh, okay — let’s go ahead and listen to this!! David singing with The Partridge Family, “I Think I Love You” from 1970!!! (Yes, I was 10 and still in Cleveland.) Don’t be shy, gang!! Sing along!!

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And here’s Keanu in Rome!!

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And because it’s summer, here’s this!

The Cars, in color!!

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And I thought this was interesting. Livestreaming July 31st, 9:30pm Eastern time. I am definitely going to check it out:

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And here’s this announcement from Nick Cave Official yesterday:

“Impressed Recordings release Too Dark To See, the first-ever anthology of Conway Savage’s music, today.

The 24-track collection brings together songs from across Conway’s career, including many rarities and is pressed on limited edition heavyweight double lilac vinyl, with the first pressing limited to 200 individually numbered copies.” You can ORDER IT HERE.

(BTW — in case you don’t know, the late Conway Savage was once a phenomenal Bad Seed.)

And this will be handy if you’ll be at the SOLD OUT Brighton show!

Gates open: 13:00
SET TIMES
13:30 – 14:15 Warmduscher
14:45 – 15:30 Cate Le Bon
16:00 – 16:45 English Teacher
17:30 – 18:30 The Flaming Lips
19:30 – 22:00 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Please allow plenty of time to enter the site. 13:00–15:00 is the best time to arrive, with busier queues expected later in the afternoon.

Alongside the music, Preston Park will feature over 50 food stalls, 15+ bars, DJs, exclusive Brighton merchandise, an Arcade Treasure Hunt, chill-out areas, the Bad Seeds Fish & Chips van and more.

And here’s Warren Ellis!! Brighton-bound!!

Here’s an intense photo of Nick Cave from the Stuttgart show–

Another great photo from the show in Vienne–

And a couple from the show last night in Carhaix, France!!

And now I guess Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are on a little break until the Brighton Show on July 31st.

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And I guess that is it for this happy Saturday!! Whew!

Enjoy yourselves, wherever you are in the world, gang!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

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

(And where were YOU the first time you saw this video on MTV??? I was sitting on the side of my bed on E.12th Street in NYC, staring at the TV and wondering: is that Johnny Depp??)

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “Into the Great Wide Open”, 1991. Enjoy, gang!!

Enjoy that horrible air quality today!

July 17, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

But at least it won’t be as hot around here as it was the last few days.

Okay, no post today, gang, I gotta head out early.

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

See ya tomorrow! 🙋‍♀️😊

Oh no! Look what we missed!

July 16, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Even though I’ve been a fan of Joe Satriani’s for 40 years….

I never knew when his birthday was.

It turns out that not only was it yesterday (see yesterday’s post wherein we didn’t wish him a happy birthday), but more importantly, he also turned 70 yesterday!! Wow!

Happy belated 70th Joe Satriani!!

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And speaking of yesterday’s birthdays–

Phyllis Stein wished Johnny Thunders a really lovely Happy Heavenly Birthday!

And she also posted a great photo of the New York Dolls at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC in 1973! (Photo by Richard Drew)

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Here’s Bill Burroughs not smoking in a bar in Paris in 1962!!!

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Yesterday, I discovered that over at that really beautiful, newly restored Historic Arcade in Newark (where my friends have that beautiful Art Gallery)–

Historic Arcade — oh, and note that bookshop at the left there. That’s the bookshop that said I could drop off a review copy of my new novel.

It turns out, that on Thursday evenings, from 5:30 – 7:30, they have live acoustic music in the Arcade! Since I’ll be on “vacation” starting next week, I’m planning to go over and check it out!

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I just wanted to add that I continue to hear from writers & publishers regarding the upcoming M. Christian tribute anthology and the amount of love people had for that guy is really just a joyful thing, gang. I am so glad that I am involved in this project.

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This was very interesting– about Flock cameras.

From yesterday, 1 hr.

Tucker Carlson:

Whistleblower Reveals the Largest Mass Surveillance Operation in History and the Coming Slave State

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And I guess we can now focus on Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds!!

You know, even though it seems like every show they’ve done since this current tour started has been incredible, the shows seem to somehow be more & more amazing every night.

First, a couple more from the show in Nimes–

From George Vjestica:

And Nick Cave–

And Nick with a couple of Bad Seeds–

And the rest are from the show last night in Vienne, France.

First, the seste list! (Often spelled “set” but since they are now in France, we decided to spell it differently!!)

Some of the Bad Seeds!

And Nick Cave!!

And tomorrow, they play Carhaix, France. You can buy tickets HERE. And then that will be it until the SOLD OUT extravaganza in Brighton!

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And while we’re at it, here’s this!

While the movie, “The Bad Seed”, came out in theaters in 1956, before I was born, there was always a big buzz whenever it showed on TV in the 1960s.

I was a very young girl when I first saw it on television and it scared the bejeezus out of me. It was SO CREEPY!! (The little girl turned out to be a psychopathic serial killer…) Here’s a 4-minute clip:

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And I guess that is it for today!

I will not be posting here tomorrow because I have my final early client tomorrow. (And then only 2 more clients after that, and then Sunday is my final day before retiring.)

Today, I’m going to try to focus on just making myself happy — probably here at my desk. But I also want to take a walk before it gets too hot out, and do yoga. Anything to take my mind off how difficult it is to tell each of my clients goodbye. But, wow, do I feel loved, gang. And I know that I’m going to be missed. But I also know that I have to focus on my own life again before time gets completely away from me.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this.

I woke up singing it to the cats this morning.

I loved these guys so much, in all their various styles.

The Bee Gees. “Too Much Heaven.” 1978. Enjoy, gang.

“Too Much Heaven”

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb

Oh you and me girl
Got a lot of love in store
And it flows through you
And it flows through me
And I love you so much more
Than my life..

I can see beyond forever
Ev’rything we are will never die
Loving’s such a beautiful thing
Oh you make my world a summer day
Are you just a dream to fade away

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb

You and me girl got a highway to the sky
We can turn away from the night and day
And the tears we had to cry
You’re my life..

I can see a new tomorrow
Ev’rything we are will never die
Loving’s such a beautiful thing
When you are to me, the light above
Made for all to see our precious love

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb

Love is such a beautiful thing
You make my world a summer day
Are you just a dream to fade away

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as wide as a river and harder to cross

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb

c – 1978 Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb

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.