The bad news is that the retired Minister had to be taken to the hospital. (And this is really, really not a good thing.)

But the good news for me, though, is that I got today off unexpectedly.

So this means I have 2 days off in a row.

Two very Spring-like days, I might add. (Update: now they’re saying high winds again this afternoon, followed by thunderstorms then rain through tomorrow!!! And temps going back down below freezing. Weather manipulation, anyone??) Anyway.

Which means I might even be able to go out and take a couple of walks in the sunshine, surrounded by things turning green. But I will certainly be able to spend a lot of time on my writing. Finish going over the final proof for The Curse of Our Profound Disorder and maybe even finish the short story.

Regardless, this is such a relief for me. Two days off in a row. I’m just sorry it had to come with a serious downside for someone else.

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Okay.

I tried watching the new “Peaky Blinders” film on Netflix last night, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so violent. I made it through about maybe ten minutes. Literally. When they shot the bird and showed the close-up of it, bleeding & dead, I said, “All righty. I see how this is gonna be.” And that was that.

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And somewhat related —

This is an excellent book:

“One of America’s greatest living literary legends invites you to think for yourself in this compelling narrative of manipulation, power, and the human condition.” (And the role of horror in entertainment.)

You can buy it here.

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Okay.

Here’s this.

Dr. Terry Traster is also a member of James Tabor’s Research Group. The stuff he discusses here are things that are discussed in the Research Group all the time — specifically ancient markings on ossuaries from 1st Century Jerusalem.

Archaeological Evidence for the New Testament | Dr. Terry Traster (40 mins):

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All right.

Here’s this.

The Rolling Stones in London in 1964:

And the Rolling Stones, different line-up, at Stephen Stills’ home in Laurel Canyon, LA, in 1969:

And the above photo led me to unearth a book I’ve had since 1973. (The above photo is in the book.) (And, no, I did not steal the book!! I bought it with money I earned from babysitting!!)

This book meant the world to me, gang, and I took it just about everywhere I went back then:

Back cover:

And the inside cover, in case you wanted to know whose property it was!!

The book was (is) loaded with photos, record reviews, interviews, concert reviews — all kinds of cool stuff from the first decade of their career!

AND (!!) sheet music for every song they’d written up to & including Sticky Fingers!!! (Seriously. And that is a lot of songs.)

I used this book a lot while practicing my guitar and also the piano.

And when the book fell open to the above music page just now, a handwritten song fell out.

Apparently, I had also taken this book with me to the mental hospital (along with my guitar — well, the guitar was brought to me a week or so later. I also had Music Therapy while in the hospital — with the same Music Therapist who made us turn off Bob Dylan’s incredible new record, “Blood on the Tracks”, because she claimed it “wasn’t music”).

The song is sort of a joke about being in the mental hospital and several of us “inmates” wrote it together, while sitting in the kitchen area one afternoon. (Even though we were all ages 13-17, we were allowed to smoke in the kitchen area!! Plus, our parents gave us each $5 a month and the staff bought us each a carton of cigarettes with the money. Yes. $5 for a whole carton of Marlboros!! Parent Approved!!)

Anyway.

I had forgotten all about this song!! “Up On A Hill”.

You’ll note that it is copyrighted: Summer 1975. Smart move!! And that it is dedicated to Harding Funny Farm. (I don’t know whose handwriting this is, it’s definitely not mine. Although the “copyright” along the side there is my handwriting.)

(The third name at the bottom there in pencil, before “etc.”, is the name of the girl I fell in love with there. She was my first girlfriend, in the bisexual sense, and we got into a TON of trouble in the hospital, as well as when we both got out of the hospital. And I mean a ton…)

When I turned the paper over just now, it said this (this is my handwriting from back then):

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Well, that was quite an unexpected trip down Memory Lane!!

Back to this….

Nick Cave smoking in color!! In 1988:

And smoking in 1984! In black & white:

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All righty!

I’m going to finish up the laundry. Wash (and trim!!) my lovely hair. And then get down to work on proofing The Curse of Our Profound Disorder.

I hope you have a really beauty-filled Sunday, wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting,

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this!

From the cassette that is currently in the retro boombox next to my bed.

From 1991, Praying Mantis, a collection of poetry & prose readings by Jim Carroll, most of it recorded live at St. Mark’s Church, in downtown NYC, way back when.

“Times Square’s Cage” a poem. Parental Advisory!! (2 mins). Enjoy, gang.