Who knew, gang?

Even though. apparently, it’s been sitting right there on my schedule for a couple of weeks already —

But I finally noticed last night that my Tuesday shifts have been cut back by 1 hour for the rest of the summer!

So, um, yes — my Friday evening shift was totally cut and now an additional hour each week has been cut. But rather than freak out and think about my bank account, I’ve decided that — YAY!! — more time to myself all summer long. (Except that I have that early morning shift out on that farm this coming Saturday.)

Anyway.

It has cheered my mood considerably. I have time to do the blog today and also work on the play a little bit, before heading to town.

And it’s another beautiful day today. So, yay.

Wayne and I had a great chat yesterday!

We talked for about an hour and half, and not just about his recent trip to Australia and Vietnam. Since it was his birthday yesterday, we also talked about how he feels, being 72. (He was 38 when we met, 39 when we got married.) We talked mostly about how much has changed in the world.

And we talked about NYC — we’re going to try to meet up while I’m there, but it always depends on his work schedule at the Union Club.

Anyway. It was a great chat.

The update on my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn, though — I finally got an update from her yesterday morning and it was not good.

It’s not life-threatening, but the doctor is strongly urging surgery on both of her hands and she is very depressed (and still having a lot of pain, so she still can’t do much of anything, let alone draw or paint).

It’s also looking like I’m not going to be able to see her in NYC this trip, which really sucks, since she’s literally my best friend in the world and I only get to see her about once a year, if I’m lucky.

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Okay.

On to happier things–

From Keith’s birthday wishes to Ronnie Wood yesterday:

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And Johnny Depp has some new limited edition art launching with Castle Fine Art — “Yesterday’s Flowers”:

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And today is Charlie Watts’ heavenly birthday!!!

Happy heavenly birthday, Charlie!

And in my opinion, nothing says “Charlie Watts” like this song!! Such an iconic intro!! The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women,” 1966!!

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And here’s the Stones in NYC in 1980, photo by the legendary Annie Leibovitz! (Charlie front & enter, Keith not going to let go…)

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All right.

EIGHT more days, gang, until stuff like THIS starts happening again!!

Buy tickets HERE!!

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And that is actually it for today.

I’m gonna spend a little time on the Caiaphas play, and then head out.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this!

The Oldies FM Radio Station was only playing disco this morning, so I switched on the CD that’s currently in the retro boombox beside my bed–

So, here’s this!!

From 1956, the fucking classic “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” !!! Enjoy, gang. We sure did.

“Hallelujah, I Love Her So”

Let me tell you about a girl I know
She is my baby and she live next door
Every morning ‘fore the sun comes up
She bring my coffee in my favorite cup
That’s why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so

When I’m in trouble and I have no friends
I know she’ll go with me until the end
Everybody asks me how I know
I smile at them and say she told me so
That’s why I know, oh, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so

[Bridge]
Now if I call her on the telephone
And tell her that I’m all alone
By the time I count from one to four
I hear her [knocking] on my door

In the evening when the sun goes down
When there is nobody else around
She kisses me and she hold me tight
And tell me “Daddy, everything’s all right”
That’s why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so

[Sax solo]

[Bridge]
Now if I call her on the telephone
And tell her that I’m all alone
By the time I count from one to four
I hear her on my door

In the evening when the sun goes down
When there is nobody else around
She kisses me and she hold me tight
And tell me “Daddy, everything’s all right”
That’s why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so

[Outro]
Oh, hallelujah
Don’t you know I just love her so
She’s my little woman waiting across town
Baby, I’m a little fool for you girl

c – 1956 Ray Charles