Okay, so it’s looking like Tuesdays are now my new day to go to town and get the groceries!

And, wow, it is another really gorgeous day today, gang. It will be such a lovely drive.

And I’ve decided to stop in at the Honda dealership in town, too, and see if there’s any way at all they would let me either re-negotiate the lease on my current Honda Civic, or let me trade it in a year early (on a 3-year lease).

My current lease was negotiated back when I still had really horrible credit, leftover from the bankruptcy caused by the scamdemic lockdowns. And so my monthly payment is really high — over twice what I usually paid on leases before the bankruptcy.

I was really grateful that they still arranged a lease for me on a brand new car when I had such lousy credit, but, well, I thought I’d just see if I have any options 2 years later. (Sometimes they want the cars back so that they can turn around and sell them used for a “truckload” of money…) We’ll see. I still love the car. I just don’t love the high payment.

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All right.

If you didn’t see the recent video on social media of the new Rolling Stones song, “Mr. Charm”, underscoring some really funny footage of Ronnie Wood being, well, annoying in the recording studio… Well, it was really cute!

And now! Ronnie Wood announces a new work of art! Limited to 195 prints, each is hand-signed, numbered, and named. Coming August 7th!! (Order it HERE)

“Mr. Charm”:

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Yesterday, the weekly newsletter from Black Lawrence Press reminded us to take the Sealey Challenge in August!!

“The Sealey Challenge, a community challenge to read one poetry book a day in the month of August, is in its 10th year! Be sure to check out their website for bingo cards, participation suggestions, and ways to modify the challenge if you don’t have the time to devour 31 whole books this month.”

And, yes! Since I have plenty of TIME now, I began the challenge yesterday by reading Thaddeus Rutkowski’s new poetry collection, Tracks In Snow (Finishing Line Press).

I really enjoyed it! (Although I love everything he’s ever written…)

I realized that I easily have at least 31 books of poetry in the house already — about 29 of which I haven’t read in a really long time. Plus, about 15 of them were written by poets that I actually know, so it will be fun to revisit everyone.

Next up is Awakened (2006, Rogues Scholars Press) by Iris N. Schwartz & Madeline Artenberg. Both just wonderful poets! But apparently, I haven’t read the book in 20 years!! I’m looking forward to reading it again tonight.

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Before I forget, I found out some really disturbing news yesterday about the new neighbors across the road from me — the ones who recently bought and are rehabbing the little 125-year-old house that has sat empty for 8 years…

They spend their winters in Florida!!!

I was flabbergasted!

ME (flabbergasted): “You mean, you’re not going to be here for Christmas??!!”

HE: “We’re not into Christmas. Never have been.”

I was so looking forward to seeing how they were going to decorate the little house… Oh well.

(Loyal readers of this lofty blog no doubt recall that I am in no way over-the-top about Christmas…)

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Okay.

Here’s this!

I hear that train a-coming, honey!!

Johnny Cash, in front of Folsom Prison, 1968!!

And here’s this (again), while we’re at it! One of my favorite songs of all time!! Johnny Cash, “Folsom Prison Blues” LIVE, 1968!!

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And here are a few more photos from the Bad Seeds’ show in Dresden on Sunday!!

George & Larry!

And here’s this! Nick Cave in “Fucking Dresden — so beautiful!” I concur!!

And another WONDERFUL shot of Nick–

Tonight & tomorrow, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Croatia! Tomorrow is SOLD OUT, but you can buy tickets here for tonight if you hurry — and if, you know, you , like, live down the block…!!

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All righty.

That is it!

I am off to town to run the various errands.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

Speaking of poetry in August…

Yes, I am still reading John Cooper Clarke’s really long autobiography (and still loving it!!) I Wanna Be Yours (Picador UK, 2020).

So, from the punk poet himself, John Cooper Clarke, a punk poetry recital on London TV in 1980: “Beasley Street”. Enjoy, gang!