Sorry I’m late!

July 28, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

I have today and tomorrow off, plus I was up kinda late (for me, anyway), chatting with my eHarmony guy after I got home from my shift last night!

So after the many, many cats and I had breakfast this morning, I went back to bed for a while and it felt FANTASTIC!

It wasn’t too hot (yet). The windows were open and the birds were singing. Most of the kittens and cats were downstairs somewhere, or otherwise being peaceful. So it was great.

And I’ve already had my chat with Sandra regarding the play — I won’t have any real work to do on it until August 1st – 15th. But some of the things Sandra wants to add to the script are terrific. I’m really excited. This play (which I love) just gets better and better and better, gang.

The carpenter is coming to give me a quote today, but that’s not until the day is basically over. (When the heat should be at its hottest and a thunderstorm should be underway!)

So now I have the AC on, the laundry is almost done, and the day is wide open in front of me!!

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Okay!

For those of you who were not able to get me a gift in time for my birthday last week [HINT: That was every single one of you…] —

The Summer Sale over at Cave Things is still going on until TOMORROW morning at 10AM, UK time!

So there is still time to get me this! On sale! And help feed my addiction to dishes! I only have SIX creamers in the house, so clearly I need one more!!

Up Jumped The Devil Milk Jug — $39 (plus shipping to the USA).

“An immediate sellout when it first appeared on Cave Things in 2021, the Up Jumped The Devil Milk Jug finally returns in a slightly updated form. A delicate glazed ceramic milk jug with blue watercolour painting, it echoes a refined Victorian teatime object, but carries a disturbing motif – the Devil himself.“

Hurry! Time is running out….

And lest we forget!! One of my all-time favorite songs by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, “Up Jumped the Devil”, 1988:

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Yesterday’s shift was yet another easy one with the retired Minister and his lovely wife! After we were able to persuade him to do his Physical Therapy exercises, we spent the rest of the evening watching old reruns of “The Love Boat,” Daniel Boone”, and “The Andy Griffith Show”!

And, yes! I got PAID to do that! So what’s not to love?

But seriously, it was a very pleasant shift. And as always, I am super glad to be back home.

I think that’s really it for now. I wish I weren’t under an ironclad mandate to not write about my new friend, but such is life. I can at least tell you that it continues to amaze me — the things we have in common. And how considerate he is. And unpredictable. And straightforward and funny.

I will say that he said, when he sits out on his porch, he can hear the train when it’s passing through Crazeysburg! That gives you an idea of how close he is — and also how LOUD that fucking train is! (You wanna see cats & kittens scatter? Wait ’til that train starts approaching!!)

The ~~ACTUAL~~, OOPS! NOT the actual train that comes through my town!

And here’s this!! Because I love it and WHY not??!!

“Folsom Prison Blues”

I hear the train a comin’
It’s rolling round the bend
And I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when
I’m stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin’ on
But that train keeps a rollin’ on down to San Antone

When I was just a baby my mama told me
“Son, always be a good boy, don’t ever play with guns”
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry

I bet there’s rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
They’re probably drinkin’ coffee and smoking big cigars
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can’t be free
But those people keep a movin’
And that’s what tortures me

Well if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I’d move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom prison, that’s where I want to stay
And I’d let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away

c- 1955 Johnny Cash

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And that’s it for today!

Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Happy Days, All Around!

July 27, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Okay, lots of cool stuff today!!

I’ll start with this:

Alice Cooper participated in a tribute concert for Ozzy Osborne in London on Friday, and Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance! (They are both, of course, bandmates in the Hollywood Vampires).

From Johnny’s Instagram page:

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And after I posted to the blog yesterday, Keith Richards posted a Happy Birthday post for Mick’s birthday on Instagram. Here are some of the photos!!

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And in AWESOME news!

I saw this while I was with my favorite 94-year-old Japanese client yesterday and wanted to post it right away!! But I’m not allowed to fool around on my phone when I’m with a client…

Anyway!

Awesome news.

Yesterday, in Arles, France, Nick Cave was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres — for his significant contributions to the arts and literature of France!!! (I think that’s what it’s called — I had to piece that together from several different Nick Cave fan accounts on Instagram.)

From Susie Cave’s Instagram account yesterday:

So how beautiful is that, gang?? He seems to be having a TERRIFIC summer!

And from the sold out Arles concert last night — not many photos to choose from, but the outdoor venue looks like it was really cool.

The Solo Tour will continue in early August, for 3 nights in Bergen, Norway, but they are sold out.

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Okay!

In the eHarmony department….

Truly sad news for you guys!! But he and I chatted on the phone again last night and he told me — in no uncertain, no vague or hard-to-understand way — that he doesn’t want me writing about him. He really values his privacy.

I think I said something like: “Oh nooooooo!!!”

So there you have it!!

But, wow, gang. At least on the phone, he and I get along spectacularly! And it’s looking like we are going to try to meet in person later this coming week.

But OMG. even while we have had entirely different lives, our personalities are so similar.

And he actually listens to me when I’m talking to him. And he also makes me laugh.

AND–

He also makes me CRY. In the best way!!

This video was waiting for me on my phone this morning. He could not have picked 2 more perfect singers. I adore them both — and they are also both connected to my birth dad, in the best way.

When I watched this video in my bed, first thing, my little heart beamed with JOY and I started to cry.

Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins – Today I Started Loving You Again (1969) (5 mins):

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And if you will forgive me for perhaps jumping the gun a little — but I can’t help it…

The chorus to THIS wonderful song from 1987 keeps popping up in my head here this morning, REALLY LOUDLY (play it loud and sing along to the chorus, gang!!):

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And I think that’s it for now.

I have a few hours here before I have to head out to see the retired Minister and his wife. So I want to get some writing done.

Tomorrow, the carpenter comes to give me an estimate for replacing the 126-year-old basement stairs… and then I think I’m working with Sandra on the play. We shall see.

Have a blessed Sunday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!!

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James Tabor is starting a new series — one that is really, really close to my heart– how any mention of Jesus’ family rather quickly gets removed from the New Testament in the various gospels.

The Fading of the Jesus Family–Phase One (17 mins):

Another beautiful morning!

July 26, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

But it’s going to be another scorcher of a day.

But do I really care????

NO!! My little window AC unit works fantastically, gang. What a gift from God!!!!

However, I was gone for 12 hours yesterday, and I had left the AC on, with the kittens closed up in the room. And when I got home, they were sort of like: “What the fuck is your deal??We’ve been locked up in this refrigerator the whole damn day. Where the hell have you been??”

And then they went zooming out into the hall and got all the other cats riled up and no one settled down for about 90 minutes after that, so I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last night.

Still. I’m so happy. I love my AC!

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No real update on the eHarmony front today, since I had to work back-to-back shifts yesterday. But we did have a few nice texts!

Hopefully, this evening, we will get to chat on the phone again!

But, wow, both shifts yesterday were incredible, gang.

My favorite 94-year-old Japanese client, and then my other favorite client — the retired Chaplain who is back from Florida. I had a really long shift with her and it was amazing. The stuff we talked about.

And I had cause to read part of her CV yesterday because it was out on the table. Wow. She did unbelievable stuff as a Chaplain. Always going into the heart of horrible places, to work mostly with rescued infants and children. I don’t know how she did it — for decades. The horrific stuff she’s had to witness. Her faith in Christ is absolutely unshakable.

And even though I was there forever, the time just flew. She really helped me get some clarity on that memoir I’m writing about the 1970s and my various father figures. She said something like, “God gave you your voice to express through your writing. Use your voice. You must write the memoir. Be honest and be brave with it. You will help people.”

Something like that. it was just what I needed to hear.

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Okay!

Here’s this!!

From Wayne this morning. He leaves Cambodia on Monday and he is not ready to go back to NYC. He has had a great time — this was his second trip to Cambodia.

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And here’s this!

Keith and Charlie in the mid-1960s!

Oh, and a happy 82nd birthday to Mick Jagger:

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And tonight, Nick Cave’s Solo Tour with Colin Greenwood on bass continues! A music festival in Arles, France. And, yes, it is SOLD OUT.

Here’s this, from the show in Cannes!

Next, they play 3 sold out shows in Bergen. Norway. (I cannot believe it is almost August, gang. Where did the time go???)

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I think that’s it for now. I’m still kinda worn out from yesterday, so I want to try to just lie down for another minute, before I have to drive back to town.

Enjoy your Saturday, wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Another Quick One!

July 25, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

The plumber who was a no-show for 3 days in a row, texted last evening, saying that he could make it here this morning, before I leave for my shifts. (A long double today!)

So I gotta scoot here.

But WOW did we sleep great in here last night!! The new AC unit is fantastic!!

And my new eHarmony friend and I spoke on the phone again last evening, and we talked for about 2 hours (!!). We have so much in common, it’s crazy, gang.

I think we are going to try to actually meet sometime next week, since I will have so many days off (at least as of right now).

And my Social Security money was in my account this morning, so now I gotta pay bills.

So enjoy your Friday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

Speedy Update #2 😃

July 24, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

The electrician has been here!!!

Yay!!!

We are gonna sleep good tonight!🥰

Speedy update!

July 24, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

No dice on the AC unit. Not only does it require 2 people, it also requires a couple of tools that I don’t actually own.

Oh well. Fingers crossed that I’ll sleep tonight….🙁

Absolutely Happening!

July 24, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Yes, it’s a great day.

It’s gonna be a scorcher, though, so here’s hoping I am able to install that window AC unit because I’m going to need AC later, for sure.

I’m guessing it’s easy to install, but the thing is fucking heavy. It was kind of astounding that I was able to get it out of the car, carry it into the house and up the stairs (on my 65th birthday, no less!). Of course, the guy at Best Buy — who was maybe 19 years old and, well, a guy — made it seem effortless when he loaded it into the trunk of my car…

Anyway! It’s in my room and I’m going to tackle it today — while waiting on a different plumber, because the other plumber never showed after 3 days in a row of waiting.

My clients who have been in rehab, and who were supposed to come out this month, but didn’t — I got word from the Agency yesterday that they will still be in rehab for the entire month of August. Which means I’m going to have to live close to the bone around here.

But at least I got everything worked out about my retirement money with the Social Security office yesterday. (Another glitch in the system because of putting me onto Medicare now.) I should have my money for July in a couple of days.

But this is that double-edged sword thingie: less shifts to work but more days off! More time to work on the novel (and/or the play). So that makes me really happy, gang.

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Okay. The eHarmony thing is making me REALLY happy, too. So we shall see. We’re supposed to chat on the phone today — for the first time. So far, we’ve just been texting on our phones.

And if the chat goes well, then we’ll meet.

I can’t really go into any details yet about why I am so happy, because we don’t know each other and I don’t want to violate his privacy — I try only to violate the privacy of people I know really well!!! (And then their privacy becomes an utter wasteland. So you’ll just have to wait…)

However, I will share this. But I won’t say why. I’ll just say it sparked a really happy evening around here. I have always loved this song.

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Okay.

I’ve never been a Black Sabbath fan, and I didn’t have an opinion of Ozzy Osborne, one way or the other, but of the hundreds of photos on Instagram yesterday, I loved this one, so I share it here.

From the Whiskey a Go Go in Los Angeles:

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Just a reminder!

The final week of the Smashwords Summer Sale is now under way.

Check my substack page for all the details about my 4 eBooks that are free to download during the sale! (Adults only!! Graphic erotic fiction!! And these are OLD books & stories — from the 90s through 2011.)

And thanks again to all of you who have been downloading these eBooks all month long. I really appreciate it!!

Absolutely 100% positively ME! Oops, sorry. NOT me.

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Here’s this!

Wayne, earlier today, at Beng Mealea, Cambodia (dating back to 928 AD) (Well, Wayne only dates back to 1954 AD):

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Tonight! In France! (A music festival in Cannes.)

The Nick Cave solo tour with Colin Greenwood on bass continues. Yes! It is sold out!!

No photos yet, obviously, but here’s this again!!

And here’s this –Nick with fans; it was taken the other day in Pompeii:

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And I guess that’s it for now.

Gonna tackle that AC unit and pray for a spectacular result!

And I’m hoping that, this afternoon, the new plumber shows up on time. (Allegedly 1 or 1:30. We shall see.) Then the carpenter comes on Monday, and I should be all set to submit my application for the USDA RD home improvement loan!!

Okay. Enjoy your Thursday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Here’s this again! Great driving to town music!! Now, especially, I love this song…

From my wee bonny girlhood! “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” The Eagles, 1972. Enjoy, gang!!

Another Glorious Day?

July 23, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Well, the weather is absolutely unbelievable. Again.

And today is the day I’m taking my favorite 94-year-old Japanese client out to the clubhouse again for lunch…

The place with all the spectacular views, that he really just loves. (“Utopia,” is what he calls it.)

We’re celebrating my birthday, and what would have been my dad’s 95th birthday (today), and my client’s upcoming 95th birthday, and hanging out with whatever other spirits decide to be present!

And I slept great — AGAIN. Just the most incredible weather.

And I did indeed get a window AC unit from Best Buy yesterday, although not the one I was waiting on. It seems to be lost in oblivion somewhere, so instead I cancelled that one, and bought one that was on sale and right there in the store.

And now it is right here in my bedroom, but I haven’t installed it yet.

Anyway.

Today is also the day that my retirement check from Social Security is supposed to be in my checking account, but there is nary a sign of it!

And I need to start paying off everything I spent in NYC.

So at 9AM on the dot, I have to call them and I hope to get it straightened out. And get it done before I have to leave for my shift.

So, even though I had a really nice time on my birthday yesterday, the thrill is starting to wear off…

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On a happier note, though…

The eHarmony situation is still going GREAT.

I don’t feel comfortable posting the details because I don’t actually know him yet, although we are planning on meeting. However, it is sufficient to say at this point that it is really going great.

He is not only really cool (see yesterday’s “desperado” tattoo comments) and only 10 minutes away, he also has a sense of humor, he’s intelligent, he’s retired, he’s divorced, his kids are grown, he loves animals, and he also likes shooting guns (!!)… and he loves MUSIC. And he has a past he doesn’t want to talk about yet! (Don’t we ALL???!!!)

So there is really just a lot of cool stuff to start off with. So we shall see! But, meanwhile, I’m happy about it, gang. I really am.

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Here are a few photos from the second sold out night in Rome, last night!

Nick Cave’s solo tour of Europe with Colin Greenwood on bass:

Starting on Thursday, they will be in France, but it is sold out.

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Forgot!

July 22, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

A couple of other cool things that happen today, in addition to my birthday!!

My hometown — Cleveland — turns 229 years old today! It was founded by Moses Cleveland on July 22, 1796!

And today is also the Feast of Mary Magdalene!!

Well, the plumber is a no-show again, so I have to find someone else. But I found a carpenter!! He’ll be coming by tomorrow.

We’re almost there, gang.

Okay! Enjoy the rest of your day. See ya!

What a Glorious Day!

July 22, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Yes! It is my birthday today!

Officially on Medicare — the big 6-5!

And, of course, tomorrow would have been my dad’s birthday. There were tons of photos of us sharing our birthdays together as I was growing up, but for some reason, this is the only photo that remains.

I’ve posted it here before, but here it is again! In our first house in Cleveland. I’m 2. My dad is 32. Summer of 1962.

And later today, I’m heading into town to meet up with my favorite Q-following girlfriend and we’ll be going out to dinner. I can’t wait.

It is another STUNNING day! And it was only 59 degrees Fahrenheit when I woke up this morning!

Wow, gang. Usually, on my birthday, it is ungodly HOT. But I guess God had other ideas this year. I’m so happy.

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Well, the plumber was not able to get here yesterday so he’s supposed to get over here before I have to leave for town. We shall see! But the HVAC guy came and his quote was indescribably reasonable. I kinda couldn’t believe it!! I am so hoping that I can get all this paperwork turned in before the USDA RD runs out of funds for the season.

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Okay!

So. On the eHarmony front —

The guy I mentioned briefly the other day — the one who sounded interesting and who only lived about 10 minutes from here?

Wow. He wrote again yesterday. And we texted on the site for quite awhile — even while I was out taking a walk in yesterday’s gorgeous weather. I’m sure I looked like one of those people I always feel sorry for — they can’t just enjoy a nice walk, they keep stopping to text someone on their cellphone…

Anyway. Yes, well, that was me! And then eventually, we moved the texting off of the site and onto our own phone numbers. And we texted on into the evening.

He is so cool!! About a year older than me. With a lone “Desperado” tattoo that was also quite cool (even though I’m not a fan of tattoos. It was totally old school. I loved it!)

Well, I don’t want to violate his privacy so I won’t say more. But I hope we meet! And I will add this!!

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And speaking of Desperados!!

Here’s this– more cool photos of Keith in aviator shades!! Late 1960s.

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In case you didn’t see this yet —

More documents on Martin Luther King’s assassination are going online at DNI.gov. You can read all of it HERE.

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And here’s this!

The swimming pool and jacuzzi this morning at Wayne’s hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia!

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And my friend Roger in the Netherlands sent me this article from The Guardian last night!

Nick Cave fans swarm charity bookshop in UK after musician donates thousands of books

“Nick Cave fans have descended on a charity bookshop in Hove, in southern England, after the musician donated 2,000 books from his personal collection….” [full article here]

(So, what is up with Nick Cave??? First, that amazingly HAPPY guy in Lucca, Italy? Then he unloads thousands of his books??? Hmmm….)

Meanwhile–

In Rome, yesterday, at the sold out show!

Nick Cave and Colin Greenwood continue to move people beyond belief.

I wish I could embed some of the videos I saw on Instagram from the end of the show. So many people got onstage with them!!

They return to Rome tonight, but is is also sold out.

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And I’m thinking that’s it for now.

So far, no word from Best Buy regarding my window AC unit. But since it’s right by the restaurant where we’re having dinner later, I’m going to stop in the store anyway.

Another heatwave is coming this week…

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Okay!!

Enjoy my birthday, wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this!

Hank Snow’s classic, “The Golden Rocket”, 1950. Enjoy, gang.

“The Golden Rocket”

From old Montana down to Alabam’
I’ve been before and I’ll travel again
You triflin’ women can’t keep a good man down
You dealt the cards but you missed a play
So hit the road and be on your way
Gonna board the Golden Rocket and leave this town

I was a good engine a runnin’ on time
But baby I’m switchin’ to another line
So honey never hang your signal out for me
I’m tired of runnin’ on the same old track
Bought a one way ticket and I won’t be back
This Golden Rocket’s gonna roll my blues away

Hear that lonesome whistle blow
That’s your cue and by now you know
That I got another true love waitin’ in Tennessee
That midnight special is burnin’ the rail
So woman don’t try to follow my tail
This Golden Rocket’s gonna roll my blues away

Hear her thunder run through the night
That Golden Rocket is doin’ me right
And that sunny old southland sure is a part of me
Now from your call board erase my name
Your fire went out you done lost your flame
And this Golden Rocket is rollin’ my blues away

That old conductor he seemed to know
You done me wrong I was feelin’ low
For he yelled aloud we’re over that Dixon Line
The brakeman started singin’ a song
Said you’re worried now but it won’t be long
This Golden Rocket is leavin’ your blues behind

Then the porter yelled with his southern drawl
Let’s rise and shine good mornin’ y’all
And I sprang to my feet to greet the new born day
When I kissed my baby at the station door
The whistle blew like never before
On the Golden Rocket that rolled my blues away

c – 1950 Hank Snow