I also got texts from several people, basically all at once. Including from Wayne — who really got me chuckling, I must say. His text auto-corrected itself and so, unbeknownst to him, he updated me on his Cadillac surgery from yesterday. It took me a moment to realize he’d had “cataract” surgery. But that sent us off on a little tangent that was so funny. (I then remembered perfectly why I had married Wayne…)
I also got a few texts from my buddy Steve, the guy I’ve been friends with since we were 11. He asked me out for lunch for Friday! So he and I are meeting at Bummies on Main tomorrow! It should be really fun!
I love this specific photo because it looks like it’s totally abandoned out West somewhere…
I also got a few texts from the girlfriend who told me recently about the hidden Convent out in the woods! We might be going to Mass there together this coming Sunday morning!! Not confirmed yet, but I hope so!!
Children of Mary Convent
After I was done reading and studying and texting all at the same time — I lay in bed listening to this on LibriVox. It is read by David Barnes, who is one of my favorite readers on LibriVox. (This is the YouTube link, but it is the very same audiobook that’s on LibriVox.)
Written in 1373, Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich (7 hrs):
**************
I thought this announcement today from the Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC was really cool. (This is the theatre under the West Bank Cafe on W. 42nd Street.)
“The Laurie Beechman Theatre and York Theatre Company are thrilled to introduce the first three “Stars To Be” as part of their new Star to Be Project, which gives support and performance opportunities to the next generation of theater and cabaret artists.
Created in response to the rising costs of producing live performance in New York City, the program removes financial barriers for emerging performers, writers, and creators while ensuring the theatre can continue its legacy as a vital incubator for new work. The goal is to bring these talents to a wider audience through solo performances, guest spot opportunities, and Beechman sponsored industry showcases.”
Johnny Depp’s Art Exhibit, “Figures of the Fringe”, is headed to Shanghai in August! (I believe this is the same “A Bunch of Stuff” exhibit that I saw in NYC with Wayne and just loved.)
He was not a musician I was familiar with, but there were outpourings of grief all over Instagram yesterday. Including this:
**************
Okay, here’s this lovely photo of Johnny Thunders from Phyllis Stein.
In NYC in 1973 (photo by Toshi Matsuo):
**************
And the huge Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ homecoming bash in Brighton has officially gotten underway. There have been a couple of videos on Instagram but no photos yet! (A really, really long line to get into the Resident record shop there.)
But in the meantime, here’s this!! From the fantastic FB page!
By tomorrow, there should probably be a lot more photos, and then tomorrow night is the actual SOLD OUT concert.
I’m guessing it’s gonna be off the charts!!
************
And I believe that is it for now!
I’m gonna go out and take a walk and see if it helps me get my energy back.
This evening I’ll be at the Historic Arcade, in the Archive Bottle Shop & Lounge with Debbie!! A little live acoustic music, beer, wine, and charcuterie boards!! Plus, most importantly, (quiet) conversation!!! Yay!
Okay.
Have a great Thursday, wherever you are in the world.
Thanks for visiting.
I love you guys. See ya!
****************
I leave you with this! (It’s got a lot of Keith stuff!!)
The Rolling Stones – Speaking In Tongues | The Official Podcast (Episode 6) Enjoy, gang!
Today at noon is the monthly Zoom meeting for the Tabor Research Group. I almost never get to join in on that when it’s LIVE. I almost always have to listen to the recorded playback. But not anymore!!
I am so looking forward to joining that meeting live today, gang. (And I might actually leave my room! I’m thinking I might just hang out in the family room and totally chill-ax in the AC during the 3-hour call! We shall soon see!)
Me! Maybe!
And tomorrow at 3pm, is a live Zoom call with Ross K. Nichols’ Yachad Group! Again, I almost never get to listen to that one live, either. So I’m excited about joining that meeting tomorrow, as well.
And yesterday, I had another really productive day, gang.
I submitted everything I needed to submit for my proposal to speak at the writers conference in Pennsylvania in the Spring . I feel really positive about it but I will keep you posted.
Also, the bookstore in the Historic Arcade sent me an email yesterday about joining their “book cafe” to introduce my new book to local readers. So that felt very promising that I might actually get to do that book signing there, as well. It will still be a couple weeks before I will know for sure, but at least I now know I can get my book in the store.
That makes 2 local independent bookstores in 2 nearby towns! Yay!
***********
Okay!
To celebrate all these great new things in my life–
Keith and Anita, smoking while getting out of a taxi!! In 1973!!
Patti smoking a pen, while sitting on a couch with Theodora when she had that early Coke habit!! (BTW — pens are so much healthier for you, gang. Remember that, the next time you wanna light up a cigarette!!) (And depending on the pen, it can be a lot cheaper.)
And Keith not smoking, while leading the glorious Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Unit onto the Villa Nellcote property, on June 7th 1971!! (That was what led to the thing that absolutely changed my life forever, gang!)
And here’s that thing that changed my life forever — made in the Mobile Recording Unit!!
Exile on Main Street, in that glorious Year of Our Lord –1972!!
The BACK cover, for a change!! I just loved staring at this while listening to the records in my room.
Who can forget these opening chords?? Not me!! They changed my life forever!!
***********
And here’s this–
Joe Strummer hard at work on Friday!!
**********
Okay.
They did start posting some photos from Johnny Depp’s visit to Comic Con to promote Ebenezer. Here are a couple of them — but the actual videos are just really, really cute!
************
And as we await Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ upcoming homecoming bash in Brighton — (you cannot buy tickets here because it is SOLD OUT!!) —
We go to the desktop stash for a trip back in time!! August 1991, to be exact!!
Nick Cave in a great shirt!! (And please ignore the “send a gift” thingie!! No one is in need of any gifts at this time.)
************
And I believe that is it for now.
This morning is the final morning where we will have really beautiful weather. The heat’s going up this afternoon, followed by several days of rain and thunderstorms. So I’m gonna head out for another walk before the Zoom meeting gets started.
And I want to say thanks again for continuing to visit my (mostly inactive until the podcast begins) Substack page, for continuing to buy my books and eBooks, for checking out my out-of-print books on the Internet Archive, and for pre-orderingThe Curse of Our Profound Disorder.
These things really help me to stay positive and to keep on going at this lofty age of 66. So thank you, thank you, thank you.
I hope you have a happy Saturday, wherever you are in the world, gang.
Thanks for visiting.
I love you guys. See ya!
************
Let’s close with this!!
Here on the Oldies FM Radio Station on the retro boombox next to my bed, Saturdays are “Amazing 80s” Day!!
So, fresh from 1984, here was this morning’s first offering!!
“Shooting at the walls of heartache bang bang!!” — Yes!!
“The Warrior” by Scandal ft. Patty Smyth! Turn it up loud because you have NO CHOICE!! Enjoy, gang!!
I have to tell you, gang, that I did indeed drive to town yesterday to listen to the live acoustic music at that little place in the Historic Arcade.
OMG, I am so glad I went. What a beautiful little lounge. Technically, it’s a bottle shop — they sell wine and craft beer to take away. But they also serve it there, too. Along with charcuterie boards. And it is tiny — it only seats 20. But it is so peaceful in there, and just so pretty. Here are a couple of photos I found online:
The owners in front of the shop, inside the Historic Arcade:
So you can see by the above photo, that it is tiny. But I just loved it. And the vibe is just so friendly. (Here is their website: The Archive in Newark.)
And I thought this was interesting — including me, there were 19 people there when the live acoustic music started at 5:30pm, so the place was basically full. And of those 19 people, only 3 were young enough to still have their brown hair — everyone else there, including me, had silver hair!! A totally older crowd. And yet you can also see by the photo above that the owners are really young!
I found that just really interesting — talk about finding a target audience.
Anyway. I will definitely be going back. And the music yesterday was good, too. 2 men. One played an acoustic Fender guitar with a built-in pickup. And the other played this incredible acoustic dobro with a built-in pickup, that he played on his lap, with a slide. It sounded so good.
My favorite, was their (obviously acoustic) version of Springsteen’s “Racing In the Streets” from 1978.
I hadn’t thought about that song in ages (I was still in high school, living at home, when the album, Darkness on the Edge of Town, came out). But here’s the original:
**********
And while I was at the Historic Arcade, I stopped in at the bookstore there and checked in with the owner regarding my novel. He said to check back in about 2 weeks, because he hasn’t had a chance to read it yet (there are 2 other books ahead of mine).
But at least now I know a specific time to go back and check in.
But overall, I just love that Historic Arcade, gang. And I would never have known about it if my friends hadn’t opened that art gallery there —
Also a small art gallery, but also just beautiful:
*************
Okay.
I started watching the documentary about (the now deceased) Val Kilmer on Amazon last night. So far, really good:
**********
And speaking of films —
Johnny Depp made a surprise (?) appearance at Comic Con in San Diego yesterday to promote the upcoming movie, Ebenezer.
There were literally TONS of really cute videos posted to Instagram yesterday, but so far, no photos.
But meanwhile, here’s this–
************
Ronnie Wood’s solo tour of Europe has begun. You can buy setlist lithographs from the first 2 shows HERE. $110 each.
Lithographs of the setlists become available for sale the day after each show.
*************
From Nick Cave Official!
All of this will be available at the SOLD OUT upcoming homecoming bash at Brighton!
Created exclusively for the Brighton Preston Park show next Friday (31st July), this limited collection celebrates the band's homecoming show with a range of event-only merchandise featuring the official show artwork. The collection features white and black t-shirts, a long sleeve white t-shirt, a natural tote bag, two exclusive posters - one showcasing a Brighton seaside design - plus a selection of collectible souvenirs such as Brighton rock, keyring charm and a set of four badges. The exclusive limited edition 10" ‘Jubilee Street’ picture disc will also be available as part of the collection. Available exclusively at the Preston Park show, with selected merchandise also available during the Resident takeover while stocks last.
And from George Vjestica yesterday:
And while we’re waiting, here’s this!!
Nick Cave smoking, while sitting near a cassette tape recorder!! A long time ago!!
*********
And that is it for today, I think.
I tell you, gang, I am getting so much done at my desk every single day now. But I still have a TON of stuff left to do!! So I’m gonna get started by going outside and taking another walk!
After today, the weather is supposed to change again — back to hot and rainy. But these last few days have been just breathtaking around here. Truly. So beautiful.
Okay. Have a splendid Friday, wherever you are in the world!!
Thanks for visiting.
I love you guys. See ya!
************
Let’s close with this!!
From my wee bonny 14-year-old girlhood!
Wow, did I love this song back then. Still do. I have always been very much in love with the idea of “home”, and back in 1974, I really really needed that idea. I had a roof over my head, but “home” was nowhere in sight…
Anyway. “Back Home Again” by John Denver, 1974. Enjoy, gang.
Even considering that for the last 20 minutes of my dinner out with Kara at my favorite pizzeria yesterday, we argued about politics (!!). We did that last year on my birthday, too…
I try really really really really REALLY hard not to talk about politics with anybody at all anymore, but wow. She pulled me into it in a nanosecond and I could not get out because she refused to stop arguing about it.
But other than those 20 minutes– I had a wonderful birthday!
And today is my Dad’s heavenly birthday — he would have been 96.
Here he is in NYC, having breakfast with me and Wayne in our apartment on West End Avenue. Early 1990s. We were celebrating both our birthdays that weekend — my stepmom, Marie, who is also gone now, took the photo:
That brief moment in time when Wayne stopped shaving…
And, continuing with birthdays!!
I was reminded by a reader that I forgot to celebrate Bobby Sherman’s heavenly birthday yesterday!! (I guess I was just too smitten with my own birthday…!!)
However, long-time readers of this lofty blog perhaps recall that I loved Bobby Sherman when I was a little girl, and it thrilled me that he and I shared a birthday!!
So–
Happy Belated Heavenly Birthday, Bobby!
And while we’re at it, here’s this!! “Cried Like A Baby” — one of Bobby Sherman’s Greatest Hits! (Try not to dance the pony all around the room when the chorus hits, but you might not be successful with that!! I sure wasn’t!!)
And, wow — what else did I miss yesterday??!!
Yes, it was the Feast of Mary Magdalene!! (I actually can’t believe I forgot that one, gang.)
Now back to my OWN birthday!!
Wayne sent me this video early yesterday morning. I just loved it!
The Ramones The Simpsons Birthday Song (40 seconds):
And Steve, the guy I’ve been friends with since we were 11, not only texted me to say “Mazel Tov” on my retirement (I think he’s the only Jewish friend I have left from my wee bonny girlhood), but he also sent this!
Was (Not Was) — “I Feel Better Than James Brown” (4 mins):
But I must say that this next one really delighted me, gang!
I got a text from Dennis right after dinner!! Wishing me a Happy Birthday, and he sent me this video!!
Rod Stewart — “Forever Young” (from way back in 1988. Wonderful):
But I also got some phone calls, some emails, and even quite a few actual BIRTHDAY CARDS this year!! I still have them all propped up on the kitchen table.
So, really, it was just such a nice day.
And starting today — back to my desk!! Wow, do I have a lot of stuff to do. But all of it is connected to various writing projects so I couldn’t be happier.
*************
Okay!
Here’s this!!
I loved how they phrased this! Words that are so un-Kafka like: “stylish bust”.
From the Franz Kafka Museum in Prague:
***********
And from Phyllis Stein!!
Keith, Mick, and Mick apparently not smoking in LA in 1969!! (Photo by Ethan Russell):
**************
And since everyone “Bad Seeds-related” seems to be taking a break right now–
From the desktop stash!! Going back in time!
Nick Cave (with Tracy Pew and some drunk people) not smoking in Germany!! Instead — he’s catching up on some sleep before the upcoming SOLD OUT homecoming bash in Brighton that is many decades away!!!!
**************
And I guess that is it for now.
It is another cool, sunny, gorgeous day here so I’m gonna head out for a walk now and then get down to work.
There is that live acoustic music show going on at the Historic Arcade starting at 5:30 this evening. I’m going to try to attend that but we’ll see how it goes around here.
Meanwhile, enjoy your Thursday, wherever you are in the world, gang.
Thanks for visiting.
I love you guys. See ya!
************
Let’s close with this!
They actually just released Episode 5 on Prime this morning, but it’s not on YouTube yet, so here’s this!
The Rolling Stones – Speaking In Tongues | The Official Podcast (Episode 4) (26 mins):
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.
***********
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”
****************
And here’s this!
Yesterday in Boston! Peter Wolf dropped in on Jim Lauderdale before the gig!
***********
And here, well, I’m thinkin’ Charlie’s not so sure about that balloon on Keith’s guitar…
***************
And here’s this — from all the way back in 1976!
Richard Hell and Voidoids in a photo taken by Blondie’s Christ Stein!
************
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)
*****************
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!):
***********
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…) —
*********** 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!!
**********
Let’s close with this!
From the Rolling Stones’ new one, Foreign Tongues — “Side Effects” lyric video! Super catchy, in my opinion. Enjoy, gang.
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…
*************
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:
****************
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):
************
And in keeping with my new approach to my own life, here are these!
***********
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!!
************
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!
***********
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.
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???
We’re not sure
************
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
*************
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.)
**************
And while we’re at it!
A bit of Keith and a little Ronnie!
Keith!! In Dallas, in 1975!
Photo by Nicolas Russell/Getty Images
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!
************
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!
************
Okay!
Here’s Dwight!! Cowboy hat, long legs, etc. (Photo by Emily Joyce Photography)
************
And here’s Jack Kerouac and a cat!
**********
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!!
**************
And here’s Keanu in Rome!!
************
And because it’s summer, here’s this!
The Cars, in color!!
***********
And I thought this was interesting. Livestreaming July 31st, 9:30pm Eastern time. I am definitely going to check it out:
****************
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.
************
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!
********
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!!
Here is the official Call for Submissions, if you are interested, or if you know a writer or publisher who might be interested.
*****************
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.
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.
We ask that you refrain from themes of pedophilia or bestiality.
If you are contributing a reprint, please ensure you have all legal rights to the work.
Please feel free to forward this invitation to any writers who you feel would likely be interested in contributing work to honor M. Christian.
Thank you for any interest you have in joining this project! I look forward to hearing from you.
I’m actually hoping that we can stay “back to normal” around here for the entire day. But you never know.
I will be spending most of today getting stuff organized for the M. Christian tribute anthology: Replying to emails! Sending out more emails! Waiting for emails to return!
And on Thursday, I’ll be catching up with Ralph Greco, Jr. to compare notes, and after that, I will officially send out the call for submissions.
************
I’m also hoping to catch up with my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn sometime today.
We texted throughout the almost unbearably hot holiday weekend–
SHE (texting): ARE YOU STAYING HYDRATED?
ME (texting): YES. ORGANIC COCONUT WATER WITH POTASSIUM!
— but we haven’t actually spoken in a while. So here’s hoping we get to chat today.
All I know for sure is that she has recovered really well from her first hand surgery; the next surgery is next week; and she still very much wants to move forward with the launch of our mini artists & writers podcast, “Marilyn’s Room,” so somehow we will get all that figured out later this summer.
We have the logo, now all we need is the rest of the stuff…
***********
And in another “potentially good news” department–
Sandra is back in NY from Atlanta — after shooting a couple more episodes of “The Ms. Pat Show.”
She’s planning on catching up with me either tomorrow evening, or Wednesday afternoon.
I have no clue if we’ll be developing our TV show, or if we’re just going to focus on the play for now (“The Guide To Being Fabulous”), but I will soon find out.
************
Okay.
Oddly, there are not many “here’s this’s” today. But here’s this!
It was actually posted for the 4th of July — Bob Dylan!! (I totally relate to the comment):
*********
And I really appreciated this–
Cigarettes abound!!
Keith smoking with a lit cigarette also in an ashtray — with one of his grandsons!
**********
And I believe this was from Montreux. It was the first thing I saw on Facebook yesterday morning!!
Nick Cave in the blue, blue water!!
And this is the only photo I have from the show in Montreux yesterday, although there were a TON of videos and the show looked absolutely fantastic — and Nick Cave, especially, looked so happy!
And here’s the set list:
Tonight the Bad Seeds play Stuttgart, Germany, however it is sold out. But you can buy tickets for the Portugal show on Thursday, HERE!
And while we’re at it–
Sun Kil Moon – “I Love Portugal”, 2016 (I love this extremely long song!!):
“I Love Portugal”
In my hotel where the band is staying I’m off desert but what I’d give to not get on that plane Woke to the sound of birds calling and I wanna water the flowers in the garden And the maid scooting her tray around the echoey hall I just want to stay in Portugal today, that’s all ‘Cause when I’m here there’s a sense of calm People living day to day and enjoying the moment Last night we found a cozy place and we listened to fado music and we ate steak And bacalhau and caldo verde Then we went and got gelato and we drank iced lattes
And the fans have always shown me love (shown me love) And so have my friends Vasco, Miguel, and Nadia, and Monica (Nadia and Monica) I can’t complain, I get to visit every year Last night my driver said my music brought him to tears
I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh I love Portugal I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh I love Portugal I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh I love Portugal I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh I love Portugal
Was listening to Mahavishnu Orchestra’s “Liala’s Dance” As I drifted off into rare afternoon nap Yesterday, one shot in Minnesota, one in Baton Rouge, and then retaliation in Dallas Someone shot and killed five cops And the cops came back and killed that sniper with a robot But all was peaceful here at the Seculo Hotel in the Bonfim neighborhood of Oporto Now I’m on my way to Zürich at Gate 35 TAP operator by Swiss Airlines I miss my quiet day in Oporto, sleeping and listening to the many birds sing And the shoe store that I wanted to shop in Was closed and, man, it pissed me off As we drove by twice on the way to soundcheck and on the way to the hotel that night
I’m gonna return some day, I know it (some day) I’m gonna buy me a home looking over the river in Oporto (river in Oporto) Gonna get me a plate of melon and prosciutto and grilled sardines, a cup of coffee, and a bowl of gazpacho (bowl of gazpacho) The USA can’t pull the guns from the trolls of the country I live in Can’t get a grip on gun control If we’re gonna live with a president who’s a huge fucking asshole Then believe me, baby, I’m gonna buy me a home in Portugal
I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh Where the people don’t walk I love Portugal They just stroll I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh Where the people go to bars, relax I love Portugal And listen to fado I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh Where I feel at peace from my I love Portugal Head to my toe I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh Particularly I love the city of Oporto I love Portugal
At the Rothaus, Room 301, in Zurich The Bern show is cancelled tomorrow night due to violence and a bunch of crazy shit It’s found its way into the venue I’m not going to sing about it I’m just gonna read the statement from the promoter to you
“Dear Mark, Dear all at Sun Kil Moon I have really, really, really bad news. We’re deeply afraid but see ourselves in circumstances that unfortunately urge us to have to cancel. The Sun Kil Moon show at Dachstock Reitschule, Bern, the open space in front of our house Reitschule, Bern is causing increasing troubles with violence and sexes. An organized drug dealer and the [?] we decided to shut the place down and its ongoing activities. For a while, at least ten days, or maybe longer and find a way of how to deal with our society’s problems erupted in front of our house, creating a rather explosive atmosphere at times in front of our house. We’re very sorry that due to this reaction the show with Sun Kil Moon will have to be cancelled. As we’re in general enforcing this temporary shutdown, apologies for any inconveniences to you, I know your band just got into town. Of course we’re gonna pay full agreed guaranteed fee as well as covering your hotel for 12/7/16. Also tickets will be reimbursed, it can be used to see your show tonight in Zürich. We strongly hope you reschedule your concert in Bern next time your band is touring in Europe. Reitschule remains closed until further notice. Again, my deepest apologies, but it’s totally out of my control. Let me know if you need any more info Sincerely, your promoter at Breathing Hope.”
I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh And the sparkling Douro River estuary I love Portugal I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh And when I die I want some of my ashes spread there I love Portugal And skip the Hail Mary I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh I’m gonna back next year and I’m gonna find that same shoe store I love Portugal I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh It’s gotta be somewhere between the venue and the Fnac bookstore I love Portugal I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh And it doesn’t have a goddamned thing to do with football I love Portugal
I love Portugal, I love Portugal, oh, oh I love Portugal I love Portugal
c – 2016 – Mark Kozelek
**************
And I think that’s it!
The laundry is finished. And I am NOT planning to vacuum today because for some inexplicable reason I found time to vacuum the entire fucking downstairs yesterday before I left for my shift!! (WTF is my deal, anyway??? I’m always fucking doing stuff!!)
Anyway…
Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are in the world!
Thanks for visiting.
I love you guys. See ya!
***********
Let’s close with this!
Driving-home-last-night-listening music!!
I know I’ve posted this song here a million times, but it’s always so great when it comes up on the playlist in the car! Such a great “driving” song.
France Gall, “Laisse tomber les filles”, 1964!! Enjoy, gang!!! I always do.
“Laisse Tomber Les Filles”
Laisse tomber les filles Laisse tomber les filles Un jour c’est toi qu’on laissera Laisse tomber les filles Laisse tomber les filles Un jour c’est toi qui pleureras
Oui, j’ai pleuré mais ce jour-là Non, je ne pleurerai pas Non, je ne pleurerai pas Je dirai c’est bien fait pour toi Je dirai ça t’apprendra Je dirai ça t’apprendra
Laisse tomber les filles Laisse tomber les filles Ça te jouera un mauvais tour Laisse tomber les filles Laisse tomber les filles Tu le paieras un de ces jours On ne joue pas impunément Avec un cœur innocent Avec un cœur innocent
Tu verras ce que je ressens Avant qu’il ne soit longtemps Avant qu’il ne soit longtemps La chance abandonne Celui qui ne sait Que laisser les cœurs blessés Tu n’auras personne pour te consoler Tu ne l’auras pas volé
Laisse tomber les filles Laisse tomber les filles Un jour c’est toi qu’on laissera Laisse tomber les filles Laisse tomber les filles Un jour c’est toi qui pleureras Non, pour te plaindre il n’y aura Personne d’autre que toi Personne d’autre que toi Alors tu te rappelleras Tout ce que je te dis là Tout ce que je te dis là Alors tu te rappelleras Tout ce que je te dis là Tout ce que je te dis là Alors tu te rappelleras Tout ce que je te dis là Tout ce que je te dis là
And that said, of course — it’s still nothing like how the Bicentennial was.
But back then, there were only 3 network TV stations, 2 or 3 UHF TV stations per State. A bunch of radio stations, but we listened to them all the time. National magazines, daily newspapers — we were all reading them.
Everybody, regardless of politics, was on the same page regarding the Bicentennial 4th of July. It was exciting and really FUN.
Now everything is too spread out and watered down and hard to keep track of. Not to mention, no one having their fireworks on the actual 4th…
But here’s this, regardless:
**************
Okay!
Wow, yesterday wound up being a really nice day. That new client I have on Fridays is just such a treasure. Plus, she has 2 huge white German Shepherd dogs that are just adorable and they want to be wherever you are at all times:
THEM (at all times); “Hi! It’s me!!”
And today, I’m spending 7 hours with the retired Chaplain — and some of her kids and grandkids will be coming over later to celebrate the 4th of July. So it should be another really good shift.
***********
And since I didn’t post yesterday, I have a TON of “here’s this’s” so let’s get started!!
Here’s this!!
On July 2nd, it was the heavenly birthday of another one of my favorite writers:
And yesterday was the anniversary of the death of Brian Jones.
I tell you, it really moves me that so many people still adore Brian Jones. He has tribute sites all over Instagram. He has been dead since July 3rd, 1969. (If you’re too young to know who he was, he was the founder of the Rolling Stones.)
Brian’s gravesite yesterday, in Cheltenham, Wales:
************
And here’s this!
From Steve Vai — onstage with a full moon. Photo by his wife!
**********
And here’s this!
Tom Petty and Prince, onstage honoring the induction of the late George Harrison in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame–
And in case you were doing something else that night back in 2004– it really was incredible —
Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, & More “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” | Rock Hall 2004 Induction:
************
And speaking of great nights–
Here’s this!!
Keith, tuning up backstage at Madison Square Garden in NYC, on July 26th, 1972. That night was Mick Jagger’s 29th (!!) birthday:
***********
This poem by the late poet Jack Gilbert, was posted on the Poetic Outlaws substack page the other day. I just loved it:
The Lost Hotels of Paris Jack Gilbert
The Lord gives everything and charges by taking it back. What a bargain. Like being young for a while. We are allowed to visit hearts of women, to go into their bodies so we feel no longer alone. We are permitted romantic love with its bounty and half-life of two years. It is right to mourn for the small hotels of Paris that used to be when we used to be. My mansard looking down on Notre Dame every morning is gone, and me listening to the bell at night. Venice is no more. The best Greek Islands have drowned in acceleration. But it’s the having not the keeping that is the treasure. Ginsberg came to my house one afternoon and said he was giving up poetry because it told lies, that language distorts. I agreed, but asked what we have that gets it right even that much. We look up at the stars and they are not there. We see the memory of when they were, once upon a time. And that too is more than enough.
*********** And here’s this!
Flannery O’Connor at home, sitting under a self-portrait:
**************
And here’s a re-enactment of something that blew my mind. Truly, gang.
Yesterday, for some reason my attention was drawn to these books on a shelf in my family room:
Bob Dylan’s Chronicles, Volume One, jumped out at me.
I loved that book! But he never wrote Volume Two!!
I know the book has been out a long time now, and I clearly remember reading it when I lived, briefly, in Easton, Pennsylvania. Was the book really published that long ago?
I pulled it off the shelf. I’d forgotten it had that cool vintage photo of Times Square on the cover!! (My old stomping ground in my early days as a folksinger in NYC, when I was married to Chong and we lived one block from Times Square.)
When I opened the book, to see when it was published, I found this written on the title page and I was absolutely astounded.
The book had been a gift to me back in 2004 from Patrick Thomas, a journalist who occasionally wrote for Rolling Stone.
I had totally forgotten this.
Wow, gang. What a thing to discover in one of my favorite books. I hadn’t opened that book in 22 years…
***********
Okay.
Here’s this!
From Nick Cave Official!! Get ready for Brighton, gang!
Gates will open at 13:00 at Preston Park on 31st July.
SET TIMES 13:00 Gates 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 Best time to arrive
15:00 – 17:00 Expect the gates to be busy and short queue times
17:00 – 19:00 Expect gates to be very busy with longer queue times
Outside of the official lineup, there is lots going on at Preston Park from 1pm including; food and drink with over 15 bars and 50 stalls, DJs throughout the day, exclusive Brighton merchandise, an Arcade Treasure Hunt with a range of prizes, chillout zones, a Bad Seeds Fish & Chips van and more.
**************
And here’s more Bad Seeds stuff!
Blixa looking happy backstage, Nick Cave — not so much!!
Spring forward a thousand years!!
Warren Ellis, looking really peppy!! (The Bad Seeds play Montreux tomorrow!! Buy tickets HERE!!)
I don’t have any photos yet from the show in Poland, because I haven’t had time to scroll through them yet but here’s the set list from the show!!
After Montreux, the Bad Seeds play Germany but it is sold out! But tickets are available for the show in Portugal on July 9th!
*************
And I believe that is it for today.
Enjoy your holiday if you live state-side!!
Otherwise, enjoy your Saturday, wherever you are in the world.
Thanks for visiting!!
I love you guys. See ya!
*************
Let’s close with this today!
Ray Charles, “America the Beautiful” 1972. Enjoy, gang.
