Tag Archives: life

Miracles Springing Up All Over the Place!

April 23, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Okay, gang.

So far, another great day-off is underway!

The weather is perfectly splendid, for one thing! Which means I will get to go outside later and take a walk and just see all the stuff that’s turning green and blooming all over the indescribably peaceful village today.

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As far as miracles go…

Now that I’ve transferred The Muse Revisited Collection from Smashwords over to Amazon Kindle, the eBooks are actually selling again. And not the “free downloads with Kindle Unlimited” but actually selling.

I find this astounding. But in a good way! (The collection has been available for well over a decade, and it is a collection of my erotic fiction from 1997-2009). (Yes! That means that the “newest” piece in the collection is 17 years old already…)

I am going to try to move A Man In Her Arms & Other Stories over to Kindle, as well. Both in print and eBook. I say “try” because I have to start the formatting from scratch with that one, and sometimes that stuff makes me a little looney — it used to be so much easier in olden times.

But I am also going to see if Amazon will let me re-publish 1954 Powder Blue Pickup with Kindle, as well. We’ll see how it goes this time.

Back when I first released it, in late 2021, I was up to my eyeballs in 5gw stuff and Amazon was doing some seriously destructive shit to my career and they were remarkably effective at it.

But now that that seems to be over, I’m gonna try to slide 1954 Powder Blue Pickup back in there and see if it sticks this time.

I love that book so much and it gets more and more difficult for people to find it.

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Another miracle!

If you google my name with The Curse of Our Profound Disorder, now Barnes & Noble comes up!!

They have not carried my books in, like, forever.

I used to have a really, really GREAT relationship with B&N. You used to be able to walk into any B&N in the English-speaking world, and find all of my books for sale there.

And their online bookstore used to carry everything, too.

But now that — what was once — the really burgeoning world of literary erotica has been almost thoroughly erased, BN.com has carried maybe 2 or 3 of my books that are still with traditional publishers.

Anyway, when I saw B & N come up on Google this morning, I was once again really, really thrilled with my decision to go with a private PR firm for my new novel.

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And speaking of the new novel–

Yesterday, I was able to drop off an advanced review copy to the bookstore in Granville, Ohio, that said they will carry my book (!!).

And I was also able to stop in at the old train station, where I used to be the night manager, and lend my dear friend Wendy a review copy, as well. She is helping me brainstorm the whole book launch party thing in September.

It was such a thrill to see her face light up when she saw me walk in to the station, carrying my book! And she gave me a big hug and was just so excited for me.

You know, in the old days, when I actually had people in my life and not just cats, I would have gone to some great restaurant and celebrated.

So it felt really great to hand the book to Wendy. Plus, she is planning on buying the book from the bookstore in Granville in September. And she also said that a couple of the customers from the station who remember me from the old days are really excited about the book, too, and will be buying it at the Granville bookstore, too.

So that makes me feel really, really great, because the owner of the bookstore will get to make some sales.

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And in other miracle-news!

I paid all the bills this morning and I still have money left over…

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All righty!

On a somber note–

Today is the anniversary of the death of Johnny Thunders, who died on this day in 1991.

About 8 years ago, Wayne made us both T-shirts: “Johnny Thunders for President”. So in honor of Johnny’s passing, we are both wearing our T-shirts today.

Here’s me in mine:

RIP, Johnny Thunders.

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I would have posted this yesterday, if I hadn’t had a weird morning.

Back on Tuesday (April 21st) —

The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Sip-In was held at Julius’ Bar in NYC, and in other places across the country.

They ran the opening ceremony in NYC live on Instagram, so it was really cool to watch it happen:

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And over the weekend, Patti Hansen and her daughters and 2 of her grandchildren did a special Mother’s Day ad campaign for Burberry, and yesterday, Patti, Alexandra, and Theodora posted a bunch of photos and videos on Instagram. (Theodora is currently pregnant with her second baby.)

Patti and Alexandra, with comments from Alexandra and Theordora:

And on a related note–

A great photo of Keith from the 1980s, taken by Ronnie’s then-wife, Jo Wood:

And just proof, in case you needed it, that Keith has been able to play the piano for a really long time now:

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Yesterday was John Waters’ 80th birthday!!

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And here’s this — buy tickets HERE:

And speaking of Nick Cave…

He sent out a Red Hand File this morning, wherein he discussed the various podcasts he has time to listen to and some of the books he’s had time to read!! (You can read about those HERE.)

He also said that he is:

“… looking forward to reading Andy Beta’s biography of Alice Coltrane, Cosmic Music, which I’ve just ordered. Thanks for the recommendation, Peter, I had no idea it had come out (I’ve sent a copy to Warren too).“

And apparently Warren received his copy quite speedily as he already posted this today:

And Nick added:

“…I am back in my office writing lyrics at the moment and am particularly in need of quiet, so that the words can find their way – and so that I have something to sing when I go into the studio next week with Warren to begin what may, in some far-flung future, when all the stars align and the planets clap their hands in joy, amount to the next Bad Seeds record.”

So, YAY! (Read it all HERE.)

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And that is it, I think!

The only thing I am completely certain of about today is that I will take a walk later, do some yoga, and VACUUM!!!!

Other than that, we’ll just see what unfolds. (Oh, and BET+, the streamer channel, has announced that they are closing down on June 11th, so that sort of makes the “TV proposal” life a little interesting around here…)

Anyway.

Life seems really fluid right now, so I have no idea what is likely to happen at any given moment.

Enjoy your Thursday, 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 my retro boombox next to my bed this morning!

I have always loved this song, from the first moment I heard it, and as fate would have it — it was a huge hit on the Top 40 radio when I went to visit my birth dad in Fallon, Nevada for the first time (1989).

He and I were standing in my stepsister’s living room — I was meeting her for the first time, too — and this song came on her radio.

I quietly thought to myself at that moment that I would never forget that moment, ever, and would think of it every time I heard that song.

And 37 years later, that turned out to be completely and entirely true.

Love and Rockets, “So Alive”, 1989. Enjoy, gang.

"So Alive"

I don't know what color your eyes are, baby
But your hair is long and brown
Your legs are strong, and they're so, so long
And you don't come from this town

My head is full of magic, baby
And I can't share this with you
I feel I'm on a cross again, lately
But that's nothing to do with you

I'm alive, huh, huh, so alive
I'm alive, huh, huh so alive

Your strut makes me crazy
Makes me see you more clearly
Oh, baby, now I can see you
Wish I could stop
Switch off the clock
Make it all happen for you

I'm alive, huh, huh, so alive
I'm alive, huh, huh so alive

I don't know what color your eyes are, baby
But your hair is long and brown
Your legs are strong, and they're so, so long
And you don't come from this town

My head is full of magic, baby
And I gotta share this with you
I feel I'm on top again, baby
That's got everything to do with you

I'm alive, huh, huh, so alive
I'm alive, huh, huh so alive
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Ooh

 c- 1989 - Daniel Gaston Ash / David Jay / Kevin Haskins

Wow, gang

April 20, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

The official Press Release for The Curse of Our Profound Disorder went out over the weekend and I am absolutely thrilled with the results thus far.

The book doesn’t officially come out for 5 more months, so I will keep you posted with how the PR goes as the month of August winds down.

But as of right now, I couldn’t be happier. It got picked up by a few press wires in the UK and a bunch in the US.

And from there, it even got picked up by the Cincinnati Enquirer! (If my dad were still alive — he lived in Cincinnati — he would have been really thrilled.) (Yes, the very same city where I absolutely hated going to college — I dropped out after the first quarter — was the very first significant site to pick up the press release for my new book!!) (Makes having gone to college there for 3 agonizing months totally worth it!!)

Me! In college! Just add copious amounts of bisexual sex… yes, 1978 looked good on me!

I find this next part very interesting — today, if you enter my name and the book’s title into Google, the AI description absolutely nails the fucking book! It astounds me. Because, you know, no one has read the book yet. Just me, Wayne, and the publisher — Valerie hasn’t finished reading it yet. Review copies have not gone out anywhere.

Here is the Google AI description, in part:

Key aspects of the novel:
Protagonist: Jemima Callahan, who is born to a teen mother and is the illegitimate daughter of a town preacher. 

Plot: Chronicles Jemima's journey from a troubled childhood with abuse in foster care to her life as a young woman surviving on the streets, and eventually finding a new direction. 

Themes: Coming-of-age, trauma, identity, generational pain, survival, and societal taboos, particularly around sexuality. 

Central conflict: Jemima's search for her father, Reverend Parker Peabody, and the hope that he will live up to the idealized image her mother created.

I’m really just happily amazed by the whole process. I am so glad I hired that PR firm.

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Okay, for some reason, I am getting a really late start here this morning, although the second load of laundry is already underway.

It is, of course, my day off. And the first day off wherein ALL workmen and repair guys have completed all the upgrades to This Old House (& barn) and so the day is completely and utterly mine.

And it is a gorgeous day here, although it is really cold. I had to cover up the rose bushes last night so that the frost wouldn’t kill them.

Anyway, I’m not sure why my brain seems to be lagging here this morning, but I am hoping (really) to get some writing done today. I still have that one short story that needs about 400 words before it is complete.

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Anyway–

Here’s this!

Piccadilly Circus, in London, as it looked in the mid-1970s!

This was exactly how it looked when I made my first trip to London, in 1976. And yes! I was 16. And yes — since it was the 1970s, why wouldn’t I have had copious amounts of booze and then some sex with a Greek taxi driver in his taxi, late in the August evening, just off of Piccadilly Circus??? While my mom was waiting back at the Kensington Hotel…

(I am absolutely not kidding you, gang — if you weren’t alive in the 1970s, you just wouldn’t understand this! Anyway…)

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And here’s this!

I have no idea how he got his hair to do this, but I’m guessing he encountered electricity in some way?

Warren Ellis, end of tour!!

Warren, saying goodbye to that room with the view…

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And here’s this!

The last known photo of George Harrison and John Lennon together — in Los Angeles, in the mid 70s:

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And here’s Keith!!

Having no problems in NYC in 1988! (Press promo for his first solo album, Talk Is Cheap.)

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Here’s Keith again. Only with Mick, in 1967! Just sort of hanging out, I guess.

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And here are these!!

Two more classics of Nick Cave!!

Nick, not smoking while wearing shades and standing near a peace lily!

Nick, smoking, while not wearing shades and not standing near a peace lily!

I could stare at this photo all the fucking time, but I’m already having enough trouble getting anything fucking done around here…

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And with that!!

I guess I will get back to that laundry now, maybe do some vacuuming, and then focus on some short story writing!!

I hope you have a great Monday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with more breakfast-listening music!

Still have the Best of Sam Cooke CD in the kitchen juke box!

I love this song. It is so “yesteryear”! I find it sort of addicting, it just feels so nice and so non-threatening.

“Having A Party”. Sam Cooke. 1962. Enjoy, gang.

“Having A Party”

We’re having a party
dancing to the music
played by the DJ
on the radio
the cokes are in the icebox
the popcorn’s on the table
me and my baby, we’re out here on the floor

So listen, Mr. DJ
keep those records playing
’cause I’m having such a good time
dancing with my baby

Everybody’s swinging
Sally’s doing that twist now
if you take request, I….
I got a few for you
play that song called Soul Twist
play that one called I Know
don’t forget the Mashed Potatoes
no other songs will do

Let me tell you Mr., Mr. DJ
why don’t you keep those records playing
’cause I’m having such a good time
dancing with my baby

Having a party–yeah
everybody’s swinging–oh we’re
dancing to the music–yeah
on the radio–oh we’re
having a party–man
everybody’s swinging–yeah
dancing to the music–yeah
on the radio–say it one more time

We’re having a party–yeah
everybody’s swinging–oh we’re
dancing to the music–yeah
on the radio (song fades and ends)

c- 1962 – Sam Cooke

Now there’s way too much to post!

April 19, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

That’s what happens when I take a day off…

But yesterday was so wonderful, gang.

After I left my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man’s house, I went to downtown Newark — Ohio, not New Jersey, as my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn mistakenly said: “You’re driving to New Jersey??!!”

Which is about a 12-hour drive from here. So, no. I made a 10-minute drive…

I went to this newly restored building, called The Historic Arcade. Wow, was the vibe there fantastic, gang. I just loved it. The whole block, in fact, reminded me of Cleveland, a long time ago. Here’s what the Arcade looks like now:

Yesterday, two friends were sponsoring an Arts Fair there, and I wanted to stop in and see the art, and also see their new fine arts & antiques gallery.

So imagine the above scene, lined on each side with artists displaying their creations.

No CGI, no AI, nothing digitally enhanced. Just good old art created by human beings in Ohio.

For me, it was breathtaking, because I hadn’t been to any kind of art show in a really long time. The energy is so different from the type of energy I’m usually up to my eyeballs in, and I just loved it. Plus, I had no idea The Arcade even existed, since I don’t spend much time in Newark, except to see clients in their homes.

I will definitely be going back. The Arcade has a couple of eateries, but also a used bookstore! And just some other really cool shops.

And my friends’ art gallery was wonderful: Ball Hill “petit galerie” at The Arcade. Here is a photo from their website (please note 2 actual Helen LaFrance paintings on the wall, foreground right, top & middle — the barn, and a day at the races!!):

You can’t really see it from this photo, but at the front of the gallery were two chairs on a sort of raised area, and I wondered if maybe a book signing/reading would work in there this September??

I’m not really sure, but I mentioned it to Kevin (my friend — one of the owners), and he wasn’t really sure, either. It’s narrow and small, with a lot of breakable glass and porcelain antiques in the middle. But he was going to give it some thought. I only know about 4 people in this entire area, so I don’t think it would be hard to ask the four of them to “please stand perfectly still” during the entire event…

Anyway! I really just loved the place so we’ll see.

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Before I forget, all 3 volumes in The Muse Revisited collection are now up and available for sale on Amazon Kindle. They are free if you have Kindle Unlimited.

These are eBooks only. And very, very old. They have never been in print.

It’s probably easiest to just visit the page here on the blog, for the new links to Amazon, and it also lists the table of contents for each book.

Please remember that all the books in this series are 100% absolutely for ADULTS ONLY!!!! Thank you.

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Okay!

Let’s catch up a little.

Friday, April 17th, was Keith’s daughter Angela’s birthday!!

From Keith:

And RollingStonesBrasil posted this:

Keith, in 2013, with Angela and her daughter, Ava Melody:

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And here’s this!

A couple of older photos that I love!

Keith, smoking onstage in maybe 1965?? Not sure.

Keith with a rose, not smoking, in front of his Bentley. Maybe 1966?

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Apparently, yesterday was the 32nd anniversary of the release of this amazing album!!

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds! Let Love In.

And I guess we should take a moment to revisit this amazing classic!! “Red Right Hand”. From Let Love In, 1994!

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And I realize that this film is about 754 years old already, but if you haven’t seen it yet, what is taking you so long???

Anyway.

A still from Nick Cave’s appearance in Wim Wenders’ 1987 incredible film, “Wings of Desire”:

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And we can’t forget this!

Franz Kafka, along with a quote from one of his letters to his sister:

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And I think that is it for now.

I was supposed to attend a local meetup today — lunch with the Southeast Ohio chapter of Simon Parkes’ Connecting Consciousness group, however–

The retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat (well, I’m not sure how much input the cat had with this decision), anyway, they decided they wanted to change my hours on Sundays.

So starting today, I will be with them all afternoon, instead of into the evening. So I can’t go to the meetup. But I am really glad that on Sundays from now on, I should be home by 6PM. Yay!!

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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It was another one of those interesting mornings.

I woke up singing a song from the old Broadway musical, “Paint Your Wagon”! A song I really love, but hadn’t thought of in about 40 years.

I was 18 when I saw a road-show version of “Paint Your Wagon” in Columbus, and I loved the whole show, but this song blew me away. It really did. I had to go out and buy the Original Broadway Cast album the next day, so that I could hear this song over and over and over.

I always dreamed that this song, in its own way, would someday come true for me. So far, it hasn’t happened. But how weird that I got out of bed singing it this morning, at 5AM, at the top of my voice and all the cats came scampering in!!

I found this version of the song this morning on YouTube. From 2016. They do a really lovely job.

“I Talk to the Trees”, Lerner & Loewe. “Paint Your Wagon”. 1951. Enjoy, gang.

A glorious day!

April 17, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Yes, even though the TV weatherman up in Columbus on Tuesday, said that today was going to be a rainy, lousy day, I stood firm in my conviction that the weatherman didn’t know what the fuck he was talking about and that it was going to be gorgeous today, and I was correct!!

It is just stunning out there this morning. And all the dogwood trees are in bloom (including the ancient one outside my kitchen window), and all the other trees have their baby “spring-green” leaves. No wind today, either!! And the sky is so blue.

Today, of course, is the day that my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man and I go to the golf course to have lunch at the incredible clubhouse with the stunning views! (Photos don’t actually come close to capturing how it feels to walk into this dining room and see miles and miles of trees and rolling foothills and sky, sky, sky!)

It is in honor of today being the day that both his 2nd wife (the love of his life), and my dad passed away (in different years). We are expecting the pleasure of their company, in spirit, at the clubhouse today!!

And the last time we were there (Christmas), I was expecting it to be our final time there together, because I was planning on retiring in January.

Today, will be a wee bit intense for me because, if my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man’s daughter does indeed stick him in that awful nursing home, this could likely really be our last time at that lovely place together. But I am going to just try to make it the best day, ever. Because being present today, here & now, is all that ever really matters.

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Okay!

Well, my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn and I finally had a chance to catch up on the phone yesterday afternoon!

We are trying to brainstorm (can you “try” to brainstorm, or do you simply brainstorm?) about the best way to structure our upcoming mini-podcast, “Marilyn’s Room”. My writing, her paintings. And then just chat for a few minutes — probably about the free & unbridled years of living in NYC in the 1980s!!

SHE (under her breath): “When I was selling cocaine to absolutely everyone who worked at the Museum of Modern Art…well, maybe I shouldn’t bring that up.”

ME (enthusiastically): “No, no! Bring it up!! Just don’t name any names. But it was 40 years ago already. Most of those folks probably aren’t even alive anymore.”

So it could be entertaining and very, very informative!!

Just don’t expect any make-up or fancy hairdos, gang. The use of a comb is likely going to be the extent of the glamor…(Our minds are still really glamorous, though, and I think that’s the best part of aging gracefully. We shall soon see!)

We’re also thinking, though, that if anyone out there has their own writing or art to promote and wants to chat for 10 minutes, we can have “guests”!!

So keep that in mind, gang. (And don’t name names, for godssakes, but do “elude” in enough detail that we can figure out who you’re referring to on our own!!)

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All righty!

From Variety yesterday:

“Johnny Depp Earns Huge CinemaCon Applause and Debuts Scrooge Transformation in ‘A Christmas Carol’ First Footage“

“…Paramount debuted a first-look at the Yuletide release during its presentation to movie theater owners at CinemaCon on Thursday, with Depp taking the stage in Las Vegas.

“Depp entered The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace to wild applause and catcalls from the rafters. ‘It really has been an extraordinary privilege,’ Depp said on stage, about being asked by director Ti West to take on the role, calling the tale of Scrooge one ‘I have been obsessed with since I was a little child.'”

However, this part here makes me think I might not be seeing this in a movie theater, where I can’t fast-forward through anything:

“…as the ghosts who visit Depp’s Scrooge are intricate, terrifying apparitions not suitable for the whole family.”

Yikes. I am my whole family! Anyway. The complete article is HERE.

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And from Ronnie Wood:

You can pre-order his new print, D’Orsay Blue Horse, at a special price before April 24th and also get a free, green “Wild Horses” t-shirt!!

See details and order HERE.

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I love this photo of Keith!! (I printed it out and it went right on to my wall!!)

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And here’s this!!

Nick Cave smoking at his mom’s house! (He might also be drinking a cup of tea, but I’m not 100% certain about that…)

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And I actually have more “here’s this’s” for today, but I’m out of time!

I gotta scoot and head to town on this absolutely gorgeous day.

Have a great Friday, wherever you are in the world, gang!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Through some blessing and/or miracle, the chorus to this song was going through my head when I awoke at 3:45AM, trying hard not to think about this being the 2nd anniversary of my dad’s death because I just don’t want to be sad today.

I do think there was some type of angelic interference because I have not so much as thought of this song — let alone sang the chorus to it over and over in my head upon awakening — in ages.

“Everything Is Beautiful”, 1970. Ray Stevens. Enjoy, gang.

You guessed it! Absolutely NOT me!

April 11, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

I’m really trying though, gang. To find that inner peace this morning.

And yesterday was a very good day with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man. I’m hoping today will be the same. (See yesterday’s post.)

Yesterday, we went out for sashimi and sake, and a strange thing happened when the fortune cookies arrived. We both got the same fortune — but his had a typo in it:

When I got to his house yesterday morning, before I woke him, I set out a really cool old photo of his dad, from 1957. Small. About 5 x 7. It’s in a lovely old frame, too. I set it on the small table next to his recliner.

I found the photo in his dining room, but it was stuck back behind a bunch of larger photos, so you couldn’t even see it.

Anyway. When he discovered this photo next to his chair, it absolutely delighted him. (His dad is 88 years old in the photo. His dad was 60 years old when my favorite Japanese man was born.)

Honestly, this photo made his day. He kept holding it and staring at it. (If I remember, I’ll try to get a photo of the photo today and post it here. His dad is standing on the front porch of that house he designed that is a House Museum in Tokyo now.)

I also told him that next Friday is supposed to be a really gorgeous Spring day. And since the trees everywhere are now getting their bright green leaves that he loves, the views at the clubhouse at the golf course should be beautiful.

But it’s also going to be April 17th next Friday. And I reminded him that both his second wife (the love of his life) and my dad died on April 17th (several years apart). So I suggested we go have lunch at the golf course in honor of that — and that most likely the Spirits of his wife and my dad will join us for lunch.

This idea basically overwhelmed him with joy.

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All righty.

From the RollingStonesBrasil channel a few minutes ago on Instagram. This is in translation mode:

There was also a very, very short audio snippet from the new Stones single posted to “the Cockroaches” WhatsApp but now I can’t find it! But it sounded really good — even though it was only about 5 seconds.

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Okay!!

The print edition of my 2011 novel, Twilight of the Immortal is indeed back in print, at least on Amazon.

This is the same edition that had been up there for, I guess, 15 years, but for some reason, had suddenly un-published itself when I republished the eBook edition. Anyway. It’s back. But it is a little cheaper now: $15 plus shipping.

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And here’s a curious — but really nice — thing.

In the 15 years that I have been self-publishing, my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn has designed a lot of my book covers (including the one above, based on a photo of the Silent Film actress, Bebe Daniels, in 1921).

But for whatever reason, Valerie hasn’t actually read most of my books. And this goes way back to the beginning of my career in short story & fiction publishing — 1988. (Valerie and I have known each other, in every sense of the word, since 1982.)

I had asked her recently (“begged” is probably a better word) to please read The Curse of Our Profound Disorder, because I wanted to enter it into literary contests and I couldn’t figure out what category it goes in. I had sent her the Word file for it several months ago, but she never read it.

So she promised to read it and, last evening, she sent a text saying, in part: “Wow, Emmy!! The writing is incredible!!”

That made me feel incredible.

So yesterday was a pretty okay day, on many levels.

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Okay.

Here’s this.

George Harrison doing his Krishna thing:

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And from Dana Petty, posted late last night. (And according to old interviews with Tom, Dana — his second wife! — was also the love of his life. He adored that woman so much. They married after she helped him quit heroin.)

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And here’s this!

The Ramones. No explanation needed.

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And here’s this!

Johnny Thunders. Probably no explanation needed here, either.

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And here’s this from my private desktop stash. Just because my soul needed this kind of inspiration this morning.

Nick Cave. I don’t remember when, where, or photo-by-whom. I just love it.

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And that is it for now.

Tomorrow, I’m taking the day off because I’m taking that screenwriting webinar in the late afternoon. So that means 2 days off in a row again. Yay! (However, an “AC install fire drill” is scheduled to happen on Monday at 8AM…)

At some point, I will also be catching up with Sandra to see where we’re at with (all 3 of) our current projects (TV, theater, movie). (I’m guessing that she will call as soon as the AC install guys actually show up…)

Meanwhile, enjoy your Saturday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya.

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Let’s close with this. Just because it suits my mood.

Me. Song written in 1984. Demo from 1994. Enjoy, gang.

Mother with the Gun

It’s been so long
Since I held my man
In my arms without a fire in my head;
It’s been so long
Since I laid with him
Side by side without the rage of one regret.

CHORUS I
I had this dream that I took all I could take
Pulled a .38 and blew my man away
And both our kids had seen
What I had done
And the Press called me the ‘Mother with the Gun.’

It’s been so long
Since I earned my pay
Without feeling I’d been chained down 
to the ground;
It’s been so long
Since I made my way
Sure and proud without
The shame of kneeling down.

CHORUS II
I had this dream that I took all I could take
Pulled a .38 and blew my boss away
And both my kids had seen
What I had done
And the Press called me the ‘Mother with the Gun.’

It’s been so long, now
Since I’ve been old enough
I’ve got the wisdom that you get
From bearing pain;
But now my kids it seems
Just make the same mistakes;
Will I sit back and watch it
All go down again?

CHORUS III
I had this dream that I took all I could take
I called an agency and gave my kids away
I signed a paper to ensure we’d stay apart
And the Man called me the mother with no heart.
I had this dream that I took all I could take
And I woke up this morning feeling far away
And there’s a man fading with the setting sun
His voice is shouting, “Come on, lady, drop the gun…”

© 1984 Marilyn Jaye Lewis
First of May Songs, BMI

An interesting morning so far!

April 8, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

First, I read this on Real Raw News.

And I don’t know how much of it is accurate, and/or how much of it was put out there in order to give people yet another rude awakening about AI.

This is about GITMO and Camp Blaz:

“JAG Talks Replacing Tribunal Panelists with AI for Speedier Trials and Verdicts“

In part, it says:

…”“We have forty-seven detainees awaiting full evidentiary hearings,” Gen Flatt allegedly told Gen. Bligh. “Our panels are backlogged for years. The President wants faster justice. The question is whether code can deliver justice. Everyone else uses AI, so why shouldn’t we? AI doesn’t tire, sleep, or have prejudices. AI won’t forget a contradiction buried in a 10,000-page discovery dump.”

…’We’re not talking about a drone strike algorithm. Our proceedings involve human lives and constitutional questions. If we replace panelists with AI, we’ll be handing propagandists a dream narrative: ‘America lets robots judge its enemies.’ What about the ‘human override’ protocol? Who pulls it when the AI downplays torture-derived intel? And who trains the system programmers with zero courtroom hours? It’s frightening,” Gen. Bligh responded.” [full article is HERE]

Scary shit, right? (Those JAG tribunals frequently end with executions.)

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And then a little while later, this song popped up in my YouTube feed: The new single from the Rolling Stones! Ahead of the expected April 11th drop!

I played it and it sounded like a good old-fashioned Rolling Stones hit!

When I looked more closely — it was not the Stones, it was AI.

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Jesus Christ, right??

On an entirely different note (but similar to “what is real and what is AI”), Charlie Ward finally had a news update this morning where he was speaking in plain fucking English for a change (i.e., recent “rockets to the moon” and an alleged “war” with Iran):

CHARLIE WARD DAILY NEWS WITH CHARLIE WARD & DREW DEMI WEDNESDAY 8TH APRIL 2026 (7 mins):

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But, regardless of all that, I actually woke up in the best mood this morning — and none of that AI stuff ruined it for me!! Yay!!

And today I’ll be back with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man and I’m guessing things will be back to normal again. (His daughter flew back home on Saturday afternoon, and he’s been with his private nurse again for the last 3 days.)

I’m looking forward to things being “normal”. I hope.

And then basically the minute I get back home from my shift later, there’s another town hall zoom meeting for Lambda Literary donors. An update with how their plans are unfolding so far this year. I’m looking forward to that.

And then TOMORROW!

The AC guys are allegedly coming back, bright & early, to make sure my brand new central AC unit actually works!! Yay! (So, I guess, expect my blog post tomorrow to be a little late, since I will be setting up the laptop at the kitchen table again, etc.)

But as far as I know, after they’re done, that is the last of the repairs that will be needed around here for awhile.

The next project will be that dumpster rental — assuming I can afford it. And then my lovely little 115-year-old barn will be my own again. (See yesterday’s post.)

So everything will be sort of settling down. For awhile, I hope. And I will be able to focus on —

THE WRITING!!

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Okay.

I don’t have too many “here’s this’s'” for today.

But here’s this!

Not AI !! Keith, watering his actual garden!!

And a classic photo of Keith from my wee bonny girlhood!

At Nellcote, in 1971 — “Brown Sugar”!!

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And a lovely photo of Gram Parsons, in Topanga Canyon, 1970, just prior to the release of Sweethearts of the Rodeo:

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And speaking of lovely photos!

Nick and Blixa in Belgium, in 1986:

And Nick Cave in Berlin, in 2024!

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And that is it.

I gotta scoot. I’m running a little late. But I am really looking forward to a lovely drive to town and back today — it’s still cold here but so sunny!!

Have a wonder-filled Wednesday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!!

This also popped up on YouTube this morning — an actual song by the actual Rolling Stones, from their legendary 1974 album, It’s Only Rock & Roll !!

“If You Can’t Rock Me (Somebody Will)”. Enjoy, gang!!

Me, Maybe!!

April 6, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

If I can get any energy whatsoever happening here today.

I am so fucking tired.

And I really hate when I’m so wiped out on a day off.

But we’ll see how it goes.

However.

THIS was so awesome. The sales rankings for pre-orders of The Curse Of Our Profound Disorder on Amazon US last evening, after the first 24 hours — thanks everybody!!

If you want to pre-order the print edition on Amazon US, you can do it HERE.

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I keep forgetting to post this link, but I’m pretty sure it has something to do with the upcoming new album by the Rolling Stones. (The link came from the RollingStonesBrasil channel on Instagram.)

The Cockroaches (whatever it is, it’s coming April 11th)

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Apparently, yesterday was the anniversary of Allen Ginsberg’s death:

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And also from yesterday, Ross K. Nichols’ Sunday School.

“This session carefully examines the resurrection stories of the Hebrew Bible, tracing the clues left by the biblical writers. What emerges is an often-overlooked pattern and a trail that leads somewhere quite unexpected, offering a fresh and thought-provoking look at a familiar theme.”

Raising the Dead: In Search of Its Source (1 hr 15 mins):

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And another re-post from James Tabor yesterday:

Jesus’ Final Week: A Post-Easter Wrap-Up (52 mins):

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Also from James Tabor.

But this has nothing to do with Easter. It has more to do with Christianity before (and during) Paul.

“… who were the Ebionites? Were John the Baptist, Jesus, and James part of a “stream” of faith and piety that traced back to the Dead Sea Scroll group, and down through a so-called “Christianity,” before, during, in contrast to the message of the apostle Paul? I explore what they believed, how it differs from later mainstream Roman Christianity, We explore what happened to them, down into the later centuries, including their influence on earliest Islam.”

The Forgotten Ebionites–Found at Last! (45 mins):

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And here’s this!

A couple of masterpieces sighted at the Louvre in Paris only a few days ago!!!

Keanu and Mona:

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More rum aficionados at the recent launch of Johnny Depp’s new brand of rum, Three Hearts Rum (drinking only, no smoking allowed):

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And let’s take a quick moment for a mini quiz!

Which of these Stones is probably stoned???

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And here’s this.

Another trip down Memory Lane!

2 photos of Nick Cave by Bleddyn Butcher.

The first — right before Nick had spinal surgery in Brazil, to have that growth removed:

And second — this ended up not requiring shoulder surgery. The extra head was actually attached to some guy who walked away:

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And that’s all I have for today, gang. I am just so fucking tired.

I’m finishing up a load of laundry here (you probably think that all I do is laundry, but you’re mistaken. I do other stuff, too. I do, like, 1,794 other things.).

I hope to get some writing done today, but honestly, I just don’t know. It depends on if the brain wants to put in an appearance or not. But the good news is that, since I’m taking that webinar on Sunday, I only have 4 shifts this coming week, so, yay! I feel confident that the brain will return at some point!

And this afternoon, I’m supposed to have a chat with Valerie in Brooklyn! That always perks me up.

And for right now, I want to take some time to just stop, and think about stuff that makes me happy. (I think there are, like, 3 things that make me happy. I’m going to try to focus and remember what those things are.) (I might go outside and take a walk. Sometimes that helps me remember everything…)

Meanwhile, enjoy your Monday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this!

Last night’s listening-by-candlelight-while-lying-in-bed music!! (And pretty soon, the candles will be gone until Fall, because it’s getting later and later now before the sun actually sets!)

But this was beautiful. I hadn’t actually listened to this song in ages.

Bob Dylan. “Lay Lady Lay”. 1969. From the album, Nashville Skyline. Enjoy, gang.

Lay Lady Lay

Lay, lady, lay
Lay across my big brass bed
Lay, lady, lay
Lay across my big brass bed

Whatever colors you have
In your mind
I'll show them to you
And you'll see them shine
Lay, lady, lay, lay across
My big brass bed

Stay, lady, stay
Stay with your man awhile
Until the break of day
Let me see you make him smile

His clothes are dirty, but his
His hands are clean
And you're the best thing
That he's ever seen
Stay, lady, stay
Stay with your man awhile

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?
You can have your cake and eat it too
Why wait any longer for the one you love
When he's standing in front of you?

Lay, lady, lay
Lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay
Stay while the night is still ahead

I long to see you in the morning light
I long to reach for you in the night
Stay, lady, stay
Stay while the night is still ahead

c- 1969 Bob Dylan

Happy Easter! Happy Birthday!!

April 5, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 4 Comments

For some inexplicable reason, I slept in until 5:38AM today!!

And of all the mornings to oversleep — the kittens’ birthday today and Easter Sunday!

But a good time was had by all. The Happy Birthday breakfast (or “Happy Easter”, if you didn’t turn 1 today!):

4 out of the 6 pictured here have a birthday today!

And it’s Billie Jo’s birthday today, too, but she likes to eat off by herself in the family room, so that other ravenous cats don’t steal her food! (She’s the one who was born without her 2 back feet.)

And apparently my 14-year-old cats, who had birthdays on St. Patrick’s Day and who spend most of their time in the guest bedroom upstairs, liked their Easter breakfast just fine!!

And then the birthday toys came out in the kitchen!

And Kon Tiki and 3 of her furry friends joined us for Easter breakfast today, out on the kitchen porch. In the dark. Serenaded by a bunch of singing birds — and the sound filled the whole village.

We also had a wonderful — and really big!! — ‘possum join us for breakfast out there, too!

All before the sun came up.

And oddly enough, even after oversleeping, I’m still exhausted! Cannot imagine why…

But it was a beautiful morning.

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And Happy Easter, if you celebrate it, gang.

James Tabor re-posted this last night. It’s difficult to listen to, if you are sort of viscerally attached to Jesus of Nazareth, the man (as I am). But it’s worth watching because of all the archeological /historical stuff. (And by “Mafia”, Tabor is referring here to the family of High Priests in Jerusalem at that time, who were hellbent on first mortifying and then executing Jesus.)

Jesus Archaeology # 13 Killing Jesus–The Mafia Backstory (29 mins):

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Yesterday was strange.

My favorite 95-year-old Japanese man’s week-long visit with his daughter was a success. But by yesterday, I knew he was exhausted and was very patiently waiting for it to be over. (She flew back home late yesterday afternoon.)

He even said as much to me — that he wanted her to go — when he and I were alone in his bedroom.

I found that part to be sort of astonishing, since his brain doesn’t work too great in the “here & now”. Yet he had enough mental faculties to express himself to me very quietly, without being rude to his daughter.

The problem was that he doesn’t like people to clean his house and his daughter would not stop cleaning. She cleaned EVERYTHING. All week long.

I understood where she was coming from emotionally, and she knew that all the cleaning was upsetting her dad, but she felt compelled to “take care of him”, in that sense.

Yesterday sort of reached the pinnacle, since it was her last day. And I spent my entire shift being cheerful and chatty and patient and supportive with each of them — trying to balance the energy between those two so that everything would stay peaceful.

Plus, she had confided in me that she is enrolling him in Hospice now, which is of course her decision and I understand why it makes sense to her, but it was really startling to me. (I’ve been with him several days a week for the past 18 months; his physical health is perfect. )

Anyway.

It was a relief to get out of there.

And from there, I went to do all the grocery shopping. Even though the stores were kind of crowded, since it was the day before Easter. But it kind of helped me clear my head.

And then, in the parking lot, while heading to my car, pushing my bags of groceries in the grocery cart, a woman who looked to be about 80, in complete distress, called out to me: “Please, please! Can you help me?”

ME (leaving my cart and going to her): “Yes I can.”

Without even knowing what she needed help with. It was just that call of distress from someone in need. Off I went.

I did eventually move my grocery cart over to my own car, and luckily what she needed help with, I was able to fix for her. (A problem with her car.)

And as I drove away, I was just sort of stunned. I was really glad that I’d been able to help her, so that she could drive herself home and feel safe and probably collapse…

…while I drove home to take care of 17 abandoned and/or rescued cats. In my 125-year-old home that through some miracle of grace, I manage to keep in really good shape…

What the fuck has my life become, right?

I was fucking exhausted.

And as I pulled up to my house, the neighbors across the road — the one who had dug my car out from under 4 feet of snow a few months ago — had no less than 10 pickup trucks parked along the side of their house. Happy guys outside, tinkering with the trucks. Kids running around, laughing, playing with toys. Obviously getting ready for Easter.

It was breathtaking, all the activity over there. And that was what I had always wanted, always assumed I would somehow have — a huge family, right?

Yesterday just wiped me out.

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However!

A great big thank you to whoever is pre-ordering The Curse of Our Profound Disorder !! It is already showing up in the sales ranking on Amazon!

I really, really appreciate it. (You can pre-order the print edition on Amazon US here, but it is available for pre-ordering at pretty much all online bookstores.)

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All righty!

Here’s this.

I’m not familiar with this photographer, but apparently she has passed away. Here are a couple of her photos, though. One of Richard Hell, and one of Iggy Pop:

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And here’s this!

A classic photo of Keith — it’s hard to see it here, but he’s wearing his “Marilyn” t-shirt:

And here’s this — no, not being taken off to jail, just being escorted through the crowd!

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And in honor of Easter!

A classic photo from yesteryear — of Nick Cave and a bunny!!

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And I believe that is it for now!

I have my shift later today with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat. I guess it will be an interesting way to “celebrate” Easter.

And then not only do I have tomorrow off, but also my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn and I are planning on having a catch-up chat on the phone!! Yay.

Okay. Enjoy your Easter, or have a good Sunday if you don’t celebrate Easter, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this.

This is a video that I play a lot on my phone for my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man. He loves this song (and this video).

The classic from Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World.” Enjoy, gang.

Gettin’ ready for summer, I guess!

January 21, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

So, tomorrow!!

As part of my home improvement grant from the USDA — they are coming to install my central AC!!

They called me while I was at my shift yesterday. And they said, “Okay, we’re all set. All the paperwork’s in place. When can we come out?”

I was just flabbergasted, but in a good way. It was about 12 degrees Fahrenheit outside, with very high winds, and the last thing on my mind was air conditioning…

But there you go, gang. I am sort of stunned but it’s really happening — central AC installed in my 126-year-old home, absolutely free of charge to me.

(If you’re new to the blog — I had applied for a home improvement loan, but they said that since the house is old and because I’m old, they’re giving me a grant instead of a loan.)

But anyway, I’m very happy. And during the first week of February, both the carpenter and the plumber are coming to do the other upgrades. So, after 6 months of waiting, I can’t believe it’s all suddenly happening so fast.

Me, this coming summer, drinking coffee, chillin’ and reading with short red hair

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Tomorrow, I’m planning to work at the kitchen table while the AC guys are here, instead of up here at my desk. I’m really eager to get all these notes from Sandra sorted out, so we can make headway in getting the TV proposal back to the producer in Atlanta, who’s waiting on it.

Today, though–

It’s going to be sunny and not too terribly freezing out (34 degrees Fahrenheit), so my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man and I will be going out for sashimi and sake!!

And, YES! When I went to see him on Saturday, I did stop off at the gas station and bought one of those little bottles of pre-mixed vodka cocktails (and also another packet of those little bow-tie shaped snacks, because he loved those when I brought them over for Christmas Eve).

Well, he was so happy!!!

Not only that, but for some reason, the private nurse hadn’t done the grocery shopping yet, so there were no eggs for his breakfast when I got there. And it was about 5 degrees Fahrenheit, and snowy and icy outside, with high winds, so no way was I taking him out to eat.

So I Door-Dashed him in some breakfast from Bob Evans:

Very famous breakfast place in Central Ohio

He was super excited about that, too. It was more food than he normally eats in a week, let alone eats for breakfast, but he loved it. (Eggs, sausages, fried potatoes, biscuits, coffee and pancakes!) And since I knew I was giving him a “bottle of (diluted) vodka” later, I really, really wanted him to eat.

Okay, so that was really fun. And he had such a great time.

HOWEVER, when I got there and read over the notes from the caregiver who had replaced me the day before (I had called in sick), it turned out he had been unbelievably impossible to her.

Refused to eat. Refused to get dressed. Refused to speak to her. Refused to take his meds. He even called the private nurse, demanding to know who the stranger was that was in his house and why she was there, and then he actually threw the caregiver out! Made her leave the house and not come back. Even though the nurse explained to him that I was out sick and the girl was replacing me.

Of course he didn’t remember having done any of that when I got there on Saturday, but it kind of made me doubly happy that I had stopped off and bought him that vodka. He had such a great afternoon.

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Okay.

Here’s this.

I’m not sure why, gang, but when I saw this photo yesterday, it just sort of ignited my whole heart. (I think it’s his eyes.)

Keith onstage, somewhere at some point:

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And here are a couple photos from the Bad Seeds’ show in Adelaide!

I’m actually not completely certain which show this photo is from, but I loved the photo:

And you can buy tickets for the Sydney shows, January 23rd & 24th, HERE.

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And if you’re keeping track, right this minute:

GOLD: $4,866.94 per troy ounce

SILVER: $95.03 per ounce

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And on that lofty note, I gotta scoot!!

Have a wonder-filled Wednesday, wherever you are in the world!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this!!

I hadn’t listened to this song in forever, but I put it in the CD player in the kitchen this morning at 4:15AM and then immediately hit REPEAT, and I listened to it over & over & over, while getting the many cats their breakfasts, and me, my breakfast, then washing up dishes, etc.

I’d forgotten how much I loved this song.

Johnny Cash, “Life’s Railway to Heaven”, from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band tribute album, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 2, 1989.

Enjoy, gang!!