Tag Archives: love

Crazy days in Crazeysburg!

June 3, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 1 Comment

It’s coming up on Homecoming Weekend here in Crazeysburg — wherein they block off 2nd Street and put up carnival rides and games and have live music, and all the local kids have a blast.

It’s called “Homecoming” because anyone who has prior connections to the village are encouraged to come back for an evening and reminisce.

The hard part about it for me is that it marks the anniversary of the horrible tornado we had 2 years ago. I can’t separate the sight of all the carnival rides going up now, from the sight of all that destruction the tornado caused that year. It happened the night before Homecoming Weekend. The rides were not hit, but many, many homes & a couple of businesses were destroyed.

And all the destruction happened literally 2 minutes from my house but the only street that got hit at all was 3rd Street. But it got hit really hard. No one died but a lot of people were taken to the hospital.

The gas station on 3rd Street that night:

Anyway. It’s over. The gas station, at least, looks better than ever. And I’m trying to just feel those “happy” feelings when I see the carnival rides getting assembled now…

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All right, so on a much less stressful note, but alas, still a little stressful–

I am hoping to take my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man out for sashimi & sake today because it is a STUNNING day out there today! His daughter is still there, though, so she might have other plans. We shall find out.

She heads home on Friday. It has been a really long trip for her.

At the very least, I hope I can get him over to the Nature Preserve near his house. Just getting him around trees in the sunshine makes him so happy. So we will see how today goes.

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Well, my relationship with the Caiaphas play deepens but I still have more questions than answers about how the story is going to unfold.

It requires a lot of sitting and staring. Or driving and staring, as the case may be.

Perhaps even flying and staring — if we cast our thoughts ahead to next week, when I leave for NYC!

Meanwhile–

Ronnie Wood has added another date to his upcoming tour. This one in Lisbon!! You can buy tickets HERE.

And here’s part of Keith’s heavenly birthday wishes to Charlie Watts from yesterday:

And speaking of Keith–

Obviously, I loved this!!

Keith and Anita in Venice in 1967. Maybe smoking, but I’m not completely sure…

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Okay!

Guess what happened 41 years ago on this very day??!!

One of those rare albums that absolutely stopped me in my tracks was released. The Firstborn is Dead. By Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.

It was my first exposure to Nick Cave’s music and the scope of his songwriting astounded me. (I still have my copy from — lo! — those 41 years ago…)

And don’t forget!!!

7 more days and counting… (buy tickets here)

And here are these, just because I love them!!

Nick, proving he’s sober? Not sure.

And the happy Bad Seeds 13 years ago! (Their smiles are just contagious, right??)

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And that is kind of it for today.

I forgot to mention that the huge PRO carpet shampooer did indeed arrive and it has been assembled, and tomorrow — my day off — I am going to shampoo all the carpeting in the house.

And I’m also going to be putting out the last of the flower boxes — on the 2 windows of the barn. (Actually, they are fabric flower “boxes” that hang off the sills.)

So, summer will officially start around here tomorrow.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!!

Yes, it’s from the Oldies FM Radio Station, but it was when I was getting ready to get into bed last night — not getting up in the morning.

I loved this song when it came out, gang. I was living in the paradise apartment on E. 12th Street in NYC — just a stone’s throw from Allen Ginsberg, Richard Hell, and — a couple blocks over — Iggy Pop!

And upstairs from me was the awesome playwright Pamela Enz. We spent many an evening at her kitchen table, sharing a bottle of red wine, smoking cigarettes, while also sharing whatever writing we each had done during the day.

Anyway! This song reminds me of all that!

Pet Shop Boys. 1984 “West End Girls.” Enjoy, gang.

I’m puttin’ this here, but I have no clue…

May 29, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

It is another really gorgeous day here today and I’m hoping that I can take my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man out for sashimi & sake today, however–

His daughter was taking him to pick up his new wooden leg on Wednesday and I don’t know yet if it fit correctly or not.

If it didn’t, he will only have one leg for a while and it is WAY too difficult for him to get around. So we shall see when I get there! But I hope things went great. It would be so nice to take him out today.

His daughter heads back to Seattle this evening, so starting tomorrow, things will be back to “normal’ around there. With or without the added leg…

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Okay.

It seems like a lot has happened since I posted here on Wednesday.

Here’s a very cool thing:

Yesterday evening, there was a sudden, very brief, and HUGE price drop on roundtrip airfare to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the weekend of James Tabor’s Patreon Research Group conference!!

So I got my plane ticket!! Which means I’m really going. The price dropped from over $400, each way, down to $107, each way!!! And shortly after I got the tickets, it popped up to $167. Which is still a great price, but, you know. Wow!

And this price drop happened right when I was starting to think that maybe I wasn’t going to be able to make that trip, since the weekend in NYC is going to be expensive.

So I guess God stepped in and said: “You’re going!! Buy those tickets!! Now!!”

Apparently, to Charlotte, North Carolina to FINALLY meet James Tabor!!

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I keep meaning to at least update you on the mini-podcast launch with my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn–

She developed an extremely painful problem with her hands. Some sort of nerve-related or arthritis-related neuropathy, but she didn’t know where it was coming from. She had an emergency appointment with the hand doctor yesterday, because they were worried she might be having a pre-stroke (!!). Man.

Very stressful. I don’t know yet what the doctor said. But things with the podcast launch are on hold until we know. Needless to say, she hasn’t been able to paint or draw , or do much of anything with her hands for over a week.

I will keep you posted.

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Wayne and his brother left Vietnam and actually began the long trek back to the States yesterday. I thought they were going back to Australia, first, but I was mistaken!

Here is a fond farewell — Wayne’s brother & a new friend in Saigon!! (And yes, I know it’s not called that anymore!!) (Wayne’s brother is a retired police officer, btw.)

And very early this morning on WhatsApp!!

From Wayne, in Dubai: “He’s EVERYWHERE!!”

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Okay!

I got an email yesterday, alerting me that my much-desired Tom Petty Zippo lighter has finally shipped!! Yay!! (Only took 5 weeks to ship it…)

This will soon be mine!!

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There is a sale going on at Nick Cave Official until the new tour starts on June 10th!!

10% off all merchandise, but you have to sign up for the mailing list & get a code.

You can do it ALL here!! (This is not Cave Things. This is Bad Seed things.)

And also–

You can still buy tickets HERE for the UK & European tour!!

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Okay, you gotta hurry for this one, because the tour is almost over!!

From Joe Satriani & Steve Vai:

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Here’s a couple of Iggy things!!

One from Phyllis Stein!! Iggy looking splendid!!

And Bowie and Iggy in Berlin in 1976!!

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I love this photo.

The Birthday Party — doing that thing they do!! You know, not smiling and looking for cigarettes and stuff!

Here’s Nick Cave with every single hair in place in Mexico City in 2013!

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And here’s this!

Ronnie and Keith and Bob Dylan backstage at Live Aid in 1985!!

And a couple of cool shots of Keith, doing what he does!!

Looking cool in red & black, and smoking!! (And playing guitar.)

Looking cool in a pair of shades!! (And playing guitar.)

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All right. That’s it for today.

I am so happy that all my flowers are out and summer can now begin!! (The flowers for the windows on the barn should be out this weekend.)

Oh!

My trips to the old Kohl’s and old Aldi’s on Wednesday were eye-opening, indeed. It wasn’t depressing, I’m actually glad I did it. But it was definitely like encountering my own ghost at both stores and I felt for certain that my life was a lot better back then. Pre-scamdemic, lockdowns, etc.

Certainly my career was going a lot better. I traveled constantly for writing-related stuff. My life was filled with colleagues, and friends, and family all over the place — a lot of whom have died now, or simply disappeared.

And a key thing back then — I always had a feeling of hope. As opposed to nowadays, wherein I always have a feeling of: I hope I don’t DIE before I can get the rest of my projects done!

I want to try to get some of that other kind of hope back. We’re gonna see how that goes.

And meanwhile, on SUNDAY NIGHT (!!) the write-a-play-in-a-month thing starts at the Dramatist’s Guild, so we’re gonna see how that goes, too. Such an insane idea, to try to fit this in with NYC right in the middle of it.

(And, yes, I miss all my crazy writer friends. The world was so different not so long ago…)

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All right.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Okay!

Unbelievable music-to-make-the bed-by today!!

Apparently, on the Oldies FM Radio Station on the retro boombox next to my bed, they are playing only songs that were hits on this day in 1971!!

Holy fuck.

Hit after hit after hit, all of which I knew by heart.

I was 10 years old and still living in Cleveland back then! Jesus. I played the Top 40 AM radio all the time.

When they played the song below, I literally sprang out of bed. I used to LOVE this song and I had not thought of this song since, I guess, May 29, 1971!!! But I still knew all the words and the cats loved it!!

Ocean, “Put Your Hand in the Hand”, 1971. Connect with your inner 10-year-old white girl in Cleveland, and sing along and enjoy, gang!!

Another Happy Birthday is Afoot!

May 24, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 1 Comment

Yes!

Happy 85th Birthday to Bob Dylan!! Yay!!

Happy Birthday, Bob! May you stay forever young…

“Forever Young”

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

c -1973- Bob Dylan

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Wayne was active on WhatsApp by 4:30AM, my time, this morning.

He and his brother are in the Mekong Delta now, which Wayne knows has a lot of emotional connections for me, since that was where my birth dad got injured, on a flame thrower, and he was briefly sent back to the US to recover.

While in the hospital in the US, my dad’s understanding of how most Americans felt about the war in Vietnam completely changed. Because of that, he went AWOL for awhile when he got out of the hospital. But then turned himself in. (He was career Navy, so they didn’t put him in the brig. They just sent him back to Vietnam, where he managed to develop a serious drug and drinking problem after that. And, uh, well, let’s say, “an attitude” problem forever afterward….)

Anyway. Here’s a Buddhist temple, enroute to Mekong:

Here’s Wayne and his brother enroute to the Delta. I love this!

And on the actual Mekong Delta:

And Wayne meets a new friend!

Wayne and his brother are soon heading back to Australia to join their other brother and his wife, and finish their vacation there.

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Speaking of Australia!!

Warren Ellis posted this!!

Warren also recommended we all watch the TV show, “Mr. Inbetween”. But it appears I can’t stream it anywhere for free. Maybe you can:

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Here’s this!

Jack Kerouac and cat — and also, some good advice:

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Another lovely photo of George Harrison:

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Apparently, 58 years ago on this very day!!

The Rolling Stones released THIS single and the rest is history…

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And here’s this!

A couple of great photos of Keith with his daughter, Theodora:

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And here’s this!

A young Nick Cave, with great hair and perhaps his pajama top??? Not sure…

And Nick Cave, typing one day….

And a few hours later, still typing…

And don’t forget!!!

This could be YOU with Nick Cave this summer!!

All ya gotta do is BUY TICKETS HERE!!

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And that is it for now.

I have to say that I’m fighting depression around here, gang. I am so sick of this gloomy, rainy weather.

Memorial Day weekend (which came early this year) is usually when I buy all my flowers and get them out on all the porches for the summer, along with all the summer decorations.

I do have 2 really pretty petunia baskets, and I bought 3 colorful new outside doormats for each door. But it’s a far cry from how Memorial Day weekends usually look around here.

I’m planning to go Wednesday to get all the rest of the flowers and just wait until the weather warms up and it stops raining. At least I will have everything sitting on the kitchen porch, waiting.

Tomorrow, Rasha’s mom is stopping over so that I can show her around the house and introduce her to all the cats. She and her baby are staying here while I’m in NYC, to look after everything. So maybe that will perk up my mood — it will make NYC feel that much closer.

Oh, and I saw that the Agency added a very short early morning shift to my June schedule — back with the farmer guy that I was with Friday evening. So it will be nice to see him again. Hopefully, it won’t still be raining because usually it is a really beautiful drive out there.

Okay. Gonna try to do some yoga here and get my spirits up. I have to head out today to see the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat, and I do not want to be depressed around any of my clients.

So, I’m off.

Enjoy your Sunday, wherever you are in the world. (And happy gloomy Memorial Day weekend, to any of you who live State-side.) (Oh, and a belated Happy Shavuot to any of my Jewish followers. And Happy Pentecost, too, if you celebrate it!)

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

Last night’s lying-in-bed listening music!

First, I spent the evening studying my French, then studying a bunch of notes for the Caiaphas play. Then re-listened to Part 1 of an interview with Tom Petty, from just 2 years before he died:

Then I spent the remainder of the evening lying in bed, listening to The Essential Leonard Cohen.

So I leave you with this–

“A Thousand Kisses Deep”. 2001. From his album, Ten New Songs. Enjoy, gang.

“A Thousand Kisses Deep”

The ponies run, the girls are young,
The odds are there to beat.
You win a while, and then it’s done –
Your little winning streak.
And summoned now to deal
With your invincible defeat,
You live your life as if it’s real,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.

I’m turning tricks, I’m getting fixed,
I’m back on Boogie Street.
You lose your grip, and then you slip
Into the Masterpiece.
And maybe I had miles to drive,
And promises to keep:
You ditch it all to stay alive,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.

And sometimes when the night is slow,
The wretched and the meek,
We gather up our hearts and go,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.

Confined to sex, we pressed against
The limits of the sea:
I saw there were no oceans left
For scavengers like me.
I made it to the forward deck.
I blessed our remnant fleet –
And then consented to be wrecked,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.

I’m turning tricks, I’m getting fixed,
I’m back on Boogie Street.
I guess they won’t exchange the gifts
That you were meant to keep.
And quiet is the thought of you,
The file on you complete,
Except what we forgot to do,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.

And sometimes when the night is slow,
The wretched and the meek,
We gather up our hearts and go,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.

The ponies run, the girls are young,
The odds are there to beat . . .

c – 2001 – Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson

Beautiful Day, Part 2!!!

May 18, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

Okay.

More about what I briefly mentioned in my blog post yesterday, regarding the May family and the writer, Louisa May Alcott.

WOW! But first!!

Remember that I said I was back on social media platforms, to promote the new novel??

I just got a friend request on Facebook, from one of my former writing students!! How cool!!

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Okay. Back to our regularly scheduled program!

So, back in 1971, I started to get completely obsessed (and I mean, obsessed) with wanting to know who my birth dad was. (And that topic is basically the core idea of my upcoming memoir about my life in the 1970s, Joy: The Shortest Season.)

I stayed obsessed for 16 years. It was impossible to find out who my birth dad was, because no one knew.

And when I finally obtained a copy of my original birth certificate — in 1985, I petitioned the State of Ohio to have my adoption files opened — on the birth certificate, it had 2 really, really sad things: that my birth mom had only been 13 when I was born, and that my father was “Unknown.”

I won’t go into all the details of everything, because you can read the memoir (after I write it)!

But I will say, that I immediately found my birth mom, who was glad to have me back but who refused to say who my dad was.

And also that the man who I was eventually told was my dad — a cousin who had gone to school with my mom told me what the rumors had been back then — was not in fact my dad.

However, that guy’s mother — a lovely woman named Mary who lived in a small town in Ohio, whom I went to visit in 1987 — knew exactly who my birth dad was. She didn’t tell me — although she showed me an old photo of her son’s best friend and asked me if I thought I looked like him. I did!! But she didn’t say more than that.

And then, one night a couple months later, alone in my paradise apartment on E. 12th Street in NYC, I was watching a rerun of the Andy Griffith Show and got a phone call. A long distance phone call; a man calling from Reno, Nevada.

ME: “Hello?”

HE (a thick hillbilly accent): “Is this Marilyn?”

ME: “Yes.”

HE: “Well, Marilyn. My name’s Don May. And I think I’m your father.”

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That is the short version. But my life changed overnight. Finally.

And that was the beginning of finding out what it meant to be descended from the pioneering May family.

And somewhere in there, I learned that I was cousins with Louisa May Alcott — there were Mays all over Kentucky, but also all over New England. And they were all related.

Eventually I realized that back when I was still a young girl, and still obsessing about who my “real” father was, there were hidden clues to his identity all over my world.

For instance, I loved Donny Osmond. And Donald was my birth dad’s name.

I also loved David Cassidy, and he and my birth dad had the same birthday: April 12th.

I loved the Rod Stewart song, “Maggie May,” from 1971.

I grew up in Cleveland, where the most popular department store was the May Company.

And at my adoptive grandparents’ home, there were 2 old books on the upstairs bookshelf that really appealed to me a lot; books that had belonged to my adoptive mother, Marcia, when she was growing up: Little Women and Aunt Jo’s Scrap Bag, both by Louisa May Alcott, who I already knew was a famous writer.

But for some reason, Aunt Jo’s Scrap Bag really stuck out and I ended up taking that book home with me and keeping that book, and I still have it.

It’s an edition published in 1929:

Here’s the inside cover — my adoptive mom’s Aunt Molly had given her the book (and oddly enough, I was almost named after that Aunt Molly, until my adoptive dad got his way and named me after Marilyn Monroe instead):

And here’s the beautiful title page, from a book that is now almost 100 years old:

So, it was thrilling to eventually discover, years later, that I was related to Louisa May Alcott, the writer (and by then, I had just become a published writer, myself).

But what thrilled me even more–

After my birth dad passed away in 1999, I began getting letters from his older sister, who lived in North Carolina, whom I had never met.

She sent me beautiful letters, along with old photos of my dad from various eras of his life– from little boy on a farm, to sailor in Vietnam. Really lovely letters. I still have all of them.

Here’s a sample — Yes, a letter from my Aunt Jo:

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There are a couple more things I discovered just yesterday , between Louisa May Alcott and the surname “Peabody”, in my new novel The Curse of Our Profound Disorder, but I won’t go into all that right now.

Just wanted to share some of all this today.

Okay.

Oh my goodness! My previous writing student just texted from Facebook: “Hi! How’ve you been?” (I haven’t seen him in about 10 years… where to begin???)

All righty!!

Thanks for stopping by again! Have a great Monday.

I love you guys. See ya!

Absolutely Official!!

May 18, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Honestly, gang — today is the most beautiful day of the year so far. It didn’t seem like it would ever come.

It is just gorgeous out there. And WARM!! No clouds. And no high winds!! And it is the first of my 2 days off in a row!!

All the windows in the house are open, so the cats couldn’t be happier — the sound of birds singing is basically filling the house.

Just the feeling of fresh air and all this sunshine — wow, has it helped put my mood through the roof. Finally.

As I mentioned the other day, I’m planning to spend these 2 days off getting the Spring cleaning done. And I’m actually really looking forward to it. Mostly, finally getting the carpets really clean. And after that, I can focus better on the writing stuff that needs my attention — AKA: The Caiaphas play.

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Okay!!

Immediately following a WhatsApp text, dashed off from me to Wayne at 5AM this morning—

ME (texting): “Is your camera broken?”

Then this photo appeared! As if by magic!

The Lewis boys, at their lodge in the Australian Outback!!

Wayne, center, his brothers on either side! Methinks the sister-in-law is taking the photo…

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This was so cool.

When I was with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat yesterday —

The lovely wife and I always enjoy talking about local history and little known facts that she discovers about this area of Ohio.

And yesterday — wow! I had no idea about this, gang!! But she discovered that Frazeysburg (where I live) “served as a crucial waypoint within the Muskingum Valley and central Ohio routes of the Underground Railroad.” (The secret routes slaves used to escape slavery and get to Canada before & during the Civil War.)

I guess just another reason why I love this village so much. You can really feel the spirits here, and they are generally really good.

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From Ronnie Wood! You can pre-order a new signed print of his collage, “Back in Your Life”, HERE.

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And speaking of pre-ordering!

You can pre-order the eBook edition of the interview with Nick Cave — On the Fragility of Life — by ERIS gems, HERE!

“A conversation of rare depth and tenderness, On the Fragility of Life finds Nick Cave reflecting on love, loss, faith, and the fragile beauty of being alive. What emerges is a luminous meditation on mourning and meaning—unflinching, compassionate, and filled with the kind of grace that only grief can teach.”

And, well, okay–

Speaking of Nick Cave!!

A couple photos of Nick Cave — listening to the muse, perhaps??

And I guess a photo from after the muse… At an Arts Fair in London. I love his expression!!

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Johnny Depp’s production company is in the news today!!

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On a sad note….

46 years ago today, Ian Curtis, of Joy Division, left us (by suicide):

And while we’re here, I always LOVED this song. Joy Division, “Atrocity Exhibition” from their album Closer, 1980:

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And I know this post is already really long…

So I will post it and then, I will do a separate post, with more from what I wrote about yesterday, regarding Louisa May Alcott being one of my cousins.

So I will be back in a little bit!

Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya! (soon.)

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Let’s temporarily close with this!

Yes!

From the retro boombox next to my bed!

I love this song and it is perfect for today!!

The Traveling Wilburys’ “End of the Line,” 1988! Enjoy, gang!

“End Of The Line”

Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, doing the best you can
Well it’s all right, as long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (End of the Line)
Waiting for someone to tell you everything (End of the Line)
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring (End of the Line)
Maybe a diamond ring

Well it’s all right, even if they say you’re wrong
Well it’s all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it’s all right, As long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it’s all right, everyday is Judgment Day

Maybe somewhere down the road aways (End of the Line)
You’ll think of me, wonder where I am these days (End of the Line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays (End of the Line)
Purple haze

Well it’s all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it’s all right, if you got someone to love
Well it’s all right, everything’ll work out fine
Well it’s all right, we’re going to the end of the line

Don’t have to be ashamed of the car I drive (End of the Line)
I’m just glad to be here, happy to be alive (End of the Line)
It don’t matter if you’re by my side (End of the Line)
I’m satisfied

Well it’s all right, even if you’re old and gray
Well it’s all right, you still got something to say
Well it’s all right, remember to live and let live
Well it’s all right, the best you can do is forgive

Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, even if the sun don’t shine
Well it’s all right, we’re going to the end of the line

c- 1988 – George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Thomas Earl Petty, Roy K. Orbison

The new printer is up and running!!

May 17, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 4 Comments

Bu that’s not what the confetti’s about!

The confetti is because I had a very involved dream last night, about getting the “Marilyn’s Room” mini-podcast up and running here soon, and in the dream, there was all this confetti flying around.

I was really happy.

And I was drinking from a really colorful coffee mug — that I thought I actually owned in my waking life. However, when I went to retrieve it from my kitchen cupboard this morning, when the coffee was ready, I discovered that I had only dreamed that I owned this colorful mug. And I had to settle for a different mug with flowers all over it.

Which could mean that a new very colorful coffee cup is waiting in my future!! (But I kinda hope not, since I already have about 50 or 60 assorted coffee cups and mugs that almost never get used since the cats are avid caffeine-abstainers.)

Speaking of cats–

Here’s a bunch of cats I found in the hall outside my bedroom last evening when I emerged to use the bathroom.

I have no idea where they came from , or who they belong to, but, actually, they were still here this morning when I awoke (multiplied by, you know, a bunch of others):

From left: Freddie McFee, Cuddles McGee, Billie Jo, Angie, Queenie, Saffie Sue

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Yes, I did get the printer up & running yesterday, and even though it is practically the same printer I had before, it was WAY easier to set up than the last one was.

So I still have all my hair — I didn’t tear any of it out!!

And now I can get back to promoting the new novel, along with getting the notes ready for when I write the play about Caiaphas in its entirety in June.

Right.

(I’m gonna really try, though, and write that play, gang. Honestly.)

And if you recall, on Friday, I posted a photo from Instagram having to do with the cemetery where one of my ancestors is buried — Louisa May Alcott.

When I googled the exact location of the cemetery, I got side-tracked by a bunch of stuff about Louisa and her dad, Amos Bronson Alcott. It was stuff I’d already known, but I have to say that the amount of coincidences between her life (and some of her writing) and mine, just astound me.

Oh, but also — loyal readers of this lofty blog no doubt recall that the May family (my birth dad’s side of my ancestors, and Louisa’s mom’s side) have a reputation for being really intense people (after the Revolutionary War, they practically settled the entire state of Kentucky, sort of) —

Here is what Louisa’s dad said about her as a child: “After Alcott’s birth, Bronson kept a record of her development, noting her strong will, which she may have inherited from her mother’s May side of the family.”

(I’ll go into more of that May-family thing and my own life tomorrow.) But it all just sort of astounds me.

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Since I didn’t post yesterday, I have a bunch of “here’s this’s” stacking up. So I will probably save some for tomorrow’s post.

And, if you recall, starting tomorrow, I have 2 days off in a row from caregiving, so I am planning to do the spring cleaning! Yay!

And once that’s out of the way, I can focus on getting all my flowers and plants ready and out on my various porches so that life around here will be ready for summer!! (And then somewhere in all that I’ll head to NYC…)

And speaking of NYC–

If you’re in the area and support the rights of LGBTQs, on June 9th the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project is having a really cool conversation. Free to all but space is limited, so you need to make a reservation (HERE):

“Spanning the 1930s through the late 20th century, the program will reflect on their lasting impact and what that legacy means today.”

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But meanwhile–

Here’s this!!

From Jo Wood (Ronnie’s previous wife)– Mick and Ronnie on a boat off San Francisco!!

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A couple of great ones from Phyllis Stein!!

Iggy!!

In a “shirt” by Michael Schmidt:

And Keith, not smoking and walking past some taffeta! (With comments from Keith’s son, Marlon!)

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And speaking of Keith (when am I not??) —

Here’s this!

Keith smoking, with Marlon when he was still too young to make comments or to type!!

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And speaking of smoking!! (When am I not??)

I think Rowland S. Howard is smoking here, not sure — onstage in Germany in 1982!

And Rowland with the rest of the Birthday Party, in Germany in 1982 (clearly in that one “no smoking” area of Germany in 1982):

And speaking of Nick Cave not smoking!! (See photo directly above!)

Here, he and Colin Greenwood are not smoking in Poland, in 2024! (I know I’ve posted this before (in 2024, in fact), but I just love this photo!!)

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And I’d better stop now because I have stuff I gotta do here before I head out to see the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat!

Oh, by the way. As part of promoting the new novel, I’ve gotten back on social media. For many years, I was only on Instagram (and Substack and Stage 32). But now I’m back on a few more.

I am not actively following people (yet) but if you are on any of these platforms and want to follow Marilyn Jaye Lewis, please do!!

LinkedIn, X, BlueSky, Good Reads, and Facebook. (And Instagram, Substack, and Stage 32.)

And if the “Marilyn’s Room” mini-podcast does indeed get off the ground — confetti and all– and you have writing or art you want to promote, let me know!!

Okay!!

Have a beautiful Sunday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!!

Since I am reading the Tom Petty & Me memoir by Jon Scott–

Here is the actual recording that finally broke Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers across radio stations all over America!! (Proving that they were a rock & roll band and not Punk.)

“Breakdown” performed live at Capitol Studios, in Hollywood, November 11, 1977. The rest was history (finally). Enjoy, gang.

“Breakdown”

It’s alright if you love me
It’s alright if you don’t
I’m not afraid of you runnin’ away, honey
I get the feeling you won’t

There is no sense in pretending
Your eyes give you away
Something inside you is feeling like I do
We said all there is to say

Baby
Breakdown, go ahead and give it to me
Breakdown, honey, take me through the night
(Take me, baby, breakdown, ooh)
Breakdown, now I’m standin’ here, can’t you see?
Breakdown, it’s alright
It’s alright, it’s alright

Breakdown, go ahead and give it to me
Breakdown, honey, take me through the night
(Take me, baby, breakdown, ooh)
Breakdown, now I’m standin’ here, can’t you see?
Breakdown, it’s alright
It’s alright, it’s alright

c – 1976 Tom Petty

TGIF, MoFos!!

May 15, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Although, around here, Friday just means that I’m getting ready to work the entire weekend.

And starting next week, I’m picking up a couple of double shifts on Fridays, but the evening shift will be out here in Muskingum County, on a farm way out in the woods. And since it’s Spring, it will still be light out when I have to drive the 30 miles back home.

So, I’m okay with it.

Meanwhile!

Surf’s up in Australia for the Lewis family!!

The first photo from Wayne arrived on WhatsApp last night! I think I saw it at around 3am and it just made me feel so happy!

Wayne with his 2 brothers and a sister-in-law

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And in case you needed to see this…. (I know I did)…

Yet another photo from yesteryear of Jack Kerouac typing!!

And in case you’re curious —

Through my birth dad’s side of the family, I am cousins with Louisa May Alcott! (Through her mother’s side). Maybe I should go visit this cool place! You know, go on the road …

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And I don’t want to , you know, start trouble or anything, but there appears to be a veritable plethora of lighters in this world–

And I still have not received my really cool Tom Petty Zippo lighter!!

You never know, though, I might get lucky and actually receive it sometime!!

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Speaking of Tom Petty!!

From yesterday–

And last evening, I did begin reading that new book I got the other day, about Tom Petty, written by his long-time record promoter, Jon Scott:

It’s really good, but I did start to cry while reading it.

I had a rough day yesterday, so I was really emotionally worn out, but also I never really knew any of the details about why the first album by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers took so long to break in America. (It was a hit in England first.)

Just reading about what total dickheads the record company was toward them with that first album — even knowing that the story had a happy ending, it still just made me cry.

That said, I am hoping today will be a better day.

It’s sunny and should be nice all day. And I’m taking my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man out to the Rural King to start getting his baskets of flowers for his back deck! (Although Annie was the one who always did that, but we are trying to just move forward and get stuff done and not get too sad.) However, about every half hour or so:

HE (quietly): “Annie is gone now?”

ME:” Yes, she’s gone.”

HE: “She didn’t tell me, you know.”

ME: “I know, she didn’t tell me, either.”

(That she had cancer.)

And later today, I’m picking up my new printer from Best Buy. So my writing/promoting world can get back on track…

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In the meantime–

Here’s a photo of the Stones looking almost happy in 1977!

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And in case you also needed THIS —

Here are two more photos of Nick Cave & Blixa Bargeld — this time, doing that thing where they keep their eyes open!! (Or behind a pair of shades, as the case may be…)

And while we’re at it — here’s this fantastic song from Iggy Pop, 1986 — “Shades,” co-written by David Bowie, from Iggy’s incredible album Blah-Blah-Blah. I love this song!!!

“Shades”

You gave me a present
The paper was blue and green
I unwrapped it with pleasure
These are the best shades I’ve ever seen
You can be my girlfriend
Forever and a day
I never thought I was worth much
Or that anyone would treat me this way

[Chorus]
I’m not
The kind of guy
Who dresses like a king
And a really fine pair of shades
Means everything
And the light that blinds my eyes
Shines from you
It makes me come in the night
It makes me swim with delight
I like this pain
I like this mirror
I like these shades

I could have had a problem
I might have never followed through
The other guys are in trouble
They wouldn’t listen to a girl like you
These shades say something
I’ll bet they cost a lot
I hope I don’t break ’em
I hope we don’t break up

[Chorus]

c – 1986 David Bowie, Iggy Pop

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And back to Nick Cave–

From Nick Cave Official:

A reminder that the soundtrack for the TV series, “The Death of Bunny Munro” is available for streaming HERE on the platform of your choice!

And there is an upcoming documentary about Kylie Minogue on Netflix — launching Wednesday May 20th — which will have music contributions and some comments from Nick Cave!

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And I think that is going to be it for today, gang!! I’m gonna head out soon and get the whole thing moving all over again.

Enjoy your Friday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this.

I find it a little creepy and I still have not been able to watch it all the way through.

It is allegedly not AI — it features “doubles”, actual actors. But still. God knows, I prefer the original “old” Stones to fake ones…

Anyway. The new official video from the Rolling Stones for “In The Stars”. (You can pre-order the upcoming new album, Foreign Tongues, HERE.) Enjoy, gang.

So exciting!!

May 12, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

Yes!

Just when I needed it most yesterday!!!

The printer died!!

As in: Sayonara, baby!! Kiss the printer goodbye!!

After about an hour of trying everything imaginable to fix it, I got onto the Best Buy app and just bought a new one. It will be ready for me to pick up on Friday.

AND– it was actually cheaper than I could have ever imagined!! (When did printers get so affordable??)

I’m just not gonna stress over any more shit right now, you know? Just get a new printer! But it did totally wreck the creative flow I was having with Caiaphas…

Meanwhile, I’m hoping that the backup ink cartridges I have will fit the new printer. I tried to buy the closest model I could find to the old one. We shall see.

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In other good news!!

The guy in NYC finished reading the review copy of The Curse of Our Profound Disorder!! He really liked it. He said, among other things, that he had gotten “emotionally invested in what happened to Jem” (the protagonist).

He ultimately said: “Bravo! It reads like a true fairy tale — in the best sense of that categorization.”

As soon as the book becomes available for sale, he’ll review it on Amazon for me.

Meanwhile, if you want to pre-order it, you can do that HERE. Thank you!!

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You know, I keep forgetting to mention here that I don’t think “Wild Thing” works at the Rural King anymore.

The last 5 times I’ve been there — different days, different times — he hasn’t been at the checkout counter. Well, maybe they moved him to a different department (the guns & ammo section??), I don’t know. I usually only buy cat food and then pay and go.

Well, wherever he is — Paris, perhaps?? Brushing up on his French?? — I hope he’s having the best life!!

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Okay. I kinda gotta get moving here and head to town soon. It is a really lovely day today, though. I hope my clients want me to go out and run a bunch of errands!!

I don’t have many “here’s this’s” today but–

Here’s this!!

Keith and Mick in California, in 1969! Photo by the legendary rock photographer, Ethan Russell:

And Keith, smoking while going somewhere and looking happy, while also wearing a grey suit and some shades!!

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I loved this!!

Eric Burdon turned 85 yesterday!!

Posted by his grandchild:

And here’s this, while we’re at it! “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” by Eric Burdon and the Animals, 1965!

(BTW — I quoted the chorus to this song as my comment accompanying my Graduation photo in my Senior High School Yearbook, 1978.)

“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”

Baby, do you understand me now
Sometimes I feel a little mad
But don’t you know that no one alive
Can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be bad

But I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood

Baby, sometimes I’m so carefree
With a joy that’s hard to hide
And sometimes it seems that all I have to do is worry
And then you’re bound to see my other side

I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood

If I seem edgy I want you to know
That I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems and I get my share
And that’s one thing I never meant to do
Because I love you
Oh, Oh baby don’t you know I’m human
Have thoughts like any other one
Sometimes I find myself long regretting
Some foolish thing some little simple thing I’ve done

I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood
Yes, I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood
Yes, I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood
Yes, I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood …

c – 1965 – Sol Marcus, Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell

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And from Nick Cave Official yesterday:

And here’s this!!

Nick Cave in London, in 2022!

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And that is it.

I really gotta scoot!

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

**********

Okay, we’ll close with this!!

One of those songs I recognized from the very first piano note–

As it came out of the Oldies FM Radio Station on my retro boombox, when I was getting ready for bed last night. I could not help but sing along!

“Tiny Dancer,” Elton John. From his classic, Madman Across the Water, 1971. Enjoy, gang.

WARNING: This site in no way idealizes smoking…ever.

May 11, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 3 Comments

Okay, so.

Day 2 in absolute mental overload — but the brain is still working just fine.

I am of course referring to the commitment I made to write an entire play about Caiaphas in the month of June (wherein I will also be in NYC for 4 days). (See yesterday’s post if you missed it.)

I have to say, gang, just going over the piles of notes — alone — will take an entire month, but I’m still moving forward. And I feel really good about it.

This bit of monologue floored me. (First, let me just point out that Caiaphas’ entire reputation for being the man behind killing Jesus is based on basically one line in the New Testament and it basically only states that the “trial” went on in his home. It was more the doings of his father-in-law and brothers-in law (also High Priests), but after 70 AD, Pharisaic Christians wanted to re-frame that. Hence, my desire to write a play about how a man’s horrific reputation, which, throughout eternity has basically been false, is seen from that man’s POV in the afterlife.)

Anyway. I digress.

I came across this scribbled bit of monologue in my notes from 2014 and I loved it:

(Caiaphas speaking): “The bounty I gave to the world because I gave it a picture of the crucifixion of God’s son.”

FUCK, right??!! Think of everything that has come from it: Religions, wars, art.

Anyway.

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Okay.

So I’m in a good place. I’m not losing my mind or living in overdrive. My only –albeit small — regret, is that I didn’t write the whole play back in 2016, when all the notes were fresh. (Most of the notes are historical and archeological, and now it’s looking like I gotta read all that stuff again.)

But I’m okay.

And yesterday, since it was Mother’s Day, I had a nice phone chat with my birth mom, finally.

Yes! I called her on the phone and she actually answered it.

But it appears that on Friday and Saturday, the other daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughter, celebrated Mother’s Day with her in various lovely ways.

And my brother was going to be stopping by later in the afternoon yesterday, so she was sitting alone in her living room with nothing to do and so when the phone rang, she answered it.

She sounded in good spirits and that always makes me feel great.

Regarding all the caregiving stuff in my world, though, it is still a bit overwhelming and I have to make a dedicated effort to draw some sort of inner emotional lines for myself. We’ll see how that goes. But meanwhile.

Oh! I finally finished watching the Netflix film, “Je m’appelle Anjeta” last night, and I really just loved it, all the way through. It was so fun!

And, speaking — sort of — of France (the movie is in Swedish and French and takes place in Provence), I’m still studying my French every evening and, after studying French for something like 57 years now–

This past week, I learned 3 new words. Well, I’m always learning new words, but these 3 are for common, ordinary things, but I am JUST NOW learning them. I find that so weird.

The words are:

Plafond (ceiling)
Grenier (attic)
Toit (roof)

I guess, you know, I’ve always needed to learn about stuff that didn’t involve looking up in any way. But I just find that so weird. After all these years. And I did not even realize that I did not know these words.

ME (all over Paris): “Excusez-moi, où est le toit ?” [“Excuse me, where is the roof?”]

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Okay!

Yesterday was not only Mother’s Day (here in the USA) — it was also this guy’s heavenly birthday!

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Sid Vicious!

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And here’s this!

Keith, doing something he’s really good at besides smoking– being HAPPY!

And here’s this!

Keith and Mick, not smoking at a soundcheck in Malmo, Sweden, in August 1970. (I think they are singing that classic Beatles’ song, “Help,” but I’m not 100% sure.)

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I loved these!!

Nick Cave not smoking in a brownish suit!

And Nick Cave not smoking onstage in Hamburg in June, 1982!

And don’t forget!!

If you missed the Hamburg gig in 1982, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds will be all over Germany this summer and tickets are still available! Buy them HERE!!!

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And I think that is it, gang!

It is, of course, my illustrious day off.

Laundry is already done!

No vacuuming is needed today!! (I will give you a moment to pick yourself up off the floor after that shocking remark!)

And all that I gotta do now is take a deep breath and, I guess, dive into a truckload of notes I made 10–12 years ago, sort them all out, and create a play!

Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are in the world, gang.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you witih this!

Morning-listening music!!

I had it on “repeat” through most of breakfast.

I love this song so much. (It reminds me of most of my family, on my birth dad’s side, going back 150 years…)

Recording the song caused Tom Petty a lot of problems:

Story of Tom Petty punching a wall in 1984 breaking his hand (2 mins):

Originally from the album, Southern Accents, Tom Petty & the Heartbreaker’s “Rebels”, 1985. (This is an alternate take, from his posthumous collection, An American Treasure.) Enjoy, gang!

“Rebels”

Honey, don’t walk out, I’m too drunk to follow
You know you won’t feel this way tomorrow
Well, maybe a little rough around the edges
Or inside a little hollow
I get faced with some things sometimes
That are so hard to swallow, hey!

I was born a rebel, down in Dixie
On a Sunday mornin’
Yeah with one foot in the grave
And one foot on the pedal
I was born a rebel, born a rebel

She picked me up in the mornin’
And she paid all my tickets
Then she screamed in the car
Left me out in the thicket
Well I never would’ve dreamed
That her heart was so wicked
Yeah but I keep coming back
‘Cause it’s so hard to kick it, hey, hey, hey

I was born a rebel, down in Dixie
On a Sunday mornin’
Yeah with one foot in the grave
And one foot on the pedal
I was born a rebel, born a rebel

Even before my father’s father
They called us all rebels
As they burned our cornfields
And left our cities leveled
I can still feel the eyes of those blue-bellied devils
Yeah, when I’m walking ’round tonight
Through the concrete and metal, hey, hey, hey

I was born a rebel, down in Dixie
On a Sunday mornin’
Yeah with one foot in the grave
And one foot on the pedal
I was born a rebel, born a rebel

Hey hey hey

c – 1984 Tom Petty

No reason why this shouldn’t be me today!

May 7, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

But, man, life just keeps getting so fucking weird that I never really know if I’m having a good day until it’s, like, basically over.

However.

So far, today is seeming pretty good. It’s sunny. I have the day to myself. The only thing on the “List of Things to Do” besides yoga and washing my hair, is, of course (always) this:

Oops! Excuse me. Of course, I meant this:

Oh! Shoot!! Sorry. No, I meant THIS:

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Yesterday was, overall, sort of lovely.

My favorite 95-year-old Japanese man is now very aware that Annie has died. And he’s sad but handling it very well. We had a good day together, and early tomorrow morning, I’m heading over there to help him get into his suit and tie in order to go to the funeral.

He said about 7 times yesterday that he doesn’t want to go to the funeral. But we’ll see what happens in the morning, when his stepson comes by to get him.

Meanwhile, his daughter has requested that I be the new primary contact person for her dad, now that she’s back in Seattle.

The Agency asked me how I felt about that and, obviously, I said “okay”, since it all landed in my lap anyway, when Annie suddenly went into the coma and then died. (And then I suddenly had to find out who/where his Primary Care Doctor was and go to the office and explain what had happened and who I was; then find out where he got his prescriptions filled and go pick them up; and find out who and where his favorite barber is; and then find someone to cut his lawn this summer because the boy who did it last summer moved away; and then go to the grocery store, and then, you know, go to the grocery store, and then, yesterday, yes, go back to the grocery store….)

All the stuff Annie always did. For 8 years…

Anyway.

Of course I will do it.

But I also have a new novel coming out and I’m trying to find people who will give the book an advance review online, and trying to get my profile updated on the various social media sites. And get that weekly mini-podcast underway and launched with my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn, who desperately needs a new iPhone and who always seems to be at the dentist’s. And Sandra & I have a play that has a Staged Reading Off-Broadway in NYC in November. And we might or might not be writing a new TV pilot this summer — we don’t know yet.

While I’m also taking care of 17 love-filled, happy cats…

So I feel a little overwhelmed…

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However!

Tomorrow, after I get my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man into his suit and tie, I’ll be heading over to the old train station to get my review copy back from Wendy and then– !!

Having lunch there with my friend Steve!! The guy I’ve been friends with since we were 11 years old, and who has texted me sort of repeatedly for the last 5 months, wanting to know when we can go out to lunch again…

So tomorrow is finally the day and that will be nice.

Having lunch with the only person left on Earth who’s known me since I was 11.

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And then this morning, for God only knows what reason, I found myself suddenly thinking:

ME (suddenly thinking): I should go to Columbus more often. Go to the theater and see more plays….

WTF???

You know, where did that come from??? Did it have something to do with that dream I had the other night, that I had moved back into my old house and was really happy???

I have no fucking idea.

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Okay.

Meanwhile!!

I am watching this movie on Netflix and LOVING it!! (It’s in Swedish and French, with nothing but tons of subtitles so my eyes get a little tired, but I love it!)

“Je m’appelle Agneta”:

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And here’s this!

Keith! At Redlands, in 1966:

And Keith! Not at Redlands, and not in 1966!

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And here’s this!!

“The Weeping Song” from 1990, because I love this video and because I’ve been listening to The Good Son album a lot lately (such a great album):

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And I think I’ll close this with that. (And NO! I’m not going to say: “I can ‘t believe this video is 36 fucking years old already… where is the fucking time going??”)

I’m just going to leave it. With no comment about TIME.

And get on with my day.

Maybe hop in the car and drive all the way to fucking Columbus and see a play…

Meanwhile!

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!

My making-the-bed music from this morning!

From Keith’s 2015 album, Crosseyed Heart, his version of the classic, “Goodnight Irene.” Enjoy, gang.