Tag Archives: mental-health

Not only great, but it turned my hair brown!!

July 20, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Yes! My first cup o’ joe on my first morning of freedom! So great!

And the stress was so non-existent around here, finally, that it turned my silver hair back to the lovely shade of brown it once was!!

Honestly, gang, it feels so interesting. This freedom thing.

And it is such an incredible morning, here! When I awoke at 6AM (again, second morning in a row — I’m trying really hard to sleep in later and stay up later), it was only 55 degrees Fahrenheit outside! Wow.

When I stepped out onto the kitchen porch to feed Rasha and Kon Tiki, the sun was up and the flowers out there were loving the cooler temperature. They looked so vibrant and full of life.

Anyway. It is just sort of a perfect morning.

I don’t remember the last time I didn’t feel the pressure to “do” something. And what’s weird is that I actually have a ton of things I want to do. But it’s all writing-related. At my desk. Or reading-related, downstairs on the couch.

I do not have to get into the car and drive the 30 miles to town and back until Wednesday — when I meet Kara for dinner to celebrate my birthday!!! Yay!

I actually have stuff on my calendar now that goes clear to November (possibly even to March, depending on a phone chat I’m having tomorrow). So it’s not like I don’t have things to do, but the difference between constant caregiving and just thinking about my own life now and the things that make me happy…

*************

Okay.

And here’s something that always makes me happy — a midnight text from Wayne, that also had a link to a song on YouTube!

Here’s the song!

“Save It For Later,” covered by Pete Townsend and The Deep End:

****************

I thought this was very interesting.

From Ross K. Nichols’ Sunday School yesterday–

“We all know who killed Goliath, right? Well, I thought I did until I realized that the biblical writers who told the story were not on the same page.”

The Goliath Story Has a Giant Problem (43 mins):

************

And in keeping with my new approach to my own life, here are these!

***********

And during his break before the upcoming SOLD OUT Brighton bash, Warren Ellis posted some photos that I really thought were great. I think they were from the Australian tour earlier this year (?). Here’s 2 of them:

Colin Greenwood:

Warren himself:

And since the Bad Seeds are indeed on a break until July 31st, we go to the private desktop stash for that photo I love of Nick Cave from yesteryear — smoking and waiting!! Near the water!!

************

And, oddly, that’s really all my “here’s this’s” for today.

But in honor of the fact that I now not only have time to get to work on that memoir of my life in the 1970s, but I am also finally in an emotionally calmer place wherein I can actually deal with my memories of my life in the 1970s…

Here’s this from the desktop stash!! Best father-figure ever!! (IMHO)

Keith, smoking…

And with that, I’m gonna finish up the laundry and maybe take a walk before it gets too hot out there.

And then–

Have a lovely Monday, gang, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

***********

Let’s close with this!

From all the way back in 1957, but I mean it more than ever today!! Feel free to join me on this new path in life–

“Come Go With Me” !! The Del-Vikings. Enjoy, gang.

Like this! Except with lousy air quality!

July 18, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 4 Comments

Well, the air is a little better today. So far.

And thunderstorms are expected all evening, which should move the rest of the smoke out of the air.

LUCKILY!! I have a long evening shift with one of my favorite clients, the retired Chaplain — my final shift with her before I retire TOMORROW — and this means I get to not only drive home in the dark tonight, but in thunderstorms as well!

So I guess I’m going out with a “bang”… (and tomorrow is my final final shift — and it will be with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat.)

And oddly enough…

I got an email notifying me that TODAY is the anniversary of my Ordination and that I should make sure all my credentials are still up to date.

Wow. So I looked at my credentials and sure enough, on July 18th, 2013, I was ordained as a minister and received my Authority from the State of Ohio to solemnize marriages.

So I’ve officially been a minister since 2013. But for some reason, I had thought it was 2015… So, like, how old am I getting around here???

************

Okay. Anyway.

Yesterday was a really good day, except that by late afternoon, I was coughing like crazy from having been out in that smokey air. (I guess that’s why they told people to stay indoors yesterday but, I guess, you know, I don’t consider myself “people”…?)

However, yesterday afternoon, I stopped by that bookshop over at the Historic Arcade (see post from Thursday). And even as I was driving over there, I was having second thoughts because I don’t want to offend a bunch of strangers with my intense novel, etc. But I went over there with a review copy of the book anyway….

And the owner was there, alone in the shop. And he was really nice. And he said that they were open to everything except hate speech stuff. And he was happy to read my novel. And he said (without my saying anything at all about it), “If we like it, we’ll set you up with a book signing when the book comes out in September.”

WOW!

Here’s hoping he likes it.

Then I stopped in at the art gallery to say a quick hello to my friend, Kevin, and I told him about what the book store owner had said, and Kevin said, “Oh yeah, they do book signings all the time over there.”

So that made me feel really hopeful, gang. So we shall see! It would take so much stress off of me.

Historic Arcade. The bookstore is pictured on the left

*************

All right.

A bunch of “here’s this’s” today, so let’s get started!!

Here’s this!

I realize this wasn’t exactly addressed personally to me, but I still loved getting it in my email yesterday!! (The Stone’s new album officially hit #1 in the UK.)

**************

And while we’re at it!

A bit of Keith and a little Ronnie!

Keith!! In Dallas, in 1975!

From Phyllis Stein– Keith in a BIBA shirt!

And Keith, not smoking or drinking but very close to a glass that contains some sort of beverage–

And Ronnie — not smoking or drinking, but very close to a large sign that promotes Budweiser Beer!

************

Oh!

I keep forgetting to tell you some really great news.

The little house across the road from me, that has sat empty the entire time I’ve lived here (over 8 years already), is no longer empty!!

A couple around my age bought it, rehabbed it, and moved in last week and they are so nice!! I’ve already been over to visit them a couple of times. (And that little house is the same age as mine — 125 years old. So cool to think about who might have lived in our houses back when they were first built, right?)

This little house is finally a home again!

************

Okay!

Here’s Dwight!! Cowboy hat, long legs, etc. (Photo by Emily Joyce Photography)

************

And here’s Jack Kerouac and a cat!

**********

And I loved this!

I loved David Cassidy!! (This is happening in London.)

Oh, okay — let’s go ahead and listen to this!! David singing with The Partridge Family, “I Think I Love You” from 1970!!! (Yes, I was 10 and still in Cleveland.) Don’t be shy, gang!! Sing along!!

**************

And here’s Keanu in Rome!!

************

And because it’s summer, here’s this!

The Cars, in color!!

***********

And I thought this was interesting. Livestreaming July 31st, 9:30pm Eastern time. I am definitely going to check it out:

****************

And here’s this announcement from Nick Cave Official yesterday:

“Impressed Recordings release Too Dark To See, the first-ever anthology of Conway Savage’s music, today.

The 24-track collection brings together songs from across Conway’s career, including many rarities and is pressed on limited edition heavyweight double lilac vinyl, with the first pressing limited to 200 individually numbered copies.” You can ORDER IT HERE.

(BTW — in case you don’t know, the late Conway Savage was once a phenomenal Bad Seed.)

And this will be handy if you’ll be at the SOLD OUT Brighton show!

Gates open: 13:00
SET TIMES
13:30 – 14:15 Warmduscher
14:45 – 15:30 Cate Le Bon
16:00 – 16:45 English Teacher
17:30 – 18:30 The Flaming Lips
19:30 – 22:00 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Please allow plenty of time to enter the site. 13:00–15:00 is the best time to arrive, with busier queues expected later in the afternoon.

Alongside the music, Preston Park will feature over 50 food stalls, 15+ bars, DJs, exclusive Brighton merchandise, an Arcade Treasure Hunt, chill-out areas, the Bad Seeds Fish & Chips van and more.

And here’s Warren Ellis!! Brighton-bound!!

Here’s an intense photo of Nick Cave from the Stuttgart show–

Another great photo from the show in Vienne–

And a couple from the show last night in Carhaix, France!!

And now I guess Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are on a little break until the Brighton Show on July 31st.

************

And I guess that is it for this happy Saturday!! Whew!

Enjoy yourselves, wherever you are in the world, gang!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

********

Let’s close with this!

From the Oldies FM Radio Station on the retro boombox next to my bed this morning!!

(And where were YOU the first time you saw this video on MTV??? I was sitting on the side of my bed on E.12th Street in NYC, staring at the TV and wondering: is that Johnny Depp??)

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “Into the Great Wide Open”, 1991. Enjoy, gang!!

Oh no! Look what we missed!

July 16, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Even though I’ve been a fan of Joe Satriani’s for 40 years….

I never knew when his birthday was.

It turns out that not only was it yesterday (see yesterday’s post wherein we didn’t wish him a happy birthday), but more importantly, he also turned 70 yesterday!! Wow!

Happy belated 70th Joe Satriani!!

**********

And speaking of yesterday’s birthdays–

Phyllis Stein wished Johnny Thunders a really lovely Happy Heavenly Birthday!

And she also posted a great photo of the New York Dolls at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC in 1973! (Photo by Richard Drew)

************

Here’s Bill Burroughs not smoking in a bar in Paris in 1962!!!

***************

Yesterday, I discovered that over at that really beautiful, newly restored Historic Arcade in Newark (where my friends have that beautiful Art Gallery)–

Historic Arcade — oh, and note that bookshop at the left there. That’s the bookshop that said I could drop off a review copy of my new novel.

It turns out, that on Thursday evenings, from 5:30 – 7:30, they have live acoustic music in the Arcade! Since I’ll be on “vacation” starting next week, I’m planning to go over and check it out!

************

I just wanted to add that I continue to hear from writers & publishers regarding the upcoming M. Christian tribute anthology and the amount of love people had for that guy is really just a joyful thing, gang. I am so glad that I am involved in this project.

*************

This was very interesting– about Flock cameras.

From yesterday, 1 hr.

Tucker Carlson:

Whistleblower Reveals the Largest Mass Surveillance Operation in History and the Coming Slave State

*****************

And I guess we can now focus on Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds!!

You know, even though it seems like every show they’ve done since this current tour started has been incredible, the shows seem to somehow be more & more amazing every night.

First, a couple more from the show in Nimes–

From George Vjestica:

And Nick Cave–

And Nick with a couple of Bad Seeds–

And the rest are from the show last night in Vienne, France.

First, the seste list! (Often spelled “set” but since they are now in France, we decided to spell it differently!!)

Some of the Bad Seeds!

And Nick Cave!!

And tomorrow, they play Carhaix, France. You can buy tickets HERE. And then that will be it until the SOLD OUT extravaganza in Brighton!

******************

And while we’re at it, here’s this!

While the movie, “The Bad Seed”, came out in theaters in 1956, before I was born, there was always a big buzz whenever it showed on TV in the 1960s.

I was a very young girl when I first saw it on television and it scared the bejeezus out of me. It was SO CREEPY!! (The little girl turned out to be a psychopathic serial killer…) Here’s a 4-minute clip:

***************

And I guess that is it for today!

I will not be posting here tomorrow because I have my final early client tomorrow. (And then only 2 more clients after that, and then Sunday is my final day before retiring.)

Today, I’m going to try to focus on just making myself happy — probably here at my desk. But I also want to take a walk before it gets too hot out, and do yoga. Anything to take my mind off how difficult it is to tell each of my clients goodbye. But, wow, do I feel loved, gang. And I know that I’m going to be missed. But I also know that I have to focus on my own life again before time gets completely away from me.

Have a good Thursday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

***********

Let’s close with this.

I woke up singing it to the cats this morning.

I loved these guys so much, in all their various styles.

The Bee Gees. “Too Much Heaven.” 1978. Enjoy, gang.

“Too Much Heaven”

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb

Oh you and me girl
Got a lot of love in store
And it flows through you
And it flows through me
And I love you so much more
Than my life..

I can see beyond forever
Ev’rything we are will never die
Loving’s such a beautiful thing
Oh you make my world a summer day
Are you just a dream to fade away

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb

You and me girl got a highway to the sky
We can turn away from the night and day
And the tears we had to cry
You’re my life..

I can see a new tomorrow
Ev’rything we are will never die
Loving’s such a beautiful thing
When you are to me, the light above
Made for all to see our precious love

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb

Love is such a beautiful thing
You make my world a summer day
Are you just a dream to fade away

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as wide as a river and harder to cross

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb

c – 1978 Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb

A Happy Tuesday All Around!

July 14, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Well, first off!

The cats around here are seriously hyper today — could this have something to do with it??

From the Cainer Horoscope newsletter this morning:

The sky opens up in a big way this week. Between July 15th and 21st, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Jupiter all move into alignment together.

We're more open to new ideas, more drawn to people and experiences outside our usual circle, and more willing to follow our own instincts instead of someone else's script.

Ambitions come into sharper focus, old talents get a chance to resurface, and you'll find that a little boldness goes a long way.

The invitation this week is simple: stay curious, aim a little higher than usual, and give yourself room to think and live differently.

Interesting, though, right?? We’ll see how this plays out!

************

Gorgeous weather again here today, although it’s gonna get HOT by this afternoon.

Which is good, because I only have a ton of fucking errands to run after I see my clients later…. but, you know, at least I’m still alive and it isn’t raining.

*************

Okay!

Well, since I got a lot of work done yesterday at my desk — and also took a walk, did yoga, etc. — I don’t have a whole lot to post about today.

Although the good news is that, so far, my best friend Valerie in Brooklyn’s hand surgery went very well yesterday! So all of these delays are almost all behind us, and soon we will launch the new artists & writers podcast !! Yay!!

************

A short one from James Tabor this morning — taken from the intro to his online course, “Quest for the Historical Paul.”

Does Paul Misread His Two Favorite Bible Verses? (3 mins):

**************

This one was from a few days ago, but in case you missed it–

The Rolling Stones: Foreign Tongues | Zane Lowe Interview (1 hr):

****************

And oddly enough, the only “here’s this’s” I have for today are about the Bad Seeds.

So, here’s this!!

To kill time between the show the other night in Madrid, Spain, and the upcoming show tonight in Nimes, France, Jim Scavulos took in some ruins!

However, Warren Ellis used that time to dash quickly to Cleveland — a trip of approximately 4,350 miles, and which takes about 17 hours each way — just to say hello! Yay! (I was going to dash over to say a quick “hello” back, but Cleveland is a good 2 hours from here and I hadn’t had my coffee yet.)

Anyway.

He also delivered a warning that not all rock icons are willing to make publicly; “Don’t Smoke In Bed”!!

*************

An interesting photo of Nick Cave in Montreux, with a fan (?):

And onstage in Madrid!

As we already discussed, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds play Nimes, France, tonight. You can buy tickets here!!

***********

And aside from all that…

I did get word from another local bookstore yesterday that I could drop off a review copy of my new novel, The Curse of Our Profound Disorder, anytime this week! I will probably get there on Friday.

That particular store does a ton of promoting for local writers, so maybe it could lead to an instore signing of some sort. We shall see.

Other than that —

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

**************

Okay. Let’s close with this today.

From Warren Ellis’s sage advice while in bed earlier…

Nina Simone’s heart-wrenching, “Don’t Smoke In Bed”. 1958. From her debut album, Little Girl Blue. Enjoy, gang.

“Don’t Smoke In Bed”

I left a note on his dresser
And my old wedding ring
With these few goodbye words
How can I sing
Goodbye old sleepy head
I’m packing you in like I said

Take care of everything
I’m leaving my wedding ring
Don’t look for me
I’ll get ahead
Remember darling
Don’t smoke in bed

Don’t look for me
I’ll get ahead
Remember darling
Don’t smoke in bed

c – 1958 – Willard Robison

Yes!! The new glasses are ready!

July 9, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

I don’t know if I have time to go out and pick them up today. We’ll see. But certainly by tomorrow afternoon. And I can’t wait!!

I truly hate the glasses I currently have… I am really, really hoping that with those new glasses, I’ll be able to see again!

Okay. So.

The good news is that my “chat” with Sandra (for well over an hour yesterday) went splendidly.

We have both agreed to shelve the TV show for now. And maybe forever. Because we both want to focus on the play. (“The Guide to Being Fabulous”.) Yay!

We are still aiming for the Staged Reading to happen in the Fall, but — and as usual, I can’t go into the details yet on the blog — it will be at an entirely different venue. One I didn’t see coming and I am truly excited, gang.

Wow.

**********

Okay.

I have a phone chat scheduled at noon today with Ralph Greco, Jr. He was probably M. Christian’s closest friend/colleague. (Ralph is someone I have worked with off and on for 30 years.)

We’ll be going over the basic ideas for the tribute anthology and then I need to formally write up the Call for Submissions. But to be honest, just from the emails I’ve already sent out to people privately, I already have most of the contributors onboard. I maybe only need 3 or 4 more writers.

************

On another sad note–

Bonnie Tyler died earlier today. Thanks for everything, Bonnie.

And here’s this again– I will never get tired of this song:

**************

Switching gears–

Here’s this!

A couple of Rolling Stones!

Ronnie Wood, sort of with wings?

And Bill Wyman, smoking!!!

Oh, and here’s Marlon’s little leg, Keith, Anita, and Mick, in a crowded elevator a long time ago…

***********

And since I wasn’t here to post to the blog yesterday, I have a bunch of Nick Cave photos!

Another one from Poland:

A bunch of great ones from Stuttgart!

More Stuttgart (I don’t think I posted these yet, but I posted them to my Instagram page already):

Now, I did go to Lisbon (Portugal) yesterday — just quickly — hoping to get my picture taken with Nick Cave, but I couldn’t find him anywhere and had to come straight home. You know, because I’m, like, busy and stuff. However!!

Here are some luckier ducks in Lisbon yesterday!!

The Bad Seeds play Lisbon tonight — or perhaps, now — and you can buy tickets here! And they will be in Spain on Saturday!!

********

And that is it for now.

Starting tomorrow, I have EIGHT caregiving shifts left, gang. And then that phase of my life will be over.

I am getting my momentum back, for sure. I am starting to feel my own life returning. But I still have some broken feelings around the edges of my heart. But on we must go. I still have “miles to go before I sleep”…

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.   
His house is in the village though;   
He will not see me stopping here   
To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   
To stop without a farmhouse near   
Between the woods and frozen lake   
The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   
To ask if there is some mistake.   
The only other sound’s the sweep   
Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

**********

Let’s close with this.

Breakfast-listening music.

The more I listen to this song, the more I think Tom Petty wrote it not only about being a kid and loving rock & roll, but also about loving the Beatles — in particular, the man who became his dear friend later in life and who had recently died: George Harrison. (Verse 2)

Well, needless to say, I love this song. So haunting and beautiful.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. “Dreamville,” 2002. From The Last DJ. Enjoy, gang.

“Dreamville”

Goin’ down to Lillian’s music store
To buy a black diamond string
Gonna wind it up on my guitar
Gonna make that silver sing

Like it was Dreamville
A long time ago
A million miles away
All the trees were green
In Dreamville

I keep wakin’ up all by myself
With a bluejay in my brain
Flappin’ his wings, makin’ me sing
It was just about to rain

Like it was Dreamville
Where I was born
Light years from here
And the air smelled good
In Dreamville
In Dreamville

Like it was Dreamville
A long time ago
Light years from here
And the trees were green
In Dreamville

Ridin’ with my mamma
To Glen Springs Pool
The water was cold
My lips were blue
There was rock-and-roll
Across the dial
When I think of her
It makes me smile

Like it was Dreamville
A long time ago
A million miles away
All the trees were green
In Dreamville, in Dreamville

Yeah it was Dreamville
A long time ago
Light years from here
And the air smelled good
In Dreamville, in Dreamville

c – 2002 – Tom Petty

Getting back to normal already

June 16, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Well, getting close to normal, anyway.

Last evening, the Agency assigned me a new client for Friday mornings/afternoons beginning next week. She seems like a really sweet lady, and she’s only about 20 minutes away. (Only a few blocks from the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat.)

Plus the Agency has me signed up for Hospice training (paid training) next Wednesday — a one-time class.

So, you know, my schedule is filling up.

And on Monday, my beloved pal Wendy and I are going out for lunch (!!) at one of my favorite spots in Granville —

3 Tigers Brewing Co. It has a lot of Vietnamese food, but other stuff, as well. It’s inside an old fire station:

This Thursday morning, my insurance guy is coming over to just check up on all my policies. But in the late afternoon, I might head over to the Historic Arcade again in Newark, because my friends who own that new art gallery there are sponsoring a Heisey glass & crystal collectors thingie in that center walkway (below).

I don’t collect Heisey, but my grandparents had a huge collection when I was growing up. It might be nice to see if I recognize any pieces that they used to have, too. Just to get out and see people and do something. I just don’t want to slide back into that depression.

************

Yesterday, I tried to take it easy and keep my mind off of everything that’s been going on around here during my vacation.

I’ve been reading this, and I really love it:

I Wanna Be Yours, an autobiography by John Cooper Clarke. From 2020.

It is so easy to get lost in this book, even though I didn’t actually know anything about him or his varied career in the 1970s punk literary scene (in England). But I saw the book on someone else’s page on Instagram and it looked really cool. So I ordered it. And I really like it a lot.

So that kept my mind off things.

And today, I head back to my Tuesday afternoon clients. So I’m feeling kind of “normal.”

*********

As far as “here’s this’s” for today, here’s this–

From Phyllis Stein, it was in a group of photos she posted of Johnny Thunders with his daughter:

But there was nothing that really caught my eye in the “Keith” department — which is odd, considering there are like 10 trillion photos of him floating around out there.

So here’s a favorite from the desktop stash — Keith wearing Marilyn and setting a good example!!

And there wasn’t anything more from the Bad Seeds show in the Netherlands that stuck out for me, either. There were a lot of good videos, but I can only post photos here.

So here’s one from the desktop stash, too — Nick outside of a gig with fans, but I can’t remember where or when. Not too long ago:

We will see what emerges from tonight’s show in Germany!! You can still get tickets, even though it probably starts in, like, 5 minutes… And the next show is Thursday, in Denmark. Buy tickets here!!

********

And from James Tabor yesterday — a new interview.

Study the Dead Sea Scrolls! Dr. James D. Tabor (20 mins):

Okay, well, here’s this!

The Agency just texted and asked if I can go work with my new Friday client tomorrow morning! So I likely won’t be posting here tomorrow.

I’ll close now and get this day underway.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

********

Let’s close with this!

I love this short — it makes me think of me and Valerie! (about 5 seconds. From the “Black Books” TV show):

Last Day of My Spectacular Vacation!

June 15, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

Wow. No comment.

I’m actually in a good place this morning, though. Finally.

Valerie had her first surgery this morning — it’s already over, and she texted me that it went great. So, probably by midafternoon, she should be able to hold a can of beer again…

Yesterday turned out to be a really good day for me. (Oh, except for ANOTHER thunderstorm with really high winds that came late in the day, and lasted about 45 minutes…)

But yesterday, at noon, James Tabor had a private zoom call for his Tabor Research Group. It lasted over 2 hours. It was the first time in a while that I was able to be on the actual call and not have to listen to the recorded version later.

Then I did yoga while listening to the final lecture James Tabor gave in his class, “Christianity Before Paul” back in late May.

And then at 4PM, Ross K. Nichols also had a private zoom call for his Yachad group. I almost never get to be on his zoom calls live anymore. That one went over 2 hours, as well.

But all of it was so interesting. Archeological stuff, historical stuff, Biblical stuff — the zoom calls were things I can’t post about here, because the calls were private. But they really helped take me out of myself yesterday and really get my thoughts going in other directions that I really enjoy.

Then I had a Mediterranean-style flatbread pizza for dinner while watching a couple of reruns of “Black Books” on Britbox and laughing a lot.

So eventually I went to bed in a good place.

If you’ve never watched “Black Books”, it ‘s a British comedy, from about 20 years ago (4 mins):

**************

And the Post Office left me a notice in my mailbox that Chong, my first husband who now lives in Seattle, sent me a Registered Letter!! That means $$. Yay! (I emailed him and he confirmed that. He just wanted me to have it. He had no idea what was going on in my life right now.) So, in a few minutes, I’m heading to the post office, and then to the bank.

So, even though I have only 9 hours of work ahead of me this week, the flow between God and me and the Universe feels very, very positive.

Oh, and even though Jonathan Cainer passed away many years ago, I still like to visit his Astrology site. His nephew took it over when Jonathan died. And oddly enough, yesterday, when I was still having difficult feelings about having made such sudden changes to my shifts with the Agency, my horoscope yesterday said this:

“Since people naturally turn to you for support, you sometimes need to be reminded that support doesn’t have to mean self-sacrifice. Venus, in your neighbouring sign Leo, encourages you to focus on your emotional world and make space for your own needs and desires. Not every problem is yours to solve. And not every request requires a ‘yes’. By encouraging others to access their own strengths, you’ll reclaim yours. It’s important, because as we move towards the Solstice, you deserve to feel lighter, and free to enjoy the opportunities ahead. “

Wow. That sort of felt re-affirming, too. That these changes needed to be made because I have been losing myself and my mind for a while now. (And today’s horoscope was even better.)

*************

Okay.

Here’s Keith and Tom Waits during the recording of the incredible album Rain Dogs, in NYC, 1985!!

FYI– I would be very careful about taking any advice that Keith wears on a T-shirt…

And while we’re at it, here’s this again — “Clap Hands,” from Rain Dogs:

************

And here are a few more photos from the Bad Seeds show in the Netherlands on Saturday night!

Warren Ellis’ solo with boot!!

Another really lovely photo of Nick Cave!

And I loved the drama of both of these, meaning the Big Screen images.

Nick overseeing George Vjestica:

And then this — I thought it was such a great photo:

The next show is in Germany tomorrow. You can buy tickets here!!

************

You know, something else that’s helping me a lot around here–

Ever since I finally upgraded to the iPhone 16e, I have been having a lot of trouble with my eyes.

I turned down the brightness on the phone screen. I only turn on the Bluetooth when I’m playing music in the car. I try to wear the bluelight-blocking glasses whenever I’m looking at the phone.

Still, so much intense eye strain. Just awful.

I took the cell salts for 16 days and they worked great. But as soon as I stopped taking the salts, the eye problem came back every time I was looking at the iPhone.

Well, I finally found out how to tone the bluelight itself way down. (As opposed to just the brightness.) So now it is basically redlight.

Wow, what a HUGE difference. Immediately, my eyes felt the relief.

{In Settings, go to Accessibility, then select Display & Text Size, then scroll down and choose Color Filters, then select Color Tint, then Intensity.]

So between feeling a sort of spiritual relief now with the changes I’ve made with my schedule at the Agency, and now this relief in my eyes EVERYTIME I look at the phone (which is a lot), it all comes together to help me be in a better, calmer place.

We’ll see how any new shifts eventually pan out this summer. For now, I’m working tomorrow afternoon, and then not again until Sunday afternoon. But that could change if someone calls in sick. We’ll see.

Meanwhile, I’m gonna head out now and retrieve my Registered Letter! And then enjoy the final day of my vacation before I have a bunch more days off…

Have a great Monday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

************

Let’s close with this!

Mick Jagger Talks New Rolling Stones’ Album, Favorite Songs, More (8 mins):

Talk About Changes!

June 13, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Well, gang. If you saw my post from the middle of the night, Tommycakes passed away.

She began to show the signs of dying right when I was leaving for town to get the groceries. So I hurried to town and back, and then spent the remainder of the day just trying to be near her, to comfort her, to be present.

Around one in the morning, she finally let go.

Then this morning, after I had my breakfast, I went outside and buried her right next to Weenie– up close to the back of the house. I can see both of their graves from the kitchen window.

A painting that Valerie did of Tommycakes back in 2016:

I find it really interesting that I had the premonition that she was going to die this weekend, so I canceled my trip to NYC, and she did indeed pass away.

**************

The other thing in my life that has hugely changed — and I can’t go into all the details of it because I want to protect his family’s privacy–

I asked to be removed from my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man’s account.

I am no longer going to be working with him. Sadly, my decision had absolutely nothing to do with him, but with factors that have changed in his home life since Annie died. And I am worn out, exhausted, and it created a depression that was taking over my life.

Along with the decision, though, came a sense of release. That I am back within my own life. So maybe now the constant exhausting depression is gone?

One thing I know for sure: I now have a total of NINE hours — 2 shifts — every week for the rest of the summer.

While that feels FANTASTIC (!!), it’s obviously going to have to change because I can’t afford to only work 9 hours a week….

I’m just going to focus on one day at a time right now. It feels kind of incredible. To suddenly be free.

**********

So my “vacation” went from going to NYC to not going to NYC, to watching one of my cats die, to leaving a (work) relationship with a man I adored that will now make my free time sort of endless…

And then last night, the main reason I was even going to NYC — the Lambda Literary Awards…

Wow, I watched the livestream on YouTube and I want to at least give them kudos for trying, but it was a technical disaster. I finally gave up trying to watch it.

Even though I’m out the $188 I had spent on a ticket to attend the Awards in person, I’m wondering if I would have been really upset to attend the Awards and then have it be such a technical disaster at that price (plus airfare & hotel)?

Plus there was a thunderstorm in NYC, right when I would have been heading to the show. And a heat advisory– upper 90s Fahrenheit.

It almost seems as if saints & angels were looking out for me throughout that whole thing, and I was just meant to stay right here at home.

************

This is from Charlie Ward’s newsletter yesterday. I thought it was kind of important so I’m passing it along, in the event you have children or grandchildren.

A growing number of adolescents and young adults are turning to AI chatbots for mental health advice, according to a new nationally representative survey published in JAMA Pediatrics. Researchers estimate that nearly 1 in 5 people aged 12 to 21—around 8 million individuals in the United States—have used tools such as ChatGPT, Meta AI, or Character.AI for support when feeling stressed, sad, or angry.

The study, conducted in November 2025 with just over 1,000 participants, found that more than 40% of those users rely on chatbots at least once a month. Alarmingly, over 60% said they have not told anyone about using AI for emotional support.

The findings highlight growing concern among experts, as many AI systems are not designed or regulated to provide mental health care. Previous research has shown that chatbots may offer inaccurate or unsafe responses, particularly in crisis situations such as suicide risk. Experts warn that these systems can appear highly responsive and emotionally engaging, which may increase their influence on vulnerable users.

Mental health challenges among youth remain widespread, with many facing barriers such as cost and limited access to professional care. Researchers emphasize that while AI tools may feel accessible, they are not a substitute for trained mental health professionals and can pose serious risks without proper safeguards.

************

On a whole different note, but still AI–

I found this on Google this morning and really loved the summary (AI), so I wanted to share it, too. (You can pre-order my novel here.):

The Curse of Our Profound Disorder by Marilyn Jaye Lewis is a coming-of-age novel about Jemima Callahan, a young woman who navigates trauma, abuse in foster care, and sexuality while searching for her father, Reverend Parker Peabody, after her mother's mental health declines. The story explores themes of identity, belief, and survival on society's margins, influenced by her mother's philosophy that passion and divinity are intertwined. The book won a New Century Writer Award and was a finalist for the William Faulkner Writing Competition. 
Key aspects of the novel:
•	Protagonist: 
Jemima Callahan, who endures a difficult childhood with a teenage mother and abuse in foster care. 
•	Plot: 
Jemima's journey involves survival through selling herself, followed by a job as a housekeeper for a lawyer, all while seeking her father. 
•	Themes: 
Trauma, sexuality, identity, belief, and the intersection of passion and divinity. 
•	Awards: 
Winner of the New Century Writer Award and a finalist in the William Faulkner Writing Competition.

**************

And here’s this!

From Johnny Depp and Castle Fine Art, updates on Johnny’s new artwork:

*********

And from George Vjestica!

A photo from the show in Dublin this past Wednesday, and a reminder that the next show is tonight in the Netherlands! Buy tickets here! (But hurry, because they’re in, like, a whole different time zone…)

And a couple more lovely shots of Nick Cave in Dublin!

*********

And I think that is it.

I guess I will close this and sit and think about life for awhile. It is absolutely stunning outside today. And I’m still on vacation…

Enjoy your Saturday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visting.

I love you guys. See ya!

*********

I’ll close with this.

One of the songs I sang to Tommycakes last evening.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, 1985, “Southern Accents”. Enjoy, gang.

“Southern Accents”

There’s a southern accent, where I come from
The young ‘uns call it country
The Yankees call it dumb

I got my own way of talkin’
But everything is done, with a southern accent
Where I come from

Now that drunk tank in Atlanta’s
Just a motel room to me
Think I might go work Orlando
If them orange groves don’t freeze

I got my own way of workin’
But everything is run, with a southern accent
Where I come from

For just a minute there I was dreaming
For just a minute it was all so real
For just a minute she was standing there, with me

There’s a dream I keep having
Where my mama comes to me
Then kneels down over by the window
And says a prayer for me

I got my own way of prayin’
But every one’s begun
With a southern accent
Where I come from

I got my own way of livin’
But everything gets done
With a southern accent
Where I come from

c – 1985 – Tom Petty

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.

**********

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…

**********

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.

***********

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

************

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!!

**********

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

***********

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:

*********

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.)

*********

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

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.

************

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!!

*************

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!!

************

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!!

*********

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

************

And from Nick Cave Official yesterday: