Tag Archives: Nick Cave

A Complete Success!

January 4, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

I really liked the new church. And all the people in it.

Very friendly, with tons of kids — who had a little prayer circle at the front of the congregation, before going off to Sunday school. They were incredibly adorable.

And I chose a pew that was right next to the big stained glass window, and the sun came through it, right onto my pew, right as we started singing the opening hymn, so I’m guessing I’m always going to sit there in that pew, every Sunday. That alone was sort of cosmic.

I sat in the 3rd pew from the front, right next to the window

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Okay.

Before I forget–

If you don’t follow Simon Parkes in the UK, you can’t access his update from yesterday, but it was a really, really good one. You can follow him, and watch his monthly updates, by joining Connecting Consciousness — it’s free.

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Well, I got a lot done this morning, before church, gang!

I typed up all those notes that Sandra needed by tomorrow morning, and was able to get everything off to her a day early!

All I have left to do before our next phone call is re-read the original screenplay for “Tell My Bones: The Helen LaFrance Story” and then send that over to Sandra, as well.

So we’re sort of off and running, gang.

New year, new everything. Oh, and here’s this from yesterday:

New year, same cats!!

And, last evening, I was also able to do Lesson 2 in James Tabor’s new course, “Christianity Before Paul”. (An in depth look at John the Baptist — historical rather than theological — another incredible lecture.)

And I did wash my hair!! I also did yoga.

And I was even able to watch another episode of one of those shows Sandra wanted me to watch (“I Love LA” on HBO).

So it is sort of remarkable that I can get so much done, even though I’m still working all the caregiving jobs, once I entirely shift my focus.

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All righty.

Here’s this–

Keith and that one cigarette he had in 1979:

And a great shot of Johnny Thunders with a cigarette in Athens, Greece, in 1989:

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And–

13 more days, gang!! Before this:

So here’s this — from the private desktop stash!

Nick Cave, not smoking. Not sure why. (Oh, wait! Because he doesn’t smoke anymore…)

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And in a little while here, I head out to see the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat. And I’m sure they will be happy to learn that I’ve finally found a church I like.

They know about my ministerial training and my Degree from Ohio Christian University, etc. (The Minister’s wife studied at a different seminary in Ohio, so we have talked about it a lot.)

I have to say, gang, that it gets frustrating, having to always separate my ministry world from my professional world, keep it all private, since my professional world is so extensively “for adults only”. And just by looking at me, people assume I’m this really nice, harmless white lady. They’re usually very surprised to even find out that I lived most of my life in NYC — unless they have the great good fortune of hearing how often I use the “F” word!! And let’s not mention that FBI record I had that followed me around at international airports. Or when I was looking at possible prison time in a federal penitentiary and a huge fine, for allegedly making it too easy for children to access porn online…)

This new church — since they are “under new management”, as it were — is looking for people to get involved with things like leading group meetings in Bible studies, etc. They need help doing it all, getting it all started.

I am so trained in that stuff. My knowledge, as you can guess, is extensive. And I’m certified/trained in congregational care, and hospital visitations, and grief counseling, and marriage counseling, and home communion for the elderly.

I’m pretty sure that if I showed up at the Minister’s office and told him all that stuff, he’d jump up from his desk and say, “When can you start??” Because they need help.

But all that other stuff in my world — I really, really need my privacy. And I don’t like to intentionally mislead people about who I am. So I’m guessing I will just show up for Sunday services and go back home.

I was thinking during the service this morning that it must be a lot easier to be Nick Cave. He can show up at a church on Sunday but everybody already knows who he is.

(Yes! It is easier to be Nick Cave in church than to be Marilyn Jaye Lewis!! You heard it here first!!)

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Well, anyway.

I’m still really glad I finally found a church I like that is a 3-minute walk from my house!

And on that happy note, I gotta scoot and get ready for my caregiving shift. But then — I have tomorrow off!

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this on this sunny winter Sunday!

That huge hit from the Broadway show, “Godspell”, 1971!

“Day by Day”. Enjoy, gang.

Girl Dies Happy, Writing in Her Room!

January 3, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

I know, I’m 65 — and a half.

I’m not “a girl”.

But I always, always, ALWAYS feel 12 years old inside.

Anyway.

No, I’m not dead yet. But, wow, writing just makes me so happy, gang.

The phone call with Sandra late yesterday afternoon was just so energizing.

To be back at work with her. And to even have a completely overloaded plate from the word go. But, wow, do we have some incredible projects going on.

It is going to be really hard work, but it is just so fucking exciting.

And even though I could get stuff done a lot more quickly if I could have retired from caregiving, just the thought of finally moving forward again with projects I truly love — it makes everything bearable and it always has.

And I have to add that, yesterday afternoon, I got two emails– one from each of my regional supervisors at the Agency. (Since I live in Muskingum County, but work mostly in the next county over, I have a supervisor in each county).

Each of them said how happy they were that I was not retiring. It was bittersweet for me, but also just very nice to receive those emails. The Agency is extremely good at making me feel appreciated.

And meanwhile, I did go ahead and put in for a week off in the beginning of February. Just to stay home and ~~do nothing~~ write (probably). (And NO! So far, I have NOT gone on the Expedia app to search for flights to NYC… No one in their right mind goes to NYC in fucking February!! It’s FREEZING!!)

NOT ME!!! I never wear hats!! (Or green shoes!!)

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So.

I’m happy, gang.

And, as usual, Sandra asked me to watch two different shows for reference, this time to get a feel for the writing style she is aiming for with the TV project.

One on Netflix, one on HBO. Both of them current, popular shows. Neither of them anything at all like 10-year-old reruns of “Mrs. Brown’s Boys” — but I suffered through them!!

Actually, I tend to stop watching “Mrs. Brown’s Boys” once the holidays are over, so I need something to fill the post-dinner evening void!! And Sandra always turns me on to streamer-TV stuff that, at the very least, captures my complete attention.

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Okay!

Speaking of happy, here’s this!!

Keith at Madison Square Garden in July of 1972:

And here’s this.

Richard Hell. I love how Phyllis Stein captioned it:

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And YES!! It’s right around the corner now. So I might be up to that “stash photo” thing I always do!! I’m not sure yet!

But, in 14 days, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds begin their Wild God Tour of Australia and New Zealand!! (Buy tickets HERE!)

And while we wait — here’s this! AGAIN!!

Nick Cave just waiting. And being fucking beautiful in the process.

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And on an extremely different note — (and, no, I haven’t forgotten that somehow I have to also fit in taking that great new course with James Tabor!!):

A new interview with James Tabor about his new book, Lost Mary: Rediscovering the Mother of Jesus.

2,000 Crucifixions: The Christmas Story You’ve NEVER Heard (1 hr 34 mins):

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And on that note, I gotta scoot. I’m back with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man today. (And, yes! Someone had indeed shoveled a little path on his back porch, but it was still too cold and icy to take him out for sashimi & sake yesterday. And since it’s been 16 degrees Fahrenheit since yesterday, I’m guessing we’re staying in again today!)

And tomorrow — I will try to post to the blog early, before I head out for my first Sunday morning at the new church(!!), but I’m not 100% certain I will be able to do that. We shall see! I have a ton of stuff I need to type up and get over to Sandra by Monday morning.

Okay.

Enjoy your Saturday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s part with this today!

I feel reasonably certain they will NOT be singing this song in Australia — well, maybe privately, alone in their hotel rooms at night.

But here’s this anyway! (I love this song!!) I do not know when it was originally recorded — what it was a B-Side of or why it was rare…

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. “Opium Tea”. 2005. B-Sides & Rarities. Enjoy, gang!

“Opium Tea”

Here I sleep the morning through
Till the wail of the call to prayer awakes me
And there ain’t nothing at all to do but rise and follow
The day wherever it takes me

I stand at the window and I look at the sea
And I am what I am, and what will be will be
I stand at the window and I look at the sea
And I make me a pot of opium tea

Down at the port I watch the boats come in
Watch the boats come in can do something to you
And the kids gather around with an outstretched hand
And I toss them a diram or two

Well, I wonder if my children are thinking of me
‘Cause I am what I am, and what will be will be
I wonder if my kids are thinking of me
And I smile and I sip my opium tea

At night the sea lashes the rust red ramparts
And the shapes of hooded men who pass me
And the moan of the wind laughs and laughs and laughs
The strange luck that fate has cast me

Well, the cats on the rampart sing merrily
That he is what he is and what will be will be
Yeah, the cats on the rampart sing merrily
And I sit and I drink of my opium tea

I’m a prisoner here, I can never go home
There is nothing here to win or lose
There are no choices needed to be made at all
Not even the choice of having to choose

Well, I’m a prisoner here, yes, but I’m also free
‘Cause I am what I am and what will be will be
I’m a prisoner here, yeah, but I’m also free
And I smile and I sip my opium tea

c – 2005(?) – Nick Cave, Conway Savage

What A Difference a Day Makes!

January 1, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Happy 2026 everybody!!

I am having the best New Year’s Day, so far.

I slept in until 5AM. Got up to find more powdery snow all over the world outside my windows. Yet the black skies were completely clear — brilliant stars for as far as my wee bonny eye could see.

The cats got special yummies for breakfast — many thanks to Johnny, for buying them a type of yummy cat food for Christmas (beef with gravy) that I rarely let them eat!! They were sort of in cat ecstasy this morning.

Oh, and when I opened the kitchen door to let Kon Tiki in for her breakfast, she wasn’t there but in trotted a totally different cat! We all sort of stopped and stared at her, but since she was in, I fed her beef with gravy, too! And then let her right back out…

And then I decided to take my own breakfast upstairs with me, got back in bed in the dark, and as fate would have it — I felt like listening to an Abraham Hicks video while I had my breakfast in bed, and lo! & behold!, this one was in the top of my list!

Ignore the title — it’s click bait. But it has to do with allowing the Universe to manage Time for you, so that you can get everything done without stressing!! One of the top things that’s been on my mind, regarding continuing to work the caregiving jobs, and trying to get all the writing projects done (15 mins):

And then, after that, when the sun finally came up, here was the view from my bed:

And this — across from my bed!! I always bring the spider plants indoors for the winter, and this one is just doing crazy-good!

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Okay.

Probably the best New Year’s Eve photo I saw yesterday.

Warren Ellis, apparently channeling the NY Dolls circa, like, 1973!

And here’s the song that goes with the post — from my wee bonny 13-year-old girlhood!! “Personality Crisis” by the NY Dolls (performing live on The Midnight Special — a TV show I watched religiously back then, much to the chagrin of every adult in my extended family!! And probably my Rabbi, too, if he’d known I was watching it…):

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Okay.

Let’s tone it down a little!

Keith by the fire!!

And the Stones in LA, in 1965:

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I thought you might like this.

The one and only time I saw Mink DeVille perform live, it was in the mid-1980s, at the incredible Lone Star Cafe.

The Lone Star is long gone now, but it was a great club. And it was on E.13th and 5th Ave, just around the corner from where I lived on E. 12th Street. (And for the record, gang, Mink DeVille performing live blew me away!! God, he was good.)

The NYC clubs back then were just so cool, gang. You could usually get so close to the performers. And all that energy was just aimed right at you.

I saw Johnny Cash at The (new) Ritz in midtown, and I was in tears through most of the show — he was so close; he was right there, you know? I could not believe it.

Ditto with Dwight Yoakam, although the first time I saw him was at the old Ritz, downtown, and it was truly one of the most amazing live shows I ever saw. He burst onstage in all those spotlights, wearing that sparkly, rhinestone Nudie suit, and singing “Guitars, Cadillacs & Hillbilly Music”. It was like a version of heaven I could never have even imagined.

And the first time I saw Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, it was also at the old Ritz (on E.11th Street — again, right around the corner from where I lived). It was kind of staggering. The audience was probably the most frightening audience I had ever gotten stuck in. It was full of what we called Neo-Nazis, back then. Really violent white guys. But when Nick came on the stage, I could not believe how fucking tall he was!! And his energy was just insane — it exploded. It is a moment that is absolutely seared into my memory forever.

Anyway.

There were some incredible clubs all over NYC back then.

(Oh and Susie Cave had a really fun video on Instagram of Nick Cave’s New Year’s Eve celebration last night, but I can’t re-post Instagram videos here. But there was nary a Neo-Nazi in sight!!)

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Okay.

Speaking of things being seared into my brain forever–

I forgot to mention that, very early Tuesday morning, when I was heading to my (final) 10-hr shift, I stopped in at the Rural King to buy cat food. It was maybe 8AM (?) and what to my wondering eyes should appear???

You remember that guy who sometimes works the check-out that I privately call “Wild Thing” because — yes!!– he makes my heart sing!?!? And I am old enough to be his grandmother but he flirts with me anyway??

There he was — all that long dark hair, and all skinny and tall and looking like absolutely nothing but trouble. And there was, like, one other customer in the check-out lane. And then it was my turn!! And, yes, he flirted with me again!! And I felt about 14… in the best way, that is.

I just love that guy.

(And I love this version of that song! I think it’s better than the original.)

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Okay.

I’ll close this New Year’s post with this.

I am in an absolutely incredibly good space, gang. But the past several days were just hit or miss for me. It was very rough.

I have posted here about how, when my (adoptive) dad died a year and a half ago, he and I were in a really good place. Just the best it had ever been in our entire relationship. But from, like, 1975 up until that final year (2023-24), my relationship with my dad was usually extremely rocky. He could be really nice, and then, when you’d least expect it, he could be unbelievably mean.

But during that last year, he told me a lot of stuff about his private life during my teen years that I had known nothing about. And it caused me to privately forgive him for absolutely everything that he had ever done to me in the difficult decades that had followed that.

And then, a few months ago, when the Trustee of my dad’s Estate finally gave me access to all of my dad’s financial stuff, his Will, etc. (there were hundreds and hundreds of pages), it became apparent that he had left me a small fortune that I’d known nothing about. By way of a Family Trust fund.

However, last week, right after Christmas, when the Estate was completely probated and closed and the checks were sent out —

Well, long story very, very short — it turned out my dad had changed his Will and I had not yet seen that final version. And he left the entire Family Trust — 100% of it — to his step kids instead. And taken me completely out of it.

There were residuary funds that I got, instead. I am not complaining. I will be okay, and he also took very good care of me that final year he was alive.

But seeing, in print, what he had done with that Trust, gang — it devastated me. It was just so like the old him to do something like that. And I didn’t want to un-forgive him. How could I do that?? I don’t know how to un-forgive.

My adoptive mother did a similar thing to me — I was heir to $30 million dollars, that upon her death, she ended up giving, in its entirety, to one of my cousins instead. Although, during the final years of her life, my mother gave me many advances on my inheritance, which helped me enormously when all of my publishers, except for one, went out of business during the financial crash of 2008.

However. It’s that process, you know? Going to the expense and time to actually change your Will in order to exclude someone before it’s too late and you’re dead. What the fuck is that, right?

Anyway.

I had been in such a good place with my dad when he died, and I didn’t want to lose that feeling. Especially since I am preparing to write that memoir of my father-figures in the 1970s. I don’t want to go into that memoir with a headspace of trying to manage so much heartbreaking cruelty and alienation.

And even though I can no longer comfortably retire at this point, well miraculously — I mean that literally — after a lot of prayer and Source/God alignment, I awoke this morning in the best mental and psychological place. And I am right back to feeling just really grateful for everything my dad did for me during that last year of his life.

I actually just feel like a stronger person than I’ve been in a long time, and I am really looking forward to all the writing projects ahead of me in 2026.

So let’s get started with that, okay??

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Have a terrific 2026, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting!

I love you guys. See ya!

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I think I’ll leave you with this!

Dennis sent it over to me this morning, as part of his Happy New Year text!

I had not seen this video of this song before. I really loved it.

Norman Greenbaum – “Spirit In The Sky” (1970). Enjoy, gang!!

“What is the deal with this WEATHER?”

December 28, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Okay, so it’s going to be in the 60s today.

As in Fahrenheit.

Although, culturally, it’s also likely to be in the 60s around here today, since I started my glorious morning with this fantastic cassette in the retro boombox next to my bed:

And I have to add that I did not want to get out of bed this morning. By that, I mean, get out of bed again, since I had already been out of bed for 2 hours before getting back in it at 6:15AM…

Anyway.

So today: rain all day and a balmy 60-something degrees Fahrenheit.

Followed by tomorrow and Tuesday: More snow!

So fucking weird.

But I’ve decided to keep all the Christmas stuff out until Thursday, since we’re going to have more of that “festive” snow. Even though it doesn’t feel like Christmas at all anymore, because I’ve had the darn tree up for almost a month already.

But I was just lying there, listening to surf music and thinking about how much I love that style of guitar playing. And I was getting wistful, thinking about all the things in my life that are gone now and all the things that are upcoming (if you can get wistful about something that hasn’t happened yet).

But since I have yoga, shower, zoom class with James Tabor — before leaving for my shift with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat… I finally forced myself to get out of bed.

And here I am.

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So, I’m sure you know that Brigitte Bardot died today at age 91.

There were tons of photos and tributes to her all over Instagram, but Susie Cave’s page was the only page (that I saw, at least) that posted photos of Brigitte with her beloved pets.

All the other pages had photos of Brigitte with her beloved breasts…

Anyway.

I absolutely love this song and it is always the first thing I think of when I hear the name Brigitte Bardot!

Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot, “Bonnie and Clyde,” 1968 [in French}:

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And sort of speaking of Nick Cave (by way of his wife, that is)–

Here’s this!

Nick Cave, holding up his eyebrow and looking at something, but we will likely never know what…

And here’s this handy reminder!!

“The Wild God Tour begins in less than a month in Australia and New Zealand. These unforgettable shows are the band’s most celebrated live production to date, and their first shows in the region since 2017. Renowned for their exhilarating and unforgettable performances, The Bad Seeds are widely regarded as one of the most thrilling live bands in the world. Acclaimed New Zealand singer-songwriter Aldous Harding will support the band at all shows.“

Buy tickets HERE!

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And in her uncanny ability to never, ever fail us (unless she goes on vacation)–

From Phyllis Stein’s Instagram page:

Willy (Mink) DeVille! 2008:

And here’s another song of his that I absolutely loved, and it was indeed part of the soundtrack of my early years living in Manhattan, since I used to also listen to him on my Sony Walkman a lot while riding the A train:

“A Train Lady”

Everybody’s own line
Written for the subway
It’s just another train ride
Hey, why you walking that way
Hey hey hey

You’re looking for a good time
Then you could look-a this way
You’re sippin’ on your lemon-lime
Hey why you lookin’ that way
Hey hey hey

I thought you were a sweet thing
When I saw you riding on the A train

I saw you in the window
Checkin’ out my mohair
I follow far as you go
I believe I’ll find a song there
Hey Hey Hey

I thought you were a sweet thing
When I saw you riding on the A train

So when you’re riding on the A line
And when you feel the backbeat
Lady lookin’ so fine
Wish you’d sit by my seat
Hey hey hey hey

Falling over my feet
Following you all the way to High Street

Yes all the way to High Street
And I wish you were my baby
All the way, all the way
All the way to High Street

c – 1978 – Mink DeVille, Dave Forman

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If you’re interested in this kind of stuff–

Dr. Eli’s Blog has a lot of keen insights about how to understand the New Testament, by way of explaining the translations of the original Greek and/or Aramaic:

Jewish Studies for Christians

Today’s topic: “Why Jesus Called Gentiles Dogs”

“…The Greek word Jesus uses, however, is not the harsh term for stray dogs (κύων / kyōn) but the diminutive κυνάριον (kynarion—’little dogs’ or ‘puppies’). Most scholars see these words as deliberately softening the image… Jesus is drawing a theological, covenantal boundary. The ‘children’ represent Israel, God’s covenant family. The ‘bread’ symbolizes the blessings of salvation and healing. The ‘dogs’ signify Gentiles—those outside the household yet close enough to receive scraps. …”

[full article here. 5-minute read]

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And here’s this–

Loyal readers of this lofty blog know that I’m a big fan of nicotine (not cigarettes) and it’s many health benefits.

If it is a new topic for you, this is a great, in depth interview.

Alex Clark — Nicotine Is Not the Villain: What Big Pharma Hides From Parents | Dr. Bryan Ardis, DC (48 mins):

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Other than that, I’m still in that strange sort of mood that I was in yesterday. And I wish I had time today to just sit and stare.

Although I can’t wait to see the retired Minister’s wife later today, to thank her for that adorable Christmas gift she made for me.

And even though I’m actually very eager for that first zoom class in James Tabor’s new course to get underway today, I will be really happy when the day is behind me and it’s evening and I’m walking in through my kitchen door, and eventually collapsing on the couch in my family room with a couple of cuddly kittens and watching yet another episode (that I’ve already seen!!) of “Mrs. Brown’s Boys.” And then — having tomorrow off.

Moving ever closer to 2026.

Yay.

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So on that note — I gotta get moving here.

Enjoy your 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!!

It came on my playlist in the car, just as I was exiting the freeway yesterday afternoon and heading home to the Hinterlands!

More vivid memories of my early days in Manhattan, gang.

It really made me smile. I cranked up the volume. (And FYI, the anniversary of Joe Strummer’s death was just a few days ago. He’s been gone now since 2002.)

The Clash. “This is Radio Clash,” 1981. Play it loud. Enjoy, gang.

A Rainy St. Stephen’s Day in the Hinterlands!!

December 26, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

And even though I have to go back out into it all today, I don’t mind. I had the best Christmas, gang.

Oh, and St. Stephen is my Patron Saint — he’s the Patron Saint of Ministers (deacons, etc.). So this I guess is my day! Yay!

(And yes, I have a minister’s collar just like that one above — I got it when I got my Ministry Degree from Ohio Christian University and then got ordained. But I haven’t worn the shirt in probably 10 years…)

Oh, and I think it is so cool that my birthday falls on the Feast of Mary Magdalene!! But that’s not related to my ministry at all. Just something I love.

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And on a similar note–

Yesterday afternoon, I finally began James Tabor’s new course with Myth Vision, “Christianity Before Paul”.

Wow, what a great course this is going to be, gang! I spent about 2 hours on it yesterday and still have about 30 minutes before I’m done with the first lecture. There are a lot of really great introductory materials in the first lesson. An overview of the Hebrews and Judaism, of Palestine, Israel, Judea, and the Galilee, the various Herods, various Kings and Emperors, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, Rome — from 2000 BCE up to about 400 AD and Constantine and the Council of Nicaea.

Just really great stuff. And that was all stuff you have to read before you start the actual first lecture.

Just so up my alley, gang. I have taken all of James Tabor’s courses so far, and I already know that this one is going to be my favorite, even though it has way more course materials than any of the other courses had, so it’s going to take a while.

Yes! Coffee and studying hard make your hair turn brown again!!

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And speaking of hot brunettes having great hair days!!

Rowland S. Howard in 1982:

Along with Nick Cave and Mick Harvey!! (I miss those great hair days!!)

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Okay, so back to Christmas….

I got many “Merry Christmas” texts from friends hither & yon yesterday, and my birth mom called me, and so did Wayne!

He and I had a really nice chat, and he also updated me on his opinion of The Curse of Our Profound Disorder. (My new novel.) He is ALMOST done, finally. He has about 12 more pages to go.

The novel is not that long, it’s just that he has been extremely busy. He works at the Union Club on Park Ave. in NYC, and it has been non-stop crazy-busy there since October.

The Union Club — Wayne has worked here as the maître d’ and head bartender for over 30 years. It only costs upwards of $50,000 to join the Union Club and the dues are about $10,000 a year… (not joking)

Anyway. Wayne is still liking the book, but I am very, very curious to find out what he thinks of the ending. So that should be any day now!!

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And I ate a lot yesterday!

Since I didn’t have to cook anything, it was really fun to just keep grazing on all the leftovers in the fridge! (Including ice-cold leftover pizza, which I’m actually quite fond of!)

And I sat in the family room and snuggled on the couch with a couple of sleeping kittens and a bunch of fleece blankets and I watched maybe three reruns of “Poirot” from Season 2 (1990). Another one of my all-time favorite shows.

And then I actually went up to my bed and took a nap, gang. An actual nap!! What a luxury. It felt so great.

But today, it’s back to the regular caregiving schedule.

I’m heading out here soon to my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man’s house. And, YES!! On Friday, I did indeed stop off at the gas station and buy him one of those pre-mixed, single-serve vodka cocktails. A small bottle. (And before I showed him his fantastic gift(!!), I diluted it with water in the kitchen…)

But he was in paradise, gang. He was so happy. His face really lit up when I brought the bottle into the living room, along with a festive cocktail glass!

And I also brought him a little packet of those Pringles Mingles bowties, that I poured into a festive bowl:

Anyway, he really had the best time. Sitting in his recliner and feeling like he was in a private Christmas cocktail lounge or something.

Today, will be a lot more low key, though…

Oh, and I have to tell you about this.

The retired Minister’s wife gave me a Christmas present as I was leaving their house Sunday evening. I unwrapped it yesterday morning.

I knew it was going to be some sort of homemade craft — she is really, really creative and talented. But it absolutely blew me away! It is so cute!! A little stuffed snowman with a stocking cap — made from little Christmas socks. It’s weighted at the bottom, so he sits straight up.

My heart melts every time I look at it. It is just so cute. (I don’t want to post a photo of it because I don’t like to expose the private lives of my clients.) Oh, and she also gave me a handmade Christmas card that was just adorable, too. She is very talented.

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And I ended the evening watching still more reruns of “Mrs. Brown’s Boys” because I am, like, so totally addicted to that show during the holidays.

And then I went off to bed early, to sort of get my head back into work mode.

But it was such a great Christmas. I have not been that relaxed in a really long time.

But now I gotta scoot!

I hope you are enjoying a happy St. Stephen’s Day, 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 favorite version of this very old song — the song takes place on St. Stephen’s Day!

The Irish Rovers’ version of “Good King Wenceslas”. So fun. Enjoy, gang!!

Okay, Finally!!

December 24, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

I hope you have a really Merry Christmas Eve, if you celebrate it!

Yes, as usual, I am absolutely EXHAUSTED — trying to do all the last minute Christmas Eve stuff last night after a 10-hr. shift, then literally forcing myself out of bed this morning at 4:33AM.

But I’m heading out here soon to see my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man.

He sort of knows it’s Christmas, but I am probably the only person he is going to see today so I’ll try to make it a merry few hours… (I might stop off at the gas station and pick up one of those pre-made vodka cocktail thingies for him. I have another gift for him, too, but Methinks anything whatsoever with vodka in it will make his holiday a really merry one…)

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Here was the view this morning as the sun was coming up — this is at the bottom of my stairs, looking through the family room to the dining room:

Yes, the kittens have re-arranged all the lights on the Christmas tree, but at least they’re still on there!!

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So, I will have a few things to do in the kitchen the very moment I get home from my shift — a lot of scurrying around before Johnny comes over to celebrate Christmas Eve.

Since I’m working today, I don’t have time to make any type of traditional Christmas dinner. Just a bunch of fun holiday food that still allows me to — YES!!!! — get out all of my many Christmas dishes!! Yay!!!

Just something simple thrown together at the last minute…

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Another quick note about my dad’s Estate —

I got an email from the Trustee of his Estate late yesterday afternoon, saying that they had just FedExed me my “dad’s belongings.”

I did not know there was anything left. I’m guessing when I get the box I will open it and then cry! I have no idea what will be in there, but I’m guessing it will be things my dad had saved for a really long time.

But the timing of the probating of his Will is helping me have truly the best Christmas I could have ever imagined.

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Okay.

Here’s this!

Nick Cave in church?? Apparently listening raptly!

And Nick Cave sent out a Christmas Red Hand File today!

“Dear Red-hand-o-philes,

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, happy holidays, and a glorious New Year! See you in January!

Love, Nick“

And if you live in Australia or New Zealand, you will really see him in January!! Buy tickets here!

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And here’s this, just ‘cuz it’s Christmas and it makes me so fucking happy to look at it!!

Ronnie and Keith!! Eternal heroes from my wee bonny girlhood!

It serves to remind me that I have officially survived 51 Christmases since the worst Christmas, ever — 1974: Greg’s death, my nervous breakdown, the gang rape in my basement. BUT!! The Stones also released THIS!!! Yay. Worth living for, I guarantee it.

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All righty!!

Before I scoot, I gotta say THANK YOU once again!! You guys keep on downloading those old eBooks of mine over at the Smashwords Christmas sale and I really, really appreciate it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Okay. I better scoot. I am so fucking busy it is ridiculous!!

Have a very, very MERRY Christmas Eve, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with these!!

Keith, John Lennon, Brenda Lee, Elvis!!

Enjoy, gang!!!

Happy Winter Solstice to the Northern Hemisphere!

December 21, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Good morning, everybody!!

It’s a clear, sunny — but cold — first day of winter around here!

When I stepped out onto my kitchen porch at 4:30AM this morning, the black sky was so incredibly clear. I could see all the stars for miles and miles. There was a really great feeling in the air.

And the raccoons had been by. They ate up every single solitary morsel of cat food that I’d set out for Kon Tiki & friends yesterday.

Oh, and also yesterday, at my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man’s house, I encountered 5 beautiful deer in his backyard. And, later, while driving back into the village of Crazeysburg, there were about 8 swans in one of the de-frosting cornfields!! This morning, starlings are everywhere in the trees around my property and the cats are sort of glued to the windows. (This bit about the cats is, of course, a figure of speech. I do not allow my cats to get into the glue…)

Anyway, Happy Winter Animal/Bird Day everyone!!

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Okay.

Here’s this!

I’ve had some trouble piecing together what this was all about, but it seems to have been a fundraiser for a new church organ? Not sure. But it took place at St. Bartholomew-the-Great, the oldest parish church in London.

Nick Cave and Colin Greenwood performed by candlelight there on Friday night. (I believe this is the church Nick Cave actually attends?)

I can only imagine how moving this was, gang. Because these two could create magic together out back by a trash bin. And in an old church in London by candlelight??? Wow.

And speaking of Nick Cave—

There is still time to order something over at Cave Things and get it in time for Christmas!! (Maybe.)

For instance!!

Sex Pencils!! They are guaranteed to be sexual, unisexual, hip & sexy, and super sexual!! ($21 + shipping)

And right now, I believe you can get free pencils with every Christmas order. Click Here.

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Okay. I am loving this!

Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and Other Christians in Disguise

I found out about this podcast last evening on Instagram and I am halfway through listening to Episode 16 and I am really loving it:

Longing for God: Jack Kerouac, the Strange Solitary Catholic Mystic

“The Saint of Holy Groveling, the Hungover Mystic, and a deep, aching longing for God

Jack Kerouac is remembered as the voice of the open road, speed, freedom, and excess, yet beneath the motion lived a deep spiritual loneliness. He carried an intense longing for God that pleasure, travel, and rebellion never resolved. The party always ended in sadness. The road always circled back home. Formed by Catholic prayer, haunted by sin and grace, and bound to his mother in a small house far from the myth, Kerouac lived as a strange solitary mystic, restless for God and unable to escape the ache of faith that followed him everywhere.”

The podcast only started this past January, so there’s a chance I can actually get caught up on their previous episodes: Goethe, Dostoevsky, Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn, Blake, Pasternak, and more. Writers whose works I really love.

You can find the podcast here and then choose your preferred platform.

Subversive Orthodoxy: “Subversive Orthodoxy is a place for people who are burned by politics. We’re tired of culture wars and worn-out ideologies, but still have some hope that the Judeo-Christian story has something real to offer the modern world.”

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And speaking of Kerouac —

From the Kerouac Estate on Instagram:

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And here’s this–

Keith with one of his grandsons (maybe even the first one, judging by the color of Keith’s hair) (in the description below the photo, it said this is a grandson):

And Keith topless! Yay! (Adults only please!!)

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Okay!!!

Thanks again to Phyllis Stein for coming back from her vacation and for posting some more great photos on Instagram!!

Patti with the Patti Smith Group and TOM WAITS peeking in!! (mid-1970s)

And two of Patti and Jim Carroll in San Francisco in the 1970s:

(I loved this man so much, gang. I took a songwriting/poetry course with him at the West Side Y in NYC in 1984. You had to actually submit your writing to get into the class and when I got in, I hit the moon! There were maybe 12 of us in the class. What an incredible experience it was. The course lasted several months. And, wow, was Jim Carroll tall!)

Here’s this. Jim Carroll reading from his second collection of diaries, Forced Entries, in Cleveland, 1991 (1 hr):

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And here’s this!

I listened to it while making my dinner last night (and also texting with Johnny at the same time so it was a wee bit distracting!)

Abraham Hicks – Why Action Won’t Make you Rich (15 mins)

I especially liked the part about “Maintaining Your Vibration Despite Outside Influences” . (Ooops! Looks like you have to listen directly on YouTube. Just click in the box.)

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Phil seems to want everybody to have access to the Justice Department’s Epstein Library. It is searchable!

Click HERE

Word of warning, though. There is a TON of graphic stuff in these court testimonies and some of it will make you sick. (Especially if you’ve ever been trafficked or forced to have sex of any kind.)

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Other than that…Let’s switch gears!!

Wow, gang.

Christmas is almost here. Which means 2026 is also almost here. Which means that my retirement is also almost here!!

Johnny has asked me a couple of times:

HE: “What is the first thing you want to do the moment you know you are free from all the caregiving jobs and can do anything you want?”

ME: “Sit down at my desk and write.”

HE: (Looks at me sort of blankly.)

But that’s it, gang. Yes, I want to go camping (he already has a really long list… It includes cool places like Key West, the Adirondacks, and a place in Georgia). I do want to do that. But as loyal readers of this lofty blog know so well by now — I have a TON of half-finished and almost-started projects on my desk. I cannot wait to be able to give them my complete attention again.

PLUS!

Sandra is just basically sitting there in Rhinebeck NY, waiting for 2026 to get started so that she can send me all of her NOTES on the upcoming play Off-Broadway, the proposed new TV project, and our re-visitation of the screenplay for “Tell My Bones: The Helen LaFrance Story”.

I know this doesn’t sound like retirement for most people, but for me, it is finally getting to have my life back and I can’t wait.

Oh, and part of the publishing contract for my new novel includes: When will you be available to come out here and promote the book???

There is a chance that the book might be released by February, gang. But that’s not definite yet.

So, I wake up at 4 in the morning, and I stare at my dark bedroom and I just sort of think, Wow. And soon after that, I get out of bed.

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All righty!

I’ve got some yoga to do and then I have the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat later today! And some more Christmas movies, no doubt! (And while I do have to drive home in the dark, there is no SNOW, no ICE, no HEAVY WINDS!! Yay. Just things like the Ronettes singing “Sleigh Ride” over and over and over for 22 miles!!)

So I’m gonna get all that underway here.

Enjoy your Sunday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this. The most amazing Christmas song ever.

I listened to this several times while in bed last night with the lights out and the votive candles flickering and tried to keep my heart from galloping away from me .

I do not know where the years went to, gang. I only know that they flew by. And now both Shane McGowan and Kirsty MacColl are both dead. This song just breaks my heart now but when I listen to it, I am still inundated with all the love I had for this man and his gift for writing incredible, and now incredibly eternal, songs.

“Fairytale of New York,” The Pogues. 1987. Enjoy, gang. And let’s take a word from William Blake while we’re at it: He who binds to himself a joy / Does the winged life destroy; / But he who kisses the joy as it flies / Lives in eternity’s sun rise. See ya!

Everything has Officially Changed!

December 20, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Including the weather.

Wow, was it sort of like the weather from hell yesterday.

Fucking insane winds — luckily I was able to bring all the outdoor Christmas decorations inside before they went sailing down the road.

And because of those 40 mph winds, the already cold temperatures dropped to about 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

And then, yes, it snowed. All day! Why wouldn’t it?? I only had to be out and driving around in it!

Jesus, what a day.

But today, even while it is still cold, it is sunny, with no wind, and so it is basically totally okay out there and me and my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man will indeed be going here today! Yay!

For the first time in 3 weeks. So we are both looking forward to a little bit of sushi, a little bit of sashimi, and a tiny bit of sake (for him)! We’ll see how that goes!

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The quick update about Valerie in Brooklyn is that there really is no update yet. She doesn’t know if they’re going to try to do the surgery again, or if they will try something else entirely.

She was extremely tired yesterday, so we only texted. Today, I’m planning to speak to her on the phone. But she doesn’t really know anything about what to expect next, because the doctor never called her to update her yesterday.

But, for some reason, it might not be really bad news. regarding the condition of her heart, I mean. So we shall see!!

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Oh, don’t forget!

This was released for digital streaming yesterday! I got it on Amazon Prime, but it’s basically at all music streaming platforms:

(I have not listened to it yet, though, because I am deep into Merry Christmas Music Land!! And The Death of Bunny Munro is definitely not a Merry Christmas story!)

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In addition to the weather, the other thing that has completely changed…

Loyal readers of this lofty blog no doubt recall that my dad died over a year and a half ago.

During these 18 months since his death, my relationship with him has truly blossomed into a wonderful spiritual thing. Honestly, he is with me all the time and he helps me keep going, keep finding my way.

Well, yesterday, his Estate was finally probated — over and done now. And I got a copy of his Will.

You know, my own Will is 3 pages long. I was expecting my dad’s Will to maybe be about 10 pages.

Try SIXTY pages! Jesus, when the heck am I supposed to read that?? Curious, indeed.

And even though it was a relief to have that document and to finally have closure on that side of it, I find that I am sort of grieving today. I guess it’s because it’s the official end of his physical life story.

I wasn’t expecting to feel this grief because my dad and I were in a very good place when he died, and it got even better between us after his death. It was kind of a weird and sudden shifting-of-gears this morning, going between the physical and the spiritual realms. Who he was for me while he was alive is now completely over. That story is done.

But I know, I absolutely know without doubt, that he is onboard with my upcoming memoir (about my various father figures in the 1970s). So my spiritual relationship with him is truly just getting started. So I know I’m going to be okay.

Meanwhile, it’s Christmas and I find I’m having an unexpectedly happy one this year. So on we go.

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I guess that’s it for now.

Have a happy Saturday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Okay, let’s close with this!!

Even though it’s nowhere near as old as most of the Christmas songs I usually listen to, it’s kinda getting up there now, isn’t it??

But I absolutely love this! When it comes on the Christmas playlist while I’m driving in the car, it gets absolute full volume!!

Mariah Carey, “All I Want for Christmas is You”. 1994. Enjoy, gang!!

Hoping for a Peaceful Day

December 19, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

It’s too early for any updates on Valerie yet, but I’m guessing it’s going to require the kind of surgery where they have to open her up now. And I know she will be dreading that. (See yesterday afternoon’s post — the surgeon could not do the less invasive type of heart surgery yesterday that he’d been hoping to do.)

I hope to be able to reach her later this afternoon and find out if she knows anything more yet. And just see how she’s doing. She was, of course, hoping that all of this would be over & done before Christmas.

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Well.

A light dusting of snow here this morning, but the rest of the day is more of those high winds and rain. So I won’t be taking my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man out for sashimi & sake until tomorrow.

With all the bad weather and then the trip to have lunch at the golf course — we haven’t actually been out for sashimi in 3 weeks. So we are both looking forward to that tomorrow!

And I’m just hoping today will be a nice and easy shift. We shall soon see!

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Before I forget–

A huge thank you to everyone who is downloading my really, really OLD but TOTALLY FREE erotic eBooks over at the Smashwords Christmas sale!

It truly does not cease to amaze me that so many people are still interested in these eBooks, year after year. (They contain works from 1994-2011.)

The direct links to the books are on my substack page HERE, if you missed it. The sale runs until New Year’s Day 2026. (For adults only, please!!)

Yesterday, I noticed on Draft2Digital (the site that has basically taken over Smashwords now), that they have all my eBooks and print books listed from LULU, as well. I was surprised by this and will have to look into that more thoroughly after the holidays are over and I have some time.

Not to un-list them, just to find out what the direct links are.

Because, in my opinion, 1954 Powder Blue Pickup has all but disappeared since Amazon Kindle killed it in 2021. (Saying it violated their obscenity policies, which is just absolute and total bullshit.)

Anyway, I have actually heard from a couple of long-time readers over the past few years that 1954 Powder Blue Pickup was their favorite book of mine (strictly in terms of erotica, not literature) and yet it hardly sells because no one can find it online.

But it does look like Draft2Digital is carrying it now! I will keep you posted. (But it is absolutely 100% without doubt for adults only. And also totally hetero. “Thank you for your attention to this matter. – DJT”)

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This really cheered me up this morning!

For some inexplicable reason, I had totally forgotten about this! I absolutely LOVED this movie!!

This old photo from the film popped into my Instagram feed this morning–

Nick Cave, playing the character Freak Storm in the Tom DiCillo film, “Johnny Suede” from 1991:

Oh my god, gang, what a great movie that was. It was just insane. I will have to find it online and watch it again.

Meanwhile, here is a short clip of Freak Storm talking to Johnny Suede (played by Brad Pitt):

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And here’s this!

Posted yesterday by Keith & Patti’s daughter, Alexandra Richards:

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And other than that…

You know that I can’t complain. So much good stuff is going on in my world these days. (And more good stuff is getting ready to happen in the upcoming year). However, I have that undercurrent of stress right now over Valerie’s heart problems. (She has come close to having a heart attack twice in the last couple months.)

So I am trying to stay focused on a positive outcome and just breathe. And sort of pivot my focus to all the good things that are going on right now, too.

And I guess, with that said, I will get ready to head to town.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Okay, let’s end with this!

If you have ever wondered what kind of wife I was… well, I think it speaks well for me that both of my ex-husbands remain good friends of mine. But they also each have one of those Official Citations from the Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America, recognizing their Extraordinary Heroism and Bravery in the Face of Constant Insanity, etc.

Something like that!

However, during the Christmas season of 1992, when Wayne and I were engaged, I recall putting this specific song on “repeat” with the volume up loud enough to hear the song playing when you walked in the front door of the apartment.

And in the living room, I had set out a champagne bucket with ice, with a bottle of champagne in it, a couple of champagne flutes sitting next to it, some twinkling Christmas lights on.

I went out and left the apartment like that, knowing that Wayne would find it when he walked in from work that evening and it would make him smile. (It did.) (Listen to the actual song, it’s the swinging-est “Jingle Bells” ever. A great song to come home to, when you’ve been catering endless Manhattan dinner parties and you just want to light a cigarette and have a glass of something/anything on ice!!)

Okay. “Jingle Bells” by Dean Martin! Enjoy, gang!! See ya.

Happy Heart Surgery Day!

December 18, 2025 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Okay, gang.

Today, at 9AM in Brooklyn, NY, they’re checking my best friend Valerie in for her heart surgery.

We are all expecting it to go smoothly and she should be back home sometime later today. Prayers still appreciated, gang!!

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Before I forget!!

Wow.

I was finally able to watch “Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness”. (“Modi” in the US.)

What a great film, gang. So fucking intense. And the acting, all across the board, was just spectacular. A really well told story, and just really well executed, all the way around.

Johnny Depp did such a great job creating a sort of entire world of madness that actually made sense. Especially, I guess, if you are an artist of some kind. (After watching it, I immediately phoned Valerie, who is a painter. And she’s planning to watch it during her recovery.)

I don’t know why I was not expecting it to be so intense, but it really surprised me. It has been such a long time since I saw a new movie that didn’t just feel like a ton of AI and weak storytelling. This was nothing like that. It felt like both literature and magic, captured on the screen. I will definitely be watching it again. I’m sure there were things I missed.

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Phyllis Stein is finally back from spending the holidays with her daughter and grandchild — or some such nonsense! And she’s back to doing the truly important stuff–

Posting photos of the NY Dolls in Los Angeles in 1974 on Instagram!!

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And we can’t forget the most important thing!! (Well, except for Valerie’s surgery going splendidly…)

Today is Keith’s 82nd birthday, as well as his & Patti’s wedding anniversary!

I love these photos from their wedding (42 years ago):

Here’s Bill Wyman’s birthday greeting to Keith this morning:

And here are a couple of random shots — from 1964.

Keith smoking and assuring us that “Guinness is good for us”:

(Here, Keith and Brian are smoking by the engine of an airplane. I feel this is an entirely safe thing to do, because the Rolling Stones never once set a dangerous or bad example in anyway whatsoever about anything!)

ALL RIGHT! Who put that there?? Ignore!! Ignore!!

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Anyway!! Happy birthday Keith Richards!! I love you with every fiber of my wee bonny being!!

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Nick Cave sent out a really great Red Hand File yesterday. I just loved it. He spoke sort of rapturously about some live concerts he’s been to recently — and how it feels to be on both sides of the concert arena stage. And some advice to a singer who has stage fright. To this latter question, he said, in part:

“Yet, whether singer, artist, or otherwise, these are the demons we all must face. Whenever we take a risk in life, or do something that might set us apart, or draw the judgement of others, these crippling voices provoke a form of ‘stage fright’ – a fear of existence, a fear of life itself. But, if you can summon the resolve to overcome these inner voices, Manuela, you can conquer anything, and the world will lie trembling at your feet.”

You can read it in full here.

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Okay!

Kara’s birthday!

We had a great time yesterday, even though Johnny and I only got to see Kara for a few minutes because the Granville Inn dining room wasn’t actually open yet (Kara works there), and so he and I wound up going to a pub down the block for lunch but we had a really nice time.

And today I’m doing stuff, like:

Signing the contract for my new book!!
Washing the flannel bed linens!!
Vacuuming the upstairs!!

You can probably guess which task I’m most excited about…

And first and foremost — it’s PAY THE BILLS DAY!! Yay! So I’m gonna do that posthaste, and then get on with my glorious day off!

Have a great 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!!

Another GREAT Christmas collection.

This one from Ultra-Lounge — “Christmas Cocktails”, 1996. Wayne and I used to play this CD all Christmas long in the old days. It is such a fun collection of swingin’ Christmas classics.