I have to say, gang, that I have tried many times to get that virtual Nick Cave art exhibit to work, but I can only make it through the opening images and then I can’t go down the long hallway.

It is so frustrating to not have the kind of skills I need to do this thing!! But I will keep trying…

(If anyone has any helpful advice, please leave me a comment! “Thank you for your attention to this matter. – DJT”)

Meanwhile…

Before I forget, beginning December 8th, all my eBooks on Smashwords will be free to download again in their Annual Holiday Sale. Warning: These are erotic titles and intended for adults only.

There are 4 titles there: Freak Parade, and The Muse Revisited Vols. I, II, & III. All of them are pretty old, but they still seem to fly off the shelves during the free download sale. So I thank you in advance! And I will remind you again as the date gets closer.

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

And as a reminder — on LULU, I have a total of 12 titles. These are, for the most part, my newest books and eBooks.

You must scroll down and select “Show Explicit Content” to see these titles. All of them, except for Twilight of the Immortal, are absolutely for adults only.

(Although, all over the Internet, it says that Freak Parade is suitable for ages 7 and up — on what planet it’s suitable for a 7-year-old, I absolutely don’t know…)

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Okay!

I forgot to post this yesterday! So I post it now, along with a new one.

Keith, of course!!

From Stonesdata, Keith in 1972:

And this — during recording sessinos (sometimes called “sessions”) for Beggars Banquet, 1968. What a great album:

And here’s this, from Beggars Banquet:

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I started watching this film on the Wonder Project channel last night. It’s an old one — from 1997. But I am really loving it:

You can also watch it on Tubi, Netflix, etc.

“Soul Food”:

“The story centers on the trials of an extended Black American family, held together by longstanding family traditions which begin to fade as serious problems take center stage.”

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I also started watching Season 2 of “Man on the Inside” (Netflix) last night. I laughed out loud a couple of times, which is saying a lot for me, since with most new TV shows, I just don’t appreciate the writing styles at all anymore.

But this show is targeting an older audience, so a lot of the things they get right:

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Okay, so today, I will be with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man and we will be going out for sashimi and sake! (And fortune cookies!)

We haven’t been there in about 2 weeks. They will wonder what happened to us!!

I will try to make the most of each of my shifts with him, because I really think I am going to simply retire from everything when the New Year comes around, gang. Even though the Agency knows I only want to work 25 hrs a week right now, they have texted me no less than 4 times in the last 24 hours, asking me if it is at all possible for me to pick up an extra shift…

I can see me “retiring” except for the 3 shifts with my Japanese man, and the texts from the Agency probably would just continue…

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

Well, I think that’s gonna be it for today. I gotta get moving here and head to town.

Enjoy your Friday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys See ya!

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

I have my retro boombox tuned to an Oldies FM radio station, and when I turned it on this morning, they were playing songs that were on the Top 100 in November 1975. (Yes, a mere 50 years ago…)

Not only did I know every word to every song they played (even the dreaded disco songs!), but in November 1975, I was still stuck in the mental hospital. So all the songs I heard this morning took me right back there.

Not the most joyful time in my life. But I did have a radio by my bed in there and I listened to it every night.

I leave you with this. This was playing while I made my bed this morning, and I knew every single solitary fucking word to it, even though I hadn’t heard the song in ages.

The Eagles. “Lyin’ Eyes”, 1975. From their massively popular album, One of These Nights. Enjoy, gang. (And let’s just be grateful that time passes.)

“Lyin’ Eyes”

City girls just seem to find out early
How to open doors with just a smile
A rich old man and she won’t have to worry
She’ll dress up all in lace and go in style

Late at night a big old house gets lonely
I guess every form of refuge has its price
And it breaks her heart to think her love is only
Given to a man with hands as cold as ice

So she tells him she must go out for the evening
To comfort an old friend who’s feelin’ down
But he knows where she’s goin’ as she’s leavin’
She is headed for the cheatin’ side of town

You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you’d realize
There ain’t no way to hide your lying eyes

On the other side of town a boy is waiting
With fiery eyes and dreams no one could steal
She drives on through the night anticipating
‘Cause he makes her feel the way she used to feel

She rushes to his arms, they fall together
She whispers that it’s only for awhile
She swears that soon she’ll be comin’ back forever
She pulls away and leaves him with a smile

You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you’d realize
There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes

She gets up and pours herself a strong one
And stares out at the stars up in the sky
Another night, it’s gonna be a long one
She draws the shade and hangs her head to cry

She wonders how it ever got this crazy
She thinks about a boy she knew in school
Did she get tired or did she just get lazy?
She’s so far gone she feels just like a fool

My, oh my, you sure know how to arrange things
You set it up so well, so carefully
Ain’t it funny how your new life didn’t change things
You’re still the same old girl you used to be

You can’t hide your lying eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you’d realize
There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes
There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes
Honey, you can’t hide your lyin’ eyes

c- 1975 – Glenn Lewis Frey, Donald Hugh Henley

Yesterday’s 10-hr shift went really well, but I was still relieved when it was over. It’s such a long shift, gang. And the only time I sit and “do nothing” is when I’m eating my lunch… with one eye on the client the whole time, to make sure nothing goes wonky.

Anyway!

Today is going to be a very interesting day. After my shift, I have a phone conference with my accountant in NYC, to go over my prospects for being able to retire early next year.

I know I will have to live frugally for the rest of my life, but I think it will be worth it, just to be able to finally relax and focus on the half-finished writing projects, along with the new ones.

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All right, here’s this!

Tonight (UK time) on Soho Radio–

Jim Sclavunos has Warren Ellis as his guest!

You can access the show directly, HERE.

I listen to Soho Radio on an app on my iPhone. Either way, if you miss the live broadcast, you can always access a replay.

(Oh, Jim and Warren are musicians and members of the Bad Seeds, if you are unfamiliar with them.) (Jim’s radio show always has great music on it — and not the kind of music you will ever find posted here on the blog because he tends to play music that isn’t from 155 years ago…)

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And here’s this!!

“The Death of Bunny Munro” — the TV adaptation of Nick Cave’s novel — is finally available!! (If you get SkyTV in your area.)

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And here’s a bunch of other stuff!

Keith, backstage in Cleveland, November 16, 1981! (I was in NYC by then.)

Richard Hell, Johnny Thunders, and Sid Vicious!! (47 years ago??!! WTF!!!)

And if you saw my post the other morning regarding Billy Sheehan’s Instagram page–

From last night! (I love how his wife has autumnal placemats and napkins!! I am so into that stuff, gang.)

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Okay.

So, today I’ll be back with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man! And the entire time since I last saw him (on Saturday) he was with one of his daughters. She flew in from Texas. She flew back out last night. But I know he had a great time being with her. He was so excited about her visit — and the prospects of spending time with her at the Japan Marketplace in Asian Town in Columbus (she is, of course, Japanese).

And I have to say, gang, I am still kinda up in the air regarding full retirement. I’m still sort of thinking I would keep my 3 shifts with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man. I don’t want to just abandon him. But I do really want to retire…. we’ll see.

I think I’ll let the Agency and my accountant figure that one out for me.

Meanwhile, though, I will see him today. And take it one day at a time…

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So, yesterday, I subscribed to the Wonder Project channel on Amazon Prime. I’m very interested in seeing their content.

If you are a long-time reader of this lofty blog, you’ll know that during the lockdowns, ALL of my TV and film projects that were in development out in LA, evaporated overnight.

And 2 of those projects are African-American, faith-based projects. (Connected with Sandra.) So I’m curious if I might be able to re-think those projects. We’ll see. The agent that originally contracted them for development is still in the business, and so, of course, is Sandra.

But this is one of those reasons why I want to retire from everything else but the writing. This stuff requires a TON of time and focus.

Oh!

I saw this ad on Netflix last night!! I’m excited to see season 2. I really liked this show and the next season looks even better:

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Here’s this!

From Simcha Jacobovici — Jesus Had A Wife: the Evidence (8 mins):

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From Biblical Archeology–

Finding Jesus at Chorazin | Interview with archaeologist Achia Kohn-Tavor (24 mins):

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And that could be it for now, gang.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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

Ironically!!

My driving-home-in-the-dark-and-pouring-down-rain listening music from last night!!

Another song from my wee bonny 12-year-old girlhood that I just loved!

Johnny Nash, “I Can See Clearly Now”. Enjoy, gang.

“I Can See Clearly Now”

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day

I think I can make it now, the pain has gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day

Look all around, there’s nothing but blue sky
Look straight ahead, nothing but blue sky

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone’re the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
Gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
Gonna be a bright, bright, bright sun-shining day

c – 1972 Johnny Nash

I am going to try to catch up from what I didn’t have time to post over the past couple days, but I do have to head to town and see my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man soon, so I don’t know if I can post everything today.

We shall see!!

Oh, I want to mention that his daughter from Houston is coming to visit for a few days, starting tomorrow, and he is very excited about that. So he should be in great spirits today.

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My trip to see my birth mom yesterday was fantastic, gang. And I also saw my younger brother for the first time in about 5 years (??). Something like that.

Somehow, during the last 40 years that I’ve known him, he became an old Cherokee guy– really weathered-looking; chiseled facial features, long-ish, graying hair. Tall, lean. He still drinks like a chimney and smokes like a fish…But, wow, he is really attractive.

It’s a good thing he’s my brother, otherwise, if I, like, met him in a bar or something. Well, let’s just say he is NOTHING but trouble. And with a capital ‘T’. But good-looking Trouble. And I have always been inordinately attracted to Cherokees.

Anyway!

My mom looked great. And, while, physically, she’s moving a little slower, her mind is still sharp. My Q-following girlfriend was with me and the 2 of them had met before, here at my house. They get along very well. So all of us had a really nice time.

My mom is generally very quiet and introverted, so I had not realized how much she missed me. That felt incredible, gang — to feel like I “mattered” to somebody again. Since my dad died, and the caregiving jobs started, I have felt so emotionally isolated.

I will go into more details about the trip tomorrow, but for now, I just feel so happy with how everything went.

**********

Okay. Here’s this–

Keith with John Lee Hooker:

And Keith in Copenhagen, in September 1970:

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And here’s this–

Mink (Willy) DeVille in NYC:

And one of my all-time favorite Mink DeVille Songs! “Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl,” 1977. What a great song!!!

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Johnny Smoke has been in Buenos Aires this week! Primarily for the launch of “Modi” down there. But also for this:

Judging from the tons of photos and videos on Instagram, the trip was a complete & total success!

Here are just a couple of photos:

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In Nick Cave news this week!!

There is a seating and venue update for the Australian “Wild God” Tour in January.

Find out more HERE.

And he sent out quite an incredible Red Hand File the other day, too. It brought back some terrific memories for me and my life as a young writer (13-14 years old), that I will post about tomorrow!!

Meanwhile, you can read what Nick Cave said HERE.

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Also, there is a new film out that has made the rounds of the International Film Festivals, and I cannot wait to see it.

It is called “Peter Hujar’s Day“–

“Ben Whishaw Plays the Noted New York Photographer in Ira Sachs’ Magical 1974 Time Capsule of a Movie

It’s based on a transcript of Hujar’s description of what he did in one day, which in the film becomes anything but ordinary….”

Long-time readers of this lofty blog perhaps recall that back in NYC in the mid-80s during the AIDS crisis, I was a volunteer for Visiting Nurse Services of NY, and one of my patients was Peter Hujar — right up until he died.

What a nice man he was. And his photos were absolutely iconic. Stepping into his apartment the first time I met him, I was overwhelmed by just how many photos he’d taken that I not only recognized (they were displayed on his walls), but that were also sort of monumental to me, during my years of reading CREEM Magazine, as a young teenager in my little bedroom in Ohio.

In NYC, he lived only a couple of blocks from me (in the East Village), and when I met him that first day in his apartment, he said, “You live around here, don’t you? I recognize you from the neighborhood.”

I was really flattered by that, you know?

Anyway. I can’t wait to see this film. Rights to the film have now sold to multiple territories.

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Well, shoot. I really gotta go, gang.

I will be back with more details about LIFE tomorrow!!

Enjoy your Friday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

***********

I leave you with this!

From John Fogerty’s album, Centerfield. From 1985. Not only an iconic album, but it was extremely popular during that late Spring when I first met my younger brother. He was 19.

It was early morning, I was sound asleep in my sister’s bed, my brother came in, drunk, and suddenly blasted this song on his boombox.

I lurched awake from a sound sleep. My brother said, “You’re really pretty, you know that?”

Okay! For my not-so-little brother, Ronnie. I love you!!

“Rock & Roll Girls”. Enjoy, gang.

It was allegedly my day off.

Allegedly, I was going to drop the Honda off early at the dealership, then have the rest of the day to get ready to work with Sandra yesterday afternoon.

The Honda did get done — and it looks great and it’s ready for our little road trip to see my birth mom next week.

However — because they were short-staffed with drivers yesterday, it took THREE trips to the dealership, before it was all over. (30 miles, each way). A total of 7 hours when it was all said & done.

But the day started off like I was on some other planet.

I woke at my usual 4AM and I was in a very strange headspace. Even though, physically, I felt totally fine, I had the distinct impression that I was going to die. Meaning, right then; yesterday morning; before even getting out of bed.

I was even talking to God. You know: “Please. I know that most of my life is behind me, and I don’t have a lot left to stick around for these days, other than all the cats, but I am NOT ready to die yet. Please.” The feeling of imminent death was so profound.

The strange feeling lingered through breakfast, right up until I was getting ready to walk out the door and head to town — when the Agency called to tell me that my wonderful client, the one who lives in that really enormous, love-filled split-level home in the hills behind the Bryn Du mansion…

She died. Early yesterday morning.

While it was not totally unexpected, I was sad to hear it, but at least it explained the feelings and, after that , the feeling of imminent death went away.

But it is so intense — how connected I am to my clients.

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Well, during the interim when I was not at the Honda dealership, I decided to just quickly vacuum the kitchen floor… (which turned into vacuuming the family room, the dining room, the stairs, the upstairs hallway, the upstairs bathroom, my bedroom, the guestroom….)

And then I also did a couple of “quick” loads of laundry (blankets and throws that were covered in cat hair).

And then I decided to “just quickly” switch out the old TV for the new flat-screen one in the family room…

I got it done, but it took forever. And it turned out the new HD TV wouldn’t recognize the VCR at all, so I wound up keeping the 25-year-old TV set, but moving it up to the guest room.

WOW, that fucker was heavy. And I know one thing for certain — that old TV is never coming back down those stairs, unless someone else moves it.

But the old TV looks rather cool up in the guestroom, because the guestroom has really old furniture in it (mid-century wedding furniture that I inherited from relatives 20 years ago). Now the guest room looks sort of like a hotel room circa 1992 or something.

I have decidedly fond memories of hotel rooms from that era!! So I am looking forward to hanging out in my guestroom and watching old movies on the old TV set and getting lost in some sort of distant halcyon swoon. (And if you’re among the many who spent time in hotel rooms with me back then, please feel free to come visit!!)

Anyway. It was a ton of physical work, dealing with those TVs and moving stuff around. And cleaning the house and doing laundry. I was exhausted by the time Honda called and said that my car was ready (sort of, as it turned out)…

And in the super brief interim of getting my car back and then taking the car BACK to Honda, because the maintenance light came on, saying the front tire pressure was low (again) — I decided to make a “really quick” dash into the grocery store…

By this time, I had already texted Sandra and we agreed that the phone conversation was not going to happen until Monday. So I have an additional 3 and a 1/2 days to get my creative brain in gear and pull those notes together for our new project.

***********

By the time the day was over and the evening was approaching, I was so fucking exhausted, gang. But I was in a sort of beautiful headspace, thinking about my now-deceased client, her incredibly loving family, that love-filled home. I truly felt honored to have spent time with them at all.

Oh, and when I was with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man on Wednesday, my supervisor once again stopped in unannounced. This time, to give me a pin — and chocolates! — for having done over 1000 hours of caregiving service. (And although it probably feels like it to you, the entire 1000 hours was not spent with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man…)

And I’m heading back out there today, but it is very cold and rainy, with those super high winds that I just adore, so we won’t be going out for sashimi and sake until tomorrow…

**********

Meanwhile.

I did not take advantage of having my new TV in the family room last night, because I was just too worn out.

Instead, I went upstairs shortly after dinner, lit some votives, got in bed and resumed listening to an audio version of St. Augustine’s On the City of God —

And I thought about my beautiful client, the wonderful life she had, and how strange it had felt that morning when I was certain that I was dying…

And I slept for seven solid hours. And I’m still really tired, but every time I walk past my guestroom now, I get a little thrill just thinking about how fun it’s going to be to hang out in there and watch old movies!! You know, when I have some free time…

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Okay.

While there was some cool footage of Keith playing at a benefit last night for FTD awareness (Frontotemporal Degeneration Dementia), I couldn’t find any photos. Just videos.

So I have nothing to share from Instagram today!!

But here’s this! My all-time favorite photo of Keith. So “all-time-favorite-y”, that I have it on my wall twice! (2 different sizes.)

Keith in Los Angeles, in 1969:

I don’t know if this is my “all-time favorite” photo of Nick Cave, but I also have this photo on my wall twice!! (2 different sizes.)

And that’s it, gang.

I’m gonna head down to the kitchen now and just try to get some energy before heading to town, hoping like heck that my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man is still, you know, with us.

Enjoy your Friday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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In honor of the many hotel rooms I have known–

I woke up singing THIS this morning.

I absolutely LOVED this song when I was 14. And this exact version, too — by Shirley Bassey! (I know. I have always had eclectic tastes in music.)

And now that I listen to this song as an oldster — I haven’t been 14 in over 50 years — I am a little blown away by that girl I used to be. (Which is why it gets so hard for me to write that darned memoir of my life in the 1970s!)

Anyway, enjoy, gang!! In spite of all things, I sure did.

Shirley Bassey, 1970, “Yesterday When I Was Young”.

“Yesterday When I Was Young”

Yesterday, when I was young
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game
The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame

The thousand dreams I dreamed
The splendid things I planned
I always built, alas, on weak and shifting sand
I lived by night and shunned the naked light of day
And only now I see how the years ran away

Yesterday, when I was young
So many lovely songs were waiting to be sung
So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see

I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out
I never stopped to think what life was all about
And every conversation I can now recall
Concerned itself with me, and nothing else at all

Yesterday, the moon was blue
And every crazy day brought something new to do
I used my magic age as if it were a wand
And never saw the waste and emptiness beyond

The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died
The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the play

There are so many songs in me that won’t be sung
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue
The time has come for me to pay for yesterday
… when I was young

Yesterday, when I was young
So many lovely songs were waiting to be sung
So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see…

c – 1964 Charles Aznavour, Georges Garvarentz

Yes!! I am going to pretend to feel as happy as my coffee shop alter ego above and hope that today actually turns out a whole lot better than I feel about it right now…

We shall see.

I have decided — after about 4 hours of thinking about it — to not really say anything about yesterday’s psyop election results. (Although here in the Hinterlands, things went splendidly.)

I have decided to focus on what our Founding Fathers (and my ancestors) fought so hard for, and I know the White Hats are moving that forward. So even though I don’t have a FUCKING CLUE when all this fucking stuff is going to fucking stop being a psyop —

Anyway. Here’s this to focus on instead:

From DJT late last night:

“…AND SO IT BEGINS!”

And from Sara Hopps early this morning:

And on we go.

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Okay.

Before I go into any details about why I am so exhausted, I first want to mention that my post will probably be late tomorrow, because I have to take the Honda in early and drop it off at the dealership for an oil change, tire rotation, etc., to get it ready for our little road trip to see my birth mom next week.

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And here’s this.

Raul Malo, incredible singer, songwriter, musician of the Mavericks, has been fighting cancer for over a year now, and he now has LMD, and a Go Fund Me account has been set up by his wife if you want to donate.

Visit HERE.

They have already raised $226,425 of their $230K goal!!

“As Raul undergoes radiation and prepares for the next stage of treatment, our goal is to make sure he has access to the newest and most effective options available. With medical bills quickly surmounting, every donation will go directly toward covering his healthcare costs and any new treatments that arise.

Your kindness will help Raul, Betty, and the boys get through this moment of crisis. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with our family.”

***********

One of my favorite vocals by Raul, on the Mavericks’ version of Springsteen’s “All that Heaven Will Allow”, 1993, from their great album, What A Crying Shame.

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And here’s this!

Although I haven’t been able to find out which theaters will be showing it here in the US (or if it will be streaming), last night, “Modi: Three Days On The Wing Of Madness” had its US premiere at the Writers Guild Theater in Los Angeles! The full cast was there, but here’s Johnny:

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And here’s this!!

I don’t know exactly where or when, but I love this photo!!

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Well, okay.

I’m a little pressed for time here. I have to head out to see my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man soon, and, gang, I have no clue what I will find when I get there these days, so I’m a little stressed about that.

And yesterday — my Terrible Tuesday 10-hour shift actually went very well, but it was a busy shift for me, I didn’t stop the whole time I was there.

HOWEVER, when it was getting time for me to go home, I was told in great detail about what a great caregiver I was and how much I was appreciated and could I possibly fit more hours with them into my schedule each week?

This kind of stuff breaks my heart. It matters a lot to me that I am so appreciated. It really does. And it makes me so happy to see how much progress is being made by this particular client. But as you know, it wears me out. And I hate it when I have to say no.

Oh, and the training for caring for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, on Monday, was INTENSE, gang. Jesus. It wore me the fuck out. But what a great class it was. I learned SO MUCH. I’m glad I attended.

*********

Okay!

Well, as predicted, my phone chat with Sandra on Monday morning yielded a TON of work (for both of us).

A TON!! I mean that. Really. A TON!!

I have so much to at least get notes down on paper for by tomorrow afternoon — not sure how I think I’m going to do this, but I will do my very best.

And as soon as I can tell you more details here on the blog, I will. But I can at least tell you that I’m very excited, and it is going to take a zillion-trillion percent of my concentration to make this thing happen.

But as God is my witness (watch this, it’s so cool. About 1 minute)–

I am going to do it.

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Oh! And my new TV is here. And my new Fire Stick is also here. The only thing I can’t decide on now is: should I keep the old TV in case the videos look awful on the HD flat screen???

If I do keep it, where should I put the darn thing? Perhaps in the guest room??

I just don’t know. That old TV is huge. And the VCR is kinda huge, too. I guess we’ll just have to find out.

*********

Here’s this:

A segment from James Tabor’s private zoom meeting with his Patreon Group on Saturday:

Did Jesus Expect to Regather the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel? (25 mins):

And Ross K. Nichols’ Sunday School class from this past Sunday–

Sunday School: The Predicted Prophet (1 hr):

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And I’m thinking that’s it for now, gang.

I really gotta scoot.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

********

I leave you with this!!

Driving-around-town music from the last couple of days!!

This song really helps me calm the fuck down!

Also from that incredible album by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, The Boatman’s Call, 1997– “Brompton Oratory.” Enjoy, gang!!

“Brompton Oratory”

Up those stone steps I climb
Hail this joyful day’s return
Into its great shadowed vault I go
Hail the Pentecostal morn

The reading is from Luke 24
Where Christ returns to his loved ones
I look at the stone apostles
Think that it’s alright for some

And I wish that I was made of stone
So that I would not have to see
A beauty impossible to define
A beauty impossible to believe

A beauty impossible to endure
The blood imparted in little sips
The smell of you still on my hands
As I bring the cup up to my lips

No God up in the sky
No devil beneath the sea
Could do the job that you did
Of bringing me to my knees

Outside I sit on the stone steps
With nothing much to do
Forlorn and exhausted, baby
By the absence of you

c – 1997 Nick Cave

No, not this…

It’s just that I have to keep my eye on the clock here this morning. I want to get the laundry done before Sandra calls at 11AM to go over what we need to work on for the next several weeks. (On my “days off”.) (See yesterday’s post.)

But that reminds me! My favorite Q-following friend and I will, indeed, be taking a road trip to go have lunch with my birth mom! On my day off, a week from Thursday. (Also see yesterday’s post.)

We’re going to THIS charming town — wherein I was conceived in October of 1959:

I wasn’t conceived here in this intersection downtown, though. I was conceived out in a field on a farm, at the outskirts of town. (When my mom was 12 and my dad was 14.) (I know. That explains a lot…)

(Again, we quickly re-visit me at age 13…)

My birth mom has only been back in Greenfield for a few years, though. For most of the time I’ve known her, she lived on a farm in Jackson, Ohio. But she now lives in one of those apartment complexes for seniors on fixed incomes.

I’m eager to see Greenfield again, though. I haven’t seen it in about 40 years. My (biological) grandmother, and my Aunt Dot and Uncle Jim used to live there, and I visited them there until they died.

I always had such a peaceful feeling in Greenfield. I found it sort of fascinating that it was the town where my spirit or soul, or whatever you call it, came into Being.

Anyway!

Then this afternoon, I have to head back to Granville, to a training session at the Agency.

And in order to make tomorrow not a complete day from Hell (tomorrow is the 10-hour-shift Tuesday), I decided to run all my errands after the training today, since I’ll already be there in town.

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Okay!

So here’s this. Not my favorite image from the event, but everything else I saw that I liked more, were videos.

From a few days ago, at the premier of the upcoming TV adaptation of Nick Cave’s fantastic novel, The Death of Bunny Munro — Nick Cave, and I’m not positive, but I think it’s the star of the series, Matt Smith:

(And I have decided to go ahead and move to London next month, because it’ll be a lot easier to be able to watch this TV series over there, since I don’t get SkyTV over here. And then, while I’m there, I’ll go ahead and order the “Up Jumped The Devil” milk jug, finally, because I won’t have to pay all that extra money in US shipping charges!! I just think this makes a lot more sense!)

(No! I’m not delusional or on drugs!! I’m just really mindful about how I spend my money…)

(I’ll probably be living here — meaning, in the phone booth — so please feel free to come visit!!)

(And, yes, I’ll probably bring along my brand new retro boombox and play THIS, nonstop!)

(Sorry to be so “punny”! But if you do come visit, please bring batteries!! For the boombox…) (Hopefully, I can watch SkyTV on my phone. We’ll find out…)

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And speaking of TV!!

I’m super excited about picking up my new flat screen TV in town today. It will be so much nicer to have a TV in the family room that gets Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc., so that I don’t have to always watch TV in the kitchen.

I love my family room, and the old TV in there is only good for watching DVDs or videos. So this will be almost like having a whole new room to actually spend time in. (I am, of course, referring to when I move back here from the phone booth in London.)

My house is really old (124 years), and it’s decorated to suit an old house. And since it’s only me living here (and 723 cats), and almost nobody ever comes to visit me in the Hinterlands, I don’t use any rooms except the kitchen and my bedroom. And so the house kind of feels like a museum. It really does. Honestly. So I’m looking forward to a chance to spend more time in another room!! Yay!

A view of part of my family room, from last Christmas:

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Well, I think that’s enough for today!! I gotta get my notes together, etc. for my phone call with Sandra. And finish the laundry.

Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are in the world! (I will not be posting tomorrow, since it is Terrible Tuesday with the Ten-Hour Shift!!)

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I leave you with this!!

This CD is currently on the retro boombox in my bedroom! The first album from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers! (Titled, simply, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.)

I absolutely love this song. It totally takes me back to my wee bonny teenaged-girlhood and what life was really like back then.

“The Wild One, Forever”, 1976. Enjoy, gang.

“The Wild One, Forever”

Well, the moon sank as the wind blew
And the street lights slowly died
Yeah they call you the wild one
Said stay away from her
Said she couldn’t love no one if she tried

But then something I saw in your eyes
Told me right away
That you were gonna have to be mine
One of the strangest feelings came over me down inside
No matter what it takes
I’ll never get over how good it felt
When you finally held me
I will never regret, baby
Those few hours linger on in my head forever

Well it’s too bad but I want you
To know I understand
Yeah it’s been a long time
But I don’t mind, yeah it’s all right
I understand

Because something I saw in your eyes
Told me right away
That you were gonna have to be mine
And the strangest feeling came over me down inside
I knew right away
I’d never get over how good it felt
When you finally kissed me
I will never regret, baby
Baby, those few hours linger on in my head forever
And ever

c- 1976 Tom Petty

I spent that extra hour this morning, hanging out in bed, thinking about the dreams I’d had during the night. They were actually kind of incredible.

They were so visual and symbolic, that I can’t even really describe them. But my favorite one involved a 2-level home security system made from really delicate green plants and at the same time, it had to do with a new reality blossoming in my life — in the form of lilies of the valley. And one line from the Nick Cave song, “Lime Tree Arbour,” kept repeating in the dream:

“There is a hand that protects me/ and I do love her so”

And even after all that — I still got out of bed at 4AM !! (standard time). So I’m happy!

Plus!

My car insurance is up for renewal later this month, and I was thinking about “shopping around” for a better deal, but then just felt like I didn’t want to be bothered… and then my insurance company emailed me yesterday to say that my car insurance has been DECREASED starting this month!!

So I’m happy!

And JUST NOW —

I got an early Black Friday deal from Best Buy in my email, and I just now bought a new flat screen Fire TV (to replace my 25-year-old TV in the family room) for $58!!!! It’s ready for pick up today!!

So I’m happy!

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And here’s this!

What’s not to love about this??

From Jo Wood, on Instagram, from her book, STONED: Photographs and Treasures from Life with the Rolling Stones (2019)– Keith and Ronnie. I don’t know the date, but not only do they still have black hair, they still have hair! Yay!

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And here’s this —

A school yearbook photo of the girl who got sent to the Principal’s office because she was waiting out in the hall — after the final bell had rung for classes to start — for her best friend, Becky, to get there because they both ADORED Ronnie Wood, and the girl had bought Becky Ronnie’s brand new record, I’ve Got My Own Album to Do, as a surprise for Becky’s birthday!!

(I was not much of a girl who usually played by the rules, and when it came to rock & roll, there were absolutely no such things as RULES!!)

PRINCIPAL: “Get to class!! NOW!”

THE GIRL: “But I’m waiting for Becky! I want to give her this!!”

PRINCIPAL: “I said, get to class!!”

THE GIRL: “But it will only take a minute!!”

PRINCIPAL: “Go to my office, NOW, and wait for me! GO!!”

Anyway! The girl! (Me, Junior High School , age 14)

EPILOGUE: I did, indeed, go to the Principal’s office, and I sat there and waited for him, thinking that the whole thing was so STUPID. However, it was not going to go down well if he called my mother, because I had just gotten off of 30 days of House Arrest — I’d gotten arrested for shoplifting.

Luckily, though, when the Principal finally arrived at his office, he had one of those really incorrigible 14-year-old boys in tow — wherein anything I might have done or said, paled mightily by comparison — and the Principal took one exasperated look at me and said: “Just get to class!!”

ME (secretly thinking): “Yay!”

And out of his office I scurried.

PS: Becky absolutely FLIPPED over her birthday present!!

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And here’s this!

From Ronnie Wood’s album, I’ve Got My Own Album to Do, 1974, “I Can Feel the Fire” (Mick Jagger on backing vocals):

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Okay.

Well, I’m also happy because my best friends, Kara and Wendy, and I have sort of solidified a date to get together for dinner (in early December) and celebrate Christmas!! Yay!!

Not sure where, but I’m guessing it’ll be somewhere fun in Granville.

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Other nice news–

I spoke to my birth mom last evening. I hadn’t actually spoken to her on the phone for a couple months. But I haven’t actually seen her in over 2 years.

I invited her to come visit me for a couple days, but she has no transportation. My sister is getting knee surgery. So I’m waiting for my favorite Q-following friend to get back to me and let me know if she wants to take another little road trip with me — to go see my mom and have lunch! (She’s actually met my birth mom. She’s only the second one of my friends who has ever actually met my birth mom. And my birth mom and I have known each other for 40 years now.)

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On another happy note!!

Sandra and I spoke last evening, too, and we start back to work this Monday, at 11AM. Just to sort of quickly go over where we’re at on both projects. (Our play going to Off- Broadway, and that other really cool project that I can’t tell you about yet.)

Monday afternoon (tomorrow), I have to attend a caregiving training class at the Agency, specifically for caring for veterans who have PTSD.

But after that, Sandra and I will be working on Mondays and Thursdays. Yes! My 2 days off each week… (except if I make that quick road trip to see my birth mom…)

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Wayne sent me a really cute text yesterday morning (the morning after Halloween). He said:

“Bouncing around TV, caught a bit of ‘Who Killed Teddy Bear,’ a 1965 psycho thriller starring Sal Mineo. He’s a pervy guy, one scene has him walking around Times Square, checking out dirty book stores. Prominently featured: Naked Lunch and Last Exit to Brooklyn.

Your literary tastes are timeless.”

I thought that was so cool, but it was a little unsettling to be reminded that, back then, those books that inspired me so much as a writer, were once considered highly taboo.

(In fact, when Masquerade Books first published my book Neptune & Surf, in 1999, Barnes & Noble refused to carry it because of one of the novellas in it, “Gianni’s Girl”. They eventually changed their mind after the reviews the book got in London. For several years after that, they carried every single one of my titles. Now we’re back to bookstores not carrying erotica at all…)

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Well, yesterday was a rough day with my favorite 95-year-old Japanese man.

I won’t go into the details, but he is really deteriorating, cognitively. I never know what I’m going to find now when I get to his house. All I can do at this point, is to keep showing up and keep doing my best to keep his mind engaged.

At least he’s still eating, so that’s good.

Today, I have my evening shift with the retired Minister and his lovely wife and cat. That’s usually relatively simple. We shall see.

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Meanwhile, I’m gonna enjoy my extra hour here.

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

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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I posted this just the other day, but I’ll post it again, since it was the soundtrack for that cool dream I had last night!

“Lime Tree Arbour”, 1997, from the incredible album, The Boatman’s Call, by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Enjoy, gang.