Month: April 2024
Ricky & I (short story – beginnings)
Ricky & I
We watched them warily, Ricky and I, and held back at a safe distance eventually going the other direction down the other side of the street so as to be even safer still as the older high school kids toilet papered and egged houses ahead of us as some sort of shit rolls downhill repayment for what we couldn’t possibly understand or imagine might be going on behind closed doors for them at home (I would learn years later, in the news). We just knew that we had a short window now where we hadn’t quite aged out of our trick or treating, something evidenced in the fact that we were already starting to get lazy in our costuming, always just hobo’s now, something that wouldn’t get more creative again until my college years but on those nights the “candy” was usually cheap beer and girls, another thing that couldn’t possibly be understood or imagined or even cared about then, we just still had our sweet teeth and some lazily costumed possible final attempts, this year, maybe next, to satisfy them for free and we didn’t need any of these toilet papering egging assholes seeing us and ruining it. Ricky and I had become pretty adept at avoiding these guys in our neighborhood after school and on the weekends (thankfully we didn’t have to figure out any extra avoidance techniques during the school day just yet – we still had this one more year before we shared the halls with them, well at least the ones who hadn’t graduated yet, though Ricky and I were afraid that the ones that were supposed to graduate out might be held back and still be around for our first year of High School, a would be hell if they had anything to do with it).
No, it was just after school and the weekends and oh, the school bus that we all rode together though at least that interminable time was relatively short as interminable goes (ok, that was kinda most of the time) but we could always depend on our driver, Missus D, to have our backs and put the fear of Missus D in them if need be, sitting up front and telling her that Mom said Hi with her latest batch of sugar cookies and never forgetting her at Christmas time with cards from each of us and small finely, meticulously wrapped in wax paper offerings were definitely to our advantage.
But on this Halloween night, though we did our best to measure wary fear with still being able to hit up the neighborhood candy houses, our usually successful avoidance attempts weren’t good enough. Seems Tommy Whitmore, who had also taken to calling himself “Jax” around that time, don’t know why, maybe he just needed another name that wasn’t the “Tommy!!!” he heard yelled, screamed, slapped, surrendered to at home, must have seen us behind he and his boy’s mean spirits under the Dowling’s porch light and came down and across the street to wait just outside the light’s reach, that hard circle line of light on one side and dark on the other right before their garage, and, with hands on his hips and a stupid grin Tommy said,
“Hey boys, how ya doin’, and how ya doin’ in those candy bags of yours tonight?”
“We’re good Tommy, just leave us be, we’re not bothering you.”
“Hey, it’s “Jax”, but you are bothering me, bothering us” Tommy said with a hint of malice “just by being you, and you haven’t even offered me anything from your bags of goodies” as he did a grab while his boys hung just outside that light’s ring at the Dowling’s mailbox giggling even more stupidly than Tommy’s stupid grin.
“Hey, those are ours!!’ Ricky yelled, straight backed but for only an instant.
“Oh, he speaks, on his own, the redhaired one” as Ricky’s spine shrunk. “No, these are ours now and we’re also going to take you two on a ride.”
“No Tommy …” and a glare with a raised hand’s intent “No Jax … we have to get home, we’re not getting in any cars with you. We were done anyway, take our bags and just leave us be.”
“Well that just ain’t gonna happen you two …”
Then came a rush of wind sweeping past and around our heads … something usually reserved for family stories at backyard get togethers or at funerals when Ricky’s extended family would arrive, it was fast, a blur, made the ground shake just enough to unsettle your feet, make you feel a little askew. We knew what, who this was, Me and Ricky, but Tommy and his boys didn’t.
I told you that Ricky and I had become pretty adept at avoiding these guys and we had, but it was more, sometimes a not just protecting ourselves, but protecting them.
“No Tommy …”
“It’s Jax”
“No Jax, not tonight”
“You gonna defy me, you useless pieces of shit, no that ain’t happenin’. Right boys?”
But the ground shook some more, the air trembled again, whooshed past and around us again, as air shouldn’t tremble like that and I stood my now shaky ground.
“Not now”
“And it’s Jax!!!” he yelled
“I wasn’t talking to you Tommy”
I said to Ricky “Not now” but his shrunk spine grew, not a one of simple stand up defiance, but just grew.
////////////////////////////////////////
I met Ricky through a mom’s get togethers in new neighborhood’s get togethers. Let’s introduce ourselves with kids to break the ice but really kids being just an excuse for Moms to drink wine on an early Saturday. I had seen Ricky on the ballfield in my new digs, after having moved from Baltimore to now Pittsburgh, he was a monster. His throws from his shortstop spot practically took the first baseman’s glove off and we weren’t even in high school yet.
“Do you play?” he asked me.
“I pitch”
“We could use one of those on our team. You any good?”
And that was it, I confounded him with my off the table curve that I shouldn’t have been throwing at that age and he tried to take the glove off of anyone who had the misfortune of playing first base. Instant friends.
////////////////////////////////////////
Friendships can be curious things. They might start with Moms using you as pawns for a glass of wine, or two, on a Saturday afternoon, they can be responses to what you don’t know yet of the evils of the world behind closed doors and you group, join forces, even if it’s only in a force of two or they can be things that were just supposed to happen, like Ricky with a rifle of an arm that make first basemen regret they play the game and you note, Ricky. He and I became a pair of buds linked through and through until, well, we just weren’t.
////////////////////////////////////////
“Not now”
“What not now you little prick?!”
“Ricky is my friend”
“And?”
“You don’t want to do this, he’s not liking you right now”
“What? Little redhead here?”
“Please just let it go Tommy”
“I’s Jax!!” (and there was that raised hand)
////////////////////////////////////////
The other curious thing about friendships is that there are those that are just that, cursory things, friendships you recall for just being a friendship, where you might call each other to check in years later, heard you had a kid, how is the better half, what’s her name again but then there was Ricky and his secrets, his family’s secrets.
////////////////////////////////////////
His spine grew instead of a backing away shrink, unnaturally so, to four times his height and his red hair fired until it rivaled the sun right on that hard line of light and dark at the Dowling’s garage and he towered Tommy and his voice changed making any Tommy attempt at inspiring fear seem weak and puny “YOU WILL NOT MESS WITH MY FRIEND!” followed by a simple backhand slap.
And that was it, Tommy, not Jax, that new name nonsense ended that night, slunk away from out of the dust bins across the street and amid the scattering idiots he called pals.
“You’re done aren’t you Ricky?
“Yeah, gotta go now”
“Dammit Ricky, I have no one else and I don’t even want anyone else as my friend.”
“I know, me neither, but I gotta go”
“I know”
And then, there was that rush of wind again, picking up leaves and dust and moving things around in a small twister.
“Hey Missus D, thought that might be you”
“You good?”
“Yeah, I’m ok I guess, thank you for keeping an eye but …”
“Don’t worry, you’ll see him again, Ricky’s got a good heart, you know that, but he and my sister need to find another place now, to be safe, try and start again until Ricky learns how to control things. Plus, you’ll see him again ‘cause he always hated that he couldn’t hit your curveball, he’ll be practicing … Sugar cookies tomorrow?”
“Maybe the next day Missus D, gotta give Mom the head’s up”
“Ok, and maybe an offering wrapped finely in wax paper?”
“Of course, as always”
I Bella (me & steve) – (poem)
Yesterday at dVerse Poets Melissa presented us some artworks of Louis Wain and his famous cats as well as some of his story.
So from Melissa was this, “the assignment”, choose one of the artworks of Wain’s that she included in her post (dVerse link above) and write a poem of it. The only stipulation being that you cannot use the word “cat”, other cat terms are fine, just not the actual word cat.
I thought, and for those that may know me here in the Attic, well, ** something about cats? Now that’s kinda in my cat guy wheelhouse.
Of the choices, I opted for the flower eyed cat in his ‘untitled’ piece as cats are indeed beautiful and magical as Wain imagined.

** link to some silly cat posts
//////////////////////////////////////////
I Bella (me & steve)
If apple could smell of fish heads and cliché’d claw thieving seaside shanty towns
I would be that of his eye
and have name to imply
my
place deserved in this window’s high carpeted altar
curled closer to the sun
god
in reverence of rays that exist but only, I know, to assist
my subsist
in a second coat’s
warmth
when fish heads might not be enough to fill
It might reflect that eye’s apple
even in petal bloom artist takes
for I am fields and grass and flowers to hunt among
or lounge more daydream of this sun
god
just closer now to earth taking in the full breadth
and what my name may be
simply for definition’s sake
of me and who is me to Steve and he to me
and our world under the sun
in windows once more
back
closer again worship
though …
I would be Bella
sun god wishing to rival now
the warm I send back in naps of grand small furry feline universe dreams
on bedded altars
or in fields of adventure flowers and grass
where I wore funny float down slow earth particle hats collecting my brow
and wanting to know why he’s never been as beautiful as me

Brand New Trump Key (song)
Back in January I visited Melanie’s “What Have They Done To My Song” for another of my parodies, though I am loathe to call them such as that implies “silly” and these certainly are NOT silly (for the most part). I’ve been working this angle for going on 7 years now with quite a lot of tunes, a boatload, and blah blah blah Steve, yes, your editorials in song as blah blah blah, no one is going to read any straight up editorial blah blah blah but if you put them to tune blah blah blah … you’ve told us.
But that is what it is and what I do though, I gotta say, in my own defense, they are all pretty toe tap worthy, biting and spot on and just darned good in that biting and spot on and toe tappingness.
Anyway, visited Melanie again and her “Brand New Key” now, a tune reminded the other day out of the corner of my ear at work from the ‘Magic’ station playing at my boss’s desk.
So, “Brand New Trump Key” then.
////////////////////////////////////////
Brand New Trump Key
I rode my motorcade to your city last night
To spin some lies and give you all such a fright
To harp on victim-like and rail conspiracies
I know you trust me know I’m just what you need
.
Well, I’ve got brand new world in mind here now
Take heart my unhinged screed
I’ll be proven right my ranting now
You just need to wait and see
I know what you need it’s a Donnie me
A fascist change of scene
.
Well, I’ve got a brand new world in mind here now
It just ain’t democracy
.
I ride my plan of year twenty of twenty five
I got my dee-scipes proving be worthy scribes
Of new world order in these United States
If you don’t subscribe you’ll surely be less than great
.
Oh yeah
Hah hah hah hah
Oh you will face my wrath
Hah hah hah hah
Oh yeah yeah yeah you’ll wish you hadn’t said that
.
I ask my people to stand up and be strong
Kiss my ring say they knew it all all along
That I was chosen by the man sittin’ way up high
To lead a fascist state while democracy dies
.
Well, I’ve got a brand new way to look at things
Won’t believe what I’ll bring
A brand new U.S.A. prosperity
‘long as you call me King
La la la la la la la la la la la
Well, I’ve got a brand new world in mind here now
It just ain’t democracy
Talk To The Wind (poem)
From dVerse and Sanaa inviting to write a poem in a Maggie Smith conversational style
Talk to the Wind
I talk to the wind that listens in selfish wispy drafts
only to float away
with other interests
I watch it disappear away from my page
personified
remnants then
in their
seasons passed
Cold clear crisp electric
Fall musty ochre sunset
Hot haze happy shimmer
Sprung earth new day
I talk to them, these
remnants
as they wisp back to reappear on my page
In their lost season
landing to ask if they are still here
in my wind, to speak for them
if I can forgive them for leaving me
behind
but keep them alive
still
under my pen
Saying Things (recent songs compilation)
Thought, as I have done before, to put some of my recent tunes into one convenient post.
You’re welcome.
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Some boogie-woogie fun.
God Made Trump: Yeah, That Was In Error
So back in ’46 when God took a break
After world at war that had so much at stake
He blinked for second and before he knew what
A Fred had had a son who would think he the one
To lead his people to some new promised land
But a one where democracy could no longer stand
.
Well God said then I hope this ain’t a mistake
Just wanted take a sec and a little wine break
But future he could see at the hands of Fred’s son
Who’d find ways to rake in some new fresh coin
And adulation
From every sunup
From those just off a turnip truck
.
He’d think Prez down escalator to ride
A gold idol though behind God he’d try hide
He’d play up charlatans and God speaking Jakes
They’d get in prayer circles hoping then just to fake
His true Christian values that could be on the take
For just the right price
New discipes would buy right?
.
But then he got sold
On all he was told
And started to believe that God had foretold
That he was the chosen of new myth of old
Reality of course now it be on the run
At Rally’s he’d exclaim oh what such fun
To smite the nonbelievers
Who’d soon be cursed ones
.
Then God said oh me just what have I done
Can never take a Me damned break no matter the fun
Though that was fine wine worthy even of nuns
I must be on my toes truth it’s under the gun
At the hands of true believers who turn now to song
To praise an orange fraud they think’ll rise like the son
.
To deliver them a hero in a new paradise
Devoid of immigrants just gotta call ICE
He’d be the caretaker of their righteous white world
Where enemies in fetal poses they would be curled
He’d fight off the Marxists and the fascists to boot
His projections of the enemy would be such a hoot
.
To call them fascists while he’s making such plans
To make democracy a now also ran
He’d have his true believers seeing future in sight
Whatever he says conservative on the right
Not on the far left where the vermin do land
They need be threatened dead now that’s a good plan
.
They say he’ll be a guy who could shape and ax
But also wield a sword though that’s quite a task
He was brave in North Korea while stepping a foot
Thankfully no bone spurs de-ferred his look
But he gloried love letters of he and an Un
Such a nice fella who could take a sweet turn
.
But then he got sold
On all he was told
And started to believe that God had foretold
That he was the chosen of new myth of old
Reality of course now it be on the run
At Rally’s he’d exclaim oh what such fun
To smite the nonbelievers
Who’d soon be cursed ones
.
Then God he sat back and just shook his head
He’d said look what I’ve wrought in the U.S. of stead
I’ll surely face my wrath for what I’ve let done
And that wrath being mine won’t be as fun
I’d like me as God show discipes the real light
But they’re lost now don’t even realize their plight
.
That in a den of vipers he’s the head one
Leading all the rest to follow his red forked tongue
He’d offer Eve the Apple saying speaking of tongues
Leave that loser behind I am your one
Like the naked look that you got goin’ on
Now drop the fig leaf and let’s take the plunge
.
Adam … go away will ya? … busy here
You’re messing with my tiny mojo
No, God ain’t looking
D’ya think he cares?
.
But then he got sold
On all he was told
And started to believe
That God had foretold
That he was the chosen of new myth of old
And his discipes he continues to mold
.
They gather at his rally’s put together fan schlock
That God gave us Trump the one who’d care for the flock
A shepherd to mankind they say without jest
And surely damn you libs don’t put us to the test
He speaks of retribution he’s a man of his word
Unless you call him on it then he’ll say that’s absurd
.
So God sat back in a comfy cloud chair
To look at what was happenin’ down there
And orange idol thinking he was sent by me
Disciples feel the same but just for a fee
That’s when God said I think I’m done
Back to that glass of wine yeah that would be fun
Cause though he knows he dropped the ball in ‘46
He is still all seeing and likes his kicks
Maybe kill the bottle then for even more fun
Don’t know what could happen when God gets drunk
Maybe a something to get him out of his funk
.
Yo!
Angels?!
Yeah!!
I need another bottle!
And somebody … get me my files on divine retribution
//////////////////////////////////////////
Adding some lyrics to another instrumental from a friend of mine, Rob Eldridge, who can really bend a guitar.
Standin’ At The Edge Of The World (the devil & me)
Found myself standin’ at the edge of the world
The devil at my side asking what I had heard
I said about what are you just asking in jest?
He said no mortal son just checkin’ if you’d kept a-breast
Of what it was that I had goin’ on
Singing off key songs of a world at unrest
.
I said I did but that I didn’t despair
That there was still some hope yet … be found in the air
He said but seeing devil’s work just why would you care
And why do you assume it’s me who leads to despair
I said cause you’re the devil and the devil may care
And seems you do with me at the edge of the world
.
Well, it looks like I’ve more work to be done
To convince you all to just cut and run
Away from hope’s promise and flowery songs
Don’t stack up with reality and what I’ve made wrong
But I said you still ask your questions now
About your own song and the stories you’ve wrung
.
I still find a world where people stand up
To those casting dark days and forcing in darker ways till you empty your half cup
To not give in to singing of a dire world’s long
Gone hoping pay no mind to your evil tongue
You are the devil after all your words may be strong
But there’s still some time … for us … to all get along
.
And fight you real world devils and sing different tomes
And maybe make you realize you’ll be left all alone
And any who’ve abandoned promise of pretty songs
That say we’ll right whatever you’ve done so so wrong
.
The devil left my side then
His songs at a loss
And I stood alone now at the edge of the world
//////////////////////////////////////////
To R.E.M.’s “Don’t Go Back To Rockville”
Don’t Go Back To Trumpville
Looking at old hell a new time
Wonderin’ what we’ve done to be so cursed
In the possibility that
The Orange Devil could usher somethin’ worse
Only this time with an even darker promise
With vengeance in his blackened heart
.
He’ll persecute and prosecute
The order of which won’t matter when he’s done
Retribution will be his rally cry
To punish one and all
And any who don’t comply
And offer fealty on bended knee
With bowed heads kissed rings even fresh lipstick
.
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
And waste Democracy
.
At night he drinks himself to sleep
Of despot dreams jack booting in his head
He envies Xi and surely Vlad
Even Benito and now new Nazi Klan
Who find in him their great leader to follow
With violence waiting on a call
.
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
And waste our future years
.
Some though feel that there’s no need to worry
Head in sand they see no real ur-gency
But anyone who’s not head under ground knows the danger that is found
In another orange presidency
It’s not the way to protect our liberty
And our too weak now Democracy
.
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
And waste our future years
.
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
And waste Democracy
//////////////////////////////////////////
To Melanie’s “Look What They’ve Done To My Song”
Look What They’ve Done To Our Trump, Ma
Look what they’ve done to our Trump Ma
Look what they’ve done to our Trump
Well, fa-scism’s all he can do half right
And somehow they say that’s wrong Ma
Look what they’ve done to our Trump
.
Look what they say ‘bout his brain Ma
Like using it’s a real strain
They point out that it’s a jumbled mess
All those liars in the press Ma
Look what they’ve done to our Trump
.
He just wants a good country for whites to live in Ma
One where his subjects will all call him … King
If he can rig a vote like ’16 true
All the libs will come to rue
Just what
Just what they’ve said of our Trump
.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
C’mon everybody NA NA NA with me
Maybe even LA DE DA
Look what they’ve done to our Trump
.
But maybe it’ll work for the right Ma
Maybe Democracy’ll lose this fight Ma
Well his dee-sciples still buy his lies
And threatened violence well that could work out nice
Look what they’ve wrought in our Trump
.
Now this part here’s supposed to be in French Ma
But that wouldn’t be his intent Ma
Because he don’t sing of nothing but the US of A
And English speaking’s gotta be the only say
But he’s OK with fries made a French way
.
Look what they’ve done to our Trump Ma Ma Ma
They’ve turned him into such an orange grump Ma
He can’t even win a primary
Without them talking about that Haley
Look what they’ve done to our Trump
.
Hear what they say about our Trump Ma
They say the meanest things about our Trump Ma
They even have the gall to point out his lies
But never give him credit for how hard he tries
To straight face through them all of the time
.
Look what they’ve done to our Trump Ma Ma Ma
Look what they’ve done to our Trump
Well, fa-scism’s all he can do half right
And somehow they say that’s wrong Ma
But he wins this time there’ll be a new song
And a dark one
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For the dearly departed Bob, who took one final unintended bus ride to the sky.
Oompa Loompa Bob Song
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-do
I’ve got a little story for you
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-dee
it’s about Bob so please listen to me
What do you get when you’re walking a street
Lost in your cell “hey, that video’s neat”
You don’t pay attention to what’s in your surrounds
Including that curb’s last mistake to be found
I don’t like the look of this
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-don’t
Step off that curb Bob please tell me you won’t
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-please
Lift your head, look around at that bus bearing down
… Ya big dope!
… You really dead dope!
… Oh, Bob
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To Stealers Wheel “Stuck In The Middle With You”.
Stuck in Democracy’s Fight
Well don’t know which way we’ll head in this fight
Gonna be ‘bout truth or just what ain’t right
Democracy’s on table up in the air
Though the GOP just don’t seem to care
.
Heroes to the left of us
Fascists to the right
There we’ll be
Stuck in democracy’s fight
Yes we’re
Stuck tryin’ hold onto light
.
Well the rhetoric is dark and it harks
To bleak history now back in an arc
Where it re-turns to new devil to bark
.
Heroes to the left of us
Fascists to the right
There we’ll be
Stuck in democracy’s fight
.
Well we hear it at the rallies
Violence a hope to carry then
And bluster to the rosters
of the pawns be called to muster
say pleeeeaasse
save us pleeeaaase
.
Oh!
.
Well democracy falls to the wayside
To the right kind that’s the new way to ride
Mind true leader till left’s left on the floor
Cause great country just can’t take anymore
.
They say
.
Evil’s to the left of us
Righteous to the right
Here we’ll be
Stuck in democracy’s fight
– break
Well, there’s a fight that is a brewin’
Constitution it’s a stewin’ now
It warned of men who would be kings
Tried steel from new need kissed rings
Put checks in
Pleeeaaassse
Pleeeaaassse
.
Well, we all know why we came here tonight
Be ‘bout truth or just what isn’t right
Democracy’s on table up in the air
Though 35 percent just don’t seem to care
.
Heroes to the left of us
Fascists to the right
There we’ll be
Stuck in democracy’s fight
Yes we’re
Stuck tryin’ hold onto light
Stuck in a fight for our lives
Liberty
Wants to continue to ride
Before needs in darkness then just to hide …
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To the “Green Acres” theme song
Putin’s Patsies
Putin’s Patsies all abound you see
Littered ‘round dysfunctional GOP
From Margie Q to box of rocks Tomee
All echoing love of an Orange man crush deceit
.
Even Comrade Tucker cries why can’t you see
This all comes down to Russian supremacy
Putins’ in the right and we all have it so wrong
He told us of such in his grand propagandist song
.
Repubs
Their thoughts
Take sides
Despots
.
Democracy dies
Fascism flies
Putin’s Patsies they want there
//////////////////////////////////////////
To “Billy Don’t Be A Hero”
Tucker, Russia’s State Hero
The marching heroes jackboot along red square
Right GOP wish join them there
We looked and there was Tucker Carson-ovich
Glass held high for a grandstand pass
.
And with his head on Putin’s shoulder
His man crush who the press gets wrong
From where he sat he knew west was lying
Time now to set the record straight
.
Tucker Russia’s state hero, you are like brother they say
Tucker Russia’s real hero, please re-direct all the hate
And as they started to talk the Russian press could be heard to cry
Tucker you’re our real hero platform the lies
.
The Russian news was on Carson-ov’s side now
Tell them of how we’ll de-Nazifi
That damned Ukraine our truth’s in demand now
The propgandists applaud the ruse
We know you’ll tell the world the whole truth
We didn’t invade it’s NATO’s fault
And Tucker raised his hand in consent yes
I’ll join you Russian journalists
.
Tucker Russia’s state hero, you are like brother they say
Tucker Russia’s real hero, please re-direct all the hate
And as they started to talk the Russian press could be heard to cry
Tucker you’re our real hero platform the lies
.
They implored Tucker send a message
To the west’s GOP crazees
You need stop sending aid to Ukraine now
And helping out that Zee-len-skee
you’re always welcome here our friend now … comrade
.
Tucker Russia’s state hero, you are like brother they say
Tucker Russia’s real hero, please re-direct all the hate
Tucker keep being traitor, we’ll crush that dee-mocracy
Tucker keep propping up white Christian supremacy
Tucker Russia’s state hero, you are like brother they say
Tucker Russia’s state hero won’t you please stay
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To Terry Jacks “Seasons In The Sun” and an ode to my lost BB the Car
BB In The Sun (I was boy, you were car)
Goodbye to you my BB friend
You came along when I needed you just then
Get out Durango money pit
Its maintenance was causing fits
Seemed every five was on a lift
.
Goodbye to you my BB friend
My discontinued Scion to the end
Until that woman tried to turn
Left leaving you then to be burned
Up on the sidewalk you were turned
.
I was boy you were car
Together we went near and far
You got me also to and fro
And even sometimes back and forth
.
You were shaped just like a box
Thumbing your nose at whole S-U-V flock
If you’re in school they would make fun
But you wouldn’t care at all
Away with me from them you’d go
.
You were color of decency
Looked it up your color blue-ish green
Who’d a known of such a thing
Teal it was named after a bird
We flew together like that bird
.
I was boy you were car
Together we went near and far
You got me also to and fro
And even sometimes back and forth
.
You were car I was boy
Stick shift you were my real joy
Just were careful on small hills
Drifting back could meet a grill
.
Thought you must then sure have a name
Something to call you then I could exclaim
When idiots they pissed us off
On the road as drivers will
Even in the end idiots still
.
I went with Teal and you a box
TB I thought but braked hard on that thought
TB yeah that would be awkward
BB instead it was to be
Blue close enough and box you he
.
I was boy you were car
Together we went near and far
You got me also to and fro
And even sometimes back and forth
.
You were car I was boy
Stick shift you were my real joy
Just were careful on small hills
Drifting back could meet a grill
.
All our days we had fun
We even rocked under the sun
Open windows loud in song
Though traffic never sang along
.
I was boy you were car
Together we went near and far
You got me also to and fro
And even sometimes back and forth
What, No Rapture?! (eclipse post)
So when all is said and uh … eclipsed … it was kind of a nothingburger this whole eclipse brouhaha, and it happened behind the cover of clouds from where I was at in the Hudson Valley anyway, like the wizard doing funky wizard shit but all behind the curtain and then producing nothing special or magical or even slightly weird except for a slight dimming of the lights (though I swear I felt someone touch my knee … freakin’ pervert wizards, I might have to lodge a complaint with the Wizard Bureau), no unicorns appeared being ridden by sprites, no animals suddenly stood up on their hind legs drinking coffee at the office talking about last night’s game, well, except for Bill, who’s not a sports fan, who went out back for a REALLY quick smoke, no munchkins started singing munchkin songs and dancing in pointy shoes at Dunkin’, no Netflix shows based on weird eclipse stuff had a critically acclaimed first season and then got canceled just as it was gaining an audience, Oh, and no rapture!!
A Facebook friend, Heather, noted this in a post of hers “I have heard zero reports of raptures. A bit disappointed in all of you. Bitches”
That’s a quote by the way and she was absolutely right!
And I was pretty excited for a moment too, I mean I actually started to rapture, or was being raptured, or was rapturing, not quite sure how to use the word, and as I was slowly being lifted up through the clouds (don’t recommend that part, kinda damp and chilly and possibly could have you dodging planes with safety issues) I heard a booming voice from above me.
“Hey, you Frankenberry? The old DJ?”
I said “Yeah … wait, are you the big guy?”
“Well, don’t matter now if I am cause you ain’t comin’”
“What????”
“Every time I called you on the air back in your Pittsburgh days you NEVER played any of my requests, not a one, not “Freebird” not “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” Dylan OR Guns N Roses, not “Unskinny Bop” and especially not “Stairway to Heaven” … ever!”
“Unskinny Bop”, really??”
“See, you’re still judging me!! I heard what you said about me after we hung up back then and even now you’re still thinking, Man, this dude continues to be lame, all those songs suck – though Unskinny Bop just sucks in a completely different silly sucky sorta way”
“Well, Hell I’m sorr….”
“And there, that kicks it, trying to get raptured and you’re referencing Hell … (to self) this fucking guy”
“Is that how you would use it by the way, like a verb, being “raptured”? I just wasn’t quite sure”
“Well, I guess so, I mean that’s how I’ve always thought of it, especially if I decided the time was right, you know, to rapture, look at deserving souls when they arrive, most surely confused and disoriented, and saying to them in an extra big game show truck pull announcer voice with some echo and reverb, first impressions right? HEY EVERYBODY!!! WELCOME!! (echo, reverb, echo, reverb) LOOK UP HERE AND SMILE (echo, reverb, echo, reverb) YOU’VE BEEN RAPTURED!! No, no selfies please, waaaaay too many of us anyway, plus I am sort of mystery, don’t “picture” well. NOW C’MON UP AND CLAIM YOUR NEW CLOUD CAR!!!”
“Oh ok, interesting”
“Hey, enough stalling, I’m letting you go …”
“Wait!!! You did request “Turn the Page” too and I didn’t judge you on that, didn’t think it sucked at all, I like rock n roll road songs, well except Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive”, sheeshhh that one …”
“You know I love Bon Jovi right?”
“(sigh) of course you do. Really letting me no go now aren’t you?”
“Yep”
“See ya”
“Don’t count on it”
Yeah, Heather was right, the whole eclipse thing was pretty disappointing, well except for Rutger Hauer’s “Navarre” and Michelle Pfeiffer’s “Isabeau”, they at least found some magic in this eclipse business and Mathew Broderick’s “Mouse” was redeemed so …
But that rapture possibility?
My, our ass!!
Bitches!!
Original Hymns (poem)
So this one from dVerse poets was a prompt of photos from a John McKaveney and picking one to write a poem on about.

They whistle while they work
Original hymns before hymns were made corrupt
Star builders
Whistled songs that float starry eyed unheard but shouted in cosmos void
known
To mothers who taught them
Of the building of skies to be seen in the dark
through eyes dim
earth
so many small
dammed by hymns of fear
But from the scratch of dust and particle cloud
from whence we came you can’t explain how hymns just
take what isn’t theirs
To be seen in scared scarred curious spaces of
hard and soft bits of bangs
big
built from scratch
New stars to be seen
Though long dead
To wonder and fear
In hymns and homily’s
to check
to hold
.
We are star builders and we sing
Original hymns
Oompa Loompa Bob Song: An Oompa Loompa Cautionary Tale Eulogy
So a friend, Drew, recently posted to the Facebook this meme …

… and I thought well, what if the Oompa’s showed up at the funeral of this meme guy, a fella named Bob maybe, whose ‘last mistake’ was actually his LAST mistake.
Now, if anyone was wondering why it’s been so long since I’ve had a girlfriend, probably not, well, this is the kind of thing that I think about and do for fun which goes a long way to explaining said singleness.
I don’t date, don’t go to movies, or dinner, or events, or play pickleball, or go “clubbin'” and whatever that might entail (sounds expensive and I ain’t got the wardrobe for it as I’m sure sweatpants aren’t gettin’ me past the bouncer) I don’t nature hike, I’m not a regular at any monthly game nights with friends, I don’t Church, I certainly don’t go on retreats (“retreat” – it sounds so white flag defeating), I don’t go to family get togethers with anyone new and pretty in tow to make Aunt’s happy (Oh, “finally” they would say in small Aunt klatches quieting any busybody speculation), I don’t gym or bike or jog or even walk briskly, not that some exercise wouldn’t hurt, I don’t do anything in groups though the one’s I am not in might sometimes remark unfairly of such, no, I just do this sort of stuff and other writing things silly and not silly, oh, and I have full blown conversations with cats.
It’s amazing what you can learn about a cat’s daily by the way, if you just take the time to listen. “Really? You meditated in a window in the sun (napped) while contemplating the mysteries of the universe and then woke up and went to the litter box?!”
Yeah, that ‘single’ status ain’t changing anytime soon I don’t think.
Anyway, for the dearly departed Bob, who took one final unintended bus ride to the sky.
Oompa Loompa Bob Song
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-do
I’ve got a little story for you
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-dee
it’s about Bob so please listen to me
What do you get when you’re walking a street
Lost in your cell “hey, that video’s neat”
You don’t pay attention to what’s in your surrounds
Including that curb’s last mistake to be found
I don’t like the look of this
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-don’t
Step off that curb Bob please tell me you won’t
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-please
Lift your head, look around at that bus bearing down
… Ya big dope!
… Ya really dead dope!
… Oh, Bob
Crazy Cat Lady Guy Cat Tips Guide – Tip #353: Cats Can Sleep On Anything (+ a tips #342-#352 handy catch up)
This is more of an observation than a tip, but cats can indeed sleep on anything and often in the most uncomfortable appearing ways. Cricket the Blind, for instance, likes to not watch TV with me for obvious reasons but also while sleeping sort of on my lap and my remote, if I forget to grab it quickly enough, with her head and a third of her body hanging over my right hip facing down where it seems she is in danger of just sliding right off, though that is usually when I am able to retrieve my remote when it hits the floor.
Now to most humans this would have them imagine themselves, if in a similar position, to just have blood rushing uncomfortably to the their heads until they pass out (but not before, for a brief instant, possibly glimpsing myriad secrets of the universe with that extra noggin blood rush).
But after that it’s back to the passing out and possibly toppling over bringing with it a bruise or two, plus some of that momentary glimpse into the secrets of the universe thing could have been a disappointment anyway and you don’t want that – a bit deflating really.
My dearly missed Shoes, “The Big Orange”, was famous in our small Steve and cats world, for being a true cat-titioner of taking that cats sleeping uncomfortably and also on anything, more than just head south on simple remotes, to purring heart … and to a new level.
I mean he was like any good cat. A t-shirt tossed on the bed? Sleep on it. A pair of sweats? Sleep on it. A drunk friend on the couch? Sleep on ’em.
A laundry basket full of stinky clothes? Sleep IN it (and always more preferable than the laundry basket full of post laundry clean ones for some reason, freakin’ weirdo cats).
Pre-laundry stinky clothes basket? Sleep in it.
Post-laundry all clean fresh clothes basket? Sniff, ignore, pass and sleep somewhere else.
But then …
Me: Shoes, why are you sleeping on that torn up cat scratcher?
Me: Shoes, why are you sleeping on my clunky winter boots, in the closet?
Me: Shoes, how the hell did you get on top of the fridge? Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you. My bad.
Me: Shoes, really, on the cable box?
Me: (Shoes on the third shelf of the bookcase/knickknacker) Dude! What, you trying to glean some sci-fi through cat nap osmosis?! And how the hell did you get up there … and without knocking anything over!?!? (cats be nimble)
Me: Ahhhh SHIT!! (after dropping an entire small plastic container of tacks while barefoot) Godammit!! (tiptoeing and looking for the broom)
Shoes: Whoa!! Not so so fast on the clean-up my good (hu) Man, I must sleep on them first.
Friend: (waking up on the couch – but afraid to move – muffled) Steve, your cat is sleeping on my face.
Me: (finding myself strolling through Hell) Shoes, c’mon, seriously, are you sleeping on damned souls?!
Shoes: They looked like they could use some cat … and I was in need of nap.
Me: Shoes!! They are literally engulfed in damnation’s eternal flames!!
Shoes: And? Your point? It’s warm, cats like warm.
I was reminded of this tonight in, well, a sort of anti-climactic way now I guess, especially after that whole Shoes sleeping on hell found damned for an eternity souls bit an’ all, but was reminded when I saw Cricket sniffing around my extra pillow on the bed, the one that is there for no reason other than to have this look like a “proper” bed and maybe even be small measure of hope (no, it’s not that).
I had just tossed my eye glass case on it and Cricket, with an entire other half of the pillow to choose from, decided to sleep on it.
Me: Cricket?
Cricket: Hey! It was here Steve, so I thought “I must sleep on it”.
Well, Shoes would be proud girlfriend.

Ok, since it’s been a little while since I posted a new cat tip (starting back in April of last year) here are the rest of my Crazy Cat Lady Guy’s Cat tip posts to get you up to speed … for now.
There will surely be more additions to this handy guide to come.
You’re welcome.
//////////////////////////////////////////
A Crazy Cat Lady Guy’s Cat Guide – Tips #’s 342-348: A convenient list of tips to give an assist in the world of Cats, not, say, Dogs or Rabbits or Guinea Pigs or wild things found in the woods that become the topic of an ad laden web post “They thought it was a cat but then …” and the restorative effects of meditation on cats
A Crazy Cat Lady Guy’s Cat Tips: Tip #349
Crazy Cat Lady Guy Cat Tips Guide – Tip #350: A Bella Note and A Too Small New Cat Box
Crazy Cat Lady Guy Cat Tips Guide – Tip #351: When it’s International Cat Day You Post Accordingly
Crazy Cat Lady Guy Cat Tips Guide – Tip #352: Extra Computer Chairs?
