Ray Of Light

August 16th. I find it difficult to comprehend that August, my favorite month, is half way over. I have been training myself to “be in the moment”, so I will enjoy each summer day for what it has to offer. Today is the 5th day of a Portland style heat wave with temps above 95 degrees. The rest of the country swelters with temperatures this high, but Portland has low humidity (the so called “dry heat”), & cool nights. Not so bad. We close up the house early in the day, & it stays cool, & then we open every door & window in the evening. But it is truly hot, & the dogs sack out on a cool floor & the Husband attempts to keep the crabbiness at an acceptable level (it is rough being in intense pain in 95+ degrees). The Weather Channel forecast this day as- "Brilliant Sunshine". I am now considering changing my Radical Faerie name from Honey Buckitt to Brilliant Sunshine.

 On this day in 1962, Ringo Starr replaced Pete Best as drummer for a new band- The Beatles. I love The Beatles beyond all measure, with a soft spot for Ringo, who I think I resemble. My 1st album, purchased with my own money was Meet The Beatles in January of 1964. He is profoundly underrated as a drummer, & who can resist the vocals on Octopus’s Garden?

On this day in 1977, Elvis Aaron Presley checked out. Presley is regarded as one of the most important figures of 20th century popular culture. He had a versatile voice & crazy, nutty success encompassing many genres, including country, pop, ballads, gospel, and blues. He is the best selling solo artist in the history of popular music. Nominated for 14 Grammys, he won 3, & received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. I loved him & shed a tear on the day he died. My favorite Elvis song is Suspicious Minds:

On this day in 1958, a very talented & slightly hairy little Italian girl- Madonna Louise Ciccone is born. I am fascinated by & I appreciate anyone who is self invented & then manages to keep it going for decades by constantly reinventing. She is the world’s best selling female artist & one of the most famous people on the planet. It is my understanding that the Gays love her. I know I do. My favorite Madonna song is Ray Of Light.



The Post Apocalyptic Bohemian is finishing up the last touches on his memoir- Jockstraps & Vicodin: The Early Years. I am moving on to the next project, a reflection on my current state of attempting to find myself. I will become wealthy & successful, & I will wear cute tops. I am going to travel the globe in a quest of self- discovery, specifically to cities that have cocktails named after them. In my travels, I will discover the true pleasure of nourishment by drinking Manhattans in NYC; the power of the spiritual with Champagne in France, and, finally & unexpectedly, inner peace & balance with a Bellini on a beach on the Lido in Venice. I will make out with James Franco & Javier Bardam. I will have my picture taken in postcard perfect locals. I shall call this slim & extremely shallow vehicle of self absorption: Drink Drink Sleep. I have high expectations that it will make me a bundle, & that a film version will soon be in production with Bradley Cooper playing me.

Your host, surrounded with love from WCK3 & Edmond. I seem to have embraced full on Beardom.

In my own mind I look like Daniel Day Lewis, & then I see a photograph & I am struck with the revelation that I actually come closer to late career Marlon Brando. Maybe the new book should be titled: Whiskey Pizza Love.