Thursday, March 1, 2018

LIKE A LION?


Did March arrive like a lamb or a lion?
All I know is that it greeted rural Tennessee with a heckuva lot of rain.

It poured steadily for the past few days and then suddenly - just as I was about to write this blog post - a chilly wind arrived, the clouds parted, and everything brightened with golden rays of the late afternoon sun.

I grabbed my El Cheapo camera and captured the momentous event from one of the rain-speckled windows. 

If these photos don't enthrall you, I don't know what will.

I had initially planned to drive to town today, but the heavy rain, thick mud, and mountain fog stopped me. I'll be forced to go tomorrow. I'm nearly out of cat food.
Not for me.
For the trio of cats.

Speaking of cats, I woke up this morning with a completely numb left arm and an overwhelming feeling of suffocation and impending doom.

Bosco was sleeping on my left shoulder and neck. His heavy body was pressed up against my jugular vein. A few more minutes of this rude intrusion and I would have passed out and croaked.

Death by Cat.
This photo of Bosco was taken when I first moved here. He's bigger and heavier now. 

Since the Academy Awards are only a few days away, I had planned on doing some posts about Hollywood. But I've been too lazy and uninspired. And busy with unpleasant things.

So, I'm offering a video that I made about four years ago when I lived in Texas (you've probably already seen it).

It doesn't depict glamorous Hollywood - it captures the seedy, anonymous, dangerous midnight underworld that I experienced and knew so well.

Crazy as it sounds, there are times when I yearn for that reckless lifestyle again.
I was young and intent on adventure. What I loved most was the sense of freedom.....and danger.

 Are there photos of me somewhere in this video? Who knows.

Full-screen viewing is best.


18 comments:

  1. Jon,
    "Death by cat", I had o laugh out loud when I read that statement. Your cats are your comfort and it is obvious that they love you. One thing you don't have to worry about in those Tennessee mountains is any more stray cats taking up with you. Always appreciate seeing photos of your wooded surroundings. Still hoping that someday you can meet me and Pat in California during our annual treks. I've already made our reservations for next February in West Hollywood.
    Ron

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    1. I never fully recovered from the nightmare I went through in Texas when I was caring for over 20 cats (abandoned by my neighbor). I NEVER want to go through anything like that again!!!!
      Your excursions to California always inspire my memories. I got the Palm Springs postcard.
      (and I'm reading a lot *smile*).

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  2. Very touching. It was a beautiful sunny day here in south Texas and the Lion hasn't arrived yet.

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    1. It was mild here for awhile but unfortunately the weather is getting cold again. I miss the TX warmth.

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  3. Delicious descent, yes. ... and I love the accompanying audio.
    Like me, the chapters of your life seem so segregated. Oftentimes memories beckon, but I dare not linger.

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    1. "When the Smoke is Going Down" is one of my favorites - I love the Scorpions.

      There are many memories that I'd like to forget, but I'm always haunted by the Hollywood memories.

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  4. Jon, I caught at least 2 photos of you in this excellent clip. The search for love and gentle human contact is well-represented here. Places one knows and is known draw us into time, then into reverie and memory. This is a beautiful post.

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    1. I initially had difficulty putting that video together, but I think I finally did a fairly good job of capturing my feelings and the world I once knew.

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  5. I do remember this from the last time you posted it, and it's as evocative now as it was the first time. You were truly a beautiful young man. (But you already knew that!) And you're still deliciously creative. Only downside this time is my darned sound card decided to go belly-up, so I couldn't listen to the music. :(

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    1. I'm so sorry you couldn't hear the music - - the video is crappy without it (!). "When the Smoke is Going Down" is one of my favorites - it's the essence of my midnight mood. In fact, the song is what inspired me to make the video.

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  6. Death by cat sounds better than a lot of ways to go--LOL!
    Haunting video.
    Love the pics. I hope it is drier when you finally travel to town. :)

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    1. I suppose being smothered by a car is better than facing a firing squad.
      I drove to town today (Friday) and fortunately it was sunny and dry (but cool).

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  7. Ah, the contrasts in our lives . Haunting eroticism and cat food .
    I think one of the reasons I like your blog is your honesty about how a life is lived .

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    1. I suppose I enjoy writing about my sordid past so much because it is in direct contrast to my present mundane existence. Of course I'm older now and....possibly??...wiser.

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  8. Excellent video, Jon ! You really captured the essence of those Hollywood nights ... and the music is brilliant. I've always loved the Scorpions, especially the voice of Klaus Mein.

    Stay warm and dry ...


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    1. I've always loved the Scorpions, too, and the music is perfect for the video. In fact, the music is what initially inspired me to make the video.

      The rain has finally stopped - at least for the moment. I took advantage of this dry day to make my excursion into town. So, at least the cats have food - and I have a few supplies.

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  9. death by beloved cat would have been such a sad story. glad you lived to tell the tale. the video is haunting. love the music. it was perfect.

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  10. Bosco is so heavy! I don't know exactly how much he weighs, but when he sits on my neck (!!) it's like a ton of bricks!

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