Fezziwig Press & Photography by Stu Jenks

"Mom, I saw U2"

"Mom, I saw U2 with Cathy the other night in Phoenix. We had a wonderful time."

"I'm so glad," she says. It's after dinner. Mary's in bed. She's in good spirits in spite of the scary-waking-visions she's having these days. Today is a day when the dementia makes her feel special rather than cursed. She mentioned to me earlier to make sure I go downstairs and get the $50 in an envelope that is on a chair. There is no downstairs, no $50, no chair. I told her I would get the envelope on my way out tonight.

"They sang this song called 'Walk On.'"

"I know that song," she says. She begins to sing a song. I think it's a Roger Miller song. After a bit, I stop her, to finish my story.

"It's a different 'Walk On," I say, regretting immediately that I had cut her off.

"Oh," she says, but looks at me intently without any shame. Just with love and great interest.

"It's a wonderful song," I say, "About those who have died and have gone before us to the Other Side. I thought about Dad and how I miss him, and I thought about you and how I'm going to miss you when you die."

"I hope so," she says.

I don't tell her that I cried though most of the song, not because I feel any shame about that. I just don't want to break down in front of her, right now.

"I'll miss you a lot, Mom."

She then gets this faraway look in her eye. I know the look. She's getting ready to say sometime very loving, very sweet. If she can get it out.

"I know ...it's selfish of me,... but I told someone today,... that I don't know... what I would do... without Stu."

"You don't need to do anything, Mom. I'll be here for you. Always."

"Thank you, Stu."

I let the Love hang in the air. I don't speak. I don't mess it up. I just let the Circle of Love spin between us. Through us. Through all of us.

"...You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been

A place that has to be believed to be seen

You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Walk on, walk on
What you've got they can't deny it
Can't sell it, can't buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much

Walk on, walk on" - U2

[Photos of U2 were taken from their website.]

"Bozo at Disney Hall"

"Bozo at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California" (c) 2009 Stu Jenks

[The little string piece is called "Third Birth Matrix." It's by me with much help from my computer. It'll be on "Soundtracks for Photographs, Vol. 3", whenever I get the jack to put it out. Hope you enjoy it, and the photo of Bozo outside of the Concert Hall.]

Download Third Birth Matrix '09

HoCoFest 2009

HoCoFest 2009, Hotel Congress, Tucson, Arizona: (c) Stu Jenks 2009

[Just a few selected images from HoCoFest 2009. From top to bottom: "Club Congress Lamp", "Alana Sweetwater", "Al Perry and a Cowboy", "Cracker", "The Whole Hoco", "The Hotel Congress Sign", and "From the Hotel Congress Roof." And thank you, Dave Slutes, for the job. And sorry to the Calexico fans: I hurt my right foot a few weeks before the Hoco, and I could only endure some much pain. Hopefully, next time.]

Mad Dogs and Englishmen on Gettysburg Day

"Mad Dogs and Englishmen on Gettysburg Day"

July, 3rd, 2009

    146 years ago today, I died. At least one of my bodies did. [To read the story, go to the Muleskinner story on this blog.] Most Americans celebrate the Fourth of July. I get moody on the Third.

    In 1971, I first saw the film 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen' at the old State Theatre in Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. I was only 17. I was a virgin, in more ways than just sexual. I ain't a virgin anymore.

    I just bought a brand new DVD of this great film. Watching it now. It makes me cry. Carl Radle, the bassist, is dead from alcoholism. Jim Gordon, the drummer, went to prison for killing his Mom in 1983 and is still there. Leon Russell hopefully is still out there pounding the keys somewhere. Joe Cocker has survived, and lives on the Mad Dog Ranch in Colorado. And I pray Bobbie Keys is blowing his horn, loud into the wind.

    I bought the record when it first came out. I then owned the cassette tape to replace the record. I watch a VCR tape of the film many years ago. And now, on Gettysburg Day, I'm watching a DVD and I'm downloading the album from ITunes, even as I type. It's been years. The music, the film are still wonderful.

    But I think I'll only watch another half hour or so, for I want to hike to the top of Pontatoc Ridge, which is just a few miles north of my apartment. Hike to the top and think of my fellow Confederate Dead. And be grateful, that my soul is alive in a body that can take me to the top of a desert ridge, and that can hear and see Mad Dogs and Englishmen play.

    "Feeling alright? Not feeling too good myself."

    Happy 3rd of July.

   

   

"Ploy at Arcosanti"

"Ploy at Arcosanti, Cordes Junction, Arizona" (c) 2009 Stu Jenks

Projekt Presents:

[Here is a Projekt Records promo. Two of my images have been used in the graphic. Projekt's a fantastic independent record label, run with love and sweat and deep courage, by Sam Rosenthal, one of my favorite people. Check out their website and perhaps you'll enjoy riding the dark wave too.]

"Mandolin near Apache Springs"

"Gold Tone Mandolin near Apache Springs, Arizona" (c) 2009 Stu Jenks

Barack, Sasha and The Boss

[One of my favorite images from the campaign. "Dad may become President, but I just shook Bruce Springsteen's hand." And I love the image of Barack in the rain.

It's going to be a new day. Not a perfect day, but a new one, nonetheless.

Tears in my eyes.]

The Zsa Zsas: Hotel Congress, Halloween, 2008

"Milos Sucrose & The Zsa Zsas: Hotel Congress, Tucson, Arizona, Halloween 2008"

[I just don't feel right unless I sing along with the Zsa Zsas at least once a year. "Piano Man" and "Live and Let Die" are just two of my favorite Mitch Millers. Catch them as you can. The Zsa Zsas don't leave their native Eastern Europe that often.

Final note: Chango Malo and Oh My God were also on the lineup on Halloween. The bottom photo is of Quin of Chango Malo. Chango and OMG were pretty amazing that night as well.

And pardners, don't forget to vote on Tuesday. As my father used to say, "I had some much fun voting this morning, I think I'll do it again this afternoon.]

"Tell Tale Signs" by Bob Dylan

Dylan's got a new volume of bootlegs called "Tell Tale Signs" out now. It's a good selection of new songs and different versions of old songs from the last decade or so, and some live tracks as well. As an album, it's OK, just a hodgepodge of stuff with no single thread which is perfectly fine, but some songs are just amazing, by the performances, if nothing else. "Lonesome Day Blues: Live" is one of those. The guitar work astounds me on that track. as well as the playing on "High Water." It's worth going to ITunes and spending the $1.98, just to download those two tracks. The duet with Ralph Stanley is pretty sweet too. Check 'em out, even if you aren't a big Dylan fan.