Hi,

The weather's slightly cooler, late evening, and it's great.  My darling wife Margaret won 10 gold medals at the Olympics.  Ask her about them when you see her.  Having The Who closing the Olympics was a master stroke.

Marcus is experiencing some good days, long may they last.  Giorgio has started a love affair with a stone cat which sits next to our pool.  Silly boy.

JC's Ready Steady Sunday, on Bay Radio, continues to impress and delight.  John has some great guests, live on air, such as Jackie Trent, Mark Wirtz and local musician Tony Rivers.  When John is in-between great guests, he calls me in!

RECENT CONVERSATION WITH MARGARET

Margaret - 'Have you finished the manuscript yet?'

Me - 'Soon.'

Margaret - 'How soon is soon. Sooner than later, later than sooner?'

Me - 'Soon.'

Margaret - 'Talk to me'.

Me - 'I'm trying to type.'

Margaret - 'I told you, men can't multi-task.'

Me - 'I can, as well as talking and typing I can shove a broom...'

Margaret - 'Yellow card !. Can we have some music on? Something decent that doesn't include the Grateful Dead .'

Me - 'We don't have anything else decent, so, Bryan Ferry it is then,'

Margaret - 'Red Card!'

This demonstrates that the art of serious conversation is alive and well and living in Casa Muneca.

I've just finished a poem which could be described as one of my 'what's going on in his head' type things.

So, for your consideration, 'The Devil On Your Shoulder'.

 The Devil On Your Shoulder


The fun will start
To break your heart
Before you get much older
I'll plant the seed
I'm what you need
The devil on your shoulder

Trees are burning
Clouds of smoke
Did you hear me?
I just spoke
Do you always
Tune me out?
The days are growing shorter

The residents
From down below
Are here, it's getting colder
The screams will stop
When I arrive
The devil on your shoulder

Roads are cracking
From the heat
Heed my warnings
Take your seat
Watch me closely
Spot the trick?
The nights are growing longer

Read, enjoy
My web of lies
I keep them in a folder
You'll find the truth
I am, for you
The devil on your shoulder

Caught you hiding
From the sun
Got the message?
Time to run
Find the lady
Flip the card
The cold is growing colder

The fun will end
Be sure, my friend
Before you get much older
I'll set you free
So, trust in me
The devil on your shoulder.

................................

Regards

Ray