Kage Baker would have been 70 years old today.

I think she would have disliked it intensely, and it may be rude of me to point it out. However, folks continue to celebrate birthdays for many people who have been dead for much more than 12 years, as Kage has been. Besides, this was always the time of year when I teased her about being 2 years older then me – and nowadays, I need every reminder of youth I can muster, no matter how spurious.

Me, I shall be 69 soon, and aside from the gauche high school jokes about that number, there is nothing funny about it. My state of personal decay is quite obnoxious.

But today is a high holy day for me. This morning, I got some lovely emails In Memorium for Kage, from the wonderful people at Tachyon Publications. Jacob, Jill, Rick: thank you so much for remembering her birthday. And I suggest, Dear Readers, that you go check out their site at Tachyon (https://tachyonpublications.com/) – there are wonders galore there to explore.

Now, I know I have been silent a long time. And I cannot honestly promise to resume my bloggery with profound philosophy and attention to daily content. I am coming through a bad patch right now, and I make no promises at all, But I will try. I miss you all – I miss being alive and competent and interested in the world. And this is a perfect date on which to attempt (yet another) comeback. This is the start of the summer, Dear Readers. As Dylan sang long, long ago – There’s a party going on/ It’s gonna last the summer long *

Kage loved that song. And I find, I am not quite done singing myself.

*Down the hill from where I live
There’s a road rolling by
Wonder where it’s going ?

In this house full of doom
Discontent in every room
And it’s daily growing

I’m gonna ride on down those miles
I’m gonna ride on down those miles

Hook my thumb out in the air
Catch a friend with wheels to share
To take me far away from here

It’s a trip I gotta take
Big decision, mine to make
I don’t feel any fear

I’m gonna ride on down those miles
I’m gonna ride on down those miles

I’m gonna ride on down those miles
I’m gonna ride on down those miles
I’m gonna ride on down those miles
I’m gonna ride on down those miles

Cats are leavin’ every day
Summer’s here, they’re on their way
Hitchin’ down the highway

There’s a party goin’ on
It’s gonna last the summer long
Sleepin’ under the Milky Way

I’m gonna ride on down those miles (I’m gonna ride on down those miles)
I’m gonna ride on down those miles (I’m gonna ride on down those miles)
I’m gonna ride on down those miles (I’m gonna ride on down those miles)
I’m gonna ride on down those miles