Channeling Anger Into Action

I don't understand the cruelty and the stupidity. 

These DOGE tech bros are dismantling departments, firing people who are simply  doing their jobs, all the while bragging that they are cutting government waste. Instead, they are messing things up because they have no clue what they are doing. 

You've heard the term "Haste makes waste," haven't you? 

For example, our National Parks - do you have any idea how much money Yosemite makes for our country? In addition to being beautiful and a great source of pride, it's a very profitable endeavor, attracting people all over the world -- people who spend money in the surrounding communities, creating jobs and supporting small businesses. If you don't think so, please do some research.

This isn't about left or right, Republican or Democrat - we are talking about what is good or bad, common sense and nonsense at this point. 

Do you want to see our National Parks drilled for oil and mined for minerals? I don't.

Please call your representatives and tell them to put the brakes on this madness. Look, I understand the frustration about how slowly government moves and I want to see more transparency, but what is happening - this "move fast and break things" hostile corporate takeover tech bro BS is NOT how it's done. 

Thanks, and take care.

Best, 

Mari 

p.s. I think I have finally kicked this bug, which I would not have been able to do had I not taken time to rest. 

Roberta Flack

Posting in tribute to Roberta Flack's artistry. She passed away today.

This song brings back some precious memories -- of my mother dancing between the kitchen and the back door, that old GE radio playing from the shelf above the washing machine...

I'm so grateful to have that memory. 

Sending love and light to you.

Ox, 

Mari 

Music As Medicine

Today would have been my brother's 68th birthday, but as you may already know, we lost him at the age of 22, 46 years ago. Not a day goes by that he is not missed. 

I share this song, "My Brother's Smile" in his remembrance. It's track #9.

https://marimack.bandcamp.com/album/cant-go-back

Ox,

Mari 

Don't Give Up...

It's been an interesting week.

Doing my best to stay hopeful, stay healthy and get ready for March 8th, our next gig at The Saloon.  4 - 8 pm.

I received an unexpected phone call from my nephew yesterday, who called to tell me that he listened to our latest album and thought it sounded really good! He seemed surprised. 

I had to chuckle at that one. 

Humans can be so wrapped up in our own lives that we miss a lot of what is happening all around us, and sometimes we can be so distracted by everything that is going on all around us, we fail to be truly present in our own lives.

The challenge is to be aware what is happening around us enough so that we are not blindsided when change comes knocking at our front door. Of course, the unexpected happens on occasion- so we have to learn to adapt and prioritize.

We need to help each other. 

Remember - a heart filled with love has no room for hate, and the opposite is also true. 

That's all I have to share at this moment. 

I wish you peace, love in your heart, and safe travels. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Keep Calling

Keep calling your representatives. 

Love each other. 

Tell the truth. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Ps. If you are on Facebook, follow Alt National Park Service

Change, Control, and Cuts

Thanks to this nasty bug, I've been stuck inside for the better part of two weeks, which for some reason made me take a pair of scissors to my hair. Not so sure that was a good idea, but I'm guessing it was/is an attempt to control something I can control. 

Starting to feel human again, and am grateful for that. 

Speaking of control, while some things in the USA seem as if they are beyond our control, we can still take some actions to defend our democratic systems. 

Contact your elected representatives, regardless of party affiliation,  and let them know how you feel about what is happening. If you are not sure what is happening, please research more than one news source. If you need suggestions, please refer to some of my previous posts. 

I'm all for transparency, but audits are usually done by accountants, not coders. Think about it. Something is very wrong here. 

Ask questions. Tell them you want answers. Elected representatives are just that - elected to represent the needs of the people. We have to speak up -- clearly and emphatically, because when we are too calm, or too small in numbers, we are ignored.

When we are ignored for long enough, humans who care tend to get emotional, and then we are dismissed as "crazy." 

It's a delicate balancing act, but don't let that dissuade you from an attempt to let your voice be heard. Just stay calm, and do what needs to be done. 

Take care of yourself. We are going to need each other. 

That's all for now. 

Ox, 

Mari 

p.s. for our latest music release, please go to my contact page. If you decide to purchase, bandcamp gives artists the best cut. 

Catching Up | Cancellation This Saturday.

Hey Everybody, 

Apologies for being scarce these past couple of weeks. 

Some crud presented itself shortly after we got back from NAMM, which was an interesting trip. Met some people we have been hearing about for the past few years, and it is always a pleasure running into Dave Wish (now of Music Will, the org formerly known as Little Kids Rock.)

So, sorry to say that we have to cancel this Saturday (2.8) at The Saloon. This gig requires full use of my lungs for three hours across a four hour period, and I am not able give that at this time. Please accept my apologies if you were planning on joining us. 

Other things on my mind: 

Not sure if you have been following the DC debacle. WIRED and Heather Cox Richardson (who identifies as a Lincoln Republican, btw) are covering it well. 

Robert Reich (pronounced RYSH) also has been sharing some helpful information. 

Artistic Endeavors: 

In my neck of the woods, some friends are having a photography exhibition. 

Reception is February 6th, 5 - 7 pm 

Photo/poster below. 

Our next gig is March 8th, at The Saloon. Please save the date. 

Take care of yourself, and please be kind to others. Sometimes, the only thing we can do to reduce the bad in the world, is to be good. 

Ox,

Mari 

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who came out this past Saturday. 

Hope to see you back at The Saloon on February 8th! 

4-8 

Don't be late! 

Ox, 

Mari