Monday Morning Musings, for 9/14/26

9/12 Gig recap: 

This past Saturday afternoon gig at The Saloon had some really fun moments. It was one of those "you had to be there" things. The description wouldn't do it justice. Thanks to all who were able to be there to share in the experience! 

Our next gig is scheduled for Saturday October 10th, again from 4 to 8, so save the date!

As for what's happening beyond music, there are moments in time when it becomes necessary to raise our collective voice until it becomes a roar. 

It doesn't matter which political party, if any, you are (or were) aligned with - we should all be concerned with the truth. 

As always, sending love and best wishes to all. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Saturday Afternoon in San Francisco!

 A friendly reminder from some folks who enjoy playing live music for live people! 

Memories

https://www.legacy.com/legacy/memorial/angel-pena

I can still see, in my mind's eye, my mother dancing with Angel at my Aunt's wedding. 

I remember getting the call from one of the "kids" - she was attending Chico State at the time. The sense of panic, not knowing the whereabouts of the other "kid," who lived in Manhattan at the time. He was out of the state, if memory serves, visiting his mother. 

Sending love and a wish for healing to all. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Saturday Afternoon at The Saloon in San Francisco, 4 - 8 pm

It's that time again, for our monthly Saloon soiree! 9/12/26, 4 - 8 pm, in the heart of North Beach, we give you a royal dose of the blues, so you can put on your dancing shoes! 

1232 Grant Avenue, 

San Francisco, 

No cover, so go ahead and park in the garage! 

21+, one drink minimum

The Sun Rises Again!

Hey Everybody! 

Hope you had an enjoyable Labor day! I labored on long overdue tasks, and it was exhausting and joyful! 

 Remember, when we can't find joy, we can do pur best to create it, even if it's in our imagination. Each of us has more power than we realize, and the best power I can think of is the power to adapt to change, which is constant and inevitable. They don't call it the "Serenity Prayer" for no reason, and it works even if you aren't in recovery. That said, some days it feels as if we are all trying to recover from something. 

Music dept.: 

We have a gig this coming Saturday, 9/12/26 at The Saloon, 4 - 8 pm 

1232 Grant Avenue, 

San Francisco. 

We have so much fun, I hope you can join us. 

Next month, it will be 39 years since I first walked into that place, and I am grateful for the music and friendships made along the way. 

Stay safe, be kind, and be love. 

Ox, 

Mari 

A Shift in the Heavens

As long as there are people who remember, we live.

https://msmagazine.com/2026/08/27/dolly-parton-gloria-steinem-feminist/

August Ends, September Begins

 Hey Everybody, 

Took a break from the blog and the blur of old memories yesterday, managed to make dinner and go shopping for groceries, had a long talk with one of my sisters. It was a good day to recharge. 

We're all just doing the best we can do with what we've been given, whatever that may be. I think it was Ghandi who said. "Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is important that you do it." Well, not sure I agree with that one anymore, after reading all that the wonderful Dolly Parton was able to achieve in her life. Empathy truly IS a superpower. 

Music: 

We've got a gig coming up on September 12th: 4 - 8 at The Saloon in North Beach, the place that convinced me to move out to San Francisco. That, and the promise of a place to live in order to avail myself of a great public education system. It's a long story for another time. Forgive me if I repeat myself. 

Here is the band lineup for the 9/12/26 Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings gig: 

Mari Tamburo on vocals - Arne Frager on bass - Richard Wood on keys - Dave Powell on guitar and Ry Blumenfeld on the drum throne. 

I'm sharing a song today. It's not mine, but the lyrics could be used for a Wednesday, when we're known for sharing wise words on occasion: 

Listen here

Ox,

Mari 

Reminder of the Rummage

Friendly reminder that I'm going to hand off some "excess stuff" today (and maybe tomorrow.) 

11 - 4 pm at 7 - 11 Mark Drive. San Rafael. 

Call or text at: four, one,five, seven, eight, nine, six, two, seven, four. 

Please don't show up early. 

Thanks! 

Ox, 

Mari 

Rummage Sale : 8/29/26 at Mark Drive, San Rafael

 Hey Everybody! 

Mark Drive Studios building sale has inspired a cleanout. Stop by and say "Hi!" and learn the whole story. 

11am - 4 pm Saturday, August 29th. 

7 Mark Drive. Help me divert some items from the landfill and save yourself some tariffs. 

Please pardon any typos. 

Ox,

Mari 

Thursday Thoughts

Changes and transitions are a part of life. It's how we respond (or don't) that makes all the difference. 

Do something good today. It's being kind to yourself. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Dolly

I chose this photo to remember Dolly, because it represents one of my earliest memories of her, sitting in my Aunt Jo's bedroom, talking about music, magazines, and so much more. 

There will never be another like her. 

Mark Drive Studios Sale

I'm busy preparing to move out of what I had hoped would be a great artist collective space, but you know, that whole "plan" thing. Long story. 

I'll be holding a sale/giveaway at 7 - 11 Mark Drive Studios in San Rafael

NEXT weekend,   28th *maybe 30th.

Call or text 415 -789-mari with questions, etc. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Forward Thinking

Hey Everybody! 

Looking forward. So many things on the "to do list" this week. Focusing on the sale. 

More details: 

Address: 

7-11 Mark Drive

San Rafael, CA 94903

9am -1 pm 

August 29th 

Call ahead with any questions. 

415-789-6274

Making the Best of It

Hey Everybody, 

I post on this blog to model some form of consistency. Life can be challenging, and it can be beautiful. 

I sometimes post this photo to remind myself of how much I have managed to survive. 

It's a reminder to give myself the grace I extend to everyone else. I hope you can do the same. Remind yourself that life is worth living. 

It's the same with The Saloon gig. 

We'll be back on 9/12/2026

 Please feel free to reply if you have a question. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Thursday Thoughts : "As"

Someone or some folks at ESSENCE magazine decided that this Stevie Wonder song, "As" is, in their opinion, the "best R & B song" of all time. It is a beautiful song, and I hope that all the online chatter will lead to more people discovering the song and listening to its beautiful lyrics and message. 

Reading about it reminded me of  that time one Christmas that Arne and I gifted each other Stevie Wonder compilations, which led me to think of the day we realized I had been turning down the thermostat for what I thought was his benefit, and he was turning it up for whatvhe thought was mine . 

Everything is temporary, except love, and music. 

I wish you love and music. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Gigs Recap

 Hey Everybody! 

We had a blast and I survived! However, it was a reminder of why I need to make changes in my life. I've been searching for a day gig that will allow me to use my diverse skill set and help me finance my next album recording. 

In the meantime, the studio building where I was sorting and assembling my life art project, which intertwines my music and experiences at the old studio building, has hit a snag. 

The building has been sold and while the tenants were told that the building would remain an art space, that has turned out not to be the case. 

I wish you the best week possible. Be kind to yourself and let it flow. 

ox,

Mari 

Shows on August 7th and 8th | Benicia and San Francisco

First things first - have to pay the blog toll! (Inside joke, if you are curious, send me an email.) 

Upcoming gigs: Friday at Lucca in Benicia 6:30 pm and Saturday at 4:00 pm at The Saloon in San Francisco 

I've had so much on my mind, weighing heavy in my heart that I'm really grateful to have two gigs this week. At first, I was pretty upset when Arne booked two gigs back to back, but now I'm grateful, because I need the spiritual release that only music provides. 

And on that note, the celebration of Glen Hansard's life took place on August 4th in Ireland. It was shown on RTE, BBC and several live news outlets. I caught the tail end of the live stream, and was so moved by the crowd of people still standing there in the church, singing, that I felt compelled to watch the recording of the entire service. It was a beautiful service, a reminder to live our lives with more kindness, courage, creativity and love. If you are already doing this, just keep doing it. If you find you are living your life any other way, you can decide to have a change of heart at any moment. 

Ox,

Mari 

This Week: Live Music In Benicia and San Francisco

Hey Everybody! 

Doing what comes naturally this week, although we'll be jamming more than usual, because we have a gig on both Friday and Saturday. Should be an adventure! I'll be drinking lots of water while being grateful for the musicianship in our band. 

Friday: Lucca, 439 First Street, Benicia: 6:30 downbeat $5 cover, all ages

Saturday: Saloon, 1232 Grant Avenue, San Francisco 4 - 8 pm, No cover, 21+ only

Kings' lineup for these gigs: 

Myself on vocals, Arne on bass, Dave on guitar, Richard on keys, and Dylan Garrison on the drum throne. 

Hope to see you soon. 

Enjoy your week and stay hopeful! 

As always, thanks for reading. 

Best,

Mari 

p.s. After publishing last week's post, I realized I left out my paragraph about Ray Gomez and Glen Hansard, who both passed recently. Glen's funeral notice is in the comments of that post. I don't have the time I would like to be able to devote to them at the moment, so I linked to my Facebook posts. 

Celebrations of Life

It's been a week of comings and goings. 

The cycle, or circle of life. 

Today, we will celebrate granddaughter Avalon's 3rd birthday. 

We gifted her first dollhouse yesterday, and the delight on her face was worth the price of admission. 

Arne and I also celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday, and we shared the day with friends and family and music, grateful for every moment we get to spend together in this life. 

I wish you love, for yourself and everyone. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Monday Morning Musings: 7/27/2026

Hey Everybody, 

Just plugging away, seeking paid work/gigs and doing my best to treasure each precious moment of life. 

I wish you the best week possible. 

Ox, 

Mari 

8/7/26 - Lucca in Benicia 

8/8/26 - The Saloon in San Francisco

I took this photo outside Amphora, a pottery studio in San Rafael. The pollinators were buzzing about.