Stripes and Stars

January 6, 2021.  Armed insurrectionists stormed the Capitol in Washington D.C.

We watched it on the internet or on TV, just like 9/11.  It seemed unreal, just like 9/11. 

We saw the confederate flag waving in the capital of our nation, alongside Old Glory.  A previously defeated flag, which stands for beliefs that are counter to the ideal of our nation regarding liberty and justice for ALL. That disturbed me, and I hope it disturbed you. 

So, I have a copy of the Constitution of the United States, and I actually READ it. I had been aware of comments about the idea that our Founding Fathers were slave owners and that parts of the Constitution were based on the idea that liberty and justice for ALL meant just white men.  But that is NOT what I read. Granted, it took some years to include people of color and women, but they are there and presented as equal. Ideas that are progressive and that we can be proud of, are THERE. 

And I started thinking that the red, white, and blue flag stands for that. Yeah, it gets flown a lot around war activities, too. But right now, I am just thinking about that flag as a symbol of the ideas of democracy, freedom, and justice that our republic is built on. No, we are not THERE yet, but this nation is rooted in these ideas, and still moving forward. We have to and can realize them more fully.

So, I wrote a song about it. And here it is, performed by Rick and Marilyn....

Merry Christmas, from Rick and Marilyn...

October 2020

 Hello!

We hope you are doing well during these odd times! We continue to stay busy overall:  Rick has been doing a good deed by assisting in the Census, and Marilyn continues her job helping people stay healthy.

We also both continue to do live streams on Sundays (see below for links and times) and Rick has been making music quite a bit with his friend Sal Cataldi, as 'Guitars a Go-Go'. They even have a record out!! (follow the green link for more info).

But- we miss you! Missing having folks that come out and listen to us play!  Traveling to a venue and setting up and figuring out how to best present a show in this particular place. Seeing your faces and hearing you respond. Knowing that we share a bit of time together in this certain space.

On the other hand, the pandemic has certainly allowed us time to learn and develop our art, together and separately. Rick has learned about recording and making videos. Marilyn has written the bulk of which may be the next record. And, putting together a rocking live stream every week has been challenging and fun!

As we move into cooler weather, we will continue live streaming and writing and making videos. Next time I write to you, we hope that we will have videos of new songs for you! 

We also hope that you will stop by and say 'HI!' during our live streams. 

And stay safe. Wash your hands, wear your masks and keep your distance. For the future, when this will just be a memory. Can't wait for that!!!

Click on these links at the listed time to join a live stream:

Rick Warren, Sunday evenings, 8pm, Ambient in the Evening

Brunch with Marilyn (sometimes Rick and Marilyn), Sundays @ 1pm 

YouTube

Facebook

We really hope to 'see' you there!!!