staying in the light

 

Staying in the light. 

 

When I went on vacation I spent time in San Francisco. I went to the public parks  and I noticed signage in the bathroom that had to do with washing your hands AND taking care of each other. You know, those types of themes.

 

 I went to Haight Ashberry the day before I was leaving. There you saw many signs about taking care of each other and if you need something, just talk to us, don't steal. Thinking back, walking around there had me remembering back in the late sixties when it seemed like the world was falling apart. 

 

And then we had the Summer of Love in San Francisco. And yes, I'm not innocent enough to believe that it was all love. It was not. Drugs did terrible things to people, and people cheated and stole and there were a lot of bad things happening. But there were also voices that spoke in favor of peace and love and getting along in a very open way. A teaching way, even.

 

That's needed and we need it now as much as we needed it in the past. Let's be there.

So, I just spent an hour walking around my home town, Hudson. Warren Street. I made an effort to remember as many things as I could about each place as I passed. There are so many. Promenade Hill Center. The apartment I almost rented, but I had to go through the closet to get to the bathroom. Later it was a crack house... when I worked. (I had an apartment on Union Street when I was still renting. The bathroom and clos across et occupied the same space. Might be a thing in Hudson, I guess) Steiners. Jasons Upstairs Bar. Wunderbar, originally Lawrences. State Bar and Grill just down 7th. 

 I, sort of, feel the ghosts. Hudson does have a past. And so do I. Well, so do you, lol. 

 And then there is the art. Lots of openings in town tonight. Actually, lots of people. The air is one of expectation. Excitement. Possibility. Maybe all cities feel that way to me??? But this is my city. 

And, I am feeling a need to connect. Connect with who I was and who I am. Yeah, at 69. Such an adolescent. LOL. 

 As I walk around here, thinking, I realize — yeah, I liked that time. I was in flux then too, wondering what was next, but not LOOKING so much as falling into it. Maybe that was because I was young? It was easier to see the possibilities. Maybe my next step is right in front of me and I just don't see it. Or maybe I am not ready for it. Well, I have had a bit of a slump lately, but I'm heading back up again. It will come, that next step.

Marilyn Miller - Are You Passionate - International Rust Fest - Half Moo...

Just Another Gig....

So, Rick and Marilyn have a gig at a town park. It was booked because the folks at a particular farmers market liked our music, and suggested us. We take a date in late summer, with a start time of 6pm. 

Time passes, and the date approaches. I sent an email asking for an address to place on the invites, and how long to play for. I get a message that the booker is on vacation, start time is 6pm and have fun!!! I still don’t know where to go.  

I googled and got an address from the town facebook page, and I sent emails, made phone calls, and sent an IM… No one answers. Hmmmmm. Wondering what we are headed for, we drive. I found the PO in the town, and there IS a gazebo across the street, so this MUST be it!!! How many gazebo’s and POs in one town, anyway, LOL. 

 But…no one is there. There is electricity for the gazebo, and we figure out how to turn it on. After a while, and right before 6pm, some elderly folk start arriving. We greet them and ask some questions, but they do not know when we should stop, either. We are right near a train track, and I mean, the track is right THERE. So we ask, being familiar with Hudson and a short train that runs through there once a day, is that track used often? No one knows that either. 

 For some strange reason, I call Folsom Prison Blues early in the set. As we get into the first verse, the crossing lights start flashing red and the train comes into view, LOUDLY. Even after the engine went by, the folks could not hear us because it was so close that the track noise interfered… so ... no music. Instead, we went into the audience and tried to entertain by chatting, lol 

 It went on for at LEAST fifteen minutes, that train. A woman says, "Oh yeah, sometimes I count one hundred sixty cars... " lol. Finally, the last car goes by, so we get back on stage and play some more. A man in the audience has told me that another train is coming (and how he knew). I asked from the stage and the locals all agreed. Yep, another train always comes from the other direction. So we played another hour... and felt rumbling. I said, train comes, show over? They all nodded, I think they were cold when the sun went down. 

Then Rick and Marilyn started playing Gotta Travel On (Thank you Neil for me knowing that one) and the train came and the show ended... but how cool, right? (thanks for reading)

Rick and Marilyn - Stripes and Stars

I just read our Bill of Rights its no longer just for men who are white it actually provides for us all to be free All the different people, can't you see Read those words yourself, see what they mean not working to make it true would be obscene So lets take back what is ours And fly for ourself the stripes and stars Color and gender don't dictate worth Neigther do the details of your birth All of us are equal in front of the law whatever prevents justice needs to fall So i think we're the true patriots Our values make that title fit It's time to take back what is ours And fly for ourselves those stripes and stars This old flag stands for democracy the rule of law allowing all to be free that law is outlined in the bill of rights and we wont give these up without a fight citizens can vote, fair treatment by police freedom of assembly, religion and speech It's time to take back what is ours and fly for ourselves those stripes and stars