Annual Round Up: Top Ten Blog Posts of 2019: It's Dylan Nearly All the Way

Photo courtesy Laura Leivick

Fifty years ago the Beatles made their last public appearance on the roof of Apple, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon, Woodstock and Altamont rocked then shocked the world. These events were all during Bob Dylan's private period when he was quietly enjoying his family and making music with The Band. Other than a performance at the Isle of Wight, it was a quieter year outside the public eye.

I'm willing to bet that very few people would have expected him to be still on the road doing nearly 100 shows a year on his Never Ending Tour. What a long strange trip it's been.

* * * *
As has been my custom in recent years, I've taken an inventory, reviews the stats, and now present a summary of my Top Ten blog posts for the year, based on Pageviews. Three of these top ten posts were reviews of Dylan's latest tour across the waistline of our country from L.A. to his 10 shows at the Beacon in New York, with a final stop in DC.

All in all, it was another strong year for Dylan. The much anticipated Martin Scorsese documentary about The Rolling Thunder Revue finally arrived, as did Dylan & Me, Louis Kemp's collection of stories about his boyhood friend. Bootleg #15 was also a welcome addition to every collector's treasure trove of Dylan CDs, vinyls and memorabilia. But this fourth quarter leg of his Never Ending Tour, well, that was the cat's meow, the bee's knees, the icing on the cake, and any other over-worn expression you want to choose.

Without further adieu, here were the most read stories of 2019 here at Ennyman's Territory.

10 
21 Questions: Dylan Fest Trivia 2019

9 
Bob Dylan’s “With God On Our Side” Addressed A Fundamental Divide In American Culture, and Still Does

8 
Sunday Night's Blood Moon, Plus More Buddy Holly Memories and Insights

7 
Warm Welcome for Dylan in Minnesota: Bringing It Home at the Mankato Civic Center

6 
Laura Leivick's Take On Bob Dylan's December 5 Show at the Beacon

5 
Dylan's Blowing in the Wind Gets a New Twist in Super Bowl LIII

4 
Spotlight on Rolling Thunder: Louis Kemp's Dylan & Me, and Scorsese's Netflix Release on the Revue

3 
Trivial Pursuits: Bob Dylan's Favorite Monopoly Piece

2 
"Go Away Bomb:"---Dylan Writes A Song for Izzy Young

1 
Dylan at the Beacon--Philip Hale Shares Why Fans Keep Coming Back for More

Related Links
Planning for Duluth Dylan Fest 2020 has been underway since late summer. The schedule is taking shape. To stay in touch with breaking news on events visit www.bobdylanway.com/dylan-fest.php


Gift ideas for the holidays:
Dylan & Me: 50 Years of Adventures
Travelin' Through  
Christmas in the Heart

BONUS TRACK
A song by song breakdown from Lloydville of Dylan's Christmas in the Heart
[EdNote: Make time to read all the track by track analysis here. You'll gain a far deeper appreciation for this album than you initially conceived possible.]

End of Year Sign Off. Getting Ready to Turn the Page.

Skyline Drive just west of Twin Ponds.

Through most of November and December, Mother Nature has been fairly stingy as regards Northland snowfall. She made up for it here during the Christmas season, and despite the extra work involved, the scenery certainly becomes quite stirring.

This week's big media news has been a Sandra Bullock film called Bird Box. I've not seen it because I am wearing a blindfold, but something like 45 million people purportedly watched it the first week after it was released.

In other news, the Yellow Jackets are on the move. Belgium, Israel, Italy and elsewhere, people are making a fashion statement. Not exactly an "electrical banana" mellow yellow, but it seems to be catching on as the color of the year.

The color yellow was fairly prominent in California news this year, too. As in wildfires, also out of control and difficult to contain.

TRANSITION

Since we're knee-deep in the Northland winter season here, it seems like a good time to recall to mind a bit of that ol' Summertime. Here are a handful of jazzy, schnazzy and bluesy versions to help you dream and ring in the new year.

George & Ira Gershwin' classic rendered by Andrea Motis with The Joan Chamorro Quintet and Scott Hamilton.

Here's Charlie Parker's rendition of the same classic.

I had the privilege of seeing Doc Watson in 1972 at a Folk Festival at Ohio University. 

I doubt the Gershwin's could have half imagined Janis's emotive rendition.

If you are in any way a creative being, 
strive to go beyond yourself this coming year. 
Dreams help all of us to thrive.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Twin Ports Arts Happenings, December--Weekend 2--and a Call for Art in Cloquet

A Christmas Chair by Kris Nelson

There's a lot happening this time of year. Seems like everyone is making things and there is plenty of opportunity to Buy Local. Links for more information on some events are bold and in Blue. I'd switch them to Green for the holidays, except some people would think I was just decorating the page and might not click on the links.

TODAY
The Joseph Nease Gallery is having a Holiday Pop-Up Super Shop through December. To see what this means, and for further details, see the JNG Facebook Page.

Thursday, December 6, 1-4 p.m.
First Thursdays Open Studio, Duluth Art Institute Lincoln Park Building, 2229 W. 2nd Street
"Bring your supplies and artistic spirit to the beautiful and inspiring historic Lincoln Building. Connect with other creative people, spending time experimenting with your medium of choice. Each session will include time to create and optional end-of-session group critiques." $5/session + DAI Membership, no registration required, just drop in.

Thursday, December 6, 4-9 p.m.
ART on Tap Holiday Show Pop Up, Fitger's Barrel Room, 600 E. Superior Street
Art vendors from ART on Tap will be at Fitger's!

Thursday, December 6, 7-9 p.m.
CHOICE Unlimited's 8th Annual Evening of the Arts, Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. Third Street "The event features over 70 artists performing and presenting original music, poetry, art, dance and film. Tickets: $5 at the door."

TOMORROW

These are crayons, not Legos.

Friday, December 7, 12-8 p.m.
Holiday Market, Oldenburg House, 604 Chestnut Avenue, Carlton
"Oldenburg House hosts its second annual holiday market, featuring unique holiday gifts made by local artisans, music and Magnolia Cafe holiday goodies." -->You can see/purchase Susie's Lego® Crayons for a Cause at this sale Tomorrow.

More Info on the Oldenburg House Event:
"Items for purchase include handmade skin products, paintings, cards, edibles, wood products, baskets, ornaments, candles, jewelry, accessories and more. Attendees are asked to bring a new pair of warm socks or mittens to hang on the gift tree. All donated socks and mittens will be given to Window Victim Services and Visitation Center in Hinckley."

SATURDAY
Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nice Girls of the North 2nd Saturday Marketplace, Lakeside Lester Park Community Center (the former Lakeside Library), 106 N. 54th Ave. East
"Free coffee, cookies, and a friendly atmosphere await while you browse a collection of handcrafted clothing and bags, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, photography, personal care products, baby items and much more. One central checkout, most major credit cards accepted."

Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Get to the Point Local Art & Gift Fair, Lafayette Community Center, 3026 Minnesota Avenue, Park Point. (I love the name of this sale. Don't beat around the bush, just get to the point.)
"This is a small local artisan fair in a delightful building. It's Bentleyville lights time at night and craft/art fair shopping by day. Buy local. This fair will surely have great gifts you won't be able to resist."

Susie's Goosefeather Pens ar very cool.
A nice gift for artist friends who draw.

Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Many Rivers Montessori Craft Fair at the Many Rivers Montessori Middle School, 110 W. Redwing Street
"This third annual fair includes student and community craft booths, games, chili, s’mores by the fire, and music. Proceeds go toward a pottery kiln and pottery wheels for the Middle School micro-economy business and to support the middle school spring trip."

Saturday, December 8, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free Family Art Day, Duluth Art Institute at Lincoln Park, 2229 W. 2nd Street "People of all ages and artistic abilities can create make-and-take art projects. This session will have fall-themed activities."

Saturday, December 8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Handmade Holiday Market, Lincoln Park Craft District, 1900-2000 Block W. Superior Street "Over 50 artists and vendors, including: pottery, art, letterpress, sculpture, jewelry, apparel, skincare, furniture, wood, stationery, and more." Lincoln Park has come alive.

Saturday, December 8, 2-6 p.m.
Clare Cooley's Open Studio at the Emerald Lady, 2219 E. Superior Street
Clare Cooley is having an Open Studio this Saturday 2-6pm in her historic home "The Emerald Lady" with art is displayed all the way up to the 3rd floor.
See her Event Page on Facebook.

Saturday, December 8
The Annual Christmas Market in Superior, kitty corner from the Red Mug. 10 a.m. till 7 pm. Saturday and Noon till 5 Sunday. This is always a fun stop. Go straight across the High Bridge and you can't miss it, a block past the tracks. It's outdoors with a bonfire and hot cocoa, among other things. A bunch of outdoor booths with friendly people. They wind shut them down last weekend but the weather should be good this weekend. Sunny blue skies on Saturday, if you can make it.

SUNDAY

Sunday, December 9, 1-3 p.m.
Pick Up Gingerbread House Creations Made at Home, Nordic Center, 1st Floor, 23 N. Lake Ave.

Sunday, December 9, 7-9 p.m.
Gag Me With A Spoon - A Community Storyshare, Teatro Zuccone, 222 East Superior Street Adeline Wright hosts this evening of storytelling and open mic journal sharing in the style of the Moth and Mortified podcasts. There will be featured storytellers and a musical guest. Members of the audience are also welcome to sign-up on the night for open mic journal-sharing segment. Suggested Donation: $5 at the door. Of Note: I am slated to be a featured storyteller in this event. I will be sharing a story that I've never shared before publicly (for better or worse.)

ATTN: ARTISTS

A Call for Art has gone out for the 2019 Season

of the County Seat Theater in Cloquet for their

Annual Poster Contest.

Deadline: December 30

IF INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING

and you need more details, 

contact Kris Nelson
chairsbykris AT gmail Dot com

Winner receives 2 free tickets to a show.
All original art will be returned, but if selected you are giving the theater the right to use it. You are creating the artwork, not the signs or posters, so no lettering on the piece. 

Submit work for consideration by either email (countyseatgm@aol.com) or by  dropping it off at the Encore. (Make arrangements with Joel, the GM, by email or phone. Visit www.countyseattheater.com

* * * * 
and finally... 
JOIN US SATURDAY DECEMBER 15
at our Down Home Creators Holiday Sale.
Details HERE.

* * * *

STAY UP TO DATE ON 
YOUR ACTIVITIES SLATE

at the Twin Ports Art Blog 

https://twinportsart.blogspot.com/2018/11/art-in-december.html

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.

When Holiday Stress Is Amplified By Grief

"The death of a beloved is an amputation."--C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

Illustration by the author.

Stress during the holidays comes in many forms. Expectations, activities and last minute shopping all contribute. There are additional stresses for divorced couples with children who must deal with conflicting schedules and efforts to max out quality time with grandparents. This even gets more complicated when divorced couples re-marry and there are four sets of grandparents involved.

This morning I wanted to write about another kind of stressor. It has to do with the challenge of the holidays when we are experiencing the loss of a loved one. Whether a parent, spouse or child (and we should never have to bury our children) if the loss has been within the current year then this is the first Thanksgiving and the first Christmas without that important person in our lives. There's an empty chair at the table, a tangible reminder of your loss.

Over the course of a lifetime I've heard many painful stories. A father's suicide, a husband's suicide, a wife's life cut short by cancer, a son killed in a skiing accident. Even when you are emotionally healthy and strong, the holidays can open wounds and show that our internal healing is not yet complete.

Grieving the loss of a loved one is always hard but especially so during the holidays when you experience that first Thanksgiving without Joe or that first Christmas without Janet.

One reason the pain is exacerbated is that in your heart you know the holidays are supposed to be a time of cheer, of celebration, a time to make memories for your children or share them with that other significant person in your life. As a result, when you try to hide your pain it only leaves you more alienated, walled off and hollowed out. When everyone us is celebrating and we're inwardly struggling to maintain it can be hard.

Grief is one of those inexplicable phenomena that is different for everyone. It is a mistake to think something is wrong with you for still carrying this burden. We all process grief differently. Some things just take more time.

*
On numerous occasions over the years I've shared my brother's insights on handling stress during the holidays. My brother is a psychologist who writes about finding balance when dealing with anxiety, stress, anger, etc. In 2017 he produced a guest post on seeking balance when experiencing grief which I believe can be useful.

Sometimes we need to go further than write in a journal or unburden ourselves with a confidant. Sometimes we may need a professional counsellor whom we can talk with. Earlier this fall I learned about an online consortium of of therapists called TalkSpace. who provide assistance in this area, whether for you or a loved one you care about.

I never grew up Catholic, but upon reflection I can imagine the possibility that there could be something therapeutic in having a space where one can go to unburden oneself in an atmosphere of trust, where one's confidences will not be violated. This is what a doctor-patient relationship is about, enabling us to get help probing things that maybe we have a hard time facing alone.

I have no experience with TalkSpace myself. Here is a link to a testimony that was shared at Business Insider.

One way we can all reduce stress a little is to plan ahead and get our holiday shopping finished early this year.

Related Links
A comparison of two alternative online therapy processes.
Healing the Hurting Through Music
10 Classical Favorites That Can Lift You Higher

Disclaimer: This blog occasionally accepts forms of compensation for writing about certain topics. In all cases it is my intention to provide honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics, events, or products. The views and opinions expressed here are my own. The references to TalkSpace are "sponsored content" but I would not write about them if I were aware of any red flags.