I had a pretty amazing time up in the norther part of the world. I got to play in some of the smallest little places I've been in, working or not, in decades. And it was like the old days. Last December I called my friend, Carsten Panduro in Tønder, Denmark (who is guilty of founding the Tønder Music Festival. I said "Help me get some little gigs around Scandinavia - Nothing bigger than 150 people." So, he called some of his friends in Sweden and Norway and within a few weeks we had a little tour planned - I was on my way. I took a couple of guitars that could handle extreme weather, my computer a camera and a piece of luggage. That was all, but that was more than enuff. I needed help everywhere just lugging that stuff around, but luckily I found some help everywhere I went. I got to make lots of new friends and play in some interesting little joints.

More than once I ran into a poster backstage from Sarah Lee & Johnny, who have now gone to places I was just getting to. That was a wake-up call! I have to get out more and catch up to my own kids! With that in mind, I am about to get on a flight from Frankfurt, Germany that will end up in Orlando, Florida. Jackie and some of the offsprings will meet me there, while I have a few days to catch up to American time. Then it's back on the trail with Abe, Krishna and Terry.

To anyone reading this who I met over the pond, Thank You! I had a great month off - great vacation! Now I'm looking forward to getting back to work.

adg

It's early morning, 2011 Nov 23rd. I'm at my desk as usual drinking some decent coffee while the rest of this part of the world begins to wake up. This is my favorite time of day, before it actually starts. My family is flocking to the area - My brother is here. I haven't had him stay with us in a while, My kids are all around as well as my niece and her two kids. Yes, it's that time of year again and I'm loving it. I'm thinking about all the young people I've seen over the past month or so out in the streets around this country occupying their cities and towns - trying to change the world. I'll be joining them again where and when I can. And I'm hoping that they find food and shelter from those who can provide it. For my part there will be a Thanksgiving Dinner at the Guthrie Center (The old Trinity Church where I wrote and later filmed Alice's Restaurant). It'll be packed this year. I will spend my Thanksgiving with friends and neighbors unable to do so on their own.

I am not at all discouraged or angry with the politicians and authorities who have shown contempt and disrespect for our young people out there. I feel sorry for them. They are self-made slaves to the great whore of our times - the idea that government is best when it serves those with the most. It should come as no surprise that those bowing and groveling at the feet of privatization - social security, medicare, roads, schools and everything else, should desire that government be privatized. The idea that congressmen and women, judges and elected officials on federal, state and local levels work best when bought and paid for by those who can afford to do so is at the heart of the matter. All the other issues before us, as a nation and a world, arise from this disgusting and anti-American core value.

I urge everyone, here and abroad to show respect and gratitude to these nameless young people. Talk about them in the coffee shops and luncheonettes with friends and neighbors. They are the heroes of a new generation. They will be vilified and slandered by those who have the most to lose. But, their courage and conviction is exactly right and appropriate. They need all the support they can get as they push us forward as a civilization toward a more perfect union. And they will succeed. Slowly and inevitably they will push us into the light of a better world. The signs are all around us. There is a great hope and a wonderful dream shared by countless generations of good people inching forward through history. It will burst like a dam upon those who try to hold it back. Resistance is indeed, futile.

The coffee is cold, the frozen rain keeps falling. But, inside there is a flame which seems to get brighter. It flickers at the edge of my thoughts though I sit alone. And I send my prayers and salutations to others around the world on this day… The day before we here in the USA celebrate the things for which we are most thankful. This year, I am not only thankful but hopeful and excited.

Happy Thanksgiving - Merry Occupy Everything!
adg

It's that time of year again, coming into winter when the sun get's up late and goes down early. That means Thanksgiving and the coming holiday season is about to begin. I love this time. It's different all over the world depending on where you are. But, here up in the North East, in New England the tourists and part time residents have, for the most part, left. They'll come back next Spring. But, for now, the world is ours to ourselves. And locals get together to make the passing of winter less lonely and desolate. Like the sap in the trees this is a time to return to the earth and rest in wonderment and awe within the womb of life. It s a time for the little death - the one from which we are reborn, renewed and rejuvenated.

It would so easy to get caught up in the political frenzies making the news, and ignore the surrounding ebb and flow of the seasons as we transit thru the relentless beauty so subtle at times and at other times so overwhelming. It is important to participate in both and not get lost in either. The balance is in the dance of our awareness. We are indeed loved by every wisp of the breeze whether inside our hearts or outside our windows. I pay attention to both as best I can under usual conditions. At the deepest depth we are the witnesses to our own worlds. And for those who dare to peer behind the veil we can emerge up through the dizzying heights into a world beyond worlds. For that I am forever thankful - that is honest gratitude, awareness of grace and the real Thanksgiving.

adg

Since posting some of the first paragraph here and elsewhere, I've had some more great comments from folks who have made me want to focus and clear up what may be unclear in my original post. I've removed the personal notes, and rewritten the piece with further thoughts as follows:

My plan to fix the world is simple as far as the USA is concerned. I'd put forth a massive rebuilding of infrastructure like every road, every school, ultra high spread internet, energy delivery and more than can be listed here. And I'd rebuilt it all ONLY with products, tools and machinery Made In The USA. No importing steel, wood products, concrete or high tech stuff from over seas. You'll see factories going up faster than a multinational corporation can send money to an elected official. That'd be my Day One - Job One!

I am talking about a program, not a trade policy - A temporary effort to bring jobs back to people who still remember how to do them. I'm not talking about protectionism directed at any nation, but rather protecting us from our fellow Americans who've shipped out 80+% of our plants, factories and jobs.

I, for one, am a BIG supporter of more local everything. I deeply mistrust centralization in general, believing that local suppliers of goods, like produce, education, and machinery keeps a community healthy with people who know how to do things. Walmarts and huge megastores taking over for local butchers, bakers and candlestick makers isn't a smart model for sustained civilization. Just ask the old Soviets what happened when the centralized system gets interrupted anywhere along the chain. The whole thing goes down. Better to have local farmers grow and deliver goods to local communities. Same for banks, schools, and especially industry. So my comments are philosophical in that regard. That's not protectionism, that's prudent culture. Better to have a variety of corn growing, for example, so that if one strain develops a disease, they don't all fail... Like that.

I really don't think we have to do much to oppose the globalization/centralization craziness. It will fail on it's own. I support every effort around the world especially in 3rd world countries to end dependance on companies like Monsanto, Walmart and others who destroy local cultures for the sake of saving a penny on food, or a plastic toothbrush. I am willing to pay more for local food and craftsmanship. Not everyone can afford to do that, but on the other hand we as a global community can't afford not to do so.

The generation passing away has knowledge that will be lost if we don't begin to help local institutions not only preserve, but pass-on the knowledge of self-preservation. We buy our food from the local farmer, raw milk from the local dairy, and play instruments made by real craftsmen. No one can do everything to avoid mass marketed stuff, but we're trying. And I'm supporting government representatives (where they exist), who understand what's at stake - which generally means I'm an Independent politically. I have friends left, right and center who share my concerns. On this stuff, no one party has spoken up more than another. I remain a party of one.

But if one, just one person does it……

Bus travel came to sudden halt in Cleveland during the gig at Cain Park. So we stayed a few extra days in Ohio and instead of going home, went directly to Wolftrap - The Filene Center, in Vienna, VA. Left there Sunday morning dying to get home as its been months since I've seen the place. Usually I try to take a little time for myself during the summer - with family & friends. But there was one more stop I had to make before I got back. I pulled the tour bus off the road at The Church (The Guthrie Center) in Housatonic - The same church where I took out the garbage decades ago - Because my daughter Annie was doing a gig there with local singer/songwriter (and a most recent member of my band), Bobby Sweet.

It was really a fine gig and I'm so proud of my kid. Bobby's songs are really terrific, and the two of them on stage were just so freaking funny together. Annie & Bobby AKA "Bitter-Sweet" had a great night. Even tho the weather was hot and sticky and there's no AC in the church, folks came and had a lovely time. They received an encore and I left feeling like a proud dad and a good friend.

Finally, after months of overseas flights, trains and cars - or broken busses, I got home, ripped off every shed of hot sticky clothes and hit the water of the hillside pool in a smooth dive. It was after 11 at night and I floated around looking at my stars. There's one more gig this month at The Philly Folk Festival - until then I'm remaining in the water with a cold brew or some of that great Bourbon I brought back from Lexington, KY. Stay cool.... adg