Hello, everyone.

Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be making this up as I go, which also pretty succinctly describes my life so far. For now it gives me a chance to comment on whatever comes into view, let you know about the books I’ve written and when I’m going to be out in public hawking my wares, offer links to my podcast, and point out some of the things I love about East Tennessee in general and Knoxville in particular.

Even though we can easily get the impression that the world is becoming more and more like a dystopian novel, a more patient, nuanced look exposes how narrow that view is. It’s a bigger, more beautiful, and more complex place than it appears, and we, all of us, are among the reasons. We are changing the world every day, even if it’s in very small ways, and we would do well to remember that. The poet Jane Hirschfield said she could explain Zen in seven words. “Everything changes. Everything is connected. Pay attention.” That sounds about right to me. Her words and those of Camus below are two of my favorite quotes.

Stay safe, take care, and keep in touch,

Jim

“I’ll tell you a big secret, my friend: Don’t wait for the Last Judgment. It happens every day.”

Albert Camus