Music is important to me. It is a way to travel to places I have never been—emotionally, spiritually, physically. Since early adolescence recorded music has been a kind of companion. I'm not much of a musician and live music wasn't always very available growing up, so records and tapes were my source material. The lyrics … Continue reading John Prine Forgives You

Since I chose to critique our president in my last post, I thought I would offer a positive outlook on what I think a good leader looks like. This is another piece of writing from Irish teacher and writer John O'Donahue, called "Blessing for a Leader." (from To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book … Continue reading Traveling Without My Ego (Leadership Edition)

Wherever you go there you are. It is impossible to leave oneself behind when traveling. But one thing I would really like to leave behind is my ego. Not the good self-defining core of who I am—but the false self, the pretend Jim, the protective shell. In that light, I have always both loved and … Continue reading Traveling Without My Ego

A few days ago I was introduced to a children’s book called Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang. Lena and I liked it so much that we did a video reading of it for our grandchildren on YouTube. It is a simple book, the story of a monkey named Jim who is grumpy (the reader is … Continue reading Grumpy Monkey on the Road

I am quite fond of something called “Tiny Desk Concerts,” online videos created by Bob Boilen of National Public Radio starting in 2008. The NPR website describes that first concert: In a perfect world, there’d be no crowded bar shows or super-sized arena concerts. Musicians would come to your home for a private performance, or … Continue reading Tiny Desk World (or “What’s That on Tamara Keith’s Bookshelf?”)

[An important note: I am aware of how grave are the days among us. I know there are hundreds of thousands of people in the world who have been infected by the COVID-19 virus and that thousands have died. I know that all the rest of us stand in fear and worry. I am also … Continue reading Sliding Into the Past