Getting away from it all is all around us, and — if only for a morning in the woods or an afternoon or day on the water, or in a peaceful moment of reflection — we need but see it.

“Cops know that putting a loaded gun on the hip of a teenager, or in the hands of a high school cheerleader, a ‘watch this’ bubba, or a something-to-prove street kid is guaranteed lethal.”

“Few of us, and certainly not this writer, can truly know the gift of immense talent and the impact of fame and mountains of money at age 23.”

Tennessee has officially and legislatively become a judgmental, vindictive, homophobic, misogynistic, intolerant, small-minded, history-denying, science-denying, racially insensitive if not racist, and holier-than-thou state simmering in its own toxic stew.

“For a hundred Lents, words have been offered — mixed, seasoned, and served — from the pulpit of Calvary Episcopal Church just as ingredients have been from its kitchen below.”

We’re showing all the originality of a bad band covering somebody else’s song, and not even a Memphis song at that.

“I firmly believe if Thomas (Boggs) was still with us, the Greensward parking controversy would have been solved over two beers and a burger.”

A unique world-class park is taking shape on the riverfront. Renowned designers Studio Gang and Scape are taking their inspiration from the river in front of the park and inviting the entire city on the bluff behind it to enjoy it year-round.

“There is both urgency and conviction here in what to do about the killing of Tyre Nichols, in what to do about police brutality, and it has national implications. We’re doing it. We must do it. And in memory of your gentle soul, Mr. Nichols, we must continue.”

“Our return to civilization and the miraculous recovery of our internet connection.”

The Tennessee General Assembly is the sure-fire cure for writer’s block. The problem isn’t getting 750 to 1,000 words out of whatever they’re up to; the problem is stopping.

Memphis is the heart of where we all live, and the reason it has a beat. That beat belongs to all of us, and all of us bear some responsibility for its health.

“We, as a nation, can send and receive detailed and color-enhanced images from the depths of outer space revealing new galaxies and black holes, while we, as mere mortals, can’t find a cable or satellite service that can give us a dependable picture in a rain shower.”

This column was prompted by the sale of Oak Court on the courthouse steps, and by last week’s announcement of the pandas leaving Memphis. But this isn’t about loss. This is about redemption. This is about celebration.

“Four generations of two families over five decades have spent Christmas Eve with us around this table.”

The island you see across from Greenbelt Park and Harbor Town and Shelby Forest is called the Loosahatchie Bar, and all of it — bigger than all of Mud Island and some of Downtown together — is in Shelby County.

“No river in America’s maritime history has seen greater tragedy. And no drama on the Mississippi has been as dramatic, no tragedy as tragic, as what occurred right here.”

As half the country was in a drought — Lake Mead turning into Pond Mead and our own Mighty Mississippi becoming the Measly Mississippi — the ginkgoes didn’t turn yellow. Until they did. 

“These are the women who raised my generation — the boomers — and taught, supported and sustained us — and amazingly have received only history’s condescending pat on the head for the effort.”

Eliza Fletcher’s kidnapping and murder in September galvanized a city, and Memphians responded by the thousands — both here and nationwide.

MyCityRides is open, exactly where it should be, on Summer between Highland and Tillman, on quite possibly the most Memphis of streets. There are things and vibes on Summer that aren’t anywhere else.

Dan Conaway has found something that unites across political and religious boundaries. It soothes when it’s needed most, provides warmth when warmth is called for and cools and refreshes in an instant.

“If Herschel Walker is elected to the U.S. Senate, make no mistake, Georgia as a state, the Republicans as a party and we as a country will have made a new statement: character doesn’t matter.”

“There are some things I want. I’ve wanted them for a while and the hints just aren’t working. So, I’ve made a modest list — 10 things you can choose from.”