Job security has been welcome in these times but it’s hard to know what’s ahead. Some expect, and even seem to hope for calamity, the dissolution of society. Such ideas seem masochistic, mentally defective. I did put a survivalist book on my Amazon wish list, though. I’ll read it in the woods if I need to.

Optimism is naive, they say. And so it can be. But looking at history through a straw will never permit insight and accord.

Two-thousand-thirteen we were told. And slow. Many towns have the same joke that Boise does: “Don’t like the weather? Wait five minutes.” Substitute “economic forecast” for “weather” and you have the year’s news.

Such things only happen to godless societies, they say. Just look at Rome. But not too close lest you find it never “fell” in the intended sense. And certainly don’t look at China. The syllogism only works if the premises get a pass.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness … to what else are we entitled? I think I’m entitled to enjoy a foggy morning along the river. Others can debate the rest.