How goes the slow, steady decline of the U.S. this morning? Fires still raging? Hurricanes rampaging in from the Atlantic and Caribbean? How’s the unemployment numbers doing? How about them COVID numbers?

Yes, yes. I know. [cue Heath Ledger’s Joker’s voice] Why so glum?

Maybe I’m not so much glum as I am pragmatic. All weekend the smoke from the west coast fires have dampened the sunlight here in the upper Mid-west. And that dampening has been happening for longer than just one weekend. Last year’s fires didn’t cause as much lowering of light.

But I am not pessimistic. I have a job, a house, and can put food on my table and in the cats’ bowls. Things are well for us, for the moment. The future holds whatever is instore for all of us, and it is not for us to know. Nor am I willing to sacrifice the moment to an uncertain future.

I slept well last night and feel rested at this moment. It’s has been a while since I’ve slept well. Mostly I’ve been tossing and turning, waking up three or four times a night. So I am content.

Now, if you all will excuse me, I have a morning routine to accomplish. Be on your best behaviors. I know better than to tell you all to behave, because – well, quite frankly – that’s just not possible. And I don’t want to spoil your fun for the day.