Okay, let me state the obvious:
Things seem to be going to blazes these days. Record numbers of people are getting layoff notices as the economy continues to stumble, reeling from the housing market and financial world implosions.

That’s sad, heartbreaking news for those families. We take so much for granted — that our marriages will last, that our houses will be there at the end of the day, that our paychecks will be on time — and it ain’t always so.

Personally, the scary fact of gasoline prices dropping like a rock makes me shudder. Because if those ruthless, backstabbing thugs at Big Oil, supported for years by the last oil-wealthy big-business-loving administration, can not get THEIR business back on track, what hope do you and I have??

But there are two things you can do to affect your life’s infrastructure.

One, decide that your life is going to go well. In everything that you do, just think, “This is going to go beautifully!” It will go much better if you do.
If you are dreading a meeting or interview, take a deep breath, smile and say (out loud, if that’s feasible), “This is going to go beautifully! She’s going to like this, this is going to work out fine!”
That sounds utterly moronic, I know — but try it for the next few days. It does not kick in instantly in every case. But after a while it absolutely works.

Two, to return to an earlier theme here, save yourself and save your job — buy products made in the good old USA every chance you get.
That works, too. The dollar you spend here circulates around and helps out your fellow citizens, eventually maybe cycling around to you again. Given the choice of buying an item made in Asia or Canada, I go with Canada — much closer to us, more chance of supporting our economy as well. Once it goes overseas, it’s likely gone for decades or forever.

I do not mean to lecture, honest. I just know for certain that these are things that work and things you and I can actually control in our lives. These days that’s something to treasure.

But hey, this is about caricature, right? Well, okay — here is a very recent surprise drawing from photos, of my wife’s brother and his wife, done for their 25th anniversary. I heard good comments on the resemblances — from family members! So, like, wow! That’s high praise indeed.

In any case, Happy Anniversary, Ken and Judy!!

Until next time, chin up, think Spring and remember — “This is going to go beautifully!!”