What an odd time to be alive. Even as I write this, I am listening to the impeachment hearings that have been held for the past couple weeks (and which I assume will continue through the publication of our newsletter). I suspect that most of us have already formed opinions about the hearings (and our hoped-for results thereof) as well as the state of political process in our country. Yet, even as I witness these historical events and certainly have opinions on what is happening, I also feel somewhat helpless. I have no doubt that the proceedings and machinations of real people in Washington, D.C. will have an impact on me, my family, and ordinary Americans (indeed on ordinary persons all over the world). But I certainly do not possess the power or access to impact these events (at least not beyond my vote). 
   

Some of you may remember Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting that aired on PBS for about 10 years in the mid-80s though the mid-90s. Amazingly, even though Bob Ross died in 1995 and his show was about as basic as it gets, it has enjoyed a renaissance through Netflix and YouTube. I confess that I love watching The Joy of Painting. I don’t paint and don’t really have any interest in doing so. I don’t even find Ross’ paintings all that spectacular. I enjoy the show because Bob Ross is so astonishingly positive and he has such a wonderful, soothing voice.