Greetings from the East Puget Sound Lowlands where things are green, as usual. No lower elevation snow this year at all. Not even in the foothills. We’ve had enough wind to cause some power outages, but we have heat and lights in our house today.

If you are with friends or family today, I’m glad for you. We are reasonably healthy and together, so all is well here. I am sad for Ukraine, but I have a tiny bit of optimism that the tide there will turn this coming year. What’s the basis for that optimism? Simply that Russia is not doing well. Yes, a few gains on the battlefield, but the country is not healthy. Did you know that Russia has lost five cargo ships this month? Sunk! Kaput! Some breaking apart in rough seas, one from an explosion on board. Kaput! Again, fingers crossed for Ukraine.

As for the Middle East, I’m allowing myself a bit of optimism on that front as well. What if the guys who toppled Assad have changed for the better during the years since the active civil war? What if they really could govern with a spirit of tolerance? I’ve decided to be hopeful as a Christmas present to myself. Folly perhaps, but a spell of optimism can’t hurt, can it? Imagine what change for the better in Syria could do for Lebanon, Israel, Iraq. I’ll confess, I’m nervous for the Kurds, but fingers crossed for them as well.

I hope you are all having a joyful day.