.I don't know if you've noticed, but the media are full ...

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I don't know if you've noticed, but the media are full of articles and cartoons about how dreary it is to be self-isolated in this Age of the 'Rona. Dreary stuff. That's why I haven't said a word about it. We all know it's here, we all know what we should do about it, we don't need to be lectured about it one more goddamned time.

But Better Times Will Come. That's what Janis Ian tells us and I believe her!

Janis wrote this song to encourage us when times were darkest and then gave it over to other musicians to spread the word. As a writer and (cough) creator, I can see what she was doing with the above video: A simple song in the tradition of early twentieth century American songsmiths, most of whom were anonymous. No instruments, so that other musicians won't be intimidated (Janis knows her way around a guitar). A simple schematic. And lyrics that won't die when the pandemic are over. They'll be a voice for optimism when it's needed most for... well, forever.

I offer this up to you as my New Year's post. Every word of it is true. Wait and see. This year's going to be great.

Oh, and if you doubt me, there are over 100 different versions of the song to be heard here.

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