stories from 2025

market vibes

“If I knew where the best songs came from, I would go there more often.” Leonard Cohen

Writing an average of 1500 to 2000 words a day may seem like hard work to those who are not compelled by nature to scribble on any blank page that comes within range. I happen to write almost non-stop…a keyboard, a pencil, in my head while watching the water swirl around the drain between my toes in the shower. Since July 2024, I have written 824 essays; morning notes, evening wraps, and the occasional short story…almost… soon to be… a million words.

I have always been a writer. As an aside, I was always the one who kept in touch; set up dinners with pals when the exchanges shut the floors, writing long letters home when I went away to school. Ironically, I have never been on Facebook, but I enjoy tweeting. I always got A’s in English and C-minuses in everything else except gym. I hated Algebra II and flunked it deliberately. I am in the camp with people who do most what they do best. People often do less of what they love, and many of us learn far too late that money is not a source of misery…the lack of it is.

For years I wrote stories and sent them to magazines and watched the stack of rejections pile up. So I started sending them to friends who tolerated them and occasionally replied with a note of encouragement. After a while, being friends, a few of the non-writers but voracious readers (ty CJC) began editing ad hoc with suggestions. The smallest or flintiest spark… and art will come to life with a gentle breath. This was many years ago and maybe two million words ago from my working career…all gone, lost in the compliance archives of my past employers. I never kept them.

When I retired in 2024, Tony Greer, a mentor and friend, called me and asked if I planned to keep writing. In a moment I realized the answer was yes, but I had no readers. After a minute of conversation, Substack came up and I said, “Do you think I can write on Substack?” “100%,” he said, and he introduced me to Doomberg, a crafty writer, exquisite thinker, and generous patron. Friends. Where would we be without our friends?

In the next few days I plan to republish a handful of select pieces that the market vibes readership has rewarded me with their likes and engagement for two reasons. First, my readership has grown (!) and many may not have read them. Secondly, there are just too many for a new reader without some kind of a director’s cut. If anything does happen in the markets between now and New Year’s Day, look for it in the evening wrap. Otherwise…

Today’s offering is “Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.” As usual, when the first letter from the keyboard hit the page I had no clue what I was writing. It turned out to be one of the most prescient forecasts I made in 2025 about gold and silver.

Finally, allow me to thank you for reading and subscribing to market vibes.