OS is in the midst of several deadlines, so he hasn't had time to think, much less write, anything he feels is worth any of his loyal readers.
But, anecdotes here and there are instructive regarding where we seem to be just now.
A routine visit to the mechanic yesterday, oil change and service for Mrs. OS's auto. The mechanic (CamShaftBob) is a small-shop guy, has cared for the fleet for years, old-school. OS drove his pickup truck over for the transport of the second driver home, and was chatting with CamShatBob, who spotted the old truck with its recently installed set of tires and mused--'I hope those tires last you a long time on that truck, the last set ran 60,000 miles, and I can't get any more for you. They stopped making them.'
Late last week, listening in on an NPR program discussing shortages of medicines reported by hospitals, including some chemotherapy treatments.
Earlier this year, chatting with the vet about arthritis treatment for OS's venerable old dog, and was told the pharmaceutical that has worked so well is now out of manufacture. OS bought up the practice's entire inventory on the spot. The vet reported that his staff spends more time each month attempting to keep medicines stocked than ever before.
Don't know if it's a huge pattern, but shortages seem to be appearing here and there, in unexpected places. And some prices are beginning to spike, like milk, bottled water, bread.
On the other hand, merchandise shows up at Marshall's, a secondary retailer of last year's LatestAndGreatest that OS would never expect to see, at prices that are profoundly discounted. Coldwater Creek and Chico's are pushing merch on sale to Mrs. OS at deep-deep-deep discount, free shipping, and not last season's items, either.
It's like the hands reaching across the table of the market are having a hard time locating one another...
Again, not a 'global view', but something seems afoot.
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