In colloquial usage, “being in the doldrums” refers to being in a state of listlessness, despondency, inactivity, stagnation, or a slump. I think I’m there. “Torpor” would be another good word for it. Whatever it’s called, it’s the pits. Day after dark day the bad news just keeps rolling in: googolplex dollars in deficits, predictions that it will take ten years to pull out of this slump and – a friend suggested to me that perhaps it is called Cannon Beach because at this time of year if one shot a cannon down Hemlock it wouldn’t hurt a soul. Well, sheesh, there IS one piece of good news, so let’s concentrate on that: on January 20th, we will inaugurate our first bi-racial President. (I think that African-American is a stupid locution, so I refuse to use it. What about the Barbadians, Haitians, Jamaicans…, but that’s a rant for another day.)

Washington, D.C. is strung from stem to stern with security, bunting, signs, prohibitions, directions to different venues, etc. The list of what you cannot carry to Massachusetts Avenue is endless, starting with umbrellas, thermos bottles and purses, backpacks and lunch. Plan to stand around for about four to six hours, don’t even ask about the weather because it will be cold and probably rainy and there is not a hotel room or a train or airplane ticket to be had.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a very big deal! What I’m looking forward to is Obama’s speech. Will it be long or short, specific or eloquently vague? Will we ever get another “Ask not…?” That set the bar pretty high, but I have a hunch we are due for another one of that caliber.

In these troublous times, Obama is trying to keep a firm grip on the festivities, but seems to be fighting a losing battle. People are ready to celebrate him and his victory and it will likely be one helluva party. Wish I were going to be there.

When the confetti settles and the streets are empty, may he then begin to lead us out of this dark night of the soul. I have a few priorities for him to consider: Close Gitmo. Do away with that Presidential thingy that says torture is swell. Develop a good, old-fashioned WPA and start putting people to work renewing infrastructure across the country. I know it’s Big Government, but if we ever needed it, we need it now. Get a hand up on universal health care by cleaning up that legalized racket called insurance. About Wall Street: Punish the guilty and move along. Lose the exotic instruments that got us into this mess and a lot of the problems will not happen again. Open up Cuba; cancel the embargo. The only people it hurts are the rank and file Cubanos; Fidel isn’t suffering and neither is Raul. Besides, it’s the best place in the world to visit! When he gets all that in hand he can call me for more ideas. If you talk to him, just let him know.

Valerie Ryan owns Cannon Beach Book Company.