Lily Tomlin is alleged to have said, "No matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up.”  Ms. Tomlin was correct; in fact, my cynicism is near exhaustion.  In a time when the cacaphonic noise of the day offers little more than profits for the makers of blood pressure statins, when the prattle approaches stacatto noise quality, all ramping up my sense of incredulity over our present collective state, an escape, even a brief one, is in order.  Within my walls, Bach, Chopin, Schumann, Saint Saens and like artistic company are diversions.  Outside, Nature offers a calming sundry of colors, especially green, and and perhaps even moving water. Both, I think, indicate the value of the arts and a presence in the natural world (and both when they can be combined) as placidity for the soul.  I hope that you who are similarly affected by the days' insanity and inanity have similar means of finding respite.  Best wishes.