One more post that is largely OT to markets, and then I move back to my comfort zone… the damn markets!
I have not made it known publicly, and I’ve only made it known to NFTRH subscribers insofar as they may see any slight interruptions in service (effectively they haven’t, as we’ve been ON IT all year). What I have not made known but am making known now is that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in January. Surgery followed and now I’m going through follow-on treatment for a residual occurrence.
Now, let’s just leave it at that. The prognosis is good and I expect 2026 to be a much better year than 2025, life-wise. 2025 has obviously been a fantastic year so far, market-wise.
But speaking of God, it is clear that one of the major dividing lines in our society revolves around religion and one’s perception of God. I think we have everything from those who believe in Adam & Eve and a bearded man in the sky, to those with a deeply religious but more nuanced view.
Years ago, on a cold April (school vacation) day, my two daughters and I were flying a kite on George Hill, a strange grass covered hill that I used to take them sledding on. This is George Hill, in Lancaster, MA:
And this is a song I wrote a few years ago, about that day:
All three of us saw a spirit appear. She was dressed in farmer jeans and a tie dyed shirt. She was dancing and laughing. In my heart I completely felt that it was the love I was feeling for my kids that summoned her. She felt it was a safe place to appear.
She then skipped and danced down the slope of this barren hill and was gone. I knew something was very strange so we walked over to look down the slope and she was simply gone. She danced over the crest and disappeared. I shit you not. It was beautiful. It was a ghost. And it confirmed that the after-life is beautiful.
Personally, I had never been an atheist by any means, but I have never felt the need to define what “God” may be. I had felt it as a sort of spirituality; a question of fate and faith that I don’t need to really define. Like, I don’t need to go to a building with a man in a funny costume telling me about what I feel inside. I had enough of that as a kid. The girl on George Hill was a blessing and affirmation.
This year, due to the experience of cancer, it was only natural to contemplate the eternal. And what I have found is that my guardian is there, as are my spirit guides, my understanding and acceptance that we are all going to pass on. No one gets out alive. But spirit goes on. I am sure of it. You get cancer and you get focus and perspective.
I am no longer able to run due to a wonky back. But I take long walks, often through the Mt. Feake Cemetery in Waltham, MA. Doing this while contemplating the eternal is a trip, man. It is peaceful and somehow reassuring. Then there is this fellow, a Mr. Shepherd of long ago, who somehow just struck me eerily and symbolically, as he seems to preside over the souls entombed in this place.
I walked by him one day, was struck by his presence, and allowed him to be the symbol of another song I wrote a few weeks ago:
These two songs about spirituality and one I also wrote about death (Last Call) in this time of reflection are as far as I go off my usual Garage Rock path. Garage rock is just fun. These were fun too, but I had something to say as well. To myself, if to no one else.
To those using God as a threat, a weapon or a divisive concept against evil others, I have no time for you (lol, I also have a song called Guess Who using the Guess Who’s refrain “no time left for you”). That turn of phrase just happened right there. I didn’t plan it.
Anyway, you can see why I am disturbed living in a society where on one side you can’t say many of the words we grew up saying, you have to accept the (IMO) silly concept of pronouns and other overly sensitive things. Jesus, I was hazed like you can’t believe in Boy Scouts. I was called all sorts of names. I got in fights. You know, actual fist fights with blood and everything. Not to sound like a neanderthal, but I think that young people today suffer for having been protected from so much… life experience.
On the other side, please keep your fundamentalist Adam & Eve fairy tales out of my face.* I have a God and a spiritual belief in an after-life. This is further confirmed by the passing of he who was more dear to me than any pet ever, and certainly many humans.
Rest in peace, Wolfe. You are here in my dreams and inhabiting your brother’s little cat spirit (Levy has taken on many of Wolfe’s behaviors, though not as proficiently as his bro). I haven’t written a song about him… yet. :-)
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming in the financial markets.
PS: Since we’re partially on the subject, here’s a song that I covered from my old band. It was written by my late brother in law, Chris. It was loud and raw and a little out of control. You know, garage rock. If you check it out, my bet is you won’t make it to the train wreck ending. ;-)
* I wrote this and offended at least one person (an NFTRH subscriber, no less). For that, I apologize. But I am not going to re-write it. I’m going to let it sit and deal with any fallout. I have a certain writing style when I am not strictly being a market robot. The statement in question represents my view. I do not believe in Adam & Eve. But I could have been a little nicer about it. I guess I could extend the same apology in advance to anyone offended by my view on pronouns. I’m a writer, guys. I offend sometimes. If it is unbearable, you can always turn me off.
Gary: I am sorry to hear about your battle with cancer. There is little doubt in my mind that you will plow through this and be fine. An Irish Blessing seems appropriate.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm on your face
The rain falls soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand
Regards
Gordon Bowersock
That is beautiful, Gordon. Thank you so much.
Gary, thank you for your 2 non economic posts today. You shared some of your personal thoughts, which, at least for me, brought you into focus as a human being, not just as a commentator.
Good luck with your battle with cancer.
It’s good to see that you have your priorities in order, despite the nonstop bullshit in the media meant to dull our senses with the current theatre of the absurd.
Thanks, Don. We chart guys are generally not human. It’s best to keep “human” out of it. But when we take our little propeller hats off at the end of the day, there resides a human! :-)
Human is good.
There is already too much machine based investing going on for a while now, and AI is just going to take it to a new level going forward.
If you do your own research, and think outside of the box, you CAN beat the machines/averages.
Agree 100%, Don.
Too bad I read this at the end, “On the other side, please keep your fundamentalist Adam & Eve fairy tales out of my face.” My story is I didn’t care who was right I just wanted to know what was right when it came to God, the Bible and how do you get to heaven. It has been a long study and some of the most interesting reads were of people who set out to disprove God, Jesus as God and the Bible. Each one, after exhaustive study, came to the same conclusion that Jesus is God, the Bible is true and there is only one way to heaven. Just one quick proof, if you will, no religious writings tell of things to happen in the future. Only the Bible does that and 100% accurately. I took all the proofs I came up with and put them in a booklet and then later in a Q & A book that answers “all” of life’s questions. I was going to offer you a copy of the booklet and then as I kept reading I thought I could offer a copy of the book (free of course) even though I only have precious few copies left. BUT because of your statement, no offer you’ll have to refuse.
Well Mike, it’s how I feel about it. I don’t believe in Adam & Eve. I am going to add an edit because it does sound disrespectful to fine people who do believe. That is my writing style, as you know over the years. I can be a bit a little provocative or even confrontational sometimes.
I loved Kein Name. Im a musician also. Had a nice 70s vibe to it. Keep the faith going & the music. From another Gordon :-) Phil 4:6-7
Thanks Gordon. You keep the faith and music up too!
That was fabulous (outside of the cancer part), though who knows what leads us to further enlightenment. And look at the chart guy writing songs and defying expectations. Carry on!
You got it!