I suppose many have their own favorite method for predicting the vagaries of the economy. I’ve always suspected that the economists who are most often quoted by the press pundits actually use tea leaves.

For the sake of anyone who may find it useful, I shall now reveal my own method, tested by vast weeks-long experience. This funky old desert tree (click the link) used to be totally bare of fauna. Not even crows would light there. But just before the Dow dipped below 9,000, lo-and-behold, one lone buzzard could be found perched there in the same place, day-after-day. Then just before the Dow dipped below 8,000, he was joined by a companion, who remained rooted to that second spot.

This weekend, I was terrified to discover that they had been joined by a third. Sure enough, came today the bleak news of the Dow dipping below 7,000. Spooky, huh? I’ll keep you informed if any more buzzards land.

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