Can uncertainty turn around? Signs of improved confidence are around

Patience.

It’s a word that comes to mind every day as businesses try to wait out even survive — the economic doldrums and savor those rare bursts of optimism through continuing reports of high unemployment and bridled corporate spending.

At least the rainy spring and green foothills, alive with summer wildflowers, seem to have given us all a lift this year. Last year the economy and weather both were lousy; this year, I’ve heard businesspeople say, at least we’re not breathing smoke and waiting for the next mountain wildfire to break out.

Consumer confidence works in strange ways, but any glimmer…