Last week's Consumer Confidence Index showed that we Americans have felt better about Things lately. For the local mood, I went to ask Gus about we Pointers.

Gus says little but sees much at his perch across from Santa Fe Market. He has spent much of the last 30 years there, and his father spent most of his life in the same spot.

How are we doing? "People are more on edge," he said.

Watch for next month's reading.