We are in a turbulent times. The turbulence will keep coming until winter locks things up. Sherlock Holmes short stories (originals,pastiches, fan fiction, and the whole lot) comfort me. There are so many stories,—thousands—I cannot possibly run out.

The stories present a riddle, and in a short time, Holmes solves the problem, with Watson’s help. I get a payoff: I feel better. Sherlock Holmes stories are (I guess it is called) formulaic, and right now, I psychologically and emotionally need that (what I would call) routine.

70-something