"Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm."

I remember sailing with Dad as a child. I loved it. Sailing was generally a very peaceful activity (except that one time in Canada...). Nowadays you generally go sailing only when there are blue skies and calm waters. Occasionally (like that one time in Canada), the wind suddenly shifts and begins to tip the boat. Read more.

Charity

"Money is like manure: You have to spread it around and make things grow. If you pile it up and let it sit, it just stinks." - said by Barbra Streisand's widowed character in a movie I don't recall except for this line. Of the many ways to use and spend money, donating to charity often helps the most people. Read more.

Staying the Course - From October 5, 2008

My interest in history is great. This letter addresses history as well, but from a different direction. A few client calls came in regarding recent history being made in the marketplace. I'm sure more than a few of you wonder what these indications will mean to you, your portfolios and your specific investment strategies. Read more

Hand-wringing or motivating discontent?

Gordon Graham once said, "There are two kinds of discontent in this world; the discontent that works, and the discontent that wrings its hands. The first gets what it wants, and the second loses what it has. There's no cure for the first but success; and there's no cure at all for the second". Read more