Albeit at Lower Levels

From Mad Money’s Cramer via this Seeking Alpha post …

“Our business is stabilizing, albeit at lower levels.”

That has been the catchphrase of this earning season, and contains within it good news and the bad news. While this may have been music to the ears of investors when the Dow was at 8,000, at 10,000, a “stabilizing” business is not enough, and the “lower levels” comment may indicate a coming decline. Cramer thinks the Dow’s current level of 10,000 is unsustainable unless companies indicate that business is accelerating; Apple, Google, Amazon, Marvel and Intel have been discussing concrete improvement. Tech is out in front, but other sectors are going to be left behind if they don’t report growth; “I fear the market will soon stabilize, too,” Cramer said, “albeit at lower levels than where we are at this very moment.”

Money: Cramer vs Stewart

Not sure what to think of the whole Cramer vs Stewart debacle.  I agree with what Frank Cioffi wrote on Seeking Alpha, “Cramer saw this meltdown coming, and called it before almost anyone else, in his famous “rant” months before the October 2007 market peak. He also suggested people exit the market on “The Today Show” when the Dow was around 10,500. That advice saved a lot of people almost 4,000 points.” 

So what the heck is Jon Stewart complaining about?  I need to watch the video one day.  Thus this post …

Maxine: Bird Feeder Analogy

Received the following from a friend … Maxine discusses her bird feeder and more …

I bought a bird feeder. I hung It on my back porch and filled It with seed.. What a beauty of A bird feeder it is, as I filled it Lovingly with seed. Within a Week we had hundreds of birds Taking advantage of the Continuous flow of free and Easily accessible food. But then the birds started Building nests in the boards Of the patio, above the table, And next to the barbecue.

Then came the poop. It was Everywhere: on the patio tile, The chairs, the table … Everywhere! Then some of the birds Turned mean. They would Dive bomb me and try to Peck me even though I had Fed them out of my own Pocket. And others birds were Boisterous and loud. They Sat on the feeder and Squawked and screamed at All hours of the day and night And demanded that I fill it When it got low on food. After a while, I couldn’t even Sit on my own back porch Anymore.

So I took down the Bird feeder and in three days The birds were gone. I cleaned Up their mess and took down The many nests they had built All over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like It used to be…. Quiet, serene And no one demanding their Rights to a free meal.

Now let’s see. Our government gives out Free food, subsidized housing, Free medical care, and free Education and allows anyone Born here to be an automatic Citizen. Then the illegal came by the Tens of thousands. Suddenly Our taxes went up to pay for Free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you Have to wait 6 hours to be seen By an emergency room doctor; Your child’s 2nd grade class is Behind other schools because Over half the class doesn’t speak English. Corn Flakes now come in a Bilingual box; I have to ‘press one’ to hear my bank Talk to me in English, and People waving flags other Than ‘Old Glory’ are Squawking and screaming In the streets, demanding More rights and free liberties. Just my opinion, but maybe it’s time for the government To take down the bird Feeder.

Sorry that the formatting of this quote is not easy on the eyes as it was originally received in a different format.  I did not take the time to make the necessary changes but thought that the message was still worthy of reading.

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed by Maxine are not necessarily those of the author of this blog?!?  Furthermore, no animals were injured or otherwise harmed during the research conducted for this article!?!

Pickens Discusses Energy on The View

(In case the video isn’t available, click here to see Boone on The View.)

Also despite the country being in recession, Exxon announced today that it will be raising its spending on energy exploration and production.  The company’s conservative leadership has managed to amass a huge cash stash which they are going to use to ”exploit long-term growth opportunities to meet global demand.”

Most companies have had to cut back on spending in this economic environment.  As such, future problems facing the country are mostly being ignored.  The country desperately needs to address its dependence on foreign oil.  The days of $40 oil and $1.75 gasoline will not last forever.  Kudos to Exxon for trying to move forward in spite of the circumstance in which they find themselves.

90 Degrees on Feb 27th

Yes … it was 90 degrees today in the Alamo City!  Didn’t break a record but did tie it!!!  We hit some golf balls for the first time in a month and I actually broke out into a sweat even though I was wearing shorts.  That hasn’t happened once since we arrived in San Antonio last November.  Hopefully the heat will hold off until April when it is normal to have such warm weather.  By then, we will be back in Arkansas where it should be much cooler!?!

Parenting: Importance of Manners

Some interesting thoughts in this NY Times article …

And that job is to start with a being who has no thought for the feelings of others, no code of behavior beyond its own needs and comforts — and, guided by love and duty, to do your best to transform that being into what your grandmother (or Socrates) might call a mensch. To use a term that has fallen out of favor, your assignment is to “civilize” the object of your affections.

Some words of wisdom from Judy Martin author of Miss Manners’ Guide to Rearing Perfect Children …

“Every infant is born adorable but selfish and the center of the universe,” she replied. It’s a parent’s job to teach that “there are other people, and other people have feelings.”

Lastly, I loved this line …

And of course, one of the long-term consequences of being a rude child is being a rude adult.

The article, which is written by a pediatrician, is a good read for parents.  Enjoy …

Tiger’s Speech at Inauguration Celebration

Exxon: Predicting Market Moves?

Watch this video of Jim Cramer discussing how Exxon is currently predicting stock market moves. Hmmm …

Vicks Vaporub for Coughs

From Carol …

During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can ‘taste’ it. 

Some of us have used Vicks Vapo rub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I’ve never heard of this. And don’t laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists who discovered it aren’t sure why. To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapo rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. 

Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good, due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs so, I listened. It was a surprise finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly. 

My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes and believe me, this was a deep, ( incredibly annoying!) every few seconds uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough-free for ho ur s every night that she used it. 

If you have grandchildren, pass this on. If you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be absolutely amazed at how it works.

I certainly hope so.  After a winter cold, I can get the WORST cough which doesn’t usually allow me to sleep very well.  I can wait to try this remedy though!  If you have any experience with this home remedy, please let others know in the comments.

Tribute to Ausmus

The Astros created a video tribute to Brad Ausmus upon his retirement this year.  Wish I could embed it for everyone but I cannot.  Be sure to click this link to see their humorous tribute.  Well done and thanks for the memories Brad!