By JAMES SWANSON, MFS Chief Investment Strategist

I have been keeping an eye on the recent equity rallies, and I want to tell investors that I think they should remain a little bit cautious at this time. History is replete with liquidity-driven rallies within recessions that ultimately fail. I want to see the beginning of a long-term secular, sustainable bull market, and I do not have all the confirming signs of that right now.

We need to figure out if we are simply witnessing a short-term bear market rally or the beginning of a long-term bull market.

Let’s look to history for some patterns 
The deeper the initial drop in stocks, the bigger the bounce. History shows that stock rallies are fairly frequent in the middle of a recession. It also shows that they often get smacked down. Right now, we are experiencing the biggest Read the rest of this entry »

Lamar Thames

Well, I am back from a two-week “vacation.” I know, you are thinking, “How can a guy who is retired go on vacation?”

I used to think the same thing about other retirees. Now I know. Going on vacation when you are retired is taking your wife or significant other out of town on a trip that you really can’t afford but you do it anyway.

Getting out of town accomplishes two things. It means you don’t have to do any yard work and it means you don’t have to do any house work. So, from that standpoint, retiree vacations are extra special.

We didn’t do anything really extravagant but it seems like even small trips can add up when you are trying to watch your pennies. We spent two days at a bed and breakfast in St. Augustine before heading south and taking two of the Orlando grandchildren to the Universal theme park. I am hoping to turn both of those activities into travel articles on a companion web site that I am developing. I’ll let you know what the address is when it is up and running.

Universal Theme Park, Orlando

Part of the two weeks was also spent hosting all six of our grandchildren at our house on Easter weekend, coloring Easter eggs, doing the egg-hunt thing and going to church on Easter Sunday. I am firmly convinced that God gave us grandchildren as a reward for the trials and tribulations of raising our own children. (Not that mine were bad, but raising children is just different from raising grandchildren. Grandchildren are like eating cake, while your own children are sometimes like broccoli. As Jim Varney would say, “Know whut ah mean, Vern?”

After Easter, we were back home and all alone for two days before my wife headed to Lakeland and the state science fair competition along with two other curriculum specialists from Clay County and 14 students who were competing in the fair. I took advantage of the time alone to visit my sister in Lutz (just north of Tampa) and then my uncle in Tarpon Springs. Read the rest of this entry »

Examiner.com writer Derek Newton blasted the Legislature’s attitude about a grand jury’s presentment criticizing the way Tallahassee handles budget proposals. Here is what he said:

Yesterday I wrote about the indictment of Republican former Speaker of the Florida House, Ray Sansom and how newer, greener Republican Legislators are already following his example. 

Today, two leading Republicans offered comments about the scandal in their house. Did they express regret? Outrage at the culture of corruption in their party? Optimism for a better, more ethical future?

Um, no.

Representatives David Rivera (Miami) and Kevin Ambler (Tampa) blamed us – Florida’s citizens and taxpayers who patriotically serve on grand juries – for not understanding the way they do things in Tallahassee.

Click here for the reset of the story.

St. Pete Times columnist Howard Troxler added his comments to this sorry state of affairs on Sunday, saying, “This is the Legislature that the people of Florida want?” Read more of his criticism of the Legislature by clicking here.

(This letter appeared in The Ledger, Lakeland, Fl., April 14.)

By MICHAEL DOBSON

President and CEO

Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association

Florida has a chance to lead, but not today. In 2008, the Florida Legislature directed the Florida Public Service Commission to develop rules for a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard for passage during the 2009 legislative session. An RPS is a policy that requires power generated by Florida investor-owned utilities to include a certain amount of renewable-energy resources by a certain date.

The PSC has asked that 20 percent of all electric generation be from renewable-energy resources by 2020. This standard allows us to take our abundant sun and robust agricultural industry to create energy. Simply establishing an RPS will make Florida the renewable-energy leader in Southeast. Currently, the Southeast is not on the map when it comes to a reliable renewable-energy policy.

A vibrant renewable-energy industry – and a green jobs revolution – are, without exception, already unde rway in the 28 states that have adopted an RPS. Meeting energy needs with native renewables instead of conventional fuels from out-of-state keeps jobs and dollars in-state and strengthens Florida’s economy. Read the rest of this entry »

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I guess this is one way to catch catfish.

Rusty the wonder dog

Read this the next time you might be upset with your pet:

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Read the rest of this entry »

. . . AT THE RIGHT TIME, with the right camera (with thanks to Annette):

Paul Abdul of American Idol

    I have to admit I am a big fan of the hit TV show, American Idol. But then, who isn’t? Maybe I don’t fit the ideal profile of an Idol-izer (Get it? Idol-izer!), but let’s not forget that musical competitions are not all that new to television. You can go as far back as the 1950s to see such shows as the “Original Amateur Hour,” which showcased America’s young musical talent.

     Idol reminds me, too, of some of the variety shows that used to be a staple of early television (much like reality shows are today) such as “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Carol Burnett Show.” Those shows presented some of the hit acts of the day (Idol does, too, with their guest celebrities) and sketch comedy (don’t tell me that you aren’t amused by the antics of some of the so-called Idol wannabes.) Read the rest of this entry »

Being a grandparent is one of the greatest blessings I have ever known. It can also be a very funny experience at times. Thanks to Annette for providing these humorous glimpses at grandparenthood:

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she’d done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, ‘But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!’

I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye…2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy  Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, ‘62.’

He was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, ‘Did you start at 1?’

3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and Read the rest of this entry »