(Before we start, Lionel there are 11 typos tonight let see if you can find them all.)

We'll tell you later why we scare our self.  Today was even better than normal.  We were awakened at 4:20 this morning because the old poodle had an urge to empty her bladder.  After removing the Cpath mask, getting dressed, and hiking down the fully carpeted stairs, I took Lucy out back and low a behold Mars was twinkling in the predawn sky. 

What a way to start the day.  I was tempted to take advantage of the early rising to check out "In Play" at Yahoo Finance and scope put some early plays in the market.  However I was feeling the great chicken parmesan and the Turnbull wine and chose to wait for the alarm to go off.

Then we got took all the dogs out and went for our swim.  I chose to have a bowl of Cheerios this morning instead of a bagel and noticed that Cheerios actually look like little bagels.  So you could say I had 184 bagels this morning.

The morning went wonderful.  Wife had a productive meeting with her horse trainer.  I was invited out for a delightful lunch at Hanna's by a wonderful employee who is leaving us to move to Colorado.  Best you Heather and Chris.  (They don't read this, but if you know them wish them the best.)

Then we had a marathon meeting till about 3:30.  Plowed through a slew of e-mails and then had the nice surprise to be invited to dinner by my charming and beautiful wife Devin.  I expanded the list to include the other special lady in my life, Ellen, my assistant.  Then we tagged on Betty P and her guy Mike, all readers.  After a spectacular meal, it was time to head home.  A really special night.  We are blessed. 

It was a good time had by all at, you guessed it, Hanna's. 

Ok this is why we scare our self.  Monday night we called that the correction was over and suggested the IBD would announce so in a day or two.  Low and behold in yesterdays IBD that market is in a confirmed uptrend.  (All they had to was call or read the blog.) 

We did get that right and we did get the ECB interest rate call correct.  Other than that we were off.  The ADP number was better than we suggested and the positive talks about the debt ceiling conversations helped the S&P over a point and Dow up about three quarters of a point.  We had a nice day in the market as did most of the portfolios we play in.

 How Do You Do It Again

Ok we only got a few replies to our query about the homework you do to pick a stock and manage a portfolio.  We do have a couple of winners so far.  One person replied they watch Cramer and see how often the stock comes up in a week and then they choose that one.  I would poke holes in that theory, but this person is winning the Salve Lucrum Charity Stock Contest.

The other winner said, I don't do home I let some else do it.  Honest, but I doubt they want to read the book I had in mind.  Now I know there are about 11 of you who are active investors or professionals, so drop me a note and let me know what your routine is so I can share with other readers.

Salve Lucrum