Choppy Waters

Hello All,

What a great weekend here is the Northwest! My mom was in town and I got to spend some extra time out on the boat with my daughter Zoe, great family time across the board. After a few obstacles (my boating skills 🙂  )  getting the boat ready this year I was able  to take Zoe and a few of her friends tubing. It was windy, the water was choppy, and the 13 year old girls were urging me to go faster as they rode the tube behind the boat, insisting that it would be just fine. I may have been labeled “Captain Safety” at one point, but I was very comfortable with that. Despite the disappointment the girls had about not going as fast as they wanted on the tube, we still had great day on the water and though they wouldn’t admit it they had a couple thrills almost getting thrown off the tube that appeased them for the day:).

After spending some time on the lake, I came back to the house and grabbed the Wall Street Journal to relax and do a little reading. The sun came out and I spotted the front page headline  “Broad Market Gains Power Rally.”  After a day of being “Captain Safety,” I smiled as I read the article that touched on why safety is so important, even when it may at times be unpopular. It was a nice compliment to see two of the money managers we use at GWM, Global Financial Private Capital and Federated Investors Inc. quoted as experts in the article. What Mike Sorrentino, Global’s chief strategist, had to say really resonated with me, “I’m not willing to stand in the way of something that can blow up.”  I knew exactly what he meant, whether I’m making choices involving my family or my clients, I can’t stand by and watch something that I am confident will “blow up” and let the people I care about suffer the consequences.

On that note, may everyone enjoy a safe and fun filled weekend for America’s Birthday (and watch out for firecrackers 🙂 ) !

With Gratitude,

Steve