Hope all of you are healthy and doing well. This Virus has been devastating to virtually every part of this country whether it is the stock market or your local bar and grill. This is a first for all of us unless you lived through the 1918 flu.  My opinion on this dilemma might be considered farfetched to some but right on to others. I really think this is over played because there are those who want to destroy Trump. That includes the Chinese, Iranians and a number of other countries like most. If it wasn’t for the UK and Australia, we would be hard up for friends in the world.  

I am just like you when it comes to what’s happening, how long will it last, will I get it and survive, will any of my family or friends get it, and a dozen other questions.  I firmly believe this event should be short lived with Donald Trump running things.  It will be tough on those who make a living in our service industry and will be interesting to see how it all plays out. 

We are here in SW Florida at our winter home and will not come back till the coast is clear. Might as well stay here, you folks are shut down tighter than nuts on a new bridge.  Be careful stay home and this time will pass. It is really a great time to spend with family so take advantage of these tough times. My good friend Richard Wagoner has written a very interesting note on these crazy days. He is a man who is an optimistic kind of guy. I think you will enjoy this. 

“I noticed something about my cattle. When the stupidest one in the herd spooked the others spooked too and ran after the idiot cow that was scared when it heard a strange noise. It’s called a stampede. People are social animals and too often follow the lead of stupid spooked humans. Don’t be the stupid human that hoards more than you need or runs from the responsibility of protecting others by self sacrifice. 

America has freedoms-yes-and that’s wonderful, but any healthy society can only exist through education and mutual respect. Be smart. Be kind. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t think so much about the here and now. 

Study our past challenges like polio, cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, etc etc. We as a people come together when disaster hits. Your family is best protected by what others do, not what you do. Yes the stock market will drop- yes the news carriers will sensationalize events to sell ads- yes there will be rumors and strange sounds in the night. STAND STRONG AND THINK OF THE FUTURE IN A POSITIVE LIGHT. 

I promise you that in the future the stock market will rebound, the virus will subside, and life will go on- maybe better than before because we have pulled together and fought the good fight. But there will always be the strange sound in the night- but before you panic and grab enough toilet paper to wipe your Ass for the next 5 years -take a deep breath and remember that you don’t want to be THAT COW.

DAILY SUGGESTIONS —Don’t panic- don’t sell stock- don’t expose yourself to the virus- wash hands frequently-don’t fire your employees-buy gift certificates from local businesses that have to close- encourage your representatives to legislate pharmaceutic independence in our country but don’t hate other countries for taking advantage of our greedy need for goods made by slave wage labor- buy American – if you are a millennial help the elderly- if you are a drug or alcohol abuser seek help- put your iPhone down and read to your children and explain to them why bad decisions lead to unhappiness- be an example of compassion and self reliance-and if you are lucky enough to survive this tragedy reach out and help those that haven’t been so lucky- try to listen to Jimmy Buffet and a little George Carlin never hurt anybody.”

Rich Wagoner

We have really enjoyed our stay here in South West Florida this year. We have been doing a lot of fishing and that has been great. We’ve been working on this home just like back in Illinois and can do it virtually every day if I want to. I worked hard all my life to be able to do this and believe me I do not feel guilty. I highly recommend if you can spend your winters in paradise do it. I was getting anxious to come home and go mushroom hunting but as it seems this outbreak from China may screw that up. As I said earlier I think it was planted to take us down and up to now they have. 

As they say when everything that happens is bad, something always happens that’s good. This will hurt us all but in the end this will temper us as Americans. So be diligent stay healthy and it will pass. I think sooner than later. 

Now on a lighter note my new baby girl Nellie has been with us for nearly 6 months. She has more drive than any dog I have ever owned. She comes out of a breed of American Water Spaniels in Kentucky. Chuck Servino and Billy Broderick of Endless Limit Water Spaniels in Jefferson Town, Kentucky have created a breed that is so dynamic it’s unbelievable. Nellie and I go a couple of times a week to a park to train on the water and land. I have her doing doubles now and she is a super hunter. I can’t tell you how happy we are to have this little girl for she is not only a great hunting dog but a loving and fun pet. 

My wife Cathy loves her to death. I thought I would miss not having another Lab but she has filled that loss and makes us so happy. I am looking forward to this dove and duck season with Nellie. There was an article a month or so ago naming all of the other retrieving breeds but not one mention of the American Water Spaniel. Boy did they miss the boat. I do know there is not a lot of AWS dogs, but they are one of the hardest charging retrievers in the country. We are excited about our little dog and look forward to hunting with her. 

Chuck has a litter coming now but I believe he has all of them spoken for. But if you are interested in getting one give Chuck or Billy a call at 502-889-1972. Look them up on the internet I think you will find them pretty darn cool. 

See all of you hopefully in May or June, if not sooner after all this is America.

Keep your Powder Dry and Your Powder Dry.  Stay Safe! Your Friend Harry