Chas, I know where you're coming from. In certain ways, it's good to enjoy the results of your efforts, but, sometimes, I look at the cars, cameras, music equipment, etc. and just shake my head.

Several years ago, I sold a little over a hundred guitars and donated the proceeds. I'm back up to over 300 pieces; many of which have never and will never be played.

Same thing with one of Chas' least favorite things...guns. The collection is over 150 pieces..to be fair, mostly high end English upland game shotguns and similar collectibles...no Saturday night specials, assault rifles or such. I haven't shot one since I sold my farm in 2000. I'm trading third generation purchases, still unused in boxes for others that will never be used.

I feel wasteful and a little ashamed. I'm going to sell all the guns and most of the collectible guitars (I'll keep about 20...believe it or not, that's the minimum I think I need to cover all the bases). I don't need 6 motorcycles, 5 cars and three trucks. Those are personal vehicles; there are more owned by my company. The King Air, gyro and Cessna went year before last, with the proceeds going to a new hospital wing and equipment in my home town.

I'm going to downsize and donate the proceeds. That means cars, motorcycles, trucks...jewelry...whatever I can do without.

Needs are great around the world. In Kentucky, nearly 40% of the school children are from families living below the poverty line. Things are much worse in other areas of the world.

Good wake-up call, Chas.


Russ