Dykstra: Around the Horn of Plenty

First, you could buy the stock outright, right here at $29.85 with a stop loss at the 52-week low of $28.82; as with Frontier I would add to the position if it gets to that level. I believe there are at least a couple points to the upside, with a target just above $32, right at the 50-day moving average.

Here is how I am going to take a position in Dell: on Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. EST I'm going to buy 10 of the February $25 calls for $5,400. That means I am only paying 55 cents in premium. Bottom line (assuming I get filled): I will control 1,000 shares of Dell stock at $30.40 (adding in the premium) all the way until the third Friday in February, for only $5,400, opposed to almost $30,000 for buying 1,000 shares of the stock.

There isn't much to report on last week's picks, although I did add to my position in Symantec by buying the April $15 calls for $4.10, meaning I'm controlling another 1,000 shares for a modest a 70-cent premium.

Season of Thanks

As I move further and further away from my playing days, I become more and more appreciative of the career I enjoyed. I was incredibly fortunate to be able to fulfill the dream of many a young boy: to play baseball in the big leagues. Furthermore, the lessons I learned from baseball, in conjunction with the exposure I received during my career, have enabled me to pursue, and thus far, successfully negotiate a new path as an entrepreneur. Unequivocally, the self satisfaction associated with my accomplishments is significant. However, it pales in comparison to how incredibly grateful I am to be able to provide for my family.

Invariably, life presents us with obstacles that have a tendency to deflect our efforts to relatively unimportant things. Unfortunately, we sometimes become preoccupied with the minutia, such that the grand scheme not only becomes blurred, but it may become unrecognizable. Thanksgiving provides us with the opportunity to obliterate the minutia, and refocus our efforts on the grand scheme.

Capitalize on the opportunity to reunite with family members, regardless of the distance, real or perceived, that separates you. Cherish the thought of breaking bread with those you love as well as those who perhaps you don't love quite as much. By doing so, you may do far more than reconnect with loved ones; you may reaffirm yourself. Rest assured that both the Pilgrims and the Native Americans understood that:

Remember: Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride!

>To order reprints of this article, click here: Reprints