The wind is howling outside. Temperatures are in the process of dropping about 50 degrees in a 24-hour period to below zero in these parts.

This is a good time to think about the Florida United Numismatists convention that convenes Jan. 8 in Orlando. The Florida climate seems pretty appealing about now.

However, I won’t be there.

I am such a regular at the convention that I cannot remember the last year that I was not in attendance. I send my regrets to all who might have expected to see me there, most especially the Sarasota Coin Club.

In the last few years I have been a speaker at their annual FUN meeting. The club sponsors a bus for members to the show and their meeting turns out a large number of members in consequence. It’s a good group.

My topic lately has been forecasts for the coming year and confessing the mistakes of prior forecasts. I have enjoyed giving the talks because the questions that follow are always good ones.
Since I also put my forecasts in my column, I can’t escape my mistakes this cycle. I have a couple of winners to brag about, too, so it won’t be one-sided.

I have not yet come up with my forecasts for next year, but soon I must.

What do you think will be the big events in 2009? Where will precious metals go? What will most affect you in the next 12 months?

Let me know. Post a comment here.