In the September 2002 issue of Kenneth Coleman's Investment Tracker, I said, "When someone dumps manure on you, don't go into a blue funk, build a rose garden instead." We have had a ton of manure dumped on us recently. Therefore, in the spirit of practicing what I preach, here is my rose garden.

This is as close as I come in recommending a buy and hold portfolio. I suggest you buy at least five or six of these high-quality, high-dividend stocks listed below. As they increase in market value, these stocks will decrease in dividend yield. If you buy at current or even lower prices, you could make a significant income until capital gains kick in once the bear goes into hibernation.

The following table represents my portfolio of 11 high-quality, high-dividend stocks. I will adjust and update this portfolio in my newsletter.

SYMBOL ANNUALDIVIDEND COMPANY BUSINESS GE 2.90% General Electric Conglomerate PBKS 4.10% Provident Bankshares Corp. Banking C 2.60% Citigroup Banking MRK 3.30% Merck Drugs STI 3.10% SunTrust Banks Inc. Banking HI 4.10% Household International Credit Corp. BAC 4.10% Bank of America Banking JPM 8.20% JP Morgan Chase Banking KPP 9.05% Kaneb Pipe Line Partners LP Oil & Gas RTRSY 6.85% Reuters Group PLC Publishing, Computer Software and Service BPT 10.0% BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust Oil & Gas; Refining and Marketing

At the time these stocks were compiled, they averaged 8.50% annual income. I will follow and update this portfolio in the October issue of Kenneth Coleman's Investment Tracker. The higher the average Dow 30 dividend, the closer we are to a bottom. I will also provide the dividend average for the Dow in the October issue of Kenneth Coleman's Investment Tracker.