Rare is the day that a Wall Street analyst -- or a financial planner for that matter -- will recommend buying and holding a stock for a decade, or even longer.

The U.S. and international economic cycles, changing circumstances in a sector, operational changes in a company, and the continual change that characterizes the dawn of the globalization era, all point toward holding a stock for a considerably shorter period -- buying a stock, and then selling it at its short-term peak, however one would define that short-term period.

Still, in this space The Fly has outlined several rare exceptions, hopefully supported by enduring fundamental, macroeconomic, and technical data/reasons for maintaining the position long-term. The 3 members of that elite club described to-date: General Electric (NYSE:GE), Sears Holdings (NYSE:SHLD), and United Technologies (NYSE:UTX).

Well, add AT&T (NYSE:T) to that list.

AT&T has more than 70 million landlines, one of the biggest mobile phone systems in Cingular Wireless, an enormous geographical footprint, an emerging digital satellite TV service via Echostar's (NASDAQ:DISH) network, and, perhaps most overlooked, a broadband service.

I first became interested in the stock markets by reading dog-eared, coffee-stained copies of the Kiplinger News Letter that my dad and step mom would leave on the end tables next to their leather upholstered recliners. I'd prop up my feet, give lap sanctuary to a poodle or two and read about the world according to Kiplinger. Much of what I read I had limited understanding of in regard to the markets and the intricate internal financial clockworks of big businesses. I did, however, and still do, gain a good solid grasp of Kiplinger's projections of overall economic direction and health. I have strong respect for Kiplinger's. I have high regard for the information it provides. Since 1947 Kiplinger's has been providing solid, unbiased financial strategies for families, businesses and individuals.

An excellent column by Jeffrey R. Kosnett, on the Kiplinger website, gives pause for us to think about those particular stocks that people seem to fall in love with and refuse to let go of. The article, Stocks to Love Forever, is not an admonishment of the practice of buying and holding special stocks that are or become dear to our hearts. In fact, Mr. Kosnett makes clear that there are indeed stocks that deserve to be held for a lifetime, or nearly so. The article describes five particular companies whose stock has been worth holding. I'd like to add a few names to that love-stocks portfolio. Remember, for me these names aren't specifically just about making money. This is about companies that, for various reasons, I'd like a piece of. Some of these names may surprise you if you know a bit about my history with them, but let it not be said that I'm narrow-minded or a stick in the mud.