After having a superb gathering with my sisters this evening who were here in Mason City on a visit to our mother, I was reminded of the story about the “four angles of a street corner”. If anyone of you grew up in a family of more than yourself as a child, you will find that each and every one of the children have their own version of what to … continue reading

I know we have all been lectured via the media about how to save money and yet not give up some of the comforts we are accustomed. What I have noticed is the excess "stuff" in peoples lives. The non-stop buying of electronics including the TVs, the handhelds, the fitness equipment, the automatic kitchen appliances and so on. With the continued evol … continue reading

I have been helping an owner with renting a downtown building.  I met one of the contractors there to do some measuring for a possible future tenant.  Curious me decided to see what was above the suspended ceiling.  Luckily there was a tall ladder there so I placed it in an area where I thought I could get some tiles up.  I crawled up the ladde … continue reading

Just another confirmation that humans and animals are more closely related than we would ever want to think. Early this morning, while I was at my desk, I looked up and noticed something moving in the street. When I got up and walked to the front where the big windows are, I discovered a pair of ducks waddling across the street towards my office. … continue reading

When yours truly entered the world of real estate sales so terribly many years ago, I found that the young buyers were filled with vision and the willingness to make something out of nearly nothing. Today we call it “sweat equity”. I find that those buyers are now becoming fewer and farther between. I ask myself, “Is it because we are becomin … continue reading

I had the most wonderful opportunity to speak with one of the “powers that be” here in the city today and was most delighted to find that I am yet not alone. For nearly 45 minutes we spoke about out childhood days of growing up on a working farm with so many siblings. Early up and late to bed and yet it was all worth it. Can you imagine before … continue reading