Having taken the day off from real estate, I dug myself into things needing my attention before the hard frost arrives. Today especially, I couldn’t believe how quickly the hours passed, so I guess my nose was buried so deep that the passing of time became irrelevant.
I did manage to get the most pressing of projects accomplished which I’ll not have to worry about anymore. Waiting until the last day before it really gets cold is something I work at avoiding. Unfortunately, there are many others who live from day to day and care nay a hoot until they’re faced with doing something in the midst of a snowstorm when it could’ve been done weeks or even months earlier.
Just these past several years, I’ve noticed insurance companies sending out reminder cards to their policyholders stating something to the effect that winter is on its way along with mentioning preventative maintenance items they’re encouraging be done before winter. It looks like the insurance companies are now realizing how much more lax the general public is regarding the preparation of their homes for winter. I’m sure those insurers believe it’s better to pay for the publishing and postage of those reminders, than to be paying out claims for damages that could’ve been avoided.
With November being just around the corner, I’m hoping there’ll still be buyers out in force at least until Thanksgiving. For North Iowa, the quiet time of real estate sales is normally the period between Thanksgiving and New Years. It’s not that there aren’t any sales at all, but rather our market activity gets noticeably slower.
As I’ve mentioned before, this year’s been more quirky than normal to where it’s more common than not, to have transactions requiring all the more work due to little annoying un-foreseen circumstances, which is why I stress at all times, total transparency with all parties involved. Buyers and sellers do not like it when not being kept abreast of issues that arise on occasion. There’s nothing more hated, than having to be the bearer of bad news because any way you look at it, the messenger is the first to be blamed, which is just the way the general public reacts. In spite of the blame game, I still prefer to let everyone know more sooner than later.
Around noontime I stopped at one of our City’s convenience stores for a cup of coffee, and when I walked in, the familiar clerk almost didn’t recognize me because I was dressed like I’d just walked in out of the field. For some reason, he enjoys going into debate with me over some of the silliest of subjects. Today’s debate was about the recommended 2,500 calorie intake most dietitians prescribe. His question was, “Who made up that number?” After about ten minutes of going back and fort in argument, he finally exclaimed, “I don’t care who or what says is best because I know there are way too many that eat way too much, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s just another dirty habit.” He made me laugh when asking, “And by the way, who says we have to eat three meals a day?” All I could say was, “Some are gorgers and others nibblers, so I’m guessing that all it depends on is how much is consumed by a given person during a 24 hour period.” Thank goodness there were people lining up to be checked out, or we’d still be in debate. We’ll see what he has to talk about the next time I’m there.
I almost said something to him about the 24 hour period because I’ve known a number of people over the years who get up in the middle of the night and eat. Many say it’s a bad thing to do, but I’m not so sure they’ve possibly got their “grazing” times turned upside-down. There’ve been a few people I’ve known over the years who’d dismiss breakfast along with never eating at any times during their entire eight hours at work, which always left me wondering when exactly they did eat.
While out and about this morning, I managed to take the above photo of a small doe that was hiding behind some bushes. She must’ve thought herself invisible because I was much closer than I’ve ever been to one. Perhaps it was the strong wind we were getting that kept her from running off. That Alberta Clipper we were experiencing the entire day was certainly clipping along until it finally started weakening when the sun began moving down towards our westerly horizon.
Here’s wishing you all a pleasantly productive work week ahead!
Tonight’s one-liner is: The best way to find yourself, is to loose yourself in the service of others.
