The first thing I had on my agenda was to go out and check on several vacant homes this morning since I was freaked out yesterday after seeing that frozen house with its hot water heating system. Thank goodness they looked just fine and glad for it. I also placed a sold sign on one of my listings that recently sold which should be closing this next week. I’m sure everyone involved will be elated when it does because there were some title issues that needed to be fixed before we could close. I couldn’t be more grateful for the extra time everyone involved spent to get it resolved.
I had to make a trip out to Hardware Hank to get another bag of chicken grit to spread on the sidewalk out in front of my office. That darned ice from last week sure doesn’t want to melt and now has become almost like a sheet of glass. I spread an extra amount down just to be on the safe side. For sure I’ll have some heavy duty sidewalk sweeping when Spring arrives. I looked at the seven day forecast and it doesn’t look like we’re going to be above freezing the entire week. I’ve got to the point of not caring anymore as long as we don’t have those deep below zero temperatures with accompanying winds.
Today’s public open house had more people in attendance than I’d expected considering how gloomy and cold it was outdoors. I had to laugh to myself when some elderly gent said to me, “You’re moving kinda slow aren’t you?” I was so shocked by his question, I had to ask again and his reply was, “You’re walking pretty slow, but it must be you’re getting old like me.” I grunted an acknowledgment and changed the subject. I’m still in dis-belief he said that because I wasn’t moving any slower or faster than I normally do. Perhaps he was expecting a slick-talking in-your-face salesperson who’d be bouncing off the walls with faux compliments and comical gestures. Oh well, if that group should be in attendance of another of my public open houses, I’ll have to crank up my speed.
As chance would have it, I ran into a gentleman today who is the son of a man who was featured as a salesperson at a store in one of those newspapers from 1953 that were gifted to me. I asked if he would like me to bring that paper to his office for him to look at, and he answered, “Of course. I’d love to see his photo.” I’ve always believed it’s a nice gesture whenever sharing something from someone else’s past.
Several days ago I started on a book I ordered which I’ve been reading in my spare time. I’ve been getting some good pointers on living a happier and more fulfilling life. One of the chapters talks about gratitude and how important it is to show it whenever appropriate. The author was correct when saying people take too much for granted in this world and don’t think about how much they have to be thankful for which in turn creates a wrongful entitlement attitude.
He says it’s because we’ve become too automated and commercialized to where we just assume all goods and services we are provided is ours because we pay for them. Due to our life-less money being our means of exchange, we don’t consider the efforts of others. Back in the 19th century, people either bartered or traded labor. For example, if you had extra eggs, you could trade them for a bag of flour, and if you needed help making hay, there would be others who’d help as long as you would assist them when it came time to erect a barn. Taking and not giving back was never part of their lives.
You can be sure there was a whole lot more thankfulness and gratitude going on back in those years and certainly all the happier people for it than what we’re seeing in today’s world. The author has suggested that we start recognizing all the gifts we’re given and be thankful for them instead of considering them part of our entitlements.
Between appointments, I took a short drive over to Clear Lake to attend a church Service. I arrived early which gave me time to get comfortable and do some quiet reflecting. Since I felt like singing today, I was chirping right along with the leader of song. I’m exceptionally grateful I can still carry a tune after not having sung on a regular basis for a number of years.
The only thing I didn’t like was the leader of song standing up front and singing a solo. I’ve always considered a soloist’s place being up in the choir just so people aren’t distracted by their visual movements. She did do a great job and certainly light years better than the last one I heard singing here in Mason City. Every time that woman hit a high note, it sounded like someone was trying to choke her while she was singing. I’ll not forget the look on some of the faces around me. Too funny!
The above photo is one I took yesterday when I was on appointment over at Clear Lake. Knowing how cold it was, I’m sure that guy was getting pretty chilled while waiting for his cold catch.
Tonight’s one-liner is: Music is a moral law because it gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life.
