As I was driving to work this morning, I couldn’t help but notice how un-naturally different it seemed with the sun approaching its yearly equinox position while being radically contrasted by these abnormally cold temperatures and mountains of snow. About 18 years or so ago, I remember there being a great deal of snow that had accumulated over the winter, but that year, it slowly started its melting process which began in late February. This year we have the snow again, but no temps coming even close to 32 degrees.
I spoke to several people this morning who live in the country, and from the sounds of it, they’ve got some pretty tall snow drifts that’ll likely be hanging around well into April. I mentioned to one today how concerned I am about climate change because I would hate like “yell” to have repeats of this winter from here on out. As I mentioned before, it’s a crap shoot in guessing what’s in store for us going forward year-over-year.
Pretty much the bulk of my day was spent working on and off at my research project, running errands, and returning emails and phone calls. I’ve been working on getting one of my listings sold, but it looks like we’re still too far apart. Hopefully tomorrow we’ll get a little more direction from the bank that buyer is working with. Unfortunately, there a buyers who believe that if they go to one bank for a loan pre-approval, they think they’re stuck with whatever that particular loan originator tells them. Unbeknownst to many, there are numerous loan programs out there that are being offered by other banks that may possibly be better fits. Like I said some days ago, people tend to believe what bankers and doctors tell them and never think of looking for second or third opinions which at times, are all the more in their best interest.
I can’t believe it’s going to be Ash Wednesday in two days, and forty days later, Easter Sunday. With that said, it looks like it’s time to start planning this year’s garden. As much as I really want a garden, I’m not going to take my chances on having it destroyed by one herd’s all-night smorgasbord binge. When time permits, I’m going to construct a deer-proof garden fence similar to one that belongs to a family who lives near the swimming pool. In spite of it being tall, it still appears attractive from the street which is what impressed me the most. After recently seeing many deer tracks going up a sidewalk of a home I have listed in an area I thought to be immune to them, it’s time we all begin taking pro-active steps to keep them from destroying our flower and vegetable gardens. You can bet those vile creatures will be all the more hungry come Spring after barely surviving this winter’s heavy snow cover.
One of the homes that has been too long under the radar recently, is 689 – 15th St. SE. It’s a two bedroom ranch near Roosevelt School that offers a newer kitchen and bath, a near fully finished basement, a deck, and privacy fenced rear yard. It’s now becoming all the harder to find anything in the $70K price range that’s needs absolutely no major updates. The real up-side of this home is that it had no water in the basement from the 2008 and last year’s flooding. Now that’s what I’d call a water-resistant basement. It’s going to make a perfect first home for someone, and hopefully they’ll discover it before it’s sold to another.
Later this afternoon I was carried back in time when listening to a dear one speaking about happenings during her teen years and the little joys that in today’s world would be dismissed as being downright silly. I couldn’t help adding my belief that back in those years, teens were more imaginative when dreaming up delightfully naughty things to do during their precious free time.
What bothers me about today’s youth, is their noticeable lack of curiosity which I believe is the cornerstone of building a broad knowledge of the world around them. When you think about it, nearly all great minds of the past had an un-satiable thirst for knowledge which in turn would cause them to research and question all the more. I was touched today when a young parent proudly said, “Sunday is the day we all shut our cell phones and computers down because my wife and I believe we need at least one un-interrupted day of family time with our three children.” What a great rule to have, along with wishing all our other families to follow suit!
Tonight’s one-liner is: Always kiss your children goodnight, even if they’re already asleep.
