It started out as not being such an nice day with our cloud cover and chilly air, but as the day rolled on, it transformed into quite the acceptable afternoon to where I was enjoying as much of the outdoors as I possibly could.
My morning was spent working on files again, and then driving over to a seller’s home to get transfer docs signed before they leave town the first of this next week. I had a good and somewhat soulful chat with the seller, and the reason being, that was the very same home I sold them way back when I first got into real estate. We walked down memory lane while the both of us began wondering where all those years had gone. Before leaving, I gave her a big hug while wishing her the absolute best in her new digs.
When I got back to office, I placed a call to a gentleman I spoke with yesterday regarding a home he owns, and when he said he’d offered it to his tenants for and “x” number of dollars, I looked at him and said, “I think the price you gave them was a little on the weak side of today’s market.” Well, after having looking that home up, I realized I’d been in it before, and aware of all the updates it contained, which is why I called him back today and said, “I’m not trying to come between you and your tenant, but the price you gave them is far out of line as to what its real value likely is.” I also went on to tell him how it doesn’t make any sense giving a non-friend or relative a price break, as there’s no real personal incentive to give any sort of deep discount. I didn’t say it, but we all know there’ll be no long-term gratitudes on those tenants’ part, and likely brag to others how they got it bought at such a deep discount. Believe me, it’s been happening all these years, and even more-so now that our prices have spiked. Once again, it’s another example of how some think they’re ahead of the game by not using a Realtor, but in the end, they’ve shorted themselves, and then later, sorry for it.
After that call ended on the positive, I rang-up one of my colleagues to visit about the resent sales that were posted, and of course both of us continually being in shock as to what they’re bringing this year. If this keeps up, we’ll be on a fast-track of catching up to Clear Lake’s prices, and then both our cities will be in a bloated no-man’s land of real estate values. We also agreed that with such buying frenzies, we aren’t able to pick up leads from our existing listings, because nearly all of them get sold right out of the gates. I am exceptionally thankful I’m not having a repeat of last year to where I wasted a great deal of time being lead all over North Iowa by dis-loyal buyers who cared less about who they bought from, because it’s always been, and always will be, all about them. I continue wishing them well, while praying they’ll never again be darkening my door.
I did hear about a past client’s current medical condition which saddened me greatly, and yet another reminder to all of us that no matter how high we climb our ladders of success, there’re always those unexpected life-changers that are waiting to hit us over the head when least expected. I’m fully aware of the pain and suffering he’s now going thru, and certainly wouldn’t wish such on the devil himself. I know there’ve been great medical break-thru’s with certain conditions, but I don’t think there’s been anything promising for that particular one. Pain management will be his highest of priorities.
With it approaching the hour of one, I changed my clothes and headed out to do some raking of pine cones, and picking up sticks. After that was over, I did a little digging in our too-dry soil for this time of year, and then started mowing and trimming. I stayed at it for a good three and a half hours until it was all finished. After seeing earlier today we’re to have rain tomorrow, I didn’t want to be taking any chances on not being able to get it done before showers arrived. I did take a few short breaks, just so I could sit and enjoy it all. If only more people would slow down enough to where they could enjoy the many beauteous moments our great outdoors has to offer. When the weather is pleasant, I absolutely hate being indoors, and especially on weekends.
Part of tomorrow morning will be spent going back over the recent sales numbers of similar homes to the one I’ll be listing next week. The owner does want is sold right away, so it’s going to be priced aggressively, but not to the point of leaving any money on the table. I’ve already been in it twice, and see no reason for it to be lingering.
While out quietly picking up sticks this afternoon, I couldn’t help thinking about how some people in my past would take me to points of no return with their insults, name-calling, and vicious attacks on my character, and then after months and years, they’d come forward and act as though everything’s good and the past is, well, the past and time to move on. I personally don’t move on when bridges are burned and lines have been crossed, but I can say, I’ve developed out of those happenings, a deep appreciation for indifference, which for many long years I considered sinful. Oh how wrong I was. With that said, I still maintain that it’s just OK to be indifferent towards others, as long we wish them great lives, but only as long as they stay as far away from us as possible, but no farther. I’m glad I did have my quiet character refresher while out stick-picking.
Here we go again with another cookie recipe from that vintage cookbook, and this one is for what sounds like a ginger snap, but named:
Molasses Crisps
- 1 1/2 cups lard
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 4 teaspoons soda
- Sugar
Cream lard, and add sugar gradually, while beating continually. When fluffy, add eggs and molasses until fully mixed. Sift dry ingredients together and then add to batter, 1/4 at a time, while beating well after each addition. Cover and chill overnight. Form into small balls and then roll onto a flat plate containing sugar. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Please note: Do not flatten before baking, as they will flatten and crack in true ginger snap fashions.
As a footnote, one of my dear friends gave me some delicious ginger snap cookies over Christmastime, and I’m hoping she’ll be reading tonight’s recipe as a comparison to hers.
Tonight’s One-liner is: What keeps us going, isn’t some fine destination, but rather the road we’re on, and luckily, the fact we still know how to drive.
