Just about any way we looked at it, today was about as good as one could expect considering the many uncomfortable ones that’d come before. You can bet I was enjoying every moment of it while outdoors, along with finding little “to do’s” that would keep me out there even longer.
It’s been a pleasant surprise when finding my statements and bills arriving earlier than normal, which were taken care of a good five days before they normally are. It would be nice if it would continue in such a fashion because I’d rather have them early instead of dribbling in one day after another. Of course I had to cough-up another financial fur ball when writing two checks out to Uncle Sam and our “great” State for my quarterly estimated taxes. I’ve said for the umpteenth time, “If I had a say about how those funds were to be used, I wouldn’t have a problem, and I’m sure deep down, most of you feel similarly.
I had another short visit today with the gentleman who’s moving closer to having his home prepped for sale, so it looks like he’ll be calling me the first of next week to go out and have a look, just so I can get my comparable sales numbers in line with what’s there. The best case scenario in these times, is for a buyer and seller to walk away from the closing table feeling they’d made a fair deal between the two of them. When looking at this week’s sales that’d closed, there were some buyers who must’ve been in desperate straits because there were a handful of them that went considerably over asking price. There’s absolutely no wishful thinking on my part, but I can’t help believing many of these past buyers are some day going to be very sorry for allowing themselves to get sucked into a bidding war.
I forgot to mention my encounter with a gentleman yesterday who purchased a chunk of land out in the country several years ago, and is now living in his newly-constructed home with his significant other. I hadn’t caught up with him for at least six months or more, so I made sure to get the scoop on how his life has been out there.
They have twenty laying hens and another thirty that’ll begin to start laying in a few weeks, and since they’re truly yard eggs, I told him I’d buy some from him whenever he had extras. Well, we made a bargain yesterday with my giving him a good helping of those ground hot peppers in exchange for several dozen of his eggs. I’m already salivating over those eggs because I fully remember what yard eggs taste like, and for sure they’re light years better than what we get in the store.
I was delighted to hear how much he enjoys country living and now expanding into creating a small herd of goats, raising a garden, and now looking at buying a milk cow, but what really wowed me, was when he told me he’s already ordered a hive of honey bees which should be ready for him to pick up some weeks from now. He did ask what type of hot peppers I’d planted which I grew to create my ground hot pepper powder, and unfortunately I couldn’t tell him because they’ve been grow year-over-year from the previous year’s seeds I’d saved. I’m sure if he does enough research on what types of peppers can be grown for drying, he’ll find a variety that’ll suit their tastes. Since they’re eating their yard eggs on a daily basis, I suggested sprinkling a little of the chili powder on them which I fully enjoy, and especially if the eggs are scrabbled with chopped onions. Yummy.
Knowing he’s never lived in the country and especially on a working farm, I’d say he’s a country boy at heart because one of his comments was, “On day’s like today, if I didn’t have to come to work, I’d stay home and putz around outside all day long.
After all these years of growing vegetables, this is my first season of growing rutabagas, and if I have a good crop, I’ll be peeling, cubing, blanching and freezing them for winter use. I’ve always passed over rutabagas in the store, but just these past three months, I’ve discovered them to be the most versatile root crop which is not exceptionally high in carbs, but filled with fiber, along with all the other good things our bodies need. Another reason I’d not considered purchasing them, is their being on the pricey side and never on sale like nearly all the other veggies. From the time I started buying them, they’re always $1.99 a pound. Perhaps if Walmart carries them, they’re likely cheaper, but I rarely ever grocery shop out at Wally-World.
What I’ve found very interesting about rutabagas, is when cooked, they keep their firmness and always end up taking on the taste of what they’re being added to, so if you make a stir-fry, they’ll taste like a combination of the other ingredients. Just so you know, rutabagas came about when by chance a turnip crossed with a cabbage which I would’ve considered unheard-of. I personally don’t like turnips because for some reason, their taste reminds me of radishes.
An afternoon appointment took me out to the home I recently sold, and the reason being, my buyer wanted to show it to a close friend, so we spent a good hour out there looking everything over again. Without asking, I’m pretty sure it’s even more acceptable than it initially was before purchasing it.
I had to run over to Prairie Place on 1st to check on my new listing, and while there, I ran into several residents I’d not seen in many months. We had a very good chat and glad I happened to run into them. Before leaving, I insisted they put the word out regarding the two I now have for sale. For sure, that crossing of paths, ended up being the highlight of my day.
Tonight’s One-liner is: It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
