324 – 13th St. SE

| March 6, 2017


From the moment I walked into the office today, I felt as though I was in a state of non-stop motion.  Remembering about a week ago the waitress that was serving at a restaurant, I fully understand how she felt.  As far as I’m concerned, the really good waitstaff are far underpaid for what they must endure on a daily basis.

While out on a hunt for a gentleman whom I needed to visit with about his home, I went looking for him at work. He works in one of our area stores where they sell nearly everything.  Oh Mercy! The people I happened to walk past and stand behind were a bit frightening.  I even went up to a stocker and asked about the person I was looking for and when I got about three feet from him my olfactories kicked in causing me come to a screeching halt. It wasn’t just today’s build-up of scents, but likely weeks worth that was permeating the space.

Since I was there, I thought I might as well buy something sweet to have at the front of my office for clients and customers.  While standing behind two young women who were as tall or taller than me, I found myself shaking my head in wonderment.  I couldn’t imagine what possessed them to be wearing such tight outfits to where they left no room for mystery.   After my sharp conversation over the weekend with several professionals who dress in public as though they just came in from watering their mules, I’m convinced we live in a society where anything goes and the more they can get you to look at them, the more they enjoy it.  It was again confirmed today.

When speaking with a client this morning, she happened to mention how our youngsters are becoming all the more disrespectful as well as troublesome.  She went on to explain how Meth has become more accepted with even the older ones.  I fully agreed when thinking about some of the 40 – 50 year olds that I’ve recently encountered who’ve been far too fidgety along with exhibiting rotten teeth and eruptive skins.  I guess in our area they’re referred to as “Tweekers”.  It’s no wonder our children are growing up to be hooligans when there’s no parental supervision and socially acceptable directives.

It looks like another one of my office listings has sold.  I’m just waiting for the seller to come in tomorrow and spill some ink on the purchase contract.  It’s been a struggle, but at least it’s sold and that’s what’s important. With one sold today, I’m happy to present to you all my new listing located at 324 – 13th St. SE here in Mason City.  I dare not try to remember how many times I’ve driven past this home over the years and considered it just as cute as a button.  I never would have imagined I’d have it listed for sale.

First and foremost, it is an exceptionally well built home.  I looked it over real good, and it’s as solid as a rock.  It would be a perfect home for a single person or couple.  The monster heated garage out back is to die for.  There’ve been many recent updates including newer thermal windows, high efficiency furnace with air, permanent siding, and a wonderful four seasons room off the back that’s heated.  What a great place to enjoy the evenings!  To top it off, it’s located in a popular south-side location.  Click on the link below to view this handsome home.  Since we’re experiencing story weather, I thought it appropriate to have to listen to one of my favorites above.

324 – 13th St. SE Mason City

Gemutlichkeit

| March 5, 2017

Gemutlichkeit-1I was expecting sunshine today.  What happened?  At least it’s continuing to warm up to where I don’t have to wear my winter coat every time I go outside.  As the sun marches higher on the globe, the more I’m finding evidence of Spring.  I happened to notice a lilac bush starting to bud as well as what appeared to be hostas pushing their heads out of the soil.  I only hope we don’t have a killing frost, or there’ll be some not so healthy perennials, trees, and bushes in our City next month.  I’ve seen it happen before, and it isn’t pretty.

Believe it or not, I’m still in the midst of negotiation on one of my listings.  I’ve stopped counting the number of times the buyers and sellers have countered.  I’ll not be the least bit surprised if it sells within spitting distance of what I believed it would from the get go.  Seems nearly everyone likes to dicker.  The grand dame of all dickering was a client/customer I worked with a number of years ago who was beyond annoying when it came to buying and selling.  One time when she had a little giggle water in her she said, “You probably haven’t noticed it, but I absolutely love dickering.”  In a gentleman-like fashion I acknowledged my suspicion, but what I really wanted to say, “What was your first clue? After I ran out of lines to insert your counter-offer amounts?”

Having a little free time late this morning, I stopped to see how my friend/client is doing on the restoration of the home he’s working at getting back to its original beauty.  He was in the middle of stripping paint off of the crown mouldings that are in the living and dining rooms.  What a dauntingly dirty and smelly job!  I did all I could to praise his work along with a good helping of encouragement.  He’s really quite the industrious chap and I wish I was able to clone so to spread him amongst the crowd of lazies that reside in North Iowa.  As far as I’m concerned, there’s too much stress placed on being able to do nothing on weekends other than watch TV or play around on smart phones or the internet.  And we’re supposed to be making America great again?  I think there has to be some crash courses given on the subject of Incentive before that happens.

My public open house which is located at 15 N. Ohio was a great success today.  I couldn’t believe there were people arriving fifteen minutes early.  I’m glad I was there early enough so to have all the lights on and doors unlocked.  It’ll surprise the heck out of me if that’s not sold before the week ends.  I think the buying public are finally waking up to the fact it’s a great home and at more than fair price.

I ran into a dear client late this afternoon, and while beaming with excitement, she began to tell me about an experience she recently had while visiting a far away church.  At first, I thought she must’ve been touched by an angel when saying there was this great and wonderful feeling that came over her that lasted about ten minutes and during that time, there was an overwhelming understanding of being connected with the “whole”.  The more she tried to explain her feeling, the more I was convinced she had experienced that rare but highly sought after feeling called gemutlichkeit.  It’s a German word that doesn’t translate into a single English word.

I’m thanking Wikipedia for helping me with explaining the translation which goes, “It describes a space or state of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer. Other qualities include coziness, peace of mind, belonging, well being, and social acceptance.”  While she was explaining her feelings, I began remembering those few times I’d considered myself having an attack of gemutlichkeit. The first time it happens is the best because it’s an experience that raises the bar of one’s “feelings”.  I’m glad to find it’s still happening within our society considering all the stress nearly everyone is under.

First Bloom

| March 4, 2017

First Bloom-1Considering how cold it was early this morning, I was exceptionally pleased to find the wind having switched directions and blowing from the south which gave me the cue our temps would be rising, and thus we ended up with a very pleasant March afternoon.  Most of my morning was spent with administrative stuff including getting some listing documents sent out on a home I’ll have posted for sale early next week.  There’s little doubt in my mind there’ll be an offer on it in a short time considering the features it offers. The location, condition, and of course the price will sell it. Since my bank of listings is down again, I’ll have to get out and start beating the bushes for homes to sell.

The beauty of the day was a bit overshadowed by the sadness I’ve had over the recent deaths of several past clients.  I didn’t even know they were sick let alone standing at death’s doorstep.  It gives us all yet another reminder that we’re not going to be on this earth forever.  Sometimes I wonder about people who’ve been mean-spirited and vindictive towards others most of their lives, and how they manage to make peace with themselves when finding they’ve just been assigned an expiration date without making some sort of amends with those whom they’ve caused undo grief and suffering.

Several years ago I entered into a heated debate with a nameless person who’d been badgering me as often as possible over some of the most trivial of matters.  Each time I would speak of instances that had taken place in the past, the answer would be something like, “I’m not even going to listen to such stuff because I know in my heart it’s not true.”   I walked away knowing there was no getting through to that person due to the many years of being saturated in the vat of denial.

Months later, after thinking about that episode and seeing others who’d also convinced themselves there was nothing wrong with their behavior, I decided there’s a whole lot of pride in today’s society.  I find sanguine pride, choleric pride, melancholic pride, phlegmatic pride, superiority pride, and scrupulosity pride.  Each and every one of them are alive and well and wrecking havoc on those who are trying to better themselves.  As I said to a dear friend not but two days ago, “After so many attempts of encouraging someone to change their ways, after a while, we find those attempts to be exercises in futility to where it’s all the best for us to quietly turn and walk away forever.”

Believe it or not, I had over 14 visitors at my public open house today!  I would say it was more than a success.  There were enough serious lookers there to where I’ll wager there’ll be a call or two for a second showing. Everyone was delightfully surprised by the size of the unit.  Put the word out. 2040 Hunters Ridge Drive is truly a good buy.

Tonight’s photo is this year’s first bloom of my “keepsake” orchid that was my mother’s.

Societal Tailgater

| March 3, 2017

Societal Tailgater-1Out of town appointments like today always have a way of eating up my free time.  Such as it was when I found myself nearly late for every subsequent appoint.  In fact, I was ten minutes late for one over the noon hour.  Fortunately the seller was forgiving when I arrived to do a preliminary inspection on his home.  Of course it didn’t help having several people arrive at my office looking to sell services from lighting to satellite internet.  I don’t know about anyone else, but I seem to be getting far more spam callers than usual.  We can thank the cloud computers for making all those random calls to businesses and personal residences.

My eyes were certainly widened a few times while showing a handful of homes to a particular buyer I’ve been working with recently.  I can’t believe how some people think their homes are marketable when having them so poorly presented.  In one of the homes, you could see where all the furniture was placed because of all the dust in areas of the carpet.  Wouldn’t you think someone would’ve at least vacuumed before they listed it?

There was another home where the bedroom looked like the owners must be into burning candles and making their bedroom look like some sort of medieval “play cave.” Not sure if there were some nightly role playings going on in there. Another home’s newer shower stall had black mold/mildew growing halfway up the walls of the enclosure.  After seeing it, my buyer said, “I’ve seen enough!” and walked out.

Later this afternoon I showed a home that’s pretty clean, but does need some paint and sprucing up.  The buyer was quite bent out of shape when seeing a few hairline cracks in the walls and ceilings.  I couldn’t help but say, “If you think these are bad cracks, you should’ve been with me yesterday where I thought a few ceilings were being held up by super glue and duct tape.  I even went on to tell about a home I was in several months ago where when I pushed on the painted paneling in the living room, I could “feel” even more layers of something behind it.  All I could think of was, those really bad walls must’ve been layered with paneling. What must possess people to do such things?

I’m having a public open house on 2040 Hunters Ridge Drive tomorrow which I hope will have a good turnout.  It’s one of the roomiest townhouses I’ve been in, along with having very many recent updates.  The association fees are low and the location is fabulous.  It’s actually in one of the clusters that I’ve raved about since they were built.  When you’ve seen as many townhouse designs as I have, you learn to appreciate the ones that are a head above the crowd when it comes to functionality.

I’ve decided there are more than one forms of tailgaters.  We always think of drivers that come too close to our backsides while driving, but another type of tailgater is one who always seems to scrutinize every word you say and every movement you make.  I’ve decided those people have absolutely no life of their own.  They attempt to create a life for themselves thru someone else’s creativity.  So sad, but true. It’s no wonder plagiarism is at an all time high. Pay a little more attention, and you’ll be sure to see some societal tailgater shadowing your movements.

Dried Leaves

| March 2, 2017

Dried LeavesA long time customer/client of mine sent me a text last evening asking if I’d have time for an early breakfast this morning.  I agreed on the time and place, so off I drove before sunrise to one of our local breakfast eateries.  The handful of people already seated were already busy enjoying their morning meals.  Of course all the men had their baseball hats glued to their heads.  It seems to have become quite commonplace in North Iowa.  I’m sure visitors from the big cities must find it all the more noticeable than I do.

While waiting for our orders to arrive, we played catch-up on recent events in our lives, as well as my bringing him up to speed with our real estate market conditions.  He seemed surprised when I told him about the shortages we have within certain price ranges.  I also shared how nearly all buyers are not wanting to be faced with doing any repairs or improvements before they move into a home, which certainly limits the number of homes fitting their criteria.  He agreed that it’s become a pandemic with many of the younger as well as our older buyers.  I couldn’t help but insist that it’s the by-product of our age of specialization to where the average American worker possesses one, and on a good day, but two marketable skills—that’s it!

We also happened to touch on how many of those working in government jobs seem to create un-necessary obstacle courses to where one begins to wonder if they’re only doing it to justify their receiving paychecks greater than their positions warrant.  He made me laugh while sharing a few of Milton Friedman’s quotes which were: “If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand.”  I also liked, “I can spend somebody else’s money on somebody else. And if I spend somebody else’s money on somebody else, I’m not concerned about how much it is, and I’m not concerned about what I get. And that’s government.”  It caused me to recall how many times improvements were made, but there was no one assigned to maintain them.  It also reminded me of how people who are freely given something, take the least bit of care it than those who actually had to earn every dollar to get the same.

I’m glad I agreed to that early breakfast with him because he’s always able to cut through the flowery excuses and reasons why people in government, as well as non-government jobs manage to justify their feeble attempts in convincing the masses that they’re making honest contributions to our communities.  Just today, someone assured me he’d have a small job completed, and when I drove past the property on my way home, there was no sign he’d even been there.  Not fulfilling a promise is bad enough, but to not even make a call to say it wasn’t going to happen made it all the worse.  Now I’m the bad guy for telling several others it was going to get completed today.

While arranging the plants in my office this morning, I removed the dead leaves from my avocado tree.  The above photo is of several of those richly textured dried leaves.

Tell Us Your Stories

| March 1, 2017

Tell Us Your Stories-1It was an interesting day to say the least.  Remember the saying about the first of March?  “In like a lion and out like a lamb”, or “In like a lamb and out like a lion”?  As we all know, our morning was filled with snow, and our afternoon was more than pleasant.  We’ll see what the 31st of March will be like.  Perhaps it’ll also be a half lion/half lamb of a day.

I felt like I was in my car more than out today with the number of showings and cross-town appointments.  I even attended a Realtor event where I spent some time visiting with a few colleagues.  I’m noticing all the more often that many of our younger generation doesn’t take too kindly to a little teasing.  I always have to admit I can be harmlessly wicked at times.  But you know, we all have to get stirred up a bit so to keep our humors intact.  What would life be like if we didn’t have a few things to laugh about?  Oh in my younger years, I could really get the belly laughs started.

Another one of my listings closed with a soft landing today.  I was exceptionally happy about it knowing there was a bit of a time crunch for the seller to get moved in the midst of our last snowstorm.  We all know how unpredictable February and March weather can be—especially considering the way our last two winters have been.  There’s absolutely no rhyme or reason to it anymore.  I’m still a bit in denial over seeing it lightening and hearing it thunder the evening it was snowing so hard last week.

I’m beginning to grow all the more concerned over the shortage we have in certain price ranges in our market.  There is definitely a shortage in the $60K – $80K range where there are far more buyers out there than sellers.  The two listings I’ll be getting soon will likely be sold right out of the gates if they’re priced right.  I’m about ready to put out an all points bulletin saying, “The time to sell is NOW!”  With all the more buyers calling now and finding they’re inquiring on homes that aren’t even on the market anymore, I’m going to start telling them to visit two of our area’s most reliable websites and they are: masoncitymls.com and northerniowarealestate.com where at least they’ll be able to see the bulk of our currently active listings.  I understand Zillow and Trulia are popular in the Metro areas, but I personally don’t think they’re reliable in our far-and-away market area.

While talking to a banker today, I mentioned my recent extended visit to a windowless room which houses the bulk of our County’s transfer books going all the way back into the 1800’s.  I actually complimented myself in finding I was still able to find what I needed in those oldies. While I was paging thru an index book which contained all the entries in a beautiful cursive handwriting, I couldn’t help but run my hand down those pages of long forgotten names and think, “If only all of you could tell us your stories.”

Get the Word Out

| February 28, 2017

Get the Word OutIt seems the market is still churning forward to where it appears we may have an active Spring.  After several phone calls today, it looks like I’ll be getting several new listings next week.  I know I’m sounding redundant, but can’t speak enough about how fortunate, as well as thankful I am to have such loyal and faithful customers.  If it weren’t for them, I’d have been out of business years ago.  On the flip side, they also know that I’ll freely do whatever I can for them without resign.

For instance, I was visited today by the son of one of my past customers who timidly asked if I’d help him by creating a purchase agreement so he could buy of one of his family member’s homes.  Fortunately for him, I’ve kept on file, blank forms just for that purpose.  I spent well over an hour preparing as well as going over the purchase agreement and associated documents with him so that he fully understood the process.

Just as I was finishing up he said, “How much do I owe you for this?”  I smiled and replied, “Your family has given me more than enough business to warrant this a freebie on behalf of my office.  There’s a huge difference between expecting something to be free and freely giving.  I think I must’ve absorbed part of the mindset of one of my dear predecessors who was a real stickler when it came to being asked for something without warrant.  It’s certainly the ways of today’s world.  Far too many people think their owed something just because it’s there.  Yesterday I was on the phone with someone talking about that very idea when I said, “I’d rather freely give something I have to a monkey with a red ribbon around its neck rather than under duress, being pressured into giving it to an undeserving human.

It sounds like the weekend is going to be in the 50’s which is telling me I have to get out there and get a home or two sold.  I’m finding all the more buyers getting antsy to find their dream home so they’ll be settled in long before summer arrives.  I think many are also afraid of what the interest rates are going to be doing in the coming months.  I also recently read where in the metro areas, there’s a serious housing shortage for entry-level buyers.  I can’t exactly remember the number of years, but it sounds like this is the greatest housing shortage we’ve had in a very long time.

There’s one particular home I have listed that has me puzzled as to why it hasn’t yet sold, and that’s 15 N. Ohio.  We had it under contract several months ago but the buyer’s financing fell thru.  Perhaps after the snow is gone again, the perfect buyer will arrive. Another one that should’ve been sold is 703 – 11th St. NE.  It’s as maintenance free and picture perfect as you’d ever expect.  I had a similar home listed about 3 years ago that was also listed longer than expected, but in a matter of three days after a young gentleman inspected it, it was added to my sold list.  I just have to keep reminding myself that’s all it takes is one buyer to get a home sold.  Help me get the word out.

2040 Hunters Ridge Drive

| February 27, 2017

2040 Hunters Ridge Drive-21Believe it or not, I actually viewed six robins perched on barren branches of a Hackberry tree late this afternoon.  Now if they’re not arriving far too earlier than normal, then my memories of the times I’ve normally first seen them has been distorted. In actuality, I could have sworn I saw a small group of them flying across the highway while I was driving down to show a Thornton acreage on Saturday.  But for sure, they were robins I saw in those branches this afternoon.

I spoke with one of my dear clients who lives in California today and it sounds like the rains out there just keep on coming.  I’m glad for them since it’s been a long multi-year dry spell and hopefully the reservoirs and dry lake beds will finally start filling.  Most people don’t realize how important California is in providing the bulk of the US with fresh vegetables during our winter months.  Even though they don’t taste as good as our naturally Iowa grown veggies, at least they’re fresh—well maybe.  I do encourage all my dear readers to at least try your hand at vegetable gardening this year.  You never know, there may be a master gardener or two lurking within the group.

One of my free-spirit friends stopped by while I was working on a file just for a catch-up chat.  Since she works a job that puts her in the midst of the crosscut of our society, she never mentions names, but certainly has some anecdotal stories to share on occasion.  Today she talked about a person she’s recently crossed paths with whom she believes to be a modern day witch.  I looked at her and asked, “What in the world is your definition of a modern day witch?” Boy did I get the full visual as she voiced her definition of one.  It seems with her, a modern day witch is someone who holes up in a heavily shuttered and dimly lit rickety old house that’s filled to the brim with piles of the past and treats its neighbors with disdain while weaving dark webs filled with conspiracy theories.

The witch also doesn’t open personal mail for fear the truth may be exposed as well only reading and listening to ideas which are considered like-minded.  The one thing my friend said which seemed the most puzzling, was that a modern day witch considers money its god and does anything and everything to accumulate all the more in whatever fashion in believing it will be life-extending and affording it all the more time to expand its power over humans.  I shook my head and finally said, “Wow! You’ve re-defined what I always thought to be a harmless hoarder.” Her somber answer was, “Don’t be so quick to consider someone a hoarder until you’ve studied the subject more closely.”  After that conversation, it looks like I’ll never again be able to judge a book by its cover.

The highlight of my day was listing of one of the best west-side townhouses Mason City has to offer.  It has everything anyone would want and more.  I can’t imagine a buyer finding one thing un-appealing about it.  It has a great design, abundant square footage, many recent updates, and above all, it’s in the middle of a highly sought after neighborhood.  Click on the link below and see for yourself.  2040 Hunters Ridge Drive is the beauty you’ve been waiting for all along.

2040 Hunters Ridge Drive Mason City

Raise Red Flags

| February 26, 2017

Raise Red FlagsAt least we had the sun again today to help with the melting.  The City sidewalks and streets are now getting back to normal.  After two more days have passed, we’ll be skating all the closer to Spring.  For some reason, I really can’t wait until it happens.  I think perhaps cabin fever struck me all the more this year than normal, because I’m getting itchy to be out of doors and get some gardening started.

Judging by the looks of it, there’ll be many people out picking up dead branches in their yards from the winter winds and heavy snows which caused the breakage.  Just yesterday I mentioned to a client how important it is to get one’s yard cleaned up before the grass starts growing.  It’s so much easier to do a thorough clean-up when all the dead waste is exposed.

Another one of my office listings sold today.  As I suspected, it wouldn’t be on the market long.  As chance would have it, they’d been looking for that type of property for some time, and after comparing it to what they’ve seen, it was the best for the price by far. The buyers later asked me who I normally use for as a cleaning service.  I hesitated and said, “I rarely hire anyone myself, and the reason for it, is that I can usually do a far better job than they do.”  I went on to tell them how if they could get a group of people together that they know are good cleaners, it would be all the better job done along with knowing it was done right.  They mentioned it was already one of their options.

I have an appointment tomorrow to list another residence which I’ve been waiting for over a month for the seller to call me to get it listed.  It’s a custom built home that offers enough extra features which should trigger a great deal of activity right out of the gates.  When I inspected it a month ago or so, I was amazed by the square footage and the amount of privacy it affords.  I doubt the seller is going to try to squeeze every nickel out of it, but rather looking for a clean and quick sale.

Another one of my clients stopped by several days ago to show me a letter he received from one of those “I’ll buy it now” investors regarding a rental home he owns.  I’m not quite sure where those people get their information, but I can only imagine how many hundreds they send out to unwary sellers in North Iowa.  As far as I’m concerned, it almost borders on the scam calls of which we seem to be getting all the more.  I sent my client away relieved in knowing those bottom dwellers aren’t just targeting him.

It seems everyone is out trying to make a fast buck at someone else’s expense.  I really do bristle when reading each of those “special” letters to those sellers. In every one of them they speak about saving the sellers the expense of a Realtor’s fee which gets them more dough in their pockets.  It’s all the more laughable in knowing all of them have a P.O. Box as their return addresses.  That alone should raise red flags with the general public.

Art of Contemplation

| February 25, 2017

Art of ContemplationThank goodness the wind finally started going down and the sun warmed the City up enough to get some of our slippery streets and highways melted off.  I don’t even want to think of how many cars and SUVs I’ve seen in the ditches these past three days.  I only wish people would be more aware of the road conditions when traveling.  I’ve seen far too many people go whooshing past me while driving on snow and ice covered roads.

My public open house at 703 – 11th St. NE was a great success today and I’m hopeful there’ll be an offer on it soon.  It really is a fine home that not only has good bones and in great neighborhood, but also has been meticulously improved to where there’ll be no big ticket updates needed for a very long time.  The garage is brand new and fit for anyone wanting a clean and roomy garage in which to park their pampered vehicles.  Without a doubt, it’s one of the most comfortable homes I’ve been in of late.

I had some more shoveling to do today and when I pulled out my small metal shovel I said to a group of four, “I’m sure likely not one of you would know what this shovel was originally used for many years ago.”  There were two older ones and two younger ones, and to my surprise one of the younger ones said, “It looks like a coal shovel.”  “You’re absolutely right.”  I said.  I was very surprised by such a young man having known what type of shovel it was.  I went on to say, “When the snow is just like this snow cone ice, I find it much easier to scoop.”   Anyone trying to move that heavy stuff with a normal shovel is just asking for pulled muscles and aching backs.

Later today I got into a bit of a debate with someone regarding what appears to be a rapid moving away of our younger generation from attending the same churches their parents and grandparents attended.  I listened intently to the reasons why he believes there is this falling away.  He thinks the main reason is that there’s not enough focus being placed on getting the younger generation more fired up to where they feel included.

After he finished, I gave him my “take” on why this is happening.  I began by saying, “It isn’t what’s happening within the churches because it’s been pretty much the same business as usual with the exception of a few laws that should have been changed generations ago.  What I’m convinced is driving the young away, is their continuous need of external stimuli—just as they’re receiving in a non-stop fashion out in our world.  Multi-tasking and multi-sensory stimuli is what keeps them charged.  It’s sort of like being in need of a constant form of passive entertainment.”

He did acknowledge what I had to say, but I’m still not sure he “got it”.  Now let me ask all of you this.  “When and how often during any given day do any of you have absolutely no cell phones streaming, no computers on, no background music, and no artificial visuals reeling to where you’re simply seated someplace and devoid of everything electrified?  I can assure you the key to many of the psychological problems growing in today’s society is that nearly everyone has forgotten how to physically walk thru a door and place themselves into a state of contemplation?”

And now I ask you, “Have you ever wondered why when in years past you’d walk into a church and there’d be people quietly seated long before the services were to begin?”  I’m confident they were performing their own forms of contemplative spirit/mindful healing.  So, the next time you see people in a place of worship seated alone and appearing to be a bit lonely, leave them alone.  They’re likely savoring every moment far more than even the best audio-visual performances they’ve ever attended.

In conclusion, I believe we’ve nearly lost our millennial-old art of contemplation.  I went to a funeral some years ago of one of my absolute all-time favorite attorneys who was one of our area’s masters of the art.  As a footnote, his wife once said to me, “I’ll never understand how he can sit out there in the clearing of those woods on that bench for so long!”  I simply smiled at her at the time, and without saying,  I fully understood.