Another required class with the potential to be very boring.Today's offering was not.The hours went quickly and the instructor was downright entertaining! Lots of practical experiences and  some amusing ante dotes  illustrated the points covered in an energetic format.We were given a book with all the information for future reference.  The refreshing thing was that the instructor did not insult our intelligence by reading to us.  Don't laugh, there are those who do that very thing.The material is not all encompassing. There were questions asked that no one was sure about the answers...  That is why this class is required every few years.  Like it or not, we all need reminders, and things change! 07/26/2013

It is a beautiful Thursday evening in Durango.  Cool clean breeze , sky clouding up for the nightly showers and a rather large duck walking down Main Street.  Only in Durango!As we had walked along toward our evening tea spot we had passed a group of young people who invited us to sponsor a rubber duck for the upcoming race.  It is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:30.  The race will be on the stretch of river from Rotary Park to the Children's Museum.  The winning duck sponsor will win $1,000!The money raised will be donated to scholarships for disadvantaged children.  There is a summer camp for them on CR 222.What a deal!  An opportunity to watch ducks on the river and help make a child's summer memorable all at the same time.  Talk about worthwhile!  To sweeten the deal, you also... 07/25/2013

Seems to me that I recall a couple of our regular members and contributors are Wordpress setup experts or designers.  Does anyone know who they are or who would you recommend for a little tweeking of our Website/blog???  I need to  up date and spiff up ours since we are really getting back to work and I need to concentrate on clients rather than polishing the site for appearance.  I can do the SEO once we get polished but I'm not a web design guy and Genesis and Agent Press are powerful. 07/20/2013

YTD Durango Comparative Real Estate Sales Stats   January 1-June 30 2013 VS 2012    Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster ride; other times it feels like you’re on the merry-go-round.  But the Durango real estate statistics for the first 6 months of this year are very encouraging.  Total residential sales volume in La Plata County rose by 39.7% from $115,000,000 in 2012 to $162,000,000 in 2013.  The average sales price in those same time frames increased by 4.68% to $344,822 while the median sales price rose by 8.7% to $315,000.  When adding in vacant land and commercial sales to the total dollar volume, the increase was still very handsome at 35% for a total of $191,000,000.   If you are a regular subscriber, you know that I break down the sales by $200,000 increments.  Every single... 07/09/2013

    There are many forms of transportation available in Durango.   Some traditional ways to get from here to there include bikes, motorcycles, cars,trolley lines, buses, even rafts and canoes.   Less traditional and available usually on weekends are horse drawn carriages.   These are found outside the fanciest antique hotel, The Straiter. The horses are always beautifully groomed and the carriages are impeccably decked out.  They frequently include twinkle lights as part of the harnessing.  The effect is thoroughly enchanting.   As the horse and carriage goes clip clopping along, it inspires visions of days past.  They were probably the transportation of choice in the early Durango days.     If gasoline prices continue to escalate, the horses and rafts may make a come back. 07/03/2013

  Almost all of us have scars.  Some are usable. And some are hidden deep inside.   The tree in the photo is an example of visible scars.   The question is, what caused them.  Why would anyone deliberately hurt a tree?  These scars go deep.  The tree has been in its prominent location for many years.  It has provided shade and beauty.  It has also cleaned up tons of air over its lifetime.   We can only imagine what caused the scars it displays so proudly.  There is no doubt the tree did not deserve the scars.  No one really does.     I only hope that they do not hurt! 07/03/2013

Many choose to celebrate with food, family and friends.     We need to stop and think about the service men and women who are actively risking their lives on many fronts.  They maybe with friends but it is doubtful that they are enjoying good food, and most are many miles from home and family.   Our freedoms are not secure.  They are constantly at risk on many levels, and from more directions than ever.   Our enemies not only include terrorists, but complacency and denial.   This is not the America we grew up with.  We still have heros and many good people who love God Home and Country.   Unfortunately, we also have many people who for one reason or another do not see the advantages this country enjoys.  Freedoms are taken for granted and there are factions lobbying for removal of the r... 07/03/2013

If you have not indulged in massage for a while (or never), consider a mini massage (aka... a chair massage.)   Available Saturdays at the Farmers Market, you can get a fifteen minute work over by professional that will make you feel better all over.  The treatment is only $15.  Where else can you get something that offers so much relief?   As we go through our weekly routines, stress gets caught up in our necks and shoulders (particularly prevalent in Sales Professionals.)  Massage gets blood flowing in those areas carrying away toxins and the results are pain relieving.     The folks who do this on Saturdays also offer longer sessions at their Main Street office.  The benefits are many.  Treat yourself to feeling better.  Once you do, you will join the others who line up weekly outsid... 07/02/2013

I wonder how many people have been traumatized by a dentist.Both Ralph and I have been hurt to the point that we will endure great pain before going to see one.That technique of preservation has proven to be expensive to say the least.  Using the best brushing techniques do not preserve teeth without adverse effects.Lucky for us,  Ralph seems to have found a very timely solution to his tooth pain. Dr. John Rothchild of Durango CO!This guy uses state of the art techniques for diagnosis, careful analysis of the problems and so far very little pain in execution of the causes.It will be a few months before the procedures are completed, but it is mostly due to thirty years of dental neglect on Ralphs part.We will keep you posted, but it appears that we may have found a Dentist who really car... 06/30/2013

My first exposure to Durango, resulted in it having an unmistakable hold on my heart.  Perhaps it was a form of "Rocky Mountain" highs.   I dreamed of living here for many years , and in May of 2000 Ralph came with me to see what I had talked about so often.   The why about my love for this place spilled out on Ralph and he began to love it too.   His reasons are similar but probably are centered around the beauty and photographic opportunities.   There are also things like clean air and water.  Uncrowded roads, ceaseless natural beauty, friendly genuine residents and a creative spirit that renews itself daily.   There are daily celebrations of life here.  Weekly festivals and themes allow for endless possibilities to grow and to learn.  We celebrate rain, snow, art, holidays, ethnicity... 06/30/2013

    The more we study the habits of birds, the more we find that their entertaining habits are not unlike those of the adults we work with.   How many of us wish to rise to new heights?  What sort of tactics will we resort to in order to do that?   This perch does not look particularly comfy.  It does however have a splendid view of the entire yard.  There have to be advantages to that.  We may not see what he sees but we agree that he has the right to see it.   Finding areas of agreement with those around us is highly desirable.  Our vantage points may differ, but the goals are usually similar.   Even when selecting a roost, most of us chose the one with the most desirable view.  It is also a part of our job to help others evaluate and chose a roost that is best for them. 06/30/2013

  One of the newer pizza restaurants in Downtown Durango is "Fired Up."  Since there are several other pizzerias in town, this one really needs to shine if it plans to stay.  Rent of Main Street is far from cheap.   The decor is eclectic.  There is also a selection of imaginative toppings for your pizza.   We chose one named "Vesuvius ".  It came with hot peppers and pepperoni .  The super thin crust was just crunchy enough to satisfy.   The wait staff was extremely efficient.  I barely put down my fork before my plate was removed!   We were prompted to try this Main Street eatery, because we had a great experience with a Breakfast Flatbread from their portable location at the Farmers Market a couple weeks ago.     There is no question that these folks know what they are doing, and the... 06/30/2013

      It takes a lot of patience to take super photos.Ralph spent a lot of time last night waiting for this moon to rise.As you see, the results were awesome.Super moons do not happen often, and super locations to take photos from also do not make photos easy.These photos will no doubt rank up there with some of our favorites.  Enjoy! 06/30/2013

  We are developing a pattern of relaxing over coffee or tea at an area patio.     Relaxation is always good for us,  it allows us to brain storm the days events and sort out solutions before we head for home.   The patio is fringed with scrubs and flowers.     Birds of several kinds also frequent the patio.  Careless patrons leave crumbs which the birds happily clean up.   Sparrows make up a large part of the bird visitors.  They show no fear as they hop within inches of people.   One of the added pluses of sharing ground with the birds is the cheerful songs they sing.  All in all our evenings on the patio are better with the company of the spunky birds!     06/30/2013

So with great anticipation we wait till papers are signed and we are officially affiliated with a Real Estate office again.After doing Real Estate many different ways since 1978, we believe we have found that the synergy of being with a successful, motivated group is best.Today we cleaned out our new cube and bought a few things to make it workable.  It will soon be the place we spend most of our time.We have lots of learning to do.  Tomorrow begins an entire new adventure in Real Estate.  We will start the day with a property tour, sign the necessary paperwork and begin to learn the new technology available.It has been two months since we made the big move and lots of things have changed while we settled in and unpacked.Today is a big day for us.  It is a new beginning on our Real Esta... 06/28/2013

    Everyone finds some locations to be more fun than others.Of late our Jazz  cat has developed the habit of taking her late afternoon bath in this sunspot.I suspect it is because she can see every imperfection in her fur in the bright sunlight.I admire her attention to detail.  If you are going to specialize in having a spotless, shiny coat you need to seek out a space where you can achieve your desires and goals.How much we can learn from our animal friends and their innate pursuits.  What they so not know is that having a place in the sun insures good doses of vitamin D3.  Get some! 06/23/2013

Today there are whispy clouds enhancing the Durango Blue skies.   There is a faint smell of smoke due to the fires currently consuming the areas north of Wolf Creek Pass.  The skies here however do not show the fire effects.   By contrast, there is also a photo of the smoke we can see from our driveway.  That is what is happening about 200 miles away.  People are being evacuated all around South Fork CO.   In 2002 when we experienced the Missionary Ridge fires, the entire area was smoke and soot filled.  There was a general feeling of fear and hopelessness.  We pray for the people being effected today as we seriously feel their emotion.   In a place where beauty is so prevailant, having wisps of negativity seems out of context .    Please remember the folks being adversely impacted by s... 06/23/2013

Two months ago we planted this bucket.  The lupine was about a two inch plant.   With the temperate weather , it was easy to remember to water and as you can see, our efforts have been rewarded.   As the plant matured, it has become more and more lovely. It is now a real part of our routine.   Sadly, now that it has reached it's peak it will slowly begin to fade.  There is nothing that either the plant or the plant tenders can do to change things.     The fact that this was a truly beautiful plant and we enjoyed helping it grow is the reality that will always remain.  Having photos of it also help to maintain the realities.   06/23/2013

Durango is much more advanced about transportation than many bustling small metros.   The T is an alternative to cars and saves you the expense of parking.  There are routes to Mercy Hospital, Walmart, Ft. Lewis College and up and down Main Street.   There appear to be frequent pickups and the trolley like vehicles are smaller than the ordinary buses.  They also are much cuter and we all know cute and charming are what counts in everyday life these days!     In short, they will take you where you need to go with no hassles!  So why not ride the T?  After all they ARE cute!   06/23/2013

f you have ever wondered what goes into crafting the perfect brew,  you need to make a trip to "Steamworks."  It is one of the taste delights to be found on 2nd Ave.in Durango.   The pizza is outstanding as are all the other entries we have tried there.    Education plus good food make compelling reasons to plan a trip to Steamworks.   06/23/2013