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Durango, CO Real Estate News

By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
  While sorting through some ancient files for Durango from our previous life here, I found the photo of Snowball   The cat is a contrast to the flowers in a front flower bed on Bennett street.   We had the house listed where "snowball" lived.  She ruled that part of the neighborhood .  Deservedly so!  Her personality was so uniquely cat!   When she moved on to Tennessee, we missed our time with her.  Her owners were favorites too.  They just did not provide as much color as did "Snowball".     Wonder how many of us leave the impressions on others that our pets do?
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
  When you look out any of windows of this house you see potential leisure.   The hammock has been calling ever since we moved in three weeks ago.   We have been too busy making this house into a home to take the time yet.   Soon as we get totally unpacked, get the Colorado test taken again (next Saturday), and get happily back to work, the hammock may help reduce the stress of our business efforts.     It is a comfort to know leisure is waiting.
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
    Right after we moved into our Durango rental home, we had difficulty with the dining room fixture.   After trying every light switch within reasonable proximity, we were baffled that there was no light coming on.   As I pondered the situation, I sat down at the table to think the problem over.... I happened to look up at the fixture.   Imagine my surprise at finding that the previous tenant had removed every light bulb!   It seemed awfully amusing at the simplicity of the solution.  Imagine how Ralph (Mr. Fix it) felt when I told him....   Then it occurred to me that we create a lot of difficult scenarios for ourselves when the solution is so often just looking up and accepting the fact that God is in control!     Hopefully that little learning experience will stick with us and we ...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
We once worked at a Real Estate Co here in Durango where there was an especially bright, fun secretary.   She made each day just a little more enjoyable with her wit.   One of the things she did was delegate something special to every day of the week.   Fries on Friday were her specialty.  Every Friday without fail , fries were her lunch.   I found it amusing at first and then began to make it on my list of Friday fare too.     Fries are not for everyday.  They are for Friday!
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
A friend we had made in our previous residency in Dynamic Durango told us that the chief cook and kitchen wizard from Farquarts (now closed)was opening a new restaurant.  The Farquharts pizza was legendary, and daily specials were always good.We waited for a couple of weeks and then began to check daily.  Yesterday we saw the "open" sign.Farquarts had been a favorite of ours for many years.  Recently the owner had died.  There is a new restaurant in that old  space, but delicious memories still occur when ever we went by.With the opening of Michelle's, the deliciousness of Farquharts is now being recreated daily.  It is located further up Main Street, in the old Blockbuster locale.The food is exceptional.  Plenty per portion and all home made.  Today's special was chicken enchiladas wi...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
    There is a new car wash in town.  New to us anyway since our return to Durango.When I think of car washes, I seldom think of it as potential housing.  The sparrow community does.While waiting our turn to be washed, I looked up to see several sparrows on a small ledge at the top of the artful stonework.Upon closer inspection I saw nesting material .  The birds had seized the opportunity to make good use of the space available.Located right across the road from the local Home Depot, these innovative architects not only have a great location, but have a wonderful view from their ledge condos.It is always fun to see the pioneering spirit in wildlife of all kinds.  They accomplish so much by just using their innate abilities.We can all learn from watching!
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Here it is the end of May and although we have had a lovely garden plot available for the past month, we have not worked the soil or planted any seedlings.With the short growing season, we really need to get with it!At the risk of not getting anything fresh from our yard, we bought a basket for the deck rail.  While we were at it, we bought a few little plants for it!With any luck we now are equipped to grow a tomato, a pepper and some herbs.Now as we wait impatiently for permission to take our license tests and get back to work, we can soon begin to harvest some produce!Surely there are marketing lessons to be gained from this experience.
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
At 8-ish while I was pondering what to make for a Saturday breakfast, Ralph mentioned that next week, we needed to try to go to the"Farmers market."I told him that I could be ready in 15 minutes and we should just go today!  We needed to go to the grocery anyway .We  got ourselves together and out in record time.What a great experience!There were booths for organic produce,  meats, cheese, honey,  pottery, knife sharpening amid other arts!We soon had a  bag filled with goodies that will mostly feed us for the upcoming week.Not only is the contents of our bag organic, but it definitely supported local growers and  artisans.  Everyone wants to do that!The only not terrific thing was that we had gone on an empty stomach.  That was not wise.  There was a lot of temptation in the variety of ...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
  Once upon a time there was a super deluxe restaurant in Durango.  It was expensive and very fancy.  The experience was a treat in itself.  At $200" a person it was a bargain.When we returned we found that place had closed.The owner downsized to this precious place with food as pictured.It is called "Crepes and More."The food is well presented and delightful.  The variety is well thought out.  Literally something for envy one!The setting is no doubt similar to a French Bistro.  The sidewalk atmosphere goes well with the understated elegance of the French fare.Today Ralph had a crepe with crab and shrimp while mine was Turkey, cheddar, green chili and avocado.  Both were totally scrumptious.Now having sampled the food, we will be coming back on a regular basis.  After all, if one Crepe...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
  One of the daily niceties in Downtown Durango is the prolific use of flowers all around.  It is almost as though many retailers are competing for who has gone to the most trouble to make their location stand out.From blooming baskets to window boxes, area merchants keep the surroundings a profusion of colors.  Although the walking paths and sidewalks are already full of things to look at, the flowers add a smiling dimension.These photos were taken from one of the outdoor patios on Main Street.No matter what your mood, these blooming reminders of happiness help to improve them.  Some things just make places outstanding.  Sort of like Spring in Durango.It is an ongoing lesson in proper and even outstanding presentation.  We can all remember the lessons colors teach in street appeal.  E...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
    Since the daily temps in Houston had reached the nineties in March it was one more reason we wanted to leave,  hot and humid are just not part of our comfort  quotient.Our previous Durango experience of  seven heavenly  years had about two or three hot weeks per year, one forest fire and some drought.Although not totally perfect, the good far outweighed the uncomfortable.  The general beauty available in every direction is reason enough to chose to live here.Then there is the added perk of being able to find snow on the ground in the higher mountains north of town.  That provides cooler temps most of the time and is within an easy drive of downtown.Snow in May?  That seems like heaven on the mountain to us!
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Ralph's email indicated that he was entitled to a "FREE" drink at Starbucks!  (We have one of those here in Durango)There are some things in life that just beg for use.  Free drinks rank right up there at the top!Since I do not do any sugar at all since my brief Diabetes romp, I asked what might be available in cold and sugar free.To my absolute delight, they had a sugar free mocha!  What could be more of a treat than that huge drink?Having it for no charge... As in completely free!Now, if we can find a way to score more delights of similar value for the same price.Good thing it does not cost to dream!
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
A couple of weeks ago we enjoyed a visit from one of our children and his girl friend.While doing the basic tour of the area, we dropped in at the chapel at Ft. Lewis college.What a treat it was to see the unique art work against the backdrop of the mountains in the distance.It was an awesome experience.  Drinking in the serenity and quiet of the chapel, made it clear how much we have to be grateful for!  I made a mental note that when stress and problems try to take away our joy and hope, there are gentle reminders that everything is under control even when we cannot see it.  
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
    One of the magical things about living in the Dynamic Durango area is the spontaneous fun spirit all around.Yesterday a beautiful example of youth and energy displayed itself as we luxuriated in the lovely day on a downtown outdoor patio.Unexpectedly, Music began.  It was followed quickly by a group of dancers who took over the middle of a major intersection.They repeated the performance several times, which allowed Ralph to capture the fun.  Fun should always be shared!  Remember to express your daily joys!  May you always have places to Dance!
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Since we exercised our dreams and returned to Durango, the roads always lead to beauty.Traffic is rare and even when you find yourself in it, there are lovely things all around.The roads are well constructed and the town is easy to get around in.Most everything necessary to get to is easy to access.  Not only easy to get to, but the destinations are achieved quickly.So, in short, this area is energy efficient too.  The roads are not nearly as stressful as the ones from which we came.  Ahhhh, the roads lead to places that are pleasant to be.
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
  When my email from the Goode Company Barbeque informed me that today was National Briaket Day, it seemed right to amend our plans to include a healthy portion of Brisket"A quick trip to Serious Texas Barbeque here in Durango Colorado netted a healthy helping of the celebratory meat.How else can one celebrate such a day on short notice? We are currently living without a Barbeque pit and brisket takes hours to properly prepare.We feel lucky indeed to be able to participate in such an auspicious celebration.  Serious Texas Barbeque is good enough to create holidays for!
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
As you might guess, whenever one spends 35 years in any industry, there is a good chance you have experienced a variety of things.I have also been affiliated with several different Real Estate Brokerages, in addition to spending many years on my own.The advantages of being affiliated with other brokers in a team oriented situation far outweight the perks of running ones own shop.We were pleased to be invited to interview with one of the larger brokerages.  It was truly eye opening to see how much technology there is to be shared.Ralph is very technology savvy and even he was amazed at what we have been missing in working for ourselves the last ten years!We still have hoops and hurdles to get through before we can get our Colorado licenses back.  When we do, we will be affiliating.  It p...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Being healthy is a total attitude thing.Being back in Durango Colorado, healthy is a life style.  It is everywhere you look and even attached to meals and marketing for your provisions.One of our favorite things has become visiting one of the local groceries (Natures Oasis) which has a smoothy and juice bar at the back.My favorite juice is a blend of good for you goodies called "Green Goddess."When we went for our health boost a couple of days ago, the juice machine was down for repair.We decided instead to select a smoothie...  Mine was Berry Berry and as the name suggested it was filled with a variety of Berries.  It was Berry Berry good!  It also was an energy boost!
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Thank heavens things are not always what they seem to be.The awesome views we enjoy daily from our dining room window seem to sometimes completely disappear.  Due to their height, the clouds can completely shield them from our sight.  Sometimes those clouds are busily adding to the snowpack which makes them so spectacular.They do not really vanish, they just are curtained by other fabulous parts of nature.They teach us not to believe everything we see, and that sometimes when we cannot see what is happening, things are improving for our good!
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Mornings have never been my friend.I realize that every day above ground is a blessing, however, I do not get to sleep easily and find that getting eight hours of rest means it is aroundnine AM when my sleep cycle naturally ends.Being in a place where the sunrises are spectacular and the trip into town is a thrilling one helps me motivate myself into morning mode!As you see, having little or no traffic plus incredible views make the prospects of a bright, happy day much more believable.
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