Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-A Moment to Calm the Soul   Just for a moment, stop your Monday world and take a break with me. Come sit on the dock and look out at the mist and take in all of the calmness that this mental timeout can bring to you.           Indulge yourself. Think of sitting here with a morning cup of coffee or tea and thinking of nothing more than Mother Nature adorning you with her presence.   See if you can let go of all of your busyness, take a deep slow breath and enjoy life and peace. And be thankful for what life brings.             Gayle Rich-BoxmanRealtor® Vernonia Realty Direct: (503)755-2905Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Real Estate"Your Gateway to the Lake!"http://activerain.com/blogs/gayleatfishhawklake   My website: http://www.lakehomesatfishhawk.com/My blog:... 09/12/2011

Paying it Forward-Costco Employees-It Feels Good to Say Thank You! I love my Costco in Hillsboro, Oregon. From what I've heard it's the largest one in the country.  Besides the great break on pricing, and plethora of items to choose from, the Costco EMPLOYEES make a world of difference in shopping there.   Pretty much everyone I meet there  actually LOVES working there! And it shows. There's  the guy at the gas pump who absolutely loves the fact that I listen to old rock'n'roll (loudly) and he gives me that ready smile every time and is genuinely happy to see me. We talk briefly about the song and what memories it brings up for us. He makes me want to come back to his line.  He makes the most of this job and I've pumped gas before as a job--it gets OLD!!! The woman who checks my members... 09/11/2011

 Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Department Volunteer Annual Picnic Today was a day to honor all of our local volunteers both Fire, Medical and Search and Rescue. These folks are called upon at all hours of the day and night to cover our rural areas, and do a heckuva job!   We had volunteers receiving awards for years of tenure, given out by Chief Dave Crawford. There were five year volunteers like Butch (and his wife, Delores who will receive hers next year) Butch drives the emergency vehicles and Delores is the "scribe" taking all vital information about the patient, etc. down by hand...they are very valuable to our community (and are my Fishhawk Lake neighbors!) Don, seen below is a TWENTY-FIVE YEAR VOLUNTEER--amazing! Lifeflight was there to show us the helicopter used in some emergency transp... 09/10/2011

What's in a name but....ActiveRain??   My friend and neighbor at Fishhawk Lake, Lou was in one of my posts recently.     (Lou is on the left dancing with our neighbor, Dave and some unknown hottie!)        As I showed it to her, she pointed at my profile and asked,  “Rainmaker?  What’s that mean?”            So, I gave a brief explanation about social networking, numbers, blogging, connecting. Lou then said, “RAIN??  Why not sun??” I retorted with, “Rain makes things grow”.   I stopped her in her tracks. She’s a gardener—so she gets it.     And I got to thinking about the actual name…     ACTIVERAIN    I wonder where they came up with that?  I figured it was because of its roots being in Seattle (where it rains a lot). But, I dunno.   So, we know that ActiveRain is  a made up word, but ... 09/09/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate--This is What Neighbors Do for Each Other Here! Today, our Fishhawk Lake office shared this touching letter from a daughter of one of our members. This personifies the type of people we have in our community and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it!         Subject: Labor Day Morning at the Clubhouse     Dear Diana,   Please forward this to the members of Fishhawk Lake.  Thank you.    My name is Jennifer___________, the daughter of [members of Fishhawk Lake].   This morning I went for a little drive to the Club House in our golf cart with my Boxer, Ratch, so he could play frisbee.  He isn't always dog friendly, so I checked out the island and there were no other dogs to be seen.  The only ones that were on the island, were two ladies (I do not know them) do... 09/08/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-- Sacks and the City-Goodwill Shopping Portland Oregon--A Real FIND! After driving into town from Fishhawk Lake to meet other ActiveRain members for a soiree at 50Plates in the Pearl District, a few of us decided that we needed to go shopping before we all headed our different directions home.   Melinda Peterson, principal broker located in Grants Pass (and my friend!)  had been told about the Goodwill in downtown Portland located on SW 10th and Taylor. Her friend said that it was quite upscale and so Debb Janes, broker out of Camas, WA (also my friend)    and I decided to join her!   It was just a quick drive from the Pearl to Taylor (from NW Portland to SW Portland, five minutes away at the most) and we found it on the corner of SW 10th and Taylor—easy as pie... 09/07/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Down on the Farm   “Down on the Farm” takes on a whole new meaning with the photos I took recently at the Berg Farm. This family has been around the Birkenfeld area for generations. Nick Berg, one of my sellers has helped this community for many years. He’s been a logger for umpteen years as well as a farmer.  I keep my horse boarded there and when I stopped by the other day, I had the opportunity to wander around and get some photos. I call these BarnArt.       An old saw and wheels from days gone by.   There was “art” all around me.   Nick is a tall drink of water with a good ole boy charm and would do anything for his neighbors. He also volunteers for the Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Department.     Nick was also instrumental in creating interest in the burgeoning p... 09/05/2011

  Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Vernonia School District Football and Jewell School District Football Schedules   It's time for football!!!!   Vernonia School District Football Schedule: Head Coach Gordon Jarman gjarman@vernonia.k12.or.us     Sep 2 6pm vs Neutral (Willamina Jamboree)   Sep 9 7pm vs Warrenton   Sep 16 7pm @ Gervais   Sep 23 7pm @ Santiam   Sep 30 7pm vs Culver   Oct 7 7pm vs LeaguePortland Christian   Oct 14 7pm @ LeagueGaston   Oct 21 7pm vs LeagueNestucca   Oct 28 7pm @ LeagueKnappa   Nov 4 7pm vs League Jewell School District Football Schedule:   Wed 9/7 @ 7:00 PM Game vs. Scappoose (OR)   - Fri 9/16 @ 7:00 PM Game vs. Chemawa Indian (Salem, OR)   - Sat 9/24 @ 4:00 PM Game @ Portland Lutheran (Portland, OR)*   - Fri 9/30 @ 6:00 PM Game vs. Alsea (OR)*     Wed 10/5 @ 6:00 ... 09/04/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Running on Greasy Spoon Road The other morning I took my dogs, Jenna and Takoda on a sunny morning run on Greasy Spoon Road, an old set of logging roads that winds its way eventually to Astoria, a big coastal town of Oregon.     Greasy Spoon Road It was named by the locals many many years ago because an Asian family used to have a diner of sorts situated on these roads for loggers to stop and eat during their long days logging the forestlands around here. Doesn’t that conjure up smells of eggs and bacon and potatoes and, well….GREASE?!     Through some research, I found a railroad historian, Brian McCamish who has written several articles about old towns and in particular Greasy Spoon "Camp". Here's what he wrote on his site back in 2008:   Greasyspoon Camp    ... 09/03/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Annual Fun Day for the Family   It’s that time of year again! Just before school starts (we're in two school districts--Jewell and Vernonia), and kids have to get up earlier and pay attention to that bus schedule, (Moms and Dads, too!), there is one last event at Fishhawk Lake to enjoy this weekend!  It’s going to be water-fun and a triathlon at our Annual Fun Day at Fishhawk Lake. In the past, there’s been a boat theme, like Mardi Gras, where you would decorate your boats, bring them to the clubhouse and vote on the best one.     This year, for Fun Day at Fishhawk Lake,  they’ve decided to do a triathlon instead. Swimming, biking and running—you can do it all yourself or with a team!  This is always geared towards family as that “last hurrah” before the school... 09/02/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Local MeetUp Coming to Oregon! Our first local MeetUp of ActiveRain members is going to be in a venue in "The Pearl" (northwest Portland area)....as it has changed from the first place Todd Clark and I initially chose for co-hosting our first ActiveRain MeetUp. The owners of JoPa (our original choice) are in the midst of a remodel, so one of my contacts there has graciously suggested one of their other swanky, "cool" restaurants called 50 Plates to be our MeetUp spot for our first ActiveRain MeetUp, Portland Oregon gathering place on Tuesday, September 6th from noon to two PM!   50 Plates, located on 333 NW 13th has a great vibe, from what the manager was telling me. Here's a description of their menu:   50 Plates is a restaurant showcasing the cuisine of the A... 09/01/2011

Fishhawk Real Estate-Odd Phrases  As a kid, I would spend time  thinking about signs that didn't make sense to me. Now that I'm grown up, some make sense, but then again...?  Can you imagine being from another country and trying to figure these things out?  LOTS FOR SALE   Lots of what?? I used to think to myself. I never saw lots of anything that someone was selling.     FILL DIRT WANTED   Fill is usually a verb, so that was confusing. Then you had two verbs, one in present tense and one in past tense. All I could think of as a young person was, “Wow, that’s a poorly worded sentence”.  (I never mentioned this to anyone out loud, just pondered it in the car while Mom was driving us somewhere). And, furthermore, how do you fill dirt??              ??????????????????????????????????      ... 08/31/2011

This is for my friendly barn lovers, Rob Thomas and Todd Clark. These barns are some that I pass when I drive from my home at Fishhawk Lake to Vernonia, 24 miles away. This  was one of my first "barn photos" on my drive to Fishhawk Lake. It was a September morn in 2006. The winter of 2008 was devastating to many old barns, and this ole girl has since collapsed. It makes me sad when I drive by it now, because it was so lovely. I only have my photo as a memory. It was the only picture I ever took of her.      Red Barn on Fishhawk Road     The one below is one of my favorites to photograph, throughout the seasons. I drive by it every time I go from Fishhawk Lake (my home) four miles to reach Highway 202.                                  Another angle of the same farm taken in the winter mo... 08/30/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Sitting on the Dock by the Lake So, I’m sitting here out on my dock, taking in the morning sun and air after getting back from a run with my dogs on Greasy Spoon Rd. A couple of things just happened—an otter came swimming towards me and I looked up just in time to see his head above the water, then the curve of his back as he dipped below the surface.    (Photo courtesy of my dear friend, Darlene Geyer)      Right after that, the dredge operator went boating by in the little drift boat that takes him to the dredge across the lake. He didn’t know I was sitting here. I found him talking to the ducks while he was boating by.      He said good morning to them, then said, “Did you know that you have a feather in your mouth?” Too cute!  He was talking to himself a bi... 08/27/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-What is a Pocket Listing?   How do you define a pocket listing?  I have used this option for lake property at Fishhawk Lake with those sellers of mine who for a variety of reasons, don’t want to have the regular contractural listing that goes on MLS and the worldwide web.   Here is Wikipedia’s definition: A pocket listing is a real estate industry term used in United States which denotes a property where a broker holds a signed listing agreement (or contract) with the seller, whether that be an "Exclusive Right to Sell" or "Exclusive Agency" agreement or contract, but where it is never advertised nor entered into a multiple listing system (MLS) or where advertising is limited for an agreed-upon period of time. In Canada, this is referred to as an "Exclusive Lis... 08/26/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Let Your Feelings Show! It was 5AM and I was sending my hubby off to work....I put on some music and was dancing at the breakfast table...I made him smile and he said something rather sleepily about how it was too early for that much energy. One of the songs that inspired me was Earth Wind and Fire's song "Let Your Feelings Show".  Ever seen anyone dance that wasn't HAPPIER because of it? *Every day you've got to let your feelings show!*   Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman Annual Dock Crawl at Fishhawk Lake 2011 Gayle Rich-BoxmanRealtor® Vernonia Realty Direct: (503)755-2905Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Real Estate"Your Gateway to the Lake!"http://activerain.com/blogs/gayleatfishhawklake   My website: http://www.lakehomesatfishhawk.com/My blog: http://fishhawklakereal... 08/25/2011

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Things to Do When Turning Fifty or Sixty! I love this book called God Never Blinks and the author, Regina Brett has put together short chapters based on articles she wrote for years on life lessons for the the Cleveland Plain Dealer. This morning I opened up to Chapter 36, Growing Old Beats the Alternative. Dying Young Looks Good Only in Movies. She beat cancer after getting it at age 41. So she wrote about turning fifty and made some great suggestions about what to do to stay young. I am fifty-five, with sixty seemingly just around the corner. So, I decided this can pertain to people turning fifty OR sixty! Here are some of my "things to do" for turning either of those ages.  (Some of the starred ones are Regina's because they were just too good not to share) ... 08/24/2011

Recently, I took a trip with my in-laws to Cannon Beach Oregon. It is a coastal town just filled with photo opportunities and only a short hour's drive from my beautiful Fishhawk Lake, an easy day trip if you own property at Fishhawk Lake and still want to travel with friends and family.     Here is what greets you as you round the bend on the main drag. The shops have a plethora of flower arrangements gracing their storefronts and are a dream to photograph.     All of the myriad plants were happy as could be, thriving deliciously in the coastal air of Cannon Beach Oregon!     Here is a collage of some of my close-ups.   I had fun playing with some of the photos I took and did some special effects with PicNik.             I spent a bit of time even photographing a couple of fellas as th... 08/18/2011

Why I Chose Real Estate-My Building Blocks to Success Being born in a very small town in the country outside of Buffalo, New York, nature was my muse for creating real estate of my own as a child. In the summers, my best friend and I would build terrariums for little creatures to "live" in. We would make homes outside in her back yard with whatever was available; driveways lined with small rocks, and whatever would stand up for the homes. In the winter, we would make homes in the enormous piles of snow, creating steps that would lead down into rooms that we would dig out that had separate walls, a great place to hide from those who would throw errant snowballs at you! It was a great little town to grow up in. (All dressed up and nothing to sell!) Fast forward (really fast)...it's 1982 a... 08/15/2011

Paying it Forward--Many Little Things Add Up at Fishhawk Lake I always seem to become the realtor that's also that Go-To-Gal when someone needs something in my little community at Fishhawk Lake. And it allows me the chance to feel like I can help, make things easier for others and create business for companies while filling a need for one of my neighbors/clients.   This week: I have a client who was a seller and decided to lease her Fishhawk Lake community home because of the economy. She found a young couple, who moved here from Texas about 2 weeks ago. Right away, there was a major plumbing problem. The (ex) seller e-mailed me in a panic to see if I knew any plumbers who could help. EASY! I sent her my recommendation, and voila! saw the truck go by the next day after fixing the proble... 08/14/2011