Just for Fun

For some reason, the older I get, the more I think about this.   I would absolutely love to time travel to these places to see these things.   So, in no particular order: 1.  1890-1920s Burlington City, New Jersey.  I love our little city on the Delaware now, which is why I would really like to take in High Street and the riverfront from this era.  And I am a huge fan of architecture from this time period.2.  1890-1920s Hamilton (Mercer County) New Jersey.   My original hometown, steeped in history and also many great examples of architecture from this era. I spent the first 30 years of my life here, and love the town and it's history. 3.  1939-1950s  Fenway Park, Boston.  To see, feel and smell the best ballpark in the world, and to watch Ted Williams play in front of the home crowd.  ... 04/22/2024

\\ The Elkins Home Selling Team with Elite Realty Group provides services with Morristown TN Real Estate For Sale and Morristown TN Homes For Sale to home buyers and home sellers in Morristown Tennessee, Whitesburg, Talbott, Russellville, Sevierville, Bean Station, Dandridge, Pigeon Forge and surrounding communities.We specialize in working with Home Sellers in getting their homes listed and sold. We utilize the latest and most up to date marketing materials in assuring the job gets done quickly and with the least amount of hassle. Our homes are listed on over 32 different Real Estate web sites including realtor.com, yahoo.com, trulia.com and many others. Each office independently owned and operated.Elite Realty Group is a full service real estate company serving Morristown TN Real Esta... 04/22/2024

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”—Wayne DyerIf you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.It's never crowded along the extra mile.There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to stretch our minds.    04/22/2024

Timmothy's cartoon today is a good springboard for one of my biggest pet peeves, littering.In my NOT so humble opinion people who litter are the most narcissistic, lazy, and stupidest people on Earth (now you know exactly how I feel about that). The only humans that are more narcissistic, lazier, and stupider than the average litterbug is the smokers who flip there butts our where ever they are (in the car, walking in the park, or in my front yard).Remember Ladybird Johnson's clean up America campaign? I wasn't all that keen on it back then but these days I'd like to see a revival of that campaign along with heavy fines against littering. However, maybe this time they could use a real native American as opposed to the white guy imitating one.   04/22/2024

From my previous life, one of my colleagues, Anthony Iannarino,  posted 10 reasons about having fun as salespeople. All of his reasons speak  to what we as professional real estates do.The opening of his 10 reasons began with: “Discover why selling isn’t just a job –it’s an adventure that keeps on giving.”Here are the six reasons that I found to speak loudly to having fun in selling real estate.We make a difference in people’s lives and businessesWe build last connectionsWe address and solve challengesWe gain insights from interactions with clientsWe leverage creativity.We pursue personal and professional growthHaving fun in what we do is essential, and I believe is one part of the human experience that sometimes is under estimated.“If you’ not having fun, it’s not worth doing.” Tommy B... 04/22/2024

Come on, it may be Monday, but you could use an extra smile today, right? So, how about a look at the humor of the hilarious John Crist?  Sit back, make it look like you are working hard on some research, and enjoy! And now this is the latest installment of Mayhem Merriment Monday. 04/22/2024

Are you easily distracted?Are you nostalgic or whimsical?   Do you hate the idea of throwing anything out?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are likely not going to be of great help when and if you need to declutter your home.My personal rules for keeping something are simple:1.  Am I ever going to use it again?2.  Does it still bring me joy or have a cost value?3.  Does it have emotional value?If not, OUT IT GOES! 04/22/2024

Trivia question answers for Sunday April 21, 20241. Who was the voice of Mr. Potato Head in "Toy Story"? Don Rickles2. What football championship was first played in 1967? Super Bowl3. Syncope is the medical term for what? Fainting4. How many times can you fold a regular piece of paper in half? 7Trivia questions for Monday April 22, 20231. What fruit comes in Chubby Gray and Jubilee variety?2. Who was the second man to set foot on the moon?3. Boo Boo is the companion of which cartoon character?4. What is the first prime number that comes after 100?Enjoy your day..  04/22/2024

This post was inspired by Debe Maxwell, CRS  request for my recipe of a Clam Chowder. My take is a combination of Uber Chef Jasper White's corn chowder and I add clams from Wild Fork to improve it and I also add some carrots. Hence it becomes my recipe:)Debe Maxwell, CRS  keep in mind I do not use bacon or anything with bacon so that is a difference of my chowder.Also, I stopped adding corn starch to thicken the soup, instead I crush some potatoes to thickn it.  Bon Appetite!  Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor... 04/21/2024

Every year on April 22nd, and this year on Monday April 22, 2024 we celebrate and enjoy the unofficial National Earth Day.Earth Day started in 1970 after 3 million gallons of oil spilled off the coast of California the prior year.The purpose of the Earth Day to increase awareness of the impact people have on the environment from of all the people political and geographic backgrounds, which led to establish Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. I want to wish to all my friends and to all members at Active Rain community a Happy and Wonderful National Earth Day. 04/22/2024

Speechless Sundays - The Gracie Rose Watch - Sofa Serenity Gracie Rose has claimed the back of the sofa as her favorite lookout. From this vantage point, she keeps a close watch over her kingdom! In contented slumber, she is so very tranquil, isn’t she? Make no mistake, nothing misses her keen gaze (seemingly even with closed eyes!) — she's our fluffy guardian who sees all the comings and goings. Her sweet demeanor just makes my heart smile. Her favorite spot not only gives her the perfect perch to observe her world but, ours -  putting her in the heart of our home, where she can be close to her humans who adore her and her fur baby siblings who love her too! © Debe Maxwell, CRS | The Maxwell House Group | Savvy + Company | SavvyBroker@me.com | Speechless Sundays - The Gracie Rose Watch... 04/21/2024

Cluster mailboxes are how we receive our mail in the master planned community of Canyon Creek. About 8 weeks ago someone ran into the boxes in my section of the community at night and rendered them inoperable (from neighbors I learned the car didn’t sustain much damage)! It’s located right by one of the crosswalks at the elementary school.  Last year we received new cluster boxes as the old ones dated back to the 1990’s. I’m sure the City of Austin does not want to replace them again but we have to go to the Post Office 8 miles away to pick up our mail! The Post office said it could be 6 months to a year before they are replaced! I stopped at the Post Office to pick up my mail and ran into someone on my street and 2 streets over! We stood, laughed and talked. The gal on my street and I ... 04/23/2024

Exploring the annals of history is always a fascinating journey, offering glimpses into the significance of various dates. Here are a few intriguing historical tidbits to dive into this week. Amazing YouTube video has been around since 2005!   THIS WEEK IN HISTORY  u 2005: The first YouTube video is uploaded April 23. u 1990: The shuttle carrying the Hubble Space Telescope launches April 24.u 1986: An April 26 disaster kills 31 at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Kiev, Ukraine. u 1982: On April 24, consumer prices decline for the first time in 17 years. u 1970: On April 22, millions of Americans observe the first Earth Day. u 1898: Spain declares war on the U.S. April 24. The U.S. declares war on Spain April 25. u 1865: Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth is killed April 26 by the U.S. Cal... 04/25/2024

I recently committed to be a committee member on the Activities Committee for our neighborhood.   I knew some from the neighborhood, but have met several others now.  Some were not drinkers, so there was sweet tea on the agenda too!Today, the girls from the activities committee all decided we needed a "wine party" on Sunday afternoon.   I hosted, and was a fun time.  We had 7 join in, and have to say, was a perfect number.  No one is left out, and no side conversations when you have too many attending.We have an Ice Breaker Party planned for the community next Sunday, so that was some of the conversation, but was fun getting to know more about those I had not been around! 04/21/2024

A recipe from the kitchen of Will Hamm...    SERVES: 2 PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES COOK TIME: 25 MINUTES   INGREDIENTS   1 Bell & Evans Half Chicken 1/2 cup Olive oil, plus more for brushing grates 1/2 cup Orange juice 2 Lemons, juiced 3 Limes, juiced 1/4 cup Chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish 8 cloves Garlic, minced 2 tsp Chopped fresh oregano 1 tsp Ground cumin 2 tsp Salt 1 tsp Pepper 1 (15-oz) can Black beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups Cooked long-grain white rice, kept warm Place the chicken in a resealable bag. Add the oil, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Massage the mixture into the chicken to cover completely. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate several hours or overnight. Brush excess marinade... 04/23/2024

Blooms A Poppin in Prospect CT, 2Our weather was slightly stalled this week as we had cooler temps and a bit of rain.The spring colors may have been slowed, but they still showed additional presence.The pink weeping willow is showing its colors well and is beautiful when they flow with the wind.The rock garden at the bottom of the driveway is coming to life and the daffodils have blossomed and greet all that drive by.The phlox in front of it is starting to show signs of spring and that white/pink carpet should be in full blossom shorty.It's still too early for the azaleas and the pink of the choke cherries will show itself shortly as well.It's spring in the northeast and much appreciated as well.Blooms A Poppin in Prospect CT, 2  04/21/2024

Trivia question answers for Saturday April 20, 20241. What is the main food source for the Badger? Earthworms2. What does a fendersmith do? Maintains fireplaces3. Who was the first American female in space.? Sally Ride4. What SouthAmerican mammal resembles a small Llama? AlpacaTrivia questions for Sunday April 21, 20241. Who was the voice of Mr. Potato Head in "Toy Story"?2. What football championship was first played in 1967?3. Syncope is the medical term for what?4. How many times can you fold a regular piece of paper in half?Enjoy your day..  04/21/2024

Motivational Monday…Exercise For Your Heart Many of us know of the importance of daily exercise…for our hearts and for our minds.   We run, walk, and swim.  Some of you play tennis and pickleball or take long bike rides.  We take the same use it or lose it approach with our minds. Not only do we work daily crossword puzzles but if you have a smartphone, there are dozens and dozens of apps to keep our dendrites firing.  Besides exercising and healthy eating, something else works wonders in keeping our hearts healthy. Studies have shown that helping others, volunteering and general acts of kindness are “linked to lower levels of interleukin 6, a marker of inflammation.” More and more, we understand the role that inflammation plays in Alzheimer's as well as other diseases. So even if you’r... 04/22/2024

I previously wrote about the Monarch Butterfly nursery on our back patio on April 12. At that time we were able to see 11 caterpillars of various sizes.In the last few days the caterpillars started leaving the milkweed plants and crawling onto the table, the patio window, and the edge of one of the flowerpots. Within a day or so we could only find 3 of the 11 caterpillars. Hopefully the others found safe places to hang for the next stage, the chrysalis (pupa). We have looked around but haven't been able to find them so they are either well hidden or perhaps became some bird's dinner.One caterpillar is on the edge of a flowerpot and is not looking very healthy, but there are 2 that have now formed the chrysalis - one on window frame (above) and the other on the edge of the another flower... 04/20/2024

As with the commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a whole, the northeast region is rich with history. Across the Pocono Mountains, there are historic landmarks and museums to commemorate its place in history. Much of this history is rooted in deep ties to coal mining, an industry that had a stronghold across the region in the 19th century. If you’re looking for a break from the abundance of activities in nature that the Poconos provides, consider taking a trip back in time by visiting one of the region’s mining villages. Eckley Miners Village Museum is located in Weatherly, PA; found in the mid 1800s, Eckley provides a picture of a typical planned coal mining town. These towns were built for miners and their families, and provide a backdrop for understanding some of the economic and cultural ... 04/20/2024