November 22, 2009. Chevy Chase, Md. Travelling.

The highway was crowded driving to the farm. From Bethesda until we turned on Orleans Road the roads were full of cars. At some point on the drive, we decided that people were heading out of town for their Thanksgiving holiday. AAA announced that 48 Million Americans travel over 50 miles for Thanksgiving. The number of people using airplanes is down, which means the highways will be crowded all week. I'm grateful that this time we will be flying.

These days, flying is difficult. The planes are crowded and the security system is unpredictable. It requires five minutes to clear security most of the time, but when Jose and Elaine were leaving San Diego last Monday, it took them 55 minuted. It was fortunate they left themselves two hours at the airport. Ken and I usually leave plenty of time at the airport mainly because I hate to be rushed. Years ago, flying was comfortable. The plane was uncrowded and the food was decent, but not anymore. The whole experience is uncomfortable.

Ken has tried to use the trains, but getting to San Antonio or Mexico via train is next to impossible, which seems a shame. We did take the train to Halifax but it took two full days, with an over-night stay in New York, so it is not really cost effective in money or time. This is one of the parts of life when the good old days were better. Ried Buckley's book tells of taking the train from Connecticut to South Carolina, and taking a day and a half of fun and games for the whole family. Not any more. "Bring on the trains" I say,"and the sooner the better".

November 21, 2009. Artemas, Pa. Highlights.

Every time we drive up to the hill house a deer is browsing under the bird feeders. It started last night. When we came up from the hot tub, a very small deer was eating in the grass area right under all six bird feeders. We have fed the birds at the same place ever since we built this house and this is the first time the deer have eaten at that location. This small deer did not run away. It just stayed and looked at us and as we did not move, it kept eating until we opened the car door, when it ran away. This morning, a very large doe was eating at the same place. We have tried to figure out whether or not we are using different seeds, but Ken thinks not. Twice today, we observed the same behaviour, probably by the same small deer. It's a highlight of the day, arriving at home to see our resident deer grazing on the bird seed, right in front of the house.

Rodney is such a talented artist. This morning we picked up two pieces from the framer. Karen, who runs the framing business, was able to complete these two pieces to take with us when we go to Mississippi for Christmas. We discovered Rodney's ability five years ago and encouraged him to spread his wings and paint. Up until then, he would carve and draw with pencil and paper. We have several of his drawings of ducks and birds and they are very good. We kind of forced him to paint in oil when we commissioned a painting of the old farm house. He came and took many pictures. It took him two years to complete the painting of the house, which now hangs on the wall of the apartment. Today, we saw two of his latest paintings and they are wonderful. One is a small piece of an acorn, about three by four. It looks as if it is right on the forest floor. The other piece is of a seagull. I loved them both, but really want the acorn. The best part is that he likes them too and he is loving his painting. It is wonderful watching talent blossom and know that perhaps we played a little part.

November 20, 2009. Bethesda, Md. The Farm.

Bryan sold our bull. Now we have a new young bull. We are learning that after a couple of years, the old bull must be put out to pasture, or sent to the auction, for purposes of genetics and energy. I feel sorry about sending away our bull because he was a good bull. Thirty seven calves born this season is a testament to his vigor, but he had a growth on his cheek which no one could touch, so at this point he has probably been turned into hamburger meat. Today when we arrive at the farm we will meet a new bull. Actually, it is Bryan's bull, purchased locally, so he is not registered as an Angus.

Since we have been in the cattle business at the farm, our system has been to keep the heifers so they can have more calves and sell or make steers of the bull calves. It is a lovely sight to look out on the hills and see a herd of black cattle, all Angus. Bryan is pleased every time he comes over to the farm. The hills when you drive into the farm face southeast so when the sun comes over the opposite hill, those hills get the first sight of the light and warmth of the sun so of course, the cows hang out on those hills, which is what Bryan sees first thing every morning. All his life he has wanted a herd of good Angus cattle, and between the two of us, we have done it. Now we are both charmed by the sight. In addition, we enjoy the meat and we enjoy the income when we sell the calves. Our farm has becoming self sufficient in addition to being a pleasure to us. What a surprise!!

November 19, 2009. Bethesda, Md. Sarah and Andy.

Their home was lovely. Both the decor and furnishings and art were wonderful. Every part of the home had been re-furbished and updated. The two car garage was made over as the most elegant billiard table. In other words, their projects were over in that home. Last year at this time they held a cocktail party, something they have done every year, always very successfully. Each year the number of people in attendance has grown so that last year Ken, when leaving, commented to Sarah that they needed a bigger house!! Everyone laughed, except Andy and Sarah.

Tonight, Ken and I will attend their first party in their new home. Being very brave and energetic, they bought this lovely oldish home on it's large lot in a fine neighborhood. The good thing was that the house had never been updated at all, anywhere in the house, which meant that the house did not sell immediately. The grass cloth wall paper was everywhere and was old and tired. Sarah and Andy know how to "fix" a house, so they bought it, contingent on the sale of their own home, except two weeks later another offer came in on their new home. They did what any brave purchaser would do, was to remove their home sale contingency and proceed with their purchase. Fortunately, their old home sold and settled, prior to their purchase. Since that time, they have been busy with their new home. But Sarah has told me that they have enough projects for the next ten years, which is a good thing.

For my part, Tonight, I will enjoy their lovely home, at their uncrowded party. And once again, be thankful for Ken's honesty.

November 18, 2009. Chevy Chase, Md. Turkey Day.

It all started six years ago when a group of agents and staff were having lunch in the kitchen. They decided to serve a turkey dinner, in the office, to everyone who was in the office at that time, but not announce the dinner in advance. So they did and it was a great success, except only the people who happened to be in the office were able to eat while everyone else wished they had been there. I was away so was not a part of the plan. The first year, they cooked one turkey, which Mario cooked at home and carved it in the office. When I returned and heard about the plan, the decision was made to have the event again, but to plan ahead and invite everyone.

They have done it every year since. Dennis and Mario cook the turkeys at home and carve them at home. This year they will cook and carve five turkeys. Regina, Carol, Chris, Ruby and Sally make the mashed potatoes in the kitchen. Mario prepares the sweet potatoes and green beans. They serve all the traditional turkey dinner and the trimmings including salad and rolls. We collect canned goods for the food bank and the agents bring dessert. This is a wonderful event as it is organized and implemented with no Manager involvement. The agents line up to be sure they do not go hungry. Susie and Maureen decorate the table. Every thing about the event is a pleasure. Tomorrow at 12:30 we will have our turkey day. I can't wait.

November 17, 2009. Chevy Chase, Md. Manners.

I wonder if it is really true? Are people in the West just more polite and pleasant than those in the East? Now I know that the situations are not alike. I was in a tourist area where the folks are trained to be polite and everyone at the convention are from other places in the US and Canada, but when we were riding the trolley, the local people were helpful. They smiled at us and asked if we were enjoying San Diego. It was obvious that we were tourists because we did not know where we were going and when we were getting off and we had to ask a hundred questions.

Today in Bethesda, the weather was lovely. The only difficulty was that when walking across the street, you had to really watch out for the automobiles, even when the walk signal was on. In the elevator from my parking garage no one spoke at all. Honking horns are heard when the first car in line is slow to enter the intersection. I have heard that folks in the East are more intense or more bossy. I have never seen that to be true, but perhaps I have become just like everyone else and so do not notice. Certainly, it was noticeably, watching the California kids this weekend and the Bethesda workers today.

November 16, 2009. Chevy Chase, Md. Networking.

How times have changed. This has been my seventh convention, held by The National Association of Realtors. One of the goals of the meeting has always been to meet fellow Realtors and put them on our personal mailing list, in an effort to obtain referrals. Our theory has been that every agent knows someone who has gotten themselves promoted and will move to the Washington area. We want to help their client purchase a home here. It has worked. Before and after the meetings and sitting around the table eating lunch, the agents and I from the office have worked hard to get to know other agents from other areas of the country. Our system was interesting and productive.

Now in November 2009, our old system does not work. Even at lunch, every one keeps their eyes focused on their Blackberry, answering e mails, sending messages, talking on their phone. The agents from work who I am having lunch with are doing the same. The same is true while sitting for the class to begin. Almost every one in the room is working. The opportunity to talk to anyone new is impossible. Several times I interrupted the work on the Blackberry, but after a monosyllable answer to my question, the person quickly buried themselves in their little machine. This is definitely a change from past years. I wonder if it is beneficial?