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One American Perspective

Richard — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:22:37 +0000

Even though I was born deep within it’s borders, I didn’t really start to get what America was all about until traveling far outside of them and getting a sense of what goes on in other parts of the world. I’ve come to believe that mankind is nearly the same everywhere…99.9%. We all get up in the morning and go to work one way or another to feed and support ourselves and our families, and we all cherish our children and their futures above all other things. As far as mankind goes, the only real differences in countries and regions are in the dreams of the people who live there. Growing up in America, that difference is hidden…like not seeing the forest because of the trees. Because as you look at this land from afar, the difference can be simply described in two words…hope and freedom. Most take those gifts for granted here, but a lot of people in other parts of the world would give everything they own just for a taste of it.

The last several days as we approached the 4th of July, I found myself looking with interest every time I saw an American flag, the symbol of our country. There are lots of them everywhere you go. It just made me wonder…the farther away from 1776 we get, how has the dream evolved for this country and all of us that are linked to this part of the planet we call America? Lots of fireworks will be exploded, and gatherings large and small will happen today in celebration. This little experiment in government we call America is 234 years old today. A great number of people have sacrificed everything so that we could enjoy this day. It was their dream of hope and freedom that still lives in all of us.

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Whatever I Feel Like Day

Richard — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:54:02 +0000

Today is Father’s Day and so I figure I get to do just about anything I want since indeed, I’m a father. It’s similar to when it’s your birthday or something. I decided a few days ago not to host an Open House or take any real estate appointments today…so I had the day off. And so, what did I do with my special day when I could do whatever I feel like? Well, I got up early like always and saw my acoustic guitar sitting there, so I played with it for a while, which was fun. Then I opened a nice Fathers Day card from my son and daughter-in-law that I received in the mail a couple days ago and saved for today. Soon after, I ground and brewed some of my favorite coffee and had one of the giant blueberry muffins I made. Then while it was still cool outside, I gathered up my painting gear to work on a small house painting job for a while that needed doing. Picked up some potting soil at the store. Watered the section of the yard where I planted some grass recently. Then finally took to relaxing on the deck in the chaise lounge. It’s so hot today that I decided to take a break from the sun to visit with everyone here through IHB and post a favorite photo. The bear is part of one of the elaborate light posts/statues that adorns Monument Circle. Thought he had a lot of personality.

So, a little of this and a little of that. It’s been a good day so far. And later, dinner with my family and maybe watch a rented movie afterwards. What more can a man ask for.

Hope all of you and especially the Fathers are enjoying yourselves today too.

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Water Canvas

Memorial Day Weekend

Richard — Sun, 30 May 2010 17:13:57 +0000

Over the last week or so, there’s been several people I’ve encountered, just being friendly, who have inquired, “Got any big plans for Memorial Day Weekend”? To which I smile and reply something like, “Nope…just going to relax…stay at home”. And even though that’s partly the truth it’s not exactly how I know it will turn out. There are a number of little projects around the house that I’ve decide to take on that need completing. I won’t go into details on that. Everyone has a To-Do List of those types of things. Chores are mixed with spending time with family, playing with my guitars, preparing for outdoor barbecues and puttering in the garden. Yes, for a few days, I get to feel like a civilian. Off duty. Since I don’t have a 9 to 5, five-day-a-week job, the three day holiday doesn’t have the impact on my schedule it might have for some. But the phone has only rang 3 or 4 times so far this weekend on “official business”. When you have been a Realtor for as long as I have though, you learn to switch it on when needed, and then switch it off instantly afterwards. I always take care of what has to be done, holiday or not.

Memorial Day itself gives pause to think about those that have given the ultimate sacrifice so that all the rest of us can have relaxing weekends like this. I do think about them, and the spirit of the day also has grown to include thinking about friends and family that are no longer around. To me Memorial Day has become a day to spend a few minutes to honor fallen comrades and cherished memories…and enjoy the present with life’s simple pleasures.

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Another Six Weeks of Winter?

Richard — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:29:33 +0000

At sunrise on Tuesday, the truth will be revealed. Yes, tomorrow is Groundhog Day. The way I figure it, Punxsutawney Phil can’t be any worse at predicting the weather than the crack meteorologists at the Weather Channel. Six weeks from now, everyone will have forgotten about the prediction anyway so Phil’s reputation will be intact no matter what happens. So let’s hope for a cloudy day on Tuesday. Who wants six more weeks of winter? Everyone is ready for an early Spring…except maybe the people that run the ski slopes and resorts.

It’s even more exciting if you are a big fan of the 1993 movie Groundhog Day as I am. It’s an American classic. Today or tomorrow gives us a great excuse to break out the DVD and watch it one more time. The one-liners get funnier with each passing year. There are dozens of them.

OK, I’m busted. This isn’t directly about Indy or real estate for that matter. And while we are at it, I didn’t take this photo either. Everyone guessed that probably anyway. I just couldn’t let it pass without paying homage to this special holiday. I promise to be back on target tomorrow.

UPDATE – Tuesday 02-02
Phil saw his shadow this morning. So…six more weeks of winter coming!

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The American Story

Richard — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:28:44 +0000

This being Martin Luther King Day and a national holiday, I thought a little more than usual about how I felt and what I would post. While Martin Luther King is closely associated with civil rights and racial equality, I think his message essentially spoke to one of our most basic of American values. Mutual respect of each other. This is the same principle or lack thereof that drove the Pilgrims to Plymouth Rock to practice their religion in freedom…that inspired the original thirteen colonies to reject demands from England that they felt were unfair…that guided Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation…that influenced our country’s decision to enter just wars to defend other people who’s rights had been trampled. A core American value that’s repeated itself in events all throughout our history as a nation. It’s a cornerstone of the basis for democracy itself and one of our best aspirations just as human beings. So, today is a day to celebrate our little experiment with democracy and someone who showed all of us that the dream is worth it.

If you haven’t realized by now, I love American history and it’s traditions. The American story. Recently I took a walk in one of my favorite areas of our own town, Lockerbie, just north east of downtown. I chose these photos today because this area is one of the most historic and traditional neighborhoods in Indianapolis…it’s beginings traced to the origins of our city. It was originally platted in 1847 and was home at one time to everyone from laborers, to leaders in commerce, and to our famous local poet James Whitcomb Riley. Listed in the National Register for Historic Places, it’s one of the places I love here and a part of our own American story.

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Party Animals

Richard — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:26:01 +0000

Not sure if this is supposed to be Dasher and Dancer…or possibly Prancer and Vixen? But since this was taken on Christmas Eve day, I’m probably on the right track. If my memory of all the reindeer in the ‘Night Before Christmas’ poem is correct, I figure I have a one in nine chance of getting each of the names right. These guys were left cooling their heels…uh, hooves rather, in the corner of the Greenhouse parking lot at IMA. My guess is this sculpture was part of the decorations at a holiday party and then discarded afterwards…it’s fate to melt away slowly into a non-descript puddle. I’m lucky I found it when I did. Not a very noble ending but what are you going to do. Keep it in the freezer till next year?

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Happy Holidays

Richard — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:00:54 +0000

Official Tree

Richard — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:00:38 +0000

This being the day before Christmas, I thought this photo would be appropriate. The tree this year that gets the honor of standing in the Capital Rotunda is a 23 year old, 25 ft. Concolor Fir. It was grown in a tree farm in northern Indiana, cut and brought to the Capital building earlier this month. The ornaments visible were made by children from area schools which they hung during recent holiday festivities. I was wondering how they keep it upright and noticed there are cables tethered to it which are still barely visible in the photo. They are attached to the railings around the perimeter of the next floor above and hold the tree in place. When I was here taking this photo, there wasn’t any other person around anywhere, so it was really quiet and the massive rotunda with the tree standing under the stained glass dome had an almost magical presence about it.

For my own home, I always choose a Frazier Fir every year. I like the small needles, the shape and drooping angle of the branches. But mainly I get a Frazier because it’s the same kind of tree that my Grandpa always had in his home. Funny how certain memories last and become important. Christmas is all about tradition. Everyone has their own traditions for their own family that make it special and comforting. Decorating the tree is great but my favorite thing about the tree is the luscious scent that permeates the room when you bring it inside. Nothing else like it.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and joyous holiday season as you celebrate your own traditions.

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Seasonal Market

Richard — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:44:55 +0000

In other parts of the country where the weather stays warmer, the effects aren’t quite as noticeable, but in central Indiana the real estate market generally slows down somewhat this time of year. Partly due to the weather, as most people don’t feel much like moving when it’s colder…and partly due to the holiday season itself, as people prioritize their time toward holiday preparations, travel, shopping, parties, etc. There’s just less time to shop for homes. Realtors are just like everyone else too. They start kicking in to the holiday mode right along with everyone else. So the effect is the market gets noticeably slower after Thanksgiving through the first of the year. I don’t know of any Realtor though who wouldn’t make time to put a sale together if one of their customers wanted to.

The other side of this is, there still are Buyers out there looking. Usually if they are looking, they are more motivated than the fair-weather crowd for a variety of reasons. Maybe they are switching jobs and relocating to Indy, or their lease is up at the end of December, or for whatever reason, they have to buy a home. So if you are a Seller, it’s not the time to roll up the sidewalks. There are less people looking, but those that are are more serious and less likely to quibble. Homes look so nice this time of the year too with all the decorations.

The Spring market begins and things start picking up about the second week in January after people shake off the New Year’s glow. 2010!…wow. We’ve been so used to saying “Oh-one” through Oh-nine” (’01 – ’09). How many times will we hear someone say “Oh-ten” in January? I bet I’ll make that mistake myself a time or two.

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Lights and Imagination

Richard — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:19:21 +0000

Most of the time, people are fairly conventional about the look of their home. Seems like there is an unwritten code that they adhere to to fit in with others in their neighborhoods and community. Keeping your yard as green as your neighbors is one of these rules. Having popular bushes and landscaping planted around the perimeter is another. And now, everyone wants architectural or dimensional shingles instead of the flat ones we all used for decades. There are popular colors for painted siding and trim too if you want to be in style. Not a whole lot of experimentation and contemporary offerings around here. If you like traditional architecture, Indianapolis is right up your alley.

That’s why this time of year it’s interesting to see what people do with holiday lights and decorations. Their creativity and imagination comes out in the open. Some homes still look very traditional for sure. But lots of others get really crazy and go over-the top with it…while others are somewhere in the middle. For a month, people forget about being conventional and have fun with it. It’s entertaining to go for a drive, especially at night, and look around.

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