the woodlands: Who Remembers YOU??? - 05/26/09 12:11 AM
I was inspired by a documentary on TV last night that showcased the life of Harlan Ellison, the writer of the original Star Trek series.  His openness is profound - expressed both in anger and wisdom - so I started a little research.  I found this quote:
"Like the wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that we are, all that remains, is in the memories of those who cared we came this way for a brief moment."
This provoking quote (on Memorial Day, no less) began an expanding thought process about … (5 comments)

the woodlands: Rejoice in the lessons of Memorial Day - 05/25/09 02:49 AM
When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless.  John Gardner
Today, we honor those that gave the ultimate service to others.  Not only do we take time to recognize their sacrifice and offer encouragement to those families that live on without those that we love...but we also can take what they have offered us and apply it to our every day approach to daily life.
Countless famous people have told us of the virtues of service.  Albert Swchweitzer said, "I don't know what your destiny will be but one thing I do know, the only ones among you who will … (4 comments)

the woodlands: Gardening promotes wisdom - 05/24/09 05:25 AM
One of the habits that I inherited from my father is the wisdom of keeping a garden.
Although my garden is tiny compared to average and super-teeny-weeny compared to the one kept by my parents, it still provides something for me that is hard to describe.
Sure, it is wonderful to taste the "fruit of my labor" with fresh tomatoes, basil and other culinary delights.  But there is more to the experience than can be tasted in the mouth when it is eaten.  (BTW: The pic on the right is actually the first little grape tomatoes formed in my garden on … (58 comments)

the woodlands: The Woodlands Wine & Food Week - May 26-31 - 05/21/09 07:18 AM

5th Annual Wine and Food Week 2009The Woodlands, TexasTuesday May 26th - Sunday, May 31stWith more than 40 events scheduled throughout the week, there is truly "something for everyone".  This blog does not have enough space to cover all the events, so you are encouraged to visit www.WineandFoodWeek.com to learn more.From seminars led by Wine Wizard, Lettie Teague to a Kidz R Cooking event in The Woodlands Mall on Saturday - you need to get your tickets ahead of time to assure the available of the particular fun event that is perfect for you and your friends/family.The best place to … (0 comments)

the woodlands: Sellers should demand - "Show me that you can write" - 05/16/09 06:21 AM
If you spend any time looking at the MLS, you know that many agents can't spell - much less craft a complete sentence or an accurate description of property they have listed.
Sellers have every right to demand that a prospective agent submit writing samples.  After all, the listing agent is applying for the position of "Marketing Manager" for the seller.  Any marketing manager understands the importance of writing clear descriptions that call potential buyers to sit up and notice.
Since 87% of today's real estate buyers cruise the internet prior to contacting an agent (according to NAR's statistics), we can … (6 comments)

the woodlands: Mom's Legacy - God Grant Us Peace - 05/10/09 11:57 AM
When I read Joe Pryor's tribute to his Mom, I was struck by the similarities of our experience.  Just before his Mother's passing, he came to Houston to see his Mom in the hosptal.  I live near The Woodlands, just north of Houston, and was in Oklahoma City at the time he visited here.
You see, my Mom passed on December 24, 2008 and her funeral was on the 27th - the day that Joe lost his Mom.  The serendipity was so remarkable, it prompted me to share something with my Active Rain family that is deeply personal and is a tribute … (4 comments)

the woodlands: How does an economist become an expert??? - 05/07/09 11:25 AM
I just have a few minutes before I leave for an appointment, but I was reading a backlog of email when I came across this post in the Houston Business Journal: Economist: ‘Free-fall is over'  Since I always love good news and share it with my client base, I hopped over to the website to see what the article used to support the claim of economic recovery.  Both real estate buyers and sellers around The Woodlands love to hear some good news.
When I got to the last paragraph of the article where it predicted the price of oil (an important … (2 comments)

the woodlands: Social Media Seminar - Reporting what I learned - 04/22/09 03:04 PM
ll see how they respond. Keep the feedback coming. If there is something in particular that interests you, let me know and I will either find an answer in my notes or see if I can get you an answer from all the wonderful techno-experts in my office here in The Woodlands. … (1 comments)

the woodlands: So much to learn about social media - 04/21/09 03:41 AM
Today - I am off to a seminar to learn more about social media from "expert" Chris Brogan.  I will drive a little over an hour to reach the hotel where he will be speaking.
It seems that so-called EXPERTS are showing up everywhere these days.  I'm not yet convinced of his expertise, but I will come back to this blog to share with you what I have learned. 
So - off I go to a paid seminar...hoping to learn something that will help me to connect to the buyers and sellers of real estate in The Woodlands and surrounding areas.  … (38 comments)

the woodlands: Is Social Media the new Gold Rush??? - 04/20/09 03:22 AM


Social Media Skills
Back in the day when hoards of people rushed to California to "Find Gold" many starved because they did not first learn the skills for panning the nuggets.  Have you learned how to sift out all the time-wasting "worthless rocks" of chatter in social media to find the glittering sources of wealth?
A lot of people are promising to share their wisdom about how to make $$money$$ using social media.  Some of them are repeating what they saw in another person's blog...but a few people have actually discovered some really useful information and they are willing … (2 comments)

the woodlands: Ike Lessons - Suffering is relative - 09/22/08 05:03 AM
Uncle Ike - I am suffering - Yeah right!
(This was written on September 15th, a few days after the storm on an old notebook computer powered by a noisy generator.)
Ordinarily, I would be suffering right now.  I have no internet access...in fact, I do not have electricity other than what is provided by the generator loaned by my brother who drove it down for me from Ft Worth on Sunday afternoon.
(This is my neighborhood in central Conroe to the right.  I looks pretty awful to see 100 year old trees waiting in pieces to be picked up as trash.)
(46 comments)

the woodlands: IKE Lessons - Thank You God! - 09/21/08 11:35 PM
David knocked on my door about 10 minutes ago (This was Tuesday, September 16th) and asked if he could work cleaning all the small bits and pieces of tree scattered throughout my yard.  It is certainly going to be a minimum of 3 hours of hard, hot work.  He said he would do it for $22.50 - the balance of money needed to get back to his home about 2 hours northeast of here. 
 (The photo below shos some of the yard debris.  Little peices of tree were scattered throughout the yard and needed to be raked and piled near the … (2 comments)

the woodlands: Lessons from IKE! - 09/19/08 11:11 AM
When a change as drastic as the last week happens - it shifts our thinking!  It helps us to become aware of what is important and how many lessons slip by us every day.
Earlier this week, when I was thinking more clearly, I wrote some blog posts on my semi-retired laptop computer.  I did not have internet access...power was provided by an extremely noisy generator that had to be fed gasoline a couple of times per day...and I did more lifting, stooping, reaching and dragging of things in the past week than I can ever remember.
Yet, every morning my … (8 comments)

the woodlands: Joe Vitale is asking for our help! - 09/11/08 07:01 AM
We have the power to influence the power of Ike!  For those of you that are familiar with the Houston-Galveston area, you know that the storm threat is an ominous occurence.  It would be easy for us to all sink into fear as we watch the highways fill with evacuees and hear the timeline of what we can expect from this storm.  Eventhough The Woodlands is an hour drive from Galveston, we must prepare for a full 24 hours of hurricane force winds.
You can help!  Please read the email from Vitale which I have copied and pasted in its entirety.  … (0 comments)

the woodlands: Zoot Suit Symphony - 08/17/08 03:14 PM

The Houston Symphony Invites you to The Woodlands Pavilion
Time travel to the era of the 1940s...swing dancing with the big bands to the tunes of such favorites as "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "Moonlight Serenade" and many others.  Michael Krajewski conducts the Houston Symphony with pre-show entertainment beginning at 7pm on Wednesday, August 27th.
With sponsorships from Woodforest Bank and Macy's you can bring your family for FREE LAWN SEATING.  For seating under the pavilion roof, prices are $10-15.  Tickets can be purchased at The Pavilion Ticket Office located at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands Town Center Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm … (1 comments)

the woodlands: Is Independance worth $17 million? - 08/17/08 02:46 PM
The Woodlands Township is ready to issue $17 million in bonds
Several years ago, most of The Woodlands was destined to become a part of Houston.  The residents, after seeing Kingwood become annexed, began seeking a way to avoid the same fate.  After several trips to Austin for meetings with legistlators, numerous surveys, studies and meetings, residents voted on a plan to become an incorporated city separate from Houston and Conroe.
Town Center, which is the downtown area of The Woodlands, became the taxing authority for The Woodlands Township.  In order to earn that independance, the new township agreed to float … (0 comments)

the woodlands: Survey Says - Texas Business Climate is Best! - 08/05/08 11:49 PM
Once again, Texas is best in the nation!!!
Texans have always seemed to think they are the best at everything and it is not always true.  But this time the information comes from a New York-based firm by the name of Development Counsellors International.  

When they asked 281 corporate executives to name the best state for conducting business, 40.8% of them answered the great state of Texas would be their choice.  Siting our low work force costs, a pro-business atmosphere and favorable tax structure as the reason why this state is attractive.
Governor Rick Perry brags about our "reasonable regulations, … (0 comments)

the woodlands: Flooding Possible Today - Hello Edouard! - 08/05/08 04:36 AM
Life Can Change Quickly on the Texas Gulf Coast!
Personal observances of hurricanes and tropical storms.
When I first moved to the Houston area from Dallas in 1979, I was amazed at how people react to any prediction of bad weather.  The grocery stores always get swamped by panicked people who want to stock up on water, batteries, non-perishable food and anything else that makes sense to them. 
I was up early yesterday morning and waited in line for gas at 7:30am.  There were high emotions as people wanted to make sure they had a full tank of gas before the … (0 comments)

the woodlands: Flood Fears???? Be Flood Smart!!! - 08/02/08 05:27 AM
Flooding is a real risk in the Greater Houston area
When I think back to June 2001, I can remember my own personal stories of struggle, fear, shock and disbelief as the entire area of the southeast Texas Gulf Coast had a real life experience of what it must have been like when the local citizens were left behind as Noah floated off in his ark. 
Tropical storm Allison was brutal and devastating for many.  It was only a big hassle for me.  In this photo, you are seeing a freeway completely covered by water.  Dan Wallach shared this photo on … (0 comments)

the woodlands: Houston area water - Clear as MUD!!!! - 07/31/08 10:35 AM
"What is a MUD and what does it have to do with me buying a home???"

This is one of the fun questions we get to answer when someone moves to the Greater Houston area.  You see, most everything about real estate development is different here. 
We don't have zoning.  But we do have ETJs and MUDs.
NO......not that kind of MUD!!!
We are talking about Municipal Utility Districts!!! 
The majority of properties in the general Houston area are not within the boundaries of an incorporated city.  And because of the lack of zoning, there are few restrictions about where … (0 comments)

 
Kathi Frank, The Woodlands TX (Kate Writes Right)

Kathi Frank

The Woodlands TX

Houston Heights, TX

More about me…

Kate Writes Right

Address: 9000 Forest Crossing, The Woodlands, Tx, 77381

Office: 832-464-4332

Mobile: 936-441-1314



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