Just Horsin' Around - Thoughts on Central Texas Real Estate and More

701 Los Robles, Leander - Welcome Home!

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:22:57 -0500

ERA Colonial Real Estate Food Drive for the Caring Place, Georgetown, Texas

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:15:32 -0500

Every year, the ERA Colonial Real Estate office in Georgetown, Texas, has a food drive for The Caring Place, an agency providing assistance for those in need in Williamson County and, thus, often in need itself.

All the agents take a neighborhood and distribute bags to be filled with food. On a designated date, we re-visit our neighborhood and collect the bags put out on their porches by the residents of Williamson County who are aware that we're all in this together and who are giving their neighbors a helping hand.

Then, we all gather at the office and load up the haul into one vehicle and take it off to the Caring Place and unload it.

If you'd like to experience more of this great and fulfilling event with us through photos, look here (and turn on your speakers).

The Latest Installment of "It All Started In The Cayman Islands"

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:44:08 -0500

The Kiss

Remember when I posted about it all starting in the Cayman Islands? And then followed that up some time later with a post about it blossoming in the Cayman Islands?

Well, Monday, my daughter Jess and I were shopping and packing and getting ready all day.

Tuesday, my daughter Jess flew to Canada.

Last Wednesday, after a pre-wedding slide on the ice rink, in the company of a dozen of their friends, she and Chad were married. They're starting their new adventure in Canada, where he'll graduate this spring and then there will be two years of grad school. By all accounts, married life is blissful. (Are we surprised?) My Native Texan is going Canadian! At least one, perhaps two, ceremonies, maybe in two different countries, are in the offing at some yet to be determined point in the future for those of us who couldn't attend and who think we really really should be able to!

Be Happy, Young'uns! Enjoy the journey!

Rescuing Horses One At a Time

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:07:52 -0600

I am on the board of an online group, ForeverMorgans, that is devoted to rescuing Morgans who are headed for slaughter, one at a time. We rescue Morgans from brokers that purchased them to ship to slaughter. We're working on getting our non-profit status. We function through a YahooGroups list. When a Morgan is identified, we'll decide as a group about making the effort to rescue that particular one (we can't save them all), and everyone will chip in - $10, $20, $50, one astounding time, $500 as a gift to the person who has everything. These funds are raised to pay the "bail" for the horse, its quarantine costs, and transport to its new home. We locate forever homes for these horses (an application must be filled out and approved by anyone wishing to provide the forever home - rescues can take a lot more in terms of time and money to rehab and gain their trust, and some of them may never be more than pasture pets, and the home has to be able to deal with all of these issues). Mostly, members volunteer to take these horses and give them the love and care they need.

So, it's basically a lot of people who love horses, and Morgans in particular, coming together to do something about the problems that the horses are facing through no fault of their own, because of overbreeding, because of the economy, for many reasons.

The good news is, by talking about this online, I've had people from various breeds contact me to ask how they can get something like this started for their breed, as well. So seeds have been planted and more horses may be saved. If you love horses, and you'd like to get something started like this for your breed, please contact me and I'll give you an idea of what we've found works and what doesn't. We can't depend on the government to fix everything, folks - a lot of it is going to be up to us.

One of our members, Sherrel Stephenson, posted her story to the list, and it spoke to me of what we're about. I got her permission to post it here. Pictures will be coming later. So, without further ado:

Sherrel and Honey's Story.

I wanted to let everyone know that Honey is safely home here in northern N.H.! Finally!!! I cannot thank all of you enough for saving her from a terrible fate. A special Thank You to Helga who QT'd Honey and Elyse who fostered her until I found her "again". Again, you may say. Yep, again. Let me tell you "our' story. You have that right. I hope it makes you smile and realize what terrific folks you all are and I'm asking God for a special blessing upon each of you.

It's been a long, but inspiring event which started last December when I "happened" onto the Forever Morgans site. I love horses, all horses, but having been fortunate to have been raised in Morgan country around some of the best known old Morgan breeders/owners of the day, the Morgan Horse is my all time favorite breed. I personally owned several Morgan Horses through the years and every one of them was wonderful; even the golden one who never bore Morgan papers.

I am sixty years old and started with my own pony when I was five. That pony was the first of many personal horses and ponies through the next 52 years. In 2005 I laid my last two old horses to rest and went horseless until the summer of 2008. Not having a horse to care for and love got the best of me; no chores; no whinnies; no hot breath nuzzles on a cold winter morning, no bareback rides through the pines on warm summer evenings..no nothing. I was an unhappy camper to say the least but I didn't really realize it. I had friend's horses I could ride and I had the show circuit to keep me busy.

Last summer a friend who had sold her Paint mare to a forever home told me that the forever home wasn't working out. I had ridden this mare and I liked her, so I bought her. I felt it was time for a horse and I was also worried that the mare would fall into the wrong home. She was young, well trained for the ring and was great for the trails. My best friend bought an elderly Morgan mare from another friend and we had a great summer. As fall and winter rolled around, I realized with deep regret that my Paint mare was going to waste with me. She needed a job and needed someone who would take her to her potential in the showring; this was where she belonged. She needed to go where she could be used twelve months of the year and our northern N.H. winters don't allow for that. I don't show anymore so I made the decision that if the right person came along, I would let her go.

In the meantime, I planned to replace her with an older, more seasoned horse that rode and drove. We trail ride in the warmer months and drive year around. I don't want to train and school a horse anymore; I just wanted a barn pet that was equally happy in the barn, the field and occasionally under tack..a buddy.

This is when I came across Forever Morgans. This is where I first saw Honey. During some short correspondence with Helga, I learned that Honey was a driving mare (probably Amish trained) but that it wasn't known whether she was broke to ride. Knowing that saddle training a horse would put me right where I didn't want to be, I passed on her; but never forgot her. The holidays came and went, I got busy with work and didn't pay attention to things. I knew in my heart that the right horse would come along and if I were patient, I would find one. I still had to find the Paint mare a new home first and after a bunch of inquiries which I wasn't comfortable with, I finally found that home for her. It took four/five weeks to get the right weather to transport her out of the mountains and to her new home, but it was done. This was during all the snow storms and sub-zero temperatures we had.

Now enter Jasper, my QH gelding. The same friend who used to own the Paint mare, had purchased a sixteen year old, totally broke Quarter Horse gelding for her granddaughter last summer. As it turned out, the child was not the least bit interested in anything "horse" except to get on and ride (when she wasn't busy with video and TV) and this didn't cut the mustard with Grammie. So within a short time, Jasper came to live at my barn and become my trail horse. He's great, by the way, but doesn't drive.

Anyway two weeks ago, I happened to be home for an entire day and sat down to the computer to "visit" Forever Morgans again. The Good Lord must of put my finger to the "pc mouse" that day because it was one I shall never forget. I was so stunned at the time that I "can't" (LOL) remember just how I came across the particular post, but I found that Honey was no longer in QT but was in foster with Elyse. I thought she had been re-homed long before this and nearly dropped. I didn't need her to be broke to ride now; I had Jasper!! I was so excited that I had a hard time to keep the ole fingers quiet enough to email Helga.

I had excellent communications with Helga and Elyse and I realized that Elyse was in Massachusetts so I could pick Honey up myself. I had to make arrangements to borrow a truck and trailer as my trailer is in the shop until spring and my truck isn't set up for a gooseneck (which is what I had available to use). So I got this all arranged and like usual, there's always a glitch...........the damned weather up here. I was supposed to travel to MA on Wednesday but we got hit hard by an ice storm and anyone who has been up here north of Mt. Washington knows that the only way out of Gorham is through a mountain pass or "notch". The tractor trailer trucks were all parked on either side waiting for the ice to be cleared. So, I let Elyse know it would be Thursday before I could head down.

We left Lancaster (where the truck and trailer were) early on Thursday morning. It was very foggy all the way down I-91 until we got below the higher terrain. We arrived at Elyse's around noonish and there was my gorgeous girl, prancing around with an equally gorgeous bay mare with an incredibly thick, wavy black mane and tail...Yep, I guess you know who that was...Angel.

Honey was a bit elusive to catch (she knew exactly what was coming, another trailer ride), but eventually Elyse was able to halter her and wal-lah a different horse. Totally calm, willing and loaded right onto the trailer without a second look. Lord, how trusting horses are even after what some of them have been through. Elyse had an appointment elsewhere and we had a long trip home, so quick good byes and on the road we went.

The trip was uneventful for awhile. Honey rode like she did it every day. A couple of stops to offer water and make trailer checks and we were on our way. We got to the end of I-91 and headed cross country to the opposite side of the state to home. We ran into rain but the temps were in the forties so it was ok traveling. Of course, then the mountains popped up. Temps dropped, rain froze and speed diminished. By the time we got to the mountain pass, we were just ahead of the rain changing-to-snow storm. We got over the pass and arrived at the barn around seven PM. She unloaded quietly off the trailer, gave the old gelding a secondary look, glanced at the Morgan mare and walked right into her stall like she had always been there. I removed the halter and the first thing she did was lie down and roll; one side then the other. She checked out her water buckets, took a mouthfull of hay and looked up as if to say "Ok, what's next?" She got a small token amount of grain (as did the other two) and settled right in. My best friend April who owns the other Morgan mare and is animal lover extraordinaire, stayed at the barn whilst this writer headed back out to return the truck and trailer. I think she just wanted her own time to hang on the stall door and sweet talk to Honey. The roads by now were terrible but we made it, got the trailer unhooked and truck parked and I got back over the "hill" and home. April called and said all was quiet and well at the barn, so I hit the hay, thankful for an almost #10 day.

This morning dawned bright and clear and the temps weren't bad. I got to the barn and the first horse to whinny and say good morning was Honey. She has made friends with the other Morgan mare, is eating well
and doesn't appear to give a damned about anything. She is still aloof towards "Mr. QH" but then again, he is a "man" and therefore, not of much importance to her. Both mares were turned out (she let me walk right up and put her new halter on) and walked side by side to the hay. After a time, I took Mr. QH out on a lead and let him eat near them until it was obvious that Honey thought he wasn't worth the time of day and vice versa. I hung around for quite awhile doing stalls and keeping an eye, but it wasn't necessary. The three of them are like they've always been there together. For once the pecking order hasn't changed and Mr. Q is still on the bottom of the list. LOL

More great happenings: Today I got word that the woodshop at the local State Prison has taken my Meadowbrook cart in for total refurbishing. These men completely remodeled our Town Hall and also do furniture refinishing. They do excellent work. I have asked the foreman to replace some of the body parts with a lighter weight wood because Honey is not a big horse. So in a month or so, her new cart will be ready.

I have both a breastplate and collar type harnesses to use until I decide which Honey will like the most. Then she'll get one all of her own. In the meantime, we'll spend time on "bonding" and let her come into it at her own speed. She does not know that she will never, ever leave, but I promise you all, I will do everything I need to do to give her the best remaining years I can give.

I am going to get pictures of her and I may drive you bonkers with them, but hey; she's your's as much as she is mine. I truly believe that. I hope that some of you will "vacation" in this neck of the woods and will please come and visit. The coffee pot will always be on.

With love to all of you.
Sherrel

Layer Cake

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:16:13 -0600

This great blog by James Quarello illustrates one of the "Duh!" moments of sustainable building and living - think about very simple every day physics (in this case, heat rises) and you can make a big difference.

Via James Quarello - ASHI Certified CT Home Inspector (JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC):

A while back I wrote a blog on the occurrence of air stratification in homes. This is when warm and cold air layer in a room. Recently I came across a classic example of this during an energy audit. The infrared image at the right very distinctly shows how the air has layered in this room. The temperature difference between the ceiling and the floor, over 15 º F.

The second infrared image shows the same occurrence in a connected room.

The reasons for this happening are for one physics and the other poor installation of the heating ducts.

In Connecticut we heat our homes most of the year. Consequently the heating registers should be located when at all possible in or near the floor.

In the two rooms pictured the heating registers were placed in or near the ceiling. The bright spot in the second image is the heating register.

With the idea to evenly heat the room the installers placed return air ducts near the floor thinking the warm air will be drawn down by the ducts. Not surprisingly that theory did not pan out. What's more if return ducts could be installed near the floor, they just as easily could have been made heating ducts. This was true in the second room as well. A storage room behind the wall affords ample space to install the registers down low.

This is a standard case of physics winning out over mechanics, but by applying a little more mechanics the problem can be resolved. In the room with the high ceiling putting in a ceiling fan will almost assuredly resolve the issue. Ceiling fans are a good energy efficient way to "homogenize" the room air. Running the fan will evenly warm the space causing the heating system to run less often.

The second half of the solution would be to relocate the registers. Doing this will be more costly and labor intense than putting in the fan, but will further achieve the desired benefit of a more evenly heated space.

Identifying a problem such as this one would be difficult without the aid of an infrared camera. However an HVAC installer should be cognizant of this effect when placing duct work. In the instances when ducts are unable to be ideally placed suggesting a ceiling fan be installed would be good advice.

Layer cake is tasty, but not on a wall.

James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

To find out more about our other high tech services click on the links below:

Learn more about our Infrared Thermal Imaging & Diagnostics services. Learn more about our energy audits, the Home Energy Tune uP®.

Hey Houston! Make Your Energy Efficient Improvements in 2009! Here's Why

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:26:52 -0600

My buddy from Active Rain and Facebook, Stephanie Edwards-Musa, wrote this great blog detailing the "green" money-saving possibilities this year. She did such a wonderful job that I thought it should be shared.

Via Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®):

Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency. It is all we have heard for about a year and is one of the Hottest topics in the 2009 State of Texas Legislative Session. However, in Houston we may NOT want to wait to see what happens this year - We should probably consider making the changes NOW!

Part of the infamous Bailout last October was to extend some Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. While the Solar Tax Credits were improved AND extended through 2016, The Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Improvements was ONLY extended through 2009!

The Federal Tax Credit includes:

Windows and Doors

Insulation

HVAC

Water Heaters

AND MORE

Now, The Tax Credit is for 10% of the cost and UP TO $500 -

While that may not have you running to the Phone Book to find a Contractor, let's consider making these changes ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND May 23-25 2009 -

Odd, I know, that I would recommend only doing this on ONE Weekend a year - Let me Explain.

The State of Texas has scheduled the Tax Free Weekend for Energy Star Items again this year! It's on Memorial Day weekend and for what is Energy Star Rated, IT IS TAX FREE! Here is what falls under the Tax Abatement:

A/C Systems priced Under $6,000

Programmable Thermostats

Ceiling Fans

Dishwashers

Dehumidifiers (which could go under A/C)

LIGHT BULBS (STOCK UP FOR THE YEAR OR TWO!)

Refrigerators under $2000

Under the State of Texas Program this sometimes will also include some Installation/Delivery costs AND will work on all Online Purchases!!

So now, if you combine the two this year - You can get $500 back on your 2009 Tax Return AND save at least 8% on Tax when Buying it on Memorial Day Weekend! Here's a breakdown:

$400 Dishwasher - $33 in tax

$50 Programmable Thermostat - $4.13 in tax

HVAC based on $3000 System - $247.50 in tax

Water Heater - $16.50 in tax

You could potentially save A LOT of money. If you decide to only do the ones that can qualify TWICE you may want to consider an HVAC System and Water Heater over Memorial Day.

Let's hope that the Federal Incentive is extended past 2009 but I know for a fact that some Energy Efficiency items that I was personally holding off on, I'm going to do this year.

If you decide to take advantage of these items, be sure to stop back by and let us know how much you save!!

Don't Tell Yourself It Can't Happen Here - If It Can Happen to Peter Rabbit, It Can Happen To You!

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:57:36 -0600

You live in the country , or in a small rural town. You've lived there, with your animals, forever, it seems.

Your small rural town starts growing. People move in from elsewhere, people who are used to "city ways". They want this little town that they moved to from the city to become like the very place they moved from. They lobby the city council to make regulations making it unlawful to have animals, which have always been there, inside the city limits. (Sometimes this is after getting the town to even HAVE city limits.)

But those who've lived there forever, including the elderly animals for whom this has always been their home, the ones who were there first, before the others moved into their territory, will be grandfathered in, right? They won't have their way of life disrupted and their environment destroyed for the newcomers, correct?

Don't count on it. Peter Rabbit and his owner and family thought this would be the case; after all, the horse has lived in that pasture since he was foaled there in 1976, and his owner has had horses in that pasture since he bought the land in 1935, and it would make sense that this one horse would be allowed to stay until nature inevitably takes its course not too long from now.

But, no. An agreement could not be reached, the city council stood firm in spite of pleadings from all around the globe to do let Peter Rabbit live out the rest of his short life at home, and Peter Rabbit was forced to leave the pasture he's called home for 32 years. He didn't want to go, and who can blame him?

So, if you live in a small town where there's a city nearby moving in your direction, don't think that just because this is your home and you were there first, that it can't happen to you.

As long as we allow this kind of thinking, it can. And will. And that's a shame.

Are We Waiting To Be Stimulated? Or Should The Stimulus Package Come From Us?

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:56:05 -0600

I read an interesting article on CNN this morning about a woman (granted, the wife of a legislator) in Florida who, through an act of kindness, is doing something on her own to help deal with the current situation we all find ourselves in together. Chene Thompson is letting Henrietta Hughes and her son, homeless and living in a car, live in her vacant home that is not selling in the depressed Florida housing market, until they can get on their feet.

The article got me thinking. While most of us don't have an extra, empty house lying around to donate the use of to someone who's in need, there must be plenty of opportunities for us to help each other through these times, if only we look for them. It could be helping someone learn a new trade, it could be mentoring a student in need, it could be running a food drive to help the local food bank (our office is doing that right now), it could be helping someone find a job when you don't have to, it could be just listening to someone who needs a sounding board to figure out the next step, it could be providing clothing to someone down on their luck who needs to do to a job interview and be dressed "right", it could be any number of things.

We've become so used to depending on and waiting on the government, in many cases, to "fix things" for us that we forget that this country was founded on fixing things for ourselves.

Isn't it time that we remember that? Shouldn't we all be giving each other a helping hand, rather than waiting for someone else to do it?

What have you done to help fix this problem and help your fellow man or woman through it?

Please Welcome Terry Graf to Active Rain!

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:39:14 -0600

Terry Graf is a Broker Associate in our ERA Colonial Real Estate office in Georgetown, Texas. He's just taken the move of joining Active Rain, one of the few agents in our office to get on board the online blogging world, which puts him a jump ahead of most of the rest of the agents in our community.

Terry does all kinds of real estate, but like myself, he has a farm and ranch specialty. This brave man shares an office with 3 women (myself being among them), all of us a wee bit rowdy, and handles that with grace and aplomb.

Give Terry a big AR welcome, will you? Tell him "Hi!" when you see him roaming the Active Rain virtual corridors. You'll be glad you did!

Our History Is Part of Our Environment

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:11:26 -0600

I heard on the news last night, and against this morning in the Austin American Statesman, that Preservation Texas has issued a list of 2009's Most Endangered Historic Places.

We don't often think of the impact that history has on who and what and where we are today, but its impact is enormous. We can't figure out where we're going if we don't know where we are and how we got there. Trashing the old in service to the new is an attitude that leads to such things as giant mountains of trash in our waste disposals, a landscape buried in houses (we just HAVE to have a brand! new! house! with all the latest bells and whistles, or if the refrigerator isn't the latest color, out it goes!).

To counteract this trend, we should be treasuring our history and the places that serve as reminders of it. Whether it be Hamilton Pool, once crystal clear 20 feet to the bottom, now all but destroyed by silt from a nearby development, or a bank building in a mid-century architecture that's all but lost, or a bridge, or a church, or a Governor's Mansion, these are the things that remind us of our roots, that ARE our roots, and they are precious.

It Started In The Caymans, and It Blossomed In The Caymans!

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:18:31 -0600

Some of you read my post some time back called "It All Started In The Cayman Islands". Well, there's an update.

When last we left our young lovers, they were headed for a few months in the Cayman Islands, where Chad would be doing a work/study semester in structural engineering. No plans were being made beyond December 19, the date scheduled for Jess' return to Austin.

The trip to the Caymans was a resounding success, by all accounts. By the time they returned to Austin, it was clear to everyone else, if not to them, that this was The Real Thing and Permanent.

Chad is now finishing up his final semester at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Jess is visiting him as often as humanly possible. Which is not often enough, from all reports.

So, recently, we got the Very Surprising News that, guess what! There's a wedding forthcoming! (We were all shocked to hear this, of course. The average response was, "Yeah, and? Have you got any real NEWS to tell us?") Seriously, we're all very excited and pleased. Details are in the works, rings are being looked at, wedding dresses researched online, all the things that go with such delightful news. Details of Weddings Past are being shared, as well. In our considered opinions, the two could not be better matched, and it certainly is delightful to see your daughter glowing with happiness.

Just thought I'd let you all know The Rest Of The Story. Or, at least, the beginning of the rest of the story!

Don't Mess With Texas!

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:09:04 -0600

"Don't Mess With Texas!" We're all familiar with this saying, but I've discovered hanging out in online relocation forums that a lot of people who aren't from here really don't understand what it's about.

They think it's too aggressive. They think that we're being pugilistic. They think that we're saying that we're better than anyone else. Granted, there've been some riffs on the phrase that could lead to that conclusion - I, myself, have a cherished old red t-shirt that says, in big red letters, "Don't Mess With Texas Women". Now, that's pretty accurate - we are known to rip off the velvet glove rather quickly, and a lot of us ARE armed!

This confusion has become widespread enough that I've actually seen a billboard by the Texas Department of Transportation that says, "'Don't Mess With Texas' Means Don't Litter". Now, that's sad, that it has to be spelled out so bluntly.

In actuality, "Don't Mess With Texas" is an award-winning advertising program sponsored by TxDOT intended to, with some humor, remind people that "messing" with Texas in the form of littering is not the manly thing to do. Commercials with such Texas icons as Willie, Lyle, Stevie (yeah, a lot of our icons are known by one name), Joe Ely, Marcia Ball, George Foreman, and others encourage our citizens to treat Texas with respect, not throwing trash on her highways and byways. We're proud of our state, with good reason, and don't hold kindly with people treating her with disrespect.

So, when you're traveling in Texas, whether you're just visitin', or you've lived here all your life and all your granddaddy's life, or if you're relocating here, and you see a sign that says, "Don't Mess With Texas," just smile and put that trash away to throw in the trash can at the next stop, or put that cigarette (yes, they do count) out in the ash tray instead of throwing it out the window. Texas will thank you, the environment will thank you, and we won't have to get aggressive or pugilistic with you!

Full Disclosure Or Madness?

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:16:00 -0600

As real estate agents, we all know about disclosure. Our clients must, in many, if not all, states, fill out a seller's disclosure form disclosing everything they know of that might be wrong with the property they are selling. We must disclose faults and flaws that we know about with the property. This is to protect the buyer who should, of course, also do their own due diligence when considering purchasing a home.

However, there comes a point when the legal requirements for full disclosure just become silly.

A case in point is the labeling of a product containing eggs. The product? A carton of . . . wait for it . . . EGGS! Who knew that a carton of eggs might contain eggs, and that someone allergic to eggs might purchase that product without knowing that it contained eggs unless they were warned by the label!

My question is, as a society, have we all gone mad? Do we really have to protect ourselves from each other (from litigation) to this extent?

Granted, anyone who bought eggs, was allergic to them, and then sued on the basis that there was no label on the carton warning that the product contained eggs, would likely have their case thrown out of court. But the mere fact that it is a possibility that they WOULD sue is a sad commentary on our society.

Next thing you know, we'll be putting warning labels on bottles of water warning against drowning.

Rum Cake Filled With Memories

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:49:08 -0600

When I was a little girl, growing up in East Texas, there were many events where bringing food was simply "the thing to do". Since my mother was a preacher's wife, it was even more mandatory that she do so. One of her favorite standbys was a rum cake (using rum flavoring instead of actual rum, of course!). This is one of my fond memories of childhood, but somehow I'd never tried to make one myself.

This New Year's, I decided I wanted to do something a little bit different, so I go online and started hunting. Finally, I found the following, which DOES use rum, and which I think comes close to my childhood memories (with a bit more "kick" to it). I combined several similar recipes (variations on a theme) to come up with this. It's easy, and good, keeps well (I'm told it will freeze well but I have to make one especially for that, I think, in order to have enough left to try it!), and was VERY popular. It brings back memories of my mother and her own special rum cake, as well.

This would make an excellent welcome to your new home gift, as well!

GOLDEN RUM CAKE

1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1 package yellow cake mix
1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup dark rum

Glaze (Directions below):

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup dark rum

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Greaste and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the bottom of the pan.

3. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1/2 cup dark rum. Blend well.

4. Pour batter over nuts in the pan.

5. Bake at 325 for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

6. Remove from oven, prick cake with fork while still in the pan, and brush 1/3 of the glaze mixture over the bottom of the cake, allowing to soak in between brushing. Take your time with this!

7. Let sit for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto the cake plate.

8. Prick the sides of the cake with a fork. Brush glaze over top and sides. Allow cake to absorb glaze, then brush again, repeating until all glaze is used.

9. To make the glaze: Combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup water, and 1 cup sugar in asaucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup rum.

10. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Trans Texas Corridor Is Toast!

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:18:38 -0600

The Executive Director of TxDOT and Governor Rick Perry announced today that the dreaded Trans Texas Corridor is dead as originally planned.

The megalithic roadway/railway planned to cut through some of the best farmland in Texas on its way to Mexico stirred much controversy. People living in its path faced losing farms that had been in their families for generations. During the many years it took to determine even a possible path (and a definite one was never determined), no one knew if their land would be impacted, or how, or if they could sell their land, or if they should buy land that might be condemned for the planned 1200 foot wide strip of asphalt and railway covering the earth.

I was used to seeing, in my travels through the countryside, signs warning that TxDOT employees were not welcome on this or that piece of land and that trespassing would be dealt with severely. (That's paraphrasing; firearms were mentioned on the standard sign.)

A group of small towns (Bartlett, Holland, Little River-Academy, and Rogers) that were in danger of being overrun by the Trans Texas Corridor united to form the Eastern Central Texas Sub-Regional Planning Commission (ECTSRPC) to at least delay it, if not stop it outright.

All in all, the people most impacted by this behemoth were not in favor of it, but Governor Perry and TxDOT pressed on.

Now, it's been declared dead. But these things have a way of being resurrected in a new guise, so those concerned are not relaxing yet.

However, tonight - a wake for the Trans Texas Corridor! Margaritas all 'round!

Does It Drive You Crazy When Your Email Doesn't Work?

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:48:50 -0600

Over the past 30 days, I've been having email issues. Well, actually, my ISP has been having email issues. Something about Taiwanese spammers and hacking and Yahoo! (and a few other people) putting them on the Bad List and everyone but Yahoo! taking them off (but I do a lot on YahooGroups!, so this is important). Sometimes I don't receive my emails. Sometimes, my emails won't send. Always, when they don't arrive where they are supposed to, instead of bouncing back so that I KNOW they didn't arrive, they go into the internet ozone layer, never to be seen again (except occasionally, when the ozone layer hiccups some days or weeks later). Makes it hard to do my job. I even got my ISP together with my secret contact at YahooGroups! in hope of getting this thing fixed. (Now they owe me one!)

This is driving me CRAZY! Now, I have backups in place. I have another ISP (my old, original one), I have a webmail through my office (that forwards everything on to my ISP, except when my ISP isn't accepting messages), I have gmail (a couple of accounts). I'm covered. But all of this involves a great deal of workaround time, and I am Not A Happy Camper.

Technology is a wonderful thing. I love technology. Except when it drives me CRAZY!!!!!!

So. How has your day been?

Which Home Is The Greenest of All?

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:41:31 -0600

There's a lot of attention being given these days to building "green" homes, and to renovating existing homes to be more green. This is a Very Good Thing, in my opinion, for many reasons, not the least of which is, these homes cost less to run.

But how many think about something very basic, the thing that makes any home "greener than thou", when it comes right down to it?

What is it? Do you think you know? Ponder it for a moment, then read on.

The answer is TIME.

Not the time it takes to build the house. Not the time it takes to pay for the house.

No, the time the house is built to last. If a house is built to last for 10 years, then must be replaced, it has a certain environmental cost made up not only of the materials used to build it, but the materials used to build the replacement home, as well. If the house is built to last for 50 years, the environmental cost is much less, over time. If the house is built to last for generations (as some houses in Europe have), the environmental cost is dramatically less, even taking into consideration repairs and renovations that are made over those generations.Houses that are designed with additions in mind, if they should become necessary in future, houses that are designed to be living things, to "grow" with the families that inhabit them over time, houses that are built to work well in the environment in which they find themselves, are the greenest of the green.

As a culture, we have a tendency to disdain the old and insist on the new. That's not the environmentally friendly way to think, however. If a house is sound, if it was built to last forever, the last thing that needs to be done, if you want to be truly "green", is to tear it down and build a new house in its place.

Without that very basic approach, we're hampered in building green homes, and in treading gently on the earth. And yet I never hear this mentioned in all of the talk of "green building", of how the quality of the house and its ability to last over time is, with how it's oriented on the lot, the very foundation of building green.

Wonder why that is?

Turn Your Urban Back Yard Into a Wildlife Habitat

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:07:06 -0600

One of the delights, this first day of the new year, was reading about a program that the City of Austin has in place to encourage biodiversity within the urban setting.

The City of Austin wants to be designated as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, and to this end they are encouraging homeowners to turn their yards into wildlife habitats by meeting certain specifications (food, water, and shelter sources). Upon application and qualification, the yard can be certified as a wildlife habitat.

Austin has long been a "green" city, being green before green was cool. This program is just a continuation of the kinds of programs that are in place here, encouraging such things as solarl panel use and rainwater harvesting, among others, with rebates.

NAIS Revisited

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:46:36 -0600

If you thought that because NAIS was required to be voluntary by our federal legislators, we don't have to worry about it any longer, think again. The USDA has been applying pressure on states to enact regulations that make it, in effect, mandatory, while allowing them to claim it to be voluntary.

If you care about small farmers, if you care about small ranchers, if you care about folks with horses, if you care about the availability of fresh, locally grown food, do your research on NAIS and let your legislators, state and local, know how you feel.

A good place to start (and vote) is here, at Change.org. Follow that up with more research, and then write your legislators (or go to their websites and write them there).

If we don't speak up, we don't have any right to complain when our rights are taken away.

When Things Get To Be Too Stressful, Watch a Puppy!

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:35:56 -0600

Yesterday, my husband, who often despairs at the amount of time I spend online (I'm working, Honey!), got even. He came in from his own computer and told me I really needed to go read a New York Times article. So I did. And followed the link. And now I'm hooked. The good news is, it's amazing how watching these famous Shiba Inu puppies going around their day can sooth stress. I highly recommend it. So, without further ado, watch the puppies! (Turn your sound on.) Free Webcam Chat at Ustream

Equestrian Land Conservation Resource Survey

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:06:29 -0600

The following was brought to my attention, and it is something that all horsemen and women, wherever we might be, need to be aware of. Especially as real estate agents specializing in horse properties and farm and ranch, this is an issue that needs to be at the forefront of our thinking, and if we're ecologically minded, even moreso.

This is the first that I've heard from Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, and I'm going to be exploring their website and related links today, and will participate in the survey. I encourage those of you, consumer or agent, to whom this is a concern to do likewise.

Equestrian Land Conservation Resource

Advancing the conservation of land for horse-related activities

COMPETITION VENUES DISAPPEARING NATIONWIDE

New Survey Shows Equestrian Competition Land Increasingly Vulnerable

Lexington, KY. November 24, 2008. The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource has commissioned a survey about the loss of land used for horse-related competitions, which has generated considerable interest prompting an extension to the survey deadline through to January 15, 2009. Data has so far been received from over 100 locations in more than 24 states across the country and focuses on equine competition sites that have been lost to development since 1997.

According to the survey results so far, among the competitions that have disappeared are Barrel Racing, Cutting, Dressage, Driving, Endurance and Competitive Distance Rides, English Pleasure, Gymkhanas, Hunter Trials and Hunter Paces, Polo, Reining, Rodeo, Roping, Saddle Seat, Team Penning, Cow Sorting, Eventing and Western Pleasure. These events have impacted many breeds and disciplines from Sport Horses to Arabians, Morgans, Quarter Horses and Saddlebreds.

"We have received an overwhelming and diverse response to our request. The loss of competition spaces for horses affects all breeds, disciplines and regions. This information is helpful in raising awareness of the land loss issue and moving horsemen into action. All land is conserved locally. We need local equestrians to become active to preserve our passion, our sport and our heritage. Once equestrians are motivated, the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource can provide the "how-to" information," said Deb Balliet, CEO, Equestrian Land Conservation Resource.

In addition to the competitions that have been lost to development, the survey revealed that a number of other horse related activities have been compromised including clinics, rallies, youth programs, boarding stables, riding academies, training facilities, summer camps, schooling, private farms and ranches.

The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is calling on all horsemen and equestrians to respond to these three questions: 1. The name by which the competition site or farm was commonly known; 2. City & State; 3. Type of competition held there, e.g. reining, dressage, eventing, roping, driving, polo, etc. Deadline for submissions, to be sent to info@elcr.org, is January 15, 2009.

The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is engaged in farmland conservation, trails access and sustainability, best management practices for soil and water protection, equine economic development, and community land use planning and zoning. It currently has 104 Equestrian Partners. These are dues-paying organizations such as equine product companies; conservation and equine trail groups and breed and discipline organizations, which are in need of current information on topical issues as well as for networking and collaboration purposes.

About the survey...

The survey was electronically distributed through our volunteers, dues-paying Equestrian Partners, and the media. The results were collated by farm name, state and activity. The survey questions were:
1. Name by which the competition site or farm was commonly known;
2. City & State;
3. Type of competition held there, e.g. reining, dressage, cross-country, roping, driving, polo.

About the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource

The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource was founded in 1997 by a group of concerned horse people who recognized that loss of open land is the greatest threat to the future of all horse sport, recreation, and industry.

In 1996, members of the United States Pony Club's Task Force for the 21st Century identified loss of land and access as the greatest threat to the future of that organization because its core curriculum emphasizes riding in the open. Out of that committee came the founders of the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource. Initially, they worked through The Conservation Fund, a highly-respected conservation organization, which designated the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource as one of its programs. In January of 1999, the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource became an independent 501(c)(3) organization with its own office and staff. Since that time, the Equestrian Land Conservation resource has become the national organization to preserve land and promote access for all types of equestrian use. It is governed by a Board of Directors and greatly assisted by numerous volunteers from across the country who are helping to further the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource' goals.

Visit us online at:
www.elcr.org

Contact:
Deb Balliet; CEO
dballiet@elcr.org
859-455-8383

Loss of open land has been identified as the greatest threat to the future of all equestrian sport, recreation, and industry. By educating horse people and encouraging partnerships with conservationists and other user groups at the local level, the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is mobilizing thousands of equestrians to work for land access and protection in their communities. We recognize that without such concerted efforts, the equestrian world as we know it is at great risk.

Will The Current Economy Resurrect the Dinner Party?

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:45:10 -0600

In looking at the economy, and the changes that people are making in their lives as a result, I started thinking about ways that people are going to economize. One of the first things that's going to get hit, I think, is eating out a lot. But people are still going to want to socialize, and they're still going to want to socialize over food.

Back in my younger days, when all of my social group were just starting out, had young uns, and didn't have a lot of extra money, we still got together weekly, and we still ate together every week. We just did it in each other's houses. Not formal dinner parties, though. No, we got together in each others' kitchens and cooked a meal together, and sat down together at the dinner table and shared what we had cooked. One week at my house, another week at someone else's, and so on. I look back on that time fondly and wonder why on earth we fell away from doing it as we became more prosperous.

Today, I organize a Meetup group, the Central Texas Food-Centrics, here in Austin and Central Texas. We go to restaurants, trying to stick to local businesses rather than national chains. We go to foodie events. But we also have potlucks, in our case revolving around a different theme each month (Moroccan, Argentinian, Appetizers, Casseroles, etc.), hosted by a member of the group. We bring the food that we've prepared in our own kitchens, but the camaraderie and the sharing of food is the same.

I wonder if this form of entertaining, of socializing, will experience a resurgence in these times. I wonder, if so, what that will do to the kinds of houses that people will be looking for - will a country kitchen that four or five people can use at once be more desirable? Will the dining room experience a resurgence, or will people want something more casual but still large enough to seat six to eight people when required? How about covered patios, suitable for eating out of a summer evening?

The more I think about it, the more I think that this may just be a silver lining to the current economic downturn. If so, hopefully we can hold on to it this time as things get financially better.

December Foodie Events in Central Texas

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:51:58 -0600

If, like me, you're all about the food, and consider the kitchen to be the center of the home, you'll want to stop in at some of these "foodie" events in Central Texas in late November and December.

Hairson Creek Farm's Annual Open Farm and Potluck. Farm Tour, Music (bring your own instrument), food (bring a potluck dish). Saturday, November 15.

The Austin Empty Bowl Project. Help raise funds for the Austin Area Food Bank's Kids Cafe Program while enjoying good soup and purchasing beautiful bowls, for yourself or for Christmas presents. We still use the ones we bought many years ago at the first event. Well worth attending. Saturday, November 23.

Edible Austin Eat Local Week. Eat local, support your purveyors of local foods, and raise funds for Urban Roots, to boot! Sunday, December 6-13.

Keep in mind that just about every event in Austin and Central Texas does have food involved in some way; it's just the way things are done here!

Closing the Bookstore Down

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:22:02 -0500

I was driving home from Austin this afternoon, listening to KUT (our local PBS station) on the radio.

Since the Texas Book Festival is this weekend, Folkways was playing songs related in some way to books. I heard a song that I had never heard before, and it struck such a chord that hours later, after going to the grocery store, running errands, and feeding critters, I had to look it up. I only had a couple of phrases out of it; finally thought to check the KUT playlist, and there it was.

The song is Closing the Bookstore Down by John McCutcheon. It describes eloquently what's happening to so many beautiful small towns in our country, and why the loss is greater than what we gain. Our independent bookstores, hardware stores, grocery stores, and more are being replaced by chains that you can find anywhere.

I can't find a recording where you can play it online (unless perhaps Pandora has it), but it's worth seeking out to listen to - and think about. While you're thinking, go down to your local bookstore and buy a book, or to your local hardware store and buy a hammer, or to your local music store and buy a John McCutheon CD. Vote with your dollar to preserve the distinct personalities of our small towns; if you don't, who will?

Looking For Something To Do in Central Texas This Weekend?

Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:36:42 -0500

Lots and lots of events going on in Central Texas over the next couple of months. Of course, there's always lots and lots of events going on in Central Texas. Here's a smattering to help in your planning.

Nov 1-2 - 12th Annual Austin Celtic Festival Fiesta Gardens, Lady Bird Lake, Austin

- Texas Book Festival State Capitol Building, Austin

- Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival Tony Burger Center, Sunset Valley

(Saturday only, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.)

- Austin State Fair (through Nov. 2) Travis County Expo Center, Austin

- Wimberley Market Days Lions Field, Wimberley

- 25th Annual Dias De Los Muertos Mexic-Arte Museum, Austin (Saturday only, 2-10 p.m.

Nov 2 - Central Texas Arabian Horse Club Open Fun Show Travis County Exposition Center

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Auditorium Shores, Austin