Even though I'm kind of on vacation, I've been working on my walking. Sunday I think was about 8600 steps; walking through airports. Monday was under 3000 because we mostly sat around and visited. A cold 55 degree day here in Alaska, especially cool after the Vancouver, USA heat wave, but not raining. Tuesday was a solid 10000 step day with several hundred to spare. Beautiful blue sky all day and periods of strong warmth. About a 10 out of 10 for Alaska summer day. On Wednesday I have another 12000 steps recorded. Actually I've gotten more, but took my pedometer off. Today has been an exquisite Alaska summer day.  

Some thoughts as I was walking (my son walked with me – he needs to expend the energy to stay out of trouble): I've walked past a house that has a tacky little 'For Sale By Owner' sign a couple of times. I had an automatic impulse to go knock on the door and find out their story. Why would she want to sell by herself? Does she know that she'll most likely get offers from one of two types of people: the bargain shopper who is going to offer her about 18% less than actual market value or the person who's not going to be qualified to buy the house to begin with? How many weeks has she been on the market? Just started, still optimistic about selling? In that seventh or eighth week when she's begun to realize a real estate agent has something to offer? Will she try the discount broker next, hoping that being on the MLS is going to solve her problem, believing it will put her on equal footing with the homes being marketed by full service real estate agents? Or will she go with the agent that says they'll market the home for the price she likes best because that price sounds good? Does she have prior experience selling homes? Should I go knock on her door?

As I walk by today, she's in her yard. I don't know her but she looks like a nice person. I'd like to help her. On the other hand, I'm not licensed here in Alaska, so it's best that I just keep on walking. As I walk past she smiles back at me and we exchange pleasant little chit chat. I learn that the best place to get a haircut in town has a special on Thursdays – just $14. See – you learn good things when you walk.