activerain challenges: Reflect, Rejoice, Renew, as Life Transitions
- 01/13/26 06:22 AM
Reflect, Rejoice, Renew, as Life Transitions
The January 2026 Challenge is big hosted by Carol Williams and Leanne Smith and is one that each view with a different lens.
Reflections
At 13 years old, I earned my first official pay for work when I sat as a union musician with a group that was, on so many levels an education, but still it was a check for labors.
From there it would be all manner of labors:
carpenter concrete laborer postal worker landscaper mechanical designer All while maintaining a band and playing all over the state until graduating college Military service, 38 years in engineering, engineering service, … (20 comments)
|
activerain challenges: I've Seen North Dakota in Films for Years
- 12/26/25 05:20 PM
I've Seen North Dakota in Films for Years
Our Zoom call for the Tuesday before Christmas was presented by Bob Timm, on the state of North Dakota. He mentioned some notables that called North Dakota home, as well as facts for which North Dakota is most famous.
When one thinks of the Continent of North America, we see the USA and Canada. If someone were to ask where the geographic center of the continent might be most would not get it correct.
That small dot so close to the Canadian border, represents Rugby, Noth Dakota and slight wet of there, still within the sphere … (16 comments)
|
activerain challenges: The Christmas Tree Tells the Story
- 12/15/25 08:45 AM
The Christmas Tree Tells the Story
The Christmas tree has been so common in our society and its evolution dates back many years and to Europe or the Middle East depending on which story one chooses to believe, presuming one even cares.
Our trees have become the memories of the experiences together like mementoes from vacations and the photo gifts that were made into decorations from the young children in our life over the years.
The nieces and nephews, my wife's children and the grandchildren as well.
Our tree is a testimonial to all the years together. To look at an ornament while putting them … (22 comments)
|
activerain challenges: Sometimes a Vacation Can Have an Unexpected Ending
- 12/06/25 11:26 AM
Sometimes a Vacation Can Have an Unexpected Ending
Vacations are meant to be fun and to provide a break from the stresses of work and the also the issues that we have at home.
Back in the late 80's, I was working for a family-owned company. My job was sales and marketing and to also create a network of qualified independent representatives across the country.
This not only necessitated a lot of travel but also educating the reps on the products and services we offered. I was a road warrior to say the least.
Most of the people in the plant were friendly but I … (16 comments)
|
activerain challenges: Thankful for the Knowledge Real Estate Gave Me
- 11/30/25 08:56 AM
Thankful for the Knowledge Real Estate Gave Me
After 23 years of work in real estate, I have called it a day and as noted previously, thrown in the towel. I do so with the warmth of knowing that I did help people and while doing the short sales, it was even more rewarding.
My belief was that truly helping people in this business required learning beyond the requirements of getting licensed, where so any stop.
The continuing education classes mandatory to stay licensed are often the minimum far too many feel the need to take.
That was never enough for me and all the … (20 comments)
|
activerain challenges: No One Can do the Job Without a Strong Support Team
- 11/23/25 05:54 AM
No One Can do the Job Without a Strong Support Team
Real estate is an interesting career. The job requires the knowledge to properly list and sell a client's house, or to properly evaluate a listing in order to make a competitive offer.
It is a business of self-promotion as almost none have a line of people asking them to work with, or for them, unless they have done the work to create recognition.
It starts with the proper brokerage where there are fellow agents that have the answers one may not know, and the support of the broker to make sure one does … (16 comments)
|
activerain challenges: The Ways We Can Impact a Family and Their Lives
- 11/17/25 10:01 AM
The Ways We Can Impact a Family and Their Lives
In the season of appreciation, we all reflect on the manner in which our lives and our business culture has changed over the years.
For me, as I got into real estate after working in industry for so long, it became more of a service from me so much as a hard revenue stream. The mortgage meltdown in 2008-09 was catastrophic for many and none more than people that were used by agents and lenders strictly for a check.
Bad things happened to good people, and the villains went on their way, but lives … (17 comments)
|
activerain challenges: When a Presidential Candidate Came to Waterbury CT
- 10/30/25 06:54 AM
When a Presidential Candidate Came to Waterbury CT
The elections this upcoming week in Connecticut are not important on a national level, but do have impact locally as municipalities are electing leaders
I do remember a pre-teen morning, standing with my parents on the green in town waiting for a motorcade to arrive. It was a campaign visit by Democratic candidate John F Kennedy and the blue on display that night/morning was more than from the temperatures.
When the motorcade arrived, it was almost 3 AM and there were still an estimated 30,000 jammed into the green, looking up at the balcony of the … (19 comments)
|
activerain challenges: Waterbury CT Brass Capital of the World
- 10/27/25 09:43 AM
Waterbury CT Brass Capital of the World
By population, Waterbury CT is one of the top 5 cities in Connecticut. In heritage it could be the top city. Early settlements in the new world were established around farming as all needed to eat.
The core of the land between the two rivers, or the Indian name Mattatuck, later changed to Waterbury was not as suited to farming because of the hills and the flooding created by the rivers. The power generated by the water, however, was ideal for manufacturing and metalworking in particular.
It became a center for artisans, gifted in metalworking that spawned … (14 comments)
|
activerain challenges: The Mediterranean Diet Is a Lifestyle
- 10/17/25 06:17 PM
The Mediterranean Diet Is a Lifestyle
The Zoom call this week was a presentation by member John Henry on the lifestyle he lives with credit to his parents, and his youth spent on the Greek island of Crete.
A diet created many years ago and passed along with changes offered by the advances in more modern appliances, but holding true to culture.
Most meals were sufficient for the family to eat and seldom was there extra prepared with the intent to be leftovers.
Meals were prepared from that which was grown and only sufficient for that day. No such thing as cooking extra to allow … (16 comments)
|
activerain challenges: Selling the Perfect Listing and Making Dreams Become Realities
- 10/11/25 01:23 PM
Selling the Perfect Listing and Making Dreams Become Realities
There are times when we recognize that the buyers looking for a home just need a break. With one of my last sales, I felt a sense of comfort at closing that I felt my years of service had been perfect.
My buyer was a widow, and she explained that her previous home had been badly damaged in a storm.
As the house was so unique, her insurance agent had always made sure that the coverage was adequate to handle all issues.
So, criteria were established
As she and the children had always lived in a … (16 comments)
|
activerain challenges: When Other Forces Know What to do to Get your Attention
- 09/30/25 08:38 AM
When Other Forces Know What to do to Get your Attention
The Monthly Challenges on ActiveRain are a throwback to the early days when the platform was not only trying to teach us how to blog but also generating activity to increase its numbers.
There were also the Rain Camps, which were high-powered presentations that afforded great presentations and a chance to meet Rainers in person.
The Raincamps are not likely to ever happen again for a number of reasons.
What was spooky was the Cloud where my photos are stored sent me a memory jog.
Up came a photo taken at RainCamp in Washington, DC, … (19 comments)
|
activerain challenges: There's a Reason We Do What We Do 2
- 08/28/25 08:05 AM
There's a Reason We Do What We Do 2
I have always prided myself on being attentive to details., and when it came to a potential listing more important.
I was called to a house to do a listing presentation. In order to get familiar, I will pull the property card from the assessor's office for several reasons. This card showed a 2-bedroom ranch and no garage.
When I got to the house, it had grown some from what was listed on the card.
In talking with the sellers, I learned that they had bought the house as a foreclosure, and it was partially remodeled. … (11 comments)
|
activerain challenges: There's a Reason We Do What We Do
- 08/15/25 06:43 PM
There's a Reason We do What We Do
Our job as real estate professionals is to help our clients find the house that they feel is right for them. Such was the case with a first time buyer, who was also a single parent, I had early in my career.
Like many first time buyers, cash reserves were minimal yet each time we met. which was at least twice a week, she carried a large DD specialty coffee. I asked her how many she bought each week and she said at least 1 a day. I pointed out that that was a luxury … (20 comments)
|
activerain challenges: Have We Changed with Time? July 2025 Challenge #3
- 07/29/25 05:28 AM
Have We Changed with Time? July 2025 Challenge #3
For the July Challenge hosted by Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran, we are asked to offer examples of how we have changed.
As I have had very few variations in jobs, although the daily challenges were all varied. Real estate seems to have offered the job that continues to affect the mind.
I find myself, at times, with a nudge from something recently seen, going back to something I did in my then job that left a definite memory. It is easy when I play golf as I had been involved with every facet in the manufacturing … (16 comments)
|
activerain challenges: The ActiveRain Points Lenders are Working for Their Public
- 06/25/25 06:11 PM
The ActiveRain Points Lenders are Working for Their Public
So many members are looking to get some positive action with their ActiveRain blogging points, and so many have an accrued volume of points and are happy to sit.
Well, after sending out some feelers it appears that there is a market for a lender that would mortgage points, similar to those that help people buy homes.
So, are you looking to get something that your time on the platform has been so short that the points are just out of range?
Got collateral, then maybe apply for a points loan.
Your collateral is your activity.
Have you … (19 comments)
|
activerain challenges: Let's Take a Page from HG Wells and Create a Super Meet-up
- 06/18/25 04:31 PM
Let's Take a Page from HG Wells and Create a Super Meet-up
Well, the ActiveRain Points store is offering an opportunity to turn points into dreams, but, unfortunately, I don't have enough points to make a super dream materialize, unless I pull off a little bit of magic.
Well, having committed a bunch of points already, I need to find a way to increase my financial base to help my fellow ActiveRain members.
Well, I did a consult with CT native, Michael J. Fox and believe I have the ability to get my answer.
I have an available 1,500,000 points, which would be the equivalent … (24 comments)
|
activerain challenges: Let's Use ActiveRain Points and Get the Toy Back on the Road
- 06/10/25 02:19 PM
Let's Use ActiveRain Points and Get the Toy Back on the Road
Blogging has had its rewards especial when the title was the pointed message. The matrix has changed a bit, and blogging can still be rewarding but it needs to be set up slightly different than in the past.
For those blogging here on ActiveRain, we earned points for blogging, commenting and except for the rankings within regions there was little else the points meant.
However, the system does offer a chance to reap a benefit by utilizing the ActiveRain points store.
It's apparent from the degree of activity that there is great interest … (22 comments)
|
activerain challenges: Additional Benefits of ActiveRain Blogging Points
- 06/05/25 07:41 AM
Additional Benefits of ActiveRain Blogging Points
The June Challenge is an offering to meander through the ActiveRain Points store and exchange blogging points for equity dollars to fund dreams.
After many years of activities on ActiveRain to garner business and accumulating points as well, it's time to share the rewards and do something special for all.
ActiveRain points carry a special monetary value unlike any other manner of currency. Had it been possible, in the early days, to buy a Feature star for a post, many would have spent whatever was requested. To a blogger here, that was almost as good as receiving … (21 comments)
|
activerain challenges: The Influences that Define our Lives 4
- 03/29/25 01:06 PM
The Influences that Define our Lives 4
There is a quote started in the early 1900's to recognize the support offered to successful men by their wives or mothers. Behind every successful man is a good woman. To be politically correct in our current society, it would have to be amended to partner.
While we believe that we can use our abilities and knowledge to do our jobs right, there is a lot more that allows us to use that knowledge.
The peace of mind or contentedness that when the end of the day is over, we have a person in our life that … (17 comments)
|
|
|
|
Reflect, Rejoice, Renew, as Life Transitions
;)
;)
;)
