Why I haven't written a blog lately: short daylight hours.

Writing blogs on Activerain has always been a pleasure for me and usually I don't have a problem finding a topic. But at this point in time, where my buyers and sellers are all anxious to get their transaction done before the end of the year, the days are just not long enough.

My inner clock is confused.

My usual day at this time of the year is that  I get up at 6 AM, make my tea, and take my dogs out for a walk. All in the dark. In another hour, it finally starts to get light and I get to my emails. And usually, that starts my day on my computer, the phone and texts and I don't stop until often mid-day. Time just slips through my fingers, literally.

There have been so many showings and inspections lately, and I try to set them up around Noon or in the early afternoons because by 3:30 pm it starts to get dark again. And I hate to be out there after dark lurking around mine or other people's listings with a flashlight. Maybe it helps that I now drive a Lexus, a clear mark that I'm a real estate broker for any roving neighborhood watch people. At least so far, no one has asked for my identification.

Speaking of my Lexus, I usually do a lot more driving between my "south" office in Carmel-by-the-Sea and my "north" one in Crescent City, both in California. But the drive takes between 8 and 9 hours, and one end or the other needs to be in the dark and in their rush hour traffic, and I hate to drive (a) in rush hours and (b) in the dark.

"Why don't you write your blog after it gets dark, in your cozy home(s)"?

That's a good question, but this is what's been happening:

When I'm in Carmel-by-the-Sea, I've been "lured" by my friends to go out on the town for an early dinner - "early" meaning it's already dark and it doesn't seem all that early.

When I'm in Crescent City, in northern California, because we make these great home made meals, and dinner time tends to be really early as well, then we sit around the warm wood burning stove, surrounded by loved ones that include 3 dogs and, except for emergencies, I just don't want to look at my computer again unless there's an emergency.

So what's the answer:

I will just not feel guilty about it, enjoy these short winter days, and wait until I get to Hawaii next month where I get more sunshine - that I obviously need - to get geared up again.

And, no, it's not a vacation exactly, although I will be spending a lot of time with my daughter and grandsons there. I have a broker's license in Hawaii and always work with clients around the Holidays who are looking for investment property on one or another of the islands.

Plus I plan to meet up with Elizabeth Weintraub (an Activerainer) somewhere, possibly on the Big Island, where I helped her purchase her vacation home a couple of years ago.