Just for Fun

Yesterday I got my first sighting of a hummingbird at our feeder for this season!At first, I thought it was one of those carpenter bees that have been buzzing around, but then I realized it stopped for a drink at the feeder I put out the other day.  Luckily, I had a camera close by!The juncos which have been here since November, seem to have departed and headed north over the weekend.  I have not seen them in a few days.  I was continuing to put out birdseed for the juncos until they left.  After a few years of personal debate, I made a decision to stop putting out bird seed altogether once my supply is depleted this season and bugs are in abundance, since the house sparrows have just taken over everything.  They’ve already had their first set of babies which have visited the feeder, an... 04/24/2024

Even during the spring, people spend a lot of time indoors. And while it is important to spend time outside to get fresh air, you may want to do something to improve the quality of the air IN your home. If you enjoy gardening, you don’t have to limit it to outdoors.  There are lots of houseplants that will aid in the removal of pollutants floating around your home.English IvyUsed as a houseplant, this elegant beauty is excellent for removing harmful chemicals that can be found in the home. It will grow in full shade to full sun, so you will have lots of flexibility in placement. With proper care, it can survive for many years.Bamboo PalmThis plant prefers part sun or shade. It removes harmful elements such as benzene and formaldehyde.Chinese EvergreenThis pretty, easy-to-care-for plant ... 04/24/2024

We all do little things that probably annoy our neighbors, and where I live it's having a less than manicured front yard. And right now, most of the perennials that are blooming in mine look like the flower in the photo.  Now, the guy next door does not totally appreciate my choice, since in a few days the yellow flower will be replaced by a fuzz ball that will shoot seeds into their yard. Still, when I was outside playing with the Picco, I was pretty awestruck by its simple beauty. Now, if I can just remember to go dig it up as soon as the seed pod starts to form! 04/24/2024

Are you Guilty as Sin of looking at homes before you're pre-approved? No more crying at the gym; let's get your offer accepted and closed in a Fortnight so you can say So Long, Renting, and find somewhere to call your own. And don't torture yourself by looking in people's windows (m)alone; hire a professional real estate agent to help you! #thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #happyhome #homeowner #happyhomeowners #realestate #realtor #realestateagent 04/24/2024

It’s time for an update on our bluebird boxes!   If you follow my blog then you know that Larry and I monitor bluebird boxes at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve. We also have a bluebird box at home.  Our most prolific box is on its second brood for the season. There were 5 eggs and from what we can tell 4 hatched (on Monday, 4/22)   We have 2 boxes with baby birds however one has baby chickadees (we think) and the other has wrens, both cavity nesters. We had to insert our wireless endoscope in the wren nest to see what was in the nest. ( Baby chickadees hatched last week.)   Wren's nests are different from bluebirds and chickadees in they look like one big mess.     Our nest at home is on its second brood and a second egg was laid today! (Tuesday 4/23)                     We’re hoping anoth... 04/24/2024

Trivia question answers for Tuesday April 23. 20241. How much volume of an apple is air? 25%2. Three gold balls are a universal symbol for what type of business? Pawn shop3. What was the capital of Brazil until Brazilia was completed? Rio de Janeiro4. What day of the week is Mardi Gras? TuesdayTrivia questions for Wednesday April 24, 20241. The name "Otto" is German for what?2. What actress played JR's wife on Dallas?3. What is a group of sparrows called?4. What kind of bird is the mascot for Fruit Loops?Enjoy your day..  04/24/2024

It’s time for an update on our bluebird boxes! If you follow my blog then you know that Larry and I monitor bluebird boxes at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve. We also have a bluebird box at home. Our most prolific box is on its second brood for the season. There were 5 eggs and from what we can tell 4 hatched (on Monday, 4/22) We have 2 boxes with baby birds however one has baby chickadees (we think) and the other has wrens, both cavity nesters. We had to insert our wireless endoscope in the wren nest to see what was in the nest. ( Baby chickadees hatched last week.)  Wren's nests are different from bluebirds and chickadees in they look like one big mess.    Our nest at home is on its second brood and a second egg was laid today! (Tuesday 4/23)          We’re hoping another nest will be bui... 04/24/2024

 In the bustling world of real estate, every detail counts. From staging to marketing strategies, each element plays a vital role in captivating potential buyers. So, if you happen to be serving beef at your next client appreciation party or a broker's open house, this rub will impress. It can be used on steak, roasts, or burgers.The Recipe: Salt - ¼ Cup Paprika - ¼ Cup Black Pepper - 2 TBSP Onion Powder - 1 TBSP Garlic Powder - 1 TBSP Cayenne Pepper - 1 TBSP Coriander - 1½ tsp Turmeric - 1½ tsp Directions: Prepare Your Blend: In a bowl, combine all the ingredients listed above. Mix thoroughly until the spices are evenly distributed. Feel free to adjust the quantities to suit your taste preferences. Apply Liberally: Prior to your open house event, generously coat your choice of steak wi... 04/24/2024

 After having some serious health issues in 2022 and early 2023, the message was clear to me: If I wanted to give myself a chance of being around a while longer, I needed to eat healthy and lose weight.I used to eat 2-3 delicious cheesesteaks weekly. While I miss doing that, I would rather wear my new, better fitting clothes and feel fit and be healthy. Now, with all the pills and weight loss injection options, I have chosen the natural route, which for me, is better long-term. After losing 70+ pounds, and keeping it off, here is my advice: 1.  Stop saying things like, "It is so hard to lose weight".    This is an excuse, and it  really isn't hard if you want it bad enough.  Be accountable, only you control what you eat.2.   Change your eating habits.   Stop eating big portions.  Cut do... 04/23/2024

April 24th - National Pigs In A Blanket Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 04/24/2024

Trivia question answers for Monday April 22, 20231. What fruit comes in Chubby Gray and Jubilee variety? Watermelon2. Who was the second man to set foot on the moon? Buzz Aldrin3. Boo Boo is the companion of which cartoon character? Yogi Bear4. What is the first prime number that comes after 100? 101Trivia questions for Tuesday April 23. 20231. How much volume of an apple is air?2. Three gold balls are a universal symbol for what type of business?3. What was the capital of Brazil until Brazilia was completed?4. What day of the week is Mardi Gras?Enjoy your day..  04/23/2024

Each week, I will bring you quotes which are either inspiring, thought provoking or humorous.  I hope you enjoy them today! No one ever built a statue for a critic. -Jean Sibelius Energy and persistence conquers all things  -Ben Franklin The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore  -Dale Carnegie  https://michaelelliott.fathomrealty.com/  04/23/2024

World Book and Copyright Day is April 23! Any day that celebrates books and reading is important to me! World Book and Copyright Day was created by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganization) to  “promote the enjoyment of books and reading.”  Books are like having a time-travel machine or Harry Potter Floo Network. At any time, your book can take you back to a famous Civil War battle or you can jump into the future and imagine what Artificial Intelligence mixed with human emotions has done to society.  Books add a special layer to our daily lives. They allow us to experience different cultures and lifestyles without leaving our homes.  This day also calls attention to copyright to protect intellectual property. And finally, books…literacy…are imperative for ... 04/23/2024

April 23rd - National Picnic Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 04/23/2024

April 22nd - National Jelly Bean Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 04/22/2024

For some reason, the older I get, the more I think about this.   I would absolutely love to time travel to these places to see these things.   So, in no particular order: 1.  1890-1920s Burlington City, New Jersey.  I love our little city on the Delaware now, which is why I would really like to take in High Street and the riverfront from this era.  And I am a huge fan of architecture from this time period.2.  1890-1920s Hamilton (Mercer County) New Jersey.   My original hometown, steeped in history and also many great examples of architecture from this era. I spent the first 30 years of my life here, and love the town and it's history. 3.  1939-1950s  Fenway Park, Boston.  To see, feel and smell the best ballpark in the world, and to watch Ted Williams play in front of the home crowd.  ... 04/22/2024

\\ The Elkins Home Selling Team with Elite Realty Group provides services with Morristown TN Real Estate For Sale and Morristown TN Homes For Sale to home buyers and home sellers in Morristown Tennessee, Whitesburg, Talbott, Russellville, Sevierville, Bean Station, Dandridge, Pigeon Forge and surrounding communities.We specialize in working with Home Sellers in getting their homes listed and sold. We utilize the latest and most up to date marketing materials in assuring the job gets done quickly and with the least amount of hassle. Our homes are listed on over 32 different Real Estate web sites including realtor.com, yahoo.com, trulia.com and many others. Each office independently owned and operated.Elite Realty Group is a full service real estate company serving Morristown TN Real Esta... 04/22/2024

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”—Wayne DyerIf you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.It's never crowded along the extra mile.There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to stretch our minds.    04/22/2024

Timmothy's cartoon today is a good springboard for one of my biggest pet peeves, littering.In my NOT so humble opinion people who litter are the most narcissistic, lazy, and stupidest people on Earth (now you know exactly how I feel about that). The only humans that are more narcissistic, lazier, and stupider than the average litterbug is the smokers who flip there butts our where ever they are (in the car, walking in the park, or in my front yard).Remember Ladybird Johnson's clean up America campaign? I wasn't all that keen on it back then but these days I'd like to see a revival of that campaign along with heavy fines against littering. However, maybe this time they could use a real native American as opposed to the white guy imitating one.   04/22/2024

From my previous life, one of my colleagues, Anthony Iannarino,  posted 10 reasons about having fun as salespeople. All of his reasons speak  to what we as professional real estates do.The opening of his 10 reasons began with: “Discover why selling isn’t just a job –it’s an adventure that keeps on giving.”Here are the six reasons that I found to speak loudly to having fun in selling real estate.We make a difference in people’s lives and businessesWe build last connectionsWe address and solve challengesWe gain insights from interactions with clientsWe leverage creativity.We pursue personal and professional growthHaving fun in what we do is essential, and I believe is one part of the human experience that sometimes is under estimated.“If you’ not having fun, it’s not worth doing.” Tommy B... 04/22/2024