Just for Fun

Lately I have had “I love Selling Dirt” truly come back to bite me because I have never been so busy.  My latest “dirt” sales lead actually came from Active Rain. Over 90% of my real estate sales leads come from referrals and signage.  To be forthright, I didn’t ever realize or anticipate the impact of those four (4) words.The reason I love selling dirt is because listing and selling dirt has far fewer hassles. First, most vacant land purchases are cash.  Second, outside of septic being installed, the only other inspection or due diligence action is possibly hiring a surveyor. Third, marketing cost is simple: MLS has feeds to other real estate websites and Drone Photos if necessary. Fourth, only three trips required: #1: Confirm I want to list the property and take photos; #2: Place sig... 06/03/2025

Okay, I think this problem happens fairly often. I have not brushed my teeth with paint (I hope Joe was using white paint) but I do know I have put non-toothpaste items on my toothbrush but caught it prior to getting it to my mouth.I remember many decades ago my dad complaining that he started to brush with Preparation H once.If you have been reading my posts for a while you may remember the time I put crazy glue in one eye thinking I was holding eye drops. It was a painful lesson BUT a lesson well learned. Like the guinea pigs above advise, keep similar looking items apart from each other.This advice is especially important for parents of young children. So many cleaning products are brightly packaged making children attracted to them. While I hate those cabinet and drawer we did have ... 06/03/2025

June 3rd Puzzle - National Repeat Day:I have created a new word search puzzle for you to enjoy.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. 06/03/2025

June 2nd Puzzle - National Rocky Road Day:I have created a new word search puzzle for you to enjoy.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. 06/02/2025

The power of Yin-Yang lies in balance. Not perfection. Not constant happiness. Just the grace to move with the ebb and flow of life, trusting that both sides of the coin serve a purpose. The dark teaches us to cherish the light. The quiet moments make the joyful ones sing louder.   “Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.”—Rumi Dear Michelle, Some concepts are so timeless and universal that they cross cultures and languages. One of those is Yin-Yang, an ancient Chinese philosophy symbolizing the balance of opposites. Light and dark. Rest and activity. Joy and sorrow. Success and failure. Man and woman. Each one depends on the other to exist. It’s all a life lesson in disguise. The symbol itself is made of two halves swirling together to form a whole. Each contains a dot of the o... 06/10/2025

When Timmothy was invited to share his cartoon with the Northern Sentry (Minot Air Force Base newspaper) he was given a brief lexicon of terms Airmen use. One of those terms was Dakrat which refers to our gopher population.We have two or more gopher breds in North Dakota but the two dominant breeds are the striped gopher and the Golden gopher. Both dig a lot of homes. The Golden gopher is much larger than the striped gopher and much more destructive.Until last year I had not seen a golden gopher in the City of Minot, they always hung around the edge of the city.Last year they moved into my neighborhood on a plot of City owned land used for an ice skating rink. Now they are moving to residential lots and the destruction to lawns they are leaving is unbelievable.So how do you deal with th... 06/02/2025

A recipe from the kitchen of Debe Maxwell, CRS.    My Go-To Lunch - Avocado Toast - Protein, Protein, Protein As part of our continued journey toward a healthier lifestyle, I’ve really been loving simple, back-to-basics recipes lately. I feel sure that I've shared before here in the Rain but, when Ray spent four months in Denver back in 2019, I discovered avocado toast. It quickly became one of my go-to favorites for lunches and even light meals. After sampling it at a few different restaurants, I came up with my own version at home. I often make tiny, healthy tweaks that still pack in all the flavor!Here's the quick & easy recipe I use: One slice of Arnold Sandwich thin or brioche, toasted. I toast it on my panini griddle as it flattens the brioche bread quite well. This ingredient is ... 06/07/2025

If you want a thing done well, do it yourself. -Napoleon BonaparteThe only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. - Vince LombardiThe best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today. - Elbert HubbardThe beginning is the most important part of the work. - PlatoIt is the working man who is the happy man. It is the idle man who is the miserable man. - Benjamin FranklinLuck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get. - Ray Kroc It all comes down to, work is the key to being Successful- Will Hamm   06/02/2025

Trivia question answers for Sunday June 1, 20251. The Yukon river flows through which state? Alaska2. On what sea is the Crimea? Black Sea3. What ingredient makes up at least 51% of bourbon mash? Corn4. Which country borders Egypt to the west?  LibyaTrivia questions for Monday June 2, 20251. What silent film star was "The Tramp"?2. What do climbers rub on their hands for extra grip?3. Who was the first American World Chess Champion?4. What is the only mammal native to Iceland?Enjoy your day.  06/02/2025

Exploring the Paths That Shape Your Unique Journey   Introduction   Curiosity and conformity—these two powerful forces shape how you navigate life. On one hand, curiosity drives you to ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek out experiences. On the other, conformity often whispers that it’s safer to blend in, follow the crowd, and stick with the status quo. Have you ever found yourself torn between these two paths? Let’s take a closer look at how your choices can lead to personal growth.   The Power of Curiosity   Curiosity is that little spark that nudges you to learn more about the world. It’s what leads you to wonder why the sky is blue or how different cultures celebrate holidays. When you embrace your curiosity, you open the door to endless possibilities. You might find new int... 06/02/2025

My Go-To Lunch - Avocado Toast - Protein, Protein, ProteinAs part of our continued journey toward a healthier lifestyle, I’ve really been loving simple, back-to-basics recipes lately. I feel sure that I've shared before here in the Rain but, when Ray spent four months in Denver back in 2019, I discovered avocado toast. It quickly became one of my go-to favorites for lunches and even light meals. After sampling it at a few different restaurants, I came up with my own version at home. I often make tiny, healthy tweaks that still pack in all the flavor!Here's the quick & easy recipe I use: One slice of Arnold Sandwich thin or brioche, toasted. I toast it on my panini griddle as it flattens the brioche bread quite well. This ingredient is my guilty pleasure! Spread one whole smashed avocado... 06/01/2025

A recipe from the kitchen of Will Hamm.    ¾ cup butter 3 tablespoons minced garlic 2 pounds large sea scallops 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon pepper     Directions Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and cook for a few seconds until fragrant. Arrange scallops in a single layer in the skillet; cook until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn scallops over using tongs and continue cooking until firm and opaque, about 2 minutes more. Transfer scallops to a platter, reserving butter in the skillet. Whisk lemon juice, salt, and pepper into butter; pour sauce over scallops to serve.     Will Hamm, Hamm Homes LLC.Aurora, Colorado HammHomes@ymail.com Call me at: 303-358-1147 Find me at: Facebook and HammHomes.com 06/05/2025

Many of you have heard about my life in Maine when I had a major paradigm shift. This is my first entry Anna "Banana" Kruchten and Debe Maxwell, CRS for the June ActiveRain Challenge. The story is about my dreams and what I would like to create in my life for a Travel Goal. The Invitation for moms, daughters, sisters & friends, aunts, and grandmothers ages 11 and up came in the mail a few days ago. The event takes place Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24th, 2025. I would like to spend 20,000 points to use for an RSVP to Wyonegonic Camps in Maine to include my daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and myself. 20,000 points will be used for our trip to Wyonegonic in Maine.  Cape Elizabeth, Portland Head LighthouseAt Wyonegonic Camps I will watch my daughter, daughter-in-law, ... 06/01/2025

I so love Will's recipes.  Thank you for the great information. Have a fantastic week!Bill Salvatore, RealtorArizona Elite Properties#AZVHV / Arizona Veterans Helping Veterans ¾ cup butter 3 tablespoons minced garlic 2 pounds large sea scallops 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon pepper     Directions Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and cook for a few seconds until fragrant. Arrange scallops in a single layer in the skillet; cook until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn scallops over using tongs and continue cooking until firm and opaque, about 2 minutes more. Transfer scallops to a platter, reserving butter in the skillet. Whisk lemon juice, salt, and pepper into butter; pour sauce over scallops to serve.     Will Hamm... 06/01/2025

If you're looking for a new, lively spot to grab a bite in Walhalla, look no further than The Garage on Main. Our visit this past Friday was an absolute treat, and we can’t wait to return!The atmosphere was buzzing as we arrived at 5 PM—definitely a popular time, but it didn’t take away from the fun energy. The Garage on Main, which has only been open for a few months, has quickly earned a reputation for its great food and vibrant vibe. The space was cozy and welcoming, a perfect balance of casual dining and a bit of excitement.We kicked off our meal with the Pimento Cheese Dip, a creamy, flavorful starter that was perfect for sharing. The dip was rich and paired with two types of crackers—providing the perfect crunch and balance to complement the dip’s smooth, savory flavor.For the mai... 06/01/2025

Trivia question answers for Saturday May 31, 20251. What is another name for the prairie wolf? Coyote2. What type of drum has vibrating wires across its bottom? Snare drum3. What is the flattest continent? Australia4. Who was the 35th President of the US? John F. KennedyTrivia questions for Sunday June 1, 20251. The Yukon river flows through which state?2. On what sea is the Crimea?3. What ingredient makes up at least 51% of bourbon mash?4. Which country borders Egypt to the west? Enjoy your day.  06/01/2025

The few months that I have been a member of the AR community, I have read some wonderful stories about our furry friends (mainly cats & dogs). I was on Facebook the other day and the post below captured my attention. The following words drew me to read the post, "simple act of kindness.' I thought I'd share it with the AR community - especially for gardeners, butterfly lovers, those with insect interest, and those who are curious to learn to new things.Because I have always held the view that an act of kindness is about people doing something good for other people, I have never thought that an act of kindness could apply to insects. Yes, a butterfly can be either an animal or insect. Butterflies belong to the class Insecta, which is a sub-group of animals called anthropods. Below is a s... 06/01/2025

Did you know that June 2nd is celebrated is the longest-used area code for  Phoenix? Check out on the link below the discounts that many small businesses are offering today.City of Phoenix: 2025 602 Day Business Participant List by Phoenix Community & Economic Development - IssuuPerusing through the Business participant directory I found a cool map of Phoenix neighborhood, also for Tempe, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and almost any city in the metro area. I never knew those maps existed. They are quite fun. mapStand - EtsyRandy's donuts dozen for $6.02 - Randy's Donuts.Desert Dream Daycare offers a reduced enrollment fee today - from $50 to $6.02. Preschool Daycare | Phoenix | Desert Dreams DaycareToday is perfectly cloudy and cool, what a wonderful weather for some walking and enjoying what Ph... 06/02/2025

¾ cup butter 3 tablespoons minced garlic 2 pounds large sea scallops 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon pepper     Directions Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and cook for a few seconds until fragrant. Arrange scallops in a single layer in the skillet; cook until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn scallops over using tongs and continue cooking until firm and opaque, about 2 minutes more. Transfer scallops to a platter, reserving butter in the skillet. Whisk lemon juice, salt, and pepper into butter; pour sauce over scallops to serve. 06/01/2025

Inspired by our Active Rain Legend Margaret Rome. Today's post will be about my backyard adventures. Bill  My true pleasure working in my yard, is I call my backyard area my REFUGE SANCUARY.  I focus on bargains at the Big Box store, of abandoned plants in the markdown section. Then nursing them back to health.  Bill  This plant is called the Jasmine. I just replaced it this year. The other one was in the ground for 10 years. I am experimenting with the Jasmine.  I have one planted in the ground where the prior one lived for 10 years.  This one I planted in a large container on the south side of a wall. Gets sun, up to 4 pm, then is protecting by the house against blazing hot west side. So, we will see. Bill    YOUR   Latest activity in the VALLEY of the SUNFor ALL your Valley AZ Real E... 06/10/2025