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One and One?

Posted on September 17th, 2011 by Richard. Categories: Sports & Recreation

Am I the only one that’s not written off the season after last week? Yeah OK, the offense looked out of sync, but that was the first game for Collins. We saw glimpses of how good he can be. They just need some more time together. I’m more concerned about the defense that has no excuse like a key player missing, and couldn’t stop ANYTHING last week. I’m sure they did some soul searching after that one. We should see a different defensive unit next time.

Peyton is beyond great…possibly the greatest ever to play at that position? But he wouldn’t have been great without a lot of help from everyone else, who the last time I looked were still there and suited up. I know some will need convincing, so let’s start with a solid game tomorrow. I’m predicting a win, not just because I’m a homer, but because I think they will play much better all the way around. We’ll see.

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Enjoying the Ride

Posted on September 15th, 2011 by Richard. Categories: Food for Thought

The goal is not to arrive at your destination…it’s just to enjoy the ride.

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Gardening for Fun

Posted on September 13th, 2011 by Richard. Categories: Cuisine & Restaurants

My garden area is very small compared to what a lot of people have. Just a couple raised beds. I don’t have the time to take care of a huge garden, but it’s nice to have some homegrown things and work in the dirt…therapeutic at times.  The garden is on the downside and nearing the end of it’s harvest cycle, but still is giving up some items. I picked these today and the camera just happened to be sitting nearby. Some tomatoes, a few habanero, cayenne and jalapeno peppers…and some dill, oregano, rosemary and basil. I use a few of the fresh peppers but like to string and dry most of them to use later. Same thing with herbs. I use what I can when fresh, but end up drying most of them. The cost and quality are better than the grocery, but mainly it’s fun having the garden.

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Moving Forward

Posted on September 11th, 2011 by Richard. Categories: Food for Thought

My posts normally have a community or real estate topic of some sort, or sometimes they are just meant to be silly. But today brought out a more thoughtful side I guess. I was thinking about the expression “time heals all wounds”. It’s one of those sayings that is particularly poignant today, 09-11-11. Some wounds are more grievous or touch more deeply and therefore take more time to process and move forward, but eventually time helps find a balance.

The last decade has been an unusual one for our nation. The attacks on 09-11 made a lot of us feel vulnerable for the first time in our memory. And shortly afterwards, confidence was severely undermined by a national Banking and Wall Street calamity, it’s shockwaves eventually eroding the economy, affecting millions of Americans directly at their jobs and homes and reaching all of us one way or another. Many believe the media is partly to blame, as they drove the story along, magnifying the negative effects. What’s sad is it wasn’t a story, it was our lives they effected. Also, our leaders in government have done their best to make things worse by acting fiscally irresponsible for decades and squabbling instead of providing leadership.

This crisis of confidence which has had a choke-hold on our spirit will do us no good to continue. It’s up to us individually and collectively to throw off whatever chains are holding us back. Instead of reliving and reacting to the past, it’s time to move forward. Moving forward is what America does, it’s our heritage and what has made us great. It’s important that we get that factory running smoothly again. The rest are counting on us. Because the most precious commodities here in America are not the products we produce, it’s hope, freedom and liberty.

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Market Watch – September 2011 edition

Posted on September 9th, 2011 by Richard. Categories: Market Conditions, Market Watch

The residential market in central Indiana continues its positive gains in all the right areas. The number of sales last month increased about 7 percent compared to the same month last year with nearly 1,900 homes sold in August. What’s even more significant is the number of homes on the market continues to decline. Important because as inventory tightens, prices stabilize too. Less Sellers and more Buyers equals higher prices. 

For an in-depth analysis of last months residential market activity for the nine-county greater metropolitan Indianapolis area, including real numbers, charts and graphs, take a look at my latest Market Watch Newsletter.

Since market activity is more than anything a reflection of consumer confidence, it’s encouraging to see the numbers headed in a positive direction for a number of consecutive months. It will be interesting to see what the future will bring.