House Talk with Silvia Dukes

I was up late last night working on my monthly newsletter and in my research and gathering of materials came across some more turkey fun facts. 

Did you know that...

•·         The turkey is actually a pheasant?

•·         The name "turkey" actually originated from Christopher Columbus who thought that it was a type of peacock?

•·         "Tuka" is from an Indian language, because Columbus thought that he had arrived in India?

•·         In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin lamented the fact that the bald eagle had been selected to be the national bird and not the turkey which he thought to be a more virtuous bird?

I learned that fact from Russel Ray who wrote about this in much more detail in his blog "Benjamin Franklin and the wild turkey".  It's a quite interesting read so go take a look.  While you are there, check out his tips on carving the bird!

•·         Over 45 million turkeys were consumed in the US last year?

•·         Domesticated turkeys can't fly?  Their wild counterparts can fly at speeds up to 55 mph for short distances, and can run up to 25 mph.

•·         The states that produce the most turkeys are North Carolina, Minnesota, Arkansas, Virginia, and California?

All I have left to say is

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today, I was out on a BPO.  No, they don't pay much, but they do get me out in areas that I normally would not venture in.  So this property was located not too far from where I live so I followed the driving directions and realized, although just a few miles from my house, I had no clue where the road was leading me.

Approaching the end of the street, it continued as a "private drive" right through a large wildlife management refuge.  Now, the road is turning to dirt and I feel like I'm leaving civilization until I finally spot the first house of a very small subdivision. Now I'm starting to relax, the road continues and there are more houses admidst the woods.

As I continue to look for the property, a deer steps out from the side of the road and turns back upon my approach. I finally found the property, located on a riverfront lot. 

But wait, the previous MLS description said "Chalet-style", I see a wooden home that I would describe as a cabin on stilts!  Oh well, what the house did not deliver, the property itself made up for.

A gorgeous waterfront property of over a third of an acre, nestled among tall trees, adjacent to a nature preserve, and backing up to the Weeki Wachee River that just a mile or so upstream originates from a large spring carrying crystal clear water.  And yes, the water really looks this blue!

As I'm lingering to enjoy the scenery, four deer come back to graze where the grass is greener.  Eyeing me for a while to make sure I was not a threat (other than from my camera), they calmly kept a safe distance but did not run.

There are certain rewards that cannot be quantified in numbers or dollars.  This was for sure the best BPO experience I have ever had!

Florida today is populated by people from all over the United States and in fact, the world.  My husband who is a Florida native often gets surprised looks when he reveals that he was born right here in Hernando County, Florida.  His parents, however, just as many others came from another state over 70 years ago looking for a better life and experienced Florida in ways that will never return.

"A Land Remembered" is a novel by Patrick D. Smith and telling about just that, early settlers coming to Florida, working the land, getting into cattle driving and ranching, encounters with Seminole Indians, natural disasters, the rise of the citrus growing industry, the development of the land.

I got lost in this book, I got lost in times that are long gone.  Although the characters are fictional, the author skillfully incorporated actual occurrences into the novel, describing hardships endured by the early people occupying this State, following a family clan through three generations spanning 100 years, telling us about their daily struggles to survive, but also sharing their joys that came from successes and close family life.

Descriptive, entertaining, thought-provoking, passionate.... if you like to learn more about "old Florida" but not read a history book, you will enjoy this book too!

"Cracker" --- a name derived from "cracking" whips to round up cattle.

"A Land Remembered" by Patrick D. Smith, Pineapple Press.

The water tower along Shoal Line Blvd in Hernando Beach has been a landmark for many years. Although, no longer in service as a water tower, it serves as a guide and beacon for boaters out on the Gulf of Mexico.

Owned by Hernando County, the tower recently received a fresh coat of paint and literally shines in the sunlight!  Additionally, "Hernando Beach" has been written on the tower on two sides, welcoming visitors and residents alike to our beautiful area.

Next time, you drive along Shoal Line Blvd, whether approaching from Hernando Beach or Weeki Wachee, look up and admire the tower, it looks great!

Hernando Beach is a residential boating and fishing community on the West Coast of Florida.  We are located about an hour drive north of Tampa and about 2 hours drive west of Orlando. 

Today is the last day of the Arts Festival that the Spring Hill Art League is putting on this year for the 35th year.  Although, the weather was somewhat mixed yesterday, the show was well attended. 

The setting this year at Kenlake Park is serene and beautiful and the parks additional amenities such as the band stand are well utilized with live entertainment by local groups. 

 There is something for every taste among the  offerings of the many vendors and exhibitors from the elaborate to the whimsical.  Beautiful paintings in oil, watercolor, pastels, and mixed media are represented in the fine arts category; decorative ceramics, wood carvings, stained glass, and fine jewelry in the fine craft category; and for the more practical minded the country crafts category includes offerings such as handmade ties, a variety of wood items, and dolls among other things.

With crisp temperatures today at only 66 degrees Fahrenheit but with gorgeous sunshine, this is one more opportunity to get a headstart on Christmas shopping for that one-of-kind gift of art - handcrafted by one of our local artists.  

Enjoy!

Many times when I talk to people here in Florida, they comment on missing the change of seasons.  Usually, that refers to the change of colors in the Fall.  Well, while Florida's seasons are not quite as distinct as those that can be experienced in the northern states that can show off splendid and brilliant fall colors, a change of colors can still be experienced here as well.  

After having lived here for a while, I've started to pay attention to the subtle changes that start taking place in late September and continue throughout the winter months.  Sometimes, you can watch the same tree go through a transformation of changing colors much as you would up North, sometimes the change takes place as a change of overall mood than a spectacular explosion of color.   

Take a tour with me and enjoy!

This  tree in my neighborhood puts on showy yellow leaves around its small flowers.  A few weeks later, it'll turn into a showy red color before taking on an orange tone.

 Brilliant Reflections on a clear day!

I encourage to look for these changes throughout your neighborhood.  You may not see too many big trees or a whole forest turn color but you will see changes in the certain spots, even in the vines!

A stand of vine-covered trees in Spring Hill near Kenlake.

Even poison ivy has its charm with colorful leaves!

  Yellow Foliage at Kenlake Park.

Sun reflecting in lake on a Florida Fall day!

Next weekend, November 15th and 16th, the Spring Hill Art League proudly presents the 35th Annual Fall Harvest of Art.  This year, this fine show will take place at a new location on the grounds by the Lake House at Kenlake Avenue in Spring Hill. 

This beautiful tree-shaded park is a great place to display and admire the art work from artists and artisans who each year travel from near and far to participate in this juried show.  Media include oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, photography, drawings, pastels, sculptures, handcrafted work in wood, pottery, jewelry, textiles and metal. Guidelines for admission of artists to the show are stringent to ensure high quality of the art exhibits.

Additionally, there is a student art competition that also is juried and the winner awarded a prize.

Each year, this show draws thousands of visitors. The weather in November is usually mild and inviting to enjoy a day outdoors.  Visitors will be able to purchase an original piece of art from any vendor or commission a special piece.

The Spring Hill Art League is one of the largest art organizations in Hernando County and holds monthly membership meetings, art demonstrations, and workshops.  The Fall Harvest of Art show is sponsored by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council and the Hernando Today among others. 

The net proceeds from the show are used to award scholarships to deserving high school students to further their education in the arts.

So, if you are planning to come this way, please plan a stop at this wonderful art event at The Lake House, 1202 Kenlake Ave, Spring Hill, FL. From US 19, go East on Spring Hill Drive, South on Kenlake Ave. Free admission, ample parking.

Enjoy!

I just got home from attending just one but very productive day of the National Association of Realtors' Convention that took place in Orlando this year.  Obviously, living just two hours driving time away, there are no excuses for not being able to attend if it's right at your door step. 

I spent almost all day        yesterday at the Expo and of course, picked up so much materials.. it's unbelievable and the best of it is it's all good stuff!  But besides speaking to different vendors about new technologies, marketing ideas, and things they  can help me do to serve my customers better, I spent the day at the various International networking events and presentations.

For example, I talked  to a coffee grower from Panama.  He's also a developer taking parts of the coffee plantations  and transforming them into properties with beautiful homes, very  nice project.... I started  dreaming about the possibilities!  Well, I talked to him so long, he gave me some of his coffee... figured he wanted to get rid of me!  I went on to make several connections to developers of properties in Costa Rica, another wonderful country in this world, and a hot destination for second and vacation home buyers.

But the most productive hour I spent was when I met the delegation of the German Association of Realtors (equivalent to our National Association) from Berlin during one of the networking events. Since I am a native speaker of the language, it was of course easy to communicate, and I made some great contacts there.  I also met met a number of other German-speaking Realtors from around the country who are now a wonderful addition to my own little network. 

I had the privilege to meet a few notable people in the industry from around the Nation, all Certified International Property Specialists, who gave me some good insight and advice.  And to my surprise, I had to travel to Orlando to find out about some organizations involved in International Real Estate right here in our area.  Needless to say, I am determined to follow up and join their efforts.

Just one day... one day in which again I learned so much. One day that changed my outlook on certain things, inspired me, opened doors, showed me the possibilities!  Gotta stop now, I have a lot of work to do!

First off, I'm only writing this post because I was inspired by another post by Dave Park "Does she ever fake it! discussing value, passion, and expediency, in which I saw a little bit of what happened to me in the last couple of days.

Yesterday, my buyers finally closed on short sale/cash deal that was in the making for over four months. And that was just to get the bank approval.  In my opinion they are saints for hanging on that long and having to overcome obstacle after obstacle imposed by sellers' lenders.  I could have not faulted them to walk away at any point especially considering the price category we were operating in.  But, as it was, we closed within a week after approval. Perseverance pays!

Oh, and yes, this was a foreign buyer, my second international transaction this year.  So after closing, among other things, I helped them set up their utilities and introduced them to a local contractor for whatever remodeling projects they desire.

Normally, this would have been the end of the story.  But wait... today, I went out again with this same buyer to look at MORE properties.  No short sales this time, thank you! We came back to the office discussing the merits of various properties and opportunities that our current market provides.  I ended up preparing and presenting two more offers.  How great is that? 

So how does this experience relate to Dave's discussion from my point of view:

value: great market opportunities for buyers

passion: going above and beyond expectations in these buyers' first transaction, before, during, and after the deal

expediency:  willing to listen, and being ready to write those offers right there and then.

From my customer's view point I must have provided all these points, from my view point it just feels great to be on a roll!

...and with one look, I was carried away by the "angel of music"...

Andrew LLoyd Webber's musical "The Phantom of the Opera" is currently playing at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.  Long advertised, I bought my tickets back in August specifically for election night so I could escape the endless reporting and re-reporting, count updates, and forecasts.

Wow, did I not regret that decision!  Having had the great pleasure of seeing the 7500s performance of the musical at the Majestic Theater in London, UK, years ago, I was excited, curious, and a little apprehensive all the same to see this performance here.  And what a performance it was!  Sitting way up on one of the upper balconies in a sold out theater, the accustics of Morsani Hall were great, every word spoken or sung could be heard clearly.  The stagework was beautiful and technically a sheer wonder to me especially some of the special effects which where just amazing considering they had to be realized on a life stage rather than in a film.

An outstanding cast starring Richard Todd Adams as the Phantom, Trista Moldovan as Christine, and Greg Mills as Raoul in my mind equalled if not surpassed the original performance I saw so many years ago.

Well, I didn't get home and to bed until way past midnight and only checked the results of the election this morning.  Seems like everything went its way even without me watching on TV. 

If you are in the area and interested in seeing "The Phantom" it will run through November 22, 2008.  Contact the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Enjoy "the music of the night"!