Mary Jo Schaffer Bandera Texas Real Estate

Seeing that cap on BP's well in the Gulf of Mexico was a relief for Gulf Coast residents and Americans in general. We all should breath a sigh of relief and pray that this cap will hold, and the cleanup will be successful and all the oil will be cleaned up and everyone can get back to normal.

If the cap doesn't hold, or if there is a leak, BP may have to remove the cap and gallons of oil will spill into the Gulf again, jeopardizing the livelihood of millions of Americans. The tourist industry in 5 states is badly damaged, the fishing industry will take years to recover, and birds and sea creatures in the area were harmed by the floating oil.That would be disasterous for the Coastal area.

The only seemingly good thing to come out of this disaster was the low price of gasoline, especially during this vacation season. That helps working families who could ill afford to pay $3-$5 for a gallon of gas. The low price keeps Americans in their cars, driving to tourist destinations, or local weekend trips to the country. That is good for the Real Estate Industry, already badly damaged by the financial crisis of 2007-2008. When I see the cars and motorcycles coming into Bandera for the weekend, I am thankful. That means some of them will like it here and want to stay, want to buy a home here, land here, and that is a very good thing. Please do get in your car and come on over- Bandera is a great place to visit.

Think about what July 4th means- what it is we celebrate. Yes, July 4th is a great family day of get togethers and bar b ques, parades, fireworks, and brass bands playing marches and toe-tapping tunes. We wear our red, white & blue- we wave and display our flags. For the most part, we take this day for granted- have we ever thought about the price that was paid for the freedoms we enjoy?

Would we be willing to pay that price again if our country and way of life was threatened? How many of us would step into danger for the sake of others as our Armed Forces do every day. Do we even help our neighbor when in distress?

I know it's asking alot to put ourselves in danger unless it's for one of our loved ones- but the question needs to be asked and each of us should know our answer- FREEDOM IS NOT FREE- how willing are we to pay the price?

After Memorial Day has passed and all the parades and bar b ques are over, most of us start to look forward to the Fourth of July, when more parades, fireworks and family gatherings are planned and anticipated.

But, almost forgotten is June 14th- FLAG DAY- not a big day for parades and family gatherings, but very important in the history of the USA. All of us had learned in elementary school about Betsy Ross and how she sewed the first flag of the newly formed United States of America. On June 14th 1777 the Continental Congress passed a resolution specifying that the flag carry 13 stripes and 13 stars- the colors would represent hardness and valor (red) purity and innocence (white) and vigilance, perseverance and justice (blue). Many states celebrated June 14th as Flag Day, but it was not until 1949 when President Harry Truman designated June 14th as National Flag Day.

The Flag represents the United States of America and is worthy of respect- wear and display it proudly, for it is a symbol of the freedoms we enjoy in this country.

The temperatures have been in the 70's for the past week and it feels great! Does that mean that Spring has finally arrived in the Texas Hill Country? The grass is greening, the trees are budding, the deer are running and the phone is ringing!! Are those things connected?? You bet they are! The tourists have arrived in Downtown Bandera and the cash registers are ringing, the bars are full of revelers and special events have been scheduled to increase the traffic count, and I'm happy with that!

Warm weather and green grass is required for contracts to be written, rain and wind does not make for happy, spending tourists and RE buyers. Not that I'm saying that people won't buy real estate in the rain, but that happy purchasers make better decisions and that makes for happy owners, and every agent/broker likes that! I want my clients to be happy, during the sale and after, when they will tell their friends and relatives what a great experience it was working with Sweetheart Realty!!

It seem as though winter is longer this year- maybe because the phone hasn't been ringing with people wanting to make the Texas Hill Country their home. The weather people say it's because of La Nina or La Nino, I'm not sure which, but it has been consistantly cold here. And that affects the phone ringing, to be sure.

Who wants to get out of their warm bed or warm home and trek out to God's Country?, when you can look at it on TV, much easier I'd say. Lots of San Antonians and Houstonians and "We Love You" Snowbirds, want to live here full time, but we need the sunshine to make that happen!

So I'm making an appeal to the clouds and the wind, to "Move On Outta Here!". We need sunshine to be more effective at our job- that is, to sell houses and land. So Spring- come hither- I'm ready to do my job, do yours!