debra v. edwards- Realtor/Builder Cashiers, NC., Highlands, NC., Glenville

Topper Cop (Basset) & Gritz (Boxer)

My Bandwagon, My Passion - Our Pets

On the National News yesterday, I heard that 60% of all pets that enter a Humane Society, are euthanized. How humane is that? Not their faults, it's ours.

Also, from Utah's 'Best Friends' animal rescue, they claim that 4 million pets were euthanized last year here in America alone, just because there were not enough homes to go around.

Aren't we human's suppose to be the most intelligent of all beings? Why are the 'pets' having to suffer for our greed (puppy mills/breeding farms), or neglect (not spaying or neutering), or backward beliefs (a spayed or neutered dog, will not hunt as well). I'm 'spayed' and I perform quite well. Some of you men are nuetered and you too, have not lost an inkling of your desires or abilities. You are no less a man and I am no less a woman, out of our choices to not have anymore offsprings. So, that argument is just...well...backward.

I have friends that have paid mega-bucks for their pure-bred dogs, just because they wanted a certain breed. Well, I have 5 purebreds, but...they are all rescued dogs. All purebred dogs (or cats) have organizations that cater to rescued pets that have been fortunate enough to find these caring humans. For one reason or the other, they were turned in...or found. Still, perfectly beautiful and well-conformed and doting, willing animals.

In this economic market with short sells and foreclosures and the weather happenings that are all around us, more and more are being forced into an unwanted situation; both for the animals and the humans. We MUST be the smartest beings and protect and waylay the puppies that are coming into this dismal future.

I use to raise purebred Boxers, until I found out how many pets, even purebreds were having to be destroyed each year, just because their weren't enough homes. I stopped. IF we can get this population under control, then once again, we can use our purebreds for breeding....but, please...wait, until that time has come.

Spaying and Nuetering can be almost free, if you can get humane socieities coupons or however each 'helps' in this process. Please do so.

In Gary Kowalski's book; 'The Souls of Animals', mentions that all animals are "feeling, thinking beings". Geese mate for life. Elephants actually bury their dead. When a mother seals' baby is clubbed to death, she sheds tears physiologically in pain. I cry with them. What kind of human could lift a club to bludgeon something so helpless? We don't need the furs. There are too many beautiful faux ones to purchase.

Please be aware as you're out and about, that so much turmoil and confusion both with the weather and the economy has occured in the last several years, that maybe, just maybe, that wondering dog (or cat), has lost his family. Take him in. On one report I heard that after the tornado in Alabama, they had no more spaces for misplaced pets, so they were having to euthanize them the minute they picked them up. THIS should not be.

I leave you with this. Will Rogers: "If animals aren't going to heaven, I want to go where they go." My argument is why would God make all these unique creatures and have Adam name them all, and they NOT be in Heaven? God don't make no junk. He, himself will be riding a white horse, I read.

My Passion. My Bandwagon. Our Pets. Here's a bow...and thanks.....

Here's a Smile! A thinker! And Group Therapy.

A humane, human. debra

Not everyone has to ride a Harley Davidson to enjoy these Western Carolina Mountains.

Welllll.....my husband does, but I don't.  Here you see me with my 500BV Piaggio, aka 'PopEye' beside my husband's 1584cc Harley, aka 'Olive Oil'.  Looks impressive and I know that I'm gonna sound like a commercial, but I wanted something that I could 'age with', and yet keep up and down these mountains with my husband's powerful Harley SuperSport.  And "He", 'PopEye',  sure does.  

I use to do the changing gear, motorcycle thing, but I wanted something...well, simpler.  It is.   And yet, I wanted something that I could not be 'left in the dust' with either.  It takes the curves and the ups and downs of these mountains, perfectly.  Most scooters won't do it, but this baby, does.  

In the picture we are at the Summit at about 5000 or so feet, getting ready to eat lunch.  The food is quite good and the scenery, well, you wouldn't believe me if I told you, so come see it for yourselves. We are on the Blue Ridge Parkway here in the Western Carolina Mountains.  My back yard.  It's awfully spacious.  

Cashiers-Highlands, NC. Market Statistics - 1 Q

From 1/1/10 thru 3/31/10 - 1st Quarter

Commerical: Only 1 Commercial Property sold during the first quarter.

Listed for $1,150,000. On the market for 35 days and Sold for $800,000. on Main Street in Highlands, NC in Macon Co.

Condo's/Townhomes: 4 Condo/Townhomes sold during the first quarter.

Total Listing Price: $566,000. On the market for an average of 337 days; varying from 127 days to 518 days. Total Listing Price - Lo $99,000. - Hi - $189,000.

Total Selling price: $500,250. Lo - $92,750. - Hi - $162,500.

Median $122,500. Average $125,062.

Lots/Land: 30 tracts of land sold in the 1st Quarter.

Sizes Ranged from - Lo -.020 to Hi - 50/acres

Days on the market ranged from 13 days to 1,657 days. (4.5 years)

Total Listing Price. - $5,726,400. Lo - $14,000. - Hi - $1,000,000.

Total Selling price: $4,108,999. Lo - $10,500. - Hi - $675,000.

Median $52,250. with Average $136,967.

Homes: 29 Homes sold during the first quarter. 8 were sold under either short sales or foreclosures.

Total Listing Price: $26,012,500. On the market for an average of 3 days to 1,421 (3.89 years)

Total Listing Price: Lo - $95,000. - Hi - $4,395,000.

Total Selling Price: $ $19,729,478. - Lo - $85,000. - Hi - $3,800,000.

Median $380,000. with Average $680,327.

These figures are gathered and compiled from the Highlands/Cashiers MLS system. They cover 4 counties; Jackson, Macon, Rabun and Transylvania.

Western Carolina Mountains - Cute, Cozy, Quaint, Cottage, Bungalow - My Niche.

I LOVE the small home. Less to clean. Less to maintain. Less to heat or cool. Makes you 'get out' more often. Cute, Cozy, Quaint, Cottage, Bungalow - My Niche. Just the sound of it is romantic and warm and fuzzy all over.

Being in Construction as well as Real Estate, just think about this. The smaller home can be enlarged to suit your needs. Whereas, the larger home is much more difficult and expensive to down-size. Being an 'outdoorsy' kind a girl, I've always been more attracted to the smaller home with a big, back yard. Yessiree...and that's what I have. Suits me just fine.

Here in the Western Carolina Mountains - Cute, Cozy, Quaint, Cottages and Bungalow's usually sit on some of the prettiest property...usually. Or if not found, let's find you a place. The lushness of the mountains keep this small, home in privacy...and that's what we really want to get away to, don't we?

Cashiers, N.C. is the Place to be.

Now, there are 'City Folk' and there are 'Country Folk' and there are 'Urban Folk'. But where can you go that accomodates all of the above. Why, Cashiers, of course.

The 'City Folk' come here to get away from the crowds, the subways, the trains, planes and buses. But they also come here to get some of the best food in the world, some of the best golfing in the word, tennis and plays performed by locals and 'stars' as well. The hand made Rolls Royce parks right beside the pick-up truck with the coon dogs in their cages in the back, howling. The $1,000.00 Coach handbag is on the shoulder right next in line to the bluejean bag.

Some folks pass several trailers, to get to their $5,000,000.00 mansion with private guest homes and outdoor living spaces. They do this, because that multi-million dollar home is usually atop a mountain with a 360 degree view, that configures around several curves and many dips in the road.

Then there are the 'Outsiders' that have become 'Locals' such as I am. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, I came to the area just to visit for a long stay. Ended up staying, longer than I thought. Thirty years later, I am still here.

We ALL come because the air is fresh, there are 4-seasons, the water flows like wine from the mountains themselves and is some of the purest in the nation. The rivers offer excellent fishing, whitewater rafting, tubing and just a cold, refreshing, swim. The sound of nature is usually the loudest it gets...except for 4th of July. But, in a nutshell, if you love wateralls, fishing, biking, motorcycling, skiing, (both winter and summer), swimming, horse-back riding, hiking, and pure 'T' exhiliaration and a super good nights sleep...then Cashiers, NC is is the Place to Be.