About Walker County, TX

I was blessed with the lovely gift of Butterflies in my garden today. The sun came out and my yard became alive with butterflies in the very colors of our season! I just wanted to share these lovely creatures with you in the spirit of they were received. They brought me a great deal of joy and I hope they will for you too. Huntsville Texas has its charms and this is one of the best! Oh yes, and Happy Halloween!!!!!!

Ah...the wonders of working in a home office. Coffee, made at home, tea with fresh rosemary and mint and the view from my porch just outside my office. It sure is pretty!

There are so many "perks" to working from a home office. This, along with the commute time, is one of the best perks.

Have you taken time to appreciate beauty today? It feeds my soul. I was reminded this past weekend that it is so important to take the time for yourself every now and then. Sometimes we just need to "breathe." Ahhhhhh.....Real Estate is alright!

One of my favorite things on Sunday is having the time to surf Active Rain and say hello to my friends. I love reading all the diverse topics and being able to view the world from others' perspectives! I learn, I laugh and I love getting to know so many different people and personalities. Just opening the dashboard is a wealth of information and so much better than the Houston Chronicle even though you don't give out coupons! Ha!

I just read Michael Thornton's Feature "FIREPLACES-HIDDEN DANGER" and it now brings me to the topic of this post....

SQUIRRELS.

Yep, squirrels.

And chimneys.

Yep, chimneys.

Why, you ask....

Well, there really is a point here.

Once upon a time in a land far away called Deb's house there was a chimney without a chimney cover. (not a good idea by the way). Now in this said chimney it was not unusual to hear birdies, possibly Chimney Sweeps settling in for their spring nest. Deb always enjoyed listening to the chirping sounds of the babies and it became a strong sign of Spring.

One day, Deb began to hear odd noises coming from the chimney that didn't sound very familiar. It was more like a scratching and shuffling. Confused and bewildered Deb ASSUMED (you know what they say about that word) that it was no big deal.

Soon the noise ceased. And, the bewilderment was forgot!

A couple of days later Deb awakened to the birds singing and went in to pour her morning coffee.

OMG, SOMETHING DIED IN HERE was her reaction. YUK AND PEEEEEUUUUUU. Oddly enough the smell was coming from the chimney.

911....PROFESSIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEPS PHONES WERE RINGING OFF THEIR WALLS TILL DEB SECURED ONE.

Sad but true a little squirrel had climbed down the chimney and couldn't get out. Huh. Deb always thought that if it got in it could get out. Go figure....

The chimney was cleaned with care and with Febreeze and candles the aroma wained. Deb got a brand new chimney cover and it has stayed critter free ever after.

WHAT THE CHIMNEY SWEEP TOLD ME. NOW THE POINT OF THE STORY.

If you ever get a squirrel down your chimney don't panic...and don't ignore it.

Simply drop a rope down the chimney and this will allow the squirrel to escape. See, it's not rocket science but no matter what it is I seem to have to learn it the hard way!

lol, Happy Sunday.

Deb

The Red River Rivalry--What a Game!

I really try to not get political--and believe me--in this area of Texas--Football is definitely political. No one, however can dispute how hard each side fought--Oklahoma and Texas. The Texas coach-Mack Brown, is always so gracious and supportive of his kids. He always seems to remember just that--they are kids. (Goddness knows they look younger to me every year!) I think Mack Brown is a class act.

Texas A&M is not only political in this area---it's a religion. Our house is dark red A&M brick, selected by the couple who built it as A&M Brick. There are so many A&M red cars around here too.

College sports is such a wonderful expression of competition and teach our young people discipline, empower them with a sense of accomplishment and teach them innumerable life lessons. I know there may be arguments to the contrary, but no one can dispute that when young people are involved in an activity that they enjoy, helps them to grow, and provides a support system, sometimes absent at home, is a positive thing.

I have served as an Assistant Professor of Music and as a High School Choral Director. It always amazed me how hard kids would be willing to work toward a goal when they were "bought in" and really believed in what they were doing. It's a beautiful thing to see that light in a young person's eye. It was an honor. I still miss my kids and hope they are always in love with music and go forward with all the lessons that music, competition and old fashioned hard work provided.

Okay, say you LOVE golf, but you wish with all your heart it were FREE. So, let me ask you: If you could find a great house in a great neighborhood in a great little town a little over an hour from Houston and could play all the golf you wanted--I mean every day and then some--for free, would you be interested?

Okay, I'll tell you more. The place is Elkins Lake in Huntsville TX. If you have ever driven on I-45 and gotten to a bend in the road about 60 miles from downtown Houston and have seen a giant statue of Sam Houston--That's Huntsville. You have found us.

Elkins Lake Golfing Snapshot: