About Walker County, TX

I had a ball at Real Estate barcamp Houston yesterday!

Some functions are fun and some are not! This was just wonderful! I didn't completely understand what to expect with a "Free form forum" but I will say it was great. The presentations were fun and informative.

I was able to meet so many Rainers that I felt I was home.

Is that strange? After getting to know so many people through comments, following their lives and seeing their pictures each day I felt like it was a homecoming!

Adding hugs, face to face conversation, and sharing space with others just strengthened the bond I feel for these people! And, I got to meet so many for the first time that I will be including in my sphere that I had been missing.

I was thrilled to meet Active Rain's very own Rich Jacobson, Brad Andersohn and Jeff Turner. They are as nice in person as they are in their posts!

Other Rainer's included Jason Crouch (one of my buds), Amanda Hall, Lisa Heindel, Marchel Peterson (buddy), Pippa Mac, Greg Nino, Russell Lewis, Stephanie Edwards, Michael Price and so many more!

The sessions covered everything from upcoming technology to how to utilize today's technology! The keynote speaker, Paul Chaney is as inspiration in person as his blogs portray.

Don't miss the next one. I will let you know ahead of time before the next sign up as space will be limited. Michael Price wants to keep it intimate enough for some great networking and exclusivity.

Thank you so much Michael Price to you and your wife Laurie and all that helped provide this wonderful experience!

Later in the rain~Deb

I consider myself lucky each and every day the sun shines. Or, I simply awake and stretch and breathe and realize I'm here. I then take the steps I can to make it a good day. Good or great. That's all I have.

I was given a gift of major magnitude today and I must share it with you.

Let me qualify myself with this by saying I'm really not that great with bugs...certainly not scary big ones.

This gift is a rare and beautiful sight I was blessed to see today and I want you to enjoy it too. I knew not what it was till I grabbed my handy google page and looked up...

giant worm green texas...

Up came the pictures. Luckily when I saw this gorgeous creature crawling across my porch today I felt no threat. I just felt intrigued and in awe of the creativity of our nature and powers.

Introducing the most wonderful and so they tell me "common"...Hickory Horned Devil (caterpillar), also known at the Citheronia Regalis (regal moth).

Once I completed photographing him...I took him out into the garden and told him "thank you" and let him go. I couldn't wait to see what I had just photographed.

Enjoy. He was easily a half a foot long and lovely. I wasn't scared....even though I had never witnessed anything like this. It was like a miracle of life crossing my path.

I feel lucky and blessed to have been able to photograph this beautiful creature.

Amazing isn't he? Here's the wide shot. He was easily 5.5 to 6" long and was lovely.

I scooped (very gently) him up in my cup and carried him to the garden. If I am doubly blessed he will live a a long and wonderful life.

He looks small in my huge cup. He's upside down and trusting me. He is an 8 horned thingy. Meaning

he's larger than normal. I'm glad I'm not a screatcher! I opened the door and there he was on my

welcome mat! What a hoot!

Here is a shot of the incredible creature he is destined to become. Behold...

I hope you enjoyed this...I sure did. Later in the rain~Deb

Allowing our economy to tank is like playing "follow the leader" and not looking where we are going. I have money in the stock market...oh, well. It tanked. You won't find me jumping out of any buildings or crying "poor me" on any corner. We should be just as happy when we're broke!

It just is...for now.

Remember when your mom said, "honey, don't follow the crowd please. Just do what you know is right and you will come out a winner?" All of our moms said something of the sort. Keep a strong mind and "will" and you can determine your future.

Do not let the media lead you into a DEPRESSION. Just don't do it. My philosophy is to keep taking one step after another. If you wear blinders to the negative you can continue on a "Positive" path.

Be sorry that others are in trouble and offer them a helping hand. And, keep your business on the same straight and narrow path. Don't forget the blinders and the faith. It will work for you and for anyone that attempts this belief.

If you've lost money then go make some more. You can do it.

Get creative and use your common sense.

Look at the sunset each day and realize just how lucky we are to be here and able to work.

Hug your family and tell them you love them and that is what is important. Do not forget to thank our "Overseer" for the bounty HE is providing..

Hang in there and transport yourself to childhood.

Remember walking the strand of the fair and seeing all the games that had HUGE TEDDY BEARS AND GIFTS luring you to try?

You lost most of the time but you won one or two didn't you?

Life and our economy is the very same today.

Just at a different level. Keep trying and you will win.

Later in the rain~Deb

Edited thanks to my girlfriend, Liz Moras that recreated my title.

Thanks, Liz.

Ike, The Bay of Pigs and Me and Bobby MgGee...

I do have a tendancy to become fearful of storms. Growing up just outside of Camp Atterbury as a young child caused a major impact to my personality. Camp Atterbury was being used at the time for the "test bombing" operations. We were not allowed to be on the street when they were actively bombing so when a loud siren would sound we would scatter down the street and I would immediately end up under my bed. This was the Kennedy era and we were taught to climb under our desks at the sound of the siren in the sanctity of our classrooms. As a child I (we) were being taught that bombs or missles could begin to fly at any time. We faced the fear of the Bay of Pigs. Even as small children and today a loud boom such as thunder can rattle my world.

I want to say thank you to all my Active Rain friends that have helped me get through Ike. Your phone calls and concern is truly endearing to me. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. My husband put his foot down and made me go to my Aunt June's house in Wichita Falls. Now, I'm glad he did.

We have two houses on our property. One is the main house and the other is used as our office. Our main house miraculously made it through IKE unscathed. We lost a few trees and large limbs.

The office took a hit from a tree and is experiencing a roof leak...just minor in my book. Hubby and the animals made it safe and sound. They are without any electricity and he told me it looked a bit like a war zone.

My daughter, her husband and children are fine. One street over from her a tree went into a neighbors home and killed the lady inside. So, not all were as lucky as we were.

FEMA is bringing in MRE, "meals ready to eat" just down the road from our home so Scott is taking advantage of that. I, on the other hand, am having a wonderful time with my Aunt June and cousin Ruby! I worry, yes. But, he was right about not staying there.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO OWE YOU THE SONG "ME AND BOBBY MAGEE" BECAUSE I'M ON DIAL UP! The song has been going through my head after hearing it on satellite radio on the way here. It warmed my heart and reminded me just how lucky I am to have this great network of friends!

I never thought I would appreciate dial up this much! I grow older by the minute waiting for the pages to load but hey....it could be so much worse. I am counting my blessings.

Thank you friends...hopefully we can get back to normal soon.

Later in the rain~Deb

Okay, I am reporting in. I'm scared. My hubby hates it when I say that. I guess it's because I've shown a sign of weakness.

We have been told by the State of Texas that we must have our cats under surveilance and in isolation for the next 65 days. For more information read my post titles, Drats, Cats, and bats.

1. Two cats had run out of their 3 year rabies certificate two weeks before a rabid bat showed up on our front porch. Therefore, by the state they must be isolated for 90 days.

2. We probably should have evacuated for the Hurricane Ike that is predicted to hit our Lake Livingston area with 100 mile an hour winds within the next 24 hours.

3. We cannot board our cats because of the state order. Remember my rabies post? My bat?

4. The 100 mile an hour wind will be directed directly to my house and this is the picture. Get the picture?

We have an entire wall of glass that will be hit with the direction predicted for IKE.

I have a tiny cuby hole prepared within the house that will allow us to hunker for the storm.

My husband is making me leave.

I don't want to drive north with the dog. He wants to watch out over the house and the cats.

I am scared. I don't know if I'll leave or weather the storm with him. We are going to make that call in the morning.

I just want to tell all of my AR friends and family that I will communicate as soon as I am able. If (when) our electricity goes out I will be without Internet and everything else. I have gas in my car...food in the house and a prayer on my lips.

I do pray for all the people that are in line to be hit by IKE and I thank our State for the reactions they've had in evacuating so many people that wouldn't have been able to get away.

I pray that all souls will be protected from this hurricane and all negative hits.

Please stay safe. I am thinking of all of you. I will remain in touch as I can...Later in the rain~Deb

P.S. I love you all, my friends..thank you for all the emails and calls of concern. Let's all pray for all.