Huntsville, TX

What does a Realtor and an Ostrich Have in Common? Huntsville Texas can answer that!

Texas rural roads are an interesting drive. Here in Walker County we have wildlife on the ground like we have birds in the air! Lots of wildlife...did I mention lots and lots? Yes, bunches. I was returning from a home tour out by the lake and had the pleasure of driving back from the Lake Livingston area on Hwy 980. Our National Forest and highly protected area is thousands of acres along this road. It's a very beautiful drive.

I was coming around the corner when I saw something that made my mouth drop.

Right there in the middle of 980 was an Ostrich! A very big one! The best I could tell he was quite lost and displaced (duh).

This is the Ostrich I saw. I panicked! I attempted to pull to the side of the road and get out to help the Ostrich. He would see me coming and run and run and run. Now with large trucks and type A Realtors driving this road I was very concerned. It wouldn't be like running into an armadillo...or a squirrel. This bird could cause a major accident.

911...911...911...911...yes, I did. I didn't know what else to do!

I kept driving up and down the highway trying to get Mr. Ostrich to go back through the

fence into the National Forest!

They answered...she made me repeat it three times. "I'm on highway 980 and there is an Ostrich running all over the road and it's a very big bird"

...I then hear laughing in the background.

Is 911 suppose to laugh at you?

They patiently explained to me that there were no Ostriches in the National Forest...I said "no, it's on 980." I did the best to explain where I was and they were sending an officer. About that time I was finally able to get my Ostrich to re-enter the proper gated area and he went bounding into the National Forest.

Whew! That was so close. I called 911 yet again and told them the crisis was over. At that time they informed me that I had seen an Emu...an EMU. They thought I was really funny thinking it was an Ostrich.

I was a bit embarrassed but hey...don't you think they look alike?? Wouldn't you worry if one was running up and down and across the highway? I'm a very displaced city girl here...but I love it.

This is the Texas Emu.

Below we have the Ostrich...

Now, granted I had never heard of an Ostrich in Texas but don't you agree they look pretty much alike?

Lessons learned:

1. There are no wild Ostriches in Texas.

2. If you see an Ostrich in the middle of the road and you dial 911...

call it an Emu.

Later in the rain~Deb

www.brooksprimeproperties.com

I have been writing now for Active Rain and Localism for over a year. Many things have changed since I began. My changes include but are not limited to:

huntsvillecurves@sbcglobal.net

•1. I put on 10 lbs.

•2. My blogging chair is looking worn.

•3. My fingers have become nimble and quick.

•4. I'm getting terrific Google Juice.

•5. I've made many friends.

•6. I've lost a great deal of sleep.

•7. I've learned a lot.

•8. My camera has become more important to me.

•9. I have a new respect for blogging.

•10. I saw Dark Knight and I may never be the same...

Today, I made a big step. I should own stock in our local CURVES FOR WOMEN. Or, at least that's what my husband tells me. When I first joined CURVES in 2001 I was happy with my weight but I wanted to convert to more muscle. I worked for quite a few years and then...well, as fate may have it my workouts waned.

The introduction to Active Rain and Localism "firmed up" (sorry for the pun) my fate. I was to grow weaker, flabbier and less healthy. Ugh. I swore that would never happen!

My husband threatened me with the cancellation of my membership if I didn't take advantage of it. NO, NO, NO, there went my only lifeline to health and staying young! I use to speed walk. Try that in 105 degrees.

So, please let me introduce you to my friend and CURVES FOR WOMEN, HUNTSVILLE, TX. Owner and coach. Tish Humphrey.

Now, as you can see, Tish has been working her business. Therefore, when she talks I recommend that we listen.

You can tell by her CURVES that she is doing well!

Pun intended. LOL.

Tish was showing me what size my waste is suppose to be...okay, the ideal size at 27 inches. I'm just a tich over that! She measured me but didn't tell me how much. Not to worry, I'll get there. Here's a peek at my ideal weight. Don't worry, I'll get there! Oh, I said that...I'll keep convincing myself!

Above says 130 lbs. I really do want 132 but I like to overshoot.

Now, here are more pics of this wonderful space. My space. For me, by me. and it says 130 lbs. I'm 5' 9" tall with long legs and lots of energy. So, this heat can't keep me down! And, neither can you, Active Rain.

Texas summers have a way of causing cabin fever just like the winter does in the north.

I am pleased to have such a professionally run and "effective" club to enjoy at all times of the year.

Tish and her staff keep us busy with the rules of the circuit. We travel from one machine to another with timed intervals working from one machine to another. Between the machines are pads to continue to move to keep the heart rate up without overdoing it.

This is a combination of cardio and resistance training and is set up so that any age and any physical condition will benefit.

These are Mindy (left) and Nicki my circuit coaches. They are both laughing at my new measurements compared to what I was!

Shut up girls! You're both beautiful and have only begun your life! I don't want to hear it!

They were both just black whip and boots "mean" when it came to my work out!

Whew...they look so nice.

Don't be fooled.

They're dangerous!

If you live in the Walker County, Huntsville Texas area or are visiting and are a member of CURVES, please visit...

CURVES FOR WOMEN

OWNER - RUSSELL AND TISH HUMPHREY

1524G 11TH STREET

HUNTSVILLE TEXAS 77320

936-295-3900 Later in the rain~Deb

huntsvillecurves@sbcglobal.net

Okay, I don't really know what these things are but I do have a slight understanding. I believe that Kharma is the bad stuff and Dharma is the good stuff. Stuff meaning luck or a power of attraction. So if you go putting out bad vibes to the world, the world sends you back bad stuff called Kharma. If you send out the good vibes then the world sends you Dharma.

(I'm not talking about Dharma and Greg although I just figured out why that was her name)

So, I have a property that has been on the market for nine months now. I couldn't give it away.

I showed it no less than an average of four times a week for the nine month period. It was a beauty but it had an unusual floor plan and it would take the right buyer. It looked over big beautiful Lake Livingston Texas and was in an elite neighborhood.

Nobody wanted it. The house had been listed with yet another agency before they listed with me so it had languished on the open market for well over a year.

I guess it was kharma. Someone made the quote that:" there is never an original idea on this earth, if you're thinking about it then someone else is too!"

Who said that? I don't know! Look it up! (I learned that one from Archie Bunker)

Day one. Monday. Just like any other day. But...

1. Out of the blue an offer came in on my Lakehouse! YEA! I was so excited I about jumped out of my skin! It was for "the" house. The offer came over the Internet which I found strange but just didn't care. I immediately put the paperwork together and sent it to the buyer to be signed. He would send it to me the next day so I could present to my Sellers.

Day two. Tuesday. A call comes in from a man that wants to see the house. "the" house.

2. He was from California and was a trucker and had to see it right away. Of course, I showed it.

He fell in love with it right away and told me he would like to make an offer! Wow, I'm thinking this is too good to be true! His wife was involved but agreed with him by phone to go ahead and place a bid. I told them I had another coming. They placed a strong bid.

Day three. Wednesday. I was waiting till I got all the paperwork for both offers together and signed before I alerted the Sellers. I just wanted everything in writing.

3. By the time I received both signed offers it was late in the day on Wednesday. I contacted the Sellers to schedule an appointment to go over the paperwork. They were so excited! We scheduled a "sit down" for the next morning at 10:00 am.

Day four. Thursday. It was one hour till my meeting time with my Sellers. Our Office Manager walked in and said, "there is a couple wanting to see you and they want to see "the" house.

"the" house? huh. okay. I had yet to present the other two offers...

4. I showed "the" house. They, as everyone else did that week, wanted "the" house. They knew there were two other offers on the table so...they gave me a full priced cash offer.

They won!

So, this has happened to me several times with several properties.

Nobody wants it then everybody wants it.

From Kharma to Dharma. I vote for Dharma.

Later in the rain~Deb

and Proud of it!

What do you get when you combine a quaint little town amongst hills, tall trees, tailored streets and an Active square? Then you mix in a little...okay, a lot of History, President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas, a few prisons, massive expanse of State Owned land with grazing horses, cattle, crops and black and white striped workers herded by Prison Guards on horses? Then add up to 17,000 youth at any given time walking Sam Houston State Universities beautiful campus, winning football games, featuring Arts and Academics and is one of the fasted growing schools in Texas?

You get the one and only...

Huntsville became the home of Sam Houston, who served as President of the Republic of Texas, Governor of the State of Texas, Governor of Tennessee, U.S. Senator, and Tennessee congressman. General Houston led the Texas Army in the Battle of San Jacinto into the victory of the Texas Revolution. Houston has been noted for his life among the Cherokees of Tennessee, and - near the end of his life - for his opposition to the American Civil War, a position which was a very unpopular in his day.

Huntsville Texas feels like its History! Walking the square you will stop and read markers talking about how Sam Houston and his friends would sit and play checkers or whittle the day away while watching the comings and goings of the townspeople. Sam Houston State University shares the same area (across the street) from Houston's original homestead. The Sam Houston Museum is built next to his Homestead's and provides a day of History, fun and great sight seeing. 

Huntsville was also the home of Samuel Walker Houston(1864-1945), a prominent African-American pioneer in the field of education. He was born into slavery on February 12, 1864, to Joshua Houston, a slave owned by Sam Houston. Samuel W. Houston founded the Galilee Community School in 1907, which later became known as the Houstonian Normal and Industrial Institute, in Walker County, Texas.

In 1995, on the grounds of the old Samuel W. Houston Elementary School, the Huntsville Independent School District.

Along with the Huntsville Arts Commission and the high school's Ex-Students Association, commissioned the creation of The Dreamers, a monument to underscore the contributions made by the black community in the growth and development of Huntsville and Walker County.

This is one of the most impressive pieces I have ever seen.

 

The detail is gorgeous and worth seeing. Huntsville is filled with artistic pieces from many very talented artists.

The faces are created to depict the progression of time, beginning with the youth at the bottom, middle aged at the middle and the elders at top.

Beautiful piece!

Mr. Dan Phillips is a well known "local" gentleman here in Huntsville. Dan is well known for his "unconventional, eclectic" designs of homes. Dan's philosophy is that each and every person in this world deserves a home. Dan actually puts his money where his mouth is too. He collects remnants, old boards, nails, broken glass, chipped concrete, cracked wood and any other "creative" piece of leftover building material and waves his magic hands. Up comes a home fit to be enjoyed by anyone at a cost of at least 1/2 the local average price. Dan gleans pleasure from teaching an Eco Friendly lesson to all that want a home. Dan Phillips is making his own history for our little town of Huntsville, Texas. Please watch this video and enjoy... 

I was lucky enough to grow up in the small town of Huntsville Texas and I have many memories there. Our Prison system has always been a seed for jokes...I tell everyone that I grew up on the outside. Ha-ha.  I was going to share a story with you that is special to me and not something everyone would get to do!

Back in 19...uh, well, what the heck...1969, I was assigned a special "writing" report for English class. I had a boyfriend, and his father was on the Board of Directors of The Texas Prison System and he was in charge here in Huntsville.

Downtown Huntsville, is the Prison Unit called "The Walls" and it houses the worst of the worst criminals. Many of these prisoners are on death row.

Due to my connection I was allowed to interview a man that was serving life in prison right there at the walls. He was very old but full of colorful information!

This man (I will call him George) was serving time consecutively with Clyde Barrow. 

  

Clyde met, and fell in love with Bonnie just after being thrown into one of Huntsville's prison units. He was a part of the labor crew

digging out white rock from one of our quarries. 

George knew Clyde personally and gave me incredible insights into his character and attitudes.

George told me a girlfriend was sending Clyde many a letter, love letters at times and angry letters at other times. Clyde was known to be a real Casanova.

  

Clyde shared a great deal of personal information with the general cell mates which later posed as bad news for Clyde.

He shared a bit too much and some of the details were later used against him in the locating of CW Moss, one of their right hand men.

 

Although Clyde grew up in a poor home, he never really acclimated to hard work. George told me about the day when they were on Quarry duty. The sun was hot, the men were weak and tired and Clyde took his shovel and chopped off a couple of his toes from his own foot.

George said that the day Clyde got back to his cell from his medical stay in the prison was the very day Clyde's news was delivered to his cell.  Clyde had been officially released from TDC and would be going home. History tells us that was the beginning, and the end of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

George said he believed the "higher ups" had planned it that way just to punish Clyde............................................could be.

div>

Please come visit Huntsville, Texas when you can. There is much beauty and history to be shared.

For more information contact me at

www.brooksprimeproperties.com

and Proud of it!  

YUP, that's right here in the Houston area the rodeo is in full swing. It really is a something to see. The actual rodeo itself last for about three weeks, but the whole thing is over a month long from start to finish. So if you want to make it this year you have about a week left as it ends the 22^nd of March. Do not worry though if you do not make it this year. Come on down next year. Here is a link to the official site.

I will try and walk you through all of the major events in the order they occur. But first a little history, the actual rodeo started back in 1931 and was held downtown. Then about 1957 some people got together and decided to help promote the rodeo they would have trail ride before the rodeo. Now it is the precursor to the rodeo.

Once the trail riders are all gathered in town at memorial park a parade is thrown the next day. After the parade we have what we call the cook off, a three day event of smoking different types of meats and partying. Now don't get me wrong there is some serious cooking going on so they can win the prize of World Champion.

Now we start with the livestock show and rodeo, oh by the way the world's largest. You know what they say about Texas everything is bigger and better. Okay, I may have added that last part about being better. Now of course with this we have to have a carnival for kids of all ages including myself. What ever you do, don't forget to bring your wallet because it is going to cost to play at the carnival.

The livestock portion is broken down into two parts the first part is for the professional breeders to show their stock and get some business. Then the second half it the kids turn. Here is where the kids bring their animals for judging. In the end there is an auction for all of the animals which helps raise money for scholarships for the kids. Did I mention that was the main goal of this rodeo, well shame on me for waiting so long to tell you.

While you are in the livestock show you can shop for everything from tractors to leather belts. They also have a art show of drawings and paintings from local high school kids that will simply amaze you at the talent of these kids. Another fact for you now is that this rodeo is put on by 19,000 volunteers!

If that is not enough they have music's top performers putting on a show after the rodeo each night. Oh did I mention we have a rodeo going on also.Now they have taken the astrodome and made it into honky tonk known as the hideout, where they have different performers putting on a show

What I am saying is come early, be prepared to stay late, eat lots of food, and get entertained.