Huntsville, TX

Lake Livingston is located within the Piney Woods of Texas and borders the Sam Houston National Forest. Our beautiful "protected" lands were purchased by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the year 1936 and were reserved with the multi-use philosophy for timbering, cattle grazing, farming and protecting our wildlife.

The World Wide Fund for Nature considers the Piney Woods to be one of the critically endangered eco-regions of the United States.^[1]

The Flora and Fauna of the region is diminishing at a rapid pace due to oil production, timbering and over population. Builders have utilized much of our timber land to provide homes within subdivisions. A select few of our builders are donating a percent of proceeds to preserve our wildlife. What better reason is there to move our way?

The Sam Houston National Forest is a haven of hope and promise for our wildlife.

Our wildlife is being herded deeper and deeper into the Timberlands which is causing an overpopulation of sorts. Homeowners find that they must be very careful about what they plant in their yards due to the fact that much of what we find beautiful is quite tasty to White Tailed Deer!

Lake Livingston and the Piney Woods is one of the most beautiful areas in Texas!

On any given day within the Piney Woods you can see an abundance of wildlife. You may witness wild hog packs crossing the highway, a red fox running across the road, Emus,(occasionally mistaken for an Ostrich by a select few) Armadillo (although usually with their feet in the air by the side of the road), opossum, skunk, bats, squirrel, deer, rabbits, Cougars, Bobcats and a plethora of bird sightings from the Texas Pink Flamingo, Heron, Bald Eagles, Pelicans, Woodpeckers and the Texas Mockingbird (our state bird).

Westwood Shores is a 5 STAR RESORT bordering Lake Livingston , The Piney Woods and is also a bird sanctuary. Texas Tropicals land on your picnic tables awaiting goodies that you might feed them. Squirrels will eat birdseed right out of your hand and the birds will eat the seed on the table with you as you have breakfast. A long-necked Goose, misplaced within a passel of White Pelicans, will awaken you with the sun, honking for you to come out and play.

Recently, there has been talk of reintroducing the Black Bear into our Piney Woods. Yikes! This could play havoc with the many hiking trails and picnic areas!

The woods are big, deep and dense but it makes you wonder whether these two would get along together...

Believe it or not, our great Piney Woods in our very own East Texas is well known (in some circles) as a popular sighting area for BIGFOOT.

Yes, you heard it right. BIGFOOT, otherwise known as the Sasquatch. Bob Hallmark Reports: Is Bigfoot In East Texas?

Texas, because of the density of our great Piney Woods, is an area of intrigue for many a hunter. Not just for the deer or the ducks or the sight of beautiful tropical birds but the infamous, yet to be proven, sightings of the myth and legend carried forward from tales of our American Indians, and early European Settlers.

Hunters of Bigfoot have the most difficulty deciding whether or not the Myth or Legend is in fact true. A suggestion to the hunters might be...

WHEN YOU SEE HIM / HER, SIMPLY ASK, "WHAT SIZE SHOE DO YOU WEAR?!"

If it's a size 44 then we can be certain they found the real thing!

Besides, everything's BIGGER in Texas! *wink* ;-)

Photos of Lake Livingston by Deb Brooks

Slideshow is FREE from www.slide.com.

Power of Gratitude--Is it Bull Hockey, Real or like Hockey the sport--irrelevant?? What do you think?

This is all about you....the realtors who encourage, help, survive to be a role model another day. Thanks for reading this post. We can't survive without each other.

Danke schön! to ActiveRain. There with information. I looked up topics like the best cell phone for Realtors even before I was licensed so that I would be ready to rock.

I have heard that "gratitude" is the most powerful sentiment, even more powerful than love. I believe it, because without gratitude, there can exist no love, because love cannot be recognized without gratitude.

Doesn't that sound pretty? Too pretty to be true?!

So--Power of Gratitude--Is it Bull Hockey, Real or like Hockey the sport--irrelevant??

In other words...Fact or Crap?? What do you think?

Here's my 2 cents: having good friends, watching the Dallas Mavs and blogging, a fire in the fireplace, a husband and a dog who love me.

I am in a decidedly grateful state of mind, and it feels pretty powerful.

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!