I am on the board of an online group, ForeverMorgans, that is devoted to rescuing Morgans who are headed for slaughter, one at a time.  We rescue Morgans from brokers that purchased them to ship to slaughter.  We're working on getting our non-profit status.  We function through a YahooGroups list.  When a Morgan is identified, we'll decide as a group about making the effort to rescue that particular one (we can't save them all), and everyone will chip in - $10, $20, $50, one astounding time, $500 as a gift to the person who has everything.  These funds are raised to pay the "bail" for the horse, its quarantine costs, and transport to its new home.  We locate forever homes for these horses (an application must be filled out and approved by anyone wishing t ...

I read an interesting article on CNN this morning about a woman (granted, the wife of a legislator) in Florida who, through an act of kindness, is doing something on her own to help deal with the current situation we all find ourselves in together.  Chene Thompson is letting Henrietta Hughes and her son, homeless and living in a car, live in her vacant home that is not selling in the depressed Florida housing market, until they can get on their feet. 

The article got me thinking.  While most of us don't have an extra, empty house lying around to donate the use of to someone who's in need, th ...

There's a lot of attention being given these days to building "green" homes, and to renovating existing homes to be more green.  This is a Very Good Thing, in my opinion, for many reasons, not the least of which is, these homes cost less to run.

But how many think about something very basic, the thing that makes any home "greener than thou", when it comes right down to it? 

What is it?  Do you think you know?  Ponder it for a moment, then read on.

The answer is TIME.

Not the time it takes to build the house.  Not the time it takes to pay for the house.

"Don't Mess With Texas!"  We're all familiar with this saying, but I've discovered hanging out in online relocation forums that a lot of people who aren't from here really don't understand what it's about. 

They think it's too aggressive.  They think that we're being pugilistic.  They think that we're saying that we're better than anyone else. Granted, there've been some riffs on the phrase that could lead to that conclusion - I, myself, have a cherished old red t-shirt that says, in big red letters, "Don't Mess With Texas Women".  Now, that's pretty accurate - we are known to rip off the velvet glove rather quickly, and a lot of us ARE armed!

This confusion has become widespread enough that I've actually seen a billboard by the Texas Department of Transportation that s ...

Spring is turning, and it's festival time!  (Well, it's always festival time in Central Texas, it seems, but we have more in spring and fall when the weather is delightful.) 

I thought I'd share a few of the possibilities - you could probably party all spring long without missing a beat! 

Today, I'm off with the Central Texas Food-Centrics to the Austin Chocolate Festival (yes, we DO celebrate anything and everything). 

Other options, in no particular order: 

Texas Wine & Food Festival (I highly recommend attending Sunday Fair at the end of the festival)

Eeyore's Birthday Party is a longstanding tradition - they're having the 45th this year.  ...

I have a listing right now that I am just in love with.  It's a 1923 home on 95 acres, and is just a perfect Texas horse property, or a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, or a place to raise cattle.  Got good huntin', too (dove, turkey, deer, wild hog).  There's not one, but TWO ponds (one stocked with catfish), and Alligator Creek runs right through it.   There's coastal pastures for your horses and longhorns, and pecan bottoms where you can gather plenty of nuts for that Thanksgiving pecan pie.  I just love this place.  But, heck, see for yourself!

While having breakfast this morning and reading the "newspaper" (online news forums), I ran across an interesting article on CNN about people tearing up their front yards and putting in vegetable and herb gardens.  Now, before moving to the country, we grew the occasional vegetable or herb in our front yard (okra does a beautiful hibiscus imitation and rosemary provides a wonderful, scented welcome when planted beside the front door or the steps coming up to the house), but nothing like this. 

While some of the neighbors object to anything other than the less money) and, apparently, social (one family said that their neighbors never spoke to them until they had the veg ...

Something amazing and mesmerizing and beautiful on YouTube. 

After scurrying around like elves, climbing up and down ladders, draping lights, blowing breakers, the agents of ERA Colonial Real Estate's Georgetown, Texas, office have decorated their offices and grounds in breathtaking, eclectic fashion.   

Invitations have been sent.  Ads have been placed.  Announcements have been made.  Goodies are being prepared.  Now, they're ready to party!

On Sunday, December 17, 2006, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Santa Claus and ERA Colonial Real Estate welcome the residents of Williamson County (and especially the children) to an open house at 4909 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas.  Children can give their wish lists to Santa, there will be food, drink (of the non-alcoholic variety), and merriment appropriate to the season.  And lights.  Lots of lights.  Lots and lots of lights. 

Come one, come all, and ...