HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT: EXTENDED & EXPANDED By: K. Hale Chamblee

The unquestionable and favorable influence of the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit on the housing market, and therefore the economy, had many, including the National Association of Realtors, lobbying for an extended and expanded bill that would benefit a greater number of potential buyers for a longer period of time, and that's just what we got!!

Under the Extended Homebuyer Tax Credit, first-time buyers can still receive a maximum $8,000 tax credit on houses purchased until April 30, 2010. PLUS the bill has been expanded to include up to a $6,500 tax credit for existing homebuyers that purchase a new or exisiting between now and April 30, 2010.

In order to qualify as first-time buyers, the purchaser and his/her spouse cannot have owned a home during the 3 years prior to purchase. Existing homebuyers must have used the home being sold or vacated as primary residence consecutively for 5 of the last 8 years.
Extended eligible properties are primary residences, including: single-family homes, town homes, condos and co-ops. (Sorry folks, no second homes)

Qualifying properties must have a contract to purchase by April 30, 2010 but have until July 1, 2010 to close, and there is no need to re-pay the tax credit so long as buyers occupy the house for 3 years or more.

The tax credit is determined by:
The price of the home, which cannot exceed $800,000 and,
The buyer's income. Income caps have been increased since 2009 and the new Extended Homebuyer Tax Credit limits are as follows: in order to receive the maximum allowable tax credit for a particular purchase price an individual can make up to $125,000 annually, and married couples up to $225,000 annually. A partial tax credit is available to those making up to $145,000 annually as individuals, and couples making up to $245,000 anually.

In other good news, the loan limits will not shrink and remain at $730,000 giving buyers in high priced markets the opportunity to take advantage of the historically low mortgage rates.
There are a whole bunch of projections on just what this is going to do to further help the economy, but I'll save those for the next entry. In the meantime, whether you're in the market for your first home, need a bigger home for your growing family or are ready to down size - get in touch to see how we can make this amazing opportunity work for you!

Why Getting Pre-Approved For Your Loan FIRST Takes Care of Your Financial Woes By: Andrea Mossman

So you are ready for that next big step of purchasing your first house. Well, if it is your first home or fifth home financing has evolved into a trying process. Hopefully by reading this blog, you will be headed in the right direction to find the loan that fits your financial situation. Remember this might be the biggest purchase of your life so do it right. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to get the information you are looking for.

Before you begin your house hunt start by going to a reputable bank or mortgage lender to search for the perfect loan that fits your budget. If you have the time and energy I would suggest shopping around for different lenders to see who is willing to work for you and who best suits your needs. Lenders need your business, so let them work for it. The first question they should ask you is what is your credit score? Buyers are finding it near impossible to get a loan with out having an excellent credit rating. That in mind the next question they should ask is how much money do you have for a down payment? These questions might not be the first two lenders will ask but these questions will steer you clear from negative results if this information is not known from the get go.

The next conversation you might have is what type of loan are you interested in? Ask your lender about the different types of loans and which options will best suit your needs. Lenders are now required to provide you with documentation on the negative aspects of every loan in an easy-to-read format. I would suggest you do some research on line about the many different and creative ways to pay off your home and come with questions for your lender about how to manage your financials now and in the future.

Be smart and proactive about getting your financial questions cleared up BEFORE you begin the exciting process of looking and purchasing your home.

If You’re Looking for a Slower Pace With A Pulse, Allow Me To Introduce You To Salida, Colorado By Hale Chamblee

The onset of the “Green” movement, an increased interest in community and sustainability, combined with the recent economic recession are inspiring – sometimes forcing – people of all walks of life to reconsider and reinvent. These times are liberating. The traditional constructs of modern life are being challenged, lifted, discarded in a way that can be both frightening and exciting. We are being called upon to succeed in a new climate and being asked to think outside of the box. This is a time of opportunity; we have been given permission to change.

I like Salida because it is a place rich in real wilderness and real community, a place more valuable because people still have a relationship with the land, a place where the annual harvest is still bought and sold as livelihood. Salida is a place where whole golden glades of aspen are held precious, as is the annual arrival of the eagles, “balds”, that have come down from the high country for an easy winter of fishing on the river.

Salida isn’t a perfect utopia of a mountain town, but it is a real place. If you’re looking for somewhere you can re-invent yourself and your way of life, if you’re looking for something a little simpler and a little slower, if you’re craving a new definition for riches, or a new kind of relationship with the land, it might just be the place for you!

This Time of Year Short Sale is Better Than a Shorts Sale By: Andrea Mossman

In today’s real estate market it is undeniable that America is feeling the impact of foreclosures. This trend has made the Short Sale a part of the everyday language of bankers and realtors alike. Therefore, it is important for buyers and sellers of real estate to understand the ins and outs of this trend.

In short, no pun intended, the lender accepts less than what the current owner owes from a qualified buyer. This idea of a short sale is intriguing for lenders, sellers, and buyers because it makes the best out of a bad situation for all parties involved. The lender does not lose as much money as they would if they foreclosed on the property. In addition to selling their home, the Seller may salvage their credit, while the Buyer gets a good deal. This is the main reason why this type of transaction is becoming more popular.

The primary disadvantage of this type of transaction is the inconsistencies from one financial institution to another. Banks are experimenting with the specifics of this process which can result in extended time tables for negotiating deals, while other lenders may hold the seller responsible for the net loss between the mortgage amount and sale price. Fortunately, the Foreclosure Alternatives Program has been established for lenders to grapple with these issues and create new parameters to reduce foreclosures. Reducing the number of foreclosures will strengthen many sagging real estate markets.Your options as a buyer or seller in today’s market have extended far beyond the traditional loan because of the increasing number of foreclosures. As an informed buyer or seller you can maximize your ability to benefit from today’s challenging market conditions. This is why choosing a Realtor who is knowledgeable about the short sale is a step in the right direction.

The Little (Housing) Engine That Could By: Hale Chamblee

After what may seem like an eternity of dismal news about the nation’s real estate market, America’s housing engine appears to be changing mantras from, “I think I can, I think I can…” to, “I KNOW I can, I KNOW I can…”

No small amount of attention has been paid to the flailing housing industry in an attempt to get it back on track as the engine that historically pulls us out of a recession, and by recent accounts, these measures are working. The drop in both interest rates and home prices, combined with the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, have buoyed existing home sales. In fact, 2009 2nd quarter existing home sales are up 3.8% (in most states) from the 1st quarter and price reductions have made metro areas increasingly affordable.

A reduction in inventory will work to stabilize home prices, but in the meantime there are some pretty great deals to be had. While sales have slowed in Salida, Colorado and the surrounding areas, the market is far from dead. Recent weeks have shown a decided increase in activity as buyers that have been waiting for the market to “bottom out” before investing in the area are now taking action. The median home price in Salida, Colorado, this summer (based on sales from 5/1/2009 to time of writing) remains an affordable $250,000, while homes on an acre or more inch up only slightly to $270,000. Easily making Salida the most affordable mountain town in Colorado!

The need for goods and services associated with home sales inevitably pumps tens of thousands of additional dollars, per sale, into the economy – which may also account for the recent “I KNOW I can” attitude of the stock market. The steady rise of these economic indicators brings confidence that the upswing may well be sustainable – and while we still have a ways to go, this is good news for buyers and sellers alike!

The 4th of July in Salida By Dan Shuford

Here we are in the beautiful Arkansas Valley with July 4th just one day away. As of this writing we have had small rain showers almost every afternoon. The forest is bursting with color from all the many wild flowers scattered through lush green grasses. Our mountains are full of life and boast healthy trees so different than many parts of the state where the Mountain Pine Beetle has wrecked havoc leaving a trail of dead behind it. Yes, this is Colorado at its best. As the campers roll in and the traffic picks up, there is even more of a bustle about this little town that promotes healthy lifestyle and genuine people.

Salida, Colorado is gearing up for its annual fireworks display guaranteed to thrill all of us locals.

Is it the largest? No.
Is it the longest? No.
Is it the most spectacular? No, but for those of us who have lived here year after year scratching out a life full of bountiful blessings, it is fitting. We may not be the largest most spectacular place on the face of this planet, but we are happy and thankful to be celebrating this day and the freedom our fore fathers fought for.

What is our City doing? By the Original Keith Baker

The City of Salida has been very busy in the last 6 Mo. Just to let you know the city has your best interests at heart, even when mistakes are made or it just plain seems like what is happening is being done backwards.

2A money( the 1% sales tax increase) is in full swing on the street projects. The city was able to double the amount of street coverage due to the timing of the bids and oil prices dropping. The bit of short term inconvenience will be worth waiting for the completion and next year (hopefully) the projects will be in less congested areas.

2B money is already making the pool more of an attraction again (new east side roof and a face lift for the locker rooms). Perhaps next year will bring more for the best hot water in the state. A new handy dandy machine for significantly increasing the amount of feet of trails that can be completed has already proven its worth.

Also in the process of completion is the City and County services building in the old D&RG hospital. This is going to make these offices much more user friendly.

On the drawing for the near future is the replacement the hot line from Poncha Springs to the pool ( provided the easement issue is settled). A trail on the north side of the Arkansas river is being negotiated with the railroad and may happen. Building projects on the Vandaveer ranch are being looked at and hopefully will get the ball rolling.

Enough for now. Maybe when my turn comes again next month I will talk more on these subjects.

Focus on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 By: Andrea & George Mossman

Greetings from beautiful Salida, Colorado! If you are looking for Mountain Real Estate this is the spot. From river front properties to vacant land, Century 21 Wes Hill and Associates can help you find what you need. Especially if you are looking to take advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This stimulus plan may seem daunting, but if we can help you find what fits your life the government will help you buy your next home or business. Below I have listed the key points to this exciting and beneficial program. The information below is provided by the National Association of Realtors.

1-Homebuyer Tax Credit-The bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

2-FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Loan Limits-The bill reinstates last year's 2008 loan limits for FHA, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae loans.

3-Neighborhood Stabilization-Division A, Title XII of the bill provides $2,000,000,000 in additional funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The NSP was created by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–289) to provide grants through the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) to states and localities to address the problems that can be created when whole neighborhoods are decimated by foreclosures.

4-Commercial Real Estate-Commercial real estate is impacted primarily through those provisions of the bill focused on green building and energy efficiency as well as business tax incentives.

5-Rural Housing Service-The bill provides an additional $500 million to existing USDA Rural Housing programs. The RHS provides both a guaranteed loan program and a direct housing loan program for those meeting the program’s eligibility criteria.

6-Low Income Housing Grants-Allow states to trade in a portion of their 2009 low-income housing tax credits for Treasury grants to finance the construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of low-income housing, including those with or without tax credit allocations.

7-Tax-Exempt Housing Bonds-Tax-exempt interest earned on specified state and local bonds issued during 2009 and 2010 will not be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). In addition, financial institutions will have greater capacity to purchase tax-exempt state and local bonds.

8-Energy Efficient Housing Tax Credits & Grants-To promote green jobs and energy independence, ARRA invests significantly in efforts to make homes and buildings more energy efficient. The bill provides state and local governments with $6 billion in energy efficiency and conservation grants for energy audits, retrofits and financial incentives.

9-Transportation Investments-The bill provides $46.7 billion to states and localities for capital investment for surface transportation projects including highways, bridges, transit, and rail projects.

10-Broadband Deployment-The bill creates $7.2 billion in grants to promote broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas and for mapping the availability of broadband service in the U.S. Any entity is eligible to apply for a grant including municipalities, public/private partnerships and private companies as long as they comply with the grant conditions.

So as you can see there are quite a few incentives out there and finding the one for you can be challenging however, we are here to help you. Help you not only find your dream home, land or business but also help you to find what fits your financial needs. Give us a call or check us out on our web site. Have a great day!

http://www.freewebs.com/themossmans/index.htm
http://www.century21weshill.com/

Arkansas River Valley By: Dan Shuford

Here in the Arkansas River valley spring is in full swing. The rivers are raging, the trees are budding and the grass is taking off. No matter what your recreational taste, spring has something for everyone. River rafting is at its peak. If you haven’t been down Brown Canyon or the Gorge with the river running in the mid 2000 cfs, you need to add it to your bucket list. It totally changes the ride. The mild temperatures make hiking and biking even more enjoyable. The downtown is bustling with business putting out their new summer wares. Within a couple of weeks, our largest festival of the year kicks off as Fibark draws from all over the world.

As for me, I am starting my first ever garden. Now why would a drummer/bodybuilder have any interest in a garden you may ask? Well until I got in and started working the dirt, I too would be interested in knowing the answer to that one. You see, I am a very early morning person (normally up by 5:00 am at the latest) and there is just nothing more satisfying than going out and working in the garden with the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. After a couple of hours of digging, raking, moving rock, and planting; to be able to sit and relax with a cup of java and look up at this magnificence is simply indescribable.

And to think some poor soul is sipping their coffee at some Starbuck’s while returning emails on their computer.

Ahhh, this is the life of Chaffee County!

Think Again By Keith Baker

Do you believe, that is the question? We are still holding our own in relation to the rest of the country. But the rest of the country is in a world of hurt. If we let our thoughts drift to doom and gloom, we are going to get just that. So we must do every thing possible to keep a positive out look. By positive I do not mean I am positive we are going in the sewer. As hard as it may seem the only way to defeat the state of union woes is to keep the faith. Summer is here, the flowers are blooming and I for one have some really good people to work around. That in itself is a blessing and a good reason to say thank you Lord!

What a small world we live in!

I have lived in a dozen cities or towns all over the country from Jacksonville, FL to Santa Monica, CA and I still have friends in all of those places. But Chaffee County, Colorado seems to be one of those mystical places that I run into people from my past.

When I moved here in the summer of 2006 I was amazed to find out that there were 2 of my classmates from high school that had also chosen Chaffee County as their home! I had graduated in 1980 from Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs. It is located on the Air Force Academy, so it goes to say that due to the military population of the school a lot of my fellow students ended up moving elsewhere or joined the armed forces and were stationed all over the world. It was such a remarkable thing to have Sam and Rich living here in this beautiful Arkansas Valley! They fell in love with this wonderful, little town just like I have!

Then, just last week, I received a call from and old friend from my middle school days in Louisville, KY. Stephanie and I had lost touch about 20 years ago. She was surprised to hear that I lived in Salida! She is a doctor in Louisville, but her husband and she have a home right around the corner! We had a reunion last Monday and will keep in touch from now on!
I know that this universe is unfolding as it should. I understand the pull that Salida has on people. It certainly is a magical place for me. I wonder who I’ll run into next!

Perfection by Cari O'Neill

I had been looking for the perfect place to live for a while. It’s hard to find a town that offers almost every outdoor activity imaginable and isn’t a city, or a town too small. Being someone who loves skiing, I tried living in Summit County, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. But also being a whitewater enthusiast, those areas were lacking my favorite summertime activity: kayaking. Sure you could get out to some rivers with a tank full of gas, but in the summer heat I wanted the river in my backyard.

In the summer of 2005, I had the good fortune of getting a job house sitting for a couple weeks in Salida. The first morning I woke up in this Chaffee County town it was sunny and bright and I decided to ride a bike to the local coffee shop before spending the rest of the day at the local whitewater park. As a side note, Salida’s whitewater park is a favorite among Colorado kayakers as well as those not from the state. During the annual boating festival , FiBark, kayakers come from around the country, even the world, to compete in the festivities and enjoy the two world class kayak play holes. By the end of my first day here, I was convinced this was the place I wanted to live. After my second day here, I contacted a Salida Realtor, to help me find my first home.

My summer continued to be just about perfect. Fall was not too shabby either. The colors were stunning and the weather beautiful. Mountain biking, hunting and fishing were plentiful. Though I am a beginner mountain biker, I had plenty of trails to choose from practically out my backdoor. Many of my “expert” mountain biking friends were enjoying a wide variety of difficult mountain biking trails including the famous Monarch Crest trail, just 30 minutes from town.
Did I fail to mention that I met the man who would become my husband at the end of summer? Being an avid hunter and fisherman, he was keeping plenty busy that fall with the abundance of those activities in Chaffee County.

Come winter, I was a little skeptical about how the skiing would be at Monarch, compared to the mountains I was accustomed to such as Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin and most significantly, Alta and Snowbird in Utah. Monarch is definitely a bit smaller. But, I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. One thing Monarch is lacking is crowds. You can ski weekends, holidays, powder days and rarely wait in line more than 5 minutes- and that is on the busiest of days. Average annual snowfall is in the top 5 in the state of Colorado. Monarch has a great mix of terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers and plenty for the beginner. With the opening of Mirkwood Basin a few years ago, extreme terrain has been added to the list. I find that even a few weeks after a storm, one can still find great snow conditions in Mirkwood Basin.

I also discovered that Salida has a good variety of restaurants, bars, boutiques, coffee shops and art galleries to keep me busy when I needed a break from all that outdoor fun.

So my point is, I had finally found the perfect place to live.

It's My Turn Again By Dale Little

I am ready to continue my story.

After discovering how gorgeous Salida and Chaffee County were, it was obvious to my wife and I that this would be our new home. We hurried back to San Antonio. We had already decided to move so I put our home and businesses up For Sale. We got lucky and sold them all in a short amount of time.

We were on the road again. Back to Salida for our house hunting. Would you believe we found a beauty in the ghost-town of Maysville? Wow..... 10 acres on the Arkansas River, 8 miles from Monarch ski slopes, views to kill for. It was perfect. The year was 1985 and our move to Salida was smooth. I had big plans, drink a little Coors and ski, ski, ski.

Things started to happen. We were so happy right where we were.

One day the phone rang and the superintendent for the Salida school district was one the other end. He asked if I would be interested in teaching math at the high school. The current math teacher had been diagnosed with cancer. What a challenge! So I of course said yes. Bless her heart she died that Christmas. At this point one part of my story ended. The results: 15 years in the classroom teaching math, and coaching as well. One life altering decision = many more stories and experiences to share. To be continued.

Salida, Colorado: Why Buy Now?

If you’re ready to invest in real estate in Salida, whether it’s a first or second home, a plot of land for down the line, or a development opportunity, now is a good time to buy.

Our local buyer’s market has several contributing factors. Total sales volume in Salida and the surrounding areas was down 24% from 2007 to 2008 and average days on the market increased from 231 to 252 in the same time period. The drop in sales and overall increase in days on the market mean we have about 2.5 years worth of inventory on the market, and a host of motivated sellers!

While the news media is full of stories about waves of foreclosures across the country, this is not the case in Salida, Colorado – we do not have a big foreclosure market here, but we are showing an increase in the list-to-sell ratio, which means sellers are accepting lower offers. In a buyer’s market you can bargain harder. Look for properties with hefty days on the market or with multiple price drops.

Salida, Colorado is a small mountain town that continues to make a name for itself. The winter months mean outdoor adventures on snowshoes, snow mobiles, cross country and downhill skis. Monarch Ski Resort is a mere 30 minute drive from town, and just last week I rode the chair with a fella from Crested Butte that described Monarch as, cat skiing, but with lifts, and it doesn’t get much better than that! Spring and summer bring opportunity for just about any kind of recreation you could imagine, from mountain biking to fly fishing, river rafting to world-class hiking, and currently in the works is Salida’s first 18-hole golf course and golfing community! The hot springs are, of course, a great resource for year-round rest and relaxation.

The current market, coupled with the attributes of the area, plus the provisions of the economic stimulus package designed to help homebuyers, make Salida real estate ripe for the picking! If you are curious about anything from real estate to local happenings, get in touch. I’m sure we can help you find the apple of your eye.

For continued up to date information on the Salida real estate market and other local happenings, please visit my blog at: http://salidarealestate.wordpress.com

Taxing My Memory

Having been born and raised in the southern end of Chaffee County, I sometimes reminisce on the changes and in some cases the lack of changes that have occurred over the last half century in my home town.The mid to late 50's was a booming time. Climax mine was in full swing, the D&RG railroad had freight trains running and a passenger train to Denver and to Salt Lake. The Frying Pan Arkansas water project had an office with engineers and all the support staff.The forest service, the Colo Division of Wildlife and the telephone company also had full staff offices located in Salida. Real-estate was moderately priced and life was full of activity centered around a great school system. This continued to be the case clear up into the mid 70'S.

Then recession hit. Climax closed down, the railroad stopped using the line full time and shut down the passenger service completely. The Frying Pan Arkansas project lost funding from the Federal Gov. The school enrollment declined and most of the good paying jobs were gone. Homes could be purchased for as little as $10,000.00 or less.

But Salida survived and grabbed it's boot straps and began to draw tourists at an ever increasing rate. Once productive farm ground became more valuable for homes for retirees and 2nd home buyers. Mountain properties were more and more attractive to people form other states and Colorado's own metro areas.Things were good again, not at the job pay level of the 50's and 60's, but livable.

Now here we are back in a recession. Surprise--Surprise. But the good news is it, at least in Chaffee County, is nowhere close to what happened in the 70's. Sales tax revenues are off less than 1% for Nov. 2008 & Dec. 2008 compared to 2007. Maybe things will get worse but maybe not. They will be worse if we loose a positive attitude and let doom and gloom rule our actions .

Remember all things are relative to what we have become accustom.

Dreaming of Spring

Sitting here looking out my window at the Arkansas River on a sunny winter day, I find myself dreaming of Spring. Dreaming of crisp early season afternoons on the river fly-fishing for trout before run-off begins and makes the river turn to chocolate. Dreaming of cloudy blustery Baetis hatches, and Mother’s Day Caddis , and fish rising…the thought of catching the Stonefly hatch on the Colorado with the water still clear.

Don’t get me wrong – I also enjoy winter in the mountains. Many evenings find me sitting next to a crackling fire with snow softly falling outside, or drinking hot chocolate after a day of skiing. I feel lucky to be surrounded by beauty on a daily basis. I hope I never take it for granted that I get to live in a mountain community with wonderful people, and a small town feel.

But if you catch me daydreaming and looking out the window - I’m most likely wishing for spring and thinking about getting on the river. It’s that time again…time to stop tying, and start fishing.

Positive Ecomic News

Finally, there is some positive economic news. Many buyers are able to afford to travel again with gas prices at a more “affordable” level. Mortgage rates have dropped to a once in a lifetime rate.

On the flip side, the stock market is certainly still in turmoil. There are other investment options. In my opinion, the most solid investment you can make is in your home or other real estate. Both are tangible investments that historically hold their value.

Here in Chaffee County, we have a good inventory of homes, condominiums and raw land. We have already gone through a price adjustment period and this may be the best time to buy a property.

Our local lending institution, High Country Bank has mortgage money to lend. Many 30 year fixed mortgage rates are under 5%. This repositions many families to a new price point to purchase their home or vacation property. I just refinanced my home with High Country Bank and reduced my payments significantly.

Salida and Chaffee County has other positive news. The new Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center will celebrate its one year anniversary April 1. The City and County are relocating to a larger central complex. The Friend Ranch 18 hole golf course is progressing. New construction on Highway 50 shows many national companies have discovered and continue to have faith in our community. A group of civic, county and city government and community business leaders have begun the process of starting an economic development coalition, and of course, the snow at Monarch Ski area is fabulous.

As our new president is inaugurated, we all have renewed hope. His task at hand is enormous, but we must show faith in the future. Stimulating the economy with real estate may be one of the best investments you can make.

Find Your Pony

Here we are just a week into the New Year. I am looking out my window onto U.S. Highway 50 which has been quite busy during the past two weeks with license plates from all over. I expect to see a slow down in traffic on the busy little highway but as of yet…. It ain’t happening! I guess oil prices are back on the rise and I’m told people will stop driving their SUVs and big pickup trucks. Everyone will go to those little half breeds or whatever they are called. Humm… funny I keep seeing pickup after pickup followed by an occasional SUV. Looks like we are going to have to start conserving oil but as of yet…. It ain’t happening! I also hear how bad this year is supposed to be for all of us financially. I hear many sob stories being told and it seems to make the majority feel a little better about their own particular situation. It’s sort of like the old saying “misery loves company”. The way I see it, we are so fortunate with our lifestyle here. We don’t worry about road rage. We are not concerned with some wacko coming down the street and snatching our children. We smile and greet each other in the grocery store and acknowledge each other on a first name basis. So what do I have to complain or gripe about…? It ain’t happening! Times like these remind me of a story my dad use to tell me when I was a wee lad: There once was a doctor with two twin boys who were complete opposites. One was a pessimist, the other an optimist. The doctor decided one day to conduct an experiment with his two sons. He locked the two boys up in separate rooms all day long. In the room with pessimist, he provided his son with every toy imaginable. The other room for the optimist was filled with horse manure. At the end of the day, he checked in on the two. Upon entering the room with the pessimist, he found the boy over in the corner of his room pouting. When he asks him how his day was, the boy did nothing but complain. “The bicycle is red and you know that blue if my favorite color. The ball you gave me doesn’t bounce as high as it should and the train whistle isn’t loud enough”, spouted the pessimist. This was pretty much what the doctor expected. He then went into the room with the optimist. Upon entering he was amazed to find a maze of tunnels through the manure. Out popped his son with the largest smile and manure from head to toe. “Dad, this was the best day of my life”, he exclaimed. “I just can’t remember when I had this much fun”. “How is it that you could have that much fun in a room full of manure” the father inquired. “Well Dad the way I figure it; with this much horse poop there has to be a pony in here somewhere”. So I say look for your Pony in 2009!
Post by Dan Shuford