Dusting, a chore that few people, men or women, like to do.A chore that most often goes undone because, well, out of site and out of mind.So here is a quote for the person who avoids it... "You are dust, and you will return to dust.That is why I don't dust, it could be someone I know!" Makes sense if you ask me.   12/04/2018

I am dreaming of a warmer spring.One that is covered with pretty flowers.Flowers that we planted and nurtured over the years.It is true, this picture is 45 days ahead of reality, but I can still dream.So, if you are waiting for spring, remember to smile while you wait.  04/07/2018

The real estate market is once again strong in Chisago, MN at the end of 2015. Overall, the housing market remained quite active in the Minneapolis/St Paul metro, and the Chisago housing market is no exception. New listings were relatively flat but the number of closed homes sold jumped over 18%. Likewise, the average sales price was nearly 18% higher 2015 compared to the previous year, coming in at just under $260,000. This is quite an improvement from just a few years ago when the average sales price was just $189K. Sellers are receiving nearly 98% of asking price in 2015. Market time dropped significantly too. It now takes an average of 86 days on the market to sell a Chisago home. While this is higher than other metro suburbs, it is significantly less than a few years ago when it w... 03/07/2016

What a difference a year can make! Sales in Chisago, MN in 2013, took a dramatic shift to the positive. Overall, the housing market made a positive turn in the Minneapolis/St Paul metro area in 2012. But sales in Chisago, were a bit slower. Thankfully, this community seemed to turn a corner in 2013. Closed sales were up significantly in Chisago in 2013 with 95 homes sold, an increase of almost 50%. New listings were also up over 40% from 125 to 176. Likewise the average sales price showed a good increase rising 13.6% in the past year coming in at just under $215,000. Sellers received closer to asking price in 2013 for the second straight year; now sellers receive an average of 95.5% compared to 93.4% in 2012. Market time dropped significantly for the fourth year in a row. It now takes ... 03/11/2014

It doesn't matter if you olike the new health care or despise it....one thing for sure is there will be changes. I have several Dr. friends who have already said they won't work with medicare. One is going to retire early and open a clinic on his own.  Hopefully, we will still have the choices we want and need. But, there is one thing I hope we don't see...   A shortage of Real Doctors! 09/06/2013

A continuation of the 1st part. I proved that we men don't want a lot, but there was some that thought we still did. So...I am offering a few more samples that prove we want just a little...   We do believe in comfort... WE can get along with the simple things. \ WE like dual purpose items. OK, a unique thing here and there is cool WE belive in quality name brand products... Yes, we like a little bit of shock value... Dual use...Great for mouth wash. Keep them loaded and you are ready to defend yourself. See, we are simple and practical with our needs. 09/03/2013

There is a lot more to selling or buying a home than just looking and moving in or out. Each party has things that need to be done and information to be shared. That information needs to be accurate.  The issues that you need to do need to be done on time. If you don't intend to do your part, then you need to stay put where you are living now. 08/09/2013

A Lily in Lace or is it feathered? I had not seen a lily with the ruffled edges like this one. The light was low and I could not get my wife to buy this one.  (To expensive.) In real it was much prettier.   I guess I may just have to stop and buy this one myself! 07/13/2013

Always a but. Did you know that electrical outlets come in different sizes.  What I mean if you have a15 amp outlet, it isn't safe to put a 20 amp one in it's place. What do you do if you find that the outlet you are replacing does not have a ground wire? What concern should you have if the wires are scorched or burned on the ends? I am a handy man, but before I dig into a project of any kind, I make sure I understand the inner workings and the dangers that could lie within.   06/07/2013

Weather is warming up and burning wood will soon stop. For some, burning now makes the house to warm. But...there are a few things to remember when shutting down your wood stove. Clean it!!!! Get all the ashes out of the fire box and then I put a layer of oil or some other kind of petroleum product on all the walls of the fire box.  It helps to stop the rust. Clean all the pipes and the chimney.  Take notes as to the condition of the piping.  Do any repairs now including replacing of the pipes.  This will ensure you are ready to go in the fall and you won't have any issue you forgot about. Prevention is the key right now...take the time!!! 03/30/2013

Everyone has something that calms them when needed. It may be a hot cup of coffee, a Martini with '3' olives.   It could be the family pet or even the grandkids. For me it is Nature's running water.   There is nothing like peace and quiet to listen to the bubbling brook or the crash of a waterfall. Some falls are dripping and make a soft sound. Some are hidden and muffled. The rushing and crashing falls can be heard a long distance away. And some again tumble a longer distance. What ever the style, they all are soothing to me. 03/10/2013

Finally it ia Friday. It has been a fast week but a good one at that. I feel in a great mood and think I will pass on a smile. Most people have no idea what they will really do when they get up in the morning. Not so in this example. What is the difference in Amnesia and Magnesia? It is simple really.  The person with amnesia has no idea of where they are going! Something for most of us to look forward to. 02/28/2013

  There is a saying that real estate is local and nothing is more true than in Chisago, MN in 2012. Overall, the housing market made a positive turn in the Minneapolis/St Paul metro area in 2012. But sales in Chisago, tell a different tale. After sales nearly doubling from 2010 to 2011, there were only 64 homes sold in Chisago in 2012, down 34.7%. New listing were down too, just like most of the northern metro area. But the average sales price show a good increase of over 8% in 2012 compared to 2011 coming in at just over $189,000. Sellers are got closer to asking price in 2012 now over 93% compared to 89.9% in 2011. Market time dropped significantly for three consecutive years. It now takes an average of 141 Days on Market or around 4 months which is similar to other north metro subur... 02/04/2013

From now until the end of the year, many destinations are offering discounts. My wife and I set up two such vacations for the coming year and got discounts of close to 35% compared to 6 weeks ago. Our Travel agent told us the prices will go up after the 1st of the year, so now is the time to book.  Our agent has done us well and gotten us some great deals.  So, if you are thinking of that vacation, even towards mid summer, now is a great time to book a date. It also makes you commit to a time period for those of you who keep saying that you are taking a vacation, but then just watch the year go by. 12/29/2012

It was to be a  spectacular display. A friend of mine sent me the 15 miles from my home to see them. I couldn't hardly believe my eyes.  My wife and I looked in near total disbelief. I just couldn't believe it. I just could not believe that I fell for this prank! Merry Christmas to all...HO HO HO! 12/18/2012

No the world isn't going to end, not as far as I know anyways. I am talking about my garden. It did very well this year and still is, but, you can see the change in the color of the leaves that indicate that it has seen it's better days. The yellow beans are about done and the tomatoplants leaves are turning brown. None of this is from lack of water.  Things turned cool last week and you could see the change. Warmer weather is on it's way, but it won't change much. It has been a great growing season and I am very happy with the results. 08/18/2012

And just because the financing is rural, it doesn't mean you will have to buy a farm either!  It's still the American Dream to own a home. With prices very affordable and interest rates are extremely attractive, now is a great time to purchase a first home! But not every potential homebuyer has sufficient funds for a downpayment and closing costs. So what are the options in the northeast Twin Cities Metro? USDA rural financing! Most loan officers will tell you that a conventional mortgage can require 5, 10 or 20% for a down payment. Even government backed FHA loans will require that buyers have a minimum of 3.5% of their own funds to invest in their home. Our veterans have always had a wonderful zero down program available and the VA loan program is still a great option to those who ha... 07/23/2012

  Beautiful Home on Old Towne Rd, Chisago City, MN This home is now off the market      Designed for Entertaining With over 4,000 finished square feet and an acre of property, this home is perfect for those who love to entertain! With two family rooms, a huge eat-in kitchen, a 3-season porch, formal dining and living rooms plus a huge back deck, backyard and private tennis/basketball court, there is plenty of room for any sized group to be entertained in style and comfort. Overnight guests are not a problem as the lower level is perfectly designed for hosting short or long term visitors as it features a Murphy Bed, his and hers closet/drawers and a ¾ bath complete with full sauna.  Historical Significance Keeping guests happy has always been a part of this home’s history. The home was ... 04/09/2012

  First time homebuyers in the northeast Twin Cities area would be wise to the Chisago Lakes area for their first home. There are many affordable options including townhomes, single family homes, newer construction and turn of the century classics. This community is one of a very few that can use USDA financing which is a unique zero down option program for buyers that have a qualifying income level.   The real estate market really made a positive turn in Chisago, MN in 2011. Sales nearly doubled, up 69%; from 58 homes sold in 2010 to 98 sold in 2011. It was not at the expense of other stats either. The average sales price was almost dead even with the average in 2010 at just over $174,000. New listings were down nearly 7% so the market is more balanced than it has been for awhile in th... 02/07/2012

    The real estate market really made a positive turn in Chisago, MN in 2011. Sales nearly doubled, up 69%; from 58 homes sold in 2010 to 98 sold in 2011. It was not at the expense of other stats either. The average sales price was almost dead even with the average in 2010 at just over $174,000. New listings were down nearly 7% so the market is more balanced than it has been for awhile in this northeast metro community just outside of Forest Lake. Sellers are receiving only slightly more than they did in 2010 with as the accepted sales price ratio compared to list price ratio is down just a bit. Market time also dropped significantly for the second year in a row. It now takes an average of 186 Days on Market or approximately 6 months which is similar to other north metro suburbs. The p... 01/16/2012