Take a moment to enjoy the last few days of fall color before the winds of winter blow hard and our color fades to real shades of gray, not the popular series. And just hang on for a few more days.  Before we see white . . . Snowy Path through my woods.    11/02/2016

Erie Cemetary, Erie, PA  I can vouch that the Vampire Cyrpt does exist.  For years I have heard the stories about the Vampire Crypt in the Erie Cemetary and finally I had the opportunity to tour the Erie Cemetary with the Erie Cemetary Lady and see the Vampire Crypt for myself.The Erie Cemetary incorporated in 1849 has many lavish mausoleums but the Vampire Crypt stands out because it is fairly sparse.  The name of the crypt is missing but over the door is an ornate symbol that many claim is a 'V' hence the name 'Vampire Crypt'.Per Caroline's presentation a young high school student who lived near the cemetary visited the cemetary very, very early one morning.  With his tools he was able to break the lock on the crypt.  Despite the awful smell he went inside and to his surprise found a ... 10/29/2016

Mush as in Mushroom Mushroom, 7.5 inches Some days my brain is just too full of mush to write a post so I took a photo of the mushroom my hubby found along the path to our barn.  And below is one I found in our yard this evening,  If you can read you will see that I have a hard time being wordless even on Wordless Wednesday.     10/05/2016

Are you ready for fall?  I am ready for fall.As kids we loved to play in pile of leaves even though we might have rake them again & again. Today I just love to enjoy the fall beauty. Today I picked up three leaves along the road on my afternoon walk.  Fall mums have always been my favorite flowers. Usually I have a hard time deciding which colors to choose so buy lots & lots.Let's find a few pumpkins, too.  And do you remember bobbing for apples?  I do . . .  I am ready for fall ~ Are You?   10/03/2016

Welcome to Erie PennsylvaniaandPresque Isle State ParkFour million visitors a year visit Erie's gem, Presque Isle State Park to enjoy seven miles of sandy beaches, 13.5 miles of walking/biking trails, plus boating, fishing and view some of the most beautiful sunrises & sunsets in the world.Each summer swimmers of all ages swim 1.2 miles across Presque Isle Bay to the Erie Yacht Club to celebrate the clean bay.  Our granddaughter, now age 15, has participated for past two years.  Beaches at Presque Isle State Park voted BEST fresh water beaches  Celebrating 18th Birthday with special cake!  andBirthday wish Lake Erie Sunset / Beach 6Presque Isle State Park  Presque Isle Bay with Erie PA in background  Lake Erie Sunrise I even love to visit Presque Isle State Park during the winter months... 09/26/2016

What better way to begin your day than sunrise on the beach.  Looking east from Beach 10Presque Isle State ParkErie, PAAnd end your day on the beach with sunset.Beach 6 Presque Isle State ParkErie, PA Of course my favorite sun rises and sets over Lake Erie unless of course we are vacationing at Mayport Naval Station overlooking the Atlantic Ocean east of Jacksonville, Florida. Photo taken from 3rd floor balcony Mayport Navy LodgeSweet dreams  09/05/2016

Beautiful sunny weather with low humidity was perfect for family picnic on Beach 6 at Presque Isle State Park.  (Approximately below the 'P' in Purpose) Seven miles of guarded beaches, Pennsylvania's only sea shore, plus 13.5 miles of recreational trail, part of Pennsylvania Seway Trail.  Several families gathered to celebrate Keagan Yonkers 18th birthday with all the tradional picnic foods & birthday cake made to order by Keagan's aunt, Jenny. Happy 18th Birthday, Keagan Make a wish . . .Lake Erie Sunset   09/05/2016

Don't delay! Now is the time to prepare for the infamous Lake-Effect snow storms that blow across the Great Lakes.  Most of us who live around the Great Lakes escaped the wrath of Hurricane Hermine but we know what is coming in a few months.   Sunrise over my back yard Both the Farmers Almanac and the Old Farmers Almanac, which my dear Mother bought every year, have predicted a colder than normal winter for the northeast.  Yes, it is time to prepare for lake-effect snow storms.While I was teaching a real estate class last week Dave was busy cutting & splitting wood that he dumped down the basement steps.  We are lucky to own six acres, most of which is wooded.      However, all that wood needed to be neatly stacked on the other side of the basement.  Guess who had that job?  Me!   Let i... 09/03/2016

Erie, PA has many festivals, mostly from spring to all.  We have a few favorites, the Greek Festival, Discover Presque Isle and Celebrate Erie held the third week of August just before the kids go back to school.  Chalk walk  Presque Isle Lighthouse at Presque Isle State Park Erie ZooPresque Isle with 7 miles of sandy beach & 15 miles walking, biking trailsSunrise, North Pier LighthouseSunrise on the beachGreek Festival @Greek Assumption Church One of 24 Houseboats on Horseshoe Pond at Presque Isle State ParkEnjoy a cocktail on your own deckSunset at Avonia Beach Winter Sunset viewed from my front porchAnd this is where you will find us during the winter months.  No matter where we travel this is my favorite sign   Come visit Erie, PA    08/30/2016

Are you ready to begin your new career?Erie/PA The Real Estate market in Erie PA is hot.  Homes for sale in Erie PA are selling quickly.  Have you been thinking about a career in Real Estate?  Few careers offer the flexibility that a career in Real Estate does.  Few careers have the 'sky is the limit' income potential like a career in Real Estate.   Learn how to get your Pennsylvania Real Estate license.    Fall is the perfect time to start Real Estate classes. Real Estate classes are offered in Erie, PA by Alan Kells School of Real Estate.Fall Classes  Practice class August 13, 14 and 20, 21 2016Fundamentals class September 17, 18 and 24, 25 2016 Cost $178Time  9:00 -4:30Location:  3036 W. 12th Street Erie, PA 16505 (building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital-use east driveway)      Are Y... 08/11/2016

ERIE, PA Tips for Great Open Houses Yes, homes in Erie PA will sell at open house.  Oh yes, there are the naysayers, "Open houses don't work." "Open houses are a waste of time."  And on & on.Well, I am here to say that open houses do work if you, the agent, work smart.Here are SMART TIPS FOR GREAT OPEN HOUSES  ** Select the right property                         High traffic area--not a busy thoroughfare, but popular location for your area     Easy to find location--if you need ten directional signs prospective buyers will give up before they arrive at house     Curb appeal--hosting an open on a property described as 'not a drive-by' won't get 'em inside the open either.  You will observe them driving by . . .  Don't waste your time.      Clean, uncluttered interior          Is the prop... 08/04/2016

Erie, PA ~ Why Real Estate?Slow & steady, that is the description often used to describe the Erie PA market. In good markets and not-so-good markets and even during the most recent recession the Erie real estate market kept moving at a slow & steady pace.At the height of the recession Erie real estate agents cautioned buyers, sellers and industry observers not to worry about falling property values, in large part because Erie PA prices never rose that much.  There was no bubble to burst. Erie PA did not deal with falling prices during the recession like other areas of the country.    Prices of Erie homes continue to rise, but more slowly than national trendsBetween 2007 and 2016 statistics provided by the research team of Black Knight Financial Services shows that prices in 29 of the 38... 07/26/2016

Mr/Mrs Seller:Are You Motivated to Sell?  I mean are you really ready to sell? Mr. & Mrs. Seller, I am willing to stand on my head to market your home but if you are not motivated to sell nothing will happen. Let me ask you a few questions . . . Are you willing to price your property competitively for today’s market?  Are you willing to prepare your property for sale?  I mean are you willing to clean, de-clutter and de-personalize your home to make your home more saleable?  Are you willing to make your home available for showings when buyers want to see your home?  Yes, I mean will you show your home on short notice if out-of-town buyers just drove by your house?  Mr. & Mrs. Seller, I would love to work with you to sell your home, BUT I need your help. If you answered 'YES' to each ques... 06/16/2016

  Pennsylvania Real Estate ClassesErie PA    Erie Pennsylvania Real Estate Pre-license Classes:  June 11, 12, 18, 19Please join Alan Kells School of Real Estate for live Real Estate class in Erie PA.Yes, there is still time to register for live Real Estate classes in Erie PA.  If you are considering a career in Real Estate in Erie PA or western Pennsylvania and want to take a live Real Estate class instead of online class now is the time to register.Real Estate Fundamentals & Practice Classes will be held in Erie PA.  You still have time to register by calling 1-412-967-0240 or 1-412-967-9000.www.alankells.com  $178 class + $49 Text Location:  3036 W. 12th St Erie PA 16505 Building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital, use east driveway Time:  9:00-4:30  Alan Kells School of Real Estate Homes... 05/29/2016

Wouldn't you like to see this guy walk walk by?  (Check out your front-row seat)Well, this buck had his photo taken by Dave's trail-cam on May 22nd as he walked down the path in front of Dave's tree stand.Just like kids waiting for birthday or Christmas Dave is counting days until bow season in fall.  During this time of year I will accompany Dave into the woods but during hunting season I persue other interests, like bargain hunting at the mall.   05/29/2016

No matter how busy life gets take time to enjoy the moment.  That moment could be a child's hug or just a quiet few minutes without interruption.  For me I like to walk not only for exercise but to enjoy those quiet moments with myself and the beauty of nature.  Lake Erie is just a short walk from my home.  This was my moment to enjoy. 05/18/2016

Real Estate Fundamentals & Practice classes begin soon.  See schedule www.alankells.com Please join me for live Real Estate class in Erie PA.Yes, there is still time to register for live Real Estate classes in Erie PA.  If you are considering a career in Real Estate in Erie PA or western Pennsylvania and want to take a live Real Estate class instead of online class now is the time to register.Real Estate Fundamentals & Practice Classes will be held in Erie PA.  You still have time to register by calling 1-412-967-0240 or 1-412-967-9000.www.alankells.com  $178 class + $49 Text Location:  3036 W. 12th St Erie PA 16505 Building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital, use east driveway Time:  9:00-4:30 05/13/2016

Most of my students in recent Continuing Education classes were returning 'Snow Birds' who couldn't stop expounding on the benefits of second home in sunny Florida.  Most of these agents refer business back & forth and several kept trying to get me to agree to joining them next winter.This is my favorite sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean at Mayport, Florida BUT There is no place like home in Erie PA My favorite Lake Erie sunset from my front porchEnjoy where you are planted Dave and I are already planning 2017 winter getaway but we will definitely look forward to coming back to our home in Erie PA.   05/13/2016

Yes, there is still time to register for live Real Estate classes in Erie PA.  If you are considering a career in Real Estate in Erie PA or western Pennsylvania and want to take a live Real Estate class instead of online class now is the time to register.Real Estate Fundamentals Class:  May 14,15 and May 21, 22 will be held in Erie PA.  You still have time to register by calling 1-412-967-0240 or 1-412-967-9000.www.alankells.com  $178 class + $49 Text Location:  3036 W. 12th St Erie PA 16505 Building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital, use east driveway Time:  9:00-4:30 Homes for sale in Erie PA market are selling quickly.  Earn your real estate license now and begin assisting buyers & sellers in Erie PA and western Pennsylvania areas to make their dream home a reality.Yes, you can take rea... 05/08/2016

Have you registered for pre-license Real Estate classes?  Live Real Estate classes are held in Erie PA every month.  There are many homes for sale in Erie PA.  Now is the time to begin your new career as a Real Estate agent in Erie PA.See:  Alan Kells.com to register. Join me in Real Estate Fundamentals pre-license class May 14, 15 and May 21, 22, 2016  http://www.alankells.com/education/license.htm    Join me in live Real Estate pre-license class in Erie PAAlan Kells School of Real Estate1-412-967-0240 or 1-412-967-90003036 West 12th Street Erie PA 16505(Building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital) Online classes are also available. AlanKells.com   Yes, you can take online classes at your convenience but you won't have an instructor, like me, who will offer explanations and answer question... 05/03/2016