Just for Fun

We’re Lane Rogers and Patricia Zars, partners in life, business, and purpose. Growth, connection, and intentional living are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we’ve built a life we love through family, real estate, entrepreneurship, and a shared passion for serving others. We live in Boerne, Texas, with our daughter, Riley, and believe in creating meaningful experiences for both our clients and our family.After nearly two decades of leading a successful independent brokerage, our focus has always remained the same: providing a concierge-level real estate experience for clients and building a supportive, growth-driven environment for agents. With nearly 45 years of combined experience in the real estate industry, we joined Epique Realty to align with a forward-thinking, tech-em... 11/03/2025

Celebrate Autumn with Trucks, Treats, and Unforgettable Family Fun Summary Celebrate fall at The Learning Experience – Franklin’s Touch-a-Truck Fall Festival on November 7, 2025. Free family fun, trucks, treats, and more. Introduction: What’s a Touch-a-Truck Festival Anyway? Ever wonder what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of a fire truck or peek inside a police cruiser? That’s the magic of a Touch-a-Truck event. It’s where kids (and let’s be honest—grown-ups too) get up close and personal with the big, bold vehicles that keep your town running. Add in pumpkin painting, face art, and sweet treats, and you’ve got a fall festival that hits all the right notes. Why This Event Deserves a Spot on Your Calendar Mark your calendar for Friday, November 7th, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The ... 11/05/2025

It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition. - Henry JamesFeeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. - William Arthur WardWhen I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. - Willie NelsonBe grateful for what you have and stop complaining - it bores everybody else, does you no good, and doesn't solve any problems. - Zig ZiglarThank you for life, and all the little ups and downs that make it worth living. - Travis Barker  11/03/2025

Book Recommendation: A Christmas Witness by Charles ToddA Christmas Witness (2025, Mysterious Press) is An Inspector Ian Rutledge Novella by the New York Times Bestselling Author Charles Todd. I enjoyed this book and recommend it and the many other books in this series. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and his books.Inspector Ian Rutledge investigates a possible attempted murder in this seasonal mystery novella from New York Times bestseller Charles Todd.December 1921: Being single and a new Chief, Inspector Rutledge gets the short straw and is called upon by Chief Superintendent Markum to go to the Kentish home of a lord who is recovering from an attempt on his life. In bed with a concussion, the man is convinced someone is trying to kill him after ... 11/06/2025

  May you be free from fear.May you find peace, even in confusion.May you be comforted, held in gentleness.May the pain fade, even if only for moments.May you rest deeply, surrounded by calmMay you be free from suffering—And if that is not possible,May you never face it alone Digital Image Created with Midjourney, an IA Art-Generator Tool 11/03/2025

“A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck.” -James A. GarfieldBorn: November 19, 1831  (Orange Township, Ohio)Died:  September 19, 1881 (Elberon, New Jersey)President of the United States: March 4, 1881 - September 19, 1881The chapter on James A. Garfield in Confronting the Presidents reveals a life of hardship, extreme intellect, love, and fate, culminating in one of the briefest presidencies in American history.Born into extreme poverty in a log cabin in Ohio, Garfield rose from near-destitution to the nation’s highest office. He is often considered the poorest man ever to become president. His early years were defined by relentless determination, as he worked as a janitor, carpenter, and teacher while pursuing his education. That tenacity led him to Williams College, where his brillia... 11/10/2025

Trivia question answers for Sunday November 2, 20251. What city is home to The Willis Tower? Chicago2. Who wrote the book "Moby Dick"? Herman Melville3. Prosciutto is derived from the meat of what animal? Pig 4. In which city was the TV show "Full House" set? San Francisco Trivia questions for Monday November 3, 20251. What part of the world did the Vikings come from?2. What is the coldest sea on Earth?3. Grits are generally made from what grain?4. What was Paul Revere's profession?Enjoy your day! 11/03/2025

.Motivational Monday…Shift Your Measure of Success So often when we speak of someone’s success, we list how much money they make, the size of their home, the accolades they’ve received, and who they know. These are all external measures. And, many times, what follows is a discussion of “But are they truly happy?”  We recently watched an old episode of NCIS. Jimmy, the assistant medical examiner, was trying to talk a young man off the ledge.Jimmy told the young ledge jumper that he had spent years chasing his medical degree and license. Yet when he finally achieved both, he realized the life he wanted was already his—doing what he loved with the people he considered family.He acknowledged that nothing lasts forever and one day, he would move on. However, right now, at this time in his li... 11/03/2025

These Broncos could give us a heart attack!    The 4th quarter comebacks are so tough on our hearts!    Truly, the Texans looked really good most of the game, but many 3 downs and outs by both teams.   Defense was working on both sides, and the Broncos kept the Texans from getting a touchdown in the red zone.  BUT, a win is a win, and we'll take it!We had two important players out with injuries, and sadly, the Texans' quarterback was also injured during the game.Sure fun to watch the Broncos actually playing, and mostly playing very well this year!We are ahead of the Chiefs this year in our division, but can we keep that up?Time will tell!On a side note, we hit the highest temperature Denver has EVER seen in Denver today - 83 degrees - November 2nd, WOW.   11/03/2025

Warning: these disappear faster than you can say “pass the platter!”If you're looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that always gets rave reviews, this one has been a family favorite for years. It’s simple, crunchy, garlicky goodness, and trust me, once you make them, you’ll be in the “just one more” club too!Ingredients & Steps: Slice fresh green zucchini into rounds, not too thin, not too thick (Goldilocks style!)• Crack several eggs into a bowl, add a splash of milk, and whisk like you mean it• Crush saltine crackers into crumbs (a rolling pin works wonders!) and season generously with garlic salt and pepper• Dip zucchini slices into the egg mixture, then coat in the cracker crumbs• Layer them on a pan and pop into the fridge for a couple of hours, or prep in the morning and ... 11/02/2025

Paul McCartney & Me: When AI Tried to Join the Band What a great Zoom meeting on Tuesday and a huge thanks to Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD and to Praful Thakkar for bringing up some excellent points of which we were unaware. We’re so fortunate to have the level of AI brainpower that we do, right here in the Rain!This week’s AR challenge was on AI video-making and, wow—what an adventure! One click led to another, and before I knew it, I was deep down the rabbit hole of AI tools, testing what each could do with a single image. I started with a photo I created in DeepAI.org, which became my featured image for this post. From there, I explored three different video platforms, each promising their own version of AI “magic.”What I discovered was both fascinating and a little funny—all three produ... 11/02/2025

Book Recommendation: Hanging Falls by Margaret MizushimaHanging Falls (2020, Crooked Lane Books) is novel number six of the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series by Margaret Mizushima. I have enjoyed this series and recommend reading the books in order of publication. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and her books.Murder stalks the rugged Colorado high country—and sends Mattie Cobb on a quest to uncover the darkest secrets from her past.A deluge has flooded the high ground near Hanging Falls—but heavy rains aren’t the only menace descending on Timber Creek. While on a scouting mission to pinpoint trail damage, officer Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo stumble upon a body floating at the edge of a lake. Robo catches human scent, which leads to an enigmat... 11/05/2025

Sometimes life happens.  When those daily, monthly or even yearly challenges subside, we are once again able to resume our schedules, our routines, living our lives.For me, that means my hiatus from Active Rain is for the most part over and I can resume writing and submitting my blogs to this dynamic forum. Also I am able to travel to take photos of all the vacant land, dirt as I love selling dirt. In the last few days, I have taken over 100 plus photos of dirt here in Mohave County, AZ.  Of course, sometimes when we get back in the saddle, we may have lingering fears of another unforeseen life happens challenge.  This fear is often “False Evidence Appearing Real.”I am reminded of these words by John Wayne:"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”Life is a series of co... 11/03/2025

  "I sit beside the fire and thinkof how the world will bewhen winter comes without a springthat I shall ever see." Excerpt from Bilbo's song “I Sit Beside the Fire and Think” from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Book II, Chapter 3 (“The Ring Goes South”) By J. R.R. TolkienDigital Image Created with Midjourney, an IA Art-Generator Tool 11/02/2025

Ingredients8 large eggs, cold1 pound bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped1/2 pound unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 chucks1/4 cup strong coffeeconfectioners sugar for decoration1.  Adjusted oven rack to lower middle position and heat oven to 325 degree.  Line bottom of 8 inch springform pan with parchment and grease pan sides.  Cover pan underneath and along the sides with sheet of heavy duty foil and set in large roasting pan.  Bring kettle of water to boil.2.  Beat eggs with hand held mixer at high speed until volumes doubles to approximately 1 quart, about 5 minutes.  3.  Meanwhile, melt chocolate and butter (adding coffee) in large heat proof bowl set over pan almost simmering water, until smooth and very warm stirring once or twice.  Fold 1/3 of egg foam into chocolate mixture usin... 11/02/2025

It is Sunday, and so much to do today!   The Bronco game (against the Texans) will begin at 11 am this morning, so I need to get busy with the cleaning early!    The Texans are favored by a little, so HOPEFULLY the Broncos can pull off a win today! Did you turn back your clocks last night or this morning?    I only have a few now; most of mine these days change automatically.    I used to collect clocks, and had over 65.   After a while, I stopped paying for all those batteries, because the time change would take most of a day!   I have actually sold a few. The weather will be FABULOUS today (around 78), which is abnormal for Denver this time of year.  We still haven't seen a snowflake yet.    I need to trim back the climbing rose bush for the winter and wash off the patio where somethi... 11/02/2025

Trivia questions for Saturday November 1, 20251. What country were cars invented in? Germany2. What farm animal is known as a ram, ewe, and lamb? Sheep3. What TV show did "Frazer" spin off from? Cheers4. What is the flatest state in the US? FloridaTrivia questions for Sunday November 2, 20251. What city is home to The Willis Tower?2. Who wrote the book "Moby Dick"?3. Prosciutto is derived from the meat of what animal?4. In which city was the TV show "Full House" set? Enjoy your day! 11/02/2025

A Texas twist on a Louisiana classicIf you know me, you know I love a good gumbo. It’s comfort food, community, and a little bit of culinary therapy all rolled into one. I’ve spent years perfecting this recipe — and after a crowd of friends recently asked for it, I figured it’s time to share it here.This isn’t a shortcut gumbo. We’re talking about building deep flavor the old-fashioned way — with a real roux, a slow simmer, and that unmistakable Cajun kick that makes you want seconds.🥘 The BackstoryIt started with a jar of roux (yes, I’ve used Doguet’s plenty of times when I’m in a hurry), but this version goes back to basics.We’re using a true 1-to-1 flour and oil roux, built slowly until it’s a deep chocolate brown. From there, we layer in the “holy trinity” — onion, celery, and bell ... 11/01/2025

Journaling for November 1, 2025 I see retirement as just another of thesereinventions, another chance to do new thingsand be a new version of myself ---Walt Mossberg  Nestled on a lush expanse of green grass, the cottage I dream of stands like a warm embrace. Its windows, tall and generous, welcome the golden-orange rays of the setting sun. Indoors, the light is casting a soft glow across the room. I am proud of how the light carefully curates my decor —family photographs, and scenic memories of places I've been. I am living in harmony to remind me that I value rustic charm and refined elegance. If you dream it, it can come true.   I recall all the dreams I made come true for buyers and sellers in the real estate industry. Now, it's my turn. I continue to stay educated, active, and enjo... 11/01/2025

Hi AllIt's that time of year again! Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour before bed on November 1st. I hope you enjoy that extra hour of sleep!Use your extra hour wisely,-maybe have a longer dream of something.   Maybe get up before your better half and make them a great breakfast.   I am still thinking of what I will do with my extra hour of sleep. 11/01/2025