Nope – this isn’t an “R” rated post, although I am talking about a four-letter word beginning with the letter “F”…flea!  Recently I was showing property in Collingwood to a lovely young couple with whom I am working, who would like to buy a home in our quaint little town. Boy, did we get more than we bargained for at one of the houses we were viewing!

We toured the house, which had carpets that needed to be replaced.  Judging by the stains on those carpets, we had already made the assumption that a pet had previously been one of the residents in that home.  As it is winter, we donned our coats, boots, hats and scarves, and gamely stepped onto the front porch, when we were finished looking.  I was busy replacing the key into the electronic lockbox, when my gentleman client noticed a little too much hopping going on – on his pants! (Really, any amount of hopping on your pants is too much hopping!)  The three of us were astounded to look down and see teeny tiny fleas making merry on our appendages!  The three of us began to strip away some of our clothing, on the front porch in the snow, trying to get rid of the little blighters!

I’ll forever remember the sight of my female client whipping her socks off and flicking them in the air, attempting to dislodge the fleas from them! Our boots, our socks, our legs and our pants were infested and we had quite a job removing them from our persons before getting back into my car to continue our tour.  We scratched ourselves silly through the rest of our tour – imagining the worst and hoping for the best.  We all had flea bites to contend with and coupled with the fact that we all have dogs at home, we were worried about bringing fleas home with us.  To say I was hoppingmad, would be a mildly pun-ny understatement.

The reality of the situation is that when a tenant or an owner vacates a property, with their flea-infested pet in tow, some fleas remain in the carpets… in the floorboards… on mats…and they lie in wait for another ‘host’ to come along.  They become very hungry while they are waiting and they bide their time reproducing – making more and more little fleas.  In this case, these little pests found THREE new hosts to feast upon when we came by to look at this house.  Unfortunately, the only thing to do at this point to cure the situation, would be to get professional help in removing that very lively colony of fleas from that house!

Surprisingly, this doesn’t happen all that often, but once is definitely enough for me and for my clients.  As for our bites, well, they are healing. On the upside – our impromptu strip-tease on the front porch in the snow provided great entertainment for the neighbours, and I have a new nickname:  Gypsy Rose Flea.

Have you ever heard of a SUN DOG?

According to a wiki explanation I found, they are an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light in the sky, often on a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun.  They are caused by ice crystals called diamond dust drifting in the air at low levels.

Here is a fantastic photo sent to me by my client (and now friend), E.H. Scott that he took yesterday morning from his back deck up on the mountain.

We are so lucky to live in this gorgeous area of Ontario.

Driving down just about any street in the Collingwood – Blue Mountain area triggers a flood of memories.  After over 20 years in the real estate business, there’s a property in every nook and corner that makes me think of a person or family that I’ve known.

During the holidays in particular, I’ve thought of so many of my past clients and wished that they could know how much I think of them.  Some have sent me wonderful Christmas cards with pictures of their families that remind me of how our lives keep moving forward and changing from year to year.  I’ve had emails with beautiful messages, cards and songs.  And all the while, I’ve been feeling guilty that work and a brutal cold have kept me from doing the same.

Right up until Christmas Eve, I was working with two families who could finally rejoice in putting an accepted offer under the Christmas tree.  They were both very moving and happy situations that even choked this old girl up a little.  Real estate is like that for me.  It is so not just a job.  It is SO much more.

In the course of my career, I’ve seen moves triggered by marriages, deaths, illness, births, divorces, career changes or, just because.  I’ve dealt with two generations of families.  I’ve met Moms, Dads, Grandpas, sisters, friends, babies and dogs when viewing potential homes. I’ve had clients as young as 18 and as old as 84.  I’ve watched dreams shrink and I’ve watched them fulfilled.  I’ve watched life in all its complexities unfold in my clients every day of every year.

I think of you folks in Duncan, and you who bought that run-down farm near Meaford.  I think of you who commute across the ocean to your “cottage” here in Collingwood and I think of you who moved across another ocean when love called.  I think of you who magically transformed your condo and I think of you who modified your home to care for a loved one with special needs.  I think of you who finally has your mountain view, I think of you who opened a new business here and you who retired from yours last year.  I think of my colleagues in the business that have left this earth and those who have brought friendship and caring to each transaction and, to me.
 
Tell me, how could I tell each of you how much you are appreciated and thought of?  Please just know it is so.  And as to my resolutions for 2010?

Be Real.    Really Live.    Be Content.    Be The Change.    See The Good.

Happy New Year!

Collingwood and Blue Mountain used to be unknown little towns and then somehow, the secret got out.  The Georgian Triangle has really become the “Hamptons” of Toronto with people moving into this area on mass from “the city.”  I’ve often wondered what drives this forceful and ongoing trend.

Although I was born in Toronto and grew up in Oakville, we moved to the Georgian Triangle back in 1986 when it was still relatively unknown.  Somewhere in the years since then, we settled into the lifestyle of small-town Ontario without ever really noticing or looking back.  Along the way, we started to drive slower, got used to planning extra time for each errand to allow for the inevitable friendly chats in the grocery store or on the street, adapted to clean air and came to feel at home with Georgian Bay and Blue Mountain as neighbours.  While we were busy living, we somehow became reflections of the town we call home. 

For those who know that we cared for our elderly mothers in our home in their last years, you know we’ve also spent most the last five years being only in one of two places:  work or home.   It’s like at times we forgot there was a big world out there as our own world was very narrow and focussed.  Until now that is.

This past week, a good friend and I ventured out for a two day “girl’s week-end’ (even though it was mid week) in the BIG city of Toronto.  Yup, we’re talking concert tickets at the ACC (Il Divo or, “The El Hunkos as my friend calls them), taxi rides, dinners, drinks, a swank downtown hotel and of course, shopping!
 
While navigating through traffic along busy Dundas Street toward Jarvis, a funny thing happened.  As there were no cars behind me, I slowed down to allow a pedestrian to cross in front of us.  He was standing in the middle of the road.  Now in Collingwood, this is considered a gesture of decency on the part of a driver and, it is entirely common.  The pedestrian completes their j-walk and waves a “thanks” as everyone goes on their way.  Well in Toronto, this fellow got mad at me!  He angrily waved his arm for me to hurry up and then he just shook his head at me as though I was the sorriest country bumpkin he’d ever seen.  No sooner did that happen when a taxi cut me off and then a streetcar came barrelling toward us.  Next block?  Fire trucks and ambulances tried to get down the impossibly congested street leaving my heart breaking with worry over the poor saps who were waiting for them.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I LOVE Toronto.  Besides the obvious advantages of having great options for shopping, dining and activities, there are lots of trees, great public spaces, parks, inspiring works of public art, gentrified neighbourhoods, beautiful architecture and neighbourhoods that I imagine are much like small villages where the residents rarely need to leave.
 
But there is another side.  There is traffic, visible pollution, poverty and sadness.  It’s expensive.  It’s noisy.  I couldn’t see the stars at night.  In some areas, it felt soulless with enormous buildings built like boxes, no trees and rows of electronics shops.  But here is what I really noticed most of all:  people are insular.  The vast majority of people we passed on the street were talking on cell phones.  Drivers were aggressive and appeared angry.  With the exception of one unforgettable waitress (I still say she was drunk) and one incredible clothing store employee, the service we encountered was impersonal, rushed and uncaring.  What I noticed is that people no longer appear to SEE.  They don’t look up.  They don’t look around.  They don’t look at others when they speak.  Eyes on the road, eyes on the phone, eyes on the pavement.

So, now I think I get it.  The urban refugees fleeing to Collingwood want to SEE again.  They want to connect to something.  Maybe they want to drive slower, maybe they want to be a little nicer. Perhaps they want someone to talk to them.  Chat for awhile.  Connect. Breathe.
 
Tell me, am I right?  Even close?

Although it’s really his pen name, E. H. Scott  sent me the most fascinating picture a few weeks ago.

The “Scott’s” are now living on top of the escarpment south of Collingwood near Rob Roy.  One day a few weeks ago, E.H. went out and took a picture of the skyline at night.  You can clearly see the yellow glow of lights over Collingwood and the white glow over Blue Mountain from the ski runs being lit for night skiing.  Of course, you can’t help but notice the stars.  Aren’t they magnificent?

E.H. wanted to take a picture on Satruday night for us during Earth Hour but alas, it was too cloudy and he couldn’t get a shot.  I wonder what it may have looked like.  I know that our neighbourhood was 70% dark.  How about yours?

Another guest post by Chris…

The first day of spring is upon us in just a few days, but I am seeing the early signs all over our beloved region:

• Robins and  woodpeckers, rabbits and squirrels.  (Oh, My!)
  Tiny buds peaking out of the ground
  A six year old on her scooter in shirt sleeves
  Somebody shredding at Blue in shorts (or shirtless) saw both!
  Spring coats
  Pastel coloured clothes
  Absence of boots
  Sweaters.
  Green beer.
  Partially constructed homes.
  Lighter nights, darker mornings.
  Lineups at the carwash.
  More sun block in the aisles of Loblaw and Shoppers
  Hats and bonnets
  The first sandal sighting (yup and they encased BARE feet)
  More pink lips than red ones
  More homes on the MLS system
  Rakes outside instead of shovels
  GRASS, and of course, it’s dreaded sibling MISSING GRASS– where the plough went by a little too closely
  Whitecaps on the lake
  Rushing river water
  The early morning crack and creak of ice breaking up on Georgian Bay
  Blue skies (without a minus 40 degree temperature)
  Walker, Hikers, Bike Riders
  A lineup walking along the trail to Craigleith
  A lineup at the lifties station at Blue for spring skiing March breakers.
  A Havanese puppy’s hair blowing in the spring breeze after 2 hours of grooming (because her owner doesn’t have to worry about snow balls matting her hair now that the weather is warmer!)
  Wellies (wellington or rain boots)  Billy Connolly sang a wonderful song about them.  (If it was-nay for yer Wellies…)
  Espadrille shoes
  Motorcyclers, bicyclers
  Summer tires
  Flooding – on streets
  Finding remnants of the Christmas tree under the melting snow
  Record number of building permits being issued
  People laughing louder
  Displays appearing outside of the stores
  Patio Tables
  Daffodil heads popping up
  The sound of little chickadees in the bushes, waking up at 4:30 a.m.

What are signs of spring in your region?

A whole new year has begun.  I wonder what’s in store.

Do you remember the drinking bird?  John got one in his stocking this year and I’ve been hypnotized into watching this little guy over and over.

It occurred to me that he is a bit like our attitudes about the economy and the markets.  He starts out brave and strong:  back straight, eyes ahead and confident.  Then he gets some bad news and starts to tip.  Before long, he drinks from the well of misery (okay, maybe just from a glass of water, or is it vodka?)  Then along comes some good news and he gains his confidence back only to repeat the cycle over and over again. 

I think the 2009 real estate market will be much like this.  Up and down, miserable at times and confident at others. 

Happy New Year!

When it’s time to buy or sell real estate in the Collingwood, Blue Mountain or Georgian Triangle area, contact Marg, an experienced and competent Broker who’s ready whenever you are!

Did you know that Canada ranks #1 in the Global Competitiveness Report of having the lowest incidence of malaria?  Not a surprise.

Moncton REALTOR®, Larry Estabrooks,  recently drew my attention to this report put out by the World Economic Forum.  In it, Canada ranked 10th overall in terms of Global Competitiveness which is no small feat but could still be a little better.  Mundane albeit interesting reading.  But there’s an important golden nugget in the report that bears notice.  Canada ranked #1 in the world with respect to stability of its banks.

In these times of global financial upheaval, we see governments loading billions of dollars into the banking system world-wide.  Certainly in my lifetime, and I’m 48, I’ve never quite seen anything like it.  Like you and everyone else, I wonder where this will lead and if the world will ever be quite the same.  I can say though, that I’m comforted to know that our banking system is more stable than any other in the world.

Incidentally, we rank 6th in the world for internet users.  So log on and check out the report if you feel like it.  Or play a game.  Or do some online banking.

When it’s time to buy or sell real estate in the Collingwood, Blue Mountain or Georgian Triangle area, contact Marg, an experienced and competent Broker who’s ready whenever you are!

Sometimes life throws you little curves and yesterday, it was a curve BALL for me.

I’ve always been intrigued by a few of the regular Canadian bloggers on a real estate site I frequent (ActiveRain) and in particular, Sylvie Conde in Toronto has always caught my attention.  Just read her blog to see how unfailingly kind and generous of spirit that she is all the time.   (BTW, I have no idea what Sylvie even looks like.  This gal doesn’t have a single photo of herself on any site anywhere!)  Well, today Sylvie threw me a Friendship Ball which quite frankly, I had not heard of before.  (Yes, sometimes I live under a rock).  Anyway, a little homework and I found out that it’s certainly a gift that keeps on giving and Sylvie, I’m honoured!  Thank-you for being so nice.

So now it’s my turn to throw this lovely ball to two more ActiveRain friends.  How in heavens name am I supposed to do that?  I find everyone there so interesting and really think I’d like to be friends with just about all of them.  But chose I must so here comes that ball…

First up is my new friend, Kathy Clulow from RE/MAX in Uxbridge.  Kathy is a true promoter of her region.  She also remembers special challenges or interests that us other bolggers may have and is always sure to pass on something that may fall into that area. (I’m also cheating a little because I know Kathy will share this ball with her MARVELOUS husband Barrie  who has taught me tons about understanding the techie side of things.)  And, the ball goes to them (both) because they also took the time to get in touch and visit with me when they visited Collingwood.

The second toss goes to Larry Estabrooks from Moncton, New Brunswick.  I love the way Larry views the world and his attention to what is right.  He’s a born leader and teacher who I admire and learn from every time he posts or comments.  I really, really hope someday that I get to meet him.

There really are terrific REALTORS® out there in the blogosphere and I’m proud to have the chance to connect and learn from them almost every day.