Real Talk!

A recent Washington Post article declares that prices have dropped to a point where the emotional benefits of homeownership outweigh potential losses from further price declines.

And a recent Toronto Globe and Mail article said this:

Ontario is in the midst of an "impressive" economic recovery driven by government stimulus, a pickup in auto manufacturing and a hot real estate market, BMO Nesbitt Burns says. "In fact, the recovery has been so potent that the province, which had been Canada's economic whipping boy throughout the recession, has now moved to the top of the pack on a number of indicators," economist Robert Kavcic said in a research note today.

Country real estate is seen as a world away from the noise and congestion of urban life and recent Royal LePage and ReMax surveys contend that the Canadian rural/recreational market is seen as being reasonably priced compared to other countries.

We all know that it really feels great to just sit by the water in a special place. People still want a property in cottage country. Recently, unprecedented market conditions included a severe shortage of listing inventory and in the past few years, Seller’s prices that had climbed have simply returned to calm. Yes, some prices may have dipped, but they’ve settled now, so don’t look for them to crash. Inventory is better and luxury properties, in particular, are selling well.

Now, it’s as easy as ever, to enjoy some of the finer things in life... like sunsets, the way the sunlight plays in the ripples on a lake, the sound of loons. People are pulling their heads out of the sand and ignoring negative press... as one Realtor put it, “Lots of expensive homes have been bought and sold, and those people don't buy if the economy is in trouble.”

Purchasing a cottage is like buying the complete lifestyle vacation package, every bit as much as it is a sound real estate investment. The most important ingredient seems to be a place to have a peaceful place for family time and truly break all connections with the city, while being only a few hours from home. Psychologists will tell you, that parenting is easier in this kind of setting, too!

Canadians' dream of owning a cottage or other piece of recreational property just won't die, regardless of the state of the economy, rising taxes and interest rates, and more stringent mortgage requirements.

&, as tragic as the April 20 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico might be, it is causing a slight increase in the number of tourists who are coming to cottage country, as they decide to bask in the sun in this area rather than the south. After all, we do have 4 season activities... in winter, you can luge, ski, skate, snowmobile, dog sled, ice fish, build snowmen or cuddle by the fire!

There’s nothing sweeter than a dark sky and quiet. Just the sound of a frog or two. Yup, they aren’t kidding when they say it’s an emotional thing.... which is one of the most difficult hurdles during the property search. I find that most people have a difficult time articulating what “their” rural home or cottage is like... I mean, the one they dream about... the one that they imagine is their place.

I find that once I spend a little time with folks, it’s easier to narrow down their choices and I love finding them the right spot, at the right place, with the right terms! It’s so very satisfying.

Small is the new big. Spaces that are easier to maintain, keep clean and heat are the hottest in home trends. Everyone's recalibrating. Watch the horizon for smaller homes and the trend continue, toward greener, mor sustainable buildings. Amenities override size on the priority list and, in general, consumers want a home that is cozier, more organized and more economical in terms of operating costs.

Today’s home buyers really do think about their carbon footprint and plan ways to save on utility bills. They ultimately want their home to be energy efficient. Low E Glass, R 38 insulation, high efficiency AC systems, passive solar orientation, solar panels, energy rated appliances, tankless water heaters, and LED lighting are some of the basics that buyers hope to find.

Basements have become entertainment showplaces, where custom built-in bars, theater areas, exercise rooms and guest suites give friends and family an open invitation to stay for a while. Homes have become a source of entertainment for owners who have traded a night on the town for take-out and a movie on the flat screen. Sellers who don't have a finished basement should consider clearing the space and putting a good paint on the floor.

Consumer interest delves into things far more technical, as today's Buyers are concerned about how construction materials were made, and the energy cost of transporting them. Today’s buyers prefer locally made or recycled products that are eco-friendly to produce, and safe to have in their homes. Insulation made from old blue jeans is a perfect fit! Open floor plans are sought after.

Boomers and Millienials are driving the demand for smaller, smarter homes designed to function more efficiently with no wasted space and plenty of room for storage. They want high-tech features, open floor plans and spaces to enjoy outdoor living. They are also buying before they get married and are willing to buy higher density/smaller homes.

New alternative energy sources are no longer frightening. People are eager to see "off the grid" housing. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are trending in... indoor fireplace are trending out. Sellers should make a fire pit in their yard, if they have space.

Two-story family rooms are out... the demand for accessible homes is on the rise and the kitchen is the new family room. Transformed from a room in which only family sit or cook food in- the kitchen is now a place of gathering and entertainment.

Products and furniture green or recycled materials are becoming more popular. Natural materials such as wood, bamboo and cork, combined with paints and varnishes with low volatile organic substances. This not only improves the atmosphere at home, but also plays a role in the conservation of nature. The same goes for appliances, even taps- people are looking for water saving as well as electricity saving devices.

Stainless steel and granite surfaces are out....while there is a move toward a surface’s visual impact, including color, sheen and special effects – today's consumer loves the unusual, such as sparkle, metallic and pearlescent effects – which define the look and feel of an object.

Sherwin Williams says:
… a million glittering pinpoints of light, glints redolent of precious metals … innovative trend stylings which contain brand-new, literally scintillating effects never before seen, bringing luxury to any surface …
… new directions for red, whether fire engine or Ferrari, the color which most attracts attention … now, the most penetrating color gets a new twist! …
… gleaming reflections in everything from bronze to pewter … mirrored accents bestow luxury and stylish refinement …
astonishing shades enhancing the look of an object and adding sparkle … rich and unique effects … fiery, glowing reds to rich browns with inner orange flashes, highlighting shape and design …
… intriguing surface stylings featuring colors and effects overlaid on the intrinsic beauty of “exposed” carbon fiber weave patterns – made possible by new advances in protection technology

.

Beautiful and timeless, white kitchen cabinets are the most popular and flexible choice for the kitchen – that combine great color with different shades of the furniture and various architectural styles of the room. Besides all this, the white color makes the room a light and spacious, and you can safely add a brighter color on the walls. Oak cupboards have made a bit of a comeback, too.

Home decor is leaning toward themes of nature, ethnic colors, casual chic and cheerful tones. Tuscan is over, today we want neutrals combined with soft, pale pastels plus urban darks. Gray, navy, light camel and olive are joined by white, pale heather, soft rose, pistachio tint, aqua, lemon and pink. Warm buff and pebble colours are in, blued grays, lavender and yellowed greens are popular.

Sofas and chairs that aspire to be quaintly “cottage” by combining two or more fabrics—like a cabbage-rose print on the seat cushions and another pattern on the back or arms are OUT and we're trending toward simple, plain, minimalistic furnishings. Natural fibres are popping up in many catalogs with pieces made from materials like woven seagrass and abaca.

Designers lean toward geometric shapes,fine materials- often sparkling and advise that homeowners never exaggerate the palette of color. Continuity between inside and outside is to be considered, too. Simple is the new elegant.

Seems we are simplifying and going more natural in most directions... on the hairstyle front, for instance, the craze for super-long locks is diminishing and hair extensions are dialing back... we can expect to see lots more curly styles in the coming year. In 2011 hairstyles are full of movement and will mix textures and effects with a combination of softness and provocation. Styling becomes airy light and magical, irregular or geometric.

For longer hair affectionados, braids are the biggest upcoming trend. Falling in two distinct camps: 1/ tight and sleek like state-of-the art hair architecture and 2/ the surfer chic version, loosely worn in matte, roughly textured plaits snaking over the shoulders – NO gloss spray. Yup, and 2011 hairstyles are all about being shorter, bold and strong. With styles that have the tendency to be tapered and light, strong and delicate, composed of disorganized harmony and mixed colors.

In the fashion world look for more smart fibre blends and new finishing techniques; with an emphasis on performance. Today's fabrics are supple and have comfort stretch. Red will definitely be the main color for fall/winter this year. The industry claims that they are experiencing a most demanding design direction with its apparently contradictory, subtle mixtures of authenticity and the new modernity. The consumer, in all areas of life, is seeking a comforting bit of nostalgia, mixed with new demands for high-performance, social responsibility and quality.

Today's Buyer is willing to put the effort into restyling for the sake of performance and responsibility... although most home Buyers today are looking for a comfortable, smaller home that utilizes space to the max, a home that encompasses some of today's trends will be seen as a more attractive purchase. Buyers will look for "found space", so Sellers should tidy up underutilized areas such as basements, attics, garages which Buyers see as space that can be repurposed into functional and stylish rooms...

after all...home ownership is still seen as a right of passage, an expression of independence... and home ownership is, in many cases, the primary source of a household's net worth and the fundamental first step toward accumulating wealth – it is one trend that's here to stay.

It's hard to believe... but my little girl has completed high school! They aren't kidding when they say they grow up fast!!!

It seems like it was just yesterday....
Catherine Elizabeth Stewart (Katie) came to join us

Then, not even a year old... she started walking AND talking! & she loved to visit the zoo....

She was born independent!

She began driving, before she was 2

Then, it was time for her first day of school....

where she accumulated many friends and fans... and got excellent grades...

and she got a lot of practice speaking in front of groups and being on stage...

she mc'd the grade 8 graduation, the year before her own... and she was Miss Bancroft... and Miss Pioneer... and she won numerous poetry contests... and volunteered for all kinds of stuff!!!

Then, she went on to high school... and became more worldly...

and joined the improv team....

and started working at a local jewellry store of her own volition, at the age of 15

she also got involved at the Village Playhouse....

in various different roles....

and made some good friends...

lots of them... especially during the 4 years of improv....

she did a fabulous job as Erma in NHHS's musical theatre production of Anything Goes (singing and dancing, too) ... getting special notice on the radio... and special attention from the crowd!

Oh... did I mention that she never gave me any problems and always made me proud?

Recently, she went to her prom, with one of her bffs...

Her boyfriend showed up later (his prom was the same night... a nearby town, but different high school)...

and next week... she is Valedictorian at the Commencement Ceremony...

Her grades are near to perfect... and she is a joy, indeed...Fabian and I are so proud... her grandparents (John and Pat Noyes of Bancroft & John and Ellen Stewart of Lindsay) are proud and her father Patrick and his wife are, too....

and next year... she's off... to Queen's... we're going to miss her and all the crazy stuff she does around here...

CONGRATULATIONS KATIE!

addendum:

Last evening, June 29, 2010 we enjoyed the commencement ceremonies at North Hastings High School...

Katie gave a moving Valedictorian Address...

AND took away a number of awards...

The Dramatic Arts, University Preparation Award

A North Hastings High School Scholarship (for a student who excels in academics)

The Principal's Award for Studen Leadership (for a senior student who displays outstanding leadership throughout the school community)

A Quinte Arts Council Bursary (for students who have demonstrated active involvement in the arts both within their school and the wider community)

The Magister Award for Top University-bound student (yes, she got the top marks for six grade 12 courses, all at university level)

The Bancroft Theatre Guild Appreciation Bursary

An "Ontario Scholars" certificate

The Level 3 House Award

Member of the Honour Society

and we're not even touching on the Wasmund Family Memorial Scholarship that she's been awarded!

I'm beginning to think that the world is coming to the point that, if we stop and listen very carefully.... we just might hear the message that we sent to ourselves, a millenium ago.

oh, how the earth drums rumbled yesterday... calling to us all the way from Buckingham, Quebec....

Buckingham is part of the provincial riding of Papineau (as it is located near the Papineau region and the federal riding of Pontiac.

Throughout its history, the city of Buckingham's economy has been dominated by the MacLaren dynasty.

Claude Lemieux was born in 1965 in Buckingham, Quebec...

Is it true that in Quebec, Metis are not recognized?

Today, I found this website:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/indian-creek-chickamauga-confederacy-native-blood-drive

There is an online petition... in part, it says....

"On August 18th and 19th, beginning at 9:30am, we are asking for 1,000,000 people to meet with us at the Lincoln Memorial / Reflecting Pool Area in Washington DC as we bring to the attention of the United States the plight of all Mixed Bloods and Cherokee Freedmen who have been denied their rights as a Cherokee People by the discrimination perpetuated by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma who are denying our very existence. They deny us the right to even say that we are Cherokee, they deny us the right to sell our crafts as Cherokee Made and we are denied our Freedom of Religion to worship our Creator as we deem necessary to our spirituality. Throughout this date we will have speakers, Native American dancers, drumming and flute playing as we seek an audience with the President of these United States of America. This event will start with the blessing of the grounds promptly at 9:30am. Because of the increasing support we will now be meeting for two (2) days for this event, There will be Native American guest speakers and Native American performers.
We are asking each and everyone who will join with us on this August 18th at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, to sign this showing your intention to be there to take a stand for not only your rights, but the rights of your children and grandchildren that will follow you. Surely the ancestors will smile on this day as we take back our rights as Cherokee."

Peaceful Eagle
Event Specialist

(there's lots more to see at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/indian-creek-chickamauga-confederacy-native-blood-drive)

Sometimes, I imagine a powerful nation rising in North America... maybe that's what it was... that sounded like drums... during the earthquake that rocked us... yesterday.

School is almost over... soon, the happy voices of children will be calling out, "I'm bored".... so, here's a smattering of news items and some of the many, many things to do in the area:

Highway 62 between Selby Hill and Maynooth is under construction... those who have had to travel the lumpy bumpy bit of highway will appreciate the work...

meantime, there are a few traffic snarls...

Also on Highway 62, just before Maynooth, a solar farm is being installed. It looks similar to the one in Coe Hill....

Speaking of which, the work of Coe Hill area artist Tobe Muir and her husband, Gary Miller, is being featured in an exhibit at the Innuit Gallery- 201 Queens Ave in London, Ontario.

Computer Assisted Retinal Analysis is being deployed in the area.

The Upper Madawaska Valley minor baseball team took the A championship title.

The Barry's Bay and Area Library is offering the downloading of audiobooks (via the province's funding of the OverDrive project) from its website. Also, the library is circulating museum passes for free admittance to some national (including the newly renovated Canadian Nature Museum) and Renfrew County museums. Free passes mean no fees (for up to a family of five) and no waiting in line-ups to pay for admission.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School in Bancroft will become a green energy leader in Eastern Ontario as they begin preparations to build a biomass boiler system for the facility by September 2010.

We were sad to learn of the recent passing of community volunteer, Dennis LeFeuvre, community leader, known as an environmental crusader, advocate for youth and fish hatchery champion.

Graphite Bible Camp is celebrating its 50th year.

Barry’s Bay has a new gazebo, near the Zurakowski Park. Watch for community events at this venue.

Put down the beer, no more beavertails, and take one less slice of pizza - you've only got a couple of days left to train for the Barry's Bay Triathlon or Duathlon. June 27th, 2010 marks the 18th annual running of this challenging race in the Madawaska Highlands!

Florence VanderMeer, an educational assistant at North Hastings High School , has been awarded with the Premier's Award for Excellent Support Staff.

George Thorogood band’s lead guitarist for a dozen years, Jim Suhler, will be playing this weekend at Combermere’s Bent Anchor as their special season opener!

The 47th Annual Rockhound Gemboree takes place in Bancroft on July 29 to August 1, 2010. This is Canada's largest gem & mineral show and it brings together over 110 dealers of fine mineral specimens, gemstone jewellery, and lapidary supplies. Highlights include a gold panning booth, rock and mineral talks with geologists from Natural Resources Canada, a swapping area, a mineral display and expert mineral identification services offered by Malcolm Back of the Royal Ontario Museum, and geologist-led mineral collecting field trips. Last year, the event was identified as one of the top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario.

The first annual 2 day, 3 stage music festival “Bomb BayBlast” is scheduled for July 1 & 2nd in Barry’s Bay and will focus on local and regional talent of varied music genres from around the Ottawa Valley. Early Bird passes are available until June 30th! For more information see: http://bayblast.ca/eventinfo.html

The Mineral Capital Concerts look forward to a fantastic season in 2010 with musical events on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, June through August at the Millennium Park in Bancroft.

This weekend, June 25-27th it’s McNab Days 2010 - Affair of the Arts in Burnstown. www.burnstown.ca

Remember, the farmers market runs from mid June to Thanksgiving in the pretty village of Combermere.(Corner Of Hwy 62 And Mill Road)

Also in Combermere, the Madonna House Gift Shop, Gallery, Flea Market and Museum are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until Thanksgiving. Their used bookstore is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. until Thanksgiving.

The Combermere Craft Cabin is located at 39244 Combermere Road (Highway 62) and is open Open weekends -May to October. Weekend and weekdays - July and August (Closed Mondays-except holiday Mondays). It is well worth the trip to see the extraordinary work of some of our local artisans and crafters.

The CO BLITZ takes place on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Combermere & Area Community Centre. It’s aA fun-filled day full of activities for the whole family, to celebrate being a part of the wonderful area of Combermere. Enjoy live music, games, petting zoo, lawn mower races and more!

The Barry's Bay Farmers' Market is open on Friday evenings 3-6pm at the Railway Station Park until Thanksgiving. & Friday August 20th from 10-6 , Taste of The Valley which is an extended farmers' market featuring the best market goods from across the Ottawa Valley! Over 40 venders selling: Dairy; Beef; Lamb; Honey; Pork; Preserves; Produce; Crafts; and more.

Tuesday nights are “Blues Jam Nights” at the Wilno Tavern.

Ian Tamblyn is playing at the Wilno Station, this Saturday night (June 26th)

Griffith Farms are hosting a Horse Pull on the 26th at 1:00 at 1075 Cold Creek Road
(off Lett's Cemetery Road) in Eganville.

The works of Alice Vermeer are on display at the Upstairs Gallery, at the railway station in Barry’s Bay. Her collection of watercolour paintings and pen & ink drawings, are inspired by the beautiful Ottawa Valley scenery. July 9 - Aug 1 the exhibit will change to The Nesting Habit in which Cara Bleskie and Catherine Toth will use recycled materials, objects from nature and photography to create an installation looking at the theme of travel and the railway.

Also, at the South of 60 Arts Centre, until July 4th, is Hans Aggarwal’s series of mixed media work investigating what people buy and consume and the impact of this activity on the environment. This show is entitled “Manipulation”. July 9 - Aug 1 Hockey Stick Junkestra Musician and artist, Mark Sepic will create a large, interactive music sculpture right in the gallery. The sculpture will be made out of recycled objects from our community, such as pots and pans, sinks and broken wooden hockey sticks. For more information see: http://www.southof60.com/index.php?whichpage=home

The Madawaska Valley Movement Arts Festival is slated for August 20-29th and includes workshops for children, youth, adults, seniors and professional movement artists. For more information visit www.morningstararts.com

All Dance Project, South of 60 and Morningstar Center present Caboose, a site specific creation- at the caboose, near the water tower on Aug 27th 8:15 p.m. in Barry’s Bay.

Saturday July 10th, the arts & crafts festival will be held at the old train station in Barry’s Bay.

Artists In The Park (Barry’s Bay):

July 30 Ottawa Valley Music Festival Choir The OVMFC will be doing James Wright's Gallery of Song, poems set to beautiful choral music describing nine different paintings by Group of Seven artists.

Aug 13 Shroeder Nordholt - Pianist
Schroeder will perform an assortment of classical, jazz/blues, and pop.

Aug 27 Ken Ramsden and Zeke Mazurek Zeke and Ken will perform classical, folk, and celtic musical selections on guitar and violin.

July 30th 1-5pm Janet Moore – Painter Janet will demonstrate mixed media/ painting.

Aug 13th 1-5pm Brian Michel - Camera Obscura Brian will demonstrate his pin hole camera in a yurt.
Come and find out what it is like to step inside a camera.

Aug 27th 1-5pm Jamie Turnbull – Potter Jamie will demonstrate turning clay on a pottery wheel.

Also, check out the shows at the Bancroft Playhouse, this summer!

& there are so many other places to see, planned events, artists, artisans.... I dare anyone to be bored in these here parts!

UPDATE: at 1:40 this afternoon we were shaken by an earthquake for a good 15 seconds or more... and then, a smaller tremor.... Fabian thought someone had hit the store in Barry's Bay... Sandi thought someone had hit the office in Bancroft... my dishes rattled and my computer monitor rocked on the desk... it really scared the dog (and me).

Ontario Property Tax Assessments are calculated using ‘current market value’.

Current value is the most probable price a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions of a fair sale. While a sale price is a good indication of current value, it is a recognized appraisal principle that a given property can sell at any point within a range of values.

This is because the real estate market is not perfect and two identical properties can sell for different amounts depending on such factors as supply and demand of housing in the local real estate market, preferences of buyers and sellers and the negotiation skills of the parties. A selling price represents the price a buyer and a seller agree to in one particular transaction, whereas current value assessment is based on the most probable sale price based on an analysis of all sales transactions from the local real estate market.

All offers have a standard clause in this regard. `` 19. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT: The Buyer and Seller hereby acknowledge that the Province of Ontario has implemented current value assessment and properties may be re-assessed on an annual basis. The Buyer and Seller agree that no claim will be made against the Buyer or Seller, or any Brokerage or Salesperson, for any changes in property tax as a result of a re-assessment of the property, save and except any property taxes that accrued prior to the completion of this transaction.``

We are told that every sale affects calculations and, I’m sure, the same must stand for assessments that are reduced, after appeal.

The problem is that Sellers usually want to sell for more than their municipally “assessed value” – after all, their insurance company has also given them an assessment of value that is most often always a great deal higher than their municipal assessment.... AND Buyers usually want to pay the municipally “assessed value” or less. Frighteningly, also, there are times that the municipally assessed value (upon which the property taxes are calculated) is a great deal higher than the ultimate selling price.

The current unreliability of municipal assessments has caused most real estate professionals to leave that field blank on listing forms. It only causes confusion and it takes a great deal of time to try to explain. A good Buyer representative will usually broach this matter.
Here are some examples. These come from the data of actual sales. In the interest of the privacy act, I will not provide the actual addresses. However, I will have the complete information on file, should anyone feel the need to question authenticity.

In August of 2009, a cleared vacant lot (63’X100.55’) in the town of Bancroft was listed for $9,900. The listing showed that the property had been assessed at $31,000 and that the property taxes (for 2008) were $135. This lot sold, in September of 2009 for $8500. (please note it is most unusual for a property to sell below the municipal assessment- this is one of the weird instances)
In March of 2008, a treed, 1.01 Acre lot listed for $24,900 sold for $23,000. The assessed value was noted as being $19,500.

In March of 2009, a property described as: “2 bedroom well maintained home in downtown Bancroft. Municipal services, potential for commercial zoning, great investment! Bright home, detached garage, paved drive, full unfinished basement” was listed at $129,900. The listing shows an assessed value of $67,000. The property sold in September 2009 for $130,100.

In May 2009, a property described as: “3 Bedroom bungalow in town of Bancroft with municipal services. Nice level yard with perrenial flower beds and sun porch facing backyard. Newly renovated main bathroom and new shingles this year. Third bedroom, rec room and second bathroom in fully finished basement. Attached carport.Great starter home or retirement home, easy to maintain. Storage shed in back yard.” Was listed for $149,900 and the listing showed an assessed value of $114,250. The property sold June 2009 for $140,000.

I could go on ad nauseam.

The municipal assessment value may make more sense in the future... right now, it's information, but it's unreliable.

I don’t want to even get started on insured values! Suffice it to say... the insurance company will see your house as a castle.

Weather Experts Predict A Warm, Dry Summer

Good news for vacationers and sunbathers, experts are predicting a warm, dry summer with plenty of sunshine across most of the country. The Harrowsmith's Canadian Almanac is also calling for hot spells in Ontario. The entire country is in for a “barbeque” summer this year- hot and dry... except for the humidity.

YUP...We can expect more hours of sunshine and less rain than last year, according to Environment Canada climatologist David Phillips.
Lately, every time I show a beachfront property, I swoon and want to stay... It’s breathtaking, watching birds catching fish and the sun dancing across the water, sparkling in the ripples...

But man, it makes my heart ache... all the mess down south of us, the oil drenched animal life, black balls of guck rolling up onto the Gulf and East coast beaches... not to mention the thick, black undersea death plumes that Phillipe Cousteau braved... Crude has been reported along barrier islands in Alabama and Mississippi, and it has impacted some 125 miles of Louisiana coastline.

Pensacola Beach, Fla reports waves flecked with floating balls of tar. The prospect that the crisis could stretch beyond summer has devastated residents along the Gulf, who are seeing more and thicker globs of oil appear all along the coast. Beach front enthusiasts across four Gulf shore states are braced for oil onslaught.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration doubts that the oil spill will affect the Texas coasts, however, they are also unsure of the impact hurricane season could have on the oil spill's approach toward Texas. Texas General Land officer Richard Arnhart said that tar balls have been known to wash up on Texas beaches due to small leaks in the Gulf and natural seepage. & this spill’s already catastrophic effects are compounded by its ongoing nature.

Oil-hungry microbes are expected to consume more oxygen from the water as they feast on hydrocarbons... and the oil slick and chemical dispersants will reduce the flow of oxygen from the atmosphere to the ocean, and block the amount of sunlight available to nourish oxygen-producing marine plant life.

As for the other creatures... well... many experts are now advocating for euthanizing oil covered birds as it is more humane to kill the birds quickly and painlessly before they die naturally from the BP oil that drenched them and will eventually kill them in a prolonged and painful way, ultimately. This is tragic.

I am ashamed.

It’s just plain unacceptable. It’s been suggested that oil companies know that if North Americans, who consume a quarter of the world's production, can't see the environmental damage, we don't much care... we’re like ostriches, with our heads buried in the sand... but now, a lot of the coastal beach sand will be coated in black...

It irks me, to no end, that it keeps being tagged an oil “spill” or oil “leak”... reliable figures on the extent of the spill are precious and few, but U.S. scientists estimate the leak is spewing 25,000 barrels a day. The standard barrel of crude oil or other petroleum product (abbreviated bbl) is 42 US gallons (34.9723 imp gal; 158.9873 L).

The obvious slick has been described as about Maryland and there are not only concerns about the damage to the environment, but potentially to oil prices and President Obama’s plans to widen drilling and pass climate legislation. Makes you cringe, thinking about the Palin gang, “The ‘drill, baby, drill’ people. BP explains that it is self-insured for the accident, and is currently spending $6 million a day to try to contain it.

Al Huang, in his blog of May 13, 2010 called it ” ...more than just an environmental disaster of herculean proportions, but also another chapter in the long history of struggle against discrimination, environmental toxics, and poverty in the Gulf Coast region.” He says that Byron Encalade (president of the Louisiana Oysterman Association in Pointe A La Hache and a leader for the African-American oystermen in the region) had explained that even before the spill, oil exploration had already destroyed large parts of Louisiana’s bayou and wetlands and that he worried there would be nothing left for tomorrow,to pass on to his own children.

This is the peak of the spawning season for many species of Gulf fish, crabs and oysters, and the effects of the spill are expected to greatly reduce the quantity of marine life for several generations.The oil spill may eliminate the wealth of seafood and wildlife in the gulf coast and also the communities that depend on its fragile ecosystem. The real cost of oil spills goes far beyond the people living in littoral zones...

It is estimated that 7 million people rely on the aquifers of the Florida Everglades, alone, for drinking water. There is no question that insidious contaminants are entering our estuaries, causing genetic harm, poisoning birds, turtles and seafood.

Though clean-up efforts have been under way for weeks, BP remains silent about the serious health effects upon workers and volunteers of the chemicals and procedures being employed. The chemical dispersant being used by BP in the Gulf has been deployed in large amounts and at great depths in an attempt to break up the oil gathering on the surface and billowing out of the well head. The environmental effects of its unprecedented use at great depths are not known.

The chemical components of dispersants are considered “trade secrets”, so who knows what exactly is being pumped into the water in mass quantities? Or... the long-term impact? New York Democratic Representative Jerrold Nadler stated, “Corexit (the product being used in the Gulf) is 2.61 in toxicity, which means it’s highly toxic. It has an effectiveness of 54.7 in the south Louisiana crude-oil spill. Dispersit (another product) is 7.9 toxicity, which means it’s a lot less toxic, but it has an effectiveness rate of 100%. Mare Clean 200, has a toxicity rate of 42, which is much, much better & its effectiveness rate is 84, compared to Corexit at 54.”

The whole thing is excellent fodder for conspiracy theory, too!

Truly, it makes me revere our pristine lakes and rivers, all the more... we need to prevent contaminants from getting into our water —lakes, rivers and aquifers — we must defend and protect of our environment and the health of Ontario!

The Federation of Ontario Naturalists (FON) urges us to follow these suggestions:

Don’t pour paint, oil, medications or other chemicals down the drain. Dispose of them at your municipal household hazardous waste depot or at special hazardous waste days set up by your city or town.

Use only environmentally friendly products on your lawn and garden. Avoid pesticides, which can get washed into sewers and find their way back to our drinking water sources.

Instead of grass, use native ground cover plants to “naturalize” your yard. You’ll save time, energy and water by not having to maintain your lawn and you’ll also provide a home for native wildlife.

And, particularly, in a year that’s expected to by dry and hot:
Disconnect your eaves trough downspouts from sewer systems and collect “free” rainwater in barrels, or drain it into your garden.

Water wisely. Only water your lawn or garden in the early morning or late evening and when winds are calm. One hour of lawn sprinkling uses 1,300 litres of water. Your lawn can only absorb 2.5 centimetres of water at a time, so watering for longer than an hour doesn’t help
your grass.

P.S. check out the fascinating collection of related information at http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread581151/pg1

or watch this video clip from a 2009 documentary: from banksters to corporate scientific dictatorship
Fall Of The Republic documents how an offshore corporate cartel is bankrupting the US economy by design. http://embedr.com/playlist/fall-of-the-republic-in-hq

While recent headlines may warn that Ontario prices may dip, readers must be cautioned not to expect the same for cottage country properties. Statistics Canada figures indicate that since 1999, the level of vacation property ownership has remained stable and in fact, may show an increase.

Re/Max, in its annual first-quarter recreational property report surveys 50 recreational markets across the country and found that 79 per cent saw higher sales in the first quarter compared with 2009, and 43 per cent reported "nominal" price increases.

Richard K.C. Ling, broker for Harvey Kalles Real Estate in Toronto says “Waterfront prices never went down. Sellers just waited till they got their price. This year, prices have gone up again, and prices will climb as you have less (waterfront) property to play with.”

The average age of a vacation property owner is in the early 50s and these folks will likely use these places extensively if they have children. However, about ¾ of these properties are owned by childless couples and seniors who benefit from renting the properties out. Simple cottages may fetch $1000 or $2000 per week or more.

A recent Angus Reid national poll asked buyers why they plan to purchase recreational property, lifestyle was the number one reason given. As Phil Soper (president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services) explains, “Canadians appear prepared to make significant investments in order to enjoy their leisure time."

Christine Van Cauwenberghe (a tax and estate planner) says, “Although there may be a gain in a property in the end in terms of an investment, this is not like buying a mutual fund where you have no emotional investment. This is a very sentimental and personal decision.”

Buyers rank the most important features they look for in a recreational property. The current survey says the three most important features to potential buyers in Ontario are waterfront/beach access (61 per cent), four-season use (47 per cent) and peace and quiet (40 per cent). For those looking to secure a recreational place that will become their retirement home, the factors that really count are those that make everyday life pleasant and include things like climate, culture, schools and municipal services.

Gail Bebee (personal finance speaker and author) suggests that a big part of the cottage value equation boils down to location. A cottage that is within a few hours' drive to a big city and is perched on a body of water is more likely to increase in value and should be easier to sell. A recreational property that has a range of amenities and is close to activities will also have greater appeal, especially for Baby Boomers who are looking forward and want their retirement home to be comfortable and convenient.

Some are finding new ways to cope with the high price of waterfront. The Royal LePage recreational property report says some younger families are pooling their resources to buy properties together. Others are generating income by renting out their properties when they’re not in use. A further trend is to buy a property that’s across the street or a block or two away from the water.

“If someone can’t afford the beach,” says George Watson from In Touch Realty, “they can move across the street where a lot would sell for less than half the price.”

Real estate experts say there are seven buyers for every 'perfect' waterfront property. With the supply of waterfront lots in the prime locations almost all gone, the competition for what's left is fierce. Finding the lots people really do want is a real challenge.

It’s no surprise that waterfront real estate is “one of the best investments you can make,” says Pauline Aunger, immediate past president of the Ontario Real Estate Association. What makes real estate in waterfront communities so resilient? “Because there will always be seven buyers for every perfect waterfront home,” says Aunger. “The great Canadian dream is to own waterfront.” Real estate agents report there are fewer and fewer empty building lots left in Ontario’s prime waterfront locations. “There doesn’t seem to be any easily accessible water left in Southern Ontario” that hasn’t been built on, says Aunger.

Developers, feeding the insatiable appetite for all-season homes near the province’s waterways, are being forced to look ever farther afield. They are snatching up old industrial sites, small infill properties and land along lakes farther away from the more than eight million people who call the Golden Horseshoe home.

“Cottage country” used to mean a simple general store and a dirt road leading down to a two-room cabin, a Muskoka chair sitting at the end of the dock. Little of that remains. The emphasis today is on more of a spa-like experience... a lifestyle, even if that lifestyle is created on a little-known lake or river.

What's really important for a cottage owner (or prospective cottage owner) to know? The difference between and Adirondack and a Muskoka Chair!

Well, THAT, plus getting a really good real estate professional to help them find the right deal in cottage country!

Incidentally,

the Adirondack chair features a flat yoke behind the seat, the Muskoka chair’s is curved. Often Adirondack chairs are a little higher off the ground and a touch wider between the arms than the Muskoka.

Former Colorado Gov. John Vanderhoof: has had a plaque on his wall containing a tiny piece of rock from the Apollo 17 mission. Cut from the rock known as Sample 70017 or the "Goodwill Rock," was cut up into hundreds of pieces and distributed to all 50 states and more than 130 nations. Its estimated value is $5 million.

Sir Paul McCartney recently admitted that he cannot remember many of the classic songs he has written- he said there are "just too many".

RCMP have charged two men in the theft of a large tractor from a farm in southern Manitoba. The men discovered the keys had been left in the tractor and decided to take it for a joy ride. After their fun, they left it at the side of the road and it was badly damaged, has an estimated value of $180,000.

Hundreds of seemingly drunk parrots are falling out of trees and the sky in a northern Australian town. Lisa Hansen, a veterinary surgeon at the Ark Animal Hospital in Palmerston, near Darwin said, "They fall out of trees... and they're not so coordinated as they would normally be. They go to jump and they miss the next perch." The birds are given sweetened porridge and fresh fruit to treat the hangover.

Police were called when a naked skateboarder arrived at Centennial Beach in Barrie, last Friday evening. The skateboarder, who was planning a quick "skinny" dip, was issued a warning and escorted home.

US daredevil Jonathan Trappe made a record-breaking flight across the English Channel last week, in a wicker basket borne aloft by a cloud of 55 helium-filled spheres, travelling around 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Ashford in Kent, England to a French field outside Dunkirk.

Scientists at Boston University have used infrared cameras at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama to record tremulation. The shaking is a form of dominance communicated between male red-eyed tree frogs.

Joseph Peer and Alexander Kendl at the University of Innsbruck in Austria think that about half of all ball lightning reports are actually tricks of the mind induced by magnetism.
Ball lightning is often reported during thunderstorms, and it's known that multiple consecutive lightning strikes can create strong magnetic fields.Focusing magnetic fields on the visual cortex of the brain causes subjects to see luminous discs and lines. When the focus was moved around within the visual cortex, the subjects reported seeing the lights move.

Mummifying animals was a common practice among ancient Egyptians, who embalmed thousands of crocodiles and buried them in mass graves as offerings to the crocodile god Sobek.

Al and Tipper Gore have decided to separate after 40 years of marriage,

Quebec scientists shuddered when a giant snakehead was found dead on the shores of the Saint-Charles River. Believed to have been an overgrown former pet, it is related to the savage, voracious, quick-tempered, razor-mouthed northern snakehead fish which is from Asia but this fish has recently been discovered in areas dotted around North America. The northern snakehead can survive four days out of water (it has a primitive lung above its gills) and slithers from one stream or lake to another- it can walk for up to 1/2 a kilometer! An 18-inch snakehead was pulled from a Chicago harbour five years ago- Northern snakefish invaded the Potomac River near Washington, D.C (during the GW Bush administration)- New York State has discovered the species in a few ponds and streams- mid-state. These fish grow anywhere from a meter to 1.8 meters in length. YIKES

A University of Alberta researcher studying red squirrels have found that these asocial creatures, which usually despise each other, have taken the unusual step of adopting and raising the orphaned cubs of their kin. Dozens of social species -- including chimps, cats, and dogs -- have been known to take in another animal's orphans, but it's the red squirrel's solitary nature that makes this discovery unusual, says The U of A's Jamie Gorrell, a PhD candidate in biology- one five authors of the report.

Kenyan guys are painting themselves up and going about as Masai Warriors to attract women. The women are ready to pay quite a for Masai Jungli gigolos.

A common perception about real estate is that it is sensitive to economic downturns, and that’s a reasonable consideration. Multifamily real estate is an investment category with less risk. While this is hardly a new concept, participation in this market sector has been increasing significantly.

Multi family homes are houses which are designed for more than one family. They are a freestanding building composed of two to four separate living units, each unit having its own kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. There are also opportunities with commercial units consisting of one or more stores with apartments above them. These types of real estate have had a rare combination of high returns with lower risk.

A multi unit home is historically one of the first properties acquired by a beginning real estate investor. The cash needed for such a purchase is often lower than on a single family property and the potential resale market is quite large, including other beginning investors. There is an opportunity for the first time buyer to live in one of the units and have the tenants pay the mortgage.

Chaos in securities the past few years has brought a number of investors to the multi-unit market. Since the economic climate has resulted in tightened lending practices,some people are now finding it difficult to qualify for mortgage financing. Others have been forced to sell their homes at a loss, or worse, to face foreclosure. This creates a market of people actively searching for nice rental property.

As the definition of “family” is changing, many buyers are looking for multi-family houses to house non-traditional or multi-generational families. Many families are looking for larger homes to include elderly loved ones or adult children who remain at home. It is likely that the multi family segment is going to outperform other real estate sectors for several years.

A well-chosen multifamily property can be a long-term positive cash-flow investment. There will always be young couples and older retiring folks looking for good rentals. Owning a multiplex can very often provide a substantial positive cash flow for many years to come.

There are financing programs in existence that can help you purchase an owner-occupied multi-family house. Qualification guidelines for this type of financing are generally less stringent than for other types of investment real estate and the rent from the unit or units that you don't occupy can usually be considered part of your qualifying income.

The maintenance demands of a multifamily property are not very different from those of a single-family house, and both owners and owner-occupants often find that they can save substantially and build equity by doing the primary maintenance work themselves. This sort of property is often seen as a "hands-on" investment; as it calls for routine maintenance, such as mowing grass, unplugging sinks and toilets.

The purchase of a multi-family unit should be considered a standard long-term buy and hold rental property (that means, not a flip, not a lease to own, not any sort of real estate strategy). Seasoned investors build their investments by carefully and conservatively analyzing a property’s cash flow and your Realtor will help you to do the same, prior to purchasing.

The good news is that cash flow on a multi-family is always greater than that of a single family because you have rent coming in. The multi-unit property has an economy of scale (i.e. six families living in six separate units will have six roofs to repair while in a multi-plex there is generally only one roof). & there is less competition when purchasing in the multi-family sector... because not everyone has caught on!

Cash cows are harder to find but sometimes you can take over a property that has existing tenants and a positive cash flow. Here, you cannot go wrong- as long as the building is not about to topple over. The distinguishing benefit to sound real estate investments is their ability to provide income no matter what the economy throws at you.

Owners and investors should annually be (a) performing a five year forecast of their property holdings and (b) should be reviewing their mortgage costs for possible refinancing. Why? 1) generally people have the majority of their wealth in their personal residence, and 2) real estate is excellent mechanism for wealth accumulation.

Many investors never buy anything bigger than a property with four family units and they are happy with the returns they get from small properties- however, it is no secret that wealthy investors buy multi-family and commercial properties and that is how they got wealthy in the first place.

Multi-Family Housing just might be the best investment you can make in today’s economy.Take advantage of low interest rate financing to catch the next wave of real estate investment profits in the multi family sector and there’s still time to beat the HST!

These are real HEADLINES:

Average house prices up at least 10 per cent in major Canadian markets
April 8, 2010 The Canadian Press

Record number of homes hit the market in March
April 15, 2010 Canadian Mortgage Broker News

Luxury homes sales through the roof as buyers seek stable investment
April 27, 2010 Globe and Mail

Why there are growing fears of housing bubble in Canada
April 27,2010 Globe and Mail

What's behind Canada's economic miracle? Housing
April 28, 2010 Globe and Mail

Real estate market showing housing bubble signs: report
April 28, 2010 Toronto Sun

GDP up for sixth month in February
April 20, 2010 Ottawa Business Journal

Gloom or Boom?

Recently the Bank of Canada was quoted as expecting the real estate market to cool down in 2011... but then, this might be taken out of context as, apparently, it was a comment made in reference to money pumped into renovations. Incidentally, Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney has been named the 21st most influential person by the prestigious Time magazine.

According to a report from investment firm Edward Jones, "Canadian investors should prepare for the possible impact of a housing downturn on the economy," said the report. "Investors with well-diversified portfolios may need to take no action, but those considering additional real estate investments should be cautious."

A recent ReMax report entitled “Upper End 2010” cites improved economic performance, increased personal wealth, immigration and foreign investment as catalysts in the sales surge in the luxury home category. The most active buyers so far this year have been business executives, entrepreneurs and professionals and vice-president, Michael Polzer, of RE/MAX in the Ontario-Atlantic region says he is optimistic about real estate sales at every level.

Looking at the slow but steady recovery of economies in the United States and United Kingdom, Polzer also said, "As those much larger economies continue to improve slowly and cautiously, that will help us, so is there a real estate bubble? I think it's unlikely, given the other circumstances at play."

David Rosenberg, the chief economist at Gluskin Sheff + Associates noted that Canada did not see as dramatic a bubble in housing and credit as that in the United States. “But maybe Canada experienced its bubble in the past year instead.”

A report by the Conference Board of Canada states that real estate sales and prices are expected to continue rising in most Canadian cities, including Greater Sudbury, for the foreseeable future.

CIBC chief economist Avery Shenfeld says that Bank of Canada's analysis of the country's economic performance is unreliable and suggests it may be overestimating the potential threat from inflation and is too ready to begin raising interest rate.

You don’t say?

The Bank of Canada’s own website: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/rates/indinf.html states:
The Bank of Canada monitors a wide range of indicators in assessing the extent of pressures on capacity and inflation. The Bank's conventional estimate of the output gap provides an overall assessment of the degree of slack in the economy, but this estimate is subject to considerable uncertainty. This uncertainty is addressed by considering a wide range of indicators in various markets. Many of these indicators are derived from data published by Statistics Canada, but some reflect information gathered by the Bank's regional representatives as well as by various outside sources.

Often articles site facts and data gained by sources that relate to the real estate industry in very particular sector- one far different than the segment of traditional family home or personal use recreational property purchasers. Headlines catch our eye, but understanding which market is being discussed is essential to wading through the hype.

The Ontario real estate industry has flourished in the past few years and has become one of the top profit churning markets in the world. With the social and economic stability of the province, not to mention its booming population and continued financial growth, investing in real estate here is still a good choice from many different perspectives.

After consulting a mortgage professional to determine a comfortable purchase amount, you do want to make a wise and profitable investment, however when it comes to your home or your recreational property, you realize it is where you will share time with family, celebrate occasions, teach children to ride a bicycle or swim. The property then, becomes more than just a piece of real estate. Buying a home or recreational property is a lot more than an investment...

And... there are just as many reasons that a property is put up for sale.

It’s true, a number of older cottage owners, many who own their properties outright, are selling to younger purchasers with families and some American cottage owners in Canada are cashing out of the market, because of their economic circumstances at home. However, there aren’t many desperation sales.

Much of the activity in the marketplace today has to do with the mindset of individuals who have a commitment to lifestyle remains a priority ahead of the actual investment aspect of a purchase. More than a simple transaction to these Buyers, owning a recreational property is a demonstration of their dedication to family and balance- and while these folks are prepared to spend their hard-earned dollars on recreational properties, at the end of the day, they do want to know that they’ve negotiated the best deal possible.

A well-informed Buyer and/or Seller will find it quite easy to make a good, comfortable deal. & it’s still considered one of the safest investments there is.

Low ball offers are on the decline. Thank goodness. They are seldom met with success and, in fact, often result in tougher negotiations and multiple sign backs. Buyers who are serious tend to find out-the hard way- that Sellers are serious too. As a result, the sales-to-list ratio remains relatively high in most recreational property markets across the country. And so, the real estate market, at the family home or recreational buyer and seller level is perking along.

Yes, gone is the classic market mania that occurs when people believe the real estate market is the only place to make money. Instead, people have moved up their purchases to take advantage of pre-approved mortgages with interest rates that remain quite low.

Hold on to the thread, my friend. Remember the gentle spring breeze...remember the past... remember blowing kisses....

trust... and remember... it comes back... float back.

This is the perfect time of year for rock hounding. The snow is almost ALL gone and the trees are still mostly bare. I’ve got the itch... and the bugs aren't out yet!

I have a huge collection of rocks that I’ve collected over the years... and I’ve had to move them, a number of times. Still, they are like old friends and I will miss them when I move from this house, as I plan to somehow include them in the landscaping, lakeside.

Bancroft is a haven for rocks and minerals. Styling itself, since the 60s, as the Mineral Capital of Canada, it’s been said that:

1/ 80% of Canada’s minerals can be found in the 60 km radius around Bancroft
2/ 90 percent of the world's mineral content can be found in Bancroft's Ontario Canada
3/ Ancient mineral deposits around Bancroft, from the long-gone Grenville Mountain range, give the area a special energy (The early Mesoproterozoic tectonic history of the southwestern Grenville Province, Ontario: Constraints from geochemistry and geochronology of high-grade gneisses)

The Grenville province represents a virtually unique window into the roots of a Precambrian mountain belt. The Bancroft/North Hastings region lies within the Grenville Structural Province of the Canadian Shield, a northwesterly trending belt, roughly 400 kilometres wide and 2,000 kilometres long, extending from Lake Huron to the Labrador coast. The rock beneath Bancroft is between 1.1 and 1.8 billion years old, and has been subject to volcanic activity, glacial scouring, extreme heat and pressure, and intense faulting and folding. The Grenville Province can be subdivided into separate areas or terranes, which exhibit certain characteristics (type of rocks, degree of metamorphism). The Bancroft area consists of deformed carbonate metasedimentary rocks, a minor amount of volcanic rock, and a distinctive suite of nepheline syenites, syenites, as well as, skarn pyroxenites, calcite cored veins, and uranium-bearing nepheline rocks.

Mining was carried out on a limited scale, between 1880 and 1935, primarily as open cuts and quarries.

Sodalite was discovered in 1891 at a deposit near Bancroft, Ontario by Frank Adams, while he was studying the geology of the Haliburton-Hastings area for the ‘Geological Survey of Canada’. The mineral,a beautiful dark blue color, is very popular. It is used in jewellery and carving.

The Duke & Duchess of Cornwall visited Bancroft in 1901 and were presented with samples of minerals including a piece of sodalite from Bancroft. In 1905 the Duchess expressed a desire to use sodalite to decorate her home, The Marlborough House. When the order was received from London in 1906, the Duke & Duchess had been created the "Prince & Princess of Wales" (the future King George V and Queen Mary).

Sodalite also occurs as a minor constituent in the mineral aggregate lapis lazuli. It is believed to possess serious metaphysical and healing properties. Sodalite is said to increase one's confidence and to enhance creativity, and to have a balancing effect on one's emotions and mental state. It is claimed to alleviate fear and bring clarity of mind and is a good stone for Psychic Protection. Sodalite is believed to strengthen the metabolism and lymphatic system. It is also said to enhance self expression and communication, to eliminate confusion, bring peace and to facilitate spiritual growth. It also cleanses the aura. It soothes and calms inflammations.

This mineral is said -like it's sister stone Lapis Lazuli- to benefit the higher self. In particular, sodalite is said to help prevent diabetes and is useful in the treatment of digestive system disorders, balance the metabolism, boost the immune system and overcome calcium deficiencies. It combats radiation damage by soaking up electromagnetic smog. Sodalite treats the throat, vocal cords, larynx and helps with hoarseness and digestive disorders. It cools fevers, lowers blood pressure and stimulates the absorption of body fluids. Sodalite can also help to prevent insomnia.

Sodalite fuels your creative processes and enhances wisdom. It also helps one make clear rational, logical decisions. Sodalite helps one to speak their truth in a way others can understand. It is recommended you use this stone if doing presentations in a business environment.

As a elixir it helps to give one self confidence. It also helps fight lymphatic cancer. One may use the this elixir as a salve to treat inflammations.

Sodalite may be used for massage in sphere, egg or wand form.

Sodalite Associations:
Chakras - Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra
Zodiac - Sagittarius
Planet – Moon
Element – Water & Air
Typical colours - Rich royal blue: mottled with white veins or patches
Vibrates to #4

Oh yes, oh yes... it’s time to put my gear in the truck... that well-worn leather bag... loaded with sturdy shoes, long pants, a hat, a couple of bottles of water, granola bars, safety glasses, chisels, hammers, containers, bug juice and my trusty mineral guide.

As always, I’m looking forward to the civic weekend, July 29, 30, 31st, and August 1st for the 47th Annual Rockhound Gemboree. It was chosen as one of the top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario for 2010. I never miss it!

This isn't anything new... infidelity has been written about in literature for many centuries. From the classic plays of William Shakespeare, to the modern works of Arthur Miller and more recent studies, like the 1992 movie "Basic Instinct"... and 2009's "Couples Retreat" to name just two!

Tiger & Elin Woods

“For weeks now there have been rumours that Tiger Woods and Elin might reconcile and save their marriage. It was believed by going to sex rehab Tiger had done just enough to keep his family together. But sources have told me that the marriage is indeed over," says news correspondent Kevin Frazier.
(http://www.hindustantimes.com/sportscentre/Tiger-Woods-wife-finalising-divorce/531609/H1-Article1-531076.aspx)

When ex-NYPD Blue actress, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon recently discovered that her husband of nearly nine years has been cheating on her, emailed Mike Nilon's colleagues at LA's Creative Artists Agency saying, “I found out today that my husband of almost nine years has been having an affair of 5 years with some slut in Chicago. I am devastated. And I have been duped!”
http://www.taletela.com/news/1152/garcelle-beauvais-nilon-gets-revenge-on-cheating-husband

Radar online has reported Oscar winning actress Sandra Bullock is preparing to serve cheating husband Jesse James divorce papers.
http://www.680news.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/article/42294--bullock-says-she-s-done-with-cheating-husband

Jesse James & Sandra Bullock

Brooke Mueller could be fed up with the problems which keep hitting her marriage with Charlie Sheen that she is said wanting to end it. The mother of two reportedly plans to file for divorce to her husband after learning that he has an affair with a lingerie model while he is supposed to be in rehab treatment.
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00031937.html

Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole announced that she is splitting from husband and footballer Ashley Cole after reports of him cheating on her with five women surfaced in February.
http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100138298&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=hollywood

Luann de Lesseps, from The Real Housewives, will be divorcing with her cheating husband.
http://www.buzzybloggers.com/latest-news/12148/luann-de-lesseps-cheating-husband-news-update/

Larry King’s marriage has:
“reportedly crumbled after Southwick (wife Shawn Southwick) accused King of having an affair with her younger sister, Shannon Engemann.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/04/15/2010-04-15_larry_king_stays_professional_onair_amidst_accusations_of_affair_with_wife_shawn.html

Singer Cheryl Cole has been estranged from her husband (Ashley Cole) after learning that he was cheating on her.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Cole-turns-to-psychic-over-marriage/articleshow/5782097.cms

Divorce documents allege that:
Bruce Springsteen has been involved in an affair with a married woman.
http://www.411mania.com/music/news/134819/Bruce-Springsteen-Cheating-Too?.htm

Amid claims that Rebecca Hall was the reason behind the split of Sam and Kate, friends and representatives of both Rebecca Hall and Sam Mendes have rubbished the rumours.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/celebwatch/Mendes-denies-cheating-on-Winslet/520886/H1-Article1-520587.aspx

Lenny Henry and (The Vicar of Dibley)Dawn French have revealed they are to split after 25 years of marriage - The stars have faced questions over their marriage since 1999, when Lenny was accused of cheating on Dawn with an Australian receptionist.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/2010/04/07/comedy-stars-lenny-henry-and-dawn-french-split-after-25-years-together-86908-22167414/

Tiki Barber

Sports broadcaster Tiki Barber and wife of 11 years Ginny Barber announced their seperation this week. Ginny is eight months pregnant with their third child. According to a new report by the New York Post, Barber split with his wife to pursue a romance with a former NBC intern named Traci Lynn Johnson.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/slideshow/cheating-hearts-2210571

Reggie Bush has denied claims that he was unfaithful to Kim Kardashian.
http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/news/a211030/reggie-bush-denies-cheating-rumours.html

Billy Crudup Walked out on seven-months-pregnant Mary-Louise Parker to date Claire Danes.
Jude Law His relationship with Sienna Miller came to an abrupt end when news leaked that he was putting the moves on his kids' nanny.
&
Jon Gosselin News of Gosselin's alleged infidelities busted up his marriage to the mother of his eight children, Kate, and put an abrupt end to his reality TV career.
&

David Letterman The "Late Night" host was forced to out his affair with staffer Stephanie Birkitt after her boyfriend tried to extort $2 million with threats to take the relationship public.
&
Brad Pitt Pitt reportedly "fell in love" with Angelina Jolie on the set of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," before leaving then-wife Jennifer Aniston.
&
Ryan Phillippe Phillippe and co-star Abbie Cornish started seeing each other in 2006 on the set of "Stop-Loss" while he was still married to Reese Witherspoon.
&

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant Cheated on then-girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley in 1995 with prostitute Divine Brown.
&
Eric Benet Benet blamed sex addiction for cheating on then-wife Halle Berry in 2002.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/04/09/GA2010040901670.html

Jenny Sanford’s divorce from Gov. Mark Sanford became final last month. The pair split after the governor disappeared last June and returned to publicly reveal he had been carrying on an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/04/15/1377666/former-sc-first-lady-jenny-sanford.html

Former presidential candidate (John) Edwards admitted in January that he is the girl's father after initially denying it. He and his wife, Elizabeth Edwards , are now separated.
http://www.kansas.com/2010/04/07/1258294/winfrey-snags-interview-with-rielle.html

Usher

Multi-platinum R&B crooner, Usher, has released an album in which he:
implies that his own lies and infidelity led to divorcing the love of his life (Tameka Foster Raymond) and ending a two-year marriage
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/reviews/view.bg?articleid=1243017&srvc=rss

Boyband member, Mark Owen (of Take That) has entered rehab for “infidelity and issues with alcohol”.
http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/100325/340/ivy1t.html&e=l_news_dm

Hong Kong actress Myolie Wu has been plagued by rumours that her boyfriend, fellow actor Bosco Wong has been straying.
http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4012095

Carl Paladino

Millionaire governor wanna-be Carl Paladino reveals he fathered a child out of wedlock.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/04/14/2010-04-14_sleaziest_candidate_ever.html

Toronto Transit Commission chair, Adam Giambrone, admitted cheating on his long-time live-in girlfriend with multiple women.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/giambrone-back-aboard-his-streetcar-but-show-could-be-derailed/article1510085/

Chef Gordon Ramsay is said to have cheated on his devoted wife, Tana, for years.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1264233/Gordon-Ramsays-Kitchen-Nightmare-Top-chef-Jason-Atherton-quits-alone.html

Chef Ramsay

Uma Thurman- Ethan Hawke... Scarlett Johansson- Josh Hartnett... Paris Hilton- Nick Carter... Sienna Miller- Jude Law.... Hillary-Bill.... oh there are MORE!!!!

And I read this, too:

John Tesh and Oprah Winfrey allegedly had a love affair before she was involved with Stedman Graham... now, they weren’t married to others at the time but still...

Tesh apparently abandoned Winfrey in the middle of the night after succumbing to "social pressures" that caused tension in their relationship.

John Tesh & Oprah Winfrey

"He said one night he looked down and saw his white body next to her black body and couldn't take it anymore," a Tesh ex told Kelley in the book, the Daily News reports. "He walked out in the middle of the night . . . He told me later he felt very guilty about it."
http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1269105

Hugh Hefner and girlfriends

My favourite comments, though, are these quotes from Hugh Hefner (c/o wwtdd.com)

on Jesse James (cheating husband of Sandra Bullock):

“When you get married, you make a commitment. I had a lot of girlfriends, but it’s not the same as cheating. I don’t cheat. I am very open about what I do . . . Sandra Bullock’s husband looks like a real creep. I think that when you are in a relationship, you should be honest. The real immorality of infidelity is the lying.”

On Woods:

“... this whole idea that it’s a sex addiction is a copout. Some people become obsessed with sex, but it’s not like an alcohol or drug addiction. He did it because he could get away with it.”

I’m listening to voices in the background, on t.v. (I confess, at times I’m occasionally drawn into the electric circus)... and I’m hearing about the St. John’s River, in Florida... and Haleigh Cummings... and Cousin Joe... and I’m thinking...

Something happened... and there’s a whole bunch of North Amercian humanity that has lost their minds with drugs... and they’re so sick, they’re sacrificing their own babies... and the rest of us just don’t want to believe it...

So we think it’s enough to sneer and judge and say they’re scum...
Why didn’t we fight for the children the first time we thought it?

Rest in peace, little angel.

Supposedly, the economy is starting to right itself and the rebound in real estate supports the theory. The spring housing market is expected to reach a fever pitch. "It's extremely busy out there right now. There is clearly a shortage of properties for sale in many parts of the country," says Michael Polzler, executive vice-president of Re/Max Ontario-Atlantic Canada.

“...there is an increasing risk that we are going to get a mini boom/bust." Doug Porter, deputy chief economist with Bank of Montreal, recently said.

Still, the real estate world is facing the usual gamut of issues...

1/ Rising Interest Rates on the long end of the mortgage market are being cited as a catalyst in creating a mini boom this spring. On July 1st, Bank of Canada is expected to hike short-term interest rates.... as if this is some scary monster!!!! Am I the only person who remembers mortgage rates at near 22% back in ‘81?

2/ New mortgage rules that take effect April 19 will make it tougher for some people to borrow, in some cases. Just the thought of it, scares people! What does it mean? Simplified, it means that new federal guidelines require anyone buying a home with less than 20 per cent of the purchase price for a down payment must be able to qualify based on the posted rate for a five-year mortgage... just in case.

3/ The HST- okay, the new “harmonized tax” will affect a real estate transaction by adding between $1,500 and $3,000 in costs, on average- on “resale” homes, it only applies to the services connected to the transaction... such as the Realtor/lawyer, etc. Services that were charged GST of 5% will now be subject to a 13% tax. Now, the effect on new home construction will be more dramatic.

4/ Ongoing press coverage of the Competition Bureau v.s. the Canadian Real Estate Association regarding MLS... which nobody really wants to talk about, but includes a lot of inaccurate reporting! See #5

5/ The cost of doing business as a real estate sales person. See also #4

Let me tell you a little about #s 4 and 5.....

In my humble opinion, there’s way too much talk about the horrendous cost of using a Real Estate professional... the truth is that commission rates are negotiated at the time that a Real Estate pro and the Seller sign a contract... called a listing agreement... and there are no “set” fees.

There are all sorts of creative ways to construct your contract if you wish to keep your commission costs to a minimum, however, most Sellers understand that there is a lot more to selling property than simply sticking it on the MLS website, www.realtor.ca and they’re happy to pay a reasonable amount of compensation to have a professional do it for them.

Nobody said you HAVE to use a real estate professional, it’s just that it’s been proven time and time again that a real estate professional will get a significantly better deal... because we are trained in the business... PLUS, we take the brunt of ignorant phone calls- at all hours- the tire kickers, scheduling nightmares and we know how to market a property at its optimum advantage. I could go on. and on. and on.

It’s a hard business, this. It is full of cynicism and distain... and the truth is that most people haven’t the foggiest about what it costs to be in the industry- especially in rural areas. I’m not going to waste anyone’s time trying to explain or defend this... trust me, it’s not easy to make a living in this business. It’s hard work and long hours and we fight tooth and nail for every cent.

The media confuses a lot of people... recently, I actually had buyers ask me when I expected the desperation sales to begin. They figured that the economy would have created much better “deals” than they were finding.

I think that all the hype about going “for sale by owner” is fooling people into thinking that DIY is a cake walk. Most people wouldn’t think of doing their own electrical, dental, plumbing or legal work. Why? Maybe because it isn’t that easy to do it well?

In fact, I think Sellers have gotten a bit lazy, too. They think they just have to sign a listing paper and they’re done their part... but Buyers are savvy... they want documentation and verification. Homeowners should keep an organized file of paperwork that relates to their property and all of its components... but most don’t.

Property lines are simply pointed out, with a grunt in a direction and a shrug in the other. Easements are confused with right-of-ways... and let’s not even start about encroachments. Many Sellers aren’t sure about their zoning and that means that they aren’t sure if the property is compliant. Sellers may not be aware of the intricacies of their property... it may not have seemed important to them and they may not have stumbled upon any problem... but if these matters aren’t sorted out at the onset, there’s possibility for ugly stuff later!

Somebody has to take responsibility. No doubt most home sellers want to move on, in the comfort that they will not be followed by any aggravation related to their prior abode. & buyers want to have someone thoroughly explain every detail, including potential pit falls, to them. A good real estate professional helps resolve these matters, before they become ISSUES.

I recently read this quote from the ReMax Ontario-Atlantic Vice President Polzler, “Right now, a realtor is not often needed in the selling process, but you sure need a realtor in the buying process. If you don’t have a good realtor in this market, finding the right property and going in at the right price, people are being rejected all over the place.”

It’s true, having represented 100s of buyers and sellers, most Realtors understand the process of closing negotiations and bringing the parties together to form an amicable agreement. That’s one of our finer qualities! How come nobody reports that kinda stuff?

I love animals. I always have. I was recently reminded by a former high school classmate that my grade 9 year book proclaims that I imagine a future living in the country with my husband, a dog and other assorted creatures.

In that measure, I suppose I am a success... but I digress...

My regular blog readers (more regular than my blogs, it seems)... will note that I also have a great interest in the mysteries of the universe... and one of the things into which I have often delved is my connection with the other creatures with whom I share this planet.

I have animals that visit me and I see as a sign and others that are simply dear to my heart. My friends, relatives and real estate clients can attest to my connection with nature and wildlife. In fact, I have always been most at home, in the forest. I have spent many contemplative hours, quiet, in the forest and there have been many occasions during which I have been joined by a wandering critter, or two.

These have been some of my most treasured moments in life.

I thought I’d share a bit of the history and teaching about the oneness of nature and , in particular, my own spirit/animal guides, totems and messengers. Curiously, I decided to look up a few definitions to start...

ani•mal•ism (an′i məl iz′əm)
The doctrine that human beings are purely animals in nature and lack soul or spirit.
Animalism is a versatile Discipline that gives its user the ability to communicate and control animals.

Genesis 1:
{1:24} God also said, “Let the land produce living souls in their kind: cattle, and animals, and wild beasts of the earth, according to their species.” And so it became.
{1:25} And God made the wild beasts of the earth according to their species, and the cattle, and every animal on the land, according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
{1:26} And he said: “Let us make Man to our image and likeness. And let him rule over the fish of the sea, and the flying creatures of the air, and the wild beasts, and the entire earth, and every animal that moves on the earth.”

God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

The Talmud interprets "dominion" as the privilege of using animals for labor only.

"The Dominion Principle All animals everywhere belong to God. 'For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Ps. 50:10). 'All things were created by him [Christ], and for him' (Col. 1:16). We cannot own what belongs to God; we're only caretakers.

In Genesis 1 Christ gave us dominion over animals, not ownership.

Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama), Indian (India) founder of Buddhism religion and philosophy - "When a man has pity on all living creatures then only is he noble."

Animals and people have always shared a special relationship with each other. With the increase of information concerning animals and their ability to heal people psychologically, spiritually and physically, we are becoming more aware of our relationship with all animals in our society. More and more studies confirm that animal/human interaction fosters well-being.

We have all heard that owning a pet can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol; lower triglyceride levels; lessen stress; result in fewer doctor visits; and alleviate depression. Infants who live in a household with dogs are less likely to develop allergies later in life, not only to animals but also to other common allergens.

Evidence suggests that dogs can detect bladder cancer and predict the onset of seizures. Dolphins have been found to sense disabilities in some people and they will adjust their behavior accordingly. For instance, they'll reduce the speed and power of a 'dorsal pull' to accommodate the swimmer's condition. Horses have been engaged in treating emotionally disturbed teens.

There are many forms of animal-assisted therapy... and I could go on and on and on... but there’s more... there are many stories, legends, religions, teachings and disciplines to confirm that our spiritual lives are somehow linked with our relationship with animals. Animal lovers believe that animals possess souls, consciousness and extraordinary powers.

Some cultures have honoured animals for having a spiritual life similar to their own and imagine that the spirit of the animal exists after death. Shamanic practice honours and acknowledges the life and wisdom that exists in all things. Everything is believed to have something to teach you and animals are thought to have a wealth of wisdom and protection to offer you. Some refer to these as power animals, animal guides, totems or spirit guides (that just happen to be animals)- something akin to guardian angels. They may be animals we have known in life (such as a deceased pet) or they may be personal symbols that represent the qualities of an animal.

Our native cultures believe an animal's spirit enters into a person, at birth. You do not choose a Spirit Guide as your personal spirit guide. The Spirit chooses you and they decide to whom they will reveal themselves and make their friend. Its duties are to keep each person strong and wise as well as to excel in matters of attributes given to that Animal. They perceive these Spirit Guides or totems as powerful guardians of the land or spirits of living animals. Some psychologists conjecture that a vision or message from a Spirit Guide may be certain aspects of the human psyche resurfacing from the pre-conscious ancient human mind.

A spirit guide is a teacher with something to teach you. A totem animal is often a protector, a mate to travel the Inner Worlds with who knows its way around and can get you in, to your destination and out again safely.

The knowledge and power of animal guides can be effectively used to improve our lives. If you feel drawn to a particular creature or if perchance a particular creature comes, calling on you, you might want to Google “animal medicine” and check on the correlation!

The meaning and lessons an animal guide brings will differ according to the type of guide it may be. Learning the difference between the types will help in your understanding of the relevance of that particular animal to you.

All guides are powerful.

An Animal Totem is an important symbolic object used by a person to get in touch with specific qualities found within an animal which the person needs, connects with, or feels a deep affinity toward. Generally, a totem is an entity that watches over or assists a group of people, such as a family, clan, or tribe. Although the term is of Ojibwe origin in North America, totemistic beliefs are not limited to Native Americans. Similar totem-like beliefs are present throughout much of the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Arctic polar region. The elders of almost every indigenous tribe on earth believe that we are all a part of a great dream that the Creator envisioned. A big dream where man and animal would live together connected, serving each other in the balance of life.

The Nine Totems

Each person has nine animal essences or totems that walk through life with them, teaching and guiding them and in some cases, protecting them. Your totems are found in 7 directions around your spirit: East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within. The last two animals are walking beside you at all times; your Right Side (male) and your Left Side (feminine).

EAST:
Your totem animal in the East guides you to your greatest spiritual challenges and guards you while you are on that path of illumination.
WEST:
Your totem animal in the West leads you to your personal truth. He helps you find the answers you already have buried deep within.
SOUTH:
Your totem animal in the South brings you trust, balance, and innocence. He protects your inner child.
NORTH:
Your totem animal in the North is very wise. He helps you to discern when to listen and when to speak. He also reminds you of all the blessings that have been bestowed upon you.
ABOVE:
Your totem animal from above connects you to the Great Star Nation, the Universe, and reminds you that you came from the stars and so shall return someday. This totem also brings you the dreams you experience in the Dream Time, helping you connect to other dimensions other than just this one.
BELOW:
Your totem animal from Below brings lessons about Mother Earth and how to stay grounded and
Balanced, while here in the Earth Walk.
WITHIN:
Your totem animal from within brings you your heart's desire and gives you the strength to be true to your dreams and Walk your Talk.
RIGHT SIDE:
Your totem animal on your Right Side protects you like a father. He is your protector as well as the one who gives you your courage and spirit to fight when necessary.
LEFT SIDE:
Your totem animal on your Left Side protects you like a mother. He teaches nurturing yourself as well as others. He teaches how to experience and have loving relationships.

MESSENGER GUIDES:
While sometimes the living animal is around you, most often they are only the essence of the animal.

At different times in your life, you may also have Special Helpers and/or Special Protectors. These stay with you for a limited period of time, depending on the challenges that you must face. They usually appear in person, in dreams or during meditation.

A Messenger Guide quickly comes into your life and then leaves once a message is understood. The time a Message Guide stays in your psychic is relative to you seeing and accepting the message. The message itself can be spiritual in nature, or it can be a warning. The message may deal with a seemingly mundane aspect of your life or it may be a wake-up call for some important action you must make. Sometimes the animal messenger will come during an unusual event and make a powerful statement and others come on the wind as a whisper. A messenger guide can cause you delays or some unforeseen help in your life. They can be both negative and positive in nature for they are totally impartial.

SHADOW GUIDES:
A Shadow Animal Guide is one that invades you with fear.Its purpose it to teach a lesson you have not learned from repeated mistakes because of anger, avarice, greed, insecurity, or other negative thoughts. A Shadow Guide will return again and again bearing strong feelings of fear until its message is acted upon or a change in lifestyle or actions are incorporated into your life. The Shadow Guide is powerful. It can help you to overcome fear by bringing truth and turning fear into a helper animal guide or spirit animal guide. However, if ignored the Shadow Guide can become dangerous and its powers will have a negative effect on your life. The Shadow Guide lives in the spirit world and usually arrives during a time of testing.

JOURNEY GUIDES:
A Journey Animal Guide appears at the fork in the road of your life. When a decision is made to follow a certain path in life, the Journey Guide is there to serve as a guide along the way. It represents a path that may take months or years to complete. It can be a friendly traveling companion if the path is right. If you become lost along the way, the Journey Guide is there help lead the way back. Unlike a Messenger Guide who comes and leaves quickly, the Journey Guide remains at your side until the current cycle in your life has changed. A journey guide appears at the fork in the road of your life. When a decision is made to follow a certain path in life, the Journey Guide is there to serve as a guide along the way. It represents a path that may take months or years to complete. It can be a friendly traveling companion if the path is right. If you become lost along the way, the Journey Guide is there help lead the way back. Unlike a Messenger Guide who comes and leaves quickly, the Journey Guide remains at your side until the current cycle in your life has changed.

LIFE GUIDE:
A Life Animal Guide is also called a Spirit Guide or Master Guide as it remains a part of you throughout life and reflects your inner-spiritual self. You may have more than one Life Guide and new ones may come during an expected time. Usually a Life Guide does not move away or disappear but remains an integral part of your life, however, there are instances when a particular Life Guide is no longer needed and is replaced with a new one. Its powers are always there for you and serve as a constant reminder of your inner powers and oneness with nature. If for example your Life Guide is Bear, you should be a person who is a solitary dweller, a seeker of knowledge and well grounded. A Life Guide will often call upon other animal guides found within its domain to assist in giving you special messages from time to time.

Animal wisdom is something we can all understand. It is based on the characteristics of the animal. It makes sense, intrinsically. At least it always has, to me.

Some of my own personal animal guides:

The bear. I was born with this connection. You can imagine my delight when I discovered that my 7th-great grandmother (on my paternal side) had been adopted into the Bear Clan! Also, a few years ago, when at a retreat with a native sensitive, she mentioned seeing a bear with me... behind me... she commented on its great size and the enormity of my bear medicine. I have always kept a bear at my door.

My bear is light coloured. Polar. Arctic totems are superb survivalists. Living in a cold climate and harsh environment demands stamina and determination to survive. Arctic totems teach the ability to thrive under the direst of circumstances.

Bears in general teach us to slow down and reserve our energies. Bear medicine also has to do with awakening from within. Bear teaches us that life's answers are no further than your own subconscious. There is no need to look outside of self when bear is nearby. Bears are also climbers and can teach us to reach new heights. Bears love honey and teach us to appreciate the sweetness life offers.

Polar bears are known for their fearlessness and aggressiveness. Polar bears are good hunters and strong swimmers. Humans are their only predator. Because Polar bears are so high up on the food chain it is understandable why they are so fearless. When polar appears you will want to evaluate your fears by looking at the things that make you reactive or act out. Or, you may need to strengthen areas of personal weakness.

The Polar bear is a good provider for his family, anyone with Polar bear as his totem bears the honourable responsibility to provide for others. It is right for the strongest to care for the weakest. Polar bear totem asks that any aggressive behaviours you display are for defensive purposes and not meant to bully.

Birds are another strong guide for me. Birds in general are survivalists. They will first choose flight over fight. They instinctively know that fighting is a dangerous endeavour. Whereas flight is avoiding trouble: possible injury or death. Birds have superb reflexes. They teach us awareness and adaptability. Birds represent the air element and are also teachers of proper breathing.

I have dreams and recollections of a white bird that comes to me and visits. I won’t go into immense detail about this bird... it is my own. I have not been able to find any image that perfectly depicts it, although it is not a particular showy or spectacular looking creature. It is simply smooth and white, fast flying and gentle.

Herons have surrounded me, always. Even when I lived in suburbia, there was a Heron that visited my backyard, daily! I have seen a heron in flight during most every successful real estate showing tour. All of my herons are called Harry. I was once dozing in a paddleboat at dawn, when I heard a horrible growl close by, I turned and was eye to eye with Herry... I could practically see his feathers move as I breathed! He eventually flew off... it was almost a prehistoric feeling!

Dolphin: Dolphin medicine represents the sacredness of all life and the abundance of the primordial sea. They are the gatekeepers to other realms and may teach us how to pass freely between this world and others. Dolphins carry this ability because they are mammals that live in the sea. They live in two worlds, the world of air and the world of water.

Dolphin’s qualities are life force energy, manna, inner child and Universal Consciousness.

When I was 13, I asked my uncle Frank to design a house for me... it was to be rooms surrounding a swimming pool, in which I would raise dolphins!

Dolphin teaches you the sacred ways of breath, how to release the old and bring in a new life force energy. Dolphin is playful, sensual and communicates love and compassion through its eyes. Other animals connect with Dolphin type people. Dolphins treat all life forms with love, gentleness and compassion. All life is sacred in their eyes. These people are connected to the universal awareness. They have strong psychic gifts.

Lioness: regal, majestic, powerful and strong, yet nurturing, devoted, playful and calm. As a totem, you will find yourself commanding this same respect from those around you, but not for no reason – you will have earned it, as Lion teaches leadership amidst cooperation. Just as lions live in groups called prides, so you may find yourself placed in uncommon situations of leadership or at the very least as an integral part of a group endeavor.

The next lesson with Lion that you can count on receiving is one of cooperation and how best to work with others. Within the pride, it is the female who does most of the hunting. But by hunting alone she would not do quite as well, and so she relies on her mate to do his part. He sits and roars, scaring the prey toward her. She then takes the lead and brings down dinner.

Lion is a strong spirit, and one of the most influential of all animal totems. Even the physical symbols associated with the lion suggest this is true, and they are; the Sun, the precious metal Gold, the god Mithras, and a king’s throne to name a very few.

Lions, though fiercely independent, can be extremely jealous and protective of their mates, and those with Lion Totem may find themselves exhibiting this same trait. Lion Spirit is not totally all about pomp and power. There is a marked softer and gentler side to this totem. Playfulness and the understanding that there should be a balance between a time for work and a time for rest is another totem message from Lion. In fact, lions revel in a very calm, almost lazy life, basking and preening and frolicking for many hours in the shade of the vast lands they inhabit.

Sensual, graceful, charismatic and passionate are all adjectives that also aptly describe Lion.

Wolf: the wolf is a powerful spiritual symbol. They are considered to be teachers or pathfinders. Wolf is the Grand teacher. Wolf is the sage, who after many winters upon the sacred path and seeking the ways of wisdom, returns to share new knowledge with the tribe. Wolf is both the radical and the traditional in the same breath.

Wolf Medicine brings a high sense of loyalty and strength, especially to family & children.

Great social skills, friendly, and gregarious. Ability of incredible strength, stamina, & communication both in physical & Spiritual realms. Naturally creative, noble, passionate, with the ability of profound understanding.

Jaguar: (a black panther) Some of the most powerful Shamans carry Jaguar energy, they have the ability to move into realms and realities where others cannot follow. Jaguar invites one to experience more of the "great beyond", to develop further one's intuition, bonding more deeply with guides and totems through meditation and action upon guidance received. In the Native American Culture, the Black Panther symbolizes "Embracing the Unknown." The Black Panther's medicine allows us to face our fears and darkest behaviors, exploring the hidden shadowy aspects of the human soul.

The color black is respected and honored by the red race. Darkness is a place to heal, to uncover the truth, to seek and find answers. Through dreams, the Black Panther teaches us to look inside of ourselves into those places that need healing, to embrace uncomfortable territory through self-discovery and courageously face the unknown.

Panthers are quiet and very sensitive. They have good vision and hearing and are very much at ease with being alone. Trusting your own thoughts and instincts, paying attention to the senses and using care are all part of the Panther's medicine.

Foliage... Yup, plants, trees, shrubs... call all be totems, too! They remind us that not all of life's mysteries have logical solutions. We must be open to magical opportunities, spirit allies, and unconventional paths. Plant life reminds us to celebrate our connection to all things growing on earth.

A blue star or blue flame... hmmmmmm
Flame/Star.... Twin flames were created together and share a destiny. They may spend many lives together and some apart but their paths are always connected.

Twin flames, although separate beings and often many miles apart tend to have similar experiences in their lives so that they are able to learn the same lessons.

Whenever they are together they appear to make up a whole, they are completely relaxed with each other and often have a type of telepathy or understanding of each other. They will be drawn together straight the way upon meeting.

Sometimes your twin soul may choose to remain in spirit whilst you are reincarnated and they will act as your spirit guide.

Sylph: Air spirits- a faux-mythological entity... an elemental being . Their element has the highest vibratory rate. They are said to live on the tops of mountains.

They often assume human form but only for short periods of time and they are said to be the most beautiful of all the elementals. They are usually seen with wings, looking like cherubs or fairies. They are said to leave beautiful green rings in meadows and fields caused by bending the dewy grass caused by their dancing in circles. Because of their connection to air, which is associated with the mental aspect, one of their functions is to help humans receive inspiration.

Sylphs are drawn to those who use their minds, particularly those in creative arts.

Sylphs are usually sympathetic of human endeavours and for the most part their actions towards them are kindly and thoughtful. The Sylphs can have a profound and powerful influence on the human mental body and thought, and, they are responsible for being the primary impetus behind both inspirational art and inventions.

As you can see, Spirit guides generally don't have a physical form; they reside on higher vibrational planes (dimensions), unhindered by the physical lower-vibration body. They work from these planes (the world of spirit) and move into our reality (3rd dimension) occasionally to offer guidance, assistance and insight.

Spirit guides will approach us in a form that is most comfortable and acceptable to us. For most people this is probably in something resembling a human form, though some might be seen in the form of a colour or shape, etc. I understand that we mustn’t confuse these with Angels- Angels function on a higher vibration than spirit guides, and in a higher dimension than spirit guides. Angels are of the stars and guides are of the earth. Animal totems, Animal guides or Power Animals can be a little of both.

Dr. Seuss’ character, The Lorax , was shortish. And oldish. And brownish. And mossy. And he spoke with a voice that was sharpish and bossy. "Mister!" he said with a sawdusty sneeze, "I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”

Not everyone would agree with the Lorax... The “Ringing Cedars” are trees of Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica), which, are said to make noise. Supposedly, after 500 years of life, these cedars have accumulated so much energy that they start to emit a ringing sound or crackling noise somewhat similar to the sounds made by high-voltage power transmission lines.. According to some folks, the wood of such trees has powerful healing properties and capable of curing a disease of the flesh.

The Russian name Sibirsky Kedr is often mis-translated in English as "Siberian Cedar"; references to "cedar" in texts translated from Russian usually refer to this tree or related pines, not to cedars.

Certainly, trees are great natural receptors, accumulators and transmitters of wave energy, including solar power. The needle of a conifer and the broadleaf parts of trees are prototypes for today’s man-made antennas which are really an imitation of the branch structure of trees. & the basic device we use for storing electricity is known as a condenser or capacitor and it’s composed of alternating layers of poor and good electrical conductors- a living tree is also composed of similar layers. Tree sap is an excellent conductor of electricity (this is what attracts lightning to strike a tree)- while wood is actually a poor conductor. Static electricity was first artificially generated through fossil resin from conifer trees (amber).

Siberian cedar can live over 800 years and grow to over 100’ tall. It is famous for its nutritious nuts (called pine nuts). It is a tree of spiritual importance as it has been a totemic tree of indigenous Siberian cultures for ages. Praised for having exceptional fragrance, moth-repelling qualities, durability, dense grain and rot-resistance, Siberian cedar is excellent for woodcarving, furniture-making and flooring, among other things.

The ringing phenomenon is relatively rare. It is said that after 550 years of its life the Ringing Cedar starts making a pleasant humming sound which is a sign for people to use its gathered energy. The healing energies of the trees is commonly acknowledged. To employ the healing properties of the Siberian cedar, one must sit or stand with their back against the trunk of a living tree. In Siberia, twigs from these trees are used the same way as the Chinese use needles, for acupuncture. The twig is applied with the end that was connected to the tree. The twig is then said to suck away excess or negative energy and if energy is required, the twig is applied in reverse.

It is the nutlets that are considered the true treasure among the gifts of a cedar forest. These delicious cedar nuts (or pine nuts) are praised throughout the world as a nutritious healthy snack. They contain a high concentration of amino acids (with the prevalence of arginine), easily digestible proteins, a whole complex of vitamins, including B & E. The oil is very rich in vitamin P: it contains three times as much vitamin P as the product called "Vitamin P" made using fish oil. Vitamin P is made up of vital fatty acids, which is believed to help to reduce the level of cholesterol in your bloodstream and prevent the formation of plaques on the walls of blood vessels. The nuts may also be used to create vodka.

If you plan to collect pine nuts, they should come from windfallen cones- from the ground, not taken from the tree... you see, they must be fully ripened seeds as they are the ones with the highest nutrient and oil content. The nuts should not be removed from the cones until you are ready to press the oil. Apparently, nuts can stay inside the cones and their vitality may be retained for 10 years or more. Nuts should be shelled manually with a wooden mallet and the kernels should not come into contact with any metal. Metal will oxidize the oil and reduce its healing properties). Oil should be produced at room temperature, without any chemicals and with the appropriate attitude. The residue may be dried and ground to produce ‘flour’.

Throughout the centuries both the material and spiritual culture of the Urals and Siberia inhabitants were strongly associated with a Cedar tree. The Kazaks who inhabited the Urals used to call a Cedar tree a “Siberian Giant”. The peasants from Tobolsk region named Cedar as a “Sacred Tree”. Nowadays Cedar is still considered as the “Tsar” of Siberia, a wonder tree, a patriarch of Northern forests. The Siberian Cedar has become a national pride of Russia.

According to ancient books, God created Cedar to accumulate cosmic energy. It is believed that a small piece of a Cedar tree possesses much more energy than all power equipments on earth that have ever been made by people. All cedar trees that grow on earth are meant to perform a special task of accumulating the energy of Cosmos.

People have been aware of the healing properties of Siberian Cedar Nut Oil for a long time. In 1792 academician P. S. Pallas wrote about the nuts of the Siberian cedar that rejuvenates “a man’s strength” and gives him youth and produces amazing results in increasing the resistance to any diseases. Russian Siberian Cedar nuts were exported to England and other countries as early as the reign of Ivan the Terrible.

The first documented mention of cultivated Siberian cedars in the European part of Russia dates back to the second half of the XVI century, when the Tolgskaya cedar grove was laid out near Yaroslavl, 8 km from the city. This grove was located on the left bank of the Volga, 300 m from the shore, on the territory of the former Tolgskaya Monastery, which was constructed in 1314.

From a 2006 article in the Saint Peterburg English Newspaper

“The lifetime of a Siberian Cedar tree (which is of the pine nut family) is about 550 years. Day and night it catches and accumulates all spectrum of light energy through all of its needle like leaves. During the Cedar’s lifetime, all kinds of objects are passing over it, reflecting this energy. Cedars are said to receive the emanation of man’s energy, reflected through the Cosmos. It preserves and gives the light energy back to the Cosmos when the Cosmos’s level goes down, as a result of such light energy going down in man.

It happens, though very seldom, that a cedar tree just accumulates light energy but does not give back this accumulated energy to the Cosmos. When such energy accumulated cedars are about five hundred years old they start to ring, thus they are trying to communicate. They give a welcome sign, inviting man to use their energy on Earth for good purposes. Such a cedar produces a ringing sound for three years if it does not come into contact with people. After these three years, if it fails to give its accumulated light energy directly to man, it loses the energy by burning it within itself. The torturous process of burning-dying lasts for about 27 years.

Thus when indigenous people find such a ringing cedar they endeavour to ‘fell’ it and use it for good purposes within mankind. One such purpose is making ringing cedar pendants.”

I understand that if you plan to wear a pendant made of Siberian Cedar, it is important to be aware of the direction of the wood fibres. The fibres should be parallel to the wearer’s body so that it will resonate with that person’s electromagnetic field. Handmade items are substantially more powerful than commercially made items.

Siberian cedars may be used to produce a cedar milk that some believe could replace much of the present day dependence on both cow’s milk and/or soya milk.

Trees provide a natural outdoor instrument. As branches and leaves shake, they cause vibrations in the surrounding air. the faster the object moves, the higher will be the pitch that is heard. The sound of wind rustling in the leaves is called “psithurism"... which is kind of interesting if you figure that Parrots are known as psittacines and psittacopes is an extinct genus of parrots and Psithyrus is a subgenus in the bumblebee genus Bombus.

Tree sounds are unique
to those who stop and listen.
The willow has been likened to a flute,
the pine to a violin.

New Canadian mortgage rules take effect April 19. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has announced tighter lending standards for mortgages a move he said was needed to “help prevent negative trends from developing.”

Recently, the Vanier institute announced that in 2009, household debt in Canada rose to record levels, with almost two-thirds of families reporting that they would be in financial trouble if their pay cheques were just one week late. Vanier found that the number of mortgage payments more than 90 days in arrears jumped 50% last year. Many economists argue that this figure has been seriously skewed by the Alberta housing boom.

It’s all about the people, not the houses. The Bank of Canada says, "In the Bank of Canada's view, it is premature to talk about a bubble in Canadian housing markets. Recent house price increases do not appear to be out of line with the underlying supply/demand fundamentals.”

The Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals says, “The bottom line from the simulations is that even though mortgage payments will probably rise for most borrowers, the increases in incomes will more than offset the increased mortgage payments."

Scotia Capital tells us, “"We expect housing demand will remain strong through the key spring sales season as buyers attempt to pre-empt the inevitable rise in interest rates, and improving labour markets bolster confidence”

“There are no definitive signs of a housing bubble,” Mr. Flaherty said. “We think we're being proactive in the three steps we're taking today.”
In fact, many lenders have already been practicing the measures that have been outlined by Flaherty and it isn’t that much of a surprise. The three basic changes are as follows:

• Borrowers will need to meet qualifying standards for a five-year fixed rate mortgage (even if they opt for a lower rate and shorter term.) This is in order to prepared buyers for the inevitable interest hikes.

• The maximum Canadians can withdraw in refinancing mortgages will now be 90 per cent of the value of their property (currently 95 per cent).

• A minimum down payment of 20 per cent will be required for government-backed insurance on properties purchased on speculations (the owners do not intend to occupy the home).

We haven’t seen much speculative buying in a while, anyway... and there has been recent news that The Bank of Canada's pledge to keep interest rates at the current level will end by June 30th.

Overall, Canada's real estate market remains healthy and strong and the Canadian Real Estate Association predicts that the average price for a home will rise to $337,550 CAN this year, a 5.4% increase from 2009.

Fabian and I were sad to learn that Phil Harris, 53, from the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" has passed away after complications from a stroke he suffered in January- while the crew were offloading crab in Alaska.

Captain of the Cornelia Marie for 18 years, Harris' boat (The Cornelia Marie) is one of a few boats that have been rigged with cameras since 2005 treating fans to a taste of the brutal perils of opilio crab fishing on the Bering Sea.

Since the earliest days of the show, Phil Harris has caught our attention. Big, burly, rusty-voiced and down to earth, Harris could be salty, wrangling the sea with a vigilant eye on the safety of his crew which has included his two sons, Josh and Jake. As Captain Phil said recently on a Larry King episode, "There's a lot goes on out there besides crab fishin'"

One season, his boat was plagued with propeller problems and there was an issue in one main engine, not to mention that Captain Phil faced ongoing medical problems- culminating in a serious crisis from a 2008 hurricane that launched him from his bed, breaking bones and causing a serious blood clot. He has to leave his boat. It was awful!

Through the seasons, we've watched Captain Phil Harris with fascination. Balancing business acumen with a straight shooting attitude, fierce passion and working without sleep, with broken ribs in some of the most dangerous conditions. His love of the sea, devotion to family and loyalty to friends and colleagues was obvious. He was always up for a good practical joke, too. In one interview, Phil said "The pranks – they’re all good, it just depends on who you’re doing them to! The one we did with Sig was funny because he’s Norwegian and I was trying to think of something rare. We’ve put toilets in pots, we’ve dressed a mannequin in rain gear and put him in the pots. It just goes on and on – it’s just endless that we do back and forth. That was probably one of the funniest ones though."

One can only imagine how much you need to have a good laugh to break the serious climate of the frigid sea life. Captain Phil confessed to being scared 3 times in his 33 years on the sea, "I’ve been scared on the water about 3 times in my career, and every one is a bit different but equally scary. We were at the Pribilofs and it was blowing in the area of 150-175 knots, maybe 100 foot seas. We came off a comber and there wasn’t any water on the other side and the boat just free fell about 100 feet. The boat weighs around 700 tons, so it just blasted all of us. It just ripped things off the walls inside the boat — the microwave and stereo went flying, dishes all over the place. We blew off one of our rudders too, and all the alarms were going off. We didn’t know if we’d punctured a hole in the boat or what. We were sideways at this point in 100 foot seas, We got it spun around and I knew I’d done something to the boat because it wouldn’t steer properly. It took a few minutes to get all the alarms shut off. Guys were checking the engines in the engine room to find out if there was structural damage. At that point we were going the same direction as the seas and the waves were so big that I was just terrified. A friend called to see how it looked and for 4 hours, I didn’t even turn around to look. I knew if I did, it would probably give me a heart attack. It was just too big."

He's also said, “You’ve got to be a little twisted to do this job and you have to like to live on the edge.”

Uh huh. Still, we've watched each season and always look forward to seeing Phil Harris. We've rooted for him during illness, disaster, weather and quotas. We've watched him in interviews, exhibiting a frank sense of humility, love for his friends and family, and a warm sense of comaraderie. Captain Phil was someone you wished you knew, personally. He was so real.

I would like to share a couple more quotes from the captain...

At the end of a Discovery Channel 2008 online live chat:

"I want to thank every single person that was on here tonight that supports me, takes time out from what they’re doing to even care. I guess that’s one of the best perks of this whole job is having people like you guys to sit down and talk with. Sometimes there’s some really interesting stuff. Especially thanks to the people that sent gifts and cards. It doesn’t get better than that. I’m a fortunate guy to have people do that. It’s a very neat feeling and something that I’ll always hold dear to me, if after this is all said and done, the show goes away and we’re just back doing our thing this is something I can reflect on that was pretty damned cool. I want to thank everybody, that means more to me than anything.

There’s a couple people I would like to thank that have been great and without them, this whole thing wouldn’t have been possible for me, Bonnie Rasmussen and Skip, and my manager Russ, and my partner on the crab boat. Everybody else, I could start naming names but we’d be here all night. Bonnie is exceptionally dear to me, just the sweetest thing in the world. Laura and the people who take care of my T-shirts and Roger from Kicker have been nice to me and helped me through tough times when I was sick. I want to thank them. Especially Bonnie, she’s a sweet lately and she does great work for me."

and in another interview, when asked about what lesson he hoped he'd given his boys, Phil Harris said, "I don’t know if there’s one lesson, but in general, if I died tonight and was gone, I hope they’d have the integrity to do what they say, be honest, and do honest work for an honest wage and not short change themselves or anyone else. To be honest about how they live and work. Don’t sidestep things or try to cut corners. Do an honest hard job, and do it to the best of their ability."

Dec. 21, 1956- Feb. 10, 2010
Bon Voyage Captain Phil
Rest in Peace

Originally broadcast January 8, 2010 on CBC-TV "Grow Up Coverup" with Erica Johnson and Mike Holmes, of Holmes on Homes, who in 2006 was recognized in Canada’s House of Commons for his promotion of skilled trades and for his advocacy for improved building standards.

Mike Holmes lives by a very simple motto: "Make It Right". He believes in that slogan so strongly that he has it tattooed on his right arm.

I've had a crush on Mike Holmes for an awfully long time... way way way before he received that marriage proposal from Ellen DeGeneres.

I've been a fan since I first saw the man that a 2006 Calgary Herald writer described as, "... big and he wears overalls with a sleeveless undershirt, a gold chain, bracelets and an earring. He has tattoos and a spiky brush cut."

Back, also in 2006, Mike Holmes wrote an article for the Toronto Globe and Mail: "Inspections need closer scrutiny" in which he said:

When buying an existing home, it's a good idea to also buy some peace of mind by first having it looked over by an independent professional, to make sure it's as good as it looks. The first person buyers often look for is a certified home inspector, and often your real estate agent will recommend one.

But keep these points in mind: Your real estate agent wants to make a sale. The amount of your real estate agent's commission is also based on the final price. Your home inspection report can be used to renegotiate or lower the final price. It's not impossible to imagine some home inspectors turning a blind eye to certain problems, in order to keep the selling price up and a good relationship with the realtors who give them referrals. You might start to see why it's best to have a separation between these two parties, the realtor and the home inspector. There could be a conflict of interest and you need to have independent, unbiased advice.

and

If you want to know if the house you are thinking about buying is safe and sound, spend time looking for your own certified home inspector, or hire licensed contractors. Not only can they tell you that the house “looks right,” but they can verify with a higher level of certainty that it “is right.” Whether it's electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing or even mould evaluation, a licensed contractor is qualified to make sure it meets proper building code and safety guidelines.

A licensed contractor can offer two valuable bits of information: Does the system meet minimum building code standards? If the answer is “no,” what will it cost to bring the home up to safe standards? This is real information you can use for renegotiating the final price — the right price — of the home. Hiring a licensed contractor maximizes your chances of getting a fair and unbiased evaluation, not just a surface inspection.

As a real estate professional, if my clients ask me to recommend an inspector, I give them a handful of choices. I want them to hear the truth. In fact, I try to get my seller's to have one done, so they can get their home up to snuff before listing. I haven't had one do it, yet. Still, I try.

I can only hope that home inspectors don't fudge any information on my account. I am an honest person and I expect honest, professional service.

Back in 2007, Holmes was interviewed on MarketPlace by Wendy Mesley in "How Not to Get Nailed" about unsavory "contractors" and their shoddy, if not criminal and crooked renovations.

I watch all of his shows. I believe in Mike Holmes.

I have often wondered about "home inspections" and "home inspectors". The trend began as a consumer service in the early 1970's. The Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI) was formed in 1982 and OAHI (The Ontario chapter) in 1984. Their website www.oahi.com is interesting.

The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.) website says:

Home inspectors and related industry and consumer groups consider a home inspection to be a worthwhile part of the resale process for the following key reasons:

•It provides the buyer with a list of repairs including time frames and other recommendations.
•It discloses conditions not readily apparent or understood by a non-technical buyer, or that may have been misrepresented.
•It reduces the liability of the realtor and meets the realtor’s need to disclose material facts and act in their client’s best interests.

Mike Holmes has a home inspection service. He is also back with a home inspection television program and if you have:

- Purchased a home in the past 18 months in the Toronto area.

- Used a Home Inspection Service before purchase

- A written Home Inspection Report

- Found issues with their home that were not accounted for in the inspection report.

visit http://makeitright.ca/Mike_Holmes_Online/Home_Inspection_Stories.php

They may want your story!

"NB Career Surf" has published an interview with Mike Holmes. His answer to the question: What do you love most about your job? was "I love being in construction and I have had many rewarding experiences. Helping families improve their homes is one of the most rewarding parts of my job."

Helping families with their homes is a very rewarding part of my job, too.

A MarketPlace Blog, after the recent airing of the piece on home inspectors that featured Mike Holmes, offers this advice:

Since hiring a home inspector is not equivalent to a warranty, and inspector liability is usually limited to the fee you paid or a similar amount, you could be stuck with repair costs above that. The financial stakes could be high if you rely on an inspection that turns out to be incomplete, so here are some questions to help you inspect your home inspector beforehand:

What kind of experience do they have? If the inspector doesn't have much of an answer, that's a big red flag. Experience and the right kind of training is key, since even if someone is an engineer, it doesn't mean they are qualified to inspect a home.

Can they provide references? A large, satisfied client base is always a good sign. Get as many as possible from the inspector and call them all.

Are they independent? A home inspector is there to offer an unbiased assessment, and shouldn't be part of any construction or homebuilder group or offer repair services themselves.

What kind of equipment do they use? A pen and paper are simply not enough. Do they bring binoculars, a ladder, or an infrared camera? A thorough inspection includes hard-to-reach places like the roof and chimney.

Can you follow them around during the inspection? A good inspector will encourage you to take part and will clearly communicate any serious problems, and not bury them in a checklist.

Some things to think about:

Ontario's rural population has risen by about 450,000 people (33 per cent) since 1971… and it continues to rise.

Rural areas account for over 95% of land in Ontario.

Ontario has the smallest proportion of rural populations of all Canadian provinces and territories, but the second largest in numbers (1.5 M). Still, it was one of only three provinces to experience rural population growth between 1996 and 2001.

Rural and small town residents have a more polarized age structure (and therefore a higher dependency ratio) with slightly higher proportions of the population falling within the lowest (children) and highest (seniors) age categories.

Residents in these areas have concerns and perspectives that are particular to living in the rural area of the province. These include: agriculture, transportation, policy issues, rural business, service-delivery, line fences, animal husbandry, the use of ATV's, snowmobiles, firearms and communication.

Rural is home to fewer newer Canadians and its residents generally tend to have lower incomes than those living in urban areas.

Rural has a rich and diverse heritage and an abundance of natural resources. It is a significant driver of the economy and the well being of all citizens. Our rural communities are significant to the health and vitality of the province.

While agriculture has been the traditional economic driver in rural Ontario, the rural economy has evolved into a diverse economic system. The population base has also changed to include a greater number of non-farm rural residents who either work in their community or commute to larger urban centres. Statistics show that while non-farmers make up 85 per cent of the province's rural population- there are 57,000 farms in Ontario and they account for about ¼ of the countries agricultural revenues.

Also, Ontario contains 17% of the countries forests (about 2% of the world’s forests)… and over 250,000 lakes and numerous rivers and streams- which accounts for a significant amount of the world’s fresh water resources.

The ability of rural residents to integrate and seek greater economic ties to non-traditional industries has risen with the expansion of the information economy and the development of telecommunications technology.

Many rural residents have made the conscious choice to live rurally and most of them know all about the advantages of living in a country setting- they've known them for a long time.

There are over one million people living in eastern Ontario. Over three quarters of which live in Ottawa along the Ottawa River to the north. The rural part of eastern Ontario has over 600 small towns, villages, hamlets, and settlements. In the rural part of Ottawa, about 5% live on farms, 53% in country lot subdivisions and scattered lots, and 42% live in one of the 26 villages.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Finance, the population of eastern Ontario is expected to grow to 1,526,790 by 2031, based on 1999 post-censal population estimates. The proportion of seniors in eastern Ontario is expected to grow at a greater rate than other areas of Ontario due to the wealth of health care amenities in the area and a preference to settle in bedroom communities . In Ontario, the population age 65 and over more than doubled from 1.6 million or 12.8 per cent of the population in 2005 and will climb to 3.6 million or 22 per cent in 2031.

The country or rural lifestyle remains a popular choice for Ontarians… and as for real estate prices, in most rural areas they remain far more stable than those in urban centers.

According to a recent poll by Nanos Research, Canadians are four times more likely to expect the economy to improve in the next six months, with 49% saying so compared with only 12% who expect it to worsen.

"A key driver for the optimistic mood relates to perceptions of real estate," Nanos said in a release accompanying its survey.

"Canadians are six times more likely to say the value of real estate in their neighbourhoods will increase (46%) in the next six months compared to those who say it will decrease (7.6%)."

Canadians are confident housing prices won't drop even though they remain nervous about economic stability. "Canadians clearly believe that the worst of the recession is behind them and that the real estate market is on the path to sustainable recovery," says Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage.

Certainly, Canada's leading economic indicators show positive growth for the first time in two years.

However, the miraculous rebound in Canada's real estate markets continues to fuel speculation about whether a bubble is forming and a small, but growing minority of experts is now warning of a more severe real estate bust in Canada.

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney says excessive household debts pose the biggest threat to the recovery… people are taking on too much credit.

Carney says Canadians have been taking advantage of low interest rates and borrowing at a high rate. He warned banks and homeowners about the consequences they could face in the event of an interest rate increase.

"The combination of sustained growth of household debt relative to income and a rising interest rate environment could increase the vulnerability of households to an adverse shock," Carney told a business audience in Toronto.

There is already some indication that Canadians are mismanaging their debt, he said.

CIBC World Markets says that less than 4 percent of households are vulnerable to a rate shock, not the 5.9 percent predicted by the central bank.

Economist Sheryl King of Bank of America Securities-Merrill Lynch said there's no bubble yet but, citing variable-rate mortgages, acknowledged the seeds are there.

In a note titled “It's beginning to look a lot like a bubble,” Douglas Porter of BMO Nesbitt Burns said recently: “Before officially declaring this a Bubble with a capital B, we would again painstakingly point out that the reported price change is skewed by the surge in Vancouver and Toronto sales, two of the priciest markets.”

Porter also says, “We are on the bubble of a bubble. We could see a bit of a buying frenzy this spring followed by a pop in 2011. This will be but the first in a string of China style gains for Canadian home sales and prices,” Porter, of course, comparing the situation to that in China where the government is taking measures to cool the country's real estate market.

In a recent Globe and Mail column, economist David Rosenberg, chief strategist at Toronto-based Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc., raised the spectre of a Canadian housing bubble that is on the verge of collapse. He figures prices are 15 to 35 per cent overvalued, based on relative rental rates and incomes.

“Canadians should pay attention”, says Mr. Rosenberg, a former Merrill Lynch economist, who was among the first on Wall Street to warn of a housing-led recession in the United States. He knows what a housing correction looks like.

Relative to income, homes are now less affordable in Canada than they've even been. So while Canada's banks may be financially sound, it appears that homeowners are not following suit. Many appear to be blindly following a path of excessive debt, enticed by low rates.

The ratio of mortgage debt to household incomes in Canada are reported to have recently hit a record 70 per cent, up from 65 per cent a year ago and 40 per cent of homebuyers have opted for short-term, variable-rate mortgages…

Rates will eventually ratchet up… and this may leave some owners facing financial trouble…

Personally, I remember the mid 90s all to clearly… it wasn’t fun having to tell financially strapped cottage owners that they would have to list for 40% of what they had recently paid for their properties- fortunately THAT downslide didn’t last for very long and those who were able to hang on soon gained back their equity.

My advice… do your homework… engage the services of a good Realtor ® don’t get caught overpaying for your cottage or country property and don’t rely on the currently low interest rates to help you carry the costs. Be practical- afterall, that’s what country life is all about!

Carolyn Connolly, was fatally stabbed sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. on Aug. 2, 2008, in the Seaton St. laneway behind her apartment at Dundas and Sherbourne Sts.

Found dead in an alley behind a Sherbourne St. highrise near Shuter St, her bloodied body sprawled on the sidewalk shortly after 7:30 a.m. The alley, which sits behind 191 Sherbourne St., is tree lined and bordered by neat fences and tended gardens.

The autopsy showed Carolyn had been beaten to a pulp and then when she was on the ground, unable to defend herself anymore, she was stabbed multiple times in her heart.

Later, it was discovered that Carolyn's screams had been so loud they could be heard for three blocks.

Police said Connolly was wearing black pants, a blue top with thin straps and red flip-flops embedded with rhinestones.

Connolly, 54, was an Ojibwa woman originally from Curve Lake First Nation, near Peterborough. Connolly was a mother and grandmother, but also a surrogate mom to dozens of girls on the street, helping to steer them away from drugs and into housing.

It is quite likely -- unreported until now -- that Carolyn Connolly's killer or killers are walking around today with a souvenir trophy from their kill, a pendant that Carolyn Connolly always wore on the key chain around her neck that was a gift from her young grandson.

When she was found, the 54-year-old grandmother and crack addict had nothing on her body: No money, no cigarettes and no house keys, and this despite the fact she always carried her keys on a neck chain that had a miniature pink shoe on it, and a medallion that read, "I love Ryan."

It is quite likely that Carolyn Connolly's killer or killers are walking around today with a souvenir trophy from their kill, a pendant that Carolyn Connolly always wore on the key chain around her neck that was a gift from her young grandson.

There is a brief Metro Most Wanted sequence you can view at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsOi6NfgqQE

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Michael Barsky at 416-808-7422,
Detective Peter Code at 416-808-7393, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS
(8477), or online at www.222tips.com.

Toronto Murders 2008:

Jan. 1: Stefanie Rengel, 14, Denvale Rd.-Northdale Blvd. According to a police source, the city's first murder victim of '08 was ordered stabbed in the stomach by a 17-year-old boy out of "jealousy" from his 15-year-old girlfriend.


Jan. 12: John O'Keefe, 42, Yonge and Bloor Sts. The father of a nine-year-old boy is hit by a stray bullet late at night as he walks toward the subway just outside the Brass Rail strip club.


Jan. 17: Hou Chang Mao, 47, Gerrard St.-Broadview Ave. No arrests have yet been made in the killing of Hou, who was gunned down while stocking fruit outside the Fu Yao Supermarket.

Jan. 24: Shawn McLean, 22, Jane St.-Wilson Ave. Found in front of a church with no pulse, paramedics revive McLean -- who was shot in the neck -- yet he dies in hospital two days later with his mother by his bedside.

Feb. 1: Tyler Roulston, 18, and Adrian McFarlane, 19, Brimley Rd.-Eglinton Ave. E. A gun-and-knife fight at a highrise complex leaves two men dead and one critically injured. Autopsies confirm Roulston was shot to death and McFarlane died of stab wounds.

Feb. 17: Tristan Wright, 23, Neilson and Finch Aves. Police believe dozens of witnesses saw the unsolved killing of Wright, who was shot several times in the head outside a weekend house party in Scarborough.

Feb. 23: Jonathan Rodrigues, 21, Lawrence Ave. E.-Markham Rd. Police said Rodrigues was answering the door of a friend's east-end bungalow when several men started a confrontation and shot him dead.

Feb. 23: Xin Lei Huang, 40-days-old, Queen-Bathurst Sts. Cops charge the newborn's 38-year-old mother with second-degree murder, but it is later dropped when her confession is deemed unreliable in court and no definitive cause of death is found.

Feb. 25: Edyta Lewandowski, 32, Danforth Ave.-Main St. Picking up her two-year-old, Lewandowski is shot in the head near the door of her estranged husband's Morton Rd. home. Three months later, the man is charged with first-degree murder.

Feb. 28: Felicia Hosany, 51, Wilson Heights Blvd.-Sheppard Ave. W. Hosany dies of suffocation inside her flower shop when burglars completely wrap her head in duct tape. Police said the murder was likely a robbery gone awry.

March 14: Abdikarim Ahmed Abdikarim, 18, Lawrence Ave. W.-Allen Rd. Cameras catch the entire murder of the son of a former Somali soccer star, who was gunned down when a man approached his group of friends and opened fire, wounding five others in the shootout.

March 18: Ranjdida Khairi, Dundas St. W.-The West Mall. A 60-year-old man was arrested at the bloody murder scene of a mother of five grown children. Reports suggest her throat had been slashed.

March 18: Sasha Haroutiun, 35, Dundas St. E.-Carlaw Ave. After being shot in the stomach, Haroutiun crawls back into his apartment to call 911, but dies shortly after arriving at St. Michael's Hospital.

April 17: Joseph Samai, 29, Dupont St.-Lansdowne Ave. Following 28 murder-free days in the city, Samai is stabbed repeatedly in the upper torso with a hunting knife. He dies later in hospital.

April 24: Ricardo Erik Kelly, 22, Markham Rd.-Eglinton Ave. E. A highrise fight breaks out just after midnight and Kelly is fatally stabbed in the hallway outside his 20th-floor apartment.

April 30: Ronald Koci, 47, Keele St.-Junction Rd. A roominghouse tenant was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Koci, who is knifed to death just before midnight.

May 4: Mahamed Adbi Warsame, 16, Markham Rd.-Eglinton Ave. E. Just 10 days after another man is fatally stabbed in the same building, Warsame, a Grade 11 student, is beaten to death inside the complex's ninth-story stairwell.

May 17: No name released, 70, and no name released, 46, Don Mills Rd.-Eglinton Ave. E. After finding three bodies in a house destroyed by a North York fire, police conclude a grisly double murder-suicide has taken place. Before dying of smoke inhalation, cops allege a 41-year-old man stabbed his wife through the heart and then strangled her mother. The names of the three were not released to protect the identity of a three-year-old child, left orphaned by the crime.

May 28: Tina Picoulas, 19, Rexdale Blvd.-Hwy. 27. Found dead in a room at the Comfort Hotel, the teenaged stripper's death is initially ruled accidental. Months later, on Aug. 27, the Coroner's Office finds the Niagara Falls girl was murdered.

May 28: Shammal Ramsay, 19, Sewells Rd.-McLevin Ave. Witnesses said they saw Ramsay walking down the street with his killer as if everything was normal before the gunman stepped in front of the teen, turned and riddled him with bullets.

May 28: Levis Taylor, 17, Kennedy Rd.-Sheppard Ave. E. In hysterics near the crime scene of a gunned-down teen, Carol Taylor calls her son's cellphone in hopes the boy dead on the pavement is not hers. When the phone rings, she faints and is hospitalized before having to ID the body.

May 30: O'Neil Dockery, 35, Victoria Park and Eglinton Aves. E. The father of a baby girl was shot in the head after an argument with his killer, just inside the back door of his East York townhouse.

June 13: Dylan Ellis and Oliver Martin, both 25, Richmond and Bathurst Sts. Sitting in a parked SUV after watching the NBA Finals at a friend's house, the longtime pals from Rosedale are shot dead when an unknown gunman walked up to their vehicle and opened fire, seemingly at random.

June 15: Claudio Andres Alamos, 19, Jane St.-St. Clair Ave. W. Eating a pizza slice around 1:30 a.m., Alamos is shot in the neck while sitting on a steel barrier outside a 2-4-1 Pizza store.

June 22: Ruth Hall, 89, Danforth and Victoria Park Aves. Initially ruled the result of a medical condition, an autopsy determined the great-grandmother died of a head injury at an east-end nursing home.

June 23: Donald Cuthbertson, 74, Danforth and St. Clair Aves. A retired cab driver, Cuthbertson is killed by blunt force trauma to the head after the patio door to his apartment was forced open. His 40-year-old son, who also lived in the unit, was charged with the murder.

July 9: Justin Brunet, 21, Victoria Park and Lawrence Aves. Shot several times, Brunet is left for dead by up to seven males seen fleeing the scene. Amidst rumours of retaliation, the prime suspect in Brunet's murder is shot in the head at close range weeks later.

July 14: William Magill, 64, Yonge St. and St. Clair Ave. The beloved interior designer was stabbed several times following an argument after opening his apartment door to a pair of young men late at night.

July 17: Shazad Khawaja, 17, Finch and Victoria Park Aves. Having been called by someone just before he was shot dead, Khawaja's father, Waheed, said at the time he believed his son was set up by a gang that controls his Mornelle Ct. apartment complex.

July 19: Michael Watson, 28, Sheppard Ave. E. and Kingston Rd. Watson is felled by a gunshot to the head while at The Inner Circle, a restaurant-nightclub at the Abbey Lanes Shopping Centre in Scarborough.

July 20: Adrian Inglis Bannerman, 29, Aaron Brendan Macdonald, 20, and Kurt Atiba, 27, Kipling and Evans Aves. The first of two triple murders this year, the three young men are shot dead while sitting in an SUV by at least two gunmen. Homicide cops said the victims, who were at the Fluid Lounge downtown earlier that night, were followed and ambushed.

July 26: Devon Wynter, 40, Jane St.-Hwy. 401. Gunfire erupted at a dance inside the Disciples Revival Church that left Wynter dead and another wounded. Police said more than 200 bystanders were nearby when the gunman opened fire.

July 26: Dominic Shearer-Hanomansingh, 20, Eglinton Ave. W.-Keele St. Shot in the head at close range by a suspect wearing a bandana. Many speculate Shearer-Hanomansingh's death was in retaliation to Justin Brunet's July 9 murder -- one police concluded the 20-year-old was responsible for.

Aug. 2: Carolyn Connolly, 54, Sherbourne and Shuter Sts. Stabbed several times in a downtown alley, the fatal stab wound pierced the heart of Connolly, who was left sprawled on the ground.

Aug. 3: Katelynn Sampson, 7, Queen St. W.-Lansdowne Ave. In a story that dominated headlines, Sampson is found beaten to death inside a Parkdale apartment, allegedly by her legal guardians. Mourners who attended her open-casket visitation days later said the little girl had been "brutalized."

Aug. 3: Andre Paquet, 45, Dundas Ave.-Kingston Rd. Paquet is stabbed to death at an east-end lowrise apartment complex. Police arrest a suspect days later during a fight at a local bar.

Aug. 10: Ryan St. Christopher Rowe-Reid, 20, McCowan Rd.-Sheppard Ave. E. A gunfight in a Scarborough apartment complex parking lot left the 20-year-old dead, another man wounded and a third on the run.

Aug. 24: Evan Andrew Rouse, 22, Sheppard Ave. W.-Bathurst St. Rouse is found shot to death on a North York bike path behind the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre. "We have no sense of what Evan was doing there," cops said at the time.

Aug. 27: Caxtons Kyeremeh, 19, Markham Rd.-Finch Ave. E. Kyeremeh is found dead of gunshot wounds on Bon Echo Dr. in Scarborough.

Aug. 27: Andre Pelliccione, 42, Lakeshore Blvd.-Cherry St. Cops believe Pelliccione, who was savagely beaten and dumped in an industrial-sized recycling bin, may have been killed up to five days before his body was found.

Aug. 28: Tahmina Yeasmin, 23, Spadina Ave.-Dundas St. W. Pending her autopsy results, it wasn't determined until Nov. 18 that Yeasmin had been strangled. An arrest warrant was issued for a 23-year-old man, who was picked up in London, Ont. a day later.

Sept. 2: Yuan "Tracy" Tian, 31, Bayview and Sheppard Aves. Tian is found in her North York apartment, bound and dead from multiple stab wounds. Cops don't rule out the possibility of a random attack.

Sept. 8: Stephen Barton, 18, Eglinton Ave. W.-Glenhaven St. Standing by a bus stop waiting for the TTC, Barton is shot twice in broad daylight just steps from Gramma's Place Childcare.

Sept. 8: Haleema "Nadia" Kasana, 21, Finch Ave.-Weston Rd. Less than a week after a 31-year-old was bound and stabbed to death, Kasana is found with multiple stab wounds inside her North York apartment.

Sept. 10: Dayne Rose, 29, Hwy. 401-Keele St. According to witnesses, Rose tried to jump out of his car along the traffic-congested highway, but was pulled back in by a gunman and shot to death.

Sept. 16: William Junior Appiah, 18, Jane St.-Finch Ave. W. Cops said Appiah, a reputed drug dealer, was shot down on a basketball court just across from the Driftwood Community Centre.

Sept. 16: Daniel Boakye, 19, Sheppard Ave. E.-Kennedy Rd. After a fight with two men, Boakye is stabbed to death outside his Scarborough apartment building.

Sept. 22: Darnell Grant, 31, Jane St.-Finch Ave. W. The father of a four-year-old daughter, Grant is gunned down by two men on Driftwood Ct., less than a week after an 18-year-old was killed in the same neighbourhood.

Oct. 3: Boris Cikovic, 17, Royal York Rd.-Eglinton Ave. W. With a group of friends, Cikovic is approached by three or four gunmen who demand he give up his backpack. He was then shot dead trying to get it back, his parents said later.

Oct. 7: Chi Ngu Ngo, 47, Hwy. 27-Major Mackenzie Dr. Remains of the North York father of three are found in Vaughan, the victim of "foul play," police said. Cops are forced to identify the man by his fingerprints.

Oct. 9: Burrell Bennett, 26, Wilson Ave.-Jane St. Bennett, a father of a three-year-old girl who was not known to police, was shot in the parking lot of the Sheridan Mall in North York. Bennett dies two days later in hospital.

Oct. 11: George Ngo, 22, Bathurst St.-Queens Quay. Ngo is killed along with Colman Leung, also 22, when their minivan is driven at high speeds into Lake Ontario. Ngo, a passenger in the van, dies trying to swim to shore in what police rule an apparent murder-suicide.

Oct. 13: Susan John, 43, and Saramma Varughese, 65, Meadowvale Rd.-Sheppard Ave. E. Varughese was allegedly being raped by her 31-year-old neighbour when John, her daughter, ran in to help her. After a violent struggle, both women are stabbed to death.

Oct. 14: Andre Moore, 27, Eglinton Ave. E.-Markham Rd. Moore, who police said shot and wounded a cop in 2001, is blasted in the head by a gunman inside a blue Honda Civic.

Oct. 25: Bailey Zaveda, 23, Leslie and Queen Sts. Just out for a cigarette at the Duke of York Tavern in Leslieville, Zaveda is a bystander in gunfire that takes her life and wounds five others.

Oct. 26: Gary Anthony Mitchell, 31, Sheppard Ave. W.-Bathurst St. Mitchell was found shot to death inside his 2006 Infiniti by a North York neighbour out walking her dog.

Nov. 19: Richard Delong, 38, Wanda Delong, 64, and Elizabeth Tompkins, 44, Markham and Ellesmere Rds. A grisly domestic violence case that rocked a Scarborough neighbourhood, autopsies confirmed Keith Delong killed his wife, son and daughter with a knife before shooting himself dead. The bodies were discovered by Elizabeth's common-law husband, James Tompkins, who found a note tacked to the Welwyn Ave. home's front door saying, "Do not enter. Call police."

Nov. 23: Miksa "Max" Fischer, 83, Rathburn Rd.-The West Mall. The elderly man was found beaten in the west-end home he shared with his wife, Carmen. His son, David, was charged with manslaughter.

Nov. 26: Youssef Faad, 22, Victoria Park and Lawrence Aves. Toronto cops believe the young man was ambushed as he arrived home to his family's Scarborough highrise, where he was shot after a confrontation with two men.

Dec. 3: Richard Clements, 72, 10th St.-Lakeshore Blvd. A "nice ... lovely man," neighbours said, Clements was found stabbed in his west-end apartment around lunch time.

Dec. 6: Zdenka Praljak, 53, Keele St.-Eglinton Ave. W. Police answered a 911 call from the victim's mother to find Praljak dead from a stab wound to the chest. Her husband, Mladen, was charged with her murder and held under police guard in hospital with "self-inflicted injuries to his arms," cops said.

Dec. 25: Kurt Gonsalves, 49, Birchmount Rd.-Eglinton Ave. E. A night of heavy drinking ended in a murder when one of three friends allegedly snapped, beat his friend to death and stomped a second man who tried to stop the assault.