A little off topic today my son got married

There are few things that make you sit back and take a look at your life more than life changing events such as wedding. My youngest son, who is also a member of our real estate team took on a bride this weekend. They are starting out just great. They are being conservative in how they live and they are making good plans for their future. I am proud of both of them. And I'm really tired. It was 4 days of family, ceremonies, and more, much more than I normally take in, and a lot later than I normally stay up.

I was reminded of an uncle of mine. He is 85 years old and his wife, my aunt, died about a year ago of alzheimers. As so often happens her last years were not good. My uncle kept her at home and long after she knew who he was, or where she was he took care of her. Eventually he wound of caring for her as if she were an infant. He had to spoon feed her, take her to the restoom, bath her, change her and more. It was an agonizing ordeal for anyone, but especially for a man already in his 80's.

His children went to him to convince him that it would be ok to put her in a care home. He could still see her everyday and the burden would be lessened for him. Plus he could afford it. He looked at them with a quizzical look on his face and simply said, "I made a promise".

I thought of that as I watched my son and his bride exchange their vows. Those vows are often recited and repeated with not enough undestanging put into them. But what's really happening is that two people are guaranteeing one another that no matter what happens in life there is one thing, and one person they can always count on no matter what.

Experience and observation have shown that promise to be hard to keep. But somehow like my other married kids, and my bride of almost 40 years has shown it's not impossible to keep that promse. I wish them well as they start their journey together.

Protect yourself against ticks.

I wanted to remind all of you that this great spring time weather does bring with it the reappearance of ticks. As someone who spends a lot of time in the timber showing property this used to be a really big problem for me. No matter how much Deet, or OFF, or 6-12 I used I almost always had one or more ticks on me when I got home.

Now I don't care how much Irish charm I may have, my bride of almost 40 years is not impressed with a man carrying parasites. She is almost as offended by a man who smells like insect repellent. And even if I wasn't using insect repellent that day I would still smell like it because of what the inside of my truck smelled like.

But a few years ago I found the answer to my problem. There are newer products on the market that are based on a chemical called permethrin. Permethrin is a natural ingredient discovered by the US military that repels insects with no odor. But the biggest difference is that you first put it on your clothes, before you ever go out in the field.

The process is that you select some clothes to be your "timber walking" clothes and you spray them with the product. You allow it to dry and now your clothes will repel insects for up to six weeks even though the clothes have gone through the wash. So I have a couple pair of jeans, all of my white sox, and several white shirts that I wear whenever I know I am going in the timber. I wear white shirts in the timber so I can easily spot any ticks that might get on me.

As you might imagine I felt a little dubious when I first tried this product but the results were amazing and have continued to stay the same. It's simple, when I get home I have no ticks on me. None at all. And I don't smell like insect repellent. There are a couple of tricks to remember. First of all don't put it on your skin. This is meant to be used on your clothes. Also I found that sometimes ticks would be in my truck so I took this product and sprayed it on my seats in my truck and that problem has gone away.

You can find permethrin based products at places like Bass Pro, Cabela's and other similar stores. They come under several trade names "Sawyers" is one that I use. Just always be sure to read the instructions carefully. I think you'll be glad you did.

Now you might think that all of this made it easier for me to get closer to my bride. Well not actually but I am slowly, bit by bit, eliminating excuses. It's just a matter of time I'm sure.

Getting Your Trailer Ready For Hauling

Horse trailers need a spring once-over as well, even if they are stored inside. Dirt, leaves, mouse nests, old hay and debris find their way into trailers like stall shavings to a fleece jacket. For wood floor trailers, remove rubber mats and inspect the floor boards for water damage caused by melting snow or leaks.

Check exposed electrical wires for rodent damage, as they seem to find the plastic coating tasty. It's worth the time and hassle of backing your truck close enought to the trailer to test all electric lights and signals before you actually hook up for your first road trip.

While you're at it, check the inflation of your truck and trailer tires to enhance safety and fuel economy. They have a way of mysteriously flattening just as you are ready to load the first horse, especially if you have friends waiting nearby who are anxious to get on the road.

In addition, while not mechanically imperative, your trailer will be more pleasing to everyone's ears (including your horses) if you oil any old or rusty hinges. Springs is full of moisture, so anything that can become squeaky, does. Various products such as WD40, lithium grease and silicone are available as sprays, and are designed to loosen and lubricate noisy metal connections.

Because spring weather can be ever changing - cold and rainy one day, warm and sunny the next - many inclement days can be used productively by cleaning and organizing the equipment, tack, supplies and tools in your barn. Similar to re-booting a computer, you can begin the new riding season with a fresh slate.

Until next time...............Happy Trails.

URGENT!!!!!! PLEASE READ.

PRESS RELEASE: PLEASE TAKE CAUTION.

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

In a press release today, the National Institute of Health has announced the discovery of a potentially dangerous substance in the hair of horses. This substance, called "Amobacter Equuii" has been linked with the following symptoms in females:

*Reluctance to cook, clean or do any housework
*Reluctance to wear make-up, nice clothes or heels
*Reluctance to spend money on home or car repairs until after "Baby has new shoes, pad, blanket, tack, grain, hay and supplements"
"Amobacter Equuii" usuall results in long hours away from home and exhaustion which may lead to a loss of physical contact with other humans (especially husbands).
"Amobacter Equuii" is thought to be addictive, driving the need for additional sources - this may lead to a "herd mentality" or, like the ptato chip commercial, "you can't have just one".

BEWARE! If you come in contact with a femal human infected by this substance, be prepared to talk about horses for hours.

SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Horses are expensive, addictive and may impair the ability to use common sense.

"Amobacter Equuii" is usually found in females but can occasionally infect males as well.

Until next time.......Happy Trails.

Don't Miss The Tax Credit.

New Tax Credits Benefit Both First Time Buyers and Current Homeowners.

First time homeowners aren't the only ones who can claim a tax credit when they purchase a new home. Now current homeowners can take advantage of the tax break too, if they qualify.

Buyers now have until June 30, 2010, to close on their purchase and will need to submit documentation with their tax returns to claim the credit. Here are the details:

FIRST TIME BUYERS

Credit: Equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price, up to $8,000.

Who Qualifies:
Those who haven't owned property in the last three years
Those with income up to $225,000 for couples and $125,000 for individuals
Must be at least 18 years of age
Purchase price must be $800,000 or less
Deadlines:
Have until April 30, 2010, to enter into contract for a home purchase
Have until June 30, 2010, to close on the purchase

CURRENT HOMEOWNERS

Credit: Equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price, up to $6,500

Who Qualifies:
Those who have owned and lived in their principal residence for at least five consecutive years during the past 8 years.
Those with income up to $225,000 for couples and $125,000 for individuals
Must be at least 18 years of age
Purchase price must be $800,000 or less

Deadlines:
Have until April 30, 2010, to enter into contract for a home purchase
Have until June 30, 2010, to close on the purchase

In addition, buyers have another year to take advantage of the higher loan limit for mortgages backed by the Federal House Administration, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac-set at 125percent of local median home sales prices, up to a maximum of $729,750 in high-cost housing markets. The limit in normal markets will remain $271,050 for FHA and $417,000 for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

What this all means is that many more buyers qualify for a tax credit. So what are you waiting for? If you are even remotely considering buying a home, now is the time to do it.

Time For Spring Cleanup!

This is the first of a five part blog on spring cleanup for horse owners.

Even before the snow melts and the mud dries, horse owners are happily gearing up for warmer weather and solid ground, and a itching to be free of bulky clothes and thick gloves. Now is the time to organize the mess we've made of our barns during the off-season and begin the tasks that signal spring is about to be sprung.

Tackling the Barn

Clean your heated buckets thoroughly. Roll up the safety cords and secure them to the handle and store upside down. I use Clorox Clean Up on my buckets and then rinse.

Remove the stock tank heater. Soak the heating element in white vinegar or lime and rust remover to remove the calcium build up. Store the tank heater with the heated buckets.

Invest in a few plastic "cord holders" for all of your extension cords.

Wash your barn windows. Not only will your horses appreciate the better view, but you won't have to peer through a dirt filter to keep an eye on them.

Eliminate the cobwebs that "grew" over the winter. Even though it is comical to see them on your horses ears, they are a fire hazard.

Next week I will be discussing trailer cleanup. Until then.......HAPPY TRAILS!