House By The Road

My loving wife Laurie has the neatest little cross-stitched sampler in an old frame. It's old, because everything we have in our home has been used, forgotten and then placed in a random antique shop. Then her keen eye spies it and home it comes.

The quote in the stitching reads, "Let me live in the house by the side of the road and be a friend to man". I suppose that's what we are all about really. We live out in the country and we see our nearest neighbor once or twice a month. We welcome any weary traveler whether he be passing through to Tahoe or just needing a place to rest. The coffee pot is quickly rinsed out and a fresh pot of Dark Roast is soon wafting from the kitchen. Tea is not out of reach either as Laurie enjoys a cup or two as well.

This house by the road was built by yours truly with the help of some very dear friends. The help came in different forms though, some was physical, some was monetary and some was offered in remarks like, "I don't think I would have done it that way..." Of course being thin-skinned at the time and only 25 years old I took offence immediately, got over it, and when "they" weren't looking I would tear out that wall and start over.

Laurie and I raised three wonderful boys here between visitors coming and going. Occasionally the boys would give up their beds as our ministers would come and stay with us from time to time. At times we have a pile of young people come and stay here and at other similair homes for the big ski weekends. You could say that this house by the road is filling a need.

Well it all sounds so cozy and easy. Cozy for sure. Easy? Not quite. Life's not supposed to be easy; it just doesn't work that way. If it gets too easy we get lazy and let our guard down. Well guess what, we are in a tough spot now. It's not unfamiliar territory, but it seems like we are in for a longer stretch this time. Jobs are drying up around the country. Folks are hanging on to their wallets and purses. Spending is way down, and everybody is feeling it. Suddenly the extras aren't so important anymore. It's time to take a look at ourselves. We need to realise it's okay to not have all the goodies. The house by the road is a comforting sight. It's still home.

Lately I've seen some pretty sad situations. Folks have had to turn their backs and drive away from their homes for the last time. Some beautiful places in some incredible settings sitting vacant. The property has gone back to the bank, values have dropped. Terms like foreclosure, short sale and trustee sale are common verbage anymore. It looks bleak.

Opportunity abounds in a market like this! Its time to jump in and get involved in these homes. Values have dropped to levels we thought were only in our memories. I remember thinking my boys were never going to be able to own a home in California. Well guess what? Swift-thinking Mike and Lesa (father and mother-in-law to my oldest son) found a 1600 sq. ft two-story house for $130,000.00. Sweat equity is being poured into it. Orange trees with massive fruit are in the back yard. A fence is up around the property and soon little Charlie Mae will be having a tea party with her dolls in the back. Opportunity has blossomed into a fantastic future. Equity will eventually rise, and in the meantime the kids are living the American dream. Just think, now they can say, " Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man".