Day 244
2795 Hanover
Road, Columbia, Illinois
We
had a run in the business of real estate for some many years at one time. I got
into remodeling and new construction along the journey and we even bought and
sold un-developed raw land, on occasion. I was fortunate enough to participate
in one astounding deal involving four separate properties which spawned an
aggregate gross dollar value over $1.1 million. Of course, I had some partners
in that transaction who each took a “cut” and the good ole bank got their
“loan” back---in full…with interest. Beggars can’t be choosers! That truism
hurts! Badly!
During
that short-lived reign, I was driving down Hanover Road one fine day and
noticed a “For sale” sign in a field. Research, along with some tenacious
negotiating and the acquisition of several “investors” as mentioned above,
resulted in a 31-acre land purchase. Visiting the court house led to an
assigning of the 2795 Hanover Road address designation. Voila! Done deal.
I
built a house on this spectacular property, dug a pond between the new domicile
and the road so that the house would reflect on the water to passing vehicles
on the road and at night the lights of the home would manage the very same
result. In all, I built three ponds on this property.
I
reckon nearly everybody “dreams” of that mansion
somewhere down the road---someday!?
Well!
Sir! This house qualified---in Spades! Are you sure you want a …big house?
I
thoroughly enjoyed that property, the woods, the yard, pasture, trees, ponds,
reflections; we target practiced off the cedar deck and Z. Tyler got his first
.22 rifle; such a “good” shot, he was.
We
fished and ice skated and swam in the pond. Life
is good! And, we made the most of
it.
But,
my “gypsy”-blood would not be denied---I sold
that prestigious estate…well? Sort of!?
For
that piece of land and the improvements, we acquired three other properties and
a truck load of cold, hard cash! Literal---Coup-of-the-century…for
a “poor” kid starting with nothing.
Never
doubt the “Possible” of
America---it’s true…I am a living example of her “Good!”
If “Worry &
Fear” hold you back---get a mirror to see up close…the problem and the
solution! These evil twin-stepsisters are self-inflicted “cancer”.
Rebuke/refuse their influence.
Your
“gift” is 84,600 seconds in each day; spend them---wisely, but…spend them all!
We
purchased our 214+ acre farm after that deal, then added another 80 acres plus
one more parcel, 73 acres. The last two acquisitions came in the six months
prior to our infamous move to the Great Northwest and adventures in sacred
Oregon-country.
Once a gypsy?---Well!...you get
the picture!
Oh!
Yeah! That Mansion? One night about 2
a.m., I got up for a drink of water. On my trek of some 90 feet to the kitchen,
and particularly, on my 90 foot journey back to bed, it suddenly dawned on this
thick-headed mind that I did not
want to be an elite nor live like the rich and famous. They live just like the
rest of us---only their problems are bigger…their lives empty!
My
simple/humble core value-personality
eschews such faux impression! I reckon that’s true!
That
early morning epiphany caused me to wish for a bicycle before another distant
foray!
Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “Gypsy-blood!” Memories!
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