Coweta Fayette Real Estate & Newnan Homes for sale blog by Richard Weisser of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

I am what you might call now, an early adopter. I discovered the Internet before the word Internet even existed. On a cold winter's day in 1971 I sent my first email on what was called the Arpanet. That changed my life forever.

In the early 1980's, it was possible to connect to "Information Services" with a speedy 300bps modem and a subscriber account. It was expensive back then, and cutting edge. However, you could send email from one account to another.

I am proud to say that by 1990, I had all of my family "connected" via email, and even more fascinating, we chatted live and in person every Sunday night en masse. Although we were spread out from Pennsylvania to Arizona to Connecticut and Georgia, on Sunday night we were together. I even saved most of the logs of those conversations, and have them to this day.

I lost my father in November 1995. In the last year of his life, I received about 300 emails from him, and I have carefully archived and preserved them. In one of them he indicated that his cancer was terminal, and that he wished for everyone to continue on as though nothing was different.

At some point early on, we even attempted voice over internet, but even at the new and improved 56Kbps, the delay was so long that most of what we heard from each other was laughter!

Is it possible that we invented the first social network? Well, it was a network, and it was definitely social. And it peaked in late 1994 and early 1995. Hmmm I may have to go to Wikipedia and make some editorial adjustments!

This post was inspired by Lenn Harley's feature post: Planning for 2009. Agents and brokers, the time is now. Or, be left in the dust.

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and Lake West Point Lots.

Bob Dylan suggested in lyric that some inexplicable actions of people and society had no real explanation, they just continued to happen.

Every day people rant and rave about issues that are out of their control, and yet they get agitated to the point of having a heart attack. With the elections drawing near, some become so passionate about their candidates that they will spend countless hours agonizing over the possible outcome of the contest.

Many worry about the economy, and wonder why the government is bailing out huge corporations but casting individuals aside like yesterday's garbage. They want answers, and yet none are forthcoming.

There is concern over continued military actions in foreign lands. People are consumed by the staunch stance of intervention, and many ponder the necessity of such an expensive commitment, both in lives and money.

There are those that are puzzled by the lack of availability of gasoline, and can't imagine why this situation is not being treated as an emergency or national disaster. Gasoline is the lifeblood of economic communities, yet it is only being treated only as an inconvenience.

So my suggested solution is this: Whenever you find yourself succumbing to the internal pressure cooker percolating within your being, rather than lash out or rend your garments, offer this phrase over and over until the pain goes away:

The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind. (Bob Dylan)

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate.

There are a lot of stressful circumstances in today's world. The challenge of making a living, the ever rising costs of food and fuel, and an overall decline in the quality of life can easily put a strain on your disposition.

However, there is a place that should be a refuge far away from the pressure of everyday life. Your home should serve as a stress-free zone that is insulated from the effects of the outside world.

To do this, you must take proactive steps to keep a calm and tranquil atmosphere in your residence. Keep work related troubles at the office, and make time available at home for more esoteric pursuits.

The key is to find something that you enjoy doing that has a calming effect. Reading, gardening, crafts, and music can all be very relaxing pursuits.

Conversely, don't do anything that brings destructive emotions into the house.  If you have to deal with stress-inducing issues, try to resolve them before you return to your home.

Make your house a safe haven, and you will be better equipped to handle each day in stride!

Photo: Calwell House, Cataloochee Great Smoky Mountains National Park,  courtesy of SmokyPhotos.com

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

Life in the 21^st Century has become very complicated. As a result of our ingenuity and in an effort to make life easier, tens of thousands of time saving devices have been invented. As a result, we spend more learning to use a multitude of new products than the time we might actually save by using them.

Just think of the things that we did not have 20 years ago: The World Wide Web, GPS navigation, MP3 devices, digital cameras, the Windows operating system, wireless networking and HDTV. Cell phones were in their infancy, and were reserved for those wealthy enough to afford them.

And as soon as we purchase one of these cutting edge technologies, it is supplanted with a later and greater model, making our shiny new purchase obsolete within two years. So everything we had to learn about using the product is also in need of replacement.

There is something both unsatisfying and unsettling about this endless cycle of innovation and obsolescence. There is always an underlying gnawing at the spirit that tugs our consciousness away from the essence of what life really is.

When I was growing up, life was parks and picnics and zoos. It was sandlot baseball and touch football in the street. It was hiking through the woods, building tree houses with scrap lumber and picking up discarded "pop" bottles to carry to the penny candy store. A bottle was worth two cents of candy, and with ten bottles, you would get a sack full of treats.

The highlight of every week was on Sunday, after church and dinner, we would all go to Grandma Weisser's house for a visit and root beer floats. There were twelve of us and often our cousins were there, and grandma's house was very small, but somehow, it never seemed crowded. Instead it emoted only feelings of unfettered joy and happiness.

I would trade my laptop, my GPS, my digital Nikon (gulp) and this plethora of electronic gizmos for just one more root beer float with grandma on a sunny summer Sunday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of SmokyPhotos.com

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

 Lewis Carroll 1872

This is not going to be a directive about what should or should not constitute appropriate content on ActiveRain. Rather, it is intended to reflect some principles of writing in general.

Writing is a form of communication. It is intended to convey some message or meaning from the author to the reader by assembling thoughts and ideas and transposing them into word.

Everyone has hundreds of great thought or ideas every day. The problem is generally deciding not only which concept to set to pen, but also how to construct the language needed to communicate the meaning to the reader.

That is not always easy. Our brains have different areas that handle ideas and cognitive language. So it is not an automatic translation from one arena to the other. It takes practice and honing of skills, and a measuring of the effectiveness of your efforts.

If you are having trouble with subject material for writing, always start from the heart! Your personal experiences are unique to you and are often interesting to others as well. I have found that when I write about my experiences I get the most comments and feedback on my articles. There is some solace, consolation or justification in knowing that others can relate to you and your problems or triumphs.

Write about the people or things that you enjoy the most. Passion is easy to project in words. When you write about something that you are passionate about, the reader can sense your enthusiasm. We all have people and things that are near and dear to us. Our families, our coworkers, our hobbies, our spirituality ... all make excellent subject material for writing.

Use you abilities to teach or mentor others. Sharing your knowledge or expertise is a great way to develop regular readership. Tutorials, how-tos and business tips are generally regarded as very readable. If something works for you, pass it forward and you'll be a hero!

You need to have a regular regimen. Don't wait for inspiration; it may never prod you into action. Better to set goals for yourself and stick to them. It may be helpful to carry a small notepad with you throughout the day and write down topics as they occur to you. Then, when it's time to write, you'll have a starting point from which to proceed.

And finally, use your comments and feedback to help you make the necessary adjustments in your style and content. No feedback or cursory responses probably suggest the material was better left unwritten. Good, thoughtful and numerous comments allude to the fact that a dialog or communication has been initiated. Pay close attention and determine what works for you and what does not. That will go a long way towards making your writing successful!

PS Mandi I hope that you liked this one!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

These early days of fall do something to me. I hate to say that they make me feel lazy, so I'll use the word lethargic.

Thanks to the tropical storms and hurricanes, we have had less daylight lately, and nature is kicked off into fall a little early this year in the south. You can tell that we are on the cusp of a change, and the air is finally a bit cooler.

It makes it hard for me to concentrate on my work. All I can think about is the mountains, photos, and apple cider. It's a strange force that draws me every year. The sense of urgency, the thought that tomorrow it may be too late forces me into action.

So I am cleaning my lenses, studying my trail maps, and watching the web cams. I am ready to spring into action at a moment's notice, but for now, I'll be content with daydreaming!

Photo courtesy of SmokyPhotos.com

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

Welcome to Gatlinburg Tennessee, the gateway to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg is just over a mile from the Sugarlands Visitors Center and offers all of the creature comforts sought after by area travelers.

Gatlinburg offers accommodations of every kind from simple motel rooms, suites, condos and cabins to deluxe upscale mountainside homes with spectacular views and every conceivable amenity.

Gatlinburg also offers a smorgasbord of food options, from fine dining on locally raised trout to fast food. There is truly something for every taste and preference, and choosing can be one of you toughest decisions of the day!

Gatlinburg offers shops and boutiques galore, and you can spend days here without visiting the same store twice. No trip to the Smoky Mountains is complete without an evening spent shopping in downtown Gatlinburg.

Here are some helpful links:

Gatlinburg - Official site of Gatlinburg and the Chamber of Commerce, Start you online research here!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park -  NPS Site.

Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community - Local crafts and regional art.

Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and Convention Bureau.

SmokyPhotos - Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding area!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

We are having an exciting weekend in Newnan Georgia. The county fair is in town, and coincidentally, Friday night was homecoming at Newnan High School.

Both are still pretty big events here. On Thursday evening, the square in downtown Newnan was closed and set aside for a huge pep rally, with music and cheerleaders and hundreds of Cougar loyalists.

The scene could just as easily have taken place in 1958 as 2008, with the beautiful backdrop of historic downtown Newnan and the agenda of rituals the same as they have been for decades.

Meanwhile, just south of town, the County Fair opened at our wonderful fairground complex. Since Coweta County still has plenty of farms, ranches and agricultural areas, the county fair is another event that is very reminiscent of the past. There are 4-H competitions, livestock shows, blue ribbon contests of every kind and a deluxe midway.

It is akin to living on a movie set, with slice of life episodes being depicted before your eyes. Yet it is truly part of the fabric of life here, deeply ingrained and not likely to change any time soon.

It nice to live in a community that still adheres to the old traditions; it's a wonderful connection with the past! And it's something special to pass on to our children. It is Americana at its finest!

Photos: Ferris wheel at the county fair. Below: Pep rally in downtown Newnan.

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

The 2008 Coweta County Fair will be open from September 18-September 27 at the Coweta County Fairground Complex south of Newnan Georgia. The event is sponsored by the Newnan Kiwanis Club Inc, the fair features exhibits, contests, food, entertainment and rides.

Plenty of Parking is available, and admission is $5 per person. Ride tickets are extra. To get there, tale Lagrange Street South towards Moreland and turn right on Pine Road, or take I-85 south to  exit 41, turn right on US 27 and then left on Pine Road. Cross the railroad tracks and the fairgrounds are on the left!

HOURS: Thursdays: 5:00pm - 11:00pm, Fridays: 5:00pm - 12:00 midnight, Saturdays: 12:00 noon - 12 midnight, Sunday: 2:00pm - 9:00pm, Monday - Wednesday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

When ancient man first harnessed the basic concepts of architecture, it was determined early on that sound engineering depended on symmetry. The balanced distribution of the structure's  weight required that diametrically opposed forces be equalized in order to maintain stability.

The random shapes. hues, and forms that occur in nature gave way to the man-made designs incorporating straight lines and opposing arcs. It was a practical method of creating structures that would endure over long periods of time, and it was also aesthetically appealing to the human eye!

When looking for artifacts, one can use symmetry as a basic test to determine if an object is a man-made piece or not.  When we create, we have a tendency to employ symmetry in our design.

Nearly every room in every house ever constructed is symmetrical. Nearly every piece of furniture that we place in our homes is symmetrical. Our plates, forks and spoons are also symmetrical. We have an inborn affinity for symmetry that cannot be denied.

So in a world consisting of juxtaposition and chaos, a little symmetry goes a long way towards defining our uniqueness and humanity. It's built-in characteristic that cannot be overlooked or ignored.

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

If you enjoy Americana at it finest, then Newnan Georgia should be on your short list of places to consider for relocation.

Newnan is the County Seat of Coweta County, Georgia, and it is known as the "City of Homes." During the civil war, General William Tecumseh Sherman did not pass through Newnan, so many of its antebellum homes survive to this day!

Newnan still offers a downtown square that features shopping, restaurants, and lots of antique and crafts marts interspersed between the offices offering every sort of professional services. There is still a county fair each year at the county fairgrounds, and many activities throughout the year.

Before you move to the Atlanta area, please be sure to plan a visit to Newnan and Coweta County. The low home prices and excellent amenities make this one town you'll have to consider as a relocation possibility!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

We live in troubled times right now, The real estate market is in shambles, the price of petroleum is unstable; the stock market is losing value and the dollar faltering against foreign currencies.

The immediate effect is a budget crunch for families struggling to keep their heads above water. Higher prices for staples push paychecks to the brink of depletion, and there doesn't appear to be any relief in sight.

All of this translates to less disposable money for things like eating out and entertainment. Restaurants everywhere are permanently closing their doors, and retail stores are reducing orders for the upcoming holiday season. There are many economic challenges that will affect each and every one of us.

But this is the United States of America. We have been through a lot tougher times than these. We have faced both economic distress and belligerent enemy alike, with strength and determination.

This is not the time to wallow in self pity, rather, it is the time to stand tall and brave and face the future with confidence. We WILL get through all of this. We always have, because we're by gosh Americans, and giving up is NOT an option!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

Many things have changed over the last 100 years. But just think, there are people that are alive now that have experienced some monumental changes in the way we live and work!

100 years ago, you could purchase land in Western North Carolina for a dollar an acre. From those acres, you could cut enough good chestnut logs to build a cabin that could stand to this very day! Of course, you would have to saw down the trees with a long saw, square the logs one at a time with a broad ax, cut the dovetail joints and set the logs in place.

Some logs could be split in half and used as flat puncheons for flooring, and long, straight tulip poplars could be transformed into rafters. The shingles would be split from oak, one at a time and carefully attached to the roof system.

Stones collected from the property would be gathered and assembled into foundation pilings, chimneys and fireplaces. Nearly every cabin would have a porch for sitting outside while doing chores such as shelling peas or churning butter.

Water was available from a clear spring or a hand dug well. As trees were cleared for crop fields, they would serve as material for constructing outbuildings such as chicken coops and smokehouses, and also cut and split for winter fuel.

Although there was little need for cash money, it took a lot of hard work just to survive. In the "Back of Beyond¹" and the "Land of Do Without²" it was necessary to provide for ones own needs with whatever was readily available!

It was a hard life, but people survived and some even prospered. When we think of how bad things appear to be right now, let's look instead at all of the blessings that we have. These are incredible times, and we have come a long way in a hundred years!

Photo of the Cook Cabin in Little Cataloochee Courtesy of Richard Weisser and SmokyPhotos.com

1. Horace Kephart, Our Southern Highlanders
2. Ibid.

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

We hear a lot today about the need to incorporate greenspace in a new development project. Most cities and municipalities have hired environmental engineers and arborists, and keep them on staff to ensure that natural areas with aesthetic beauty and multi-use functionality are available.

But the concept is not new. For centuries, towns have incorporated "village greens" in the center of commerce to provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of busy merchants and service providers. The green afforded more visibility for the storefronts and signage, while allowing customers to leisurely congregate in the center of town.

The village green could also serve as a place for informal meetings, exercise, relaxation and meditation. It was an excellent venue for political rallies or a summer band concert.

And today, the allocation of greenspace is more important than ever. Even shopping centers and office complexes are allowing for more landscaping in ever increasing in scope green areas. And the space that is allocated is not wasted or lost. People are more attracted to areas that appeal to their sensibilities, and tend to stay longer, perform better, and enjoy an increase in serenity and a lower stress level.

That means that more greenspace can actually mean more business! It's a win-win scenario in which we all benefit from a little foresight and a lot of greenery!

Photo: Village Green, Downtown Monticello Georgia

I made an unexpected trip last night. When I got home from trivia from my usual Monday night trivia outing, my wife was a bit upset. Normally, the fact that I play trivia is not as disconcerting as one would expect, so I knew something was up!

It seems that she had been calling her mother for their nightly bed check for an hour or so, and had repeatedly gotten a busy signal. Her mother is not prone to long, late night chats so she feared the worse.

We jumped in the car for the 45 minute trip to her mother's house. To complicate the issue, the garage door opener we use to get into her mother's house wasn't working, and we knew the alarm was probably on! But we would cross all of those bridges when we got there, the important thing was to make sure that she was alright.

So when we finally got there, near midnight in the pitch dark, the ingenious plan that we came up with was to walk through the back yard (no flashlight,) place a chair at the bedroom window, and have my wife stand on the chair as I propped her up, and tap on the window.

Of course, if she was all right, someone tapping on the window at the middle of the night could give anyone a heart attack, let alone an 87 year old woman, bit we needed a resolution and this was the best idea that came up with at that hour!

Turns out she was perfectly fine, and came fearlessly to the window, and didn't act too surprised!

She went to open the window and my wife kept yelling "turn the alarm off!" At this point, we were so relieved that we were laughing, her mother trying to open the window and my wife, balanced precariously on a chair trying to hold it closed! After a minute or so of struggling, her mother got the message, went and turned off the alarm and we discovered that she had inadvertently left the phone off the hook!

We laughed all the way back home! Then my wife said that she was sorry that we had to make the trip "for nothing."

"For nothing?" Knowing a beloved family member is safe and getting a good night's sleep is just about at the top of the priority list for me. Putting family first isn't a chore, it's a privilege!

Photo: Lunar Eclipse

I believe that every regular  reader of this web blog knows that I love to take photographs. I like to share them too, and I try to feature an original photograph in every post that I write.

Many of you also know that I am pretty good with computers and the Internet, and have created many graphics in my time for websites and presentations. I use various software programs to help me generate and enhance the images, and I enjoy the work.

What you may not know is that I also like to paint! No, I'm not talking about house painting, although I did that professionally for years. I had my own company and painted more condos than you would ever believe, as I stopped counting at 10,000 painted.

I'm talking about watercolor painting and occasionally oils. I don't get a chance to do it often, but every ten years or so I get a hankering to create some art and I purchase supplies and go to town!

I'm not all that good at it, and I am not classically trained. In fact. I have no schooling at all in the craft, other than the school of hard knocks accentuated by trial and error. But I have managed to complete a few hundred works, some better than others and all quite primitive but somewhat appealing.

So I usually find something I want to paint, and take a few photos to help me translate the subject to the 2D world of paper, and then I start wetting the paper and let the color flow. If it turns out okay, it gets a frame. If not, it goes into the large stack of "almost!"

There's an interesting story about the painting illustrated in this post. It has long been one of my favorites. A friend of mine had a book, about paintings done in Georgia, and another artist had painted the exact same scene! Same angle, the only difference was my painting represented autumn and the other artist depicted the scene in winter. I am still trying to find a copy of that book, but I can't remember the title.

Maybe I'll get the paints out and finish that Cape Cod one I started ... back in 1989! I never did say that I get in a hurry!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

Gardens are not as complex as one might expect. In truth, a garden is just a controlled growing environment for plants. The gardener controls the types of plants growing in the garden and the location and manner in which they are displayed.

In addition, the gardener must control the intrusions of unwanted plants. The definition of a weed is merely a plant that grows where you don't want it to grow, and any plant can be considered a weed by growing in an undesirable area of the garden. It's not the plant itself, as a matter of fact,  some weedy plants actually have beautiful blooms that could stand on their own in the right place and under the right circumstances.

The gardener must also deal with pests of every kind. Leaf eating insects and caterpillars, root eating moles and shrews, and ravenous squirrels and deer can decimate the most verdant flora. A gardener knows how to eliminate the threat from pests without poisoning the harvest.

The gardener also makes sure that the conditions are right for growth. .The soil must have the right amount of nutrients and moisture for the intended plantings. A good gardener know what each plants needs, and recognizes what will be provided naturally, and which will needed to be added by amendment.

The secret of gardening, and any other endeavor, is actually quite simple. You don't fight conditions and the elements that you cannot change. Rather, you adapt to them. You make the adjustments necessary for proper growth and a potential harvest down the road!

So don't fear the challenge, embrace it. Who knows, you just might do a lot better job than you think you will!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

There is nothing as exhilarating as beholding the enormity of creation. There is something in a beautiful vista that not only takes your breath away, but renews your spirit as well!

If you have ever traveled on the Blue Ridge Parkway or through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will notice that the overlooks are rife with tourists who are awe-struck by what lays before them.

There are so many thoughts that run through your mind as you attempt to take it all in. You think of the Creator, and the font of life, and how small and insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things.

But there is also a sense of tranquility and peacefulness that comes with the realization that we are indeed part of a master plan, and that our presence is a reminder of our dependence on external forces that guide and direct us though life.

I am always humbled and rejuvenated at the same time. It's what keeps me going!

Photo courtesy of SmokyPhotos.com

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

We know all of the mountain analogies. Mountains have always been considered as obstacles, something blocking our destiny that needs to be conquered. And we all know that it takes hard work and fortitude to get to the mountaintop. That goes without saying!

But what is often left unsaid is that the view from the bottom of the range is pretty good too! It's the valleys that collect the rain and the fertile soil making them most suitable for excellent farming and human habitation.

The coves nestled amidst the peaks offer protection from raging tempests and surging storms. Our pioneer ancestors sought both the safe harbor and the abundant opportunity for agriculture offered by these low valleys and sheltered coves. It was the destination of choice.

And what's on the other side of the mountain anyway? Why another valley of course! Maybe it is better, or maybe it is worse than your current situation. You don't know until you get there. So, is it necessary to climb EVERY mountain that blocks our path?

I think that we first need to examine where we are at right now! Who knows, it might be just where we want to be!

Photo courtesy of SmokyPhotos.com

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

When choosing a place to live, many are influenced by various factors that are important to them. Proximity to work may be a major concern, or the availability of shopping and restaurants might be a consideration.

But if you drive out to the country, you will see that there are many who have forsaken the convenience of urban living in favor of a much simpler way of life.

In these outlying regions, they not only survive without the amenities of developed society, they thrive on the tranquility spawned by detachment and the serenity afforded by seclusion.

Is it so terrible to forego the monolithic mega-monstrosities of the metropolis for the bucolic bastions of rustic remoteness? I guess when you get right down to it, it just a matter of personal preference or overall expediency.

Either way, it's important to be satisfied and content in your domicile. Your residence should be a refuge from all that is stressful and agitating. So whether you are a city mouse or country mouse, be sure that your home is the one that is just right for you!