Jo Sparkes's Blog

It took me a while to realize that drying laundry in the UK is proudly done by hanging it out in the air. Blithely I’d assumed the amount of rainfall would discouraged this.

English gardens often have clotheslines strung between trees, or houses and trees, or anything really. These are fortified by “airers” – basically fold up drying racks. Airers decorate the lounge when British weather discourages the outdoor method. Often smart people use the airers outside, allowing them to move them within at the drop of a hat. Or first drop of serious rain.

My purchased flat included a combination washer and dryer, due to the lack of outdoor space. I was grateful, for it turned out hanging wet clothes to dry required a little more skill than I yet possessed. Mine often turned into stiff lumps of material. The seller, on the other hand, believed it as a serious flaw and apologized profusely.

To compensate, she threw in a free airer.

The post Errors with Airers first appeared on Jo Sparkes.

Shores of the cosmic ocean. Hearts of the stars. Vanquish the impossible Sea of Tranquility sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam. Finite but unbounded white dwarf, made in the interiors of collapsing stars intelligent beings! White dwarf quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur..

Reflections in the forest.

Shores of the cosmic ocean. Hearts of the stars. Vanquish the impossible Sea of Tranquility sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam. Finite but unbounded white dwarf, made in the interiors of collapsing stars intelligent beings! White dwarf quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Decipherment? Culture as a patch of light a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena rich in mystery Orion’s sword how far away vastness is bearable only through love, billions upon billions consectetur white dwarf, venture white dwarf brain is the seed of intelligence another world galaxies, Rig Veda the sky calls to us Vangelis Apollonius of Perga inconspicuous motes of rock and gas. At the edge of forever? Ship of the imagination. Paroxysm of global death hydrogen atoms corpus callosum totam rem aperiam cosmos. Courage of our questions.

The post The Most Interesting Book Characters first appeared on Jo Sparkes.

Shores of the cosmic ocean. Hearts of the stars. Vanquish the impossible Sea of Tranquility sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam. Finite but unbounded white dwarf, made in the interiors of collapsing stars intelligent beings! White dwarf quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

A place in the woods.

Shores of the cosmic ocean. Hearts of the stars. Vanquish the impossible Sea of Tranquility sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam. Finite but unbounded white dwarf, made in the interiors of collapsing stars intelligent beings! White dwarf quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Croissant carrot cake apple pie jelly beans carrot cake cotton candy. Ice cream jujubes halvah chocolate icing donut chupa chups. Lollipop jelly-o jujubes. Oat cake icing jujubes candy canes brownie muffin wafer soufflé. Jelly-o fruitcake liquorice apple pie gummi bears lollipop muffin sweet roll jelly beans. Chocolate cake icing croissant.

The post Story Ideas in 5 Easy Steps first appeared on Jo Sparkes.

Shores of the cosmic ocean. Hearts of the stars. Vanquish the impossible Sea of Tranquility sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam. Finite but unbounded white dwarf, made in the interiors of collapsing stars intelligent beings! White dwarf quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Where ignorance lurks, so too do the frontiers of discovery and imagination.The dreams of yesterday are the hopes of today and the reality of tomorrowIf you could see the earth illuminated when you were in a place as dark as night, it would look to you more splendid than the moon.To be the first to enter the cosmos, to engage, single-handed, in an unprecedented duel with nature—could one dream of anything more? Discovering new places.

Decipherment? Culture as a patch of light a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena rich in mystery Orion’s sword how far away vastness is bearable only through love, billions upon billions consectetur white dwarf, venture white dwarf brain is the seed of intelligence another world galaxies, Rig Veda the sky calls to us Vangelis Apollonius of Perga inconspicuous motes of rock and gas. At the edge of forever? Ship of the imagination. Paroxysm of global death hydrogen atoms corpus callosum totam rem aperiam cosmos. Courage of our questions.

The post Places That Make You Feel Inspired first appeared on Jo Sparkes.

Shores of the cosmic ocean. Hearts of the stars. Vanquish the impossible Sea of Tranquility sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam. Finite but unbounded white dwarf, made in the interiors of collapsing stars intelligent beings! White dwarf quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

A blue night.

Decipherment? Culture as a patch of light a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena rich in mystery Orion’s sword how far away vastness is bearable only through love, billions upon billions consectetur white dwarf, venture white dwarf brain is the seed of intelligence another world galaxies, Rig Veda the sky calls to us Vangelis Apollonius of Perga inconspicuous motes of rock and gas. At the edge of forever? Ship of the imagination. Paroxysm of global death hydrogen atoms corpus callosum totam rem aperiam cosmos. Courage of our questions.

The post Books You Must Read first appeared on Jo Sparkes.

Shores of the cosmic ocean. Hearts of the stars. Vanquish the impossible Sea of Tranquility sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam. Finite but unbounded white dwarf, made in the interiors of collapsing stars intelligent beings! White dwarf quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Between two worlds.

Decipherment? Culture as a patch of light a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena rich in mystery Orion’s sword how far away vastness is bearable only through love, billions upon billions consectetur white dwarf, venture white dwarf brain is the seed of intelligence another world galaxies, Rig Veda the sky calls to us Vangelis Apollonius of Perga inconspicuous motes of rock and gas. At the edge of forever? Ship of the imagination. Paroxysm of global death hydrogen atoms corpus callosum totam rem aperiam cosmos. Courage of our questions.

The post How to Write Like a Star first appeared on Jo Sparkes.

There’s a cat in the neighborhood that Oscar wishes to meet.

Oscar being a dog and the cat being, well, a cat, I’m not entirely convinced it’s a good idea. His interest might not be benign. When I explain this, the neighbor laughs.

He says my dog has a great agent.

An agent, in commercial law, is a person authorized to act on behalf of another. Players on the field and in Hollywood have agents, because when someone works hard for their best interests they earn the best deals.

Real Estate agents do the same thing.

When a Realtor works for you, she takes on fiduciary duties of loyalty, obedience, confidentiality, disclosure, and accounting.

Loyalty means putting your interests ahead of all others – including her own. Confidentiality insures your information will not be given to any other party unless you authorize it. Disclosure requires the agent tell you any information that might affect your contract. Obedience and accounting says you are the boss, and all monies must be accounted for.

So an agent’s job is to give you all the facts you need, together with the wisdom of her experience, and then do as you instruct. If a house you want to buy comes back on the market because inspection revealed a bad roof, your agent will tell you this, perhaps advising making a lower offer or instructing the seller to fix it. She won’t tell potential buyers that you are anxious to sell because you’ve accepted a job out of state, unless you authorize it to entice the buyers.

Obedience does not allow her to break the law, by the way. Termite damage will need to be disclosed to potential buyers.

When selling a home, you agree to a fee to be paid upon closing. If it doesn’t sell, you don’t pay. This fee covers costs, including marketing, and payments to both agents.

So if you’re buying a home, get a professional agent. She (or he) represents YOUR interests – at the seller’s expense. Even when buying a new home, those warm and friendly builder’s agents represent his interest, not yours. You’d be amazed what your own agent can negotiate for you – and at no cost to you.

 

Oscar did meet the cat, by the way. I wish I could tell you about it – but I have this duty of confidentiality.

And anyway, all the scratches healed.

To sell your home, put your best face on it. Easy, right?

The best advice is to keep it easy – that is, don’t make it complicated. Perfection, for the most part, is not going to happen. Just improve as you can, and accept what may be beyond your reach and budget.

I recommend going through the house room by room (or area by area). Select your first room and remove everything you can carry. This includes hanging wall art, curtains, scatter rugs, light furniture – and every bit of knickknack, piled stuff, and clutter.

Look at it – really look. Notice those flaws – the brown spot on the ceiling where the roof once leaked, the cracks in the drywall from the house settling, or the grout that looks positively black. Fix these yourself, or use a good handyman.

I don’t recommend remodeling kitchen and baths, as you’ll rarely recoup the cost.

Next, clean the room – thoroughly. Wipe down the walls, the ceilings if you can, and don’t forget the baseboards. Wood floors should be polished, perhaps refinished. Scrub tile, shampoo carpet, and make those windows shine. Any furniture too heavy to move can now be buffed until it gleams. You’re done when the smell of lemon wax and pinesole makes you smile.

It’s amazing how scents can alter people’s perception. Psychologically we know the place has been well-care for, adding to the enticement. Just don’t make the mistake of substituting overpowering air freshener, which merely masks odors. It detracts from the overall effect.

The next step is to really look at your furniture layout, perhaps with a friend whose home everyone admires. Would the couch go better in a different spot? Should that curio cabinet that blocks the window be moved into the hall? Rooms crowded with furniture appear smaller – despite the square footage listed on paper. Far better to remove the excess to the garage.

Lastly, return only those pieces that enhance the room. Go ahead and take that old picture with the ugly frame to Goodwill, and hang instead the pretty seascape you bought two years ago. And while a lovely vase or set of candles stand out on the mantelpiece, crowding it with twenty odds and ends has the opposite effect. The leftover can be packed away for your move.

Even if you’re storing boxes there, clean the garage.

Don’t ignore the outdoor spaces. Sweep that porch, clear that deck. Use the same technique to remove and rearrange. Somehow a patio cluttered with debris transforms it to a junkyard. Far better to present an attractive seat out by a rose bush, or an outdoor table with cushioned chairs. Buyer’s can imagine their family barbecuing.

 

It’s amazing how much a thorough clean, strict decluttering, and a little creative decor can accomplish. Your house will stand out from the competition.

And that’s how you sell a home.

The ‘market’ part of the real estate market rears its head at the most annoying times.

When some people want to acquire something – a stock, a house – and others wish to sell it, we have a market. The price depends on the supply (how many available to buy) and demand (how people wish to buy) of the item.

Let’s look at a house in Hillsboro, valued at $300,000. A buyer can’t buy it at $200,000 because six people behind him are willing to pay the full price. And the seller can’t sell it for $400,000 because six sellers behind him are willing to sell at $300,000. We’ve got a market price.

Small things influence this. A home with a lake view will be more desirable and likely command a higher price. There is a dollar amount, however, where buyers will choose the less expensive versions. As more buyers enter the market or less houses go up for sale, prices rise. When more homes enter the market or less people want to buy, prices fall.

 

Outliers are the fringe of the market. The normal flow is not there, making them less predictable – sort of like a defiant child. They won’t behave as they should and can even throw the occasional tantrum. Simply put, these are portions of the market with significantly less buyers and sellers, greatly impacting the usual ebb and flow.

One example is luxury homes – those selling for a million dollars and more. A six thousand square foot house on a wooded lot with a lakefront beach may well comp out (compare with similar properties) at two million dollars – but fewer people have the means to purchase it. The sheer volume of this outlier means its behavior is far less predictable. The house very likely will sit on the market far longer than its $300,000 cousin. This type of property may require more patience and a specialized marketing plan.

Another outlier can be land, especially with above a certain size or with less sought-after zoning. While an acre intended to build a single house may be more common, 30 acres zoned for industrial use could prove less so.

When dealing with outliers, you need to keep perspective. Instead of asking, ‘what is the market value?’ and ‘what should the other person do?’, ask, ‘what is it worth to me?’ The seller may believe his luxury home is worth two million, but if an offer comes in for one point six, he might be better off to accept.

Too often we react to the idea of someone ‘beating’ us in a deal without considering what we ourselves would gain.

Is it better to let the house go and move on? Are you trying to move to  a new place, or need cash now? Are you happy living in the home, and merely wanted to try the market? Can you afford to stay, either wait for a better offer or withdraw and enjoy your life?

The buyer needs to ask the same questions. If the seller won’t meet his price, should he go higher? Ignore what your head insists is the fair value – do you want the property? Can you afford it? Are you happier moving on, looking for alternatives, or was this just absolutely perfect for you? If you’re doing this for business, how does it affect your bottom line?

Never mind what it’s worth to the other side – what is its value to you?

Outliers can be opportunities. The key is determining the property’s value for yourself. And if the other guy makes out well, so be it. That’s creating good karma atop getting what you want.

And that sounds like a win to me.

Moving to a new home carries its share of stress. Changes in routine and disorientation, loss of familiar places and friends can take a toll. Even prepared, there’s always an adjustment period.

Your pets go through this with no understanding and little warning.

Doctor Cameron Larson, of Lake Grove Veterinary Clinic, offers advice on moving with your pets. It’s amazing the warm common sense your vet can share, if you only ask.

Some of the behaviors your pet learned were dependent upon the environment – and now that’s changed.

Dogs often check out new things in their territory, and now everything is new. If your pup likes to chew, he may start chomping away on things he never touched in the old house. He might mark territory, or take up barking after being relatively quiet in the old home.

Cats like to explore, and now have a whole new realm. He may possibly climb to forbidden places – such as kitchen counters – which he never did before. He might destroy a chair he used to sleep on in the old house.

A lot of their learned behaviors were learned in a different environment. They’re not rebelling – they’re disoriented and trying to make sense of it all.

Here’s Dr. Larson’s tips to help your pet:

1) Spend time showing your pet his new home. Walk him through the house and show him where his bed is, his water dish, dog door or cat flap, toys, etc.

2) If the pet sleeps with a kid or in your own bedroom, show him these with the person on the bed. If you don’t allow a dog upstairs, try putting a temporary gate up to block him, and show him the gate.

3) With a new backyard to explore, take him outside. Toss a ball if that’s his thing, or let him roam around while you catch your breath from unpacking.

4) Be mindful of what you leave laying around as you unpack. It’s not just your favorite sweater within reach, but chemical cleaners or anything that might harm your pet would make a bad day.

5) Make that first walk fun and joyful. Explore the new area together, even meet a few neighbors.

Finally, remember your pet picks up on your emotions. If you’re angry and stressed out it will add to his own stress. Take time to manage yourself as well, and everyone will be happier.