Volume 1

The
REAL spiel©
Issue 20 September 2009

Paul Hawken: You Are Brilliant, and the Earth is Hiring

Cindy Droste, REALTOR ®
The Ultimate 2009 Commencement Address
By Allen Roland
There could be no better description. Humanity
is coalescing. It is reconstituting the world, and the
502-649-1840 Hey, Class of 2009: you are going to have to figure action is taking place in schoolrooms, farms, jungles,
[email protected] out what it means to be a human being on earth at a villages, campuses, companies, refuge camps, deserts,
time when every living system is declining, and the fisheries, and slums.
Inside this issue: rate of decline is accelerating. Kind of a mind‐ You join a multitude of caring people. No one
boggling situation ‐ but not one peer‐reviewed paper knows how many groups and organizations are
No better time for yards 2 published in the last thirty years can refute that statement.working on the most salient issues of our day: climate
Basically, the earth needs a new operating system, change, poverty, deforestation, peace, water, hunger,
Real Estate Update 2 you are the programmers, and we need it within a conservation, human rights, and more. This is the
Why renovation pays 3 few decades. largest movement the world has ever seen.
This planet came with a set of operating instructions, The living world is not "out there" somewhere, but
Muffy’s 123 Quiche 3 but we seem to have misplaced them. Important in your heart. What do we know about life? In the
rules like don't poison the water, soil, or air, and words of biologist Janine Benyus, life creates the
Go shopping 4 don't let the earth get overcrowded, and don't touch conditions that are conducive to life. I can think of
the thermostat have been broken. Buckminster Fuller no better motto for a future economy.
Whats in….Whats out 4 said that spaceship earth was so ingeniously Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would
designed that no one has a clue that we are on one, do if the stars only came out once every thousand
flying through the universe at a million miles per years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The
I am loving this weather! Cool hour, with no need for seatbelts, lots of room in world would become religious overnight. We would
at night and warm and sunny coach, and really good food ‐ but all that is changing. be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory
during the day. Going to stick There is invisible writing on the back of the diploma of God. Instead the stars come out every night, and
to that safe subject! This you will receive, and in case you didn't bring lemon we watch television.
juice to decode it, I can tell you what it says: YOU This extraordinary time when we are globally
healthcare thing is getting ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING. The aware of each other and the multiple dangers that
pretty crazy. I hope some- earth couldn't afford to send any recruiters or limos threaten civilization has never happened, not in a
thing good comes out in the to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, thousand years, not in ten thousand years. Each of
night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute us is as complex and beautiful as all the stars in the
end. The housing market is person you are dating. Take the hint. And here's the
chugging right along, still universe. We have done great things and we have
deal: Forget that this task of planet‐saving is not gone way off course in terms of honoring creation.
hoping for an extension on possible in the time required. Don't be put off by You are graduating to the most amazing, challenging,
the tax credit. Interest rates people who know what is not possible. Do what stupefying challenge ever bequested to any generation.
needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible The generations before you failed. They didn't stay
are still great, if you’re con- only after you are done. up all night. They got distracted and lost sight of the
sidering a move - it’s a good When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about fact that life is a miracle every moment of your existence.
time to do it! the future, my answer is always the same: If you Nature beckons you to be on her side. You couldn't
Have a beautiful month, look at the science about what is happening on ask for a better boss. The most unrealistic person in
earth and aren't pessimistic, you don't understand the world is the cynic, not the dreamer. Hopefulness
Cindy data. But if you meet the people who are working to only makes sense when it doesn't make sense to be
restore this earth and the lives of the poor, and you hopeful. This is your century. Take it and run as if
aren't optimistic, you haven't got a pulse. What I see your life depends on it."
everywhere in the world are ordinary people willing
10 Home Sale to confront despair, power, and incalculable odds in Paul Hawken is a longtime friend of CharityFocus,
renowned entrepreneur, visionary environmental
order to restore some semblance of grace, justice,
Killers and beauty to this world. The poet Adrienne Rich activist, founder of Wiser Earth and author of many
•Dirt wrote, "So much has been destroyed I have cast my books -- most recently Blessed Unrest.
lot with those who, age after age, perversely, with no For the complete article:
•Odors extraordinary power, reconstitute the world." http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18050.cfm
•Old fixtures
•Wallpaper This property is Unique and Spacious and
•Popcorn acoustic ceilings Close to the Ohio River!
•Too many personal items Spacious living in this 3 bedroom, 2 full bath
•Snoopy sellers converted barn with loft. Open, vaulted floor plan
•Misrepresenting your home with wood beams, spiral staircase, and lots of natural
light. Nice large deck and plenty of parking. Enjoy
•Poor curb appeal the tranquil meadow behind the house, very peaceful.
•Clutter Marketed for $219,000.
Q&A The Real Spiel

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong

life. Is this true? There is no better time than fall to
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't
waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding get yards looking great, according to the
up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you “Yard Doctor” Trey Rogers.
can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live
longer? Take a nap. 1. For home owners in the northern portion of the United
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits States, fall is the single best time to fertilize a yard. During
and vegetables? the first 10 days of September, lay a complete nitrogen and
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow potassium combination fertilizer.
eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is 2. Fall is also the best time to reseed grass. If you have bare
nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables spots from the summer, put down a seed mix that matches
to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good
source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop the yard during the first 15 days of September.
can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance 3. During the first 10 days of October, take care of those
of vegetable products. pesky weeds and dandelions. Spray a liquid broadleaf herbi‐
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake? cide over the yard.
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled 4. Mow, mow, mow. If you really want a yard to look smash‐
wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get ing, dedicate yourself to mowing twice a week with the blade
even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of
grain. Bottoms up! set at 2 ½ to 3 inches through mid‐October.
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? 5. It’s important to get those leaves off the ground as to not
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to suffocate the lawn. But a better option would be to grind up
one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc. the leaves and mulch them back into the yard.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regu- 6. Play with the fall colors. Display potted mums. Think red.
lar exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: Dogwood bushes are cold‐weather hardy and have red or
No Pain...Good! yellow branches. Holly is another great way to decorate the
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you? outside of a home, where the bright red berries on the
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days branches can standout.
in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting http://www.yardsmarts.com
more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting soft around the
middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets big‐ “"You can't sit around and wait for the
ger. You should only be doing sit‐ups if you want a bigger stomach. storm to be over.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me? You've got to learn how to dance in the rain."
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It's
the best feel‐good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me. REAL ESTATE Update
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle? Month at a Glance
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape! Residential Sales Stats ‐Single Family Residential & Condo
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have
had about food and diets. And remember: Jul ‐ 07 Jul ‐ 08 Jul ‐ 09

'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the Houses Sold 1461 1015 1276
intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well
preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Average Selling Price $181,429 $173,521 $171,793
Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other -
body thoroughly used up, totally worn out Median Selling Price $144,900 $141,000 $140,000
and screaming '
WOO HOO, What a Ride'
AND..... Year to Date at a Glance
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on Residential Sales Stats‐Single Family Residential & Condo
nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those 1/1‐7/31 07 1/1‐7/31 08 1/1‐7/31 09
conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks
than Americans. Houses Sold 8994 7055 6125
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks
than Americans. Average Selling Price $173,532 $168,911 $158,408
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart
attacks than Americans. Median Selling Price $139,900 $136,000 $132,000
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks
than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and Winner of last months Trivia question is Linda Stinson with
fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. the answer 5 cents for every dollar spent on produce at
Speaking English is apparently what kills you. the supermarket goes to the farmer who grew it.
 Volume 1, Issue 20 Page 3

WHY RENOVATION PAYS

Recent renovations make buyer’s lives easier. Homeowners Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
who remodel their home are providing a service to future
buyers. When buyers purchase, they don’t want to do the Backup Power Generator $12,820 $4,957 69.9%
painting and remodeling, and they don’t want to spend the Basement Remodel 53,552 44,924 83.9%
additional money. They may be willing to make improvements
down the line, but when they buy a house, they want the Bathroom Addition 33,468 23,255 69.5%
house in move‐in condition. It reduces their stress.
Bathroom Remodel 14,413 11,973 83.1%
Making home improvements can also reduce seller’s stress Deck Addition 8,903 7,588 85.2%
by heading off that time honored negotiating technique‐pecking
away at the sales price by pointing out imperfections. If the Family Room Addition 70,536 48,661 69.0%
property has been well‐maintained and updated, the
improvements will help sell it. If sellers don’t improve Garage Addition 49,954 34,779 69.6%
their property, buyers will reduce the amount of their offer
Major Kitchen Remodel 53,150 41,260 77.6%
by the cost of the improvements they feel are necessary.
Master Suite Addition 89,283 60,827 68.1%
Not every neighborhood will support he additional work,
but in older, more established neighborhoods, updated Minor Kitchen Remodel 20,307 16,461 81.1%
kitchens and bathrooms will greatly improved the chances
of selling your home. Siding Replacement 8,994 7,610 84.6%

Go Ahead, Goof Off Today

If not today, goof off soon. Take that vacation, ported better physical function than the all‐
unwind with friends, or spend the day at the work‐and‐no‐play crowd. Here’s another fun
beach. "Frivolous" indulgences like these are a activity that’s good for your body.
m u s t f o r l o n g e v i t y . R e s t f r o m S t r e s s ?
Because research shows that spending ample Why would having fun be such a strong
time doing what you love may keep you from health facilitator? Researchers aren’t sure, but
developing a whole host of disease risk factors. it may simply be that it reduces stress ‐‐ that
And that’s a great way to help extend your life. ravager of body and mind. Stress has long been
Having fun yet? shown to boost disease risk and hasten aging.
Good Times, Good Times Just one more solid argument for shortening
When people in a study were assessed on how that to‐do list and finding something fun to do
frequently they engaged in 10 different types of each day instead. Stay healthier and live longer
leisure activities, those who spent ample by avoiding these other major agers as well.
amounts of time having fun also had lower blood Get tips from the YOU Docs on how to live a
pressure, a slimmer waist, a smaller body mass happier, healthier, and longer life.
index, and lower levels of the health‐damaging RealAge Benefit: Laughing often can make
stress hormone cortisol. The funsters also re‐ your RealAge up to 8 years younger.

Muffy’s 123 Quiche Working people frequently ask retired people what
they do to make their days interesting.
1 16 oz. sour cream
Well, for example, the other day my wife and I went into town
2 cups shredded cheese (any kind) and went into a shop. We were only in there for about 5 minutes. When
3 eggs we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket...
We went up to him and said, "Come on man, how about giving a
1 unbaked pie shell senior citizen a break?" He ignored us and continued writing the
Mix the top three ingredients and pour into pie shell. Bake at ticket. I called him a Nazi turd. He glared at me and started
350° for 55 minutes. You may add bacon, broccoli, etc. writing another ticket for having worn tires. So my wife called
him a s***‐head. He finished the second ticket and put it on the
windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket.
The Skinny Mojito This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him,
4 oz fresca, 12 mint leaves, 1 oz rum, t h e m o r e t i c k e t s h e w r o t e .
1tbsp splenda, ½ oz lime juice. Personally, we didn't care. We came into town by bus. We
Muddle mint leaves in the bottom of a glass with the try to have a little fun each day now that we're retired. It's
sweetener. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir carefully. important at our age.
 PRST STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Louisville, KY
Permit No. 1718

Cindy Droste, REALTOR ®

502-649-1840
[email protected]
WRrealtors.com

TRIVIA CONTEST!
Where did the first steel roller coaster debut
on June 14, 1959?

me with
Be the 1st to contact win a
the co rrect an swer to
1 yr. subscription to
gazine
Kentucky Monthly Ma
This is not intended to solicit currently listed properties, information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
Spend money on makeup instead of clothes
It's as simple as this: When you look good, you feel good. But
Go shopping! How money can buy that mood booster doesn't have to be a big‐ticket item. According
to a study conducted by BuzzBack Market Research, beauty
happiness products — even the drugstore kind — are a more satisfying
purchase than a chic new addition to your wardrobe. As crazy
Check out five ways to reallocate your budget so that you feel more bliss as it sounds, studies have found that during economic downturns,
By Jennifer Barrett and Bridget Doherty lipstick sales actually spike. (Economists call it the Lipstick Effect.)
The term "retail therapy" is a bit of a misnomer. Sure, buying your‐ Red was the hottest color last year.
self something expensive can improve your mood, but the boost is Spend money on your bedroom instead of your living room
often temporary. In fact, you usually end up feeling worse later on One recent study found that the cities where residents got the
(like when your credit card bill arrives). most restful night's sleep were also the places where people's
Fortunately, there are ways to spend your money — even if you happiness levels were highest.
don't have much of it — that will bring you true long‐term happiness. Spend money on a gym membership instead of home equip‐
Over the past 25 years, behavioral economists and psychologists ment Working out with other people at the gym makes those
have been examining the connection between money and mood, sweatfests more enjoyable — and when people have fun
and they've made some intriguing discoveries. Using their re‐ exercising, they're more likely to stick with it
search, Women’s Health identified five simple ways to reallocate
your budget so that you feel more bliss. Spend money on others instead of yourself
"Not many things contribute to our happiness more than
Spend money on a vacation instead of spa treatments experts say
generosity," says Tal Ben‐Shahar, Ph. D., a former Harvard
putting some distance between you and your daily surroundings is
lecturer and the author of "Happier." For complete article:
a much better way to de‐stress and is worth the expenditure. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32801201/ns/today‐today_health/

What’s In Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar – shake on fresh

What’s Out
Reduced Carbon Footprint‐ How your fruit, oatmeal or coffee – add a pinch to chili
home and you impact the earth mat‐ Living rooms ‐ non existing in homes.
ters. A strong body of research suggests that walking and other Voluminous ceiling heights ‐ waste of
Outdoor living ‐ Massive fireplaces, forms of regular exercise can turn the dial way down on depres- space.
outdoor kitchens and under‐patio sion, stress, and anxiety. McMansions ‐ “small is beautiful”
heating . Color Trends‐ Bold vivid colors mixed with
Fully concealed appliances ‐ hidden Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 some earthy, natural tones. The natural
behind concealed doors.
Floating homes ‐ Non‐mobile homes are cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a world is influencing the home pallet with
basically ranch houses sitting on station‐ day. The vinegar kills the bacteria. handmade, un‐dyed materials. The
ary barges in a lake or river. environment is also inspiring sky
Home elevators ‐ Even builders of Rainy day cure for dog odor ...Next time and water blues to come inside. Also be
mid‐priced homes are adding this on the lookout for deep navy, inspired by
essential for boomers wanting to age in your dog comes in from the rain, simply the techno‐world. Color scheme influences
place. wipe down the animal with Bounce or from India, China, and Latin America will be
Pet showers ‐ in garages and mudrooms.
Freestanding bathtubs ‐ “bath any dryer sheet, instantly making your evident this year. Shimmery metallic finishes
are still in, but chrome and nickel are
thrones” have supplanted whirlpool dog smell springtime fresh. starting to be replaced by softer shades.
baths.
Bathroom suites ‐ with flat‐screen TVs & Copper and bronze tones are bringing
cappuccino makers. See my newsletter on : http://www.scribd.com/ more warmth to the finishes.