Happy May!  This month's image was taken this past Spring Break near Moab, Utah.  Colorado River, Professor Valley, Fisher Towers, and La Sal Mountains all line up for a great view.  I hope you get a chance to get out and see some of the beauty surrounding us, whether here in Texas or a little further...
Have a great month!
If you are talking to someone and real estate comes up, please mention my name...
​John

This month's calendar image has a bit of a story.
For Spring Break Kimberly & I headed off to Moab, Utah for some hiking.  As the Brothers Osborne song we listened to on the way says, "Just you and me remembering how to have fun!"
Our key hike was going to be the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park.  It is described as an adult playground.  You crawl, jump rock crevices, walk under arches, slither under an arch, squeeze through narrows, and slide down rocks.  That kind of fun.
The hike requires a permit and an orientation class.  The goal is to try to get lost in the 2 mile x 1 mile maze of rock fins - without actually getting lost.  Backtracking skills are a must.
We got in line too late for the day we wanted (limited number) and got permits for Thursday instead.  Rain forecast 80%.
So Thursday we started the hike with layers of clothing, rain gear, and extra water in amazingly comfortable 52 degree no humidity weather.  About 2 hours later among tall rocks with a sliver of sky, the wind picked up and we smelled rain and put on the rain gear.
Little pea-size snowballs fell instead.  It only lasted 10-15 minutes then the sliver of sky returned to blue.
After 5 1/2 hours among the passages we emerged to see the storm pictured here.  The entire sky was storming except this little hole in the clouds between the sun and the fiery furnace!
We took it as a sign that God approved of us playing like kids in one of His rocky playgrounds.
There is a lot of fun to be had in Moab.  Call me if you are headed out that way.  I'd love to help you plan part of your own adventure.
​Also a shout out to Pasta Jay's - great food you would not expect in such a tiny town. 

Hope you have a fun April!
John

https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/fiery-furnace.htm  NPS info
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2qj5agrYpk  fun video of the Fiery Furnace, not mine
http://www.brothersosborne.com/audio/playlists/4709/rum  The song mentioned
https://pastajays.com/locations/moab/

March already!  Hard to believe...
This month's calendar image is from an overlook near Payson, AZ looking Southwest from the Mogollon Rim.  We reached a break in the rain and could see other showers and the beginning of sunset colors.  Timing of the roadside overlook was perfect, so we stopped for some photos.
This panorama was almost as wide as the view from a home in Westlake that I am listing this month.  See "Best View in Austin?" page for more about that one.
Panoramas are fun images.  Sometimes there is so much in the photo that it is easy to miss details - focused on the big picture.
There is a good life lesson in here - balancing big picture and the details of everyday life.  How about I stop there and let the image spark a little reflection?
Have a great month - and 31 wonderful days!
John

My friend Matt at Matt's Electrical reminds us to check those GFCI outlets once ever month or two.
The whats?  You know the outlets in your kitchen and baths that have "test" and "reset" buttons.  We are supposed to actually push the test button once in a while and make sure they outlets pop off.  Plus something in.  Hit test.  With the item you plugged in turn on?  If not, then hit reset.  It should come on now.
If test doesn't kill the power to the outlet or reset doesn't turn it back on, the GFCI is bad and should be replaced.
Easy enough to add to the air filter and check smoke detector batteries "to do" list each month.

How about a little red rocks, adobe, and snow for your February?
If you want to see this scene for yourself, you'll need 4WD and be willing to travel several miles down a rutted dirt road in the snow.  Somewhat near Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico - you'd be best off contacting me for directions and a few ideas of other spots to see.  Above all, stop at Bode's General Store for a breakfast burrito and top of your gas tank.
Hope your month is blessed - maybe even with another snow!
​John

You may need to visit my 500px page to see a large version to fully appreciate this fantastic Austin view.
This image was taken from a home I will be listing this Spring in Westlake.  Eanes schools and over an acre of fantastic hilltop view from the 360 Pennybacker Bridge to the UT Tower and State Capitol.
We are still working on details such as whether to remodel or offer it first in pre-makeover condition, pricing for each option, etc.
​Plans are to have it in MLS by early March. 
Below are a few images we are using to envision how a few of the potential remodeling options might look if completed.  I had some fun doing "construction" in Photoshop!
Hover your mouse over each photo below for a description of the virtual construction I did...
Please think about anyone you know who might have an interest in a home like this!

WHAT IS A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?
Homestead exemptions are granted by the county appraisal district where the property is located. The exemption reduces a homeowner’s property tax bill by removing part of the home’s value from taxation. All Texas homeowners may receive a General Residence Homestead Exemption on the value of their property for school taxes upon application. Other taxing entities may also o er exemptions of some percentage of the home’s value. Other exemptions are available to homeowners who are over 65 or disabled, and require the same application process.
WHO QUALIFIES?
These requirements must be met to receive the exemption:

•  You must own your home on January 1st of the year for which you are applying.
•  You must reside at the home as your principal residence on January 1st of that year, and not claim any other property as homestead.
•  Only individual homeowners (not corporations or other entities) may receive a homestead exemption.
•  A homestead can be a house, condominium or a manufactured home. It can include up to 20 acres, if the land is also owned by the homeowner and used as a yard, or for another purpose related to the residential use of the home.
  HOW TO APPLY FOR A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
  Your Homestead Exemption will be denied unless all of the required documents show the same homestead address. First, ll out the application speci c to your County Appraisal District, then mail all of the documents to the Appraisal District for your County.

1. Download Residential Homestead Exemption Application for your County:
2. Include a Copy of your Driver’s License or Identi cation Card. Your driver’s license needs to be from the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) and the address must match the homestead address.
Travis County | Click here to download the application
Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 149012, Austin, TX 78714
Travis Central Appraisal District Website: https://www.traviscad.org
Williamson Countywww.wcad.org/online-exemption-information/ | File Online or Click here to download application Mailing Address: 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626
Williamson Central Appraisal District Website: https://www.wcad.org
Hays County | Click here to download the application
Mailing Address: 21001 IH 35 North, Kyle, Texas 78640
Hays Central Appraisal District Website: https://www.hayscad.com
​

Wishing you a very happy and blessed 2018!
- John

​Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
​ Psalm 90:12

My December Calendar Screensaver image might make you choose between sunrise or moonset - unless you have a really wide monitor!
Taken near the far west Texas town of Abiquiu, NM on a very cold morning.  The flat-topped peak straight ahead is the Pedernal.
You should be able to right-click and save a large copy of this image for use as a screensaver or wallpaper for your smart device or monitor.  Hope you enjoy the view and have a blessed month!
​   - John

Our daughter Hanna (Johanna) came back for a visit and flew home yesterday.  So this month's image goes back to a November a few years ago when she and I went to a Father / Daughter campout near Marble Falls.  The most surprising activity was target practice with .22's - turns out Hanna is a pretty good shot!  (It was her first time shooting any sort of gun.)  One morning we went for a little walk with our cameras and I captured this image.  We don't get many Fall colors here.  So the image of Summer slowing coming to an end fits.
It also reminds me how the seasons of life keep moving.
I hope you are thankful for your past, present, and future.  Have a great November!
                - John
p.s. Feel free to download the image for a screensaver this month