Chuckhormelcountryhomesneighborhood's Blog

A Field of Diamonds

Chuck Hormel — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:29:25 +0000

Earlier this year I decided that I would walk outdoors instead of using the treadmill at the gym this entire winter. Little did I know when I set this goal, what beauty I would enjoy. One cold frosty morning a couple of weeks ago I started across the open field above Holmberg Park in Northwest Spokane. The sun was just beginning to rise from the east and the angle was perfect to turn the entire frost covered field into a sparkling wonderland that appeared to be a complete field of glistening diamonds. There have been several mornings where frost covered the field since then, but nothing as spectacular as that first morning.

I find that these morning walks set the tone for my day, and as cold as it seems at the start, by the time I get back home the exhilaration of a new day is there. I find myself planning the next day’s walk while falling asleep the night before. It is great to live so close to a natural area that includes wild turkeys, deer, and other wild life for our viewing enjoyment. One of the great things of living in Spokane is the abundance of outdoor activities right at our back door.

Thanks to our Veterans

Chuck Hormel — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:55:25 +0000

This morning I felt like celebrating the Marine Corps birthday as a Marine who served in Viet Nam many years ago. I pulled my Marine Corp jacket from the closet planning on wearing it for the day. In a pocket was a folded piece of paper which I removed, unfolded and read. I realized the last time that I had this jacket on was for the funeral of a young Marine Corporal who gave his life, in the service of our Country, January 21, 2007 in Anbar Province, Iraq. As I looked at the picture of Darrel James Morris, 21, a graduate of Joel Farris High School here in Spokane, I was reminded of the pictures of myself and my son Ted both Marines wearing the same dress blues. Thank You Cpl Morris, for your service, your life was not given without cause.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day, the day to remember all of those who have given their lives to preserve the freedoms that we take for granted. Thank you to all who have served in the service to our Country.

My son, Major Christopher Hormel, is actively serving in the U.S. Army and I’m so proud of his service in several combat areas as a Military Policeman. Thank you son, for the sacrifices that you and your family continue to make for all Americans.

Today the Marine Corp is 232 years old making it one year older then the United States of America. Many have served in those 232 years, and many have given their lives for us so today it is with pride that I still can call myself a Marine.

Near Nature Near Perfect

Chuck Hormel — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:45:07 +0000

The Spokane Convention & Visitors Bureau coined this phrase several years ago. For some Spokanites it is just a catchy phrase that looks good on visitor’s brochures, but to many of us it describes a lifestyle.

We are fortunate in Spokane to be surrounded by outdoor recreational areas that are only minutes away from downtown. Riverside State Park which borders the City to the West offers outstanding biking, hiking, and equestrian trails as well as access to the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers. We also have an abundance of paved trails where you will find scenic opportunities to bike, inline skate, walk with strollers, or just sit and enjoy the natural beauty.

There are places for most recreational activities so close and common place to us it that they get ignored. It is time to turn off the TV and video games, and enjoy the outdoor activities Spokane has to offer, because we really are “Near Nature, Near Perfect”.

It’s GREAT to have four seasons!

Chuck Hormel — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:22:10 +0000

As I drove around the neighborhood over the weekend it was evident that summer has come to an end. Homeowners were preparing their yards for winter by cutting back the roses, and mowing the lawn for possibly the last time this season. Many were raking pine needles, saving some to cover flower beds, and the balance filling bags to be sent to the recycling/composting centers or the back yard compost pile. Folks were having new energy efficient windows installed, preparing the home for the coming cold.

On my morning walk this morning the air was cool and damp and the fog restricted the view. The temperature was slightly above freezing so the roads were wet, but not slick. It wasn’t hard to envision what is just weeks or maybe only days ahead. Leaves cover the sidewalks and pine needles fill the gutters. I was a little sad to see the warm days of summer leaving us and at the same time enjoying the florescent colors of fall.

How great it is to have four distinct seasons. As summer gives way to fall and we have began to tire of the 90 degree weather the mornings cool, the sun rises a little later and before you know it the trees begin to change from the solid green to yellow, brown, orange and some even a bright red. We know that soon the leaves still on the ground will be covered in white, first with frost that disappears by mid morning, then with the snow that may stay with us for a couple of months. We always hope that the snow sticks around until Christmas, or at least have fresh snow on Christmas morning. Usually by the middle to end of January we want the snow to melt and the grass start to change from the winter brown to spring green.

This morning, as I talked to a co-worker who is moving back to Arizona, I realized just how great it is to have four seasons. As we look forward to the first white blanket of snow that usurers in the Holiday Season, residents of the States in the South have nothing like this to look forward to. They won’t experience excitement we experience as the tulip bulbs start to sprout in the spring and the yellows, purples, white, and red flowers adorn our yards.

Embrace the seasons and enjoy the outdoor recreation available to all of us living in the Northwest, and specifically around Spokane. We really are fortunate to live in an area that has four distinct seasons as we have.

Country Homes, a great area to live!

Chuck Hormel — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:16:42 +0000

I am a Realtor® who lives and works in the Spokane Washington area, specifically living in the Country Homes Neighborhood of North Spokane. The majority of my practice has been devoted to working with “First Time Buyers”. I am an approved instructor for the Washington State Housing finance Committee’s buyer education classes as well as a licensed instructor for Washington State Department of Licensing real estate continuing education classes. For 12 years I was the broker/owner of Country Homes Realty, Inc. and I’m presently an associate broker with Prudential Spokane Real Estate.

Spokane has been my home for over 35 years and the base for raising five children and now enjoying eight grandchildren. My wife, Jenny, and I enjoy sharing time hiking, biking, and kayaking while camping around the Pacific Northwest. We believe that we are surrounded by the greatest, and most beautiful, playground in all four seasons. My hope is to give you a glimpse of Spokane and the natural beauty we so much enjoy.

Hello world!

Chuck Hormel — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:18:38 +0000

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