The Cash Team of Clarksville Blog

Especially in Texas!

Good evening all.  It has been quite some time since I have penned a blog post - my apologies to my fans fan (my darling daughter) for making you wait so long.

Tonight I want to touch on Trust.  Trust in life, Trust in your faith, Trust in business.  Trust is undoubtedly one of the most powerful tools in one's life.  Don't believe me?  Look at some of the people you have trusted in your past that have betrayed that trust - did it cut to the bone?  I bet it did, regardless of how tough you are.  To truly trust is to open yourself up - not an easy thing to do for most.

Growing up, I was the gullible type - always looking for someone to cling to - trying to find somewhere to belong perhaps.  I opened myself up quickly and certainly trusted many of the wrong people early on.  While many of the betrayals hurt, I learned from them and as I grew from a child to a man I took those lessons with me and held them close.  I don't blame anyone for my early issues with trust - I look back on it as a valuable lesson in life that has continued to serve me well as I navigate this road we call life.

In the Army, I certainly learned trust could mean life or death.  Trust is key in our Armed Forces and I cannot stress that enough.  Once you lose the trust of your comrades there is no gaining it back no matter how hard you might try.  I was fortunate to surround myself during my twenty years in the Army with those that I could trust - those who I knew had my back no matter what might happen.  Many of those are still still close to me today as the trust we built grew into strong friendships.  Some sadly paid the ultimate sacrifice but they trusted me to watch over their Families which I continue to do.

In business, or retirement (if you call it that - too young to retire folks) I continue to place trust as one of my key values.  I was fortunate enough (I like to call it blessed) to meet my soul mate who holds the same beliefs and values.  As a Clarksville Real Estate team we know that the trust that we develop with our clients is a factor to our success.  Obviously there is more to our success in real estate than trust alone, but as in life, trust early on in business is crucial.  We don't stretch the truth nor do we steer clients toward a particular property just for the sake of the sale.  Fortunately for us, we are not looking to get rich, and our reputation and relationships are worth more than the bottom line.

One thing I want to touch on, but not so much to turn this conversation (or post) political is trust in government.  In this case we will incorporate the banking industry which I feel is intertwined with our government.  It is obvious that regardless one's political affiliation, Americans as a whole have lost any trust we once had in our government and in specific, our elected leaders.  Again, like in the Army and in business, trust in your elected leaders is critical - both for them as it is for your Family as their action (or lack thereof) impacts you.  Fortunately, there is a limit to every elected leader's tenure and we hold the keys to whether they continue to serve or not.  This Summer and Fall's elections will certainly tell the tale. Nough said on this.

Lastly, you simply have to have faith - and in order to do so, you must have trust.  I have faith in my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Regardless of the name your Higher Power goes by, you must believe that He is guiding you and sometimes challenging you to do the right thing.  Without it, you are simply lost.

I am a bit rusty and hope I did not ramble on too much.  As always, these are my thoughts and my thoughts alone.  A great thing about living in the land of the free - we have the right to speak our minds.  Thanks to all those who have defended this right - especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

God Bless and good night.

Are you satisfied with what you have or are you constantly looking for that next best thing?  I suppose this could be a trick question in many ways and quite honestly I don't know that I can answer it the same way twice!

I believe that I am satisfied with my life and I do take time to thank the Good Lord above each and every day, but I am always desiring something and never really content with just following the same routine.  For example, when it comes to work, I am aggressive to a point in that I am always striving to do better - but I am also loyal to a fault.

In my home life, I am happy with what God has blessed us with. Sure I have dreams (who doesnt) but I am content and thankful.

What about you?  How would you answer the 'loaded question' posed?

Be sure to take time to be thankful for what you have and stop every now and again to smell the roses.

Being a dog is such a difficult task...

Vogue....

Another Clarksville Home Sold by The Cash Team.  Pam and I were honored to serve John and Marissa in their Clarksville TN Home Search.  Finding the perfect property in Clarksville TN can sometimes be a challenge as there are so many wonderful homes on the Clarksville TN Real Estate market but I am confident that we did just that.  Pam and I would like to thank the Bazzano Family for having the trust and confidence in The Cash Team to care for their Clarksville Real Estate needs.  If there is ever anything that we can do to assist - please remember, our service does not end at the closing table.  I personally look forward to a cold draft poured from the awesome bar in the 'Man Cave'!

 

A good friend of mine sent me the following today.  In light of our government's spending frenzy, or rather the billions that have been handed out and the mounting deficit that will be left on our children and their children I thought this was a very appropriate read.  It is lengthy, but I believe you will find that it is well worth the read.

Our Founding Fathers were some of the most brilliant minds of their time and would certainly be appalled at the actions taking place in Washington these days.  I do not claim to have wrote the following, nor do I have the ability to authenticate.  Whether Davy Crockett wrote or not is beside the point.  The message is clear today as it was back then - all the Billions of dollars, yours and mine is Not Yours to Give is my message to Congress and Senate members.

***

Yesterday, the childhood hero of many middle aged Americans passed away.
I speak of Fess Parker, the actor who so skillfully played the role of Davy Crockett in several full-length films produced by the Walt Disney Studios in the early fifties.

Crockett is often quoted as having said, "Make sure you're right, then go ahead."
May that wisdom inspire everyone who openly opposes the continual misuse of tax dollars, the authority of office, and the public trust in general!

***

Not Yours To Give
by Col. David Crockett, woodsman, soldier, and US Representative from Tennessee
 
Originally published in "The Life of Colonel David Crockett," by Edward Sylvester Ellis.
One day in the House of Representatives a bill was taken up appropriating money for the benefit of a widow of a distinguished naval officer. Several beautiful speeches had been made in its support. The Speaker was just about to put the question when Crockett arose.........

"Mr. Speaker--I have as much respect for the memory of the deceased, and as much sympathy for the sufferings of the living, if suffering there be, as any man in this House, but we must not permit our respect for the dead or our sympathy for a part of the living to lead us into an act of injustice to the balance of the living. I will not go into an argument to prove that Congress has not the power to appropriate this money as an act of charity. Every member upon this floor knows it. We have the right, as individuals, to give away as much of our own money as we please in charity; but as members of Congress we have no right so to appropriate a dollar of the public money. Some eloquent appeals have been made to us upon the ground that it is a debt due the deceased. Mr. Speaker, the deceased lived long after the close of the war; he was in office to the day of his death, and I have never heard that the government was in arrears to him.

"Every man in this House knows it is not a debt. We cannot, without the grossest corruption, appropriate this money as the payment of a debt.
We have not the semblance of authority to appropriate it as charity.
Mr. Speaker, I have said we have the right to give as much money of our own as we please. I am the poorest man on this floor. I cannot vote for this bill, but I will give one week's pay to the object, and if every member of Congress will do the same, it will amount to more than the bill asks."
 
He took his seat. Nobody replied. The bill was put upon its passage, and, instead of passing unanimously, as was generally supposed, and as, no doubt, it would, but for that speech, it received but few votes, and, of course, was lost.
 
Later, when asked by a friend why he had opposed the appropriation, Crockett gave this explanation:
 
"Several years ago I was one evening standing on the steps of the Capitol with some other members of Congress, when our attention was attracted by a great light over in Georgetown. It was evidently a large fire. We jumped into a hack and drove over as fast as we could.
In spite of all that could be done, many houses were burned and many families made houseless, and, besides, some of them had lost all but the clothes they had on. The weather was very cold, and when I saw so many women and children suffering, I felt that something ought to be done for them. The next morning a bill was introduced appropriating $20,000 for their relief. We put aside all other business and rushed it through as soon as it could be done.
 
"The next summer, when it began to be time to think about election, I concluded I would take a scout around among the boys of my district. I had no opposition there, but, as the election was some time off, I did not know what might turn up. When riding one day in a part of my district in which I was more of a stranger than any other, I saw a man in a field plowing and coming toward the road. I gauged my gait so that we should meet as he came to the fence. As he came up, I spoke to the man. He replied politely, but, as I thought, rather coldly.
 
"I began: 'Well, friend, I am one of those unfortunate beings called candidates, and---‘
 
"Yes I know you; you are Colonel Crockett. I have seen you once before, and voted for you the last time you were elected. I suppose you are out electioneering now, but you had better not waste your time or mine, I shall not vote for you again."

"This was a sockdolager...I begged him to tell me what was the matter.
" 'Well, Colonel, it is hardly worth-while to waste time or words upon it. I do not see how it can be mended, but you gave a vote last winter which shows that either you have not capacity to understand the Constitution, or that you are wanting in the honesty and firmness to be guided by it. In either case you are not the man to represent me.
But I beg your pardon for expressing it in that way. I did not intend to avail myself of the privilege of the constituent to speak plainly to a candidate for the purpose of insulting or wounding you. I intend by it only to say that your understanding of the Constitution is very different from mine; and I will say to you what, but for my rudeness, I should not have said, that I believe you to be honest.
...But an understanding of the Constitution different from mine I cannot overlook, because the Constitution, to be worth anything, must be held sacred, and rigidly observed in all its provisions. The man who wields power and misinterprets it is the more dangerous the more honest he is.'
 
" 'I admit the truth of all you say, but there must be some mistake about it, for I do not remember that I gave any vote last winter upon any constitutional question.'
" ‘No, Colonel, there's no mistake. Though I live in the backwoods and seldom go from home, I take the papers from Washington and read very carefully all the proceedings of Congress. My papers say that last winter you voted for a bill to appropriate $20,000 to some sufferers by a fire in Georgetown. Is that true?'
 
" ‘Well, my friend; I may as well own up. You have got me there. But certainly nobody will complain that a great and rich country like ours should give the insignificant sum of $20,000 to relieve its suffering women and children, particularly with a full and overflowing Treasury, and I am sure, if you had been there, you would have done just as I did.'
 
" ‘It is not the amount, Colonel, that I complain of; it is the principle. In the first place, the government ought to have in the Treasury no more than enough for its legitimate purposes. But that has nothing with the question. The power of collecting and disbursing money at pleasure is the most dangerous power that can be entrusted to man, particularly under our system of collecting revenue by a tariff, which reaches every man in the country, no matter how poor he may be, and the poorer he is the more he pays in proportion to his means. What is worse, it presses upon him without his knowledge where the weight centers, for there is not a man in the United States who can ever guess how much he pays to the government. So you see, that while you are contributing to relieve one, you are drawing it from thousands who are even worse off than he. If you had the right to give anything, the amount was simply a matter of discretion with you, and you had as much right to give $20,000,000 as $20,000. If you have the right to give to one, you have the right to give to all; and, as the Constitution neither defines charity nor stipulates the amount, you are at liberty to give to any and everything which you may believe, or profess to believe, is a charity, and to any amount you may think proper. You will very easily perceive what a wide door this would open for fraud and corruption and favoritism, on the one hand, and for robbing the people on the other. 'No, Colonel, Congress has no right to give charity.
Individual members may give as much of their own money as they please, but they have no right to touch a dollar of the public money for that purpose. If twice as many houses had been burned in this county as in Georgetown, neither you nor any other member of Congress would have thought of appropriating a dollar for our relief. There are about two hundred and forty members of Congress. If they had shown their sympathy for the sufferers by contributing each one week's pay, it would have made over $13,000. There are plenty of wealthy men in and around Washington who could have given $20,000 without depriving themselves of even a luxury of life.' "The congressmen chose to keep their own money, which, if reports be true, some of them spend not very creditably; and the people about Washington, no doubt, applauded you for relieving them from the necessity of giving by giving what was not yours to give. The people have delegated to Congress, by the Constitution, the power to do certain things. To do these, it is authorized to collect and pay moneys, and for nothing else. Everything beyond this is usurpation, and a violation of the Constitution.'
 
" 'So you see, Colonel, you have violated the Constitution in what I consider a vital point. It is a precedent fraught with danger to the country, for when Congress once begins to stretch its power beyond the limits of the Constitution, there is no limit to it, and no security for the people. I have no doubt you acted honestly, but that does not make it any better, except as far as you are personally concerned, and you see that I cannot vote for you.'
 
"I tell you I felt streaked. I saw if I should have opposition, and this man should go to talking, he would set others to talking, and in that district I was a gone fawn-skin. I could not answer him, and the fact is, I was so fully convinced that he was right, I did not want to.
But I must satisfy him, and I said to him:
 
" ‘Well, my friend, you hit the nail upon the head when you said I had not sense enough to understand the Constitution. I intended to be guided by it, and thought I had studied it fully. I have heard many speeches in Congress about the powers of Congress, but what you have said here at your plow has got more hard, sound sense in it than all the fine speeches I ever heard. If I had ever taken the view of it that you have, I would have put my head into the fire before I would have given that vote; and if you will forgive me and vote for me again, if I ever vote for another unconstitutional law I wish I may be shot.'
 
"He laughingly replied; 'Yes, Colonel, you have sworn to that once before, but I will trust you again upon one condition. You say that you are convinced that your vote was wrong. Your acknowledgment of it will do more good than beating you for it. If, as you go around the district, you will tell people about this vote, and that you are satisfied it was wrong, I will not only vote for you, but will do what I can to keep down opposition, and, perhaps, I may exert some little influence in that way.'
 
" ‘If I don't', said I, 'I wish I may be shot; and to convince you that I am in earnest in what I say I will come back this way in a week or ten days, and if you will get up a gathering of the people, I will make a speech to them. Get up a barbecue, and I will pay for it.'
 
" ‘No, Colonel, we are not rich people in this section, but we have plenty of provisions to contribute for a barbecue, and some to spare for those who have none. The push of crops will be over in a few days, and we can then afford a day for a barbecue. This is Thursday; I will see to getting it up on Saturday week. Come to my house on Friday, and we will go together, and I promise you a very respectable crowd to see and hear you.'

" 'Well, I will be here. But one thing more before I say good-bye. I must know your name.'

" 'My name is Bunce.'
 
" 'Not Horatio Bunce?'
 
" 'Yes.'

" 'Well, Mr. Bunce, I never saw you before, though you say you have seen me, but I know you very well. I am glad I have met you, and very proud that I may hope to have you for my friend.'
 
"It was one of the luckiest hits of my life that I met him. He mingled but little with the public, but was widely known for his remarkable intelligence and incorruptible integrity, and for a heart brimful and running over with kindness and benevolence, which showed themselves not only in words but in acts. He was the oracle of the whole country around him, and his fame had extended far beyond the circle of his immediate acquaintance. Though I had never met him, before, I had heard much of him, and but for this meeting it is very likely I should have had opposition, and had been beaten. One thing is very certain, no man could now stand up in that district under such a vote.

"At the appointed time I was at his house, having told our conversation to every crowd I had met, and to every man I stayed all night with, and I found that it gave the people an interest and a confidence in me stronger than I had ever seen manifested before.
 
"Though I was considerably fatigued when I reached his house, and, under ordinary circumstances, should have gone early to bed, I kept him up until midnight, talking about the principles and affairs of government, and got more real, true knowledge of them than I had got all my life before.

"I have known and seen much of him since, for I respect him - no, that is not the word - I reverence and love him more than any living man, and I go to see him two or three times every year; and I will tell you, sir, if everyone who professes to be a Christian lived and acted and enjoyed it as he does, the religion of Christ would take the world by storm.
 
"But to return to my story. The next morning we went to the barbecue, and, to my surprise, found about a thousand men there. I met a good many whom I had not known before, and they and my friend introduced me around until I had got pretty well acquainted - at least, they all knew me.
 
"In due time notice was given that I would speak to them. They gathered up around a stand that had been erected. I opened my speech by saying:
 
" ‘Fellow-citizens - I present myself before you today feeling like a new man. My eyes have lately been opened to truths which ignorance or prejudice, or both, had heretofore hidden from my view. I feel that I can today offer you the ability to render you more valuable service than I have ever been able to render before. I am here today more for the purpose of acknowledging my error than to seek your votes. That I should make this acknowledgment is due to myself as well as to you.
Whether you will vote for me is a matter for your consideration only.'"
 
"I went on to tell them about the fire and my vote for the appropriation and then told them why I was satisfied it was wrong. I closed by saying:
 
" ‘And now, fellow-citizens, it remains only for me to tell you that the most of the speech you have listened to with so much interest was simply a repetition of the arguments by which your neighbor, Mr.
Bunce, convinced me of my error.
 
" ‘It is the best speech I ever made in my life, but he is entitled to the credit for it. And now I hope he is satisfied with his convert and that he will get up here and tell you so.'

"He came upon the stand and said:
 
" ‘Fellow-citizens - It affords me great pleasure to comply with the request of Colonel Crockett. I have always considered him a thoroughly honest man, and I am satisfied that he will faithfully perform all that he has promised you today.'
 
"He went down, and there went up from that crowd such a shout for Davy Crockett as his name never called forth before.'

"I am not much given to tears, but I was taken with a choking then and felt some big drops rolling down my cheeks. And I tell you now that the remembrance of those few words spoken by such a man, and the honest, hearty shout they produced, is worth more to me than all the honors I have received and all the reputation I have ever made, or ever shall make, as a member of Congress.'

"Now, sir," concluded Crockett, "you know why I made that speech yesterday.
 
"There is one thing now to which I will call your attention. You remember that I proposed to give a week's pay. There are in that House many very wealthy men - men who think nothing of spending a week's pay, or a dozen of them, for a dinner or a wine party when they have something to accomplish by it. Some of those same men made beautiful speeches upon the great debt of gratitude which the country owed the deceased--a debt which could not be paid by money--and the insignificance and worthlessness of money, particularly so insignificant a sum as $10,000, when weighed against the honor of the nation. Yet not one of them responded to my proposition. Money with them is nothing but trash when it is to come out of the people. But it is the one great thing for which most of them are striving, and many of them sacrifice honor, integrity, and justice to obtain it."

Today is the key day.  Call your Congress Member now!  Your Congress Member is there to speak YOUR mind and is supposed to vote on behalf of their district.

We must all do our part to remind our 'leaders' of their duties to us, their constituents.

You can find all the numbers here:  Congressional Directory

Don't just sit back and take this foul tasting medicine!

 

God Bless America!

Spring is upon us in Clarksville Tennessee - Are you a bird lover?  Many of our friends and clients know that Pam and I absolutely LOVE being outside in our yard enjoying our flowers, pets, and the wildlife.  The native birds in our neighborhood keep us entertained and amazed all year long and we are always searching for new ways to invite them to our Clarksville TN Home.  Hopefully the below tips will assist you and your Family in enticing birds to your yard!

 

Attracting Birds To Your Backyard:  Bird watching is a popular past time that is shared by many, but what if watching your fluttering friends was as simple as peeking into your backyard? Thanks to a few landscaping techniques, you can trade in your binoculars for a lawn chair and enjoy bird watching from the convenience and comfort of your own home.

 

 

 

 

Attracting Birds Of A Feather: If you want to attract birds to your backyard, you have to make it a place that they will be drawn to. One way of doing this is by studying the feeding and/or nesting habits of the birds that you want to attract. Like any other animal, birds have unique characteristics that are specific to their type and knowing what they enjoy will be your first step toward inviting them into your backyard.

 

 

 

 

Bird Basics:  

Birds have three basic needs-food, shelter and water. By planting familiar foliage, you will be providing a protective covering for birds. Flowers, inviting nesting areas and a birdbath will provide additional comfort for your feathered friends.

Bird food, which is commonly available at any retail store, is often specific to certain bird types. For instance, black oil sunflower seeds will attract goldfinches and chickadees, while millet seeds are appealing to doves and sparrows. If you want to attract a hummingbird, you will need to include a sugar-water feeder in your backyard landscaping. A bird feeder, which is used to house seeds and food for your backyard birds, should be cleaned regularly.

 

 

 

Just Splashing Around:  

 

 

 

Believe it or not, a birdbath is a terrific aspect to include in your landscape if you want native birds to feel welcome. This single feature offers birds a way to bathe and drink, which makes your backyard especially inviting to visiting birds. It's important to add fresh water regularly and keep birdbaths clean and free of bacteria buildup. Another popular water feature, which is great for both landscaping appeal and attracting birds, is a fountain or waterfall. The sound of trickling water will serve as an inviting habitat for birds.

House Hunting:  If you want to attract birds, you need to provide them with a birdhouse. These structures provide a safe environment for your feathered friends and offer a way for them to feel right at home. When choosing a birdhouse, you must consider the size of the bird that you will be attracting as the size of the entrance hole will greatly be determined by the bird that will be using it. A quality birdhouse must have proper ventilation to ensure proper air circulation, and the drainage capability must also be considered in order to keep the bird's nest dry and free of any water buildup.

Reflection is certainly something that I practice from time to time.  I reflect on choices in my past as well as actions to try and help me to be a better person today and into the future.  Like each of you reading this blog, I am not free of sin, but I do try to do the best I can by others whom I come in contact with, whether Family, friends or strangers.

As we continue our journey through life many of us change - I am sure I have both physically and personally but I can only hope that (at least) the latter is for the better.  Only those who know me and the Good Lord above can tell, but I sincerely hope that is the case.

Many in life let success, fame or fortune change not only who they are but also how they treat others in their lives whether knowingly or unknowingly.  At times it is fascinating to observe and I have been able to witness this in my time in the Military as well as in my Civilian life.  I guess I should not use the word 'fascinating' to define this phenomenon- sometimes it is actually sad to see, especially when you once thought highly of a particular person due to their 'down-to-earth' mannerisms (as an example) but it nonetheless happens with many.

You see it in many who aspire to elected office regardless the level.  In this case - many times it is a sense of a higher station or dare I say arrogance.  You need only to see some of the antics that happen in our National Government - some of the mannerism in public hearings or media.  I certainly cringe when a decorated General or Command Sergeant Major is being talked down to by a member of Congress (as an example).

One thing I hope I never find in myself is feeling like I am owed something in this life.  I hope that I never look down upon another human being.  I hope that I continue to treat others as I would like to be treated.  I hope that I never feel that my place in this world is any more important than my fellow man.  I hope that I remember that I get up each morning and put my pants on the same way as the most arrogant person in this world does.

In the end, we should always reflect upon our life from time to time and make adjustments as necessary.  Sometimes the climb to the top is quick and easy - the question is, will anyone be there to catch you if you fall?