The Coolest Beatle
According to a story from The Poke website, when drummer Phil Collins was 19, he got a call to go out to George Harrison’s house to play the congas for a track on his album, All Things Must Pass. Collins was excited, but when the album came out, the song had no congas in it.
Twenty years later, Collins met Harrison at an event and reminded him of the session, asking him what happened to the conga track. Harrison said he didn’t remember, but he still had the master tapes and promised to take a look.
Three weeks later, Collins got a package from Harrison with the master tapes from the session. When he listened, though, he realized that the congas sounded terrible. He also heard Harrison tell producer Phil Spector, “Get rid of that lad with the congas, he’s absolute rubbish.”
Mortified, Collins called Harrison to apologize. After a few minutes, though, Harrison started to laugh. “Those tapes I sent you – they’re not the real sessions.”
He’d hired a band to re-record the song and played the congas himself as badly as he could, then said the line about Collins being useless. “I wish I could have seen your face,” Harrison said. “I’ll send the real sessions to you; you sounded great.”
George Harrison had taken a day out of his schedule just to pull a prank on Phil Collins – proving he was the coolest Beatle.
~ Elisa McNinch, Realtor
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The Houston housing market is HOT right now. Inventory is still low. If you are searching for a Realtor to help you list or buy a home, we encourage you to give us a call to see if we are the “right” agent for you.
Take a look at our Featured Listings below:
If you would like to search the Houston MLS system for your next property, click on the Home button on the top menu bar to navigate the main BrunerTeam website.
Note: We are taking new listings all of the time.
Celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8th
May Round Up
Bird Day, May 4. An annual holiday with half a million adherents who celebrate through birdwatching, studying birds, and other bird-related activities.
Mother’s Day, May 8. Honor the mother or mother figure in your life.
Memorial Day, May 30. A federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
National Senior Health & Fitness Day, May 25. The common goal for this day is to help keep older Americans healthy and fit.
Monthly Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Tart
From Land O’Lakes, “It’s strawberry season! Delicious, sweet, fragrant red berries are ready to enjoy. Whether you pick your own or purchase them at the farmers’ market or grocery store, now is the time to indulge. Strawberries are one of my very favorite fruits. And, one of my favorite summer time treats is my mom’s fresh strawberry glace pie – just strawberries and a glaze made from strawberries – yum. For some, glace pie is a little boring or plain. So why not pair strawberries with another favorite dessert, like cheesecake?
That’s just what Strawberry Cheesecake Tart delivers – the best of both worlds – fresh strawberries in a light glaze served over a luscious cream cheese base in a butter cookie crust. It’s simply scrumptious and beautiful too. Strawberry Cheesecake Tart makes a wonderful dessert for summer entertaining. Be sure to show your family and friends the entire tart for the “wow” effect. Then slice and serve – they may even ask for seconds.
The cheesecake portion of this dessert needs to be made ahead so it can cool and firm up in the fridge. Just before serving adorn the cheesecake with strawberries and finish with a little drizzle of melted strawberry jam – a quick and easy way to glaze. Then enjoy!”
For recipes go to: Strawberry Cheesecake Tart
Avocados For Your Health
Avocados are high in fiber, healthy fats, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and folate. Many of these nutrients support the immune system and suppress inflammation.
Gut health. The fiber in avocados supports a healthy digestive system by promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. Some evidence suggests that consuming avocados (along with other fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds) may increase bacterial diversity for healthy digestion.
Heart disease risk. Avocados have lots of potassium and magnesium, which are beneficial for controlling blood pressure. They may also help increase levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol) and decrease levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol, which is associated with atherosclerosis – the accumulation of plaque along artery walls.
Antioxidants. Avocados are filled with carotenoids and other nutrients that possess significant antioxidant, neuro-protective, and cardio-protective properties. Carotenoids have been shown to protect against oxidative damage, which is associated with many chronic diseases.
Immune Boosting Tips
The Times Now News website reminds us that these foods can help everyone fight off infections more easily:
- Vitamin A. Known as beta carotene, this boosts the health of the intestines and respiratory system, protects eyes from night blindness and age-related decline, lowers the risk of certain types of cancer, and improves bone health. Vitamin A can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, and red bell peppers.
- Vitamin C. This helps stimulate the formation of antibodies. Fortunately, vitamin C is found in many foods, like fruits including lemons, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and strawberries, as well as vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, kale, and broccoli.
- Vitamin E. An antioxidant, this nutrient helps the body fight off infection by neutralizing free radicals. It also helps your body’s cells regenerate. It’s found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and avocados.
- Protein. Protein contains amino acids essential for the function of T-cells, which protect the body against pathogens. Meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds are excellent sources.
- Zinc deficiency has been linked to immune dysfunction. Zinc assists the body in making proteins and DNA, and also contributes to wound healing, as well as supporting childhood growth and development.
May 2022 Happenings In Houston
Welcome to May in Houston. Take a look at some of the things Houston has to offer: Annual Bluebonnet Festival, Miller Outdoor Theater, Discovery Green, Art Car Parade & Museum, Live Music Events, Market Square Park, Sporting Events, Harlem Globetrotters, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Children’s Museum, Theater Under The Stars (TUTS), Urban Harvest Farmers Market, Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps around Houston, so much more. Take a look at some of the events for you, your family, & friends to enjoy in Houston & the surrounding areas:
Visit Houston: May Events in Houston 2021
Houston Mom’s: Happenings in Houston in May
Kids Out and About.com: May activities in & around Houston
101 Family Day Trips Around Houston
Need a friend? Go to Work
Are workplace friendships a good thing? A Randstad Work Watch survey of more than 1,000 U.S. workers suggests they are: 67% of employees in the survey said that having friends on the job makes work more enjoyable; 55% said that friendships make their job more satisfying.
Employees do see the potential downside. Forty-four percent said that workplace friendships feed gossip, and 37% worried that they encourage favoritism; 35% said friendships can lead to conflicts of interest. But in the end, only 12% of workers said that making friends at work was a risk.
20 Somethings in the Workplace
Today’s youngest workers are smart and energetic, but often they have some rough edges that need to be softened. If you’re in charge of one or more 20 something, follow this advice from the Society for Human Resource Management:
Tailor your training. Don’t try to cram every worker into the same training program, especially younger ones. Assess their experience level. Get a good idea of what they know, and design training that fills in their gaps and reinforces their skills.
Take advantage of their strengths. Find out what they’re good at and start off with assignments that use their talents effectively. They’ll gain confidence, you’ll look good, and together you can work on expanding their skills so they can advance.
Give lots of feedback. Veteran employees usually know when they’re doing a good job and where they need help. Younger employees may not. Keep an eye on them and give them lots of feedback; both positive, when they perform well, and constructive, where they need improvement. When they know you’ll hold them accountable, they’ll try harder to succeed.
Ask for their opinions. Ask your young employees if your approach to training and management is working for them. They may spot areas you could pay more attention to, or things they want to learn that you’ve neglected. They’ll improve and realize that you trust their point of view.
55 Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Every Type of Mom
From Good Housekeeping, “Let’s get this out of the way: Your mom deserves to be showered with love 24/7, 365. But when Mother’s Day comes around, it’s the time to go all-out with festive meals, fun family activities and gifts galore. That being said, it may feel next-to-impossible to find a gift for your mom that fully expresses just how much she means to you as her daughter, son, husband or another member of her family. Need some pointers? Browse through these unique Mother’s Day gifts for her, ranging from cheap to luxe, to find something that’s sure to melt her heart.
Here, we’ve rounded up ideas for every kind of mom, whether she’s looking for a helping hand in the kitchen, needs guidance on her beauty routine or she’s a first-time mom seeking some well-deserved R&R. As you work your way through this list, think about what she’s been eyeing (or ya know, dropping not-so-subtle hints about) since the holidays — a cute purse or new garden tool, for example — and take it from there. But if nothing special comes to mind, then take the more meaningful route by giving her personalized jewelry, photo gifts or something sentimental that captures what’s in your heart.
Since Mother’s Day is about celebrating moms of all kinds, keep the other women in your life top of mind since many of these gifts also work for grandmas, mother-in-laws, stepmoms and godmothers, too. This year, instead of flowers, gift the women in your life something extra special!”
For more go to: 55 Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Safe Driver Tips
Taking care of your car keeps you and your family safe. The Robotics & Automation website shares these tips for good car maintenance:
- Maintain your tire pressure. Keeping your tires properly inflated can lengthen their life and save you money on gas. Pressure can vary with mileage and temperature, so check it every time you fill up your tank.
- Check your oil. Oil is essential to your vehicle’s performance, keeping all the parts running smoothly. Make sure your motor has been off for five minutes or so, to allow the oil to settle. Top it off if it’s low, and check with your mechanic to make sure you don’t have a leak.
- Test all lights. Make sure your headlights and taillights are working so you can see on the road —and so others can see you!
Enhance Your Business with a Wide Approach
Aiming for greater diversity and inclusion means thinking about your business while focusing on what’s right. As you strive to make your organization more inclusive, follow this advice from Inc.:
- Target new audiences. Bolster your commitment to diversity by looking for new markets and buyers. Motorcycle companies, for example, used to market exclusively to men; these days they’re also targeting women and other groups extensively. Look at your products and services to identify fresh markets for them.
- Review your language. The words you use have power, for good and for ill. Be mindful and use inclusive language. Have staff members read your marketing materials and other public statements to look for language with hidden biases that may alienate potential customers. Listen to their suggestions for a more inclusive way of communicating.
- Look for connections, not divisions. We’re used to separating people into categories, especially for marketing purposes. Instead, try looking for what different groups have in common. Most single people want to date, for example, whatever their age, race, or orientation, and your offerings can reflect that common interest. Look for intersections where you can appeal to a wider, more diverse market of customers with universal needs.
DIY: Painted Kitchen Cabinets Are Making a Comeback
From Southern Living, “Looking to add some pop and personality to your kitchen? Then, open the door to the idea of enhancing your space with painted cabinets.
While this trend originally harkens back to the mid-1990s, colored cabinets are suddenly making a resurgence in the hub of the home. “In recent years, as we took refuse in our homes from the COVID crisis, colorful kitchens began trending again in earnest,” says Dennese Guadeloupe-Rojas, an interior designer in Silver Spring, Maryland. “The right designer color on kitchen cabinets adds a dimension of sophistication and charm to this ‘family’ room.”
Here’s why painted cabinets have become fashionable once again, which colors are most popular and how you can introduce them into your kitchen.”
For more go to: Painted Kitchen Cabinets Are Making a Comeback
The Black Dot
One day a professor entered the classroom and announced a surprise test. The students got nervous. The professor distributed a sheet of paper to each one, then told them to turn the page over and start the test.
To everyone’s surprise, there were no questions on the test paper, just a black dot in the center of the page. Startled, the students looked at the professor in confusion. The professor told the students: “I want you to write a few lines about what you see on the paper.”
The students were puzzled but started writing. Once everyone was finished, the professor collected all the papers and started reading each answer aloud in front of the whole class. Without exception, all the students had written about the black dot, describing its position, size, etc. After reading all the answers, the professor addressed the students, “Don’t worry, none of you will be graded on this test. I just want you all to think about something. All of you wrote about the black dot, but none of you wrote about the white paper.
This is what happens in our lives. We’re surrounded by things to celebrate and learn from— our parents, friends, family, good health, and so forth—but we limit ourselves by focusing only on the dark spots: our disappointments, frustrations, fears, and anxieties. We take the rest for granted.
Take your eyes away from the dark spots in your life. Focus on the bright parts all around you and let positivity guide your thoughts.”
DIY: It’s Time To Tackle Your Laundry Room – Here’s Where To Start
From Southern Living, “Here’s the deal, most of us spend quite a bit of time doing laundry. Whether it’s loading, folding, ironing, or stain-fighting, it’s often an around-the-clock, seven-days-a-week process that leaves no rest for the weary. If you’re not one who actually enjoys the chore (which is probably the majority of us, right?) then there’s hope for you yet. It’s all about creating a space that you enjoy being in, whether your laundry room is big enough for a party or a tidy closet hidden behind bifold doors. For those looking to gussy up their utility space, we’ve outlined the top five ways to do it in a flash—and without a total renovation.
To be sure, there’s no shortage of ways to bring your personal style into your home and why should your laundry room be any different?”
For more go to: 5 Laundry Room Decorating Ideas
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.
—Marie Curie
Memorial Day is celebrated on May 30th. Please take a moment to remember & honor those who have died protecting our country. May God bless their bravery and sacrifice so that we may be free.
April 2022 Trivia Answer
Question: What is the smallest country in the world?
Answer: Vatican City
“Ok…I made a goofball error and forgot to update my trivia question in April. Yep! I used the SAME question for April that I did for March with the answer right there for everyone to see. (LOL!) We’ll just call it an “April Fool’s” blooper.” – Elisa
Congratulations to Daisy Mendoza! Your name was randomly selected from all of the correct entries. You’ve won a $50 gift card to one of the following: Amazon.com, Target, Khol’s, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Home Depot, Academy, Petsmart, Outback, Carrabba’s Italian, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Domino’s Pizza, Papa John’s, Chili’s, Red Robin, Panera’s, OR IHOP. IT’S YOUR CHOICE!
May 2022 Trivia Question
Question: Which American state borders just one other state?
Everyone who contacts Elisa via email (elisa@brunerteam.com) or phone (832-746-7911) with the correct answer by May 20th will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card to one of the following: Amazon.com, Target, Khol’s, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Home Depot, Academy, Petsmart, Outback, Carrabba’s Italian, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Domino’s Pizza, Papa John’s, Chili’s, Red Robin, Panera’s, OR IHOP. It’s your choice!
Client Announcements
Dear Readers,
With my clients’ permission, I post their closing announcements on my business Facebook page. I love being able to celebrate with them, tell their stories, and express my gratitude for allowing me to help facilitate their transaction. You are always welcome to read their announcements & other real estate tips on my business FB page at ElisaMcNinchRE. Please know that these are ONLY the clients who have GIVEN PERMISSION to post their stories on social media. (I certainly respect my clients’ privacy). Thank you for allowing me to be your real estate consultant for life. I love what I do because of clients like YOU!
– Elisa McNinch, Realtor