Something’s Better Than Nothing

Folks it’s been slim pickings here at Casa Baer. I’ve been trying to keep my chin up throughout this pandemic but some days it’s really hard to find the silver lining. Since the beginning of March we’ve only taken in just a smidge over six thousand dollars. Usually we bring in double that each and every month, especially this time of year. We’re heading into our second busiest time of the year and are still getting more cancellations than reservations coming in. It’s heart breaking.

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Life Is Abundant When You Believe

Hello friends. This week I’m out in the world focusing on the good, trying to be the best possible version of myself that I can be. I’m exploring and refilling my creativity well. Nothing like a little adventure to lift your spirits and clear your head right?

But, because you all know I’m a giver, I’m not going to leave you hanging here with nothing this week. You’ve come to expect greatness, silliness and just plain weirdness from me so I’m not going to disappoint now.

Since you took the time to click on over here to the Edge of Eternity, I encourage you to talk amongst yourselves, share your own positive energy in the comments below and enjoy this amazing video.

Until next week, remember: You are your greatest investment. Take care of yourselves. Be kind to yourself and others. Be the best version of yourself you can be.

How do you spread kindness? Any words of advice to keep the positivity flowing? I’d love to hear about your daily devotionals or what inspires you.

Word of the Day: Zax

Fun fact about me: Every day I drink at least 2 cups of unsweeted green tea. Not sure how “fun” that is, but it’s definitely a fact.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, February 2020. Images by Pexels. Video courtesy YouTube (Motivational Madness)

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The First Thanksgiving

Well, here we are again people. Thanksgiving and the cusp of the holiday gift-giving, shopping, binge eating season. It’s true what my parents always used to say, time goes by too quickly. Slow down and enjoy life.

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Introverts, Extroverts and Know-It-Alls

I think it’s pretty safe to assume that we all know we should not discuss religion or politics when in the company of strangers. I also think it is safe to assume that most people are either somewhat introverted or somewhat extroverted if not completely so. We all know people who are one or the other or some mutant form of both. And, of course, we all know a know-it-all. You know, those people who have an opinion about EVERYTHING and usually express it loudly and in such a manner so as to sound like an authority on the subject. The people who make you eventually go:

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Should You Really Be Complaining About That?

I don’t like perpetual complainers. I don’t understand people who always find something to complain about. I don’t get it. Why go through life looking for the negative stuff? How depressing. How much nicer it is to see the silver lining even in the darkest places. It’s not always easy to see the positive side of things, I get that, but there is always something to be thankful for. The truth is, most of us have some challenges in our lives to deal with. But, we don’t have to harp on them. We all have good things in our lives as well.

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An International New Year

One of the things I really like about innkeeping is meeting folks from all over the world. When we first bought the inn, I never imagined that I’d meet people from so many different countries. I truly never imagined there’d be so many people from other parts of the world interested in the deep south.

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Counting The Days

We’ve probably all heard the expression, “Don’t count days, make the days count.” Well, I believe that’s a good motto. It reminds us to be thankful every single day for all of the blessings that happen around us, most of which, sadly, we don’t even pay attention to.

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Happy Biziversary!

I know what you’re thinking – bizi what? Biziversary. Yes, that’s a made up word. I thought of it all by myself, but I think it might catch on and some day make it into the urban dictionary.

Biziversary. Let’s break it down: part 1; biz, short for business – part 2; iversary, annual celebration of something important, in our case, the Rickrodes buying The Baer House Inn. That’s right – it’s our biziversary. We’ve owned The Baer House now for a year!

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Blog Interrupted, Or . . . What’s Going On In Your World?

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog to talk about you. That’s right – you. As I’m beginning to discover, it’s not always about me. (I know, that’s wrong, but true.)

So, dear readers, tell me, what’s going on in your world? What little tidbits of completely useless information should I know about you?

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We’ll Leave the Light on For You.

Tom Bodett may not have left the light on for us, but we sure did spend a lot of nights at Motel 6’s. Well, not a lot really, 5 to be exact. And I can vouch that they are truly no frills all the way. Not a single picture adorns any wall. No cupboards, no closets, no clocks.

Photo courtesy Google Images

However, they are almost everywhere, especially along the interstates and they are cheap. And, most importantly for us, as we traveled across country, they allow pets to stay for free.

You’d think with a chain of cheap hotels, you’d pretty much get the same thing at every location. Not so my friends. Not so. Some are nicer than others, some have 2 beds, some 1, some have 2 sinks, some 1, some have a tub/shower combo some just have the shower. But one thing is consistent, you always get exactly 2 slivers of thinly wrapped white soap and 2 white bath towels. If you’re lucky, you’ll get hand towels and on a rare occasion, maybe a wash cloth. In most instances you’ll get a very small ice bucket and 2 plastic cups. Why in God’s name they give you an ice bucket is beyond me, especially one the size of a thimble, because you’ll never be able to find an ice machine.

Air conditioning is usually advertised and there are noisy contraptions in the rooms that spit out luke warm air, but I’m not sure I’d go so far as to call them air cooling systems. I guess that’s how they cut down on the cost of bed linens; keep the room so hot nobody will want to cover up.

Photo courtesy Google Images

Some of these establishments have what appeared to be swimming pools, but even Louisiana bayou gators would have shyed away from a couple of the ones where we stayed. (See me shiver.)

And here’s something else I can almost guarantee, if you stay at a Motel 6, you will be within walking distance of a Denny’s restaurant.

All in all, we had clean rooms that served their purpose, with super easy on/off interstate access. And each morning we had a clever wake-up call from Tom Bodett himself. No other chain hotel can lay claim to that sweet perk.

And, so, after 5 long days on the road, and 5 weird nights at Motel 6’s, we arrived at our destination. Hot, tired, grouchy and willing to practically cut off an arm to get out of the car.

Photo courtesy P. Rickrode

What’s your favorite chain hotel? Ever stay at a Motel 6? Have a great hotel/motel story? I’d love to hear it.

Word of the day: Waggery

Fun fact about me: I like to drive. (But, I won’t be taking any long distance trips any time soon.)

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, August 2015. Photos courtesy P. Rickrode and Google Images.

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