Life here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest definitely has its benefits. With Mt. Rainer to our East, the Olympic Moutain Range to the West, and the waters of the Puget Sound all around, we’re fortunate to reside among some of the most picturesque scenery on the planet.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that one of my favorite things about calling the Kitsap Peninsula home is the summer crabbing season. Several times a week, from the 1st of July until Labor Day weekend, I take my trusty C-Dory out onto Hood Canal in search of the prized bounty, the delicious Dungeness Crab!
The last couple of weeks in real estate have been especially challenging for me. It seems like every transaction I have has taken a turn for the worse. In many instances, circumstances occured that were completely outside of my control. Things just happen. Such is the Roller Coaster of Real Estate!
Earlier today I was thinking that many times being in real estate is a lot like going out crabbing.
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Sometimes when I pull up my pots, they’re packed to the hilt! We catch so many “keepers” that we end up throwing the smaller ones back! We take ‘em home, boil ‘em up and pork out. Life is good!
Other times, when we pull up the rope, feeling a heavy weight, and thinking we’ve got another great catch, it turns out to be a HUGE starfish, all by itself, the bait completely devoured! We go home empty handed, feeling like total failures.
On a few occasions, we’ve even had our crab pots stolen. Talk about the ultimate frustration!
Being successful at crabbing takes proper planning. It takes time, money, resources, knowledge, and hard work. You have to have the right equipment and know how to use it. You need to understand the environment - the tides, depths, navigational aids & markers. In addition, there are ever-changing State regulations that specify set guidelines on size, type, and limits (The Fish & Game wardens are very active in Washington, and their fines are rather steep).
But one thing I’ve learned. Regardless of how much I may plan, spend, know, or work, sometimes it’s just a matter of luck - of being in the right place at the right time. If I just keep throwing out my pots, eventually I get to eat!
And conversely, I may do all the right things, in all the right ways, to the very best of my abilities, and still come up short, with an empty crab pot.
And occasionally, forces outside of my control (you lousy crabpot thiefs!) foil my efforts altogether!
One year, the catch is plentiful. Another, the pickins are slim. Sometimes it comes easy, other times you definitely earn every leg and claw.
But no matter if the cooler is full of crab ready for boiling, or whether it’s just that stupid starfish eating up all the bait, crabbing and real estate both have their seasons.
Some are good, some not so good.
Regardless of which one you’re in, you can always find cause to be thankful as you’re out in the boat of life, and cherish the ones who share the ride with you!
-Sparky-
