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I LOVE everything about the Olympics: the competitions, the drama, the stories, the sportsmanship, the pursuit of excellence for excellence's sake, not to mention the personal sacrifices each of these young (and not so young) athletes makes to reach the pinnacles of their sport. As they gather from every corner of the world. I'm truly in awe. However, watching the 2026 Olympics currently being broadcast from Italy, it occurred to me that I may have missed my golden opportunity. No, it's not ice skating, or downhill skiing, or aerial snowboarding; it's curling! You know, that odd sport we only watch every four years, that involves a 42 lb. polished granite stone, some slippery shoes, and a broom? (I don't mean to brag, but I'm an expert at sweeping.) According to Wikipedia, "curling is a 500-year-old team sport that originated in 16th-century Scotland, and is a highly-skilled, strategic game where players slide stones toward a target, using brooms to manipulate speed and direction by melting the ice."
Yes, yes, yes, and yes! That's a sport I can get behind. Never mind that I don't actually understand the game, can't figure out how it's scored, or know anyone who has ever played. The fact is, I'm mesmerized by the ultra-smooth slide and release, followed by frantic sweeping to "curl" the stone into position. It's right up my alley. While I'd be the first to admit that I can't play hockey, speed skate, or steer a luge (can anyone?), this girl knows how to sweep! On top of which, the "team aspect" allows you to YELL at your partner and bark out orders, which is a skill set I already naturally possess. (It's a gift.) Not for nothing, but I grew up in a large, messy family with six kids, which meant that our home was constantly in need of cleaning and organizing. Enter one little misplaced neat freak, and the rest is history. Who knew there was a gold medal waiting with my name on it? Unfortunately, curling wasn't admitted as an Olympic sport until 1998, well past my prime, when I was home raising toddlers (sigh). Today, my "professional" sweeping primarily involves my garden, as well as the properties we bring to market. And while it may not be the differential Sellers use to select their Agents, there's always going to be a broom and a mop at every listing Sarah and I represent, because keeping a house presentable during its marketing period necessitates a little elbow grease. And with a team of four, one of us will always be checking on the home, turning on or off the lights, watering the yard, and yes, sweeping the interior and exterior as needed. (If you thought real estate was glamorous, think again.) So while a broom probably isn't the difference between what Sarah, Kate, Elizabeth, and I bring to the process compared to what our competitors do, I like to think that being detail-oriented, hands-on, and totally involved with each property matters to the Seller. (If not, it should.) Because it certainly matters to us. (Someone score us a "10" already. We've earned it!) Gotta go, the ice dancing is on! How can we help you?
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AuthorJulie Gardner, has been writing The Perspective for 19 years and has published more than 850 humorous but always informative, essays on life and real estate. Categories
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