Spring, The Real Estate Market and Restaurant Week

I love the summertime. I love walking around in my sandals making sure my feet are perfectly pedicured; In fact I buy a special pair of sandals I can wear to court. Most old timers will recall there was a time when the court houses closed for vacation the entire month of August and most of July for that matter. Judges and lawyers took vacations and we were off almost like teachers, leaving early and arriving late to the office. No trials were ever set for the summer and at least here in Suffolk County, the legal world slowed down to RPM 33. I know I date myself with these recollections,but I still resent being forced to go to court in the summertime. Every summer I stage my silent protest, by not wearing nylons to court and sporting sun dresses with a jacket and dress sandals. Please! Daring for me began when I started wearing red nail polish instead of the muted colors I once wore. As I age,however, I grow more comfortable with myself and push the envelop probably in ways only I can appreciate! Springtime however, has always been my favorite season. The flowers bloom; love and divorce are in the air and the real estate market usually picks up. During this season the East End of Long Island beckons me in ways only a fellow lover of fine cuisine can appreciate. While NYC clearly holds the title for most diversity in dining, the East End has succeeded in my opinion in putting together some fine eateries which rival the west any day. Restaurant Week in the Hamptons designed to bring the crowds out east before the heat of the sun draws those seeking out the Beverly Hills of the right coast; has always been one of my favorite events. As a native Long Islander I try to participate as often as I can, trying as many restaurants as I can within the week. In that I am now in a mode where I will only drink Long Island Wines, the restaurants participating out east usually showcase the local vineyards. The regions of France used to be my favorite growers of the grape, until the French did their best to piss off every American in the country. I then switched to the Italians, who of course are always close to my heart. Over the past 2 years or so my husband and I have been experimenting with the Long Island wineries. We have visited and tasted many and certainly have our favorites. Also awakening this season are the real estate investors who have been in hibernation. After a long slow winter of sales and outrageous real estate prices, we are being told that the market is on the move again and that as usual the warmer weather has stimulated interest in real estate. While February produced a record low in real estate sales, my broker friends are telling me about an increase in activity and interest again as the perennials peak out from their flower beds, the real estate speculators and buyers are out again. Accordingly, we may see some slight decreases in prices as sellers vie for the purchasers who have been absent all winter. AAh...Talking real estate over a glass of wine out in the Hamptons...The end of the island you say? We natives call it only the beginning...Happy Spring!