Author: Manny Kagan

On our recent vacation to Arnold, I spent part of my days sitting on the deck reading “There is No App For Happiness” by Max Strom. This book was given to me by a friend who participated in one of Mr. Stroms’ retreats. The message in the book is that modern technology does not necessarily help humans to be better communicators—or to be happy. Apparently, “according to studies, humans communicate ninety percent nonverbally” and he continued “so, if we modern humans communicate ninety percent nonverbally, that means that whenever we communicate with text, we are using only ten percent of our communication potential”.

I strive to meet most of my clients in person. Hopefully that makes me a better mortgage broker. Recently, I took two trips to Alhambra in Southern California to meet a client for whom we are helping secure a loan, so she can buy her bakery—“Perfectly Sweet”. Our meetings and friendship that developed out of them has made me happy. Of course I use technology to stay in touch, but at the same time, I only check my emails once a day and prefer to talk to people (if not in person, then at least on the phone). The face and voice can reveal much more than emails, or texts in relationships. I have also realized through years of experience, that when I have personal contact and get to know my clients, it is much easier to find solutions because we’ve developed trust. Even if our communication is through email after our meeting, I prefer to call back on the phone to be sure that everything is alright.

One of the advantages of our vacation place was there was no cell connection (difficult to believe). I could only return calls when we drove into town. And yes, I checked my emails, but seeing bills from my attorney and responding to legal matters did not make me happy.

Mr. Strom also writes that prior to World War II before air conditioners entered our homes and people moved indoros to stay cool, neighbors would sit on their shaded porches just chatting with one another. Today, we probably do not know our neighbors names. I found this quote by Charles Dickens rather interesting:

“Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true”.

It is a remarkable quote since Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 and died on June 9, 1870!

If you have a blank stare on your face before looking for the answer to my question on Google, do not feel excluded.  Murphys is located in the Sierras in Calaveras county. Many Californians are not familiar with their own backyard and history.

What if I would told you that if not for Murphys, there would not be a San Francisco?

I am exaggerating just a little bit. Murphys and all the surrounding area is where the Gold Rush took place. Apparently, the rush did not end in 1880 when the last golden nugget was found.

As recently as December 26, 1992 in the crystalline mine near Jamestown, Tuolumne County, the Sonora Mining Corporation uncovered 1.568 ounces of specimen gold. It is the largest specimen of crystalline gold in the world. I found this information in the Ironside Vineyards Heritage Museum located one mile from the Main Street in Murphys.

Murphys is considered the wine tasting capital of the Sierras. There are many wine tasting stores just on Main Street alone. We visited the Lavender Ridge store, where Jennie Fleming paired excellent cheeses together with the wine. There are many fun stores that spread along the Main Street. Actually, an idea to write about this place came after visiting the spice store off of Main Street. I wish I could capture the aroma—in the photo I took.