Is it my imagination or are there alot of new posters and participants on this board than there were a couple months ago? If so, where'd ya'll come from? And how did you hear about this site? Just curious.

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), April 20, 2000

Answers

I found it in the front of the magazine -- we've only had a computer since just before Christmas -- and much of my time on it has been spent trying to get it to work right!! I think I have most of the problems fixed, now. And I really like this forum.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 20, 2000.

Just got our 'puter in Feb.'00. Found the countryside site before then (on my parent's 'puter), but didn't find the forum until I had the machine for a few weeks (took me that long to work the bugs out of MY system[the brain, that is]). Love at first site, er, sight.:-)

Judi

-- Judi (ddecaro@snet.net), April 20, 2000.

Had visited the Countryside web sight in the past, mostly using the links link to other web sites. Couldn't sleep here a while back (night shift, ya know!), and was trying to do something quiet - ended up looking at my old bookmarks - there was Countryside! Noted the link to Forum, been here almost daily ever since.

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), April 20, 2000.

We just got online. Took my husband months to get it set up for me. One of the first things I looked up was homesteading. Found this site and was thrilled. I do get the mag, and it has been great but this is a way for me to get my nubie questions answered quick by some really helpful people. I've also been surprised that I could also answer some questions. It's been wonderful. annette

-- annette (j_a_henry@yahoo.com), April 20, 2000.

I'm a transplant from BWH, you guys have better threads going on and less doom and gloom and stuff like that. There are alot of angry folks on BWH right now, too bad, it was a really nice forum.

Blessings,

Judy

-- Judy Murray (jmurray@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu), April 20, 2000.

Found this site when I was browsing at work about a year ago. Have received the magazine for about 10 years but hadn't noticed any reference to a forum. We just got a new computer at home and online connection right before Christmas, I try to visit this site daily but when things get busy it might be a day or two before I get back to it. There are a couple of other forums I go to about once every week or so but the posts are much more difficult to follow than they are here. Love the magazine and love the forum. This place makes it a little easier to get through the days waiting for the next magazine to hit the mailbox.

-- Polly Sergel (oakridge@netcommander.com), April 20, 2000.

We too just got a computer (November) and Countryside was the very first site I visited. I was a lurker for a time but figured I could give my 2 cents worth. I love this place and visit every day. It helps fill in the days between magazines. Besides, its comforting to know that I'm not the only one with queer ideas, as I know no one where I live that thinks my "homestead-y" ideas are valid. Sniff.

-- Julie (juliecapasso@aol.com), April 20, 2000.

We subscribed to the magazine last fall--think I saw the ad for it in our Electical Co-op mag. Loved the magazine, so when we got our computer and went online in Feb., this forum was one of the first places I checked out. Been here ever since. Started out lurking in the shadows. You will probably see me posting more questions than responses because I am just a beginner. Lived "in the country" most of my life, but only starting to live "the country life."

-- Laurie (SUPERGS63@AOL.COM), April 20, 2000.

We've been reading Countryside for years & for some reason it just occured to me to viit the site. I guess I did'nt before because I figured, I already have the mag. so why visit the site? LOL Anyway now I check in every day & read all questions & answers. If it were'nt for the help of the people here we would have lost our calf a few weeks back. I love it!! Sherrie

-- Sherrie Holcomb (ester@communitygate.net), April 20, 2000.

I followed some folks over here from the Backwoods Home forum. Hi Judy, hi Elizabeth!

We subscribe to both magazines and have for years and years. At the moment, there seems to be more of interest to me on this one since we're in the middle of having our house built. I think there are some pretty cool people on both.

-- Jorja Hernandez (jorja@color-country.net), April 20, 2000.

Hey Jorja, how is your house coming? You must have made some headway by now. Hope it's going well.

Blessings, Judy

-- Judy Murray (jmurray@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu), April 20, 2000.

We subscribe to Countryside, & have for years---came here from reading the magazine. Have read posts for a long time before I have started posting. Sonda

-- Sonda Bruce (sgbruce@birch.net), April 21, 2000.

Mother Earth News in the 80's, Countryside Magazine in the 90's, computers and this forum for the 2000's! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 21, 2000.

I'm not really new I just do a lot of lurking. Seems I have more questions than answers so just read everything thats posted. I do appreciate the many answers to the questions I post and hope to be able to contribute an answer or two once in a while. Judi

-- judi hunter (sheepspin@aol.com), April 21, 2000.

Finally got a computer! Subscribed for years and love that I can get a fix on-line anytime. You guys are full of info and shared experiences. I tell friends about this place all the time.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@hotmail.com), April 21, 2000.

I got here through the Countryside website.

-- Abigail F. (treeoflife@sws.nb.ca), April 21, 2000.

I saw the forum "advertised" in the last issue of Countryside, so I thought I'd take a look. I really enjoy it too and check it out everyday. It's great "meeting" new people and sharing ideas.

-- Susan Hutchinson (shutch@midmaine.com), April 21, 2000.

Ive been lurking on this board for about a year and just started posting good to see you back gerbil:)

-- shaun cornish (shaun-terri@juno.com), April 21, 2000.

I am a subscriber and thought I'd check out the web site. I love it. My favorite part is the wonderful and witty sense of humor that exists among those who write.

-- Jennifer (KY) (acornfork@hotmail.com), April 21, 2000.

Same as most every one else. Subcribed to the Mag. for years then child gave me her old comp. when she up graded. 1st thing I tried was this forum. BWH forum is good too. Not a homesteading site exactly but some really great folks.

-- Okie-Dokie (www.tommycflinstone@aol.com), April 22, 2000.

My subscription was running out in May, came here to get 800 number to subscribe for another 3 years....when I was here last, 2 years ago this discussion forum wasn't here. I am glad it is! and now back to Lurking!

-- Xrhodes (xrhodes@usa.com), April 24, 2000.

My excuse is that I've always had a desire to simplify my life, and was able to move from NJ to TN, and now have the chance on my 2+ acres, so here I am!

-- Eric Stone (ems@nac.net), April 24, 2000.

I have subscribed for years and when I realized that there were email notes I thought "I missing something here". I have just lately got the nerve to "talk". But do I ever enjoy this site as there is always information that is not in the mag for of course the mailman wouldn't be able to carry it.

-- Susie*Ks (goodartfarm@msn.com), April 25, 2000.

While perusing a mad magazine i read about this crazy bunch of folks with knowledge.... So here i am... also a transplant from BWH... Hey Judy, Okie and Lizzie and the rest of ya....Actually live in Missouri...

-- Doc (thisisdoc@aol.com), April 27, 2000.

I subscribe to Countryside and have for several years. Tripped over this Countryside Forum on a Homesteading search I did. I enjoy the posts. Oh, BTW, another magazines forum had someone asking how to get the raw ingredients to make fried pork skins like at County Fairs. The magazine didn't know where to find the raw ingredients and appealed to the readers for help. LOL. ROFL. I shook my head and thought "Come the Revolution you will starve!" smiles

-- Gailann Taylor Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), April 27, 2000.

I've "visited" this board many times over the past eyar or so but hardly ever posted. Since Steve has taken over, it really has improved a lot. I was, as noted elsewhere, posting quite a bit on the BWH forum, which has always had some really nasty folks from time to time. Recently, the nastiness and attacks and non-helpful or homestead oriented posts got totally unbearable (not that there haven't been a few here and by the same folks in some cases). I also went to the TMEN board and Lehman's.

The main thing for me is that I am seeking friendship and companionship. I have some beautiful land and want to live on it. I want the land to be made better by my being there and I want, when I die, that it go into hands which will love it as I do. Some people will complain that I am being anal or controlling. Well, maybe so. But I subscribe to the tenets of simplicity and of giving more than receiving. I am much distressed by the way our beautiful land is being paved over, and the Wal-Marts and Food Lions -- so ugly and dominating, as are the folks who rush in and out of them and go back to their equally ugly homes.

As an intelligent person who is most grateful for the internet and my computer and the ease of flicking a switch and turning on lights or being able to pick up my phone and call out, I don't want to be so simple as to not have these amenities on my land, but by the same token, I have been trying to figure out how to build a home and set up a base on my land which is as free from the money economy and its traps as possible. So far, I have not found the way!

Of all the forums extant, this one seems to be the most aligned with my goals so it's the forum and the people here on that I would like to be aligned with. So Judy and Doc and I an others are "switching" here from BWH but not entirely. Looking through the prior posts, many of us have been ehre all along. While we appear new, it's just that we are now more visible and vociferous, thanks to Steve's new and better leadership. ESPECIALLY since the "adult" thread was removed! Hooray and thanks!

-- Elizabeth Petofi (tengri@cstone.net), April 27, 2000.

Goodness, gracious! (My Grandmother used to say that when she wasn't saying "#**~?&$5*!) This is the same grandmother who taught me that there was no need to test the maximum liquid volume of the cesspool by "going" inside. Of course, we were countrified, and the grass always grew greener behind the barn. Elizabeth! You claim to be an intelligent woman! (Hunker down here, dude!) I GUESS SO! I challenge the rest of you to follow Elizabeth (Can I call you Lizzie or Betty?) with her command of the English (American, really!) language! I mean, "extant"?? There are approximately 3 of us in these Yewnited Staytes that have any clue what that means! But, Elizabeth (no! Lizzie!), I appreciate you and love your approach! Wonderful! I've been accused of being the "English Teacher" on the town boards I have served. But that is good. We all learn from this entertaining and educational site, and learning the language of the land is to the benefit of all! Actually, you used another really inspiring word as well, but I can't peruse your message without a great deal of inconvenience. Now, I will have to say that I love this site, and used to read all posts every day. We've grown, friends! I try to check in every day, but my time is finite. I'll try to check all threads where I find an interest, or feel I can contribute an answer. But I believe you will see my contributions diminish as planting (and unfortunately, weeding) season gets here. Good luck to all!

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), April 27, 2000.