Just in case some of ya'll wants to know what we're do'n around here thought I'd tell ya'll. Nothing earth shatterin-just everyday liv'n that us old country folks do. Certainly won't make the newspaper but then maybe I don't want it to. Others would be want'n to move in next door and I don't want any neighbors that close. I'm not antisocial--I just love my privacy!!

After a night of welcomed rest I rolled out'a bed bout half hour [5:30 am] ago. Looked out and saw SNOW!! Not much but still the ground is covered. While sett'n at the puter I'm now hearin some birds start'n to chirp and sing. Don't know what kind they are but am sure it's not those ole big mouth'd Blue Jays. These are SPRING BIRDS! I've already put up all my bird feed'n stuff as the grass is startin to green up and bugs are readily available for'm to eat. [If I could only talk'm into eat'n those nasty asian beetles.]

Ole Jeep and I have been busy install'n a furnace and a/c in a mobile home--the one with 2" walls! After rebuildin the floor and duct and roof and ceiling and side wall and entire gas piping--well you get the picture. A crook sold this piece of garbage to a young couple to live in. It's unlivable the way it is and the young fellow, a cross country truck driver, isn't much of a carpenter, electrician, plumber or a/c, furnace man. Wants us to complete the job for'm. Don't really wanna get into that much re-buildin but may just to help'm out. It'll cost'm a fortune in labor alone, not counting the material needed to do the job properly. I'm want'n to do some other things and ole jeep is build'n different models of coffins but still these young folks need help.

Bought a new mailbox last evening. A BIG'n it is. Other one, plastic, we'd had for about 20 years I guess and it finally fell apart. [Don't anybody tell Lil Dumplin but I "accidently" hit it with the old 4 wheel pull chevy this winter-it got to be UGLY!] It was gaudy anyhow and with all the painted up look kinda drab and washed out-the door just happened to "fall off" without even me touch'n it. Course the ole Chev done it right smart!

Checkin on wireless internet service. My ISP has oversold and it's almost impossible to get online of an evening. New stuff will cost from $100 to $170 to hook up and frome $40 to $45 per month. Lots more than the $17 I'm pay'n now per month.

Gonna be gone another day or two with Lil Dumplin. Head'n to Indiana's east side [south of madision] and then over to Tucky. Rekon we'll be home late Thursday nite. At least I can get a couple days vacation from the work around here. Ya'll rest a mite and do some visit'n with your neighbors or old folks round your area. Nursing homes are just full of precious old folks that are always anxious to have visitors. Take you'rn banjer, washboard, spoons er whatever y'all play and go entertain'm. They'll love ya'll for it. Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready to meet Him? ole hoot, the lazy old fat man. Deut. 28:10

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), February 28, 2001

Answers

I'm ready for Him, Hoot!! You and dumplin have a safe trip, know that I will hold you in my prayers. Enjoy the rest, and the time with dumplin.....Sissy

-- sissy sylvester-barth (jerreleene@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001.

You accidently bumping that poor defenseless mailbox reminds me of something my Papa did when we were little. My Granny loved to plant trees in the yard. To the point where mowing the yard was like maneuvering an obstacle course. Well Papa knew Granny wouldn't get too mad at us for an accident. He pulled me and my little brother aside on saturday and told us both that he wouldn't mind a bit if we happened to run over the new seedling trees Granny had just had him plant. So from then on when we mowed the yard the little trees got mowed. Granny soon figured out what was happening and quit planting trees. The only exception to this was trees that she bought from a nursery like hollys....those she put metal stakes around as a way to let us know that tree was off limits. It tickles me now to look back and realise how many things were handled this way between the two of them. You and lil dumplin have fun!

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), February 28, 2001.

Your "accident" reminds me of the time my momma planted 200 poplars around our 1 1/2 acre home parimeter. Dad told me not to worry if I "accidently hit a few with the riding mower when cutting" After 2 seasons, he and I had those trees down to only 8. My mother still chuckles about our poor mowing skills :>) Have a good and safe trip.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), February 28, 2001.

Our mailbox won't be there long enough to wear out. It'll get bashed soon by the kids. We buy the cheepies.

Have a nice trip Hoot and don't forget to tell me when you come down this way.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001.

Got home last evening and didn't hesitate very long---WENT TO BED! This travel'n with Lil Dumplin has done and stopped for this old man. She'll have travel alone on her job.

Old jeep and I "fired" the new mobile home furnace this morning. Temp went from about 35 to 65 in 10 minutes! We put in a furnace twice the size as the old one and it showed this morning. Spent the afternoon kinda "rest'n and dozin" in my recliner. It was cold outside today and very disagreeable to boot.

Rekon I'll fix the new mailbox tomorry. Not gonna do just too much as there will always be another day-maybe! If not, then I won't have anything to worry about.

Everybody have a nice weekend, do some visit'n and speak to you'rn nabors. "A soft word turneth away wrath"! old hoot. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), March 02, 2001.

Grandpa Hoot, you end your story with the lazy old fat man? I can maybe believe the old - you've told lots of stories, possibly fat -although you always seem to being something, but lazy? NO Way! I'll bet you do more in a day, than what some people do in a week! Thanks for the hoot, Hoot!

-- Michael W. Smith in North-West Pennsylvania (kirklbb@penn.com), March 04, 2001.

Hi there Hoot, what happened to the post about, 'have you seen an angle of the Lord, or seen visions, etc, I told a friend about it now I can't find it.

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), March 09, 2001.

Thumper! The "Angel" post is in the archives under "Wisdom from Hoot". Guess I never got around to re-postin on it. I do that about all the time-forget! Now ya'll know what a senior moment is! Well I've never seen an angel and known it at the time. I'm sure I've met'm but they were not revealed to me. The Word says we will entertain Angels in our life. I'm talkin about Angels from Almighty God and not demons. I'm certain that my life has been spared many times by His unseen force of Protectors. I'm also certain that my life has been threatened by unseen forces from the pits of hell also. Christians have the Power over satan and all his servants-if we choose to use it. In fact, Jesus Christ tells us that we have His power--! After He went to Heaven to live with the Father-He left us with this Awesome Power. If we could just realize it and have enough faith-can you imagine what would be accomplished when billions of Christians were turned loose with His Power doin the works that He did? The works would be absolutely beyond words. Y'all finish up the work week safely. The weekend is fast approachin and still dangerous road conditions remain in some parts of this great country. Stop in at old folks and check on'm. Even in warm weather those old follks need look'd in on. They'll be happy to have company too. old hoot. Matt.24:44 Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), March 09, 2001.