Settin in the shade of my maple trees and near the many pine trees in the back yard. I can look north down a shallow incline and peer into the small grove of maple trees next to the waterway. It's really peaceful and almost reverent while relaxing and lookin. I do my "talkin" to Him whilst settin. It seems I can reach out and touch His Mighty Hand. My mind clears up and the problems of this life seem to be far away. Like everybody else I do have problems in this life. The problem now is that I have limited time left to solve most of them. I'm no longer able to work very much and that really bothers me. I've always worked and worked hard---for over 25 years--double timing. I'm not complaining at all. I'm glad to have been blessed to do so. Just one of the problems [?] is deer! Them raskels are absolutely everywhere. I couldn't even put out a garden this year. Last year we never got ONE EAR OF CORN! Coons and deer got it all! I've read that deer meat has no cholestrol in it but I don't like deer. It tastes too much like goat for me! Guess I'll just have to keep eatin cow, hog, chik and turk and take my chances with fat. Birds are as plentiful as deer out here. It may be an old bluejay a hollerin his head off at other jays or maybe a robin chirpin his displeasure at me for settin in the shade. Either one is ok with me. Mocking birds are a plentiful site here too. Starling are the only birds that are not safe here. A 12 ga. takes care of them quite nicely as it also takes care of moles too. Don't even have to bury the moles!!!LOL. 2 1/2 years ago, I started writing a little newsletter and gave it out at a local grocery store. It was a Christian witness inbedded within humor. I've found over the years that everybody will read humor---unchurched as well as churched! Tried selling ads but seemed nobody wanted to pay anything so went ahead and offered the "Life and times of Caleb and Mable" for free. They had two grown sons, Clem and Abe. Both boys were college educated and moved away for years but finally came back home to live off the land. I kinda patterened it after my life as well as others I know around here. My mission in life is to witness for Him to all that will listen. There IS a better way. As old Caleb would say "Mables, you'rn a shute'n that thar rifles at tha walnuts haint a doin no gud. Theys still as many as afore. Don't go shute'n no more snaks in ta barn eith'r, hit's a fearin ole Jake, tha mule". Caleb a sine'n off fer now. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), July 17, 2000

Answers

Hoot, You asked for this one Hoot, obviously you have never tasted goat meat that was done correctly or let someone feed you an old buck! I know goat is better than deer and deer meat is good if it is young and some drunk hunter did not drag it all over the country before having it processed. Otherwise I enjoyed your little message and that is when I get closer to God. there is nothing like being alive and well and in the country! karen

-- Karen Mauk (dairygoatmama@hotmail.com), July 18, 2000.

Hoot, I have read the posts on this forum for some time now, and only recently begun posting. Your words are ALWAYS like a cool breeze on a hot day!! Peace and wisdom flow from you! Your answer soothes and refreshes.....Thank You and God has surely blessed you greatly!! Run the race and God will carry you to the finish line....in victory! Wendy

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), July 22, 2000.