Back when I was much younger I'd help pap build fence. Ole jeep was always out runnin around huntin, fishin or woman chasin and wasn't around to help out very much - that is when we were in our late teens. We'd dig a big hole for the corner post and then go to the other end and do the same thing again. After all 4 corner posts were set and anchored, we would then start unspoolin the barb wire. 3 runs and sometimes 4 were the most common for us. After tiein off the ends on one corner post we'd lay'm out straight all the way to the far end. Pap would take a 2X6 and lay on ground with the wires on top. Take another 2X6 and nail on to the other one. Hook the old H International on the boards and start a slow steady and very careful "pull". When it was tight enough to suit pap, we'd pull'm over close to the corner post and 'steeple'm' to the post. While the tractor was still holdin tension on'm we'd go from post to post and steeple'm to each post. After the entire length was nailed and secured pap would slack off and we'd do the same thing again on the other sides until it was done. Holes had to be dug for each post and dug by hand at that! String up a small wire from one corner post to the other for a guide for hole diggin. If one was outta place a little bit-pap would make me redo it until it was STRAIGHT! He hated sloppy work and crooked fencelines as well as crooked planted rows in the field. It's been a whole lotta years since those old hard workin days but I still remember it like it happened just yesterday. We learned to work at home and to be proud of what we accomplished. If any one of we boys had been arrested and gone to jail--i hate to think what pap would've thought. I'm sure he would've been devestated by our actions. Well, we didn't and he didn't have to worry about it. Guess i'll shut up and see if I can mow this afternoon. The 'FINE" troy bilt mower may decide not to run or cut or move or any number of things. It beats nothin but not by very much, however I"m so glad to have something. Anything is better than nothin. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), September 01, 2000

Answers

Well, I finally got the yard hacked down with an unwillin troybilt mower. I'm anxiously awaitin ole Jack Frost! Gasoline is too high to mow now but probably not nearly as high as it'll be shortly. Noticed today REA was drivin down our road sprayin our fencerow where their lines run. After that rig was gone another came right behind and was sprayin the same thing again. No wonder our rates are so high! Our neighbors cattle were out awhile back and right in our front yard. Big hoof prints in our soft yard but nobody wanted to confront that big bull. I wasn't home or he'd got a load of buckshot in his "round steaks" from the old ithica 12ga pump! Not a mention was made about damages so guess there won't be any. Maybe i'll jest hafta "impound" a nice big beef--in my freezer! I'm also waitin for the govt' to open season on elk they've released in the bottoms. I like it as good as beef. Deer don't even rate, I still don't like it and probably never will. Of course, it tastes better if'n you're attacked by the deer and you have to defend yourself aginst bodily harm. Milo is about ready to cut-just to give away to the crooked buyers. Blackbirds are takin their shard of the grain and i'd just as soon see them get it as the elevator people. At least birds are honest! Just another day here on the "Poverty Ridge Farm", in S.E.ILL, Richland County, Township of Noble. Come'n out and we'll set a spell, talk about our neighbors, drink BUNCHES of Iced T, look at the handiwork of Almighty God and thank Him for the pleasures He's given us. Everybody should be so lucky! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), September 07, 2000.