Back in about 1950 ole Jeep and I wanted a tree house. Pap wouldn't let us build it in the big maple trees in the front yard. I guess he figgered we'd either break our necks or kill the trees. Don't really know which was the more importante to'm but assume it was our necks he was concerned about. He knew how we did things and probably didn't wanna take the chance, course those trees were really nice and shady back then! We were forced to use the big pear tree in the back yard. It wasn't nearly as tall and actually had a very large limb about 6 ft. off the ground. After securin the necessary material, we started the first phase of construction--buildin steps. We were dummys and just nailed 2X4's on the main tree trunk for steps. WITH SPIKES!! Before pap has seen'm we had completed phase 2 of the construction--the floor! Usin Moms wooded ironin board which set on the back porch, we disassembled the legs and all the "undercarrige" of the ironin board. The wooden top fit perfectly across two rather large limbs that had forked shortly away from the main trunk. More spikes and it was held in place. We even took some oil cloth, from the back porch, and made a sun shade over the old ironin board. Why, we could even set on the board in a rain and not get real wet! Everything was hunkey-dorey until mom wanted to do some ironin. Then she noticed her oilcloth table coverin missin too. Well, it didn't take long until the cat was outta the bag. We quickly forgot the tree house for the next several days and was reminded just how not to secure buildin materials without askin first. The oil cloth was recovered and used again for table coverin but the ironin board never was. It was still installed, an rather well I might add, until the old tree finally gave up the ghost and died. Death didn't come easily for the old tree, though. Disease and bugs took their toll because of the steps and BIG SPIKES used to secure the "floor". Didn't bother us a whole lot back then because we didn't really realize just how valuable fruit trees were. The tree is long gone as is pap. The old house is also gone and about all that remains is the memories of those long ago days when me and ole Jeep had our "reign of terror" on the Gibson homplace. Jeeps boy, Charlie, now lives in a new house on the old homeplace while the rest of the family have moved to different locations but still with earshot almost. Next weekend, Sept.8 - 10 is the annual Fulk Family reunion. If'n anybody wants ta and don't mind hob-nobbin with a bunch of hillbillys--come on out! Everybody is welcome but not if you bring alchol! They frown on drunks! Good grub, good music and lots and lots of good coffee. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), September 04, 2000

Answers

Beautiful words, Hoot, though I fought tooth and nail, on another saying. Crazy how, words and feelings, work into reality. Where is the Party? Matthew, my most favored of scripture. Who knows, words are most soothing.May we all acknowledge, we have fallen short. I hope you will lend me more memories of your memory. It is comforting.

-- Truth Seeker (forus@all.com), September 11, 2000.