Well the time has come that the old hootowl has jest gotta leave the forum. Time to stop and reflect some and re-charge the old batteries. After careful consideration we [lil dumplin and I] have decided to go have a "look see" in the Smokey Mountains of s.e. Tenneessee-again. Big homecoming Sat,1st of October at Cades Cove by Townsend. Lots and lots a mountain music and VIDEO CAMERAS'. Luggin that big monstrosity of a VHS camera around shootin anybody that will let me. So- we'll be gone fer a little over a week whilst we clear our minds, renew our spirits and have fellowship with Almighty God-in His building. Besides all that, the old "hoot-brane" is runnin on empty! See if'n it can be recharged whilst settin alongside a mountain streem under towering trees that reach close to a hundred feet into the air. A real small fire which is more smoke than fire, always works quite nicely to drive away skeeters and other small flying critters besides renewing our love of a small wood fire especially in the woods. It also gives us time to reflect upon what we've accomplished in the past year and even more time to contemplate what we're laboring to achieve in the coming year. How better we can spread the Gospel to those who need to hear it, how to improve our own lives to those watching to see if we are what we say we are. To be a blessing to those that needs a blessing. A friend to those needing a friend and the ability to recognize the needs of those that we can help. Not much different than our everyday lives except--we'll be away from the puter fer a little bit. Y'all need a rest from the old "know it all" while the old "know it all" takes even more "walk-a-bouts" in the woods and relaxes some. So, y'all slow down just a bit and look around you. Things may not appear to be real good but they'll improve--if you don't give up. Today will be the last day I'm online. We'll be leaving tomorrow early. Old fat men like me can't drive like we used to years ago, without much rest! Be cool dudes and dude-ettes! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), September 28, 2000

Answers

Hoot, you scared me for a minute. Your subject line sounded so definite, like you were going away for too long. Enjoy your vacation, you deserve it. Enjoy that mountain music too.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), September 28, 2000.

Hoot, you'll be a comin down to some great weather. The highs have been in the lower 70's with plenty of sunshine waitin for ya. Can just smell fall in the mountain air. Hope you all have a great time here and if I happen to make it up to Cades Cove, I'll be looking for ya pickin! (just don't wear out those pickin fingers!)

(be sure to bring some cool weather clothes...the lows have been in the 40's at night and even colder in them thar mountains!)

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), September 28, 2000.

Know how you feel. Husband and I were having our coffee a little while ago and he glanced out the window and saw a doe walking along the tree line. We both looked as she picked her way towards the back woods,occasionally glancing at us..in a few minutes she "disappeared" into the brush. We knew she was still there, but invisible to us. How wonderful to watch her. She was so beautiful! God is good to us city folks who just now are enjoying our own land..we see the sun set that outlines the huge dead oak tree on the rise, the magnificence of it all overwhelms us...this is OUR land, entrusted to us by God..it doesn't get any better than this! Have a great vacation...we'll be thinking of you! God bless...

-- Lesley (martchas@gateway.net), September 28, 2000.

hoot, I'm gonna miss ya! May you have a blessed and fruitful trip! Take care of yourself and be refreshed!!! God Bless! Wendy

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), September 28, 2000.

Sounds like a wonderful little vacation! I love the smell of warm pine needles, and campfires and music. I play a 12 string, gospel music, and it's so much fun sittin and playin and singin. While you are in the woods read "Ephesians 3:14-21". Love those verses. Have a wonderful time and we will be thinkin about ya wishin we were there too!!

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), September 28, 2000.

Hoot: Have a wonderful time with your sweetie. You deserve a break, but please don't leave us forever. You take some of us "away" with your tales, and we really enjoy them! See ya when you get back, and be safe! Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), September 28, 2000.

Have a good time. Dont fall off. Remember that some places the ice is starting to form on those squiggly roads so be extra careful.

-- William in WI (thetoebes@webtv.net), September 28, 2000.

Whew!!! Ditto Cindy, you scared me. I don't post often but I, like many others, read the forum religiously and really enjoy your stories and advice. You'd be sorely missed here. Have a good vacation, sounds like your headed to an earthly heaven. I've been to the smokeys once in my life and can't wait for the chance to return. It's really a special place and a little piece of God's Country.

-- Betsy (betsyk@pathwaynet.com), September 28, 2000.

Hoot - have a wonderful time of refreshing yourselves. I always look forward to your input - your level headedness calms me down. God go with you.

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), September 28, 2000.

Lynn and I will be waiting for your latest story thread when you get back. Have a great trip and be safe.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), September 28, 2000.

Have a blast at the Cove!We're only about 2 1/2hours from there and have hiked all over the cove and surrounding areas for many years.It's such a beautiful place.Watch out for bears,we saw 3 when we were there in July!

-- nobrabbit (conlane@prodigy.net), September 28, 2000.

Enjoy, Hoot!

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), September 29, 2000.

Well! The Park Service didn't throw us out but we're back just the same! Tired, hungry, COLD and REFRESHED!!!! More later. hoot, the bear chasin, gibson. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), October 09, 2000.