Hey guys! Thanks for the confidence in me and i'm humbled beyond words. I don't deserve this fantastic honor ya'll have bestowed upon me. If I have any talent--it's only because its a gift from Almighty God and He deserves all the honor praise and glory! I've just felt like posting tonight after being absent a few days. It started off because of lack of time--ole Jeep and I have been and are still busy installing wood furnaces. The next main reason was because of the fighting an bickering on the forum. I just can't stand the stress of seeing friends and family fighting amongst themselves. I was talkin to my Lord about it and awaiting His answer as to when/if I should even return. His answer came yesterday evening but I was kinda fighting those unwanted chest pains again---so---here I am. As long as I can witness for my Lord I will continue writing wherever He allows me to. I love to write about those around me including family, friends and even some old duffers that are grouchy! Again I want to thank ya'll for this tremendous honor and I'll gladly accept it for my Jesus! He's the reason I write and He's the reason I witness! Glory to His Name. hoot. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot, the purty illinois hillbilly! (hoot@pcinetwork.com), January 17, 2001

Answers

Welcome back, Hoot.....the sandbox just isn't worth playing in if you're not here!

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), January 17, 2001.

Glad to see you! Try to take it easy, okay? :-)

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), January 17, 2001.

I missed you, Granpa Hoot, Glad your back. Please don't over do it!!

-- Cathy in NY (hrnofplnty@yahoo.com), January 18, 2001.

Hoot:

I think Cathy may have hit the nail on the head by referring to you as Grandpa Hoot. Perhaps that is what is so appealing in your threads. A lot of people no longer have parents or grandparents, much less one who will sit out on the porch with you and tell you stories about this and that and life in general.

Please do keep posting your thoughts. Perhaps it is a bit of a forum "Foxfire" project.

As an aside, I have tentitive plans to visit Croatia for about a week the later part of May. Have been doing genealogy research on my father's side and was surprised to find out I may still have distant relatives there. Third or fourth cousins at best. Still, I want to see my ancestoral homeland (my grandparents immigrated in 1903/1904).

-- Ken S.in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 18, 2001.

God bless you Hoot, He sure has blessed us with you>

-- Cindy (SE IN.) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 18, 2001.

Hoot, I had a wierd feeling about you yesterday please be careful.We sure can't let you go now,who would fill your spot? just wanted to let you know, we all have great respect for you and can't wait to read about your life soon. THANK YOU

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), January 18, 2001.

Hoot,

You deserve it. Thanks for giving us so much.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 18, 2001.

Hoot you are a gem. I thoroughly enjoy your stories and appreciate your advice. I know you have personally helped me and I'm sure you have also helped many others on this(and other)forums. This was a well deserved honor. Watch those chest pains though, I know you want to be with Jesus but doggonit we'd miss ya. God's richest blessings on your and yours. Mandy

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), January 18, 2001.

Hoot,

I love reading all of your posts, and it's wonderful to hear from someone who is so genuine and forthright about his faith in the Lord. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the Recovery movement, but if you are, you'll know what I mean when I say that you are an overcomer.

Thank you for all of your stories and wisdom.

May the Lord Bless you

-- Kristin, in Central Alabama (positivekharma@aol.com), January 19, 2001.

Glad to see you back, Hoot. I've got 7 brothers & 3 sisters, with countless inlaws, outlaws, & younger ones. Believe me, families do squabble & feud. But they end up back together because...because we really do love one another? I hope so, but it might just be who else will listen to us? Anyway, I really appreciate my "Countryside family" and you're a big part of it.

-- Sam in W.Va. (turnip55a@yahoo.com), January 22, 2001.

Nice to make your aquantance, Hoot, looking forward to getting to know you better. Thumper (short for Bible T.) Eph.6:10

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), January 24, 2001.

Congrats to hoot! I can only imagine the "crowns" awaitin' ya in heaven!! God Bless You!

Thumper....I LOVE that name!! Maybe I should change my to "Fundy"...I kinda like it! Anyway, great name!!

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), January 24, 2001.

Hi Hoot! God's richest blessings to you sir!!!~~Tracy~~

-- Tracy Jo (tntneff@ifriendly.com), February 05, 2001.