The first time I saw'm he came into the gas company where I worked. He and his son were "junkers" and needed a gas cylinder refilled with propane for their cutt'n torch. The old dude was in his mid 60's and the boy was about 40 at that time. The old dude was kinda "unkept" -always need'n a shave and bath it seemed. The boy wasn't quite as bad but still kinda --shall we say -aromatic?

Friendly folks who saw humor in almost everything they look'd at. About the first thing said was the older guy ask'n me if I'd ever seen anybody as ugly as his boy. I was speechless! The boy was grin'n from ear to ear and await'n my answer as his dad was too. Well, how do you answer that kind of question!!!! I decided very quickly to not answer at all. The older guy rephrased it and asked me "Ain't he the ugliest s.o.b. you ever saw?" Well, I had to answer-no, don't believe he is. I've seen some ugly folks in my day and he ain't really that ugly---FIRST LIE! He was about the ugliest poor feller I'd ever seen. By this time they were both slap'n their knees and really hav'n a good time. I was think'n--are these guys for real?

The dad proceeded to tell me why he thought the boy was so ugly. They were cut'n up an old plow and it had a HUGE spring on it. The pappy told the boy to be careful with that spring and not cut it if tension was on it. The boy ignored the dad and cut it anyhow. The spring flew loose and the opposite end flew back and the hook on the end got ahold of the boy's nose. Kinda just "hooked" itself in his nose and ripped the nose off. At this time they were both laugh'n so hard and tears were runn'n down their faces--I was stand'n in awe of those guys! I didn't know if I should laugh, cry or just try not to listen. The dad said he had to take that dumb -----to the hospital and have his old ugly nose sewed back on. "That's why he's so ugly--they sewed the d---- thing on crooked"! I couldn't hold it any longer either. I almost had a stroke from laugh'n so hard. His nose WAS sewed on crooked!!! Didn't seem to bother'm very much as they are still happily cut'n up scrap iron and sell'n it---ugly nose and all!

Jesus Christ is comin for the saved. Eternity in heaven with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost---WHAT A RETIREMENT! If ya'll don't know Him as Lord and Savior--now is the time. Tomorrow may be too late. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), April 14, 2001

Answers

You crack me up!! Where do you get all these "stories"? Thanks for the laugh, I needed it!!! If we don't meet in person here on earth one day, I'll meet you in the air.

-- Pat (mikulptrc@aol.com), April 14, 2001.

Great story hoot. I've know people just like those two. Ugly but nice inside. I've also know some with pretty faces that were ugly inside. God just gives us a variety to add spice to our lives. Take care and God Bless.

-- Gerald S. Rozanski (Grozanski56@cs.com), April 14, 2001.

Guess I must be dumb, cause I don't understand what's funny or clever, and I don't see what this has to do with homesteading.

-- Fred (me@here.net), April 14, 2001.

Fred, if you read hoots storys you will see they have nothing to do with homesteading, and every thing to do with homesteading.Hoot is a word painter and he shares his pictures with us all. And we love old hoot, he tries to make the world a better place.Hoot my stepfather fave saying is, its not whats on the out side that counts its whats on the inside that counts. I have taught that to my kids since they were babys.Happy easter hoot.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), April 15, 2001.

Grandpa Hoot, you sure are a riot! It sure put a smile on my face. Fred, not everything has be about homesteading. Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses, or in this case, stop and have a laugh. God bless!

-- Michael W. Smith (KIRKLBB@PENN.COM), April 15, 2001.

I'm sorry I just don't get it! I have a lot of ugly neighbors. A lot of them are good Christian homesteaders. It is NOT funny. Just 2 weeks ago one of them lost two fingers in the sawmill. Should I be laughing?

-- Fred (me@here.net), April 15, 2001.

Fred, there is a diference between laughing at some one or laughing with some one.they were weird, but you meet all kinds out there which i think was hoots point.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), April 16, 2001.