Back from the little vacation/rest and have batteries that are purty well chaged up again. Been lay'n around some, think'n a lot and rememberin stuff from long ago again. Like---barns!

The "lower barn" came to mind and how we used to jump into the big stack of hay inside it--from the loft. Turn'n somersets on the way down was something to really brag about. We'd have city kids visitin other relates and they would come over and play. They just couldn't seem to get the nerve to jump llike ole jeep and I did. They also didn't know what a cow was the first time they came down--nor ever got over bein afeared of'm either. Well, we did have viscious cows! They'd beller every once inawhile, ya'll know! Especially when we'd rid'm around the cow lot.

Had a "look see" this afternoon at the backwaters and decided that politicians are kinda dumb. The new concrete bridge over the Wabash river at Wilcox crossin WAS a waste of money--in wet weather, that is. The politicans decided a grade was not needed from it to the next bridge over Little Muddy river. Water was so deep there today that a horse could've swum with no troubles at all.

Lil Dumplin is leavin me again tomorrow and will be gone all week. I made some "chicken gruel" today and it'll last me all week --that is if'n I keep dumpin stuff in it. Ain't too bad and it "takes the wrinkles outta you'rn belly". Calvin the cat likes it too!

Had a feller to fax me a picture of his "supercarb" and wanted me to give'm all my information. Told'm Id' sell it but not just give it away. He then asked if he could "charge it" and pay when he could. Didn't think that was a very lucerative deal for me so I declined! When it's up and runnin to my satisfaction I'll make it public for a fee and use all those proceeds for "Feed the Children" in Oklahoma City, Ok. Box 36 I think. Those little dudes need groceries.

I'll not label anymore of my posts as containg Christian Material. Everybody already knows I'll have some reference to Jesus Christ in my posts anyhow--so why label it. If ya'll don't like readin about my Lord Jesus the pass over my posts. He's STILL the Lord of my life and I'll continue to acknowledge Him!

Treat each other with respect and help others out. You'll be blessed for doing so. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), June 10, 2001

Answers

Dear Hoot, Happy to see your back, back in the 30"s we had a big barn full of hay, I would swing down on a rope, and drop in the hay, and the ones that were square baled we would make tunnels. All us kids would play for hours, no tv or Electric , got up early and went to bed early. Enjoy your chicken gruel, whatever that is. Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), June 11, 2001.

Hoot, I have a great reciepe for a chicken spread that you run through a meat grinder[ its great on matzo] which I will post for you if you like, take care and behave while she is away[ did she pack the ax?].

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), June 11, 2001.

Directions for buildin the "Chicken Gruel" by hoot. Into a 6 quart pan, dump in about 4 boneless chicken breast fillets cut into about 1" cubes. 2 cans of green beens, can of corn, 3 chopped onions, sack of friz brussel sprouts, 4 cubed taters, can of red beans, blackeyed peas, can of sweet peas, carrots and anything else ya'll want. It's almost impossible to ruin this gruel except maybe by puttin in noodles! I also dump in a can of chick broth too. Cook until it's "cooked down" and the liquid from all those cans has thickened a bunch. Purty good country grub--even for an old hillbilly.

Yeah, Kath! Post away on your receipe! The ax? Yeppie! I found it!! Oh BTW, Lil Dumplin calls me often [ we both have cell phones with us all the time] check'n on my well being. Hows that fer "she luv's me"!!!!

Thinkin of all those who gave their lives for the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), June 11, 2001.

This was probably before Hoot's time, so he may not remember. The lower barn had a dirt floor. One small section was floored for a loft; the biggest part had nothing between roof and floor except for timbers that would have held the loft floor (joists?) We older Gibsons practiced running those timbers when there was hay up to them. We got pretty good at it, too, even passing each other where the timbers crossed. Mom didn't know what we were up to. One day she came looking for us and saw us running like rats on those timbers. What made it really bad for her was that the hay had all been fed out, and we were about 10 feet above the hard-packed dirt floor!

-- ruth in se Illinois (bobtravous@email.com), June 11, 2001.