In addition to all the "stuff" I'm involved in---I've started doin something that's been on the back burner for several years. My Lil Dumplin gave me her "old" Kodak digital camera after she got a better one. I didn't know there was any better but rekon tis true. This'n is plenty good nuff for me, will do more than I actually require. Anyhow--I've been ponderin for awhile now, writin a book about old barns, old houses, old buildings--in the country and small rural towns. In addition to writin about'm I'm fixin to take pictures of'm also. I think full page digital color photo's would really make those beautiful old building come alive in our memories.

So much of our legacy has been lost due to "progress" that it's a shame I didn't do this before. Of course, the cameras and film were too expensive for this old hick--.

Last week I decided to start this project when I went with Lil Dumplin on her day of work. We went to Rosiclair in S. IL. where she had to scan patients for Osterporosis and I had some time to beat in. I was gommin around outside and walked to the back of the parkin lot. Looked down over the bluff and saw what I thought was a field road. I walked down a little road and found that "field road" had actually been a railroad used to haul flouaspar [yeah, I know its spelled wrong. What did ya'll expect from an old hillbilly?] to the river. Steam engines had been used and I could almost hear the steamers chug chug chugin with their heavy load. Well anyhow-I took bunches of pictures of those old crossties left in the ground to rot, the curvin of the old track bed, the old 16' "switch" ties still visable in the roadbed.

I may never get the book done but I'll be it sure will be fun doin it!

When was the last time ya'll set on a big wrap around front porch, lookin out over the countryside while loafin with the old folks livin there? Especially in the summertime when the weather was hot and ya'll were so happy for that little cool breeze gently blowin and coolin off ya'lls old hot head? A tall pitcher of cool lemonaid, sweetened with honey, homemade light bread rolls with a swatch of real home made, home grow'd butter from the cows out in the barnyard?

I think I'm think'n back too far, too often- and tryin to relive those old days when life was a whole lot simplier. Even if I'm a llittle sad for those long lost days at least I'll attempt to preserve a small piece of those old days on photo paper for a younger generation who never have experienced any of it. It will also serve as a reminder to old duffers like me--who DO remember'm.

Jesus Christ was the main topic of conversation back then and He was discussed quite frequently without any embarrassment. He said if we won't confess Him before man He will not confess us before the Father in Heaven. "Lord, I'm tellin everybody I can about You"! old hoot. Matt.24:44

-- old hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), April 04, 2002

Answers

AMEN TO THAT OLD HOOT! Jesus IS Lord! And by the way...I think the idea you have for your book is great! I know the older I get the more history I desire about people, places and things! I love to look at / visit really old houses and barns. I try to picture in my mind what it must have been like. What sort of people lived in this old house or that old house? Wonder how many kids they had? Did they live to be a hundred and two, still married to and in love with their high school sweetheart? How many young people in love sneaked out to that ole barn just to try to steal a kiss in the moonlight after a long day of Sunday pic-nics and play? And I picture the old hoots as they were sittin on the wrap around porch,just talkin and laughin about the days preachin and activities while sippin on that homemade lemonade with honey? Thanks for sharing and for your writings....I really enjoy them...Be Blessed today and always... :)

-- Kathy (Indiana) (Philli@Peoplepc.com), April 05, 2002.

Thank You...i enjoyed that...maybe, you could include a section in your book with pictures and stories to go with those pictures on the theme your thinking.....but again...thank you.......Doc

-- Doc (thisisdoc@aol.com), April 05, 2002.

Why don't you do something usefull instead of mouthing off about your dopey "preachin". It sucks. You suck. You are a moron. You waste so much space on this forum that could otherwise be used for intelligent exchange of usefull information. Just go to church, pray, and shut up.

-- commonsense (sickofriligiouskooks@northernnet.com), April 05, 2002.

One could also say that you sir / madame have wasted space here (your own choice of words!) expressing your opinion. Old Hoot and anyone else on this forum, including you are "Privilaged" to the right of Free Speech. And if I am not mistaken I noticed that Old Hoot takes that extra step to lable his writings with (WARNING:Preachin)yet,you still opened the article and read it anyway! This forum is loaded with a wealth of intelligent exchange and useful information, including Old Hoots writings and many others who share their gifting here. If such writings offend you to the point that you feel you must be mean and nasty in your response, then when you see any article(s) that are clearly labled "WARNING Preachin" Well...it was your choice to open it up and read it...

-- K Phillips (Philli@Peoplepc.com), April 05, 2002.

common sense? someone with common sense would not open something they did not want to read. -- Hoot, you are good with words. Combining that with beautiful country pictures would be a best seller in my opinion.

-- Sariah in S. Idaho (joelsariah@hotmail.com), April 05, 2002.

Hoot-

Thank you for your reminiscing and your open confession of Christ as your savior and His desire to be everyone's savior. It is a shame that so many do not recognize Him as a real God who is eager to have a relationship with them and help them through this sometimes difficult life. It is also a shame that many of these people will die in these their delusions and pay for their disobedianece to the living God in an eternity of torture. Mr. Commonsense, I hope that you too will someday come to the realization that the God both Hoot and I serve is eager to embrace you and have a personal relationship with you. A bit of advice for you, too - If you are looking to be offended, always, always read Hoot's commentaries about his relationship with the Lord. He will usually warn you of what he will be discussing. Be advised however that you will be offending many of us "religious kooks". This may not bother you in the least, but remember, your comments will be wasting space as this is a forum that is free for all to post their thoughts on. Hoot is giving good advice, to you, about your need for a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. I hope you will someday recognize your need. Finally,

"And just as it is appointed for all men to die, and after that the judgment, even so it is that Christ, having been offered to take upon himself the sins of many once and for all, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those waiting for Him." Hebrews 9:27 and 28

Neal M.

-- Neal M. (nmays@school.com), April 05, 2002.

Hoot!!! You are a (inter) national treasure. I am so glad you have started posting on this forum again. We need more good men & women like you who are not afraid to speak out about our Lord & Saviour. Your homespun rememberings are priceless. I often forward them on to others so their day might be blessed like mine is. Keep on preachin'. May the Lord bless your socks off. Lets us all know when your book gets published - so we all can buy a copy.

-- Jan Sears - Eastern Ontario (jcsears@magma.ca), April 05, 2002.

Dear Hoot, Remember wooden silos? I haven't seen one in a long long time. You?

-- Susan in Northern Lower Penn Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), April 07, 2002.