Inside the side door of the big red barn was where the old man kept all his "dirt movin tools" as he would call'm. The spade, roundpoint shovel, rake, pitchfork and numerous other items were all cleaned, oiled and hung on the wall on large spikes driven in the overhead stringer. He would loan his tools on a very limited basis because they were mostly brought back to'm dirty and maybe even rusted. He didn't like that at all and I don't blame'm one bit. The old doublebitted ax also hung between two spikes, was always razor sharp and oiled blades as well as the handle too. "Keeps mites outta the handle" was his comment--referrin to termites.

An large inside stall for the mules was always a proud accomplishment for him. He loved those old dudes and didn't mind tellin ya'll so. He never worked'm hard and always made sure they were very well taken care of as long as they worked for'm. They got out one time and ate hedge-apples and both of'm died. That was a very sad day for the old man. He had to got to the neighbors and use the phone [the only phone within several miles] to call the "dead animal truck" to come after'm.

A new tractor soon filled the gap of the old team of mules. A bright shiney new International F-14 soon graced the inside of the barn in the main center area. Steel wheels was the standard equipment on the rear and they sure were needed! A brand new 2 bottom plow, 6 ft. double sectioned disc, double harrow and a new 2 row planter. The ardous task of farmin had now changed immensely for the old dude. It was still back breakin work at times but no comparison to the "olden" days with the mules. He very quickly found out some new things that just had to be known and acted upon without actually thinkin about ahead of time. "Whoa" didn't seem to affect the little tractor--even if you came to the end of the field! That blasted thing would just keep on goin as it ignored your commands! "Gee" and "Haw" had the same effect too! When it was time to turn the beast he soon learned to turn that steering wheel and not pull back on it and expect it to cooperate!

A one row cornpicker soon made it's appearence on the farm. At times it was impossible to use it if the fields were too muddy to pull it. Still it was so much better than hand shuckin the corn.

A hand crank corn sheller was a mainstay on farms back then as was also the hammermill. Of course the hammermill would pulverize the corn kernals as well as the cob. Didn't matter much for feedin farm animals but for human comsumption the corn was shelled first and then ground in a hand crank grinder. Fresh homemade, home grown cornbread was unbeatable with fresh homemade butter from the old milkcow--along with home grown pinto beans and a slab of hog belly also grown at home. Home grown taters was also included in the feast. In the summertime when available---throw in some sliced maters fresh picked from the huge truck patch just south of the house.

I can't imagine why folks think farm folks lived a little behind the times. All the grub was fresher, more plentiful and a sense of accomplishment was something we all enjoyed. How could that be improved upon!!!!

This farmer I'm talkin about was home for us Gibsons, the mules were old Jack and Jim and of course, my pappy. He went to be with the Lord in 1983.

Jesus is lookin for all the good folks to tell others about Him that have never heard. Will ya'll do that? All Christians will soon attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. REkon they will serve home made, home grown grub? Old hoot. Matt.24:44

-- old hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), April 20, 2002

Answers

Old Hoot & Co. I was sitting in church today listening to someone sing the song "We Will Behold Him," and with tears running down my face I knew that whatever happens here, whatever heartach or pain it will all be worth it when we can behold Him, face to face. "But we all with open face beholding, as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of he Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18. Just thought I'd share, knew you would understand.

-- Lynelle SOwestVA (X2ldp@aol.com), April 20, 2002.

old hoot, that's back before the days when wall street and 5th avenue convinced us that what we affected was more important than what we effected. My folks are from that stock. Well fed, happy with the community they lived in. No one DREAMED they were poor. Problem was, they wanted "better" for me. They had hopes, dreams, in technicolor for me. They went from a one room cabin with a dirt poor to doing very well for themselves. Of course they paid the price of the stress of their accomplishments. Dad dead at 58 after 37 years at a job he detested. Mom fighting the establishment to be the premier tax preparer in our neck of the woods without a high school diploma. I think I'll take the more subtle road back to my roots. After 23 years of being a banker, I'm a goat dairy farmer. Ahhhhhhhhh, relief!

-- Dennis Enyart (westwoodcaprine@yahoo.com), April 21, 2002.