We've had so much rain that I'm rubbin my old eyes and wonderin if it will ever quit. Just north of our house is a grasswaterway with a little grove of maple trees growin alongside. I went to the door to let ole Calvin in and noticed, peekin through my pine trees surroundin our house, the paddlewheeler "Delta Queen" paddlin upstream in my waterway. After watchin it a mite, toot'n it's whistle, that steam operated organ ontop [cant think of the name of'm], the steady thump thump of the huge steamengine--ole calvin decided to stay outside and a decided it was too early to see such things--so I came inside and drunk another cup'a coffee.

The ground is saturated with rainwater and anything else we get is flood! We live right on the edge of the Little Muddy riverbottoms and the backwaters [flood waters to ya'll city dudes] and have lakeside property at times. This is such a time. I've thought about buildin a boad dock down in the waterway [where the stern wheeler is at] but suppose all those folks who spam me, will be settin down there waitin on me for blockin there garbage---along with the porno heathens. I just found out how to block'm! Glory to God!!! Now instead of 50 spams a day I'm down to 0!

Now, I suppose ya'll'r wonderin what I had for breakfust? Chik'n'n noodles I build yesterday --in my 1 1/2 gallon iron pot. Purty good eatin for an old hillbilly, it is. If'n I'm lucky nuff, there won't be any left when Lil Dumplin gets home Friday nite. "Did ya'll take all the skin, fat and bones out?" "Yes Lil Dumplin--thow'd it out for mr skunk, mr possum and the neighborhood "woods cat". Of course ole mr woodscat has a limited amount of time left on this earth. He's already lived up 8 of his 9 lives. Number 9 is approachin rite quickly!

Now let us get serious with a very serious topic contained within the preachn---!

How do ya'll look on other folks? What's your first impression? Do you hold negative thoughts/judgments as the first impression? We have the power in our speech to convey life or a curse on others as well as ourselves. I choose, after many years of "negative" thoghts-to live my life on the positive side. I'd much rather feel good about somebody than to look at'm in a negative way. Nothing is served by bein so negative. It stops the fellowship between Almighty God and His kids. "Love thy neighbor as thyself" train of thought always works! My Grandma was so negative when she was alive--I don't EVER remember seein her smile! I'll make a post about those old days when I get a little time to research it--tokens, spells, fortune tellin---and this was all done by unsuspecting Christians! Jesus Christ is comin back real soon. For ALL that have not trusted Him with their souls, the fires of hell will torment'm forever! "Choose ye today who ye will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord"! old hoot gibson. Matt.24:44

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

Answers

Oh Hoot, it so funny how you hit the nail right on the head. Last night I had to take Kadia to the doctor. Our first sickness this year. Well of course we had to wait, and the waiting area was filled with "characters" Some of them were so funny. One old guy just kept talking out loud to the room on general, no one particular. another man was watching his grandson and kept yelling at the poor little guy. Kadia's head hurt so badly that I felt sorry for her with all of the noise and commotion.

After we left she was saying that all of those people were really somrthing!!! And I said, yes it is true that some of them were a bit annoying, BUT God loves every one of them!!!!! She said, "I don't know how he does, but that is true Mommy!!" and we had a good laugh over it. I try to keep that in mind whenever I meet a stranger. A smile is free, and warms the heart and soul, and God loves us all!!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), March 20, 2002.

We used to say of my grandma (the one Hoot is talking about) "she enjoyed ill health". It's a miracle that she lived to a ripe old age, since she would see several different doctors and take medicine from all of them, not telling each one that she was taking any medicine except what he prescribed!

Just came from memorial service for may 45 yr. old niece. She had been battling cancer for over 5 years, but died suddenly Monday AM when dye was injected to try to determine cause of irregular heartbeat. She had had the dye numerous times without ill effects. The cancer Dr. told her several years ago that she wouldn't die of cancer, but probably heart, as the cancer medicine weakened her heart. The GOOD news is: Nancy had been a Christian ever since she was a "pup". Was very active in local church, played piano for church--in fact, had played Sunday, then died Monday. Big lesson to be learned here--not one of us is guaranteed the next breath, so we need to be ready at any instant to meet our Saviour. I know that when I check out down here, I'll meet Nancy, Pappy, brothers, and oh, yeah--Gramma Zadie. Even though she enjoyed ill health, she was saved.

-- GibsonGirl in s.e.Illinois (bobtravous@email.com), March 20, 2002.