Just wanted to thank you again for your phone call a couple of months ago. I tend to live like a hermit sometimes and you really helped snap me out of it! Also your gentle voice matches your gentle posts! Are you blushing? Ha!

Hey you said Jim's not working yet? You guys doin okay? ....Much love ....Kirk

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2003

Answers

Kirk...I'm just wondering if you ever heard from Tren?? She hasn't been "here" much lately. Hope everything is okay with her. Maybe we should start a missing persons thread :-)!!

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

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-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

Hey Kirk! So good to pop over here and see you addressing me! Hi! Yeah I missed you, you were not speaking here and puff you were gone. That is one thing that I hate about e-mail friends, they can disappear!

As for the phone call much of the credit for that goes to EarthMama as I got in conversation with her about how I was worried about you. And smart lady that she is, she found your phone number! You sounded just like I imagined you would. Yeah, my voice! I have phone sells ask me if there are any adults in the house hold! I've got so that I tell them that there ARE NO ADULTS in the house hold and they hang up! hah! As long as they don't call the children's services over here! Oh well, everything is for a reason, maybe I have this little voice so that children, animals and plants are never scared of me.

Ah! don't worry about us because Jim is laid off. It is all part of the end of the world that I have been talking about , and the solution that we will come up with because of it will be part of the beginning of the new world. Lots and lots of people losing their jobs and lots and lots of people loosing their stock. It is all because we are gonna learn to take stock in different things that is all.

Yeah , we are doing fine, we saw the lay offs coming and were prepared. Actually we have been intensely enjoying this time! We have had such fun going and getting wood where the power company chopped trees down and left them in people's yards. The people just want to get rid of it, so off we go in our pick-up truck, Jim cuts the trees into smaller pieces and I haul it to the truck, we did that all fall. It was wonderful , fresh air, sunshine, sweat! Truly partaking of the wonder of the cool water from the thermos after working up a good thirst is awesome.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

I could not post everything that I wanted to say, the thing kept telling me that it was too long! First time in my life that I have been accused of being long winded!

It is just really a shame that the rat race has to grab at us all. If only Jim could just always stay home, working in his workshop, splitting wood and tending to his gardens, sitting by the hearth , life would be grand! Kirk, I think about you in your little stone house up there in the mountains. I read the post where you talked about enjoying your lifestyle, sitting by the hearth , reading a book. I like that vision. Face it ,we are just like little hobbits. Hey here is a poem for you Kirk, And any other Hermit/Hobbits out there.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

My Hobbit Hole, by Bob Blue

When I look out and see a world out of control, Why should I go out there? I like this comfortable and quiet little hole. I like my easy chair. I like to curl up with a book Of ancient lyric poetry, And if I pause, from time to time, Perhaps to make a pot of tea, I can be sure, when I return, That I have saved my place for me, Because I always treat myself With tender, loving care.

It's not a castle with a drawbridge and a moat. It's just a hobbit hole. It's not a dwelling any passer-by would note. It's just a hobbit hole And there's no view of snow-capped mountains, Or of whitecaps on the sea, So people passing it just pass it - Go their way and let it be. It's just a little piece of earth That no one thinks about but me. There's no one trying to control My little hobbit hole.

I know the world outside proceeds from bad to worse. You go to market, and they empty out your purse. The world expects you to be much more than you are. That's why I seldom, very seldom, travel far.

But every moment I am fortunate to spend Within my hobbit hole, No matter whether I'm alone or with a friend, Inside my hobbit hole, Down deep inside me, there's a feeling That, perhaps, can't be expressed. I'm snuggled safely in the comfort Of my quiet little nest. Although the world may treat me harshly, Here at home, I know I'm blessed - This little harbor for my soul - My little hobbit hole. In Love, Trend

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

Hi Trennie!! Hey good poem. How come no one posts poems? Thanks!

Tren glad you guys are enjoying the work break. I hate working for money! Been 4 years since I had a paycheck and I do miss the money but I don't want to trade my life for it. People ask me all the time if I'm bored out of my scull!! With a whole world of stuff to do? Are they kidding! ....Love Kirk

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2003

Marcia

How right you are! We need a way to locate the missing. Have you seen Sheepish on any milk cartons lately?.....Kirk

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2003

Not on any milk cartons! I'm still around...just was WAY too busy for the holiday season. I'm settling in again. Mr. S. is back in school for 21 more months! I'm busy working full-time, plus the commute, plus running the household (into the ground), keeping the farm at least intact, etc. I've missed you all!

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2003