How has the economy affected you?

[Pike Ridge Beagles]

When I floor my Silverado 4X4 I now get more of a rush for sure.

[Mo. Beagler 5000]

Well, it stoppped me from buyin some new dogs I really wanted aweful bad and now I won't do field trials this year but I got a new job teahing science at a school so I will be makin more money than i am now by double and driving 25 miles less to work everyday!

[mybeagles]

Chief long hare, how do you get 23 mpg with a Silverado? Certainly it must be 2X4, do you do anything else special to the engine?

Im stationed in South Korea right now and gas just went over $8.00 a gallon. Because we are withing walking distance to the post (1 mile) and can take a bus or taxi for grocery shopping, church, etc...we opted not to get a vehicle. Ive been thinking about what Im going to do when I get back to the states. Right now with no vehicle payment, gas, oil, repairs, insurance, Im getting quite comfortable. Unfortunately they no longer have rabbits in Korea. Some disease that was in the tame rabbits spread to the wild ones and wiped them out 6-8 years ago.

I miss running dogs, and I feel sorry for the beagle we have that has to settle for walks on a sidewalk and occational chipmunk chases on the mountain trails.

[marty kelly]

do almost all my runnin here at the house. bluestone industry is slowing down and when it's busy i only work part time anyway.don't want any jobs to ruin running hounds.

[DRamey]

I had sold my bass boat about 5 years ago and now canoe and wade small streams, finding it much more relaxing than fighting through the blast offs of a half-dozen bass tournaments (which I once was right in the middle of, jsut don't see the need any more). We just finished a little league tournament where families had to take their kids on a 100 mile round trip 4 times in 5 days. Participation in little league all-stars was down this year, and I'm sure gas prices had something to do with it for some families,and that's sad, as it affects kids. Gas cost us $160 total for the tournament alone. I am not running hounds much now due to the heat, but we make lists and leave them at the door so when we leave the house we don't forget any errands. My F-150 is a '97 and is rusting through, but it is paid for but only gets 15 mpg. You guys who have a payment AND gas to pay for are getting hit really hard. I am going to patch up the Ford and limp along as long as possible. The way I see it, a $500 payment buys a lot of gas.

[Bev]

At $4.75/pack and 2 packs per day, I finally quit my 32-year-old habit of smoking. People ask have I seen the $$$ savings from it yet? I tell them, I suppose so, but being -$300 per month doesn't feel any differently than being -$500 per month, lol. Now all I need to do to is quit eating, quit driving, and live by candlelight. Nothing like busting your hump just to stay even... forget having any hobbies, it seems. Especially some of us one-income households.

[S.R.Patch]

I know how you feel I'm afraid my wife is gona hav'ta get a second job... the price of dog food just went up another $2.00.
Road kill been the only saving grace, still lots of fat does being hit on the highway.
We figured you'd still be up in Canadee on a honeymoon or somethun
How was yur trip?

[AlabamaSwamper]

. I have never seen so many houses in forclosure in my life.

Unfortunately, on a national scale, that had nothing to do with the economy. It was caused by stupid people getting stupid loans that they never should have gotten. It's not the bank's fault either. They knew the rates could go up and anyone with any common sense knew they would.

Had they been smart, they would have gotten a 25 or 30yr fixed at .5 % higher and would be much better off.

Then again, humans get to much credit sometimes.

[AlabamaSwamper]

But yes, gas prices has affected my running around somewhat.

[ron simmons]

I am self employed and depend heavy on gas and diesal I have a lawn and landscape bussiness and its running me about $300.00 per day for fuel for trucks and equipment everything that i use supply wise has increased alot 20to 30 % and i donot see it getting much better .But I do have alot friends who work factory jobs and they are losing jobs everyday some been there over 20 years. when is it going to end is this just the start?

[Bev]

We figured you'd still be up in Canadee on a honeymoon or somethun

Holy snarlin' arseholes -- bite yer tongue!!!

The trip was wonderful, though. I wish I could have stayed up there in the northeast. It was good to see most of my Large Pack friends again at the Futurity. And there's nothing like listening to Art Beamer tell a story...about anything, lmao. Got some good video of that, and about a squillion pictures of everything. I also got to go for a day cruise on the St. Lawrence River. Mr. Kane is the best of hosts.

But alas, coffee break is over...back on my head.

[AlabamaSwamper]

Bev, did you tell me you were from Tennessee?

If so, why in the world would you turn down a trip to Tennessee to hunt with us and then go up and visit those good yankees.

Yes, good yankees. They stay up there.

[AlabamaSwamper]

Well, I did protect you women from the Georgia monsters so I guess you did come south once.

[Bev]

Okay try to follow this. I know you are from Alabama so I will give you the benefit of the doubt... *ducks flying tomatoes*

Go south in the winter.

Go north in the summer.



And yes, you took very good care of us when we were down there -- the Southern Gent that you are. I'll be back when the snakes go in. That is, if I can afford the gas.

[AlabamaSwamper]

You know Bev, the snakes never do go in around here. I've seen rattlers in January. LOL