I have not had time to keep up with guestbook entries. Please forgive me if you sent one which has not been entered into the archives.
These are the comments I have received, both good and bad:
June 17, 2004
Cheryl Woolman wrote:
How did you aquire your knowledge of the "Coneydog". Do you have the receipe for the sauce? Also do you know about the "Nutty donut" ? Cheryl Woolman
Dear Cheryl
My intimate knowledge of the coney dog comes from several short term relationships I had with some of them while working at a sign shop near Coney Joes in Brighton, Michigan. Unfortunately each time I became involved with them they soon disappeared. Unlike my poetic description I prefered the dogs with chile sauce only and generally skipped mustard and onions. Regarding the sauce, I can only say that any savory, finely ground chile sauce might seem appropriate. Regarding the "nutty donut", I have no knowledge whatsoever although I see plenty of nutty donuts in my travels to and fro and they also tend to disappear whenever I get hungry. I would write more about this but it is making me hungry so I better stop. Perhaps a few of the readers of this site might recall the old poem about donuts.
Twixt optimist and pessimist,
the difference is droll,
The optimist sees the donut.
The pessimist sees the hole.
author unknown
steve
Feb 12, 2004
Tina Algammal
I was just reading my copy of "Palette of the
Heart" just a couple of days ago. Reading it brought back so many
beautiful memories. It was really nice. It made me want
to explore your site and I really liked it. You did
such a nice job Steve. You are so poetic. You are not
all that different from your writings. They are so like
you. I miss you, I miss our long talks.
Tina Algammal
Dear Tina,
I miss having you as a neighbor and what a delightful friend you have been over the years. Thank you for your comments. steve
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Feb 8, 2004
Love it, love it, love it!
Contributer unknown
Thanks, Thanks, Thanks...
steve
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03-28-03
Steve
You have many gifts and I really enjoyed my visit to
your site, I'll be back many times over. Your romantic
poetry warmed my heart. I could read it all day long.
Thank you
Lois
Thank you Lois I appreciate your kind remarks... steve
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May 18, 2003
Hey Dad this is Rachel, I am in class. Love the
web site. Love Ya Lots
Get back to work sweetie pie... Dad
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June 28, 2003
Hi, Great poem!
The Swede_mt
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July 14, 2003
Hi Steve,
I perused your website, loved reading about how you
got started in the sign painting business, and how
you became a poet. Your website is sheer soul
delight, especially the reminiscences of your
childhood in Illinois.
I love nature, too, and write much about my
experiences in the Great Outdoors, God's poem to us.
Thanks for sharing your memories with the world. Keep
on writing!
Susan, mom of 5, lover of the romantic, revelatory,
and real.
Thank you Susan,
Nature is a great inspiration to write. 5 kids is a great reason to be outdoors ... steve
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Oct 5, 2003
Hi Steve, your poetry caught my attention so I
took
the tour being one who is presently in a battle to
prove the simple fact that my lack of verbal or
emotional expression does not mean that I have no
feelings. (20 years in a marrige and my wife wants to
move on) I appreciate poetry and I'm glad to see it
defeat the male ego or redneck attitudes prevalent in
our society. I myself am redneck and egotistical, I
feel qualified to say this. I have recently left a
job of 18 years and have since discovered that I have
a talent for painting that far surpassed my level of
talent for drawing, which I attempted to refine for
years and years, I wish I had got some paint 20 years
ago. My first canvas painting sold for $250. Not much
by industry standards but it was encouraging, I have
also seen your graphics in the commercial art page and
think those are great looking signs, very nice
combinations of colors textures and proportions.
are you self taught ? My guess is yes ( I have not
read "about the author", sorry if I'm wasting your
time. Just wanted to share my respect and appreciation
for your work. Any advice you could throw my way
would be welcomed, best wishes to you. "Jonny
Hardwood" Mesa Arizona
PS (for the record, I'm not gay)
Jonny...
Great letter, You are not in any way wasting my time. ... steve
P.S. I'm not either!!!
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Dec. 6, 2003
Hi, Steve...
I've enjoyed reading some of your work and seeing your art
pieces. I'll be back to read more. Your wit shines
pretty brightly in your responses to the comments,
friend! It's fun reading......Linda in Idaho
How brightly can a dim bulb glow??? steve
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Sept 6, 2003
Good morning, Steve.
This is one of those delicious Saturday mornings when I have the leisure to do as I please. So, I read all of your poems. What a touching event! Your romantic nature, quest for the fullness of life and your childlike spirit are written all over. I especially like the lines: "when lovers' spirits dare to rhyme in poetry and more" Your poems seem to speak of the universal longings of the heart. And your poems of your family members I found very touching, especially "Mountain Meadow" with the background of when it was written and the one about your dad, the pipefitter.
"Friend or Foe" drew me in very strongly, both by the cadence of the rhyme and the sense of lifelike conflict imparted. It spoke to me of the watchfulness needed as we ponder giving our hearts away and the uncertainty before trust is built.
"Life is Ever Flowing" gave me chills, "Unwritten Pages" gave me motivation, and "Both Sleeping" brought a tear.
Lois
Dear Lois...
Your comments flatter me, maybe someday I can live up to them... steve
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Oct. 23, 2003
Steve, I liked the sight! I haven't had time to go
through the entire thing. You put a lot of work into
it. Your peotry is great. My favorite, so far, is
the coney dog. Sounds like you feel the same about
them as I do. Coneys, mustard, chili, onions, and a
cold beer. Is there anything much better than that?
I will read every one. Your signs are impressive.
Susie.
Dear Susie...
You put me to shame. I wrote the poem about such a coney dog but honestly I hate raw onions, dislike mustard and don't drink beer. Could I have mine with just chili sauce and a Dr Pepper?
steve
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December 16, 2003
Hello from an ardent fan from far-away South Africa..
stella
Internationally acclaimed now am I? Cool! ...steve
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January 13, 2004
Hi dad, I had to look through my e-mails i was
wondering if i might still have an old address for
your web sites, well obviously i found it so here i am
a guest. Love ya melinda
Hello my Princess Warrior. Fix good meals for the Army guys today and warn them about the weapons grade pancakes... Dad
May 18, 2003
Sylvia smiles
Sylvia
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Date April 2, 2003
Good Morning Mr Hodgin:
I recently toured your website. Your words and 'inner'
apparent needs/desires for a lasting/true love are
quite confounding, exciting, and desirable to my
senses.
The warm weather of this beautiful season tends to
lead a ladies' mind toward walks by the lake holding
hands with the man she desires, tender kisses, racing
heart rates while gentle winds caressingly tantalize
their emotions.
Are you as 'deep' and romantic in daily life as your
written words convey?
Searching for depth, Misty
Dear Misty,
Thank you for your very nice words. You have a soft and romantic heart. I am glad you enjoyed my website. I do not publish my poetry in an attempt to woo any particular person or romantic possibility. Most of my poetry has been inspired by watching couples or people, or by nature and scenery. Indeed the spring season and the great outdoors inspire romantic thoughts in many of us. In my daily life I am as burdened by life's various financial and practical restraints as everybody else, so the practical aspects of living certainly put a damper on romantic thought processes.
In a relationship, not only must there be a romantic but a practical relationship as well. I also get frustrated easily and am prone to become angry at the whole world at once, some days, so in spite of my romantic side I suppose I must truly be difficult to get along with. It would probably take a soft spoken and very patient woman to ever get along with someone like me. Life seems filled with impossible dreams.
...steven
Note: The gal who wrote this was a nurse and a girlfriend of mine who died of brain cancer just a few years ago. She saw a great irony; that it was in her heart to heal others and yet she had her 16 year old son die of a brain aneurysm while laying in her arms and she could do nothing to save him. Then when her own cancer occured she could do nothing to save herself. I think of her from time to time and remember her zest for life. She will always be remembered and missed
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Date 5/22/2003
This is Sheila McNamara sole owner of this patented
trademark " Grandma Dorothy's ". I want to know who
authorized you the use of this website domaine? You
have infringed the legal rights of my Patented
Trademark by pently of law which I spent $ 2,500.00
to aquire by law and also I am the one who spent the
money and bought this domaine in 2000. No One has the
right to use my domaine but me. Arnold Govella you
have screwed me enough in the past you will not do it
again. I am taking this matter to my attorney and
every one who is envolved will be prosecuted. I have
not been able to get my website up due to the fact
you have stolen my domaine.
Grandma Dorothy's
Sheila McNamara
President/Founder
Dear Sheila,
First of all, I am not Arnold Govella. Second of all, the title of one page of my website is Grandma Dorothy (because that happens to be the name of my deceased Grandmother) although the name of the site is SteveHodgin.com. Thirdly your letter is rude but will be published in my guestbook since this is the senseless way you chose to address your remarks. Good luck with your lawsuit. Steve Hodgin
P.S. You could avoid quite a bit of expense and trouble if you would please send me half of the money you would waste in attorneys fees and I will gladly change the title of this one web page
Dear Steve,
I have happened to "walk" through your web page with the poetry
and..............I just want to say thank you for your beautiful,
touching, sometimes making me smile or admire .... ability to put
words together.It was a feast for my eyes and heart.
Somehow I took pleasure in Winter 2003 poetry a lot.Perhaps it is
connected with the fact that winter is usually the time when I miss
the sun and warm air. Thank you:)
I am glad I have learned about your site.
May God bless you and empower you to be a fruitful servant in His
eyes.
This was just a short note from a distant country of Poland.
Ania
Thanks Ania I always appreciate letters from afar. I am thrilled that God can use us wherever we are and has enabled us to communicate instantly even across oceans. Simply amazing!
steve
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Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2004 16:28:40 +0000
Hi Steve, this is beautiful great site GBU
Beth
Thanks Beth I am glad you enjoyed it... steve
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Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 00:06:32 +0000
Your site is sheer delight! The poetry is very moving and carried me
on the winds of your own deeply felt emotion to both highs and lows,
from laughter to tears. Your fabulous signs show a rare quality and
craftsmanship. The site itself, with its color and texture and
well-designed pages, makes one want to linger a little longer in this momentary oasis in the desert of life....And your guest book and responses are greatly entertaining and insightful.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter your world!
Terry
How could my poetry be more delightful than your response?
steve
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Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 03:07:37 +0000
Sorry Steve. I've hated poetry since English III & IV
in high school. However, your artistry is fantastic!
Glenn Jones
Dear Glenn I hated poetry in high school too. The girl who sat directly in front of me in that class was Lynn Hatting. Boy did I have a crush on her! Fortunately. my poetry will probably never reach textbook level so I will not be guilty of boring future generations of high school students
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You are blessed to live in heaven on earth. What a beautiful spot you've chosen. I really enjoyed the visual step by step process of the fruits of all your labor. You are a gifted man, not only talented but motivated in spirit and enthusiasm and it shows in what you do. Your ability and vision to synergistically combine words, mediums and nature is amazing. Thank you for sharing the links and inviting me to take the tour. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Lorelei
Dear Lorelei Thank You for the beautiful response. I do love where I live and the view is very inspiring to me.
