This is a new low for you. I am writing in regard to columnist Reita Fackerell’s article on loggers (Milepost 51: “Eau de Diesel might lure the coastal man,” The Daily Astorian, July 14).

Yes, loggers do wear hickory shirts and denims, which do get dirty from working hard all day. Almost to a man, the loggers I knew were strong and manly, but gentle. They were careful to try not to hurt the birds or animals in their work.

My husband of 461?2 years (minus the nine years I took care of him with two strokes and cancer) was logging for companies in Seaside.

He went from choker setter to rigging slinger to head loader, tree topper, high climber to head loader. He did a full day’s work topping a tree and rigging it up and a full day’s work taking it down.

I have seen him at the top of a very high tree after he had topped it, with the tree swinging back and forth. You can’t tell me your joggers can do that – or even last half a day in the woods.

The logging men were clean when they came home and got out of their work clothes. They often took their wives and girls out to a nice place with soft lights and good food. Firelight and romance were always kept alive over the years.

I still have poems and love notes, which help me with missing a great logger. Plus, I have memories of a real man who cared enough to give me a kiss every time we came home in the car, even though the kids griped about it.

He helped other kids, too. Many times he would get up in the middle of the night to help them, bring them home, feed them, or let them stay at our house.

As far as that goes, he was just a regular fine logger.

One of many.

EILEEN HAWKINS

Naselle, Wash.