Dr. Daniel Drew, Indianapolis Indiana:

I am MOST IMPRESSED with your "Slipin Silo" design for a BB/TS house.  I am positively astounded by the amount of thought and work (and dedication) you have committed to this design and the prototypes you have created.  I have looked over the sample you sent home with me... and spent some time "gawking" at it and "rubbing on it" (as they say in the racing business) ....and I have no doubt that it holds promise as a viable form of housing for Bluebirds and Tree Swallows which has some DEFINITE advantages over the systems now on the market.

I just received the CD on your new creation. I am still in shock. Let me say how very impressed I am on all your hard work. This certainly took some time, talent and outstanding creative thinking on your part. I applaud your efforts and I suspect they will soon be rewarded. I believe you have covered everything that is of concern in standard housing into your Slippin Silo.  

I admire your integrity while creating this Bluebird/Tree Swallow house. It sure looks like you have all of your 'bases covered' and I had a good chuckle about how this box is good for short people. LOL Seeing how I am only 5'3" and DO have to carry a step-stool when I check my Bluebird trail I got excited at the idea of NOT having to! (smiling)

Linda Reynolds, Adamsville, Tennessee:

Jim and Carla's generosity has provided me an opportunity to see, and now be able to use your wonderful Slippin' Silo. You should be most proud of this product; it is a beautifully designed house.
I do not like your creation......I LOVE IT! 
I would like to thank you for the quick processing of Jim's order and YOUR wonderful idea and craftsmanship.  The houses are beautiful!  I hope to have them erected within a week or two and I can hardly wait.  I am sure they will be providing our healthy Bluebird population with comfortable housing for years to come.

Steve Eno, Raymond, Nebraska:

Would you be interested in selling me your great box?  I showed your box at our meeting last Sunday and it was a big hit.  A few people wanted to know what they cost.  Do you plan on selling them?   Again, great box.  Let me know.

Terry Washburn, Nashville, Arkansas:

Mike, your silo box is wonderful.  

Also, I think your bluebird house is perfect for short folks who have to mount a bluebird box pretty low so they can see in it. With the ability to remove the jug, you can have the bluebird box mounted as high up in the air as you can reach easily and that makes the inverted bucket guard more effective. 

If NABS realizes what your design will do for effectiveness of the inverted-bucket guard, they should give your design a blessing that puts it ahead of others. I believe it to be ahead of anything I have seen for bluebirds. I think you are there with the best of housing.....period....

The one I installed in the yard was taken to immediately by bluebirds though. I first installed it with the trap because I was hearing a bull sparrow. I installed it and left it and came back in about 5 minutes. It had already caught a male bluebird. I released it and installed the regular nest insert and within two minutes, the male and female had entered and explored...no reluctance after being trapped...smile...bbds are so satisfactory....

Debra and Del McKinnon, Mulhurst Bay, Alberta Canada, " Founders of The Purple Martin Conservancy-Canada & Mountain Bluebirders ":

The "Slippin Silo" sits on the dining room table , it has been inspected , marveled at , and has captured our hearts...Debra is ecstatic.  The "Silo" would be "special" even without your kind upgrades...we laugh at each other, as every once and awhile we are found playing with the "Silo" again...you should know, that, had you sent a $1000 bill it would have meant less than the personal warmth received in this gifted treasure...

Larry A. Broadbent, Chatham, Ontario, Canada

I must say that it is an incredibly well designed and constructed nest box/Silo.

I'm very impressed, and that is coming from someone, (me) who makes incredible wood nestboxes for Bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds.

Actually is is so nice, I may just have to buy another one or two to have up, and be able to take this one to the March 2004 Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society meeting in Burlington, Ontario.