The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Wisdom Of Barnyard Bruke
Greetings to all in Henderson-Hancock counties and all of western Illinois,
Isn't this a great time to be a liv'n in one of the best places in the world!
My friend Cornelius Farkward "is as happy as a hog bathing in a mud wallow" living in these parts of the woods.
Cornelius tells of a friend he knows who recently moved here from the big city. The friend, according to Cornelius, has made a discovery of these parts, and the people therein, with intentions of mak'n them his families permanent abode.
By my reckoning, us folks in Western Illinois are a lot like the Native American Indian. He was also discovered by those of another area (Europeans).
The problem is, he never realized he was ever lost or that he needed to be discovered by anyone!
Before you know it the discoverer took much of the good the discoveree had and pretty well displaced him.
I'm a hope'n Cornelius' friend enjoys what we have and doesn't try to change things to his city fied habits.
"A little oil helps to save sum friction" (kind words help) and while there might be some differences between country folk and city slickers and "if'n you got both oars in the water" (rational) we'll get along just fine.
But if'n your "elevator don't go all the way to the top" (not completely rational) and "you act like a peach orchard boar" then we both are gonna have our troubles!
A while back, I commented on the good quality of our young folk.
I now hear the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau Young Farmers has put together a group of volunteers who would like to help farmers in the area clean up from the flood.
If'n you would like some help, call 309-734-9401.
But, if'n you'd like to volunteer to work beside them, call the same number.
Golly Ned, you just can't beat the caliber of youngn's we got in these parts!
Cornelius told me recently of his friend what lives in Lake City, South of Red Wing Minnesota, where the Mississippi separates Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Cornelius friend lives on Lake Pepin and was a complaining about how low its water level is and because of that fact has had to extend his boat dock twice to keep it near the water line.
His story was that by keep'n plenty of water flowing down stream they are a help'n some endangered fish. Never mind the consequences this may have on the poor folk down stream that still have their homes under water.
Now, Cornelius was "mad as a March hare" when he heard this and figured who ever kept that plan in affect during all this flood'n "don't have "nough studs for his drywall" (short of rationality).
Myself, I figure them folks up there to be smarter than that.
I figure when Cornelius' friend "opened his mouth, concerning sending extra water our way during these times, his brain shifted in to neutral."
Anyways, know'n how bureaucrats think sometimes,
I'm a gonna give it some more investigation. One thing shore nough, a passel of water came down our ways-be it rainfall or combination of lake drain'n and fish preserve'n.
Has anyone noticed the swallows congregatin' on the high line wires lately?
To me it's one of the first sure signs that we are runnin' on the short end of summer.
They are so pretty and graceful and before you know it they will leave the area for winter haven.
Even without a calendar, those swallows gatherin' as they do, are a reminder to start workin' on gettin' harvestin' equipment in order.
With the warm weather we was havin' on Monday, I'm also reminded of puttin' hay near the top of the old family farms tin roofed barn. Seems as tho' we stood the heat better in those days or is it my imagination?
Of course, shavin' 50 years or more off the calendar wouldn't hurt in improvin' heat tolerance either!
Keep your head high and your feet dry.
Catch Ya Later,
Barnyard Bruke