The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to everyone in Western Illinois. I'm a hope'n no one is foundering on fresh sweet corn out of the garden, on the ear.
There's nothin any better than fresh sweet corn smothered in butter with just the right amount of salt applied.
Reminds me of the time, about 45 years ago, I visited a friend and his family in Queens, New York. For supper they served an ear a piece for everyone at the table and slowly ate on it as if'n it were a most rare and prized possession. One ear around those parts hardly gets a hungry muncher a good start.
But then, now-a-days those folk think us ornery farmers are a make'n ethanol outta their sweet corn. They also think, I've been told, chocolate milk comes from black cows.
Well, Cornelius tells me those New York easterners aren't the only ones with "goofy" ideas. He refers to "Alan Guebert", goofy Guebert as Cornelius calls him, who writes articles for various publications, as a good example.
"Goofy" Guebert would sell his soul for $1.00, as Cornelius tells it. Or, worse yet, he would sell his neighbor's soul for .50 cents and pocket the change. Mostly he writes of liberal slanted ideas that seldom reflect mainstream agriculture.
Most recently he wrote of his favor for Cap-and-Trade. "Show me the money" he says, not giv'n any consideration to the ill effects Cap-and-Trade might have for the next generation or other occupations. His reasoning is mostly flawed and his money flows much differently than most would suppose.
But, "greedy goofy Guebert" with his selfish self-centered reasoning only fixates on "money" above all else. According to Cornelius, he gives farmers a bad name in the misconceptions he writes about.
Last week I told you of behavior modification applied to youth of another era by drugging, to brainwash them on occupational skills and to achieve desired moral and ethical goals.
Cornelius and I was a have'n us one of our coffee break chats, just a jaw'n away, whilst our women folk was a clean'n up from the morn'n session of cann'n sweet corn for winter use and family gather'ns.
Cornelius credited his present high standard of country live'n to "being drugged" as a young'n. It was not unusual, he sez, for youth in the community, he was raised in, to receive the same treatment on a regular and consistent basis.
Well, I sez, that's simply terrible! It's too bad they didn't have a 911 or 800 number he could've dialed, three longs and two shorts, to get help back then.
Of course, back then, all the neighbors, about 5 to 8 families, would've rubbered in on the party line to see what the latest news was.
Cornelius went on to state that not only he was drugged in his youth, and well into his late teens, to instill certain behavioral patterns, but he applied the same technique to his own children which worked pretty well. Now he is advocating the procedure for his grandchildren as well as his neighbor's offspring.
That was just about to much for me, because not only is Cornelius a fine exempletory and outstanding citizen, but so are his children as well as his grandchildren. They have the make'ns of come'n out'a the same good mold.
So I asks, "What kind of drug was used on him, his children and grandchildren". He states boldly, "A tender peach switch" was available at all times. It was always available, but seldom used or needed.
You see, Cornelius was drug to church and school as well as Wednesday night services and other special occasions. He was drug to church camp, family reunions, and neighborhood gatherings. As well as just going to a neighbor of an evening for a visit, make homemade ice cream, or help with chores when needed.
He was drug to work in the hayfield and up against the tin roof of a barn in August finish'n off the mow.
He was drug to clean used boards for future use and long hours of straight'n nails for reuse. That drugging taught him frugality and not to waste anything.
He was drug to clean out the oat bin, chicken house, pitch'n manure by fork, gathering eggs-clean'n and grade'n them and how to swap produce at the local store.
Thresh'n stomp'n silage, and endless hours around and around the field first by horse then by tractor-cultivating, discing, plow'n, and listen'n to ears hit the bang board.
He was drug to operate a scoop shovel efficiently and kill rats whilst shelling corn. Pitch forks came in handy kill'n snakes found under the shock of oats. How to use a hand saw, square and drive a straight nail without scaring the board as well as construction and engineering were also taught.
His drugging included regular maintenance of harness, currying horses and caring for their feet; farm machinery maintenance, grease'n and oil changes; scouring the plow were all regular drug lessons.
Shearing sheep, calve'n, lamb'n, pig'n, moving animals to new pastures and make'n fence were important drug lessons.
Trips to grandparent's house or neighbors, with his parents, for ladies home permanent or home style haircuts.
Making comforters and clothes out of feed sacks were important lessons taught by drugging. All the while the older generation was a passing along their value system, stories and lessons years ago.
Stories of another generation long since gone and whilst never known personally the stories connected you to them as if'n they were your closest friend on a personal basis.
Trips to the farm pond for bass, catfish and bluegill with lessons on clean'n and cook'n them.
Or, simply an evening trip to the pond with a bar of soap to wash off the first layer of oat or hay dust and dirt.
Ice skate'n and ice fish'n in the winter, and squirrel hunt'n early morn'n hours in the fall.
Hunt'n quail, rabbit and pheasant and the great pride of furnish'n the family, for the first time, to a meal or stew of your own skills of hunt'n and fish'n.
The refresh'n delights of a cool August thunderstorm with all of its display of lights.
Pony carts, stilt walking, croquet, badminton, volleyball, horse shoeing, milking cows, the county fair and free movies were all initially taught by drugging.
As were read'n, write'n, and arithmetic. The multiplication tables, accurately memorized, was an important must.
Walking bean fields, make'n ones own bed, doing dishes, and helping mom with spring and fall house clean'n were early druggings. Cleaning all the game that was shot, or caught on fish'n pole, was a must.
Cleaning up ones plate because some china man somewhere was going hungry, was permanently drugged as an important lesson.
Going to bed early and wake'n up early, and hard work never hurt anyone, was also taught. Never sass an elder, teacher, parent, or anyone for that matter, and always show proper respect to everyone, especially to open doors for ladies and old folk and take off one's hat at proper times, especially with the passing of the American flag and/or whilst praying. Young were taught to be seen and not heard, unless called upon.
Punishment at school brought punishment at home as well as a healthy respect for authority and the law. Cornelius was drugged to the sink to wash his mouth out with a bar of soap for words that are common place today.
Don't chew gum in church! Dress up properly, not for yourself, but for respect for others.
Cornelius was drugged into believing a conservative living and lifestyle was good in and of itself and carried certain rewards.
He remembers a drugging into believing alcohol and tobacco was bad for your health and Idleness and Socialism was the devil's workshop.
Patriotism and loyalty to government and country was a common drugging for him. It also included charity for his fellow mankind and the knowledge that criticism, gossip, running people down, greed, envy and lewd jokes were all bad.
He was drug to read the bible night and morning, how to pray at all times, but especially before and after meals, and to be thankful to God for his many blessings, even when they included sharp discipline.
Respect for others property and a willingness to help anyone in need was a drugging also. Not working on Sunday, a day of rest, was important and an example to be followed where possible.
He was drugged into believing money does not necessarily bring happiness, and toys don't have to be expensive to have enjoyment. An old swimming hole, rope swing from an oak tree, or a tin can with rocks in it could bring joy and mystery to a young child's inquiring mind.
A cold watermelon under the cool shade of an Oak tree, in the back yard, brought a bounty of pleasure after an afternoon of work in the garden with a hoe, was also a common drugging.
Helping Mom and Dad put up garden, canning, shucking sweet corn, snapping beans, digging potatoes, planting the garden, spraying fruit trees and gathering their bounty was included.
In fact, Cornelius says, he was swayed to believe there was no such thing as being "bored" on the farm.
As I reflected on what Cornelius was saying, it seemed to me, in years gone by, many young folk were drug or dragged in a similar way, right at the side of their parents.
Being dragged was only necessary very rarely as very quickly, behavior was modified for enjoyable anticipation. Things shore have changed-have they not?
Catch Ya Later
Barnyard Bruke
P.S. I'll bet some liberal psychologist will have fun with this one! I only mentioned a few of Cornelius's druggings or draggings due to limited time and space. It makes one feel somewhat sorry for today's young folk-for what they are a miss'n out on!