The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to ever one in Western Illinois and surround'n areas.
WEATHER
A neighbor told me the other day that he spotted the raccoons a water'n his third plant'n of sweet corn.
Now that's dry when them critters take notice and begins to help out with produce'n their food supply!
Some folk got some rain over the weekend and others only heard about it.
Mrs. Bruke and I was a travel'n near Iowa City when a storm descended upon us. It rained so hard ya couldn't see the front part of the hood of our vehicle. The wind came mighty hard along with hail. We heard later it was clocked at 70 miles per hour. Almost all the traffic pulled off to the side of the road fer an emergency stop.
There was a lot of motorcycles, most of em a head'n west. Two Harleys had just passed us when the storm hit and it was the first time me and the wife ever saw motorcycles a go'n forward sideways.
They did a mighty spectacular job just keep'n em upright. I think they was a hope'n to make it to the shelter of an overpass, but they never made it.
We kept on goin fer by this time most of the traffic, include'n many Harley motorcycles, had pulled over.
It seemed terribly dangerous to me to be a sit'n along side of the road a wait'n fer someone to plow into ya. Besides, we had the road mostly to ourselves.
Every overpass was loaded full up with Harley's with their passengers a look'n mighty drenched.
I'm a guess'n they was on their way fer the annual pilgrimage to Sturgis. It would take a might more than a severe thunderstorm to damp'n their enthusiasm fer that trip.
I find it enterst'n what a few thinly clad women ride'n around on a Harley will do in attract'n men folk to the north country. It's kinda like salmon a head'n for a particular area to spawn.
Grizzly bears, fishermen, and other obstacles cain't seem to damp'n their determination. Life can be entertain'n if'n ya will only take time to observe it.
A friend passed along some weather predictions from a lifetime of observation. Remember, however, all signs fail in dry weather.
The first three days in December, watch which direction the wind blows from.
These three days indicate what weather will be like on the three months that follow.
Day 1 - December
Day 2 - January
Day 3 - February
If'n the wind blows from the northwest, it indicates very cold and dry; if'n from the southwest, it indicates mild and dry; if'n from the northeast, it indicates cold and wet; if'n from the southeast, it indicates mild and wet.
The way weather is the last Friday of the month will rule the next month.
Watch the first three days in March. Again, these three days indicate what weather will be like the three months that follow
Day 1 - March
Day 2 - April
Day 3 - May
Winds rule the same as was given previously as the first three days in December.
The weather pattern usually changes after a full moon.
Clouds that are flat on bottom like a boat in the water, represent dry clouds. You can mow hay and it won't get wet.
Wet clouds are rounded and spiky on the bottom. Don't mow hay.
Wind blow'n in from the east is a wet sign, year round. Fish will not bite when the wind is in the east.
Wind from the South or West is a dry sign.
When the eastern sky is fire red before the sun rises, a storm is brewing.
When the western sky is fire red at sundown, nice days will follow.
A heavy dew in the morning is a dry sign. No dew in the morning is a wet sign.
Well them is some enterest'n information on home spun weather. I'm a gonna watch throughout the year and see how reliable they is. But then, all signs fail in dry weather.
CHILDREN'S HUMOR
A feller can always find humor in children fer their quick responses can be thought provoke'n. Art Linkletter demonstrated this point time and time again.
Some humorous examples of children's responses are:
TEACHER: Why are you late?
STUDENT: Class started before I got here.
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication of the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell "crocodile?'
GLENN: K-r-o-k-o-d-i-a-l.
TEACHER: No, that is wrong!
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday, you said it's H to O.
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: "Me!"
TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with "I".
MILLIE: "I is!"
TEACHER: No, Millie: always say, "I am!".
MILLIE: "All right:'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand.....
TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
TEACHER: Clyde, your composition on "My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's: Did you copy his?
CLYDE: No sir. It's the same dog.
TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested.
HAROLD: A teacher.
Well, I'm a hope'n them quotes gave you'ns a chuckle or two. Feel free to pass them around and maybe bright'n up someone's day.
GOOD OLE WESTERN ILLINOIS
I'm a hope'n ever one had a good time over at the La Harpe Classic Car show, the Class of 1977 La Harpe 35th class reunion, the Stronghurst Homemade Ice Cream Social, the La Harpe Summerfest, The Gladstone Homecoming, and the Hamilton Western Illinois Threshers, this past week.
Betwixt Rumely Oil Pull line of tractors, the Maytag featured gas engine line, and the display by the Wayland, Iowa Tractor Club, plenty of food and fun for young and old alike, who couldn't help but be proud to live in good ole Western Illinois?
Be extra kind to your neighbors this week, and spread the good cheer.
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya Later
Barnyard Bruke