The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.



The Wisdom Of Barnyard Bruke: "Japanese Beetles, Garden Benefits, Farm'n is Dangerous, Pecans in the Cemetery, Enjoy Life"

Greetings to everyone in Western Illinois and also Southeastern Iowa.

I'm told some of those Iowegians is a read'n The Quill over there across the mighty Mississippi and Virginia Ross even got a right nice article written on her good deeds by The Hawk Eye newspaper. As an ole English teacher I reckon Virginia would like to get ahold of me pen and do some re-train'n of its master. There is no hope fer me, Virginia, so ya better give up any thought of that futile effort. It's mightly hard to teach an old dog new tricks, don't you know.

Japanese Beetles

Are ya watch'n fer them Japanese beetles by now? Drive'n down the road they's the ones that are a hit'n your windshield like the sound of a BB gun pellet. That's one way of git'n a few of them outa their nuisance, but I'm afraid windshield whack'n is too slow ta bring them under proper control.

For those of you'ns who are about ta lose your fruit trees or other grow'n plants to them pesky little creatures, ya better hurry along and get yourself some malathion before it's too late to save the plants from ultimate consumption.

Garden Benefits

Me and the Mrs. has been have'n us some sweet corn and fresh onions. That along with peaches, watermelon, muskmelon, and other garden produce, shore do make life worth live'n. For those of you'ns without a garden, you might want to visit one of those local Farmers Markets and enjoy some of the fruits of their labor. Yes in deedee, their homemade fresh baked pies along with homemade bread, are pretty scrumptious, as well.

Farm'n is Dangerous

A feller up north, Steve Giertz , was injured in a farm accident Monday morn'n. His legs was injured whilst a load'n bin materials. A local Stronghurst EMT, Brad Flatt, was on his way to mow some land up near Giertsz when he heard it on his scanner, and promptly responded to help him out. He was taken to Iowa City in one of those flying copters and we needs to keep him in our prayers.

I've always told the Mrs., a farmer never knows when he starts the day out where he'll end up after the day is spent. Hospital, funeral parlor, out in the field yet, or home with loved ones, it's anybodies guess. Farm'n is and always has been a very dangerous way to grub out a live'n!

I was told recently of a young lassie gal who went out in the pasture to gather up some cows. It seems the neighbors' cows had somehow gotten into her Pa's pasture.

As she came near the neighbors cows, one cow took a mean streak and charged towards her. As the cow got near the young lassie, she lifted up her dress over her head and peered through it.

The wild beast of a cow stopped dead in its tracks and stared briefly at that most unusual sight. That female bovine then abruptly turned around and "high tailed" it fer other pastures. She took the whole herd of wild cows with her include'n the bull. They jumped through the fence and never slowed down till they got to the safety of the neighbors' barn.

The neighbor, who owned the cows, spoke up the next Sunday after church and told how something awful must have spooked his cows.

They was scratched up something awful from stampeed'n thru the fence, with barb wire cuts all over "em. He could not make his cows graze back in the area where they stampeeded thru that there barbwire laced fence. It was hard even for awhile to coax them outa the barn lots.

That modest young lassie kept the secret as to what happened for many years before let'n the facts out.

She died recently at 84 years old and her story was then told. Today, woman folk don't wear dresses to the field so much. So I don't reckon that story will be repeated any time soon.

Some of you'ns probably are wonder'n if'n this cow story was concocted. Truth oft times is stranger than fiction.

Pecans In The Cemetery

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.

"One fer you, one fer me, one fer you, one fer me,' said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One fer you, one fer me, one fer you, one fer me..'

He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old farmer with a cane, hobble'n along.

"Come here quick,' said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividin' up the souls!'

The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see I can harldy get around.' When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.

Standin' by the fence they heard "One fer you, one fer me. One fer you, one fer me.'

The old man whispered, "Boy you've been tellin' the truth, sure enough. Let's see if'n we can see the Lord, once.

Shakin' with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old farmer and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get even a small glimpse of the Lord.

At last they heard, "One fer you, one fer me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done.

They say the old farmer had the lead for a good mile and a half before the kid on the bike caught up to pass him.

Well, anyways, that's what the neighborhood boys told me.

I was also told they never did find that old feller's cane and he refused to go back to the cemetery to look fer it. In my mind's eye, I can just see him "high tail'n it fer safer territory!

Take Time To Enjoy Life

Everyone keep in mind Stronghurst's upcome'n 125th celebration. It's a good time for all to pull together and have a heap of "ole fashioned fun". Try and make everyone feel good about themselves, and enjoy life and your neighbors! See ya in church come Sunday morn'n.

Keep on Smile'n

Catch ya later

Barnyard Bruke