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The Wisdom Of Barnyard Bruke: "Arrogance of Authority and Justice Cranky Old Man, Thank God Fer Old Folk"

Greetings to ever one in western Illinois and all readers of The Quill.

I'm a hope'n, once again, this column finds ya in a good frame of mind and in good spirits.

Arrogance of Authority and Justice

Once in a while the use of authority can cause a person to do strange things. Fer an example here is an enterest'n happenstance from Texas.

A DEA officer stopped at a ranch in Texas, and talked with an old rancher. He told the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs."

The rancher said, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there..."Okay as he pointed out a distant location.

The DEA officer verbally exploded, saying, "Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me!" Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher.

"See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish...on ANY land! No questions asked or answers given! Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?”

The rancher nodded politely, apologized, and went about his chores. A short time later, the old rancher heard loud screams, looked up and saw the DEA officer running for his life, being chased by the rancher's enormous Santa Gertrudis bull...

With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it seemed likely that the officer would be gruesomely gored before he reached safety. The man was clearly terrified.

The rancher threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs...

"Your badge....show him your BADGE!!"

Well, if'n that don't make ya stop and think, maybe this will.

Cranky Old Man

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author "anonymous" poem winging across the internet.

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses?......What do you see?

What are you thinking......when you're looking at me?

A cranky old man,......not very wise,

Uncertain of habit......with faraway eyes.

Who dribbles his food......and makes no reply,

When you say in a loud voice......"I do wish you'd try!"

Who seems not to notice......the things that you do,

And forever is losing......A sock or shoe.

Who, resisting or not......lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding......The long day to fill.

Is that what you're thinking?.....Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse......you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am......As I sit here so still.,

As I do at your bidding,......as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten.......with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters......who love one another.

A young boy of Sixteen......with wings on his feet,

Dreaming that soon now......a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty......my heart gives a leap,

Remembering, the vows......that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now......I have young of my own,

Who need me to guide......And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty......My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other......With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons......have grown and are gone,

But my woman is beside me......to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more........Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children....My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me......My wife is now dead.

I look at the future......I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing......young of their own.

And I think of the years.....And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man......and nature is cruel.

It's jest to make old age......look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles........grace and vigor, depart.

There is now a stone...where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass...... A young man still dwells,

And now and again......my battered heart swells,

I remember the joys......I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living......life over again.

I think of the years, all too few......gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact......that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people......open and see.

Not a cranky old man......

Look closer......see......ME!

Remember this poem when you next meet an old person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within......we will all, one day, be there, too!

The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart.

Thank God Fer Old Folk

"Old People" was never a term I liked very well, until I saw this information on "Old People Pride".

"Old People" Pride

I'm passing this on as I did not want to be the only "old people" receiving it. Actually, it's not a bad thing to be called, as you will see.

a. Old People are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the National Anthem. Old People remove their caps, cover their hearts, stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them.

b. Old People remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy, and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, The Cold War, the Cuban Crisis, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing. They remember the 50 plus Peacekeeping Missions from 1945 to 2005, not to mention Vietnam.

c. If you bump into an Old People on the sidewalk he will apologize. If you pass an Old People on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old People trust strangers and are courtly to women and treat them with great respect.

d. Old People hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.

e. Old People get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth or dirty language on TV or in movies.

f. Old People have moral courage and personal integrity. They seldom brag unless it's about their children, grandchildren or their animals.

g. It's the Old People who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country.

This country needs Old Folk with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride in their country, and decent values. We need them more now then ever before.

I was taught to respect my elders. It's just gett'n harder to find them.

Thank God fer Old Folks.

Well, that's all for this column. Be thankful fer all your'n many Bless'ns and I'm a hope'n to see you'ns in church this week.

Keep on Smile'n

Catch ya later

BARNYARD BRUKE