The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to ever one in Western Illinois and all readers of The Quill, young and older alike. There's one week left in August and then here comes September already.
Events
This past weekend was shore full of events if'n ya had a hanker'n ta not stay at home.
Bishop Hill had an event fer some animal what I can't even spell and has exceptional wool, Cambridge a car show, Wyoming antique tractors, Galva an eat'n event with big name evening entertainment, several sales of various types, and politicians run'n around all over the place greet'n and seek'n votes.
Big Crop
As fer the boys, they was a wish'n fer a good shower rain ta help the beans along and give the corn and hay an additional push.
Grain storage folk is make'n plans fer a big crop and lay'n out areas fer outside ground piles. Some areas East and Northwest is a begg'n fer rain, as surprise'n as that may seem.
The wet spring made fer shallow roots that finds it hard ta find moisture in the dry topsoil. The corn and beans in those affected areas are start'n ta show worrisome signs of an affected crop.
If'n warm weather comes back, with no rain, yields will be affected. A rain this week would help a lot even if it spoils someone's picnic.
Nice thoughts
I'm all the time receive'n good information from friends and folk that simply wants ta share. That said, I received the follow'n note from a good friend who sparked me and the boy's up fer more than a spell. Here it is and I'm a hope'n ya enjoys it:
As I've aged, I've become kinder to, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I have seen many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s, 60s and 70s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.
I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, eventually, I remember the important things.
Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can you heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car?
But broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion.
A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I rather like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
My older friend then closed his message with the follow'n thought:
"May our Friendship Never Come Apart, Especially when it's straight from the Heart!"
Well now, that was a touching close'n from a friend that lives in North Carolina, a long ways from Henderson County.
But, it causes me to express these sentiments to the readers of this column-"MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!"
That's if fer this week. I'm a hope'n the balance of it goes well fer ever one.
Hope'n ta see ya in church this week.
Where ever ya is, what ever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
BARNYARD BRUKE