The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to ever one in western Illinois and all readers of The Quill.
Crops are come'n along well at the time of this writing and we have much ta be thankful for. Prices fer old crop (2014) corn and soybeans are mighty disappoint'n, unless of course you've sold all your old crop at earlier higher prices.
Big Yields
The boys came back from a meet'n recently talk'n about the sponsor promot'n yields fer soybeans well over 100 bushel per acre. Corn yields were given at over 300 bushel per acre. That is, of course, if'n ya is smart enough ta use the products they was a sell'n.
That kinda reminds me of the old adage, "If'n ya finds yourself in a deep hole, quit digg'n". So if'n todays prices fer corn and soybeans is well below the cost of production, and the reason given fer this is we have an over supply of both crops - how much sense does it make ta produce even more?
It brings into my thoughts the feller who was sell'n his strawberry crop at 25¢ a quart loss. His solution ta the problem was ta double his sales. I suppose he had it figured it made sense because it shortened the length of time he had ta suffer losses.
So, let's assume ever one starts produce'n at or over 300 bushels per acre corn and 140 ta 150 bushel soybeans. How low does ya think the prices would need to get ta adjust ta the huge supply we would have on hand fer the market place ta steal from the farmer. What will happen ta our rural communities, ta the business houses that are dependent upon rural prosperity, to our youth and tao all the older duffers a hope'n fer a reasonable retirement?
Wisdom
Oh well, I'm a guess'n I shouldn't be a dwell'n on such a subject. My problem is I went ta a one room schoolhouse where they taught the three "R's" along with patriotism, good judgment, wisdom and common sense!
6 Destructive Mistakes
So ya sez what kind of wisdom did they teach? Well lots of it, fer example there are six destructive mistakes a feller can make:
1) The delusion that personal gain is made by crushing others.
2) The tendency ta worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected.
3) Insist'n that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it.
4) Refuse'n ta set aside trivial preferences.
5) Neglect'n development and refinement of the mind, and not acquired the habit of read'n and study'n.
6) Attempt'n ta compel others ta believe and live as we do.
Additionally we were taught wise say'ns from "Poor Richard's Almanac". Fer example:
Wise Sayings
1) Ta lengthen thy life, lesson thy meals.
2) He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.
3) Better slip with foot than tongue.
4) Teach your child ta hold his tongue; he'll learn fast enough ta speak.
5) Humility makes great men twice honorable.
6) Tis easy ta see, hard to foresee.
7) Creditors have better memories than debtors.
8) God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.
9) No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
10) Sell not virtue ta purchase wealth, nor liberty ta purchase power.
11) Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterward.
12) Wish not so much ta live long as ta live well.
13) He that sows thorns should not go barefoot.
14) There are the three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and ta know ones self.
15) Success has ruin'd many a man.
Human Relations
In human relations we was taught:
- The six most important words: "I admit I made a mistake".
- The five most important words: "You did a good job".
- The four most important words: "What is your opinion".
- The three most important words: "If you please".
- The two most important words: "Thank you".
- The one most important word: "We".
- The least important word: "I".
True Understanding
We were taught in the area of true understanding that we do not understand:
Joy...until we face sorrow.
Faith...until it is tested.
Peace...until faced with conflict.
Trust...until we are betrayed.
Love...until it is lost.
Hope...until confronted with doubts.
Rules Fer Living
And Rules fer Living were taught:
If'n ya open it, close it.
If ya turn it on, turn it off.
If'n ya unlock it, lock it up.
If'n ya break it, admit it.
If'n ya can't fix it, call in someone who can.
If'n ya borrow it, return it.
If'n ya value it, take care of it.
If'n ya make a mess, clean it up.
If'n ya move it, put it back.
If'n it belongs ta someone else and ya wants t use it, get permission.
If'n ya don't know how ta operate it, leave it alone.
If'n it's none of your business, don't ask questions.
If'n it ain't broke, don't fix it.
If'n it will brighten someone's day, say it.
If'n it will tarnish someone's reputation, keep it to yourself.
Responsibilities
We learned responsibility from Thomas Jefferson's teach'ns:
1) Never put off tomorrow what ya can do today.
2) Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
3) Never spend your money before you have it.
4) Never buy what you do not want because its is cheap.
5) Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.
6) We never repent of having eaten too little.
7) Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
8) How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.
9) Take things away by their smooth handle.
10) When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.
Well, there ya has it then, fer this weeks column.
Let's not forget Art Kane's 70th birthday open house on Sunday, June 14th at the St. Patrick's Community Center in Raritan from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Fer those unable ta attend fer whatever reason, how about a good card shower fer him.
He is as good a neighbor and long time community supporter as anyone would ever want!
Hope'n ta see ya all in church this weekend.
Where ever ya is, what ever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!'
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
Barnyard Bruke