The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill."
This is the last full week of September, as you well know.
Now here comes October already. Autumn is such a pleasant time of the year. Fer many folk it is their favorite season.
Heritage days was last weekend and the weather cooperated fairly well. It was a bit warm on Saturday, but not intolerable.
Congratulations ta the Meyers family on plant'n 600 or so, apple trees. It is good ta get that business a go'n in the county. It is named after their belted cattle. Their apple slush was excellent last weekend.
Corn and soybean harvest yields continue ta be reported good. The weather last week permitted many fields to be harvested already.
The last cutt'n of hay is be'n baled and the quality is be'n reported as excellent. This has been a good hay'n year.
The Screen Door of Life.
I traveled down a country road the other day, in our area, and I saw where once a sad forlorn empty farm house once stood. It was now gone. It reminded me of a poem by Harvey Bernard, that I found years ago in Chatfield, Minnesota from original Country Art. I will share it with ya now fer some deep reflection.
The Screen Door of Life
Once my frame was firm and strong, my mesh was new and light. My spring had muscles, my hinges were smooth and quite. A sturdy screen door, built with pride and hung upon the farm house door in hopes to swing forever.
Day by day, dawn to dusk, with loyal service, but keeping vermin at bay, but the fragrance of fresh bread baked to drift. Faithfully year after year with a touch of repair I swung with the times and served the flow of life on this old farm.
Sounds of life drifted through my mesh, night sounds from frogs and crickets, calls of dawn from doves and roosters. Warnings from honking geese and barking dogs, this with farmyard noise and harmonies with kitchen clatter make a rhythm to swing to.
A hundred times a day I opened to let life pass, my proudest times were for a new bride, a new baby, Sunday guests or when the clergy came to call. When sweethearts whispered their good nights I swung quiet as a kiss.
Dark days were few, times that I was slammed in anger or on little fingers, times the knock of the sheriff or bill collector sounded on my frame. Darkest of all when the grim reaper came to call, then I swung in reverence for some departed one.
Hanging now by a twisted hinge with a shattered frame and torn mesh, besieged with rust and rot. My nicks and scars from years of honored service now covered with droppings and mildew. No more May baskets, no more Christmas bells adorn my idle frame.
Now, I guard an empty shell, a hollowed wreck, wind whispers in mournful tune, sparrows chirp, a haunting dirge. No more laughter, birthday songs or hearty greetings echo through me. Now the loudest sound - the heavy quiet and the silence slamming.
Gone are the proud inhabitants that loved the land, gone are the hands that worked the soil. This old house sits in a patch of weeds with endless open fields around it. Times have changed and it's plain I will swing no more -forever.
1997 Harvey Bernard
There ya have it then, just as I received it. I'm a hope'n ya enjoyed it, as it reflects back on some experiences we've had.
A New Baby
One final thought fer this week's column. A lady was a have'n herself a newborn baby. The paramedic showed up ta help.
The electricity was out of service just then when, it was needed most. The husband was a way from the farm house a try'n ta trace down the problem, unawares his wife's time had come fer arrival of their next newborn.
The paramedic asked the only available person in the home, the lady's 3 year old son, fer some help by hold'n a flashlight. Upon arrival the paramedic spanked the newborn and he started cry'n.
Afterwards he asked the 3 year old what he thought of the situation. He said, "He deserved a spank'n - he shouldn't have crawled up there in the first place."
Have a good rest of the week.
We have much to be thankful fer!
Hope'n to see ya in church this week.
Remember, Wherever ya are, whatever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"
Keep on Smile'n
Catch a later
Barnyard Bruke