The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill."
Beetles
Rain keeps come'n various places through out our area in a very spotty fashion. Some are a gett'n a little more and some a little less. But, over all the crops look good except where them Japanese beetles has been a gnaw'n on "em. Some of them beetles has headed down into the ground ta lay more eggs for a good hatch next year. Let's hope a cold winter freezes out their plans. Otherwise it might be a good idea to lay in a sufficient supply of Sevin ta feed "em properly.
Fair
Next week is the yearly Henderson County 4-H Fair. Some of us have been attend'n the fairs since we were just whipper snappers. It's always good to see what the young folks are show'n at the fair and it gives ya a chance to visit neighbors and folk around the community.
It would be a good idea ta reserve some of your time ta enjoy these community activities.
Meaning Of Love
Ta A Youngster
The follow'n touch'n words are from the mouth of babes (4-8 year olds). It might be well ta slow down for three minutes or so ta read "em.
I guess a group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?"
Well, the answers they gave were broader and deeper than anyone could have ever imagined.
See what ya think:
"When grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
-Rebecca-age 8
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
-Billy-age 4
"Love is when a girl put on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
-Karl-age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
-Chrissy-age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
-Terri-age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
-Danny-age 7
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.'
-Emily-age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'
-Bobby-age 7 (Wow!)
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.'
-Nikka-age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."
-Noelle-age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
-Tommy-age 6
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
-Cindy-age 8
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
-Clare-age 6
"Love is when Mommy give Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
-Elaine-age 5
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'
-Chris-age 7
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
-Mary Ann-age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she give me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
-Laren-age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
-Karen-age 7
"You really shouldn't say "I love you' unless you mean it, But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
-Jessica-age 8
The winner was a 4 -year-old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
With those quotes I'll close this week's column off with the follow'n poem entitled The Diamond Doorway.
The Diamond Doorway
Death is but the diamond doorway
How God's children enter home.
Gateway to the golden city
End of pain through which we roam.
Would we stay our loved ones' journey
To that shining, happy land?
Would we stop their upward springing
With a clutching, outstretched hand?
Should we grudge their upward travel
Just because we cannot go?
Should we grieving draw them earthward
From the warm and golden glow?
They go where we want to journey,
They are where we want to be.
Let them go and bless their travel
Up to heaven pure and free.
Here on earth we have the darkness.
Here on earth we have the pain.
Here on earth we see the parting
Leaves a deep and lasting strain.
Now the way is dark and gloomy
Tangles in the thorns of woe.
Can we weeping see the pathway
Find the strength to onward go?
Mighty arms are closed around us
As we struggle through the night.
Gentle hands guide through the darkness
Leading us through lands of light.
There ya have it for this week, something the boys and I will reflect on fer a spell.
Have a good rest of the week. Hope'n ta see ya in church.
Remember, wherever ya are, whatever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
Barnyard Bruke