The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill".
Sure hope everyone had a good weekend last week with all the activities that was ago'n on.
The car show in La Harpe was once again very enterest'n and the farm show in Hamilton was again very good. The only thing that was miss'n fer the weekend was a good soak'n rain shower, although Sunday morn'n I did count sixteen (16) drops on my windshield whilst travel'n to church.
The lack of rain around these parts is have'n a visible downward toll on both corn and soybeans. A good shower this week would help out a lot, but I'm afraid that the top end of yields may have been lost in many fields. Several folk are a talk'n of the possibility of start'n corn harvest around Labor Day.
If the corn matures too early and fast it could lose test weight result'n in lower yields. Soybeans can stand dry weather fairly well but there's a limit as to how long they can hold off without a good drink.
There was plenty of politicians campaign'n around these parts dure'n the festivities. Will be so, I suppose until the election comes around this fall. It puts ta mind the follow'n notice entitled,
Dear Boss:
I have enjoyed working here these past several years. You have paid me very well and given me benefits beyond belief. Have 3-4 months off per year and a pension plan that will pay my salary till the day I die and then pay my estate one year salary death bonus and then continue to pay my spouse my salary with increases until he (or she) dies and a health plan that most people can only dream of having i.e. no deductible whatsoever.
Despite this, I plan to take the next 12-18 months to find a new position. During this time I will show up for work when it is convenient for me.
In addition, I fully expect to draw my full salary and all the other perks associated with my current job.
Oh yes, if my search for this new job proves fruitless, I will be coming back with no loss in pay or status. Before you say anything, remember that you have no choice in this matter, I can, and I will do this.
Sincerely
Every Congressman/Senator running for re-election.
The open'n ceremonies fer the La Harpe car show was quite impressive. Ya missed something if'n ya weren't there with those bag pipes and all of them vets proudly carry'n that huge flag ta the flag pole.
It brought ta mind the follow'n piece written by Ted Nugent as it relates ta open'n ceremonies at pro-football games.
Take A Knee..
I don't think I've ever read anything more powerful than this piece.
Take a little trip to Valley Forge in January. Hold a musket ball in your fingers and imagine it piercing your flesh and breaking a bone or two. There won't be a doctor or trainer to assist you until after the battle, so just wait your turn. Take your cleats and socks off to get a real experience.
Then, take a knee on the beach in Normandy where man after American man stormed the beach, even as the one in front of him was shot to pieces, the very sea stained with American blood. The only blockers most had were the dead bodies in front of them, riddled with bullets from enemy fire.
Take a knee in the sweat soaked jungles of Vietnam. From Khe Sanh to Saigon, anywhere will do. Americans died in all those jungles. There was no playbook that told them what was next, but they knew what flag they represented. When they came home, they were protested as well, and spit on for reasons only cowards know.
Take another knee in the blood drenched sands of Fallujah in 110 degree heat. Wear your Kevlar helmet and battle dress. Your number won't be printed on it unless your number is up! You'll need to stay hydrated but there won't be anyone to squirt Gatorade into your mouth. You're on your own.
There are a lot of places to take a knee where Americans have given their lives all over the world. When you use the banner under which they fought as a source for your displeasure, you dishonor the memories of those who bled for the very freedoms you have. That's what the red stripes mean. It represents the blood of those who spilled a sea of it defending your liberty.
While you're on your knee, pray for those that came before you, not on a manicured lawn striped and printed with numbers to announce every inch of ground taken, but on nameless hills and bloodied beaches and sweltering forests and bitter cold mountains, every inch marked by an American life lost serving that flag you protest.
No cheerleaders, no announcers, no coaches, no fans, just American men and women delivering the real fight against those who chose to harm us, blazing a path so you would have the right to "take a knee." You haven't any inkling of what it took to get you where you are, but your "protest" is duly noted. Not only is it disgraceful to a nation of real heroes, it serves the purpose of pointing to your ingratitude for those who chose to defend you under that banner that will still wave long after your jersey is retired.
AMERICA
Fer those that are enterested in old cars, ya can find an enterest'n video on actual manufacture of the Model T. Ford. It was produced by Car Data Video with footage by Ford Motor Co. https://safeshare.tv/x/shbgvwazCZ. Watch carefully in the video how the workers are dressed.
With the old time farm show at Hamilton last weekend and the one come'n up soon in Stronghurst, here is a poem which some of youn's Ole Tymers can relate:
Old Timers
I remember the corned beef of my childhood, and the bread that we cut with a knife. When the children helped with the housework, and the men went to work, not the wife.
The cheese never needed a fridge, and the bread was so crusty and hot. The children were seldom unhappy, and the wife was content with her lot.
I remember the milk from the bottle, with the yummy cream on the top. Our dinner came hot from the oven, and not from a freezer or shop.
The kids were a lot more contented, they didn't need money for kicks, just a game with their friends in the road, and sometimes the Saturday flicks.
I remember the shop on the corner, where biscuits for pennies were sold. Do you think I'm a bit too nostalgic? Or is it, I'm just getting Old?
Bathing was done in a wash tub, with plenty of rich foamy suds. But the ironing seemed never ending as Mum pressed everyone's "duds".
I remember the slap on my backside and the taste of soap if I swore. Anorexia and diets weren't heard of and we hadn't much choice what we wore.
Do you think that bruised our ego? Or our initiative was destroyed? We ate what was put on the table and I think life was better enjoyed.
Well, there ya have it then fer this week.
Keep this in mind: There are two ways ta be fooled. One is ta believe what isn't true; the other is ta refuse ta believe what is true!
Have a good rest of the week.
Hope ta see ya in church with family and friends.
Remember, wherever ya are, whatever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!'
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
Barnyard Bruke