The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill".
By now ya should be fairly well recovered from yer 4th of July celebrations. I have heard several folk comment from here on its "down hill" fast until fall.
Maybe so, but there are still family reunions and picnics ta attend and other great summer time activities yet ta come, fairs, fishing, swimming, bicycle'n and other fun things remain.
For this time of year the flowers are at their best for full enjoyment. The barn swallows and purple martins have hatched out and it's quite entertain'n watch'n "em fly after them nasty bugs.
Come evening the cicada, other young birds fresh outa the nest, are a cackl'n in the trees ta a high level of noise. Hummin' birds are work'n for nectar and ya really have a sense that soon many of our friends will be prepare'n for their annual migration.
On top of our feathered friends a fly'n around there is a sight of yeller crop dusters apply'n fungicide and capsulated nitrogen in a timely manner ta the corn. At one time I counted three of them talented fellers work'n at their art ta increase yields and protect the crops. Some fields required insecticide ta kill the Japanese beetles before they clip the corn silks.
Soon they will be spray'n beans, if'n not already, with insecticide and fungicides ta get rid of mites and other yield robb'n pathogen's.
Later them yeller winged fellers will engage in apply'n a cover crop of rye, radishes, etc. for soil conservation so the soils won't be as vulnerable ta erosion dure'n the winter months.
Most of the oats around these parts have been harvested with good yields be'n reported. The oat straw has cured enough ta be baled for winter bedd'n for the livestock.
The 2nd cutt'n of hay is mostly put up and wait'n on a good rain ta bring the next cutt'n along. Maybe next weekend will reward us with some moisture. It would be good for the pastures, hay, corn, and soybeans.
I've pretty much got the food plots all planted for the wildlife for their benefit next winter. We also have released 800 pheasants into prairie seedings and will soon get some quail ta release as well.
They say there is a number of bobcats around these parts. Them be'n good hunters along with their first cousin the ferrel cat, I suppose they'll have some good lunches on any released birds. Hopefully there is enough ta supply their needs with enough left over for next year's breed'n season.
With the 4th of July holiday just his past week, maybe you'll find the follow'n response of enterest ta a question from a liberal reporter:
Does a Military Bias Exist with the Liberal Media?
Trey Gowdy, South Carolina Congressman, recently responded to a biased reporter about the military in response to a stupid question from an equality focussed CNN reporter about the DoD ban of transgenders from joining the U. S. armed forces. He seems to have nailed it rather succinctly.
Question: How can President Trump claim to represent all U. S. citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, when he banned transgenders from joining the military? Isn't that discrimination?
Trey Gowdy's Response:
"Nobody has a "right' to serve in the military. Nobody. What makes people think the military is an equal opportunity employer? It is very far from it..and for good reason..let me cite a few. The military uses prejudice regularly and consistently to deny citizens from joining for being too old or too young, too fat or too skinny, too tall or too short. Citizens are denied for having flat feet, or for missing or additional fingers.
Clearly annoyed by the reporter's attempt to trap him with the question..he went on to explain:
"By the way, poor eyesight will disqualify you, as well as bad teeth. Malnourished? Drug addiction? Bad back? Criminal history? Low IQ? Anxiety? Phobias? Hearing damage? Six arms? Hear voices in your head? Self-identification as a Unicorn? Need a special access ramp for your wheelchair?
"Can't run the required course in the required time? Can't do the required number of push-ups? Not really a "morning person' and refuse to get out of bed before noon? All can be legitimate reasons for denial.
"The military has one job: Winning War. Anything else is a distraction and a liability. Did someone just scream "That isn't Fair?' War is VERY unfair, there are no exceptions made for being special or challenged or socially wonderful.
"YOU must change yourself to meet military standards..Not the other way a round. I say again: You don't change the military..you must change yourself. The military doesn't need to accommodate anyone with special issues. The military needs to Win Wars..and keep our Country safe..PERIOD!
"If any of your personal issues are a liability that detract from readiness or lethality..Thank you for applying and good luck in future endeavors.
Who's next in line?:any other questions?"
Well, that was an enterest'n response from Congressman Gowdy. Here is another enterest'n quote from Abraham Lincoln that seems ever so timely:
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
"You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
"You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves." - Abraham Lincoln
That oughta give the boys enough ta dwell on fer a spell.
Have a good rest of the week with family and friends and be safe.
Remember, wherever ya are, whatever ya be a do'n, "BE A GOOD ONE!"
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
Barnyard Bruke