The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill".
I'm a hope'n this column finds ever one in a good frame of mind with gratitude for the rain we've been receive'n. Some has received more than others and a few have received some down pours. Some crops have wind damage. But, that's just the way it works and if'n ya don't like it - get over it!
This issue of the Quill is dedicated ta the fourth of July. With that thought in mind I'm include'n the follow'n poem:
They Called It America
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver
God built him a continent of glory, and filled it with treasures untold. He studded it with sweet-flowing fountains, and traced it with long-winding streams. He carpeted it with soft-rolling prairies, and columned it with thundering mountains. He graced it with deep-shadowed forests, and filled them with song.
Then he called unto a thousand peoples, and summoned the bravest among them. They came from the ends of the earth, each bearing a gift and a hope. The glow of adventure was in their eyes, and in their hearts the glory of hope.
And out of the bounty of earth, and the labor of men; out of the longing of heart and the prayer of souls; out of the memory of ages and the hopes of the world. God fashioned a nation in love, and blessed it with purpose sublime.
And they called it America.
Here's another poem on the fourth of July:
Fourth Of July
Earle J. Grant
Our country is festive
When the Fourth of July comes
With the blare of bugles
And the roll of drums.
In its midwest setting
Of verdant green,
Our small town is a part
Of the joyous scene.
Activities are planned
For everyone,
And all are invited
To join in the fun.
Fireworks appear
To blossom in the the night
In red, white, and blue
A thrilling sight.
We praise our God
Who blesses our nation
As, alive and free,
We join the celebration!
So there ya have it then, a poem that could have been written for many a town around these parts of western Illinois.
The fourth of July poem brought ta mind a humorous poem of long ago called "When Father Was A Boy". I reckon some of ya older folk can relate ta some of the references in this poem.
The author is anonymous:
When Father Was a Boy
Anonymous
The world was full of wondrous things
When Father was a boy;
It almost seems like folks had wings
When Father was a boy.
They liked to work the livelong day,
And rise at five, and never play;
They just seemed to be built that way
When Father was a boy.
The little boys were awfully strong
When Father was a boy.
They'd weed the cornfields all day long
When Father was a boy.
And when the day at last was o'er
They'd go and do up every chore,
Then come and beg to work some more
When Father was a boy.
The youngsters never had much fun
When Father was a boy.
They'd go to bed when work was done
When Father was a boy.
They only had a book or two,
The clothes they wore were never new;
And, wow! The lessons they got through
When Father was a boy!
The snow was thirty-two feet deep
When Father was a boy;
They tunneled through to feed the livestock
When Father was a boy,
The crust would freeze,
and then they'd go
And coast to town upon the snow
Without a stop, ten miles or so,
When Father was a boy.
Young folks were seen and never heard
When Father was a boy;
They couldn't say a single word
When Father was a boy.
But now Dad loves to whoop and shout
I guess we kids have heard about
"Most all the talk he with without
When Father was a boy.
I hope ya caught the humor in that poem. In read'n that poem of how things were of days of old, here is some information on Jeanne Louise Calment who had the longest confirmed human lifespan on record. She could've probably related some enterest'n stories on how it once was:
Jeanne Louise Calment
Jeanne Louise Calment had the longest confirmed human lifespan on record: 122 years and 164 days.
It seems that fate strongly approved of the way Madam Calment lived her life.
Jeanne was born in Arles, France, on 21st February, 1875.
When the Eiffel Tower was built, she was 14 years old.
It was at this time that she met Vincent Van Gogh.
"He was dirty, badly dressed and disagreeable," she recalled in an interview given in 1988.
When she was 85, she took up fencing, and she was still riding on her bike when she reached 100.
When Jeanne was 114, she starred in a film about her life; at 115 she had an operation on her hip, and at 117 she gave up smoking (having started at the age of 21 in 1896).
Apparently, she didn't give it up for health reasons, but because she didn't like having to ask someone to help her light a cigarette once she was becoming almost blind.
In 1965, Jeanne was 90 years old and had no heirs.
She signed a deal to sell her apartment to a 47-year-old lawyer call Andre-Francios Raffray.
He agreed to pay her a monthly sum of 2,500 francs on the condition that he would inherit her apartment after she died.
However, Raffray not only ended up paying Jeanne for 30 years, but died before she did at the age of 77.
His widow was legally obliged to continue paying Madam Calment until the end of her days.
Jeanne retained sharp mental faculties. When she was asked on her 120th birthday what kind of future she expected to have, she replied: "A very short one."
Quotes and rules of life from Jeanne Calment:
"Being young is a state of mind, it doesn't depend on one's body, I'm actually still a young girl; it's just that I haven't looked so good for the past 70 years."
"I've only got one wrinkle, and I'm sitting on it."
"All babies are beautiful."
"I've been forgotten by our good Lord."
"I'm in love with wine."
"Always keep your smile, Tha's how I explain my long life."
"If you can't change something, don't worry about it."
"I have a huge desire to live and a big appetite, especially for sweets."
"I never wear mascara; I laugh until I cry too often."
"I see badly, I hear badly, and I feel bad, but everything's fine."
"I think I will die of laughter."
"I have legs of iron, but to tell you the truth, they're starting to rust and buckle a bit."
"I took pleasure when I could. I acted clearly and morally and without regret. I'm very lucky."
(At the end of one interview, in response to a journalist who said he hoped they would meet again the following year):
"Why not? You're not that old; you'll still be here."
Well, that's about enough for this week's column as it relates ta the 4th of July and days of old.
Freedom is such a sought after privilege, but it can be so elusive. Millions of soldiers in history have died on the battlefield in the name of freedom. People go ta great lengths ta keep their freedom, though they oft take their liberties fer granted.
Have a good rest of the week. Hope'n ta see youn's in church this week with thankful hearts for all that God has blessed this country with.
Remember, wherever ya are, whatever ya be a do'n, "BE A GOOD ONE!"
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
Barnyard Bruke