The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Wisdom of Barnyard Bruke: Spring Progress and Birds, Trapp'n Season, Memorial Day, How Old Are Ya Grandpa

Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill".

Crops are look'n good around these parts with a good many fields far enough along ya can "row" both corn and beans. There are yet a few fields of beans being planted and an occasional field of corn or two.

Spring Progress

Most fellers has moved their stock cows out ta the appropriate pasture fer now and the grass is grown'n, for the most part, quite well.These occasional rain showers/sprinkles are good fer crops and pasture. They are hold'n up the first cutt'n of hay and some folk are talk'n of cutt'n their cover crop of rye next week followed by double cropp'n beans inta where the rye was.

Birds

Most of the birds have returned ta our farms by now. The follow'n critters have all arrived on our farm: brown thrush, robins, orioles, wrens, hummingbirds, cardinals (never left), barn swallows, purple martins, and several I can't identify. Of course they have ta compete with various types of sparrows, starlings, and black birds. All in all they can eat ya out of "house and home" in the form of sunflower seeds mixed with corn I grow and suet. The hummingbirds aren't a bother ta feed fer they are make'n a banquet out of Mrs. Bruke's many arrangements of flowers.

I like all the birds, even blue jays. The sing'n, mate'n calls, and interest'n mate'n dances makes fer a wonderful day, even if'n the sun's not shine'n. My cats would like ta make a meal out of my feathered friends but fer the most part the birds are too smart fer "em. I have noticed a sneaky falcon capture some of the birds from time ta time. When the birds go deep into the nearby spiraea bushes ya knows Mr. Falcon is nearby and on the hunt. Sometimes he will dive deep into the spiraea bush himself and capture one.

Trapp'n Season

The moles has come back as well. It is a good thing I wasn't born in the mountain man days fer I'd probably starve ta death in the trapp'n trade. Once in awhile I can capture one of them "worm miners" with different kinds of traps I use. I'm not sure if'n I was any good at trapp'n the underground buggers or if'n they just got tired of all them birds disturb'n their peace hopp'n around on the ground thereby, cause'n "em ta give up in madness and commit suicide in one of my traps. There is no skill in catch'n a mole intent on suicide.

Memorial Day

Next Monday, the 28th, is Memorial Day. The Mrs. and I traveled to eight different cemeteries last Saturday ta decorate relative's graves. It's probably "old fashioneded" and "quaint" ta some of the younger folk, but that's the way we was brung up and we ain't change'n what they taught us in them regards. It's a way of show'n respect and honor'n those who have gone before enable'n fer what we've got in our country today.

How Old Are Ya Grandpa?

This may surprise some of ya youngsters, but it is quite factual. Stay with this-the answer ta Grandson's question about age is at the end.

One evening my grandson was talking-ta me about current events. My grandson asked me what I thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.

This was my reply, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:

• television
• penicillin
• polio shots
• frozen foods
• Xerox
• contact lenses
• Frisbees and
• the pill

There were no:

• credit cards
• laser beams or
• ball-point pens

Man had not invented:

• pantyhose
• air conditioners
• dishwashers
• clothes dryers
• and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
• space travel was only in Flash Gordon books.
• Your Grandmother and I got married first..and then lived together..now fer over 50 years ta yer Grandma
• Every family had a father and a mother.
• Until I was 25, I called very woman older than me, "mam".
• After I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir."
• We respected our elders and children were taught ta be seen but not heard.
• We were before computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
• Our lives were governed by the Bible, good judgment, common sense, and we strove fer wisdom.
• Sueing someone was preached against and lying was a sin not a fine art.
• We were taught ta know the difference between right and wrong and ta stand up and take responsibility fer our actions.
• Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege.
• We thought fast food was eating half a biscuit while running ta catch the school bus.
• Work was not considered a 4 letter word ta be avoided.
• Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
• Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started
• Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.
• We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriter, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
• We listened ta Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios.
• And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening ta Tommy Dorsey.
• If you saw anything with "Made in Japan' on it, it was junk, the term "making out' referred ta how you did on your school exam.
• Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.
• We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
• Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel.
• And if you didn't want ta splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps ta mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
• You could buy a new Ford Coupe for $600,..but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.

In my day:

• "grass" was mowed
• "coke" was a cold drink
• "pot" was something your mother cooked in and
• "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
• "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office
• "chip" meant a piece of wood
• "hardware" was found in a hardware store and
• "software" wasn't even a word.
• A peach twig could be used fer discipline in the classroom and at home.
• Our school was 8 grades in a one room school house.

And we were the last generation ta actually believe that a lady needed a husband ta have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap or from the archives.

So how old would ya be ta remember in all of these things. That feller would only be 70 years old today. I wish I were only 70, but live'n is a privilege and I'm privileged ta be well beyond seventy with lots of "good memories," include'n but not limited ta all the stuff I just told ya.

This should give the boys plenty ta "Jaw" on fer a spell.

Have a good rest of the week and keep in mind your many blessings.

Hope'n ta see ya in church.

Remember, wherever ya are and whatever ya be a do'n....BE A GOOD ONE!

Keep on Smile'n

Count yer many Blessings

Catch ya later,

Barnyard Bruke