The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill".
Now we are in the Month of April with plants green'n up and Purple Martins return'n ta our area ta find nesting spots. There was some NH3 applied last week before the rain and much manure hauled. Some sez in our area the rain totaled 1.8 inches ta 2 inches.
The rain that came sprang new growth and color ta various plants include'n rye fer cover crop and lawns fer thoughts of mow'n. It seems with the type of winter we had, there's a heap of sticks and yard pick-ups ta be accomplished before any mow'n begins.
Several folk around these parts are concerned about supply and logistics fer needed spring NH3 ta be applied. Seems the flooded river is prevent'n NH3 ta be shipped north. And with last fall break'n early, more of the stuff needs ta be applied than is normal.
A feller can hear all different kinds of stories about our countries schools in the big city.
Heres one fer ya concern'n a teacher enterview fer such a job:
Teacher Enterview:
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: "Let me see if I've got this right.
You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages and instill in them a love for learning.
You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride.
You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a check book, and apply for a job.
You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and ensure that they all pass their final exams.
You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicap and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Arabic or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for "New Starts."
You want me to do all this, and then you tell me......
I CAN'T wear a necklace with a little cross, mention God, or say "Merry Christmas " because someone might take offense?
Well, I think I'll go to a rural environment ta take my talents and the enterview was over!
My Rural Community
My rural community is the place where my house is found,
Business is located and where my vote is cast!
It is where my children and grandchildren are educated and where my life is.
My rural community has a right to my civic loyalty,
It supports me and I should support it.
My rural community wants my citizenship,
Not my partisanship.
My friendliness, not my dissensions.
My sympathy, not my criticism.
My intelligence, not my indifference.
My rural community supplies me with protection, trade, friends, education, schools, churches, and the right ta face moral citizenship.
It has some things better than others.
Te best things I should see ta make better.
The worst things I should help to suppress.
Take it all-in-all.
It is my rural community.
And it is entitled ta the best there is in me!
That being said here is some thoughts by Robert A. Hall who is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate. It probably should be required reading in our schools.
I'm 73 and I'm Tired
Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked hard since I was 18.
Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired.
Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned (by force if necessary), and give it to people too lazy to earn it.
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Sharia law tells them to.
I'm tired of being told that, out of "tolerance for other cultures," we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America and Canada, while no American nor Canadian group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming-which no one is allowed to debate.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off?
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement-rich or poor.
I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.
Yes, I'm 73 and darn tired, but I'm also glad to be my age-because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughters and grandsons.
There ya have it then, food fer some thoughts.
I'm sure the boys will dwell on it fer a spell.
That's all fer this weeks column.
Hope'n ta see ya in the church of yer choice this week.
Have a good rest of the week and be thankful fer all that we are blessed with.
Remember, where ever ya are, what ever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!'
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
Barnyard Bruke