The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill".
More NH3 was applied this past week and folks around these parts are gear'n up fer plant'n. Soil temps are yet rather cool and oats haven't sprouted yet. It takes a lot of patience ta wait fer better ground conditions fer field work. Easter is late this year and oft as not that can mean a late start fer field work.
Here is a thought ta go with yer morning coffee:
Food fer Thought
Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned form that experience!
One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!'
"How in the world did you know that?'asked Plumb.
"I packed your parachute,' the man replied.
Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude.
The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!'
Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today.'
Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he had looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat; a bib in the back; and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how may times I might have seen him and not even said "Good morning, how are you?' or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor.' Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent at a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.
Now Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?' Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. He also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory - he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.
Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason. As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachutes.
Just 3 1/2 Minutes
With that in mind, here's a packed parachute fer ya:
Just three 1/2 minutes by a cardiac specialist...
For those who get up at night from sleep or early in the morning.
Each individual must take note of the three 1/2 minutes rule. Why is it important? Three 1/2 minutes will greatly reduce the number of sudden deaths.
Often this occurs: a person who still looks healthy has died in the night. Often we hear stories of people who say, "Yesterday, I was chatting with him. Why did he suddenly die? The reason is that when you wake up at night to go to the bathroom, it is often done in a rush.
Immediately we stand, and the brain lacks blood flow. Why are "Three 1/2 minutes" very important? In the middle of the night, when you are awakened by the urge to urinate for example, the ECG pattern can change.
Because in getting up suddenly, the brain will be anemic and causes heart failure due to lack of blood. You are advised to practice the "Three 1/2 minutes," which are:
1. When waking from sleep, lie in bed for the 1st 1/2 minute;
2. Sit in bed for the next 1/2 minute;
3. Lower your legs, sitting on the edge of the bed for the last half-minute.
After three 1/2 minutes, you will not have anemic brain and heart will not fail, reducing the possibility of a fall and sudden death.
It can occur regardless of age; young or old.
There ya have it then, more food fer thought and information fer the boys ta dwell on whilst they are wait'n fer their fields ta dry out.
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.
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