The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in Western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill".
Some folks in Henderson County got back into their fields last Saturday. The same day the levy gave way in Burlington, Iowa.
The numbers of farmers in the fields were not large because many fields around these parts yet had water stand'n in "em
I stopped and asked one good farmer friend of mine work'n his field if'n he might be crowd'n it a bit. His quick reply was "of course not, it's the first of June and they are a call'n fer rain next Tuesday and I've just got started for the season with a lot of work ta do. And what's more, there is more rain be'n predicted at this time beyond Tuesday. I've got cash rent due, a land payment come'n up along with equipment notes need'n attention, and a landlord pressure'n. My patience is thin."
I went home and made him a sandwich and gave him more ta drink as he said he was gonna run his equipment until it rains again and that starts by runn'n all night. He was a young feller and maybe his body will stand up ta do'n it if'n the rain don't hold off too long.
Some of the corn that has emerged around these parts looks rather "yellow" and uneven. Some of the causes fer this can be work'n the ground too wet, loss of nitrogen, too much ground water, and too cool a weather. Time will tell how that reflects on the yields next fall.
Dessa wrote last week in her column of her loss of a good friend in Joyce Louden.
We all have, or will have, experienced such losses, unfortunately, as we go along life pathways. It causes a feller ta reflect on the follow'n advice ta "Never Forget Your Friends"
Never Forget Your Friends
A newlywed young man was sitting on the porch on a humid day, sipping ice tea with his father.
As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his son.
"Never forget your friends," he advised, "they will become more important as you get older."
"Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally (if possible), but keep in contact with them somehow."
"What strange advice!" thought the young man.
"I just entered the married world, I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we start will be everything I need to make sense of my life."
Yet, he obeyed his father; kept in touch with his friends and annually increased their number.
Over the years, he became aware that his father knew what he was talking about. In as much as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a person, friends are the bulwarks of our life.
After 73 years of life, here is what he, I and you will have learned:
Time passes.
Life goes on.
Children grow up.
Children cease to be children and become independent. And to the parents, it breaks their heart but the children are separated of the parents because they begin their own families.
Jobs/careers come and go.
Illusions, desires, attraction, sex:weakens.
People can't do what they did physically when they were young.
Parents die, but you move on.
Colleagues forget the favors you did.
The race to achieve slows.
But, true friends are always there, no matter how long or how many miles away they are. A friend is never more distant than the reach of a need, intervening in your favor, waiting for you with open arms or in some way blessing your life.
When we started the adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead.
We did not know how much we would need from each other.
Love your parents, take care of your children, but keep a group of good friends.
Stay in touch with them, but do not impose your criteria.
A Friend
-by Gillian Jones
A person who will listen and not condemn
Someone on whom you can depend
They will not flee when bad times are here
Instead they will be there to lend an ear
They will think of ways to make you smile
So you can be happy for a while
When times are good and happy there after
They will be there to share the laughter
Do not forget your friends at all
For they pick you up when you fall
Do not expect to just take and hold
Give friendship back, it is pure gold.
Share this with your friends, even those you seldom see who help make sense of your life.
I just did with you the reader of The Quill, without which there would be no Quill.
Cheers and best regards, and thank you for being our friends.
There ya have it then, food fer thought. I expect the "boys" will need ta finish their field work either by rain or completion of their job, before they take time ta dwell on this "Friend" topic. They will probably give it due thought with long hours on the tractor.
Well, thats all fer this week.
Get adequate rest ta avoid an accident and be safe.
Plan on attend'n the church of yer choice this 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