Macon County Chronicle - Opinion / Blogs

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000185 EndHTML:0000003080 StartFragment:0000002366 EndFragment:0000003044 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/Rural%20Viewpoints.doc

Why is it that we throw rocks at each other? A few centuries before Christ, a Greek philosopher named Dion used an insightful image to teach a great truth. Here is the image as quoted by Dion in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 14^th edition, page 104: “Though boys throw stones at frogs in sport, the frogs do not die in sport, but in earnest.”

Here is the scene, visualize it. Boys are playing on the bank of a pond when suddenly they spot some frogs on a cluster of lily pads. They immediately fill their hands with rocks, taking aim at the frogs. Some dive for safety. Others are hit and die a painful death.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000003134 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000003098 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc

Farms are for people. Soils, plants and animals all play their role in agriculture, but the human social aspect is at the heart of it. The farm offers a safe place to live in freedom, experience nature and develop responsibility. The welfare system which takes care of some people’s needs was not necessary in a farm economy. Farms are the real welfare.

Before I wrote the word “welfare” I had to look it up in the dictionary. It has certain negative connotations, but this is what Webster’s says; Welfare 1. The exemption from misfortune, sickness, calamity, or evil, the enjoyment of health and the common blessings of life; prosperity; happiness; well-being. 2. A blessing.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000182 EndHTML:0000003612 StartFragment:0000002364 EndFragment:0000003576 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/ruralviewpoints.doc

“I have a mountain of credit card debt,” one man told another.

“I have lost my job. My car is being repossessed and our house is in foreclosure, but I am not worried about it,” exclaimed his friend. “I’ve hired a professional worrier. He does all my worrying for me, and that way I don’t have to think about it.”

“That’s fantastic! How much does your professional worrier charge for his services?

“$50,000 a year,” he replied.

“$50,000 a year! Where are you going to get that kind of money?”

“I don’t know,” came the reply. “That’s his worry.”

(Contributed by Mike Benson; found online.)

Most of us can’t say, “I don’t worry,” for we do. But according to Jesus, worry is senseless: “ Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” –Mathew 6:2

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002882 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002846 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc

The subsoiler breaks up the hard packed soil that lies beneath the surface. It’s shaft is two feet long and the shoe is two inches wide. When I decided to try to reclaim the flood damage fields, subsoiling seemed appropriate.

First of all I had to remove rocks, fill in holes and even out the land. Driveways got graveled and rock piles were formed. We picked up sticks, and logs, and sis a bit of fence repair. The soil was hard.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000182 EndHTML:0000002792 StartFragment:0000002363 EndFragment:0000002756 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/ruralviewpoints.doc

The following human interest story is about the struggles and hopes of Danny McCaleb. I had Danny in school at RBS High School during the late 70s and into 1980. He was a joy to be around, and that hasn’t changed. Danny grew up, like most of us, in the 50s and 60s, without many material goods, but he never stopped reaching for the stars.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002922 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002886 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc

There has been a lot of hoeing going on around here. Miles of rows have been planted, and the inevitable weeds are sprouting along with the crops. It is important to loosen up the earth next to the emerging seedlings so they can breathe.

Short chipping motions cut the soil up and a quick pull though the chipped soil shatters the small clumps. I like it a little moist so the penetration is easier, but it can’t be wet because it will form clods rather than break apart.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000182 EndHTML:0000002890 StartFragment:0000002363 EndFragment:0000002854 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/ruralviewpoints.doc

I try never to get into fights with ugly people because they have nothing to lose. The truth always engenders wrath in the hearts of the ill-informed and the dishonest. This is the case because of men’s negative response to the truth. The same truth that makes some angry, blesses others. It just depends upon how truth is received. The three statements below are true, regardless of man’s response to them:

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000185 EndHTML:0000003252 StartFragment:0000002444 EndFragment:0000003216 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/Rural%20viewpoints.doc

The greatest danger facing Americans is the intellectual zealot – sometimes called a “progressive” in the political arena – who seeks to establish a new international order.

I have always believed that the United States is the greatest nation upon earth and has no reason to be annexed to the rest of the world to survive. Those who want a new international order want a world government and a world religion, plus the right to make decisions for the rest of us, whom they view as incapable of making our own decisions.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002741 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002705 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc

Plowing and harrowing leaves the soil fully pulverized, soft and fluffy. Even after a rainstorm the tilthe will remain loose and mellow. If it gets hard, the organic matter is too low and there is nothing to fluff up. If the percentage of organic matter is high (4 to %%), a lack of biological activity is indicated.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000185 EndHTML:0000002908 StartFragment:0000002366 EndFragment:0000002872 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/Rural%20Viewpoints.doc

No person or group has ever worn the badge of hypocrisy with greater pride than the Pharisees and Sadducees of the New Testament times. They managed to “corner the market” on this despicable inconsistency. They worked overtime to keep their pet sin alive. Most people couldn’t stand to see them coming, much less to grace their presence. They were both tolerated and despised.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000185 EndHTML:0000002728 StartFragment:0000002366 EndFragment:0000002692 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/OBITS/Rural%20Viewpoints.doc

Oh really? Do people go as they are to eat out? Do people go as they are to their physician? Do people go as they are to meet some prominent politician? How come a politician is more important than God?

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002707 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002671 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/OBITS/barefootfarmer.doc

A harrow is the implement we use after plowing to break up clods, level the field and prepare a seedbed. There are several different kinds of harrows. Which one to use depends on the soil type, and the specific goal to be accomplished, and what you have.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000003163 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000003127 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc

Farmers gamble. I’ve known that one day the Long hungry would rise up into our lower garden. For 14 years we have been blessed. No, I wasn’t surprised, or even sad, when four feet of water rushed over the carrots and peas.

It was beautiful, with class three rapids, waves jumping several feet, and the powerful roar. It was simply awesome. The cave filled up to the second shelves, and I thought of all the times the floor was full of lettuce, cucumbers and green beans.

We feel grateful and lucky. No one was hurt, and it is only the beginning of May. In another week I would have had another acre planted that would have been destroyed. All of my seeds are safe and dry in the cabin.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000185 EndHTML:0000004671 StartFragment:0000002367 EndFragment:0000004635 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/Rural%20Viewpoints.doc

A preacher began his sermon by saying, “Brethren and sisters, here you are, coming to pray for rain. I’d just like to ask you one question. Where are your umbrellas?”

Today’s Americans, including some who have embraced Christianity, could very well be asked, “Where is your faith?”

I found the following little poem in my files (the author is unknown).

Doubt sees the obstacles –

Faith sees the way!

Doubt sees the darkest night –

Faith sees the day!

Doubt dreads to take a step –

Faith soars on high!

Doubt questions, “Who believes?”

Faith answers, “I.”

The above shows us the difference between doubt and faith. Some doubt whether America will survive as a nation. Well, that depends, doesn’t it? Here is the answer: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...” (Psalm 33:12)

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000004203 StartFragment:0000002615 EndFragment:0000004167 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc Plowing is one of nature’s mysteries. I plow to fluff up the soil in the springs, but plowing destroys soil structure. This irony is hard to explain but easy to experience. I’ll try to explain my experience. Over the winter the ground gets packed down. A cover crop of crimson clover and turnips, or rye and watch, or wheat and peas, helps to alleviate the affect of heavy rainfall. But it needs to be turned under so we can plant garden crops. The root growth of the cover crop is what actually builds soil structure, not the plowing it in. a grass and clover sad is the best cover crop, and is best plowed in the fall with a moldboard plow. The mystery is moderation. Like many things in life, tillage is necessary but too much is detrimental. I want to pulverize the soil just to the extent that what’s growing there dies and decays, but still leaves the soil structure, created by the cover crop roots, intact. I started farming with my dad’s equipment, a plow and a disc. After plowing I disced the field. It still had clods. So I disced again and it looked a little better. Another few passes with the disc and the ground was powder. I thought this was good soil structure. Then it rained. The clay powder and water formed a big brick the size of my garden. I was starting to learn something. I’d seen the same phenomenon after rototilling; a fine seed bed turned into cement after a hard rain. An old timer gave me the clue.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000182 EndHTML:0000002943 StartFragment:0000002363 EndFragment:0000002907 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/ruralviewpoints.doc

One would have to have his head in the sand not to take note of how much the news media slants stories. If you are pro-abortion, you are called pro-choice. If you are pro-life, and I am, you are called anti-abortion. Then the unborn baby is called a fetus. Abortion is called a medical procedure. As far as the truth is concerned, the news media is worthless. The news media is liberal, and stops just short of lying in reporting the news. Slanting the news is their game.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000175 EndHTML:0000002938 StartFragment:0000002606 EndFragment:0000002902 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/barefootfarmer.doc

April is the month of planting the spring garden. Onions go in first, and then potatoes. These are the two crops that the king’s deer don’t eat, so we don’t have to plant them inside the deer fence. All other vegetables and fruits can be destroyed if unprotected.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000176 EndHTML:0000003080 StartFragment:0000002357 EndFragment:0000003044 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/ruralviewpoints.doc

I protest! This country was built upon the freedom to protest. I’m not thinking of riots, but of honest protesting because over Nation’s stability s at risk. When protesting is outlawed, then our liberties and freedoms will be gone. When there gone, they will never be regained. Freedom of speech grants me the right to peacefully express my views. Those who threaten protesters by insisting that they will agiate the loose cannons among us to violence are simply trying to stop the protest movement that is currently sweeping America. They are protestors as well- attempting to silence all who are against Big Government.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000003031 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002995 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/onits/barefootfarmer.doc

“Composted” chicken litter is not compost or a fertilizer. It is a toxic waste product from a horrible industrial process known as commercial chicken houses. The small and poisons create ill feelings with neighbors and it pollutes the land and water, besides the air. The only place it should be spread is on the heads of those who profit from the broiler industry, but they live in other countries.

We’ve been making compost for the 2011 crop. The ground is still a little cold for planting most vegetables, so we are holding back. There will be plenty of time for gardening.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000182 EndHTML:0000002637 StartFragment:0000002363 EndFragment:0000002601 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/onits/ruralviewpoints.doc

The wise King Solomon wrote, “Buy the truth and sell it not…Proverbs 23:23), but most seem more interested in selling the truth than buying it. Our times desperately need the truth, but they need it in love.