Macon County Chronicle - Opinion / Blogs

Recent discoveries in quantum physics, microbiology, and ecology verify something gardeners have long known.  Everything in nature is related.  There are no solid lines between the plants’ roots, the soil, and the bacteria and fungi tying it all together.  To help understand why garden crops do or do not thrive, we are led into the enigmatic field of companion planting.

The story is told of an elderly lady who was in the market for a watch dog. Eventually she purchased what was described as an excellent guard dog. To her dismay the dog had a hard time staying awake. Instead of barking and scaring off varmints and thieves, this highly recommended guard dog would sleep. She told her story to a friend, who quickly solved her problem. “I’ll tell you what,” she said, “I’ve got a duck who is a buddy to my watch dog, and everytime my guard dog tries to go to sleep, the duck pecks him on the nose and quacks.” So she continued, “Come over to my house and get my duck and  he’ll break your dog of his sleepy habits.” She did, and her friend was right. Peck, quack, peck, quack. Soon the dog was weaned from his sleepy habits.

Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson, opened the eyes of the world to the dangers of chemical sprays.  The book came out fifty years ago, in 1962, when chlordane, DDT, and Aldrin were commonly used.  Case studies of the widespread poisoning of humans and wildlife reported in her essays led to the ban of these chlorin-ated hydrocarbons.  The ban is actually only on domestic use; chemical companies in the U.S. still produce DDT for use in other countries.

Paul Warned Timothy that the world would wax worse and worse (2 Timothy 3:13). His prophecy is certainly being fulfilled in today’s time. However, there is still some good, and for it we are thankful. We see the good, the bad and the ugly in today’s America.

There is usually a mixture of the good, the bad, and the ugly in most situations that develop from time to time. I take off my hat to Councilman Tom Fultz for his courage and honesty in revealing the overtime issue in Red Boiling Springs. He did his job, and for it the citizens of RBS are grateful. However, there are other hidden things that have not been brought to light. In my opinion, and others, this may be only the tip of the iceburg. From what I’m hearing there may be more to come. When power is abused, especially the waste of taxpayers dollars, this constitutes the bad.

Error in Last Week’s Article

     Last week’s article stated that 67% of Americans are Christians.  It

should have read that 67% of Americans believe in Christianity.  There is a

vast difference in being a Christian and believing in Christianity.  Contrary to

President Obama’s remarks concerning religion in America, belief in Christi-

anity is not fading.  Christianity, by the way, is the only true religion.  All

others are man-made.

We have a new book, Barefoot Farmer II. I say “we” because of all the work done by the designer and typesetter, Victoria, and the illustrator, Linda. “We” also includes Kathryne, Gabby, and the rest of the Macon County Chronicle staff, who turn my weekly chick scratches into a newspaper column. You readers are included too, as your interest keeps me writing.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000199 EndHTML:0000002645 StartFragment:0000002380 EndFragment:0000002609 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/1-17-12/COLUMNS/barefoot%20farmer%20.doc @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }

Potash is an added bonus to heating your home with wood. As the name suggests, it contains potassium, wood ashes also have calcium and many trace elements that are needed in our mineral-deficient soils.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000194 EndHTML:0000002684 StartFragment:0000002375 EndFragment:0000002648 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/1-17-12/COLUMNS/ruralviewpoints.doc @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }

Sometimes silence is wise. Job speaks of the wisdom of silence (Job 13:5). Solomon wrote that there is such a thing as too much talk (Eccles 5:3). We can sum it up by saying what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 10:14: “A wise man holds his tongue.”

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000194 EndHTML:0000002726 StartFragment:0000002375 EndFragment:0000002690 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/1-10-12/COLUMNS/Ruralviewpoints.doc @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }

I once read of this man who planted two sixty-foot rows of potatoes in his garden. When he dug them he got only eighteen potatoes. Eighteen little potatoes. He ate the whole crop for supper. He said he had an excellent crop of vines but few potatoes.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000198 EndHTML:0000002786 StartFragment:0000002457 EndFragment:0000002750 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/12-13-11/COLUMNS/rural%20viewpoints.doc @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }

Little by little, the enemies of Democracy and Christianity are whittling away at America’s heritage. The ACLU, the Liberal politicians, and radical Muslims have embarked on a mission to eliminate the influence of Democracy and Christianity in America’s culture.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000194 EndHTML:0000002724 StartFragment:0000002453 EndFragment:0000002688 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/12-06-11/COLUMNS/barefootfarmer.doc @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }

Rutabaga is a plant grown for its fleshy root. Although they are quite similar to turnips, they are distinctive species. Brassica Rapa is the turnip, while rutabaga are Brassica Campestris or Brassica Napus.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000194 EndHTML:0000002666 StartFragment:0000002375 EndFragment:0000002630 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/11-15-11/COLUMNS/barefootfarmer.doc @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }

Plowing is the archetypical farm work. Ground must  be loosened and plants turned under in order to grow a crop. The plow comes in many shapes and sizes for various uses we put it to.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000227 EndHTML:0000003403 StartFragment:0000002916 EndFragment:0000003367 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/11-08-11/COLUMNS/Rural%20Viewpoints%20by%20Jimmy%20Cook%2011.7.11doc @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; }p.MsoNormalIndent, li.MsoNormalIndent, div.MsoNormalIndent { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }

“How far would Moses have gone if he had taken a poll in Egypt? What would Jesus Christ have preached if he had taken a poll in the land of Israel? What would have happened to the reformation if Martin Luther had taken a poll? It isn’t polls on public opinion of the moment that counts, it is right and wrong leadership.”- Harry S, Truman.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000228 EndHTML:0000003572 StartFragment:0000002917 EndFragment:0000003536 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/11-01-11/COLUMNS/Rural%20Viewpoints%20by%20jimmy%20cook%2010.31.11doc There are elected officials from the local community to Washington, D.C. who foolishly believe that if they maintain the status quo that they exercising real leadership and that no voter would dare not return them to another term in their present position. Dream on, brother! Time is running out for this kind of reasoning. The world has changed and the status quo can’t compete. Though many changes are bad, others are changes that can’t be ignored, and will not be ignored by people of wisdom.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000194 EndHTML:0000002814 StartFragment:0000002453 EndFragment:0000002778 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/11-01-11/COLUMNS/barefootfarmer.doc

It’s turnip time again. As fall waxes, and the garden wanes, turnips take over. We sow them in many of our fields for a cover crop, along with crimson clover and buckwheat. If you want some, come up to Long Hungry Road and stop in. they are right below the blueberry patch, near the tall bamboo.

The Apostle Paul admonished the church at Thessalonica to “Pray without ceasing”. (Thessalonians 5:17). The opportunity and responsibility of every Christian today is to keep alive the fires of prayer. There are those who would prefer that the fires of prayer would go out. Some actually pour water on the fires of prayer. One day, they will regret this. When they are on their deathbed, and without hope, then they will be glad for prayer to be made on their behalf.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000194 EndHTML:0000003052 StartFragment:0000002453 EndFragment:0000003016 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/10-11-11/COLUMNS/Barefootfarmer.doc

Our 16^th annual Southeastern Biodynamic Conference was a huge success. Over 150 people came to hear lectures and enjoy the beautiful gardens and conference site. There were folks from California to New York, Michigan to Florida, and even Costa Rica and South America. Besides the celebration, there was a sense of sadness, as construction of a giant chicken house continued just a few hundred feet up on the hill overlooking our home, farm, and business. No one will come if it stinks here, and Cobb says “It will stink.”

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000227 EndHTML:0000002924 StartFragment:0000002599 EndFragment:0000002888 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/10-04-11/COLUMNS/Rural%20Viewpoints%20by%20Jimmy%20Cook%2010.3.11doc

We Have Our Work Cut Out for Us…Football Coaches at Westmoreland Junior High School Can’t Bow Their Heads During Prayer by Order Of Jeremy Johnson, Sumner County Schools Spokesman

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000193 EndHTML:0000003024 StartFragment:0000002452 EndFragment:0000002988 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/9-27-11/COLUMNS/barefootfarmer.doc

How do we learn? How do we teach? The 16^th annual (and may be our last) Southern Biodynamic Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, will explore agricultural education and practical training. For the past 16 years our farm on Long Hungry Road has served as a campus and classroom for several dozen interns and apprentices. We have been visited by hundreds of curious gardeners full of questions, and the farm has been seen on the Volunteer Gardner TV show by many thousands. I guess that means I am a teacher.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000229 EndHTML:0000004412 StartFragment:0000003363 EndFragment:0000004376 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/SERVER/EDITORIAL/9-27-11/COLUMNS/Rural%20Viewpoints%20by%20Jimmy%20Cook%209.26.11%20doc  A plainly dressed woman was noticed picking up something on a poor slum street where ragged, barefoot children were accustomed to playing. The policeman on the beat noticed the woman’s actions, and watched her very suspiciously. Several times her saw her stoop, pick up something, and hide it in her apron. Finally, he went up to her, and with a gruff voice demanded, “What are you carrying off in your apron?” The timid woman did not answer at first, whereupon the policeman, thinking she must have found something valuable, threatened her with arrest if she did not show him what she had in her apron. The woman opened her apron and revealed a handful of broken glass. “What do you want with that stuff?”, asked the policeman. The woman replied, “I just thought I would pick it up so the glass would not hurt the children’s feet.”