On commercial: “So God made a farmer”

I never thought I would be writing anything even remotely associated with the Super Bowl, but lo and behold, a miracle happened!  Bruce was watching it (off and on between "Hee-Haw")  and I was sitting on the couch reading, when  a commercial  about a farmer made me sit up and take notice.  I was simply amazed... that was the best commercial I have ever seen!  It gave me renewed faith in this country and even Bruce said, "That makes me want to go buy a Dodge truck!"  That's amazing in itself!  I am going to reprint the words that Paul Harvey so eloquently spoke... Author unknown.  And everyone said, "AMEN!!" 
 
So God Made a Farmer
And on the eighth day God looked down on His planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker!" So God made a farmer!
God said, "I need somebody to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper, and then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board," so God made a farmer.
"I need somebody with strong arms, strong enough to rustle a calf, and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild.  Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry and have to wait for lunch until his wife is done feeding and visiting with the ladies and telling them to be sure to come back real soon... and mean it."  So, God made a farmer!
God said, "I need somebody that can shape an ax handle, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire, make a harness out of hay wire, feed sacks, and shoe scraps.  And... who, at planting time and harvest season, will finish his 40-hour week by Tuesday noon.  Then, pain'in from "tractor back," put in another 72 hours. " So, God made a farmer!
God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rainclouds and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor's place.  So, God made a farmer!
God said, "I need somebody strong enough to clear trees, heave bales, and yet gentle enough to tame lambs, wean pigs, and tend the pink-combed pullets and who will stop his mower for an hour to mend the broken leg of a meadow lark. " So, God made a farmer!
It had to be somebody who'd plow deep and straight and not cut corners, somebody to seed and weed, feed and breed, rake, disc plow, plant, tie the fleece, and strain the milk.  Somebody to replenish the self-feeder and then finish a hard days work with a five mile drive to church.  Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft, strong bonds of sharing, who'd laugh and then sigh and then respond with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life "doing what Dad does."  So, God made a farmer!"

We extend our sympathy to the family of Hazel Hardy who passed away this past week after a lengthy illness.  Hazel was the sister of  Hattie Bonner of Buckhead and the sister-in-law of Hazel Jordan here on Bethany Road.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of these.  Continue to remember Hazel Jordan and Olena Eaton as they recuperate and regain their strength from illnesses.
We congratulate Joan and Raymond Gilbert as they became new grandparents this past weekend as Callie Madison Gilbert was born to Dr. and Mrs. Ray Gilbert of Bishop.  Congratulations to all!
Valentines is soon approaching and some of you may need a cake or cupcakes.  Buckhead Station in Buckhead is selling homemade cakes, cupcakes and even a rose to go with it.  I am almost positive that Oma Lee Cooper is doing the baking and she really knows how to do it!  They have all kinds; you will just have to call and check.  You need to pre-order by Feb. 9 and you can pick up on Valentines Day.  Their phone number is 706-342-0035.  It doesn't even have to be Valentines; you can order anytime!
We had a good week of visiting with some folks this week.  On Thursday, Mary Bohlen of Statesville, N.C. came through Madison on her way to Tallahassee, Fla.  She wanted to meet with me and my parents, Blanche and Jake Wilson to hear Daddy's memories of her great-grandparents, Sally and Knight Bohlen, who used to have a bakery in Madison close to where the Laughing Moon is today.  Daddy remembers it and also going out to their farm on the Monticello Hwy where Wayne Tankersley lives today.  Mama cooked us a good breakfast, Daddy told her all he remembered, and then we went looking at cemeteries and even went to the old Zachry homeplace where the daffodils are just beginning to bloom.  For those of us who have our book, one story about the Bohlen's is on page 261.  You would not believe how many relatives Sally and I have gotten in touch with and met since "the book."  Bertie and Grandma were dear friends of the Bohlens and they really believed in staying in touch.  Grandma would be proud.
Buck and Linda Echols of Rayle also dropped in for a visit on Saturday afternoon, which we really enjoyed.  Bruce and Buck are first cousins.
Tim and Kacey Wilson of Roswell and Bertie, Arthur and two of his girls, Corban and Lucy, also came down this weekend, so Mama and Daddy's house was full.  Tracy was home with Elsie as she wasn't feeling well.  Everyone, including our family ate dinner here with us on Saturday night.  We all just stayed around the table and such visiting and reminiscing as you have never seen! Good times!
Irene Paul and Bunnie Schmitt visited with everyone down at Mama and Daddy's on Saturday afternoon.
Marty and Connie Wilson traveled to Statesboro this past weekend to visit with the Stewart Thigpen's.
On Wednesday, Sue Van Horn is planning on bringing lunch to  Frances Brewer down at the Lake Oconee Assisted Living House.  The Van Horns, who pastor Trinity Baptist Church, are down to see Aunt Frances every week.  Now, Aunt Frances says the food is very good there, but Sue asked her if she had a special "craving" for anything and Aunt Frances said, "Well, I would really like a good old hamburger and french fries!"  Sue said, "Well, I can do that!"  So, on Wednesday, that is the plan!  Enjoy, you can't beat that!
Tonight, Monday, Harriett Young and Joan Carpenter of Union Point are going to join several of their classmates for a girl's night out at a local restaurant here in Madison.  This will be a "mini-reunion" of sorts for visiting and catching up with one another.  Another example of "good times!"
Will Porter spent his weekend at Rock Eagle with other members of the 4-H Sr. Board of Directors where they were planning and preparing for the upcoming District Project Achievements.
This coming Thursday, the annual Charles Bell Memorial Dairy Show will be held at 1 p.m. here at the Morgan County Ag Center on the Athens HIghway.  On Saturday the 4-H Show team will be competing on Saturday at the UGA Dairy Show.  Good luck to all the youngsters involved!
Tommy and Raynor Cathey recently spent a few days in Savannah.  Raynor is coming along great since her knee replacement surgery.

Printed in the February 7, 2013 edition.