Thursday, June 4, 2009

An Old Farmer's Advice

The minute I saw this photo and especially the accompanying 'advice' I thought of my dad's father, Daddy Buck. My grandfather died when I was about five years old, but thankfully with family photos and stories retold repeatedly I knew Daddy Buck. Daddy Buck was a 'no nonsense' kind of guy, but with a heart of gold. He believed in hard work being it's own reward. He and 'Tillie' raised 5 children on a farm in Missouri. The next to the youngest was my dad. Dad had a 'miniature' farm in Oregon and he was happiest when he was outside, preferably with his hands in the dirt. The following advice is 'right on' ... and as you might guess NOT just about old farmers!

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong. *Keep skunks and bankers at a distance. *Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. * A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled. * Meanness don't jes' happen overnight. * Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads. * Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge. * You cannot unsay a cruel word. * Every path has a few puddles. *When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway. *Don't judge folks by their relatives. * Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time. * Don't interfere with
somethin' that ain't bothering you none. * Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'. * Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got. * The
biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

* Always drink upstream from the herd. * Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in. * If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some
influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

3 comments:

Jadehollow said...

Sandy .. you're so right.. they are all right on! Especially " If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around." hahahaha I might haffa paint that lil quote above Ashley's door!
Hugs,
Debbie

Robynn's Ravings said...

Sandy these were GREAT! Thanks for sharing them. There are so many good sayings here but I'm with Debbie...that last one sure puts it in perspective! lol

Hey, thanks for the update about BZ. I s'pose this means I will have to live without my Friday Quiz or photo. How's she feeling? She's in my prayers.

Tatersmama said...

Oh Sandy, I LOVED these!
I have the last one on a fridge magnet and it does my heart good to see it constantly. :-)

Tell Miz Bz that I'm thinking of her!
I think I would go nuts with no blogging, but at least it would be a short trip, since I'm almost there anyway!