Katie Erdman
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HANCOCK - Grain bins and granaries just aren't what they used to be. Grain storage on farms today is usually in large bins with big leg systems attached to fill them. We didn't have these huge storage areas on the farm where I grew up. Instead we had corn cribs, granaries and small grain bins. The corn cribs held the corn that was picked and kept to dry on the cob. Some of this corn on the cob was fed to animals, but most was left to dry until the day when the corn shellers came to the farm.
Big red barns on farm places are becoming a thing of the past. Along with the barns, the disappearance of the silos that once stood proudly next to them is also taking place. The look of farm sites just doesn't seem right with out those big barns and silos. The barn on our farm was not red but it was big. The biggest portion was the hayloft where the winter supply of hay and straw was stored. It was a place that I remember for fun and hard work. I was never able to enjoy an old fashion barn dance which usually took place in the hay loft when most of the hay was gone.
The other day I stopped at the Hancock School to listen to a presentation on bullying. The students conducting the program were from the Morris Area High School and did a wonderful job of getting the message across about the consequences of bullying. These students did some skits, played a game, showed video and gave some personal testimony about how bullying affected them personally and their friends. It was an eye-opening experience and hopefully it will help in some small way. We hear a lot about bullying today, but it is not a new experience for students.
I'm not sure if you can say that March came in like a lion or a lamb. Compared to the winter we have had so far, the first days of March were relatively lion-like. However, if you look at past winters, it is more like a lamb. I guess only the end of the month will tell, that is if you believe in things like this that supposedly predict the weather and other events. Coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb is a form of adage or proverb. There are a lot of things that people believe when it comes to predicting weather.
At this time of year you hear a lot about teamwork. We are in the midst of the most aggressive sports season for some ages and about to head into tournaments. Teamwork is an important part of success in sports but also an important aspect of success in life. I am a firm believer that young people should experience what it is like to be on a team. It doesn't necessarily have to be a sports team but any type of team. It could be Knowledge Bowl, debate, speech, dance, cheerleading or any number of others.
It is hard to remember that it is winter. I have to keep reminding myself that this is winter. The warm temperatures and lack of snow make it feel more like early spring or late fall. Thus far, this is certainly the winter that wasn't. Because we haven't had a blizzard or extremely cold weather, we can enjoy the winter in fun ways. I recently experienced some winter fun at a fishing contest where you could not only fish, but also do some ice skating, sledding and have a bonfire on the ice. There was this frosty layer on everything along the shoreline creating a beautiful background.
Cold winter days make me think of cards and card parties. I love to play cards in the winter, and getting together with a group of friends for a card party makes it even better. However, if that isn't possible, just playing with a group of four is also quite fun. Several years ago, my husband and I were part of a card club. In fact, we were part of two different card clubs over the years. One of the groups played four point Smear and the other group played Court Whist.
You can almost hear a collective sigh of relief as the biggest portion of the holiday is over. Soon 2011 will be history and we will start making plans and memories in 2012. For myself, I am hoping the new year will bring health, wealth and happiness. I don't ask for much, just a good share of each. Add a little fun, work, relaxation and spontaneity and it could be a great year. I have given up on making resolutions. They only last a few weeks into a new year for me. However, I do try to set some goals and make a few plans of things I want to accomplish in the new year.
HANCOCK - It sometimes seems like hurry up and wait is the theme of life. We rush and rush and then wait and wait. We are so busy getting things done and then we wait for the next rush to hit. We hurry through our schedules to make an appointment only to sit and wait our turn. We pass slow moving traffic just to come up on another slow vehicle that we're unable to pass. We rush to get projects done at home and work and then wait for the results. It is never ending sometimes. During the holidays there is a lot of hurrying and a lot of waiting.
HANCOCK - Toys have advanced a lot since the fifties. With the advent of Christmas, I have been spending more and more time in toy aisles and looking at toy catalogs. Five little grandchildren means a lot of toy shopping. In recent years I have kept up on the latest in toys and especially the most popular ones as far as my grandchildren are concerned. The advances made in toys over the years has always interested me, especially since I was a child. Toys have become much more educational, safe and attractive.