The Farmland Almanac: Thursday, February 26, 2009
Christopher Gabriel | Feb 26, 2009 | Comments 11
with Harrison Beillor
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Sheep
by Earl Felcher
When I’m grazing
I see the sun
The sky
The clouds
Grazing is
My Passion
My Life’s Work
While I graze
I see the cows
The horses
The other sheep
And I wonder…
Why?
“Sheep” by Earl Felcher. © Big Sky Press, 1951. Reprinted with permission.
It’s the birthday of the farmer and sometimes-poet, Mildred Bellows, born in Quimby, Montana, 1928. She was a lightning rod of controversy in her small Montana town. She’d travel to the country store, with all of her chickens in the back of her truck…she didn’t like leaving them alone on the farm…said they missed her…and this bothered her. But the good people of Quimby didn’t like the chickens….especially the day the back of Mildred’s truck opened and the chickens ran amok throughout the town, terrorizing small children, running roughshod through Eddie Merkle’s Pancake House. Eventually, Mildred stopped bringing the chickens because of the mental anguish her chickens were forced to endure from people screaming at them and taunting them.
***
Eat well, work hard, and give me a call.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Host: Harrison Beillor
Producer: David Allen
Technical Director: Wendy Gabriel
Inspiration: The Writer’s Almanac, with Garrison Keillor
Filed Under: Life • Media • Minneapolis • Minnesota • Society • Writing • humor • radio
I laugh every time I listen! Can’t wait for the next installment.
[Reply]
Too funny! Thanks for the entertainment! – Mary-Lynn
[Reply]
I love it! I laughed all the way through and am still laughing! Chickens who miss their owner, run amok and suffer mental anguish…hahahaha!
[Reply]
Wonderful! I love this concept and the writing. I also can just see those poor chickens being thrust into the unknown, running about like chickens with their…oh, never mind. Great stuff! Keep it coming!
[Reply]
Hi Terri, thanks for stopping by! I have to say, I appreciated Harrison featuring Mildred Bellows’ story. My in-laws have chickens but fortunately, theirs never leave the back of the truck…even when the gate is open.
[Reply]
Hey Jennifer, nice to see you here! So glad you like Harrison. It was a coup for Blog Harbor to secure Harrison’s Farmland Almanac. Incidentally, and talk about coincidences, Harrison Beillor, like Mildred Bellows, was born and raised in Quimby, Montana. The wonders of a small world.
[Reply]
Hi Mary-Lynn! I will gladly pass on your comment to Harrison…he’ll be thrilled!
[Reply]
Hi Wendy…Harrison has some green living poetry that I believe will find its way onto The Farmland Almanac so stay tuned!
[Reply]
Had to stop back so the hubby could have a listen too. He gives you two very enthusiastic thumbs-up.
[Reply]
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
‘Nuff said…
[Reply]
Hello Mike, I wanted to thank you for your kind comment on my work. I hope you’ll continue to give The Farmland Almanac a listen every Thursday. We’re very excited to have joined up with Blog Harbor.
[Reply]