Dirt Farmer's Son. Terry A. Maurer
Dirt Farmer's Son
A True Story: 1942 ? 2020
Terry A. Maurer
Copyright © 2020 Terry A. Maurer
All rights reserved
First Edition
Dirt Farmer’s Son
Fulton Books, Inc.
Meadville, PA
Published by Fulton Books 2020
ISBN 978-1-64654-190-4 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-64654-907-8 (digital)
Printed in the United States of America
Table of Contents
Repeating the Dedication from a 1985 fair program
for the Crawford County Fair in Grayling, Michigan,
I dedicate Dirt Farmer’s Son to my dad,
Bernard Leo Maurer.
Bernard Maurer and his grandmother Lennon, in 1937 on the farm in Crawford County, Michigan.
The Crawford County Fair Association dedicate this premium Fair Program
to Bernard L. Maurer, who passed away April 24, 1985,
at the age of seventy.
We knew him as a judge of livestock at our first fair in 1983.
We knew him as a resident of Crawford County since 1935.
We knew him as a farmer who had interest in agriculture,
horticulture, and animal husbandry.
We knew him as a member of Mercy
Hospital’s maintenance staff.
We knew him as a county commissioner for six years.
We knew him as a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
We knew him as an outspoken man who lived
and promoted the family, the work ethic, and
the proper role of government as well as other
so-called old-fashioned ideas.
We knew him best as a friend with a sense
of humor and a knowing twinkle in his eye.
These following fourteen attitude patterns were given to me by my father’s example. I list them here in order to pass them on to all my grandchildren and their children.
The Secret of Achievers
Why is it that some people perform consistently well while others of equal talent and dedication never realize their full potential? The difference, declares Howard A. Westphall (IndustryWeek, January 1974), is attitude and how you feel about yourself and your environment. Attitude, Mr. Westphall points out, is the key to the full release of human potential, and he identifies fourteen attitude patterns which are exhibited by the high performers:
Self-Esteem
This is the foundation. You review yourself and your abilities in a positive way. You are an important, capable person who can accomplish what you set out to do. You deserve success and are not afraid to confront new situations, feeling that you control your own destiny.
Responsibility
You are accountable for your own actions. As a self-made person, you acknowledge your mistakes and take credit for your successes.
Optimism
You look forward to the next day and confident in your ability and judgment, feel that your efforts will be rewarded and that the future is promising.
Goal Orientation
If you are an achiever, you don’t just set goals and forget them. You have your goals, both immediate and long-term, in front of you continually to motivate you daily.
Imaginativeness
You are not limited and bound by the past but project a new experience for yourself. You actively seek and make change.
Awareness
You are sensitive to what is going on around you and absorb information which will be of benefit to you and help you achieve your goals.
Creativeness
The status quo does not satisfy you, and you believe that things can always be improved. You innovate and search for new approaches.
Communicativeness
You recognize the value of communication and ensure that your message is clear and that you understand what people are trying to convey to you. You develop empathy and relate to others.
Growth Orientation
Realizing that you cannot stand still in a world of change, you have chosen to grow and develop. You are concerned with developing your potential and making the most of your talents.
Positive Response to Pressure
When you are faced with crises, deadlines, and decisions, you actually function better. You have learned to take pressure and use it as a positive force to get the adrenalin flowing in your body and motivate you to act decisively.
Trust
You believe that people are basically honest, sincere, and responsible, and you act accordingly. This feeling of trust gives you relationships with others openness and credibility, which makes genuine cooperation possible.
Joyfulness
Life fascinates you, and you feel real enjoyment in whatever you are doing. You