Recycle for Peanuts

George Washington Carver is noted for inventing uses for the peanut and the sweet potato.  He is one of the nation's most famous inventors, but only received 3 US patents in his lifetime.  This month's issue of Missouri Life reveals he was also a recycler and conservationist long before the trends became chic.  

"No individual," he observed, "has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving something behind."  Carter's life and work are more than ample inspiration for us to go out and look at the world through fresh eyes.  Below is his favorite poem, a little inspiring treat all its own:

EQUIPMENT

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, "I can."

Look them over, the wise and great
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you've all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You're well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began,
Get hold of yourself and say: "I can."

--Edgar A. Guest