Readers, this is Bill

Howdy to you folks who are for the first time exposed to the wisdom of ole’ Bill. I am right proud to have you. We have been expecting company for some time and it is a privilege to introduce you all to my family.

My other half, some say my better half, is always busy, and you won’t find her relaxed in an easy chair during daylight hours. My close relative, the other half of this outfit, is extremely nice and slightly opinionated. We mostly agree but her side of the family occasionally throws a kink in things.

The good Lord blessed us mightily when we prayed for offspring. We received a female, two years later a male and two years later, another male. I couldn’t produce any more money, but we made it with the five mouths to feed and five pair of feet to keep shod. Still can’t produce more money, but the offspring are grown and they have fashioned the greatest crop of grands a feller could ever want!

I guess I didn’t decide to become a beef producer, it just sorta happened. We, my close relative and me, got hitched and started looking for a place to buy. We had to have land — don’t ask me why — and we’ve been working to pay it off ever since.

The cattle business is a wonderful occupation for some of us (not everybody can stand it) and we do like the perks it provides. The perks are where you find them, a good dog named Dog, a good horse named Snip, sunrises, sunsets and the smell of freshly mowed hay. There are many others. I figure most of you fellers know about them so I won’t go any deeper.

We have good friends, not merely acquaintances but real good friends. Families in this part of the world, where you and I are fortunate enough to call home, take friendship seriously. Kids don’t go hungry if we know about it. School pencils and Big Chief tablets can be gotten for the asking from teachers in the know.

Yep, it is a good life and yet, as with all things, we hit bumps in the road just like you do. Payments, births, deaths and did I mention meetings with the banker? I have dealt with droughts most of my life, some mud, hay seasons, sick cattle, down fences, snakes and other pests. Hard times are familiar to me and I’ll be dang if they can get me down! So whistle while you work and pray a good deal.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, making the most you possibly can out of every day of your life is a requirement. There are no replays, no second chances to hit 30 and change your direction, just this one-time go around. There is only one Judge you gotta please and He will make your life and the lives of your family much better, so depend on Him.

Hang in there, we will have a long and decidedly adventurous relationship. Who knows what will pop up around the place and need to be shared with my readers, for whom I am thankful! Write to the newspaper office if you think of something I should know. They will send it out in the monthly mail!

—Bill

Bill is a pen name used by the Gravette author of this weekly column.