GRAVETTE — This week has been one for the books. I’ve been here a long time, more than a few years, and I have never seen so much mud. The dirt roads will be at least 6 inches lower due to the carrying off of tons of mud stuck to tires. What does the motto of the United States Postal Service say? Something about rain, snow and the dark of night, but not a word about life sucking mud!

I heard some of the fellers at the local coffee emporium telling they hadn’t had mail for several days and that the mail person was getting pretty snippy about remarks made describing his/her, I don’t know which, delivery. A sign on the wagon read, U. S. Mail Vehicle, Do Not Expect Miracles.

A big stout horse has plenty of trouble making it around the place. I parked my new pickup in the shed and saddled Snip to check the cattle this morning. Believe me, the entire trip was a trial for that horse. I am sure we will dry out and things will return to the norm. We will be crying for rain and wondering if the grass will ever grow, but until then I personally will have a splendid time complaining.

My close relative has a couple of offspring that are totally, I had better not say what they are, but they like to play way too much! Their trucks are covered with mud and I understand it might happen if you were really trying to unstuck yourself, but not likely. It appears to be downright mudding to me and the silly grins on their faces put the finishing touchon my suspicions. They showed up for noon, said they dropped by to see if I’d like to take them to town for lunch, knowing full well their Mother would feed them. See how easy they are to read, about like a first grade Dick and Jane book. When questioned about the gross amount of mud, distributed equally on their trucks, they put on the silly expression of innocence. Sometimes I wish I could still enjoy such nonsense.

I am afraid this weather has made it even more difficult for those who are living hand to mouth. Frozen pipes, septic systems that are water logged and all the difficulty of getting to work over icy roads have played a dirty trick on lots of folks. I am sure the ones on fixed incomes are stretching every dollar to make it, let alone pay to have repairsmade. Life is hard but the alternative is more unpleasant.

I almost forgot to mention the schoolteachers in their hour of need. Imagine being cooped up in a room full of energetic six-yearold kids who cannot go out to run off some of their energy. Poor people, I’d think twice before taking on their jobs!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, it is a good thing weather is in the hands of someone much wiser than mankind. If you think this is a mess, just imagine letting a board of executives in New York City decide what we need.

-Bill

Editor’s Note: Read about Bill’s problems and adventures every week, along with some very good philosophical opinions.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 01/27/2010