I guess you are as tired of hearing about the snow as I am. It came, it covered up everything, it made a mess and it melted. The weathermen just keep on showing pictures and putting up charts to show what amount each little village received and I am tired of it all. But then you all know us cattlemen are sorta that way; we like clear warm weather with a good rain every other day, but at night!
My close relative brought me another cup of coffee this morning and sat down with me at the table to watch the news. We usually do that at least a couple of days a week, and talk about our plans for the day. She didn’t stay long today; said I was a grouch and took off to other parts of the casa. I am not, but I didn’t argue with her. I gathered up my stuff and left to do chores.
How is it that a feller can get his apple cart upset over something so foolish as being aggravated at a weather station on TV? Yeah, I know I was silly or immature, and I am over it now. I felt like a feller with not much of a life if something so inane can make me grouchy! I needed a piece of pie so I hurried through the cows, told the offspring to get the tin nailed down on the old hay barn and I went to town.
We don’t have much green grass up to now and yet I could see from the road that the cow was terribly bloated and in need of help. I called Tom Nelson and advised him of the cow down in his pasture. I figured it to be grass tetany and it sure hit early this year. Another reason I needed pie!
Jerry was the only oneleft at the round table when I walked in. He was just looking down, watching his foot swing. His fingers were wrapped around the cup and his mind was way off somewhere where no problems dwell. He howdy-ed me and smiled. We laughed about the snow melting, drank a couple cups of coffee and ate pie. We both felt lots better and I needed to get around and do some shopping for vet supplies.
I drove back by Tom’s place and his truck and the vet’s wagon were still in the pasture. I parked in the ditch and crawled through the fence and walked out to where they were. Doc said he didn’t think this old cow would make it and, sure enough, it was the tetany. Tom was right blown up over the loss of his bovine. I guess it has been a rough year on his place, and he lost his town job too. Now that is enough to make a feller grouchy or get down on his knees!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, a good humor is a very precious thing and one of the few good things we can decide for ourselves. As I drove along I thought about all the sickness and misery in the world and how trivial a few charts and pictures on TV was. Dang it, I was ashamed of myself and you would have been too!
Straightened up and flew right the remainder of today and am trying to keep that frame of mind for tomorrow. Can’t guarantee anything except pie is good for a man!
-Bill
Bill is a pen name used by the Gravette author of this weekly column.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 03/31/2010