OPINION? EVERYBODY HAS ONE

Remember the season in spite of the weather

I will admit it, that’s just sorta the way I roll, half off and backward!

I was so thankful that the ponds were full and the grass was growing and then someone or something pulled the plug and many of the water holes drained plumb dry. I have neighbors selling cows again and it isn’t just for Christmas cash. I don’t know if this particular drought will ever end. We may have cleared too much land, cut too many trees, and we are doomed to become like the wind-swept plains.

My heifers were all facing me, looking to the west, this morning; and each tail was sticking out straight to the north. The gentle breeze was trying to blow the cobwebs out of the country. If you’d had a windmill, you’d been wise to shut it down and wait for a kinder gusty day.

I have been watching festive garlands wrap themselves aroundsome frost and ice to kill them.

The house flies have been prolific and have mapped out plans to take over the world, according to my close relative. She carries the swatter at all times, tries to catch them in one room and wages a good battle on them. We are all endangered if one happens to be in the vehicle when she is loaded! It is like trying to drive with a starving wildcat turned loose on a mouse.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, now is the time to visit neighbors with a handshake. Wish them a merry Christmas and invite them over for a meal or a cup of coffee. Take out your handy dandy smile and wear it for the rest of the year and make everyone wonder what you have done. Forgive and forget what needs doing, make an effort to speak to the folks that you usually don’t for a myriad of reasons and act like a feller should.

Remember this: Jesus is the reason!

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

barbwire fences and plastic snowmen and Santas soar through the sky. My close relative rescued some of her nonsense - I mean decorations - and secured them with baling wire and driving T posts for support. The weather is so warm, she has been breaking a sweat to stand up snowmen. Go figure on that one!

I am glad to report we still have water and got a two inch rain a few days ago. It is so spotty with the little thunderstorms that I am almost ashamed to tell when so many are suffering. The lot was muddy where we are weaning some calves, and we are still blessed to be working in shirtsleeves.

I do believe this weather is hard on the cattle. We know for a fact that the winter will come, and when it does, it will be awful wicked on the animals. I also am aware many parasites grow and prosper in this heat. They need

Opinion, Pages 6 on 12/12/2012