OPINION? EVERYBODY HAS ONE

Just roll with the punches

Some object lessons are difficult to learn and I find that they just always taste bad. I am a lover of good cattle and I really do like to take care of them. I would wrap the calves in blankets if possible, but do not let my close relative hear that. She thinks I am tough and hard-hearted, and it needs to stay that way.

I trust my weatherman somewhat, as much as a feller can trust a growlingdog and a weatherman. He tries not to lie and does a pretty good job of predictions. I figured I would roll out a bale of hay because the cold snap was coming in and we had been so warm that the cattle would surely shiver in the blast. The old cows watched and the calves bounced around the tractor and snorted at me while I fixed them a good bed for the coming front. They had no idea whatwas in store for them in the next 24 hours.

The offspring came around for a snack at headquarters and their mother babied them and fed them. I showed up and she motioned where the coffeepot was so I could get my own. We sat around the kitchen table and talked about what needed to be taken care of before the front came and I mentioned the rolled out hay in the fall calf pasture. The offspring snickered and my close relative rolled her eyes. Well, it actually is my choice because I am the real boss of this outfit. They can carry on however they please, but I can do whatever I desire!

The cold rolled in andit got down to old Dog wanting in on the porch. The water pan in the barn froze over and the rat cats needed some help with their hydration source. I was so smug because I knew the calves had a good warm place to sleep and I imagined how grateful they would be. I fed Snip and laughed at him as he threw up his tail, snaked his neck in the cold air and ran around the corral.

I had to wait on the offspring because they had my truck, so I took my time doing the barn chores and even swept the floor in the feed room. Any kind of activity was good because standing still allowed the flesh to freeze!

You know I am against all cold; it is about as bad as that other political party.

The truck finally came down the drive and I could tell it was not fun and games by the faces looking at me. They got out and came to the feed room with the look of pallbearers. What in the world could have happened that was so serious I could not figure out.

They broke the news without any fanfare. A cow had stepped on one of the big calves and broke its leg in the knee joint. Bones were sticking out of the hide and they put it out of its misery quickly.

It is my opinion, andeveryone has one, trying to change or do good for critters is commendable, but God gave the cattle plenty of hair to keep them warm and my rolling out hay caused them all to want to lay in the same place. If I’d left well enough alone, the old cow would never have stepped on the baby’s knee.

Live and learn, if we would pay attention and learn! I don’t feel very smug now and was thankful there were no toldyou-so’s said.

Fellers, I don’t know what to tell you. Just roll with the punches, I guess!

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

Opinion, Pages 5 on 01/25/2012