GRAVETTE — Morning rain is such a great gift, and we sure needed moisture.
I woke up when the thunder rolled and looked at the clock, then I rolled back over and slept another couple of hours. I think I got about an inch or so, and the morning air was so fresh it tickled my lungs.
It doesn’t get very muddy on a rock pile. I founda couple of puddles, but a feller doesn’t need rubber boots until you start wading around in a pen of cattle. Hooves churn the dirt into a mess of mud that sucks the boots right off your feet if you’re not careful. I have none penned, so didn’t have that problem today!
As a matter of fact, I guess I didn’t find any problems today. Bettermark that down in your journal; it won’t happen often around a cattle operation! Our hay isn’t quite ready so, therefore, I am not doing that, yet. And the offspring are working on all the equipment, of course! They thrive on the adrenaline rush they get during hay season. It almost kills me.
We bought two young bulls last fall, and I haven’t wanted them in with any other bulls. These are the kind of livestock that require a glitch in the brain to buy. I realize one or both of them could lay down and die before I ever get a calf out of them but, dang it, they are so pretty andtheir bloodline so good, I couldn’t resist. I sold a couple of the old bulls we used on the spring calving cows, and we needed to replace them. My close relative got that tight-lipped, raised-brow look when I came in with the receipt. She opened it up and her face went white.
What’s a feller to do? I am getting long in the tooth and, if I want a few really good bulls, I reckon I am entitled.
What this is all trying to tell you is this: The highdollar bulls were not in their pasture this morning. They are in a trap of about 11 acres, easy to see at a glance, or at least theyshould be there. Not this day! And I spotted them along the pasture road that leads to the feed shack on the back of the place.
I drove out there slowly, admiring the grass and the aroma of the day, hoping the loose bulls would not spook and act silly. They spied me coming, of course, and, instead of taking off in an ungodly race, they turned and loped toward me, bawling and begging for their ration of cubes! I led them to the feed bunk and dumped in a double portion just because they were so good! How’s that for a good day?
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, when youare having a day of blisters on your feet, knees aching and the banker looking for you, you consider it to be just another day in the life of a beef producer. It is acceptable and usual and, if you whine, you are a sissy.
A day like the one I just experienced is a gift from God, and I am sure to praise Him for it. If you ever want another one, you’d better acknowledge where it came from!
Sure, I know there won’t be many of those perfect days, but I relish them when they come!
Bill is a pen name used by the Gravette author of this weekly column.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 05/09/2012