NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — We had a neighbor up north a few miles who sold out this year. He is moving his bunch to Arizona. His reasoning was that if he had to live in arid country, he was gonna live where it was supposed to be arid! I can kinda understand that, and I like it out in that part of the world, but I don’t suppose I willever sell any of this. I regress, again!
I went to the farm sale and was looking forward to buying some posts and other stuff a man of my profession can’t live without. The sale bill had a page of small listings on it, and I was sure looking forward to making some dandy buys. As usual,his stuff was about as bad as mine and I bid some but didn’t take anything home. I did enjoy the sandwich and pie I ate from the concession stand.
A farm sale is a welcome pause in our country. We always see lots of friends and get some visiting in. My close relative went along and we enjoyed the time away and had an enjoyable time catching up on families and their doings. These things are like the old days when folks came to see the hangings of outlaws, except no one swings!
My plight in life is never as bad as it could be and I sawan old friend that had lost his leg due to diabetes. He was glad to be out amongst the world again, and I was glad to see his close relative close by, watching his every step. As we visited, he mentioned that his eyes were getting pretty bad; he couldn’t drive anymore and yet he was easy to talk to and not grisly as a bear.
That visit gave me pause. I am amazed at the attitude of that feller and his close relative. They were as pleasant as could be, a smile on their faces for all and not a hint of the dreadful deeds the disease had done to their lives.I figure they are a high water mark for all of us. Trying to attain that much grace is a mighty big step.
Old Jim showed up with his one-eyed dog. I didn’t ask and he didn’t offer any explanation as to how a feller could own two dogs and both of them lose an eye. Maybe flying rocks as they travel down the road at Mach 4 with that dog sticking his head around the cab of the truck could be the answer.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, moving on is a feller’s privilege if he isn’t happy where he is. This old country has a good manyplaces to go, and if you want dry or wet you can make that choice.
As for me and mine, I am just pleased as punch to stay put on this old rock pile. I doubt if I could make it any better anywhere else, wouldn’t know anybody or the back roads to town. I’d stay lost most of the time, but I sure do wish that feller that moves on, good luck. I’ll stay here and finish what I’ve started, the good Lord willing and the creeks don’t rise!
Bill is a pen name used by the Gravette author of this weekly column.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 09/26/2012