Bill

I finally got the steer penned, but it was not the easy job I started out thinking it would be. The herd of steers are young ones and, as we all know, some young ones can act pretty stupid. These boys ran around the pasture many times, bucking and kicking up their heels like teenagers are inclined to do! I was wet with sweat and so were they, but they were still enjoying the chase and I am here to tell you, I wasn't!

I have been a fortunate feller all my life, health wise. I have few aches and pains, no big hospital stays for removal of innards or repair of bones. This point in life is sure the time to be thankful, but not to test the endurance of an old heart! I was glad I had not gone after the ruptured steer on Snip. He is getting too fat and old to chase around like the steers did! The truck left some tracks but they will grow over in time.

I had to go to headquarters to retrieve the trailer and it was the bearer of two flat tires. I was sure it was not the time for me to have an easy day, but I suppose the life I have lived has prepared me to fix it! Fix it is the standard for fellers who raise beef for America, of which I am one.

I opened the shop and broke down the tires, plugged the nail holes and proceeded to air them up. That long black hose connected to the compressor was what I reached for, but not what I got! It wiggled and I slung that thing to the back of the shop, ran screaming out the door and found myself pale and shaking on the step to the barn! You know how it is when you fall on your face, you look around to see who saw you fall! Well, I finally came to myself and looked around, discovered two male offspring and a close relative running from the house to see what the clamor was all about!

I know I am tough, tougher than a boot, normally. But old snakes and mad badgers can sure make me act ridiculous. I tried to explain to the three hysterically laughing folks that I was not scared, I was shocked. The oldest of the offspring took off looking for the reptile to move it to a needed area. He thinks the granary would be a perfect place for a mouser. I would rather raise a litter of kittens for the job.

I then remembered that the ruptured steer was penned and probably tearing up Jake to get out. I assigned the trip to the vet to the two clowns and went to the house with my close relative. My heart had been truly stressed and I passed the test this time! No sense in pressing the luck!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, spring is wonderful, but the things of summer that are not too grand are also about. Ticks don't freeze to death, chiggers are just itching to hop on your warm blood-filled body and always remember that snakes are a bane to our existence! At least to mine! Watch where you step, or grab!

Bill is the pen name of the Gravette author of this column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.