The days are getting longer and the weather has been agreeable these last few days. I must have been one of the millions who got plumb tired of the cold and misery, and I am pretty sure the rest of us are as thankful as I am. I can feed cattle without groaning this morning.

Old Dog is bouncing around like a pup. He is fat and has stayed in the yard all winter so he is a sight to behold loping along, looks like he is rolling! He is a part of my good and happy feelings this morning. You can't watch a living entity enjoy life without some of it rubbing off on yourself!

We have counted hay and bought another load of feed to finish up the winter. We have plenty and, if the month of February isn't a down right stinker, we will make it with some leftovers. The offspring have informed me that we probably cut too much hay and I lay that off being young. They haven't lived through the years of need like some of us have.

My close relative is gearing up to renovate the front yard. She has a book she bought at the home improvement store and has pored over the contents for a couple of months. The pictures of wishing wells and fountains, entry gates and trellises are so adorable, as she comments, and the whole thing would only take up a small part of the east lot where she knows the calves could do without it. As for costs, that is not as important as the aesthetic beauty it would add. How could I not see that?

I am not a feller who is dumb enough to argue with the experts, so I leave the area and go to the coffee emporium pretty often. We have a new waitress and she is a hard worker. She is from the north and talks with a strange accent, but she knows most of our names and is swift to keep the cups filled.

I wonder a lot about why folks move to our little community and then why they move on. We are a right friendly bunch, have more churches than stores and keep a dandy fire department in good gear. Maybe we look pretty good at first and then the shine begins to wear off due to the lack of finances available. I don't know, just guessing, but I do mull it over.

I intend to make a few passes around the leased land today and fix any loose wires or leaning posts. I have the trailer hooked up and Snip is going to earn his oats. I know the best way to see it all is horseback and we both need the exercise. I am going to take the pretty little paint along for the ride because she gets right feisty standing around.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, enjoy every day no matter the weather. I am prone to fuss a little, but I know each day is for only a short time and never can get it to dawn twice. I am determined to use the hours allotted, even if I use them resting my eyes in my recliner! Enjoy your days!

Bill is a pen name used by the Gravette author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.