Slippin' and slidin'

My close relative has been wringing her hands in agony as she watches the ice pellets and snow cover the flower beds where she has been getting ready to plant stuff.

I am so sorry for her, but she really had other worries when I told her she would have to go with me to put out feed. The fretting over flower beds came to a screeching halt!

The feed bin does freeze up if the wind blows snow or sleet into the perfect angles of the metal. The auger runs but the door can't open, so we can twist the auger into more than one piece or be prepared to break the ice around the feed slot. I have done it myself many a time, but I decided this morning that a little help and company would be fitting.

The snow was still pristine with few rabbit tracks, and the sun made sparkles looking like scattered glitter. I know about glitter because I have female Grands. The temperature was nasty, and I was relieved to get back into the truck with a load of cubes. I am here to tell you that the ice under the snow had built a slick surface for us to slide on and we did! I don't think I had ever slid around on the pasture like that before.

The cattle were glad to see us coming, and I was glad my close relative was along to drive through the gate as I closed it. I sure didn't want to chase cattle down the highway in this mess. We drove along the highest place in the field and scattered cubes along the way. I didn't find any cows showing signs of delivery and was certainly glad about that. I know it is time and they will start at any minute, but let us hope it won't be until at least the end of the week.

The offspring were taking care of haying the rest of the cattle and my job was to feed the steers next. We made the trip to the steer pasture by praying and driving real slow! That ice was loud crackling under the tires of the truck and my close relative had pursed lips and her hands were dug into the seat. I believe her state of rigidness was as solid as a rod of steel. I didn't laugh or make any jokes about slipping and sliding as I normally would have because of the high probability of getting stuck!

The steers were making it fine and yet we both commented about the frigid weather and them in the snow. The matted snow covered their bodies and heads and I felt bad for them. We have cement troughs for the steers and we filled them without sliding into one. I was wondering if that was possible a couple of times but we made it. I have a rough time paying attention to driving when there are fat steers to watch.

We stopped by the old well house on the way back to headquarters to be sure the heat lamp was working. The rabbit, bird, deer and turkey tracks were all around and I was curious as to why. I walked around the back side and there was a well-used mineral sack, torn to bits and pieces. I loaded a couple of sacks and headed back to the mineral feeder.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, this bad weather is a pain but we are sure to enjoy the warmth of spring just a little more when it comes. I wouldn't trade jobs with a desk jockey and he wouldn't want this mess either!

We are at a critical time of watching for grass tetany and the green grass will certainly show up after this mess melts. Be sure to fill the mineral feeders and watch for sick ones. Be aware!

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

Editorial on 03/12/2014