I was worn to a nub and Snip was blowing hard. We gathered the steers and sorted them for weight and conformation this morning. I am going to go to the feed lot with a pen again and pray for stable grain prices. I like the looks of the steers this year and they should all do good on the scales of the USDA.
Prime is the high watermark we are shooting for and I keep on trying to hit it. Some have in the past but not all of them, and probably never will have a 100 percent; but the dream is nice!
It is cool this morning and once again it is dry. I sure thought we were gonna get a good soaking, but the clouds split and went north and south of us. The wind didn't do anyone any good, but we didn't have any damage so we are counting it as a blessing to have the dead limbs cleaned out of the yard trees.
My close relative is preparing the garden again. She will plant many-more-than-is-logical tomato plants and fret over them all summer. I wonder when she will suggest a new well for the garden with automatic water lines for her produce. She has planted some flowers and has more planned for the yard. I feel sorry for any varmint that dares to come close to her blossoms as she has a pellet gun and knows how to use it!
We have one calf and her mammy in the sick pen. The calf is about half the size of its mates and should be growing as well as any of them. The cow is a five year old and has produced three good babies, the bull was an AI bull and not a cheap one, either. The calf sucks and the cow gives plenty of milk, so the next thing is to talk to the vet. If things don't change quick, the pair will belong to some other outfit before you can say, "Sold"!
I lost a good friend out in my home country last week. We just keep on trying to live forever but it ain't gonna happen. Ben was raised about a quarter of a mile from our place and we rode horseback together to school a many a morning. He stayed out there and made a living on the home ground raising cattle and some good horses. He trained and sold some excellent cutting stock, made the cutting circuit and made lots of money. I will miss him while I wait for my call, but I know he had already reserved for his ticket on the A Train!
Our female offspring is putting together a big to do for Mother's Day, and she has approached me about what I should be thinking of for her Mom. I figure my close relative has so many things she surely doesn't need much more. But I am trying to listen and decide. More about this next week!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, being comfortable in your skin is a big deal. I am too set in my ways and so comfortable that I will miss some opportunities to do better to my family and my friends. I know this because it has happened and I am ashamed. Today I have a plan. I want to do better toward all for this year! Yes, I realize we have used up about half of the year, but I will try to make the next half rosier for all!
Bill is the pen name of the Gravette author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 05/07/2014