The nature of man is to be greedy and mean spirited

Sunshine and blue sky are a welcome sight to these old eyes and to all the cattle today. We, me and cattle, are indoctrinated now to cold and we are not happy about it at all! My fingers and lips both got chapped and cracked. I have trouble whistling and puckering up, but then there isn't much call for that!

We have had a couple of snotty-nosed yearling heifers and the sick pen is now empty again. I know it was warm and pretty and in 24 hours it was dang cold. That is the formula for pneumonia in cattle, especially those who are a little bit weaker than you'd like. Seems like we always have two or three yearlings that are skittish or haven't put on enough weight. I say we always have, but some years it is worse than others. I have tried to cull the herd specifically for that abnormality and yet it occurred again this year.

I have been looking for a few good heifers to add to ours, thinking about some new blood in the bunch. It is a little bit of a worry, adding unknowns into your blood line. We are very selective, and the two offspring go along on those trips to look at the mature cows as we think about adding unknown heifers to ours. Usually the trip turns out to be a nice diversion because my close relative also goes along.

We made it to a couple of ranches during the last month, looking at their offerings. Cattle are high and I appreciate the raise, but it makes me take a good long look before I pull out the check book for a dozen big heifers. I sure enjoy this business, the looking at new places and talking to folks in my profession about the exact things that interest me. It is a real pleasure to me, and to the offspring too.

The grass has been so good this fall that we are pretty late starting to hay. We are putting some out to the steers and heifers; but the old cows, the main herd, are in a new pasture with plenty they can bale for themselves. I am a happy cattleman this year, plenty of water, grass and good prices. What more could a feller want?

My close relative is beginning to get ready for the big feed on Turkey Day. I have seen some extra cookies baked and sacked up for the freezer, and the turkey décor is getting thick around the living room. Must be about time for that day of naming your blessings out loud and thinking of all the things we have and not what we want!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, the nature of man is to be greedy and mean spirited, but the happiest folks are the ones that are givers and have that attitude of liking what and whoever they have to deal with. A feller that can laugh at himself, be thankful for a spare when his tire is flat and say so is a dandy. I heard a man say he was sure thankful that a house was just six miles from where he ran out of gas. Those are the kind of people that will enjoy that big Turkey Day the most.

Have a good one and I hope all your pies are as good as mine will be!

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

Editorial on 11/26/2014