Give of yourself a little more this year and enjoy the reason for the season

I am certainly happy about the moisture we got and thrilled that I have a good saddle horse. I don't mind wearing the old slicker, and yet I hate to fasten on those rubber boots. I am pretty good at counting cattle horseback and enjoy being able to ride up beside them without causing any disturbance. The truck shouts feed wagon and they come running.

Snip and I spent that morning riding around and we both enjoyed it except for the times of hard rain. The sprinkles were enough to keep water dripping off my hat, but the hard showers were just stoppers where we stood. The cattle don't mind too much, but they do like to go to shelter during the downpours.

Back to blue sky and getting ready for the big day. Church is sure enjoyable and beautiful this time of the year. We meet and eat and watch kids doing programs. They all seem to believe the loudest singers are the best! How proud it makes us to see our Grands in the programs and know that they are being raised according to Scripture.

The two calves in the sick pen are still there. They don't seem any worse but no better either. The cows are faithful to make milk and feed their babies but, counting all the medicine I have put down and into the calves, they should be worth about a thousand dollars apiece now. How do you know when to stop doctoring and proceed to knock the sick in the head? I am going to give them another week or so before I decide.

The market sorta buckled this last week. It dropped so fast and loud that the politicians in D.C. thought someone had dropped the ball and told the truth! I suppose it made my banker sad but, for us that ride it high or low, we are just in it to stay. I know some of the boys that bought high-dollar feeders will be sick, but I can't feel too sorry for them. They ought to study some history of the market and then think hard about what they are doing and where they are in the cycle. About every 20 years there is a rise and ebb with the thing.

I have bought a load of feed and that will probably be the Christmas gift my close relative gets this year! We are so old that we don't want anything more because we have all we need and want even less of that! I will look around at the hardware store when I get to town and see if they have anything she might like. They stocked some pink tool cases a couple of years ago and she got two of them for Christmas! Never can tell what you might find there.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, relax and enjoy the season. I know that the urge to give is high and the cash in our pockets is low, but giving doesn't have to cost a bunch. Don't give yourself ring tail, you know, spurring yourself and then holding the reins tight. Just give of yourself a little more this year and enjoy the reason for the season!

Kleenex boxes in a truck sure get messed up. A toilet paper roller made of baling wire attached to the gun rack is sure handy for using that tissue to wipe your nose. Cold weather will cause many a drip so be prepared!

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