"Dear Sir, could you make this next year slow down a little bit? The time I have seems to be sliding away faster than a sneaky snake chasing a rat. I would like enough time during each month to realize that it is that month! I can't believe how you have done me this last year with me missing the whole month of June. Sincerely, One Old Cattleman"
I want to mail that request, but I don't know the address. Sure, I saw the month of January stay about 40 days and February was around a 50-day month, but the rest of them took a 10 to 15 day stay. Go on, figure that one out.
Feeding hay is my main occupation as of now. I don't get to ride around in the pickup and count cows, stop in the emporium for a slab of pie or do anything fun. I just pray the hay truck will start and that the heater will work and take off for the day in the old roaring gas gobbling monster. I find it peaceful -- no radio or interference from neighbors trying to stop me for a visit. I also find it to be a little of a strain.
I am a stout feller, even stronger than I smell, but moving those hay rings frozen into the ground is a job that has to be man handled. You need to rearrange them pretty often, and pulling the strings is also no job for a weakling.
I do not like hay season, the first or the last part! I do enjoy feeding the cattle, but I wish I could pay someone to do the job from start to finish.
Don't mention the above gripe and snarl to the offspring if you see them. I don't want the close relative to hear it either. You know a man never gets ahead shirking a job, and I will not shirk one as long as I can draw breath. That said, I don't have to like it!
I do get to eyeball the cattle as they crowd me in each pasture. The fall calves look good and they are handling the cold just fine. Remember, we lost several to pneumonia and, so, only the strong survived.
Now we are watching for some heavy springers in the spring calving herd. Some of the young cows are sure slow in getting to the hay and you can watch the calves move around in their bellies on the slicker haired ones. I take the time to look and watch even if I don't have the extra daylight to do it.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, we turned the corner and the days have a little more daylight each day. That is good news and I reckon we all need some of that!
I look forward to December the 21st or 22nd each year because that means the great season of Spring is getting closer!
As of now we only have about eight weeks or maybe 12 weeks of sleet, snow, ice, income tax, sick cattle, flu and -- I could go on, but to maintain my sanity, I won't!
Hang in there and watch for the first robin. On second thought, I heard they are stupid birds and liars, so maybe don't watch for them!
Bill is the pen name of the Gravette area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 01/07/2015