You can still smile at all you meet

The wind has been kicking up dust and removing tin from barn roofs. Thirty and 40 mile per hour gusts are not the common gentle breezes we are accustomed to in this part of the country. I am never surprised when that wind goblin prances by in March, but April was not ever his time to roam. Trying to jerk a kink in our tails with his hi-jinks, I suppose.

We need rain and it continues to go south of here. The poor flooded areas are getting more and they sure would like to dry out. Reminds me of riches. The rich get richer and the poor don't get anything! Our weather prediction is for rain today and into tomorrow. Sun is shining now so who can figure? Grass isn't getting ahead, cattle are grazing it faster than it can grow.

Grands that play baseball are in motion again. I have already developed that bleacher blister stance. What in this old world is more fun than watching your own play ball? That sport thing, the activity of play, is a special treat that this generation, mine, was not fortunate to participate in. We had to work and lived so far from a school or town that it was just not feasible. It would have all been over by the time I got to town! So I enjoy the grands!

The offspring are deep into grease and dirt repairing and preparing to mow hay. I have told them I think it is a little early to start but they can't seem to wait. The shop is a good place to be out of the wind and still get some things accomplished.

I haven't been to the sale barn for a couple of weeks. I don't have anything to sell and sure don't need to buy right now. The fellers at the local coffee emporium have kept me apprised of the trends and who sold what! They do not gossip; they are a news service and most of us appreciate the handy way they share. I would not ever know about the population if they didn't keep me up to date. Dick Satterwhite has a new wife and I didn't even know he needed one. I guess the first one left some time ago and the fellers let that item fall through the cracks! Well, anyhow, the market will get better when it rains again.

Snip has new shoes on the front and we are ready to start riding fence. It seems the grass is always sweeter on the other side of the fence and the old hides will push until they knock out steeples and pull up posts.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, it doesn't matter if the wind blows for several days; you can still smile at all you meet. Just remember to keep your upper lip tight to the lower one to keep grit out of your gizzard! Don't roll the windows down as you go along because dust will invade your vehicle so subtly that you won't even realize it until you get out and find yourself covered! Have faith, the Lord will allow rain when He sees fit!

Begin looking for Old Sneaky Snake as you walk around the place.

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