Pride can about do a feller in!

Cattle prices are oozing down, then a little higher and all on the same day. I like buying grain a little cheaper and then I ain't too happy about selling the results of that cheaper.

This is the life of a beef producer, and it will always cycle. About 20 years is the duration of the cycle, and don't ask me why because I don't really know. I can guess just like you can, but neither of us would be exactly right.

Out of that discussion comes the thought of happy things.This is the time to seriously prepare for the spring calving. Cleaning out the stalls for those we hope never have trouble delivering the calf is one of the jobs I have always sorta enjoyed. It is hard work but time to think about the crops coming on and what to plan on doing with them.

I started the stall work this morning. I was wishing I had a blade on the tractor that would fit in the gate of the stalls but, since I am a strong and solid feller, I supposed the exercise would be a benefit to my sorta soft winter body. Lord have mercy, I did not expect the term exercise to be a misnomer. That was deep torture and unrelenting pain.

I filled the wheelbarrow a couple of times and then sat down awhile. It was early in the day so I figured I could finish by noon. The sunshine worked a miracle on the pain and I leaned up against the door post in the feed room and dozed off. Dog was happily soaking up the sun, too, so we slept soundly for about half an hour.

That was a huge mistake. When I moved, I was sure enough stiff and miserable. I shook myself and went back to work. I am smart enough to know when to say uncle, and the offspring will be allowed to take that job next time. It was crowding noon when I finished, and I had asked the Lord to keep me alive so I could eat some of the fried chicken I knew was on the menu for dinner.

The only thing to do then was to try to walk without hobbling and stooping over. That old sinful pride was working on me in a big way and I strode around a few times practicing my tougher-than-leather walk.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, pride can about do a feller in! I tried to act like I was spry and had been doing easy toil, but the effects of my morning were making me a liar and I was sure feeling the stupidity of it all.

Yep, proud to be what I am, and I am sure you are, too. A man who can and does handle whatever comes up in a day's time. But we are also aware that pride comes before the fall!

I hobbled to the house and cleaned up before facing my close relative. She smiled and handed me the Absorbine Junior bottle. I thanked her.

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