Time spent on the best holiday of the year is well spent

The bird was stuffed with dressing and then I was! We counted our blessings one by one and named each of them as we enjoyed the family and praised the Lord for His goodness and grace. The table groaned and creaked with the feast, and I am now speaking of the dessert table. What fun for a bunch of uncultured fellers and kids! We sure did a huge damage to the stuff and then went back later in the day.

We had some company for the big dinner -- a widow woman who is a sweetheart (and she was feisty and fun) brought her famous sweet potato pie and all raved about it. The bachelor we had over was amazed at the amount of food a little grandkid ate. He didn't remember his growing days and laughed at the sight. We sure did get a downright good blessing from both of them.

The cattle were still and wearing a frost on their fuzzy coats as I checked on all of them early. We are sorting steers this week for the feedlot. I would like to send them all but the offspring think we should be a little more discerning and I guess they may be right, this time. I sure like the looks of the old bull's progeny. We can tell the difference in the stature and growth of his calves.

The old bull I am speaking of is the one that almost gave me a heart attack when I wrote the check by him. I then realized he would have to ride in a stock trailer for about a thousand miles to his home, no cushioned bed to rest on and curves and hills to knock him around. Wondering about feed or water on the trip and my poor old heart did stop for a second. How in the world does a poor man ever get himself into a bind like this? All I did was nod my head and here I was!

Considering I did not have to put the farm up for collateral, I guess it was an OK decision after seeing what he has done for our herds! The heifer calves are here to stay and I don't get that queasy feeling when I look at the bull anymore!

It is my opinion, and everybody has one, the time spent on the best holiday of the year is well spent. I wish all could enjoy the sparkles of a grand-filled home, the food and festivities of such a blessed day. I know this old world has pockets of wars and hate killings, demonstrators out for reasons that make no sense, hungry children and Godless human beings. I can't change that. I try to take care of this little rock pile, and do what I can for what I am able to do. The prayers of all of us are powerful, so fellers please do it!

I'm going hunting this evening and don't tell my close relative! She thinks I am busy with some important work!

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